Richard A. Fleming
@donflan.bsky.social
Birder, writer, artist, sound-recordist. Author of Walking to Guantánamo. Following mostly traveling birders and posting mostly bird travels.
Pinned
Richard A. Fleming
@donflan.bsky.social
· Mar 11
Surf scoters are the most metal bird out there. If you disagree, post a bird that's more metal. #birds #birding #birdsseenin2025
Iceland Gull, still rare but I think objectively increasing in New York City. Yesterday I had two separate individuals at the Brooklyn Army Terminal, including this 2nd year #bird that conveniently flew in front of the #FreedomTower! #birdsseenin2026
February 15, 2026 at 12:58 AM
Iceland Gull, still rare but I think objectively increasing in New York City. Yesterday I had two separate individuals at the Brooklyn Army Terminal, including this 2nd year #bird that conveniently flew in front of the #FreedomTower! #birdsseenin2026
Here’s another one from my excellent trip last month to RN La Isla Escondida in Putumayo. Lemon-browed Flycatcher breeds right in the garden there, in disused oropendola nests. #birdsseenin2026 #AvesColombia #birding
February 11, 2026 at 9:47 AM
Here’s another one from my excellent trip last month to RN La Isla Escondida in Putumayo. Lemon-browed Flycatcher breeds right in the garden there, in disused oropendola nests. #birdsseenin2026 #AvesColombia #birding
A top bird from
my last day on a recent trip to Colombia was this Green-bearded Helmetcrest. This splendid family of hummingbirds have extremely small ranges on high altitude paramos, the species isolated from one other by valleys. #birdsseenin2026 #birding
my last day on a recent trip to Colombia was this Green-bearded Helmetcrest. This splendid family of hummingbirds have extremely small ranges on high altitude paramos, the species isolated from one other by valleys. #birdsseenin2026 #birding
February 10, 2026 at 2:00 AM
A top bird from
my last day on a recent trip to Colombia was this Green-bearded Helmetcrest. This splendid family of hummingbirds have extremely small ranges on high altitude paramos, the species isolated from one other by valleys. #birdsseenin2026 #birding
my last day on a recent trip to Colombia was this Green-bearded Helmetcrest. This splendid family of hummingbirds have extremely small ranges on high altitude paramos, the species isolated from one other by valleys. #birdsseenin2026 #birding
Although you can’t see much of the Apollinar’s Wren tucked in to the heart of this espeletia, or frailejon, as they call it in Colombia, the graphic power of this amazing plant seemed worth a post! #birdsseenin2026 #birding #birdingbogotá He seems to be making a nest!
February 8, 2026 at 7:59 PM
Although you can’t see much of the Apollinar’s Wren tucked in to the heart of this espeletia, or frailejon, as they call it in Colombia, the graphic power of this amazing plant seemed worth a post! #birdsseenin2026 #birding #birdingbogotá He seems to be making a nest!
These two were the consolation prizes for four hours of sorting through gulls looking for the no-show Glaucous-winged Gull that had fled the scene just prior to my arrival. First-year Iceland Gull and Lesser Black-backed Gull in NJ for #birdsseenin2026 #gulling #birding
February 8, 2026 at 7:41 PM
These two were the consolation prizes for four hours of sorting through gulls looking for the no-show Glaucous-winged Gull that had fled the scene just prior to my arrival. First-year Iceland Gull and Lesser Black-backed Gull in NJ for #birdsseenin2026 #gulling #birding
This immature Bald Eagle was not a welcome visitor a couple of days ago when we were trying to find NJ’s first Glaucous-winged Gull in a crowd of hundreds of more usual gulls. When this youngster came over, every single one of them fled the scene! #birdsseenin2026 #gulling #birding
February 8, 2026 at 11:28 AM
This immature Bald Eagle was not a welcome visitor a couple of days ago when we were trying to find NJ’s first Glaucous-winged Gull in a crowd of hundreds of more usual gulls. When this youngster came over, every single one of them fled the scene! #birdsseenin2026 #gulling #birding
Hooded Merganser uncharacteristically fishing on the salty waters of NY harbor. All the fresh water around here is frozen! #birdsseenin2026 #birding
February 8, 2026 at 10:00 AM
Hooded Merganser uncharacteristically fishing on the salty waters of NY harbor. All the fresh water around here is frozen! #birdsseenin2026 #birding
Paradise Tanager, La Isla Escondida, Putumayo, for #birdsseenin2026 #birding
January 22, 2026 at 11:15 AM
Paradise Tanager, La Isla Escondida, Putumayo, for #birdsseenin2026 #birding
This is Gould’s Jewelfront, an absolutely spectacular hummingbird I was lucky enough to see yesterday on my birthday at the remote but wonderful La Isla Escondida, in Putumayo, Colombia. #birdsseenin2026 #birding
January 20, 2026 at 6:32 AM
This is Gould’s Jewelfront, an absolutely spectacular hummingbird I was lucky enough to see yesterday on my birthday at the remote but wonderful La Isla Escondida, in Putumayo, Colombia. #birdsseenin2026 #birding
Reposted by Richard A. Fleming
One thing I've learned since my partner got into birding. I no longer have a favorite bird.
January 17, 2026 at 5:28 PM
One thing I've learned since my partner got into birding. I no longer have a favorite bird.
Streak-throated Bush-tyrant, giving an exemplary view of its streaky throat this morning at Montserrate, 1000 meters above the plains, and the city, of Bogotá, for #birdsseenin2026 #birding
January 17, 2026 at 6:12 PM
Streak-throated Bush-tyrant, giving an exemplary view of its streaky throat this morning at Montserrate, 1000 meters above the plains, and the city, of Bogotá, for #birdsseenin2026 #birding
Rough-legged #Hawk at Staten Island’s Brookfield Park. There is a major influx of these handsome raptors to the region this winter—usually seeing one requires a long, dawn, drive to the “black dirt” region of Orange County, NY. #birdsseenin2026
January 15, 2026 at 4:03 PM
Rough-legged #Hawk at Staten Island’s Brookfield Park. There is a major influx of these handsome raptors to the region this winter—usually seeing one requires a long, dawn, drive to the “black dirt” region of Orange County, NY. #birdsseenin2026
Reposted by Richard A. Fleming
Ornithology For Beginners
The bird that feeds from off my palm
Is sleek, affectionate, and calm,
But double to me, is worth the thrush
A-flickering in the elder-bush.
#DorothyParker #Parker
January 15, 2026 at 9:42 AM
Ornithology For Beginners
The bird that feeds from off my palm
Is sleek, affectionate, and calm,
But double to me, is worth the thrush
A-flickering in the elder-bush.
#DorothyParker #Parker
This is the underside of the rear end of a razorbill (that’s a #bird), very often all you see when you try to photograph one. These petite auks seem to spend 90% of their time underwater. Spot one, and if you’re fast you can get your camera up just in time for them to disappear! #birdsseenin2026
January 14, 2026 at 7:11 PM
This is the underside of the rear end of a razorbill (that’s a #bird), very often all you see when you try to photograph one. These petite auks seem to spend 90% of their time underwater. Spot one, and if you’re fast you can get your camera up just in time for them to disappear! #birdsseenin2026
A phenomenally beautiful immature-plumaged Bonaparte’s Gull dancing over the water just off one of the Coney Island jetties a few days ago. These tiny, elegant gulls are a highlight of the winter #birding season in #Brooklyn #birdsseenin2026
January 14, 2026 at 4:26 PM
A phenomenally beautiful immature-plumaged Bonaparte’s Gull dancing over the water just off one of the Coney Island jetties a few days ago. These tiny, elegant gulls are a highlight of the winter #birding season in #Brooklyn #birdsseenin2026
Yesterday while blundering around in an old hard-drive I found a cache of #bird photos I had totally forgotten about! I’ve become borderline obsessed with documenting all my #eBird sightings, so I immediately added this Common Green Magpie to my Malaysian list for #birdsseenin2011 !!! #birding
January 13, 2026 at 5:41 PM
Yesterday while blundering around in an old hard-drive I found a cache of #bird photos I had totally forgotten about! I’ve become borderline obsessed with documenting all my #eBird sightings, so I immediately added this Common Green Magpie to my Malaysian list for #birdsseenin2011 !!! #birding
Spectacular first winter Iceland Gull on Staten Island this afternoon, my first for Richmond County. Found a few days ago by my friend Anthony C, but not there yesterday when I looked for it. Today, success! #birds #birdsseenin2026 And to think some people just call them all “seagulls.”
January 13, 2026 at 1:30 AM
Spectacular first winter Iceland Gull on Staten Island this afternoon, my first for Richmond County. Found a few days ago by my friend Anthony C, but not there yesterday when I looked for it. Today, success! #birds #birdsseenin2026 And to think some people just call them all “seagulls.”
The legendary boardwalk and pier at Coney Island offer some of Brooklyn’s best seabird-watching in winter. Yesterday Common Eider, Black and White-winged scoters and Common Loon were all working the water directly off the pier. #birding #birdsseenin2026
January 9, 2026 at 11:10 AM
The legendary boardwalk and pier at Coney Island offer some of Brooklyn’s best seabird-watching in winter. Yesterday Common Eider, Black and White-winged scoters and Common Loon were all working the water directly off the pier. #birding #birdsseenin2026
This photo from New York harbor yesterday is of both species of scaup, our confusing duo of Aythya ducks. These are mostly Greaters, but can you find the (minimum) 3 Lesser Scaups here? #birdsseenin2026 #birding
January 7, 2026 at 11:51 AM
This photo from New York harbor yesterday is of both species of scaup, our confusing duo of Aythya ducks. These are mostly Greaters, but can you find the (minimum) 3 Lesser Scaups here? #birdsseenin2026 #birding
The photos aren't ready for Nat Geo, but give me time. Here are a few for the USA #birdsseenin2026 list--I see some heavy early contributions from the UK, and we are already badly behind! #birds Ring-necked Duck (with Ruddy); Northern Pintail; Tree Sparrow (with Song); Black Scoter (with Brant).
January 6, 2026 at 12:25 AM
The photos aren't ready for Nat Geo, but give me time. Here are a few for the USA #birdsseenin2026 list--I see some heavy early contributions from the UK, and we are already badly behind! #birds Ring-necked Duck (with Ruddy); Northern Pintail; Tree Sparrow (with Song); Black Scoter (with Brant).
Another early get for Brooklyn #birdsseenin2026 is this American Pipit, generally quite common in season but easily overlooked and only infrequently found walking around on the ground. Usually we detect flyovers, calling, so I was glad to see this one strutting in the Plumb Beach marsh. #birding
January 5, 2026 at 1:20 PM
Another early get for Brooklyn #birdsseenin2026 is this American Pipit, generally quite common in season but easily overlooked and only infrequently found walking around on the ground. Usually we detect flyovers, calling, so I was glad to see this one strutting in the Plumb Beach marsh. #birding
Just say “no” to gunboat diplomacy.
January 4, 2026 at 2:48 PM
Just say “no” to gunboat diplomacy.
I have to admit I was really hoping 2026 would bring about regime change—it’s just that I didn’t have #Venezuela in mind!
January 4, 2026 at 1:05 AM
I have to admit I was really hoping 2026 would bring about regime change—it’s just that I didn’t have #Venezuela in mind!
Lark Sparrow, never common or even uncommon in New York City, is a great way to start the #brooklynbirding year! #birdsseenin2026 #birding This individual seems to be trying to make it through the winter - although it hadn’t been seen since 11/23 I’m certain it’s the same #bird reported then!
January 3, 2026 at 9:24 PM
Lark Sparrow, never common or even uncommon in New York City, is a great way to start the #brooklynbirding year! #birdsseenin2026 #birding This individual seems to be trying to make it through the winter - although it hadn’t been seen since 11/23 I’m certain it’s the same #bird reported then!
December 31, 2025 at 1:24 AM