Birdingprof
@birdingprof.bsky.social
Actual Birder, sometime Twitcher, nascent Moth-er.
2025 Garden Bird yearlist 1️⃣0️⃣9️⃣
VC 26 - West Suffolk.
TL77C - Where Breckland meets Fenland.
2025 Garden Bird yearlist 1️⃣0️⃣9️⃣
VC 26 - West Suffolk.
TL77C - Where Breckland meets Fenland.
Not long in the garden this morning, but long enough to note the Water Rail and Yellow-browed Warbler still present. December is a new month, needless to say, for the latter species. A total of 74 species lifts December from worst performing month.
#suffolkbirds
#suffolkbirds
December 2, 2025 at 9:19 AM
Not long in the garden this morning, but long enough to note the Water Rail and Yellow-browed Warbler still present. December is a new month, needless to say, for the latter species. A total of 74 species lifts December from worst performing month.
#suffolkbirds
#suffolkbirds
Reposted by Birdingprof
Huge News from the Western Amazon: it's the year 2025 and we are still describing entirely new, strikingly-distinctive large-bodied bird species! Behold Tinamus resonans sp. nov. the Slaty-masked Tinamou mapress.com/zt/article/v... #Ornithology @tetzoo.bsky.social 🪶
December 2, 2025 at 7:20 AM
Huge News from the Western Amazon: it's the year 2025 and we are still describing entirely new, strikingly-distinctive large-bodied bird species! Behold Tinamus resonans sp. nov. the Slaty-masked Tinamou mapress.com/zt/article/v... #Ornithology @tetzoo.bsky.social 🪶
A decent morning in the garden. A Mistle Thrush flew in and landed, and a Water Rail appeared just about on cue, in the millstream.
Those 2 additions for the month makes this November, surprisingly, my 5th best month, out of 89, since we’ve lived here, with 69 species!
YBW @ 09:10
#suffolkbirds
Those 2 additions for the month makes this November, surprisingly, my 5th best month, out of 89, since we’ve lived here, with 69 species!
YBW @ 09:10
#suffolkbirds
November 30, 2025 at 11:30 AM
A decent morning in the garden. A Mistle Thrush flew in and landed, and a Water Rail appeared just about on cue, in the millstream.
Those 2 additions for the month makes this November, surprisingly, my 5th best month, out of 89, since we’ve lived here, with 69 species!
YBW @ 09:10
#suffolkbirds
Those 2 additions for the month makes this November, surprisingly, my 5th best month, out of 89, since we’ve lived here, with 69 species!
YBW @ 09:10
#suffolkbirds
Reposted by Birdingprof
Extraordinary record of Willow Tit from Moray!! - 250km-ish from nearest breeders or 550km from Scandinavia! @richardkbroughton.bsky.social birdsinmorayandnairn.org/bird-recordi...
Recent records — Birds in Moray and Nairn
birdsinmorayandnairn.org
November 28, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Extraordinary record of Willow Tit from Moray!! - 250km-ish from nearest breeders or 550km from Scandinavia! @richardkbroughton.bsky.social birdsinmorayandnairn.org/bird-recordi...
It’s 3 months since I’ve seen any Otters. I’ve heard others have seen them recently, and a guy passing by told me he’d seen a Beaver just up river. Quickly corrected to Otter.
Anyhoo, what should come swimming up our millstream this afternoon? Amazing the difference having a bit of water makes
Anyhoo, what should come swimming up our millstream this afternoon? Amazing the difference having a bit of water makes
November 28, 2025 at 8:13 PM
It’s 3 months since I’ve seen any Otters. I’ve heard others have seen them recently, and a guy passing by told me he’d seen a Beaver just up river. Quickly corrected to Otter.
Anyhoo, what should come swimming up our millstream this afternoon? Amazing the difference having a bit of water makes
Anyhoo, what should come swimming up our millstream this afternoon? Amazing the difference having a bit of water makes
Large-grooved Diving Beetle (Colymbetes fuscus) was the highlight from the @rspb.bsky.social Lakenheath Moth trap. Also 9 December Moth and a Winter Moth.
A Chiffchaff this morning in the garden was a relief, and just squeezes into November. An impressive unbroken run of 24 months for the species.
A Chiffchaff this morning in the garden was a relief, and just squeezes into November. An impressive unbroken run of 24 months for the species.
November 28, 2025 at 10:32 AM
Large-grooved Diving Beetle (Colymbetes fuscus) was the highlight from the @rspb.bsky.social Lakenheath Moth trap. Also 9 December Moth and a Winter Moth.
A Chiffchaff this morning in the garden was a relief, and just squeezes into November. An impressive unbroken run of 24 months for the species.
A Chiffchaff this morning in the garden was a relief, and just squeezes into November. An impressive unbroken run of 24 months for the species.
Hard to believe there’s not been a gettable bird in Ireland in all that time!
November 27, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Hard to believe there’s not been a gettable bird in Ireland in all that time!
Yellow-browed Warbler was, by its standards, fairly obliging. Heard on/off c.08:20-10:50.
House Sparrow a surprise.
With Kingfisher & Kestrel, Novembers total comes to a record 65 spp. Sadly still no Chiffchaff.
Isleham Wash for the 1st time in a while: Ice, Ice, Baby. @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social
House Sparrow a surprise.
With Kingfisher & Kestrel, Novembers total comes to a record 65 spp. Sadly still no Chiffchaff.
Isleham Wash for the 1st time in a while: Ice, Ice, Baby. @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social
November 26, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Yellow-browed Warbler was, by its standards, fairly obliging. Heard on/off c.08:20-10:50.
House Sparrow a surprise.
With Kingfisher & Kestrel, Novembers total comes to a record 65 spp. Sadly still no Chiffchaff.
Isleham Wash for the 1st time in a while: Ice, Ice, Baby. @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social
House Sparrow a surprise.
With Kingfisher & Kestrel, Novembers total comes to a record 65 spp. Sadly still no Chiffchaff.
Isleham Wash for the 1st time in a while: Ice, Ice, Baby. @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social
Reposted by Birdingprof
Super dooper house tick this afternoon, entirely thanks to David Curle who alerted locals to a Black-throated Diver on the Crouch by Blue House Farm.
A quick scan from upstairs and boom, there it was 😊
Excellent photo by David from BHF.
Terrible photo by me from indoors!
#EssexBirding
A quick scan from upstairs and boom, there it was 😊
Excellent photo by David from BHF.
Terrible photo by me from indoors!
#EssexBirding
November 25, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Super dooper house tick this afternoon, entirely thanks to David Curle who alerted locals to a Black-throated Diver on the Crouch by Blue House Farm.
A quick scan from upstairs and boom, there it was 😊
Excellent photo by David from BHF.
Terrible photo by me from indoors!
#EssexBirding
A quick scan from upstairs and boom, there it was 😊
Excellent photo by David from BHF.
Terrible photo by me from indoors!
#EssexBirding
A female Blackcap in the garden this morning. A pleasant surprise after a male 3 weeks ago.
A distant call sounded a bit Chiffchaff-esque, but I’ve not had one this month, yet. Could be the first blank month in 2 years.
Then the Yellow-browed Warbler magically appeared just behind the Blackcap.
A distant call sounded a bit Chiffchaff-esque, but I’ve not had one this month, yet. Could be the first blank month in 2 years.
Then the Yellow-browed Warbler magically appeared just behind the Blackcap.
November 25, 2025 at 3:08 PM
A female Blackcap in the garden this morning. A pleasant surprise after a male 3 weeks ago.
A distant call sounded a bit Chiffchaff-esque, but I’ve not had one this month, yet. Could be the first blank month in 2 years.
Then the Yellow-browed Warbler magically appeared just behind the Blackcap.
A distant call sounded a bit Chiffchaff-esque, but I’ve not had one this month, yet. Could be the first blank month in 2 years.
Then the Yellow-browed Warbler magically appeared just behind the Blackcap.
Im still hoping for a garden December Moth, perhaps I’ll actually have to wait till December.
But, today offered up a wall-mounted Winter Moth. I’ve only seen 3 and they’ve all been in the last year. What chance of a Northern Winter Moth someday…?
But, today offered up a wall-mounted Winter Moth. I’ve only seen 3 and they’ve all been in the last year. What chance of a Northern Winter Moth someday…?
November 24, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Im still hoping for a garden December Moth, perhaps I’ll actually have to wait till December.
But, today offered up a wall-mounted Winter Moth. I’ve only seen 3 and they’ve all been in the last year. What chance of a Northern Winter Moth someday…?
But, today offered up a wall-mounted Winter Moth. I’ve only seen 3 and they’ve all been in the last year. What chance of a Northern Winter Moth someday…?
Reposted by Birdingprof
Had some great views of this Yellow-browed Warbler on Patch at Walthamstow Wetlands yesterday for a few mins. Only my 3rd ever and all of them have been here! So nice to see that lovely bright supercilium and hear the call again! #ukbirding #patchbirding
November 24, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Had some great views of this Yellow-browed Warbler on Patch at Walthamstow Wetlands yesterday for a few mins. Only my 3rd ever and all of them have been here! So nice to see that lovely bright supercilium and hear the call again! #ukbirding #patchbirding
A good read, as ever. A nice retrospectus. I’m looking forward to the next chapter, and I’m sure you are too.
Ten Years in West Dorset is less a blog post, more a chapter in my life. Hopefully an inspiration for those who prefer the paths less trodden. Bit of an epic, so well done if you get through it all.
#DorsetBirds
#DorsetBirds
Ten Years in West Dorset
This mega-post has been in prep for a while. Essentially it is a potted summary of ten years birdwatching in West Dorset, between 2015 ...
notquitescilly2.blogspot.com
November 24, 2025 at 8:25 PM
A good read, as ever. A nice retrospectus. I’m looking forward to the next chapter, and I’m sure you are too.
After not being able to find last Thursday’s Dartford Warbler at Fordham, I thought the weather window this morning might be more productive.
It was. A nice bird to bring up #200 for my 10K⭕️
A fairly dull plumaged, presumably 1st winter bird. Mostly hanging out on its own, calling occassionaly.
It was. A nice bird to bring up #200 for my 10K⭕️
A fairly dull plumaged, presumably 1st winter bird. Mostly hanging out on its own, calling occassionaly.
November 24, 2025 at 12:01 PM
After not being able to find last Thursday’s Dartford Warbler at Fordham, I thought the weather window this morning might be more productive.
It was. A nice bird to bring up #200 for my 10K⭕️
A fairly dull plumaged, presumably 1st winter bird. Mostly hanging out on its own, calling occassionaly.
It was. A nice bird to bring up #200 for my 10K⭕️
A fairly dull plumaged, presumably 1st winter bird. Mostly hanging out on its own, calling occassionaly.
Finally, after some decent rain, a bit more water in the river (Lark).
If not in full spate, at least it’s in spate.
I can just see a bit of the new Fish Ladder (a.k.a. Potential Dipper habitat) from the edge of the garden.
Also today, my equal earliest returning winter Little Grebe, down river.
If not in full spate, at least it’s in spate.
I can just see a bit of the new Fish Ladder (a.k.a. Potential Dipper habitat) from the edge of the garden.
Also today, my equal earliest returning winter Little Grebe, down river.
November 23, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Finally, after some decent rain, a bit more water in the river (Lark).
If not in full spate, at least it’s in spate.
I can just see a bit of the new Fish Ladder (a.k.a. Potential Dipper habitat) from the edge of the garden.
Also today, my equal earliest returning winter Little Grebe, down river.
If not in full spate, at least it’s in spate.
I can just see a bit of the new Fish Ladder (a.k.a. Potential Dipper habitat) from the edge of the garden.
Also today, my equal earliest returning winter Little Grebe, down river.
On this day 40 years ago: Managed to see, and ☑️ the 1st winter male Pied Wheatear, in the last glimmers of light, at Sheringham.
At the time just the 10th record for the U.K. Now pretty much expected as a late year finale to the years roll call of rarities.
#rarebirdsuk
At the time just the 10th record for the U.K. Now pretty much expected as a late year finale to the years roll call of rarities.
#rarebirdsuk
November 23, 2025 at 10:19 AM
On this day 40 years ago: Managed to see, and ☑️ the 1st winter male Pied Wheatear, in the last glimmers of light, at Sheringham.
At the time just the 10th record for the U.K. Now pretty much expected as a late year finale to the years roll call of rarities.
#rarebirdsuk
At the time just the 10th record for the U.K. Now pretty much expected as a late year finale to the years roll call of rarities.
#rarebirdsuk
Reposted by Birdingprof
Sudden stratospheric warming has led to the polar vortex collapsing very early (Arctic hot but lots of cold air has come rushing down over Europe). Might bring us some more interesting bits?
#norfolkbirding
#norfolkbirding
November 22, 2025 at 8:53 AM
Sudden stratospheric warming has led to the polar vortex collapsing very early (Arctic hot but lots of cold air has come rushing down over Europe). Might bring us some more interesting bits?
#norfolkbirding
#norfolkbirding
Reposted by Birdingprof
I have to admit that when I was scraping the frost off the car window this morning in London , I didn’t expect to see these on the river wall at Rainham.
November 21, 2025 at 10:45 PM
I have to admit that when I was scraping the frost off the car window this morning in London , I didn’t expect to see these on the river wall at Rainham.
As it’s looking like Mothing is over for the year (maybe?) here’s a roundup of my inaugural half-year.
Garden list now 173 (all stages, not including Butterflies, no trapping)
Added to tertrad 🔲 143 (total was only 122 at beggining of year)
Total Moth list 309 +64 Butterflies.
#teammoth
Garden list now 173 (all stages, not including Butterflies, no trapping)
Added to tertrad 🔲 143 (total was only 122 at beggining of year)
Total Moth list 309 +64 Butterflies.
#teammoth
November 21, 2025 at 10:05 PM
As it’s looking like Mothing is over for the year (maybe?) here’s a roundup of my inaugural half-year.
Garden list now 173 (all stages, not including Butterflies, no trapping)
Added to tertrad 🔲 143 (total was only 122 at beggining of year)
Total Moth list 309 +64 Butterflies.
#teammoth
Garden list now 173 (all stages, not including Butterflies, no trapping)
Added to tertrad 🔲 143 (total was only 122 at beggining of year)
Total Moth list 309 +64 Butterflies.
#teammoth
OTD 25 yrs ago: A Small Whitethroat (Curruca minula) at South Gare. When did it become Small over Desert?
‘Just’ a subspecies back then. Unfortunately it was never trapped, nor was DNA ever obtained, so it’s all moot. 🤷🏻♂️
A female Pied Wheatear at Gibraltar Point on the way back was very nice too.
‘Just’ a subspecies back then. Unfortunately it was never trapped, nor was DNA ever obtained, so it’s all moot. 🤷🏻♂️
A female Pied Wheatear at Gibraltar Point on the way back was very nice too.
November 20, 2025 at 3:08 PM
OTD 25 yrs ago: A Small Whitethroat (Curruca minula) at South Gare. When did it become Small over Desert?
‘Just’ a subspecies back then. Unfortunately it was never trapped, nor was DNA ever obtained, so it’s all moot. 🤷🏻♂️
A female Pied Wheatear at Gibraltar Point on the way back was very nice too.
‘Just’ a subspecies back then. Unfortunately it was never trapped, nor was DNA ever obtained, so it’s all moot. 🤷🏻♂️
A female Pied Wheatear at Gibraltar Point on the way back was very nice too.
Reposted by Birdingprof
Divers still at Covenham Reservoir this morning
@lincsbirding.bsky.social
@lincswildlife.bsky.social
@rarebirder.bsky.social
#Birds #UKBirding
@lincsbirding.bsky.social
@lincswildlife.bsky.social
@rarebirder.bsky.social
#Birds #UKBirding
November 18, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Divers still at Covenham Reservoir this morning
@lincsbirding.bsky.social
@lincswildlife.bsky.social
@rarebirder.bsky.social
#Birds #UKBirding
@lincsbirding.bsky.social
@lincswildlife.bsky.social
@rarebirder.bsky.social
#Birds #UKBirding
Nice views of the Drake ‘Green-winged’ Teal. No matter that it’s soon to be lumped, it’s still come all the way from across the Atlantic.
Somewhat marred by the fact that I have been trying to find one of these for myself locally for the last 8 years.
My 18th individual but 1st in the Brecks.
Somewhat marred by the fact that I have been trying to find one of these for myself locally for the last 8 years.
My 18th individual but 1st in the Brecks.
November 17, 2025 at 11:42 PM
Nice views of the Drake ‘Green-winged’ Teal. No matter that it’s soon to be lumped, it’s still come all the way from across the Atlantic.
Somewhat marred by the fact that I have been trying to find one of these for myself locally for the last 8 years.
My 18th individual but 1st in the Brecks.
Somewhat marred by the fact that I have been trying to find one of these for myself locally for the last 8 years.
My 18th individual but 1st in the Brecks.
Reposted by Birdingprof
Just two moths actually in the trap this morning, a Rusty-dot Pearl and this beauty. Banded Sable was not on my shortlist of candidates for number 24 on the new garden list! As far as I can make out, less than 20 Devon records.
Axminster VC3
#TeamMoth
Axminster VC3
#TeamMoth
November 15, 2025 at 8:08 AM
Just two moths actually in the trap this morning, a Rusty-dot Pearl and this beauty. Banded Sable was not on my shortlist of candidates for number 24 on the new garden list! As far as I can make out, less than 20 Devon records.
Axminster VC3
#TeamMoth
Axminster VC3
#TeamMoth
Reposted by Birdingprof
#ukbirding
It is very apparent to patch birders in the east that the numbers, distribution and migration patterns of several winter visitors are rapidly changing as the climate warms. They don’t get talked about much though. 🤷♂️ 1/2
Smew, Lap Bunt, Snow Bunt, Roughleg
It is very apparent to patch birders in the east that the numbers, distribution and migration patterns of several winter visitors are rapidly changing as the climate warms. They don’t get talked about much though. 🤷♂️ 1/2
Smew, Lap Bunt, Snow Bunt, Roughleg
November 14, 2025 at 8:56 AM
#ukbirding
It is very apparent to patch birders in the east that the numbers, distribution and migration patterns of several winter visitors are rapidly changing as the climate warms. They don’t get talked about much though. 🤷♂️ 1/2
Smew, Lap Bunt, Snow Bunt, Roughleg
It is very apparent to patch birders in the east that the numbers, distribution and migration patterns of several winter visitors are rapidly changing as the climate warms. They don’t get talked about much though. 🤷♂️ 1/2
Smew, Lap Bunt, Snow Bunt, Roughleg
Rarely seen in the garden, tho there is a den in the scrub, is Fox. 🦊 So this one today was a pleasant surprise. I watched it, unsuccessfully, stalking Squirrels 🐿️
November 13, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Rarely seen in the garden, tho there is a den in the scrub, is Fox. 🦊 So this one today was a pleasant surprise. I watched it, unsuccessfully, stalking Squirrels 🐿️