Birdingprof
@birdingprof.bsky.social
Actual Birder, sometime Twitcher, nascent Moth-er.
2026 Garden Bird yearlist 0️⃣6️⃣4️⃣
2026 Garden Moth yearlist 0️⃣0️⃣3️⃣
VC 26 - TL77C West Suffolk, Breckland/Fenland interface
2026 Garden Bird yearlist 0️⃣6️⃣4️⃣
2026 Garden Moth yearlist 0️⃣0️⃣3️⃣
VC 26 - TL77C West Suffolk, Breckland/Fenland interface
Reposted by Birdingprof
Bumped into the #Otter again this afternoon. Also managed to spook him again, although it was his own fault for getting out of the river, without looking first. Nearly went up my trouser leg. We both jumped. 😅
Went out after dark, to look for the #aurora but no show from West Suffolk.
Went out after dark, to look for the #aurora but no show from West Suffolk.
January 20, 2026 at 10:17 PM
A displaying Kestrel greeted me as I left the front door.
5 Lapwings over, high, ahead of the colder weather perhaps.
Four #64 Greylag Geese also over this morning.
5 Lapwings over, high, ahead of the colder weather perhaps.
Four #64 Greylag Geese also over this morning.
January 20, 2026 at 9:52 AM
A displaying Kestrel greeted me as I left the front door.
5 Lapwings over, high, ahead of the colder weather perhaps.
Four #64 Greylag Geese also over this morning.
5 Lapwings over, high, ahead of the colder weather perhaps.
Four #64 Greylag Geese also over this morning.
Noticed my FOY garden Snowdrops this afternoon. 🙂
Even better was a calling #63 House Sparrow. 😀
NFY and a first for January. 63 is joint best start to any year, and I still have 12 days of January left.
Annoyingly 12 & 1 unidentified Grey Geese high and distant over this afternoon. 😟
Even better was a calling #63 House Sparrow. 😀
NFY and a first for January. 63 is joint best start to any year, and I still have 12 days of January left.
Annoyingly 12 & 1 unidentified Grey Geese high and distant over this afternoon. 😟
January 19, 2026 at 9:30 PM
Noticed my FOY garden Snowdrops this afternoon. 🙂
Even better was a calling #63 House Sparrow. 😀
NFY and a first for January. 63 is joint best start to any year, and I still have 12 days of January left.
Annoyingly 12 & 1 unidentified Grey Geese high and distant over this afternoon. 😟
Even better was a calling #63 House Sparrow. 😀
NFY and a first for January. 63 is joint best start to any year, and I still have 12 days of January left.
Annoyingly 12 & 1 unidentified Grey Geese high and distant over this afternoon. 😟
@britmycolsoc.org.uk The closest I can get on these two in the garden are Paurocotylis pila (Scarlet Berry Truffle) growing on a rock amongst Moss, and Daldinia concentrica (King Alfred’s Cakes) growing on a fallen log.
Of course they might not even be Fungi at all! Any help? #fungi
Of course they might not even be Fungi at all! Any help? #fungi
January 19, 2026 at 9:18 PM
@britmycolsoc.org.uk The closest I can get on these two in the garden are Paurocotylis pila (Scarlet Berry Truffle) growing on a rock amongst Moss, and Daldinia concentrica (King Alfred’s Cakes) growing on a fallen log.
Of course they might not even be Fungi at all! Any help? #fungi
Of course they might not even be Fungi at all! Any help? #fungi
Reposted by Birdingprof
As part of regular monitoring at The Lough in Cork City, Barry O’Mahony and I ringed an adult Ring-billed Gull yesterday. Didn’t realise, but seems to be the first to be ringed in Britain or Ireland. Where will it go? @npwsireland.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social @birdwatchireland.bsky.social
January 18, 2026 at 11:51 AM
As part of regular monitoring at The Lough in Cork City, Barry O’Mahony and I ringed an adult Ring-billed Gull yesterday. Didn’t realise, but seems to be the first to be ringed in Britain or Ireland. Where will it go? @npwsireland.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social @birdwatchireland.bsky.social
Reposted by Birdingprof
Reintroduction/reinforcements work when the initial drivers of species extinction/declines have been addressed (and the species was clearly a native which was impacted by man) and should be used when natural recolonisation is unlikely/impossible...
January 16, 2026 at 11:48 AM
Reintroduction/reinforcements work when the initial drivers of species extinction/declines have been addressed (and the species was clearly a native which was impacted by man) and should be used when natural recolonisation is unlikely/impossible...
Peregrine was the best of the morning from the garden, in other words quiet.
#SuffolkBirds
Back to the building, and what’s that sitting on a downstairs window?
NFM/NFG Early Moth. A delight to have my first new Moth of 2026. It’s also new for Tetrad 🔲 and just the 6th for the Hectad.
#teammoth
#SuffolkBirds
Back to the building, and what’s that sitting on a downstairs window?
NFM/NFG Early Moth. A delight to have my first new Moth of 2026. It’s also new for Tetrad 🔲 and just the 6th for the Hectad.
#teammoth
January 16, 2026 at 10:28 AM
Peregrine was the best of the morning from the garden, in other words quiet.
#SuffolkBirds
Back to the building, and what’s that sitting on a downstairs window?
NFM/NFG Early Moth. A delight to have my first new Moth of 2026. It’s also new for Tetrad 🔲 and just the 6th for the Hectad.
#teammoth
#SuffolkBirds
Back to the building, and what’s that sitting on a downstairs window?
NFM/NFG Early Moth. A delight to have my first new Moth of 2026. It’s also new for Tetrad 🔲 and just the 6th for the Hectad.
#teammoth
Reposted by Birdingprof
Mobile phone record shots of the Great Livermere village Firecrest from earlier.
♠️
MASSIVE #FootIt bird...
@footit.bsky.social #SuffolkBirding
♠️
MASSIVE #FootIt bird...
@footit.bsky.social #SuffolkBirding
January 14, 2026 at 4:03 PM
Mobile phone record shots of the Great Livermere village Firecrest from earlier.
♠️
MASSIVE #FootIt bird...
@footit.bsky.social #SuffolkBirding
♠️
MASSIVE #FootIt bird...
@footit.bsky.social #SuffolkBirding
13 Tundra Bean Geese and a single White-fronted Goose SW of Cavenham this afternoon. Surely the same flock as last week, relocated 4km West.
Very wary, heads up all the time and had a couple of flights around, but kept returning.
#SuffolkBirds
Very wary, heads up all the time and had a couple of flights around, but kept returning.
#SuffolkBirds
January 14, 2026 at 2:20 PM
13 Tundra Bean Geese and a single White-fronted Goose SW of Cavenham this afternoon. Surely the same flock as last week, relocated 4km West.
Very wary, heads up all the time and had a couple of flights around, but kept returning.
#SuffolkBirds
Very wary, heads up all the time and had a couple of flights around, but kept returning.
#SuffolkBirds
Busy watching the Water Rail, from the bathroom, when this #62 Kingfisher flew in and landed on some Brambles.
A pleasant surprise to get it IN the garden, as the millstream water level has been so low for months.
You can hear the Water Rail calling in the background. 🔊
#SuffolkBirds
A pleasant surprise to get it IN the garden, as the millstream water level has been so low for months.
You can hear the Water Rail calling in the background. 🔊
#SuffolkBirds
January 14, 2026 at 11:53 AM
Busy watching the Water Rail, from the bathroom, when this #62 Kingfisher flew in and landed on some Brambles.
A pleasant surprise to get it IN the garden, as the millstream water level has been so low for months.
You can hear the Water Rail calling in the background. 🔊
#SuffolkBirds
A pleasant surprise to get it IN the garden, as the millstream water level has been so low for months.
You can hear the Water Rail calling in the background. 🔊
#SuffolkBirds
I noticed the Water Rail again yesterday, as I was leaving the house, but couldn’t really do anything about it.
Mrs. Prof was out this morning, so I threw open the bathroom window with abandon, and this was outside.
#SuffolkBirds
Mrs. Prof was out this morning, so I threw open the bathroom window with abandon, and this was outside.
#SuffolkBirds
January 14, 2026 at 11:44 AM
I noticed the Water Rail again yesterday, as I was leaving the house, but couldn’t really do anything about it.
Mrs. Prof was out this morning, so I threw open the bathroom window with abandon, and this was outside.
#SuffolkBirds
Mrs. Prof was out this morning, so I threw open the bathroom window with abandon, and this was outside.
#SuffolkBirds
I’d heard that Otters opportunistically take Squirrels, (one fell in the river after a miss-timed jump from one tree to another - it didn’t end well for the Squirrel) but, this is the first time I have seen one actively hunting a Squirrel.
January 13, 2026 at 9:35 AM
I’d heard that Otters opportunistically take Squirrels, (one fell in the river after a miss-timed jump from one tree to another - it didn’t end well for the Squirrel) but, this is the first time I have seen one actively hunting a Squirrel.
Another Otter hunting strategy, is to rummage through the weeds’n’reeds to see what’s in there.
Earlier it was plunge diving in the deeper section of the river, probably looking for fish.
Earlier it was plunge diving in the deeper section of the river, probably looking for fish.
January 13, 2026 at 9:31 AM
Another Otter hunting strategy, is to rummage through the weeds’n’reeds to see what’s in there.
Earlier it was plunge diving in the deeper section of the river, probably looking for fish.
Earlier it was plunge diving in the deeper section of the river, probably looking for fish.
An empty Moth trap 😟 #teammoth gave me time to check the garden. Who ch was also empty, but an Otter across the road was some consolation.
One of their hunting strategies is to stir up the mud and see what’s lurking.
One of their hunting strategies is to stir up the mud and see what’s lurking.
January 13, 2026 at 9:28 AM
An empty Moth trap 😟 #teammoth gave me time to check the garden. Who ch was also empty, but an Otter across the road was some consolation.
One of their hunting strategies is to stir up the mud and see what’s lurking.
One of their hunting strategies is to stir up the mud and see what’s lurking.
Reposted by Birdingprof
Not a bird, but a couple of years ago, while walking back to the car park (and a warm cafe) at Lackford we suddenly heard a shrieking and saw a stoat chasing a rabbit towards us on the path ahead. Got a snap shot. It didn’t end well for the rabbit, I’m afraid….
January 12, 2026 at 7:22 PM
Not a bird, but a couple of years ago, while walking back to the car park (and a warm cafe) at Lackford we suddenly heard a shrieking and saw a stoat chasing a rabbit towards us on the path ahead. Got a snap shot. It didn’t end well for the rabbit, I’m afraid….
…3/ my Moth trap out for the first time this year, and the first time with any real expectation of Moths.
As soon as I switched it on, I got buzzed by a Moth, which then zoomed off. (perhaps a Winter Moth)
Hopefully I can reap the rewards tomorrow.
#teammoth
As soon as I switched it on, I got buzzed by a Moth, which then zoomed off. (perhaps a Winter Moth)
Hopefully I can reap the rewards tomorrow.
#teammoth
January 12, 2026 at 7:03 PM
…3/ my Moth trap out for the first time this year, and the first time with any real expectation of Moths.
As soon as I switched it on, I got buzzed by a Moth, which then zoomed off. (perhaps a Winter Moth)
Hopefully I can reap the rewards tomorrow.
#teammoth
As soon as I switched it on, I got buzzed by a Moth, which then zoomed off. (perhaps a Winter Moth)
Hopefully I can reap the rewards tomorrow.
#teammoth
A day of three halves today:
1/ Early morning drive down to Kent for the wintering Red-flanked Bluetail. Sadly lighting conditions were not conducive to photography.
#307 for my London list. (LNHS area rules)
2/ Back home in time to see a busily fishing Otter. But little on the bird front…
1/ Early morning drive down to Kent for the wintering Red-flanked Bluetail. Sadly lighting conditions were not conducive to photography.
#307 for my London list. (LNHS area rules)
2/ Back home in time to see a busily fishing Otter. But little on the bird front…
January 12, 2026 at 6:59 PM
A day of three halves today:
1/ Early morning drive down to Kent for the wintering Red-flanked Bluetail. Sadly lighting conditions were not conducive to photography.
#307 for my London list. (LNHS area rules)
2/ Back home in time to see a busily fishing Otter. But little on the bird front…
1/ Early morning drive down to Kent for the wintering Red-flanked Bluetail. Sadly lighting conditions were not conducive to photography.
#307 for my London list. (LNHS area rules)
2/ Back home in time to see a busily fishing Otter. But little on the bird front…
Reposted by Birdingprof
3 records from Helgoland, latest in 2016 makes Montifringilla nivalis observation.org/observation/... overdue a place back on the British List - as predicted here www.researchgate.net/profile/Alex... #UKBirding
January 12, 2026 at 2:42 PM
3 records from Helgoland, latest in 2016 makes Montifringilla nivalis observation.org/observation/... overdue a place back on the British List - as predicted here www.researchgate.net/profile/Alex... #UKBirding
So close! Snowfinch in Le Havre. Link in ALT
January 11, 2026 at 7:45 PM
So close! Snowfinch in Le Havre. Link in ALT
Very little going on in the last few days. A little flock of #60 Starlings & a calling #61 Marsh Tit across the road are the only new additions lately.
Only notable birds otherwise are pretty much daily sightings of Peregrine & Red Kite and the wintering Chiffchaffs.
Hoping the thaw will deliver..
Only notable birds otherwise are pretty much daily sightings of Peregrine & Red Kite and the wintering Chiffchaffs.
Hoping the thaw will deliver..
January 11, 2026 at 6:45 PM
Very little going on in the last few days. A little flock of #60 Starlings & a calling #61 Marsh Tit across the road are the only new additions lately.
Only notable birds otherwise are pretty much daily sightings of Peregrine & Red Kite and the wintering Chiffchaffs.
Hoping the thaw will deliver..
Only notable birds otherwise are pretty much daily sightings of Peregrine & Red Kite and the wintering Chiffchaffs.
Hoping the thaw will deliver..
Reposted by Birdingprof
It was only 200 metres more to Surrey 🧐🫣😎. Kent and LNHS won though 🫣🤗. Red-flanked Bluetail found by Will Oliver yesterday afternoon and very very elusive . Still difficult today but a few saw it well with patience . Also in the area, Woodcock, Brambling, Crossbills
January 11, 2026 at 5:28 PM
It was only 200 metres more to Surrey 🧐🫣😎. Kent and LNHS won though 🫣🤗. Red-flanked Bluetail found by Will Oliver yesterday afternoon and very very elusive . Still difficult today but a few saw it well with patience . Also in the area, Woodcock, Brambling, Crossbills
@markgolley.bsky.social @tg42birder.bsky.social
Any thoughts on this Tundra Bean Goose? Suffolk today. Prob. a male on behaviour, always alert, and the biggest amongst 13 of its kind.
Not a ‘typical’ bill for Tundra or Taiga, though I’ve seen a number like it before. Not especially swan-necked.
Any thoughts on this Tundra Bean Goose? Suffolk today. Prob. a male on behaviour, always alert, and the biggest amongst 13 of its kind.
Not a ‘typical’ bill for Tundra or Taiga, though I’ve seen a number like it before. Not especially swan-necked.
January 8, 2026 at 4:07 PM
@markgolley.bsky.social @tg42birder.bsky.social
Any thoughts on this Tundra Bean Goose? Suffolk today. Prob. a male on behaviour, always alert, and the biggest amongst 13 of its kind.
Not a ‘typical’ bill for Tundra or Taiga, though I’ve seen a number like it before. Not especially swan-necked.
Any thoughts on this Tundra Bean Goose? Suffolk today. Prob. a male on behaviour, always alert, and the biggest amongst 13 of its kind.
Not a ‘typical’ bill for Tundra or Taiga, though I’ve seen a number like it before. Not especially swan-necked.
Garden abandoned, for now, but time for a short twitch. 13 Tundra Bean Geese between Lackford-Cavenham. A lovely addition to my 10K⭕️ ✅ #201.
Also a 1st winter White-fronted Goose.
Also a 1st winter White-fronted Goose.
January 8, 2026 at 3:57 PM
Garden abandoned, for now, but time for a short twitch. 13 Tundra Bean Geese between Lackford-Cavenham. A lovely addition to my 10K⭕️ ✅ #201.
Also a 1st winter White-fronted Goose.
Also a 1st winter White-fronted Goose.