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Gary Flakes @flako1959.bsky.social · 1d

Away from the chaos along the coast. Second helpings of Nosterfield’s Red-necked Phalarope, lunch in Masham, then over the tops to Gouthwaite Reservoir and a game of spot the difference for the somewhat sleepy & distant Lesser Scaup.
@nybirdnews.bsky.social

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Gary Flakes @flako1959.bsky.social · Aug 11

Yes I think so, Jeremy. Didn't register with me untill I saw your LDV post.
Enjoy your retirement and I'll no doubt bump into you again in the near future!

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Gary Flakes @flako1959.bsky.social · Aug 11

Today’s two Clouded Yellow butterflies @ldvnnr.bsky.social provided the usual photographic challenge. Too distant, behind vegetation and out of focus. Not to mention too quick & almost constantly on the move.
@bcyorkshire.bsky.social

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Gary Flakes @flako1959.bsky.social · Jul 7

Caught up with my first Brown Argus of the year on the Causeway at a blustery @nosterfieldnr.bsky.social today.
@bcyorkshire.bsky.social
@savebutterflies.bsky.social

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Gary Flakes @flako1959.bsky.social · Jul 2

Had a fairly quiet June, so lovely to start July with three Silver-washed Fritillaries in Bishop Wood, North Yorkshire today.
@bcyorkshire.bsky.social
@savebutterflies.bsky.social

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Gary Flakes @flako1959.bsky.social · May 31

Very nice, Trevor.

Gary Flakes @flako1959.bsky.social · May 30

Finally caught up with the thief that has been stealing the apples I leave out for the birds in my garden. Approaching 10pm so difficult to get a decent photo but I think this would stand up in a court of law.
#foxoftheday
#foxcub
@bbcspringwatch.bsky.social
@chrisgpackham.bsky.social

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Gary Flakes @flako1959.bsky.social · May 20

Lovely to catch up with twenty plus Small Blue butterflies today on the outskirts of York.
A recent reintroduction scheme at an undisclosed site, now firmly established and doing well.
Britain’s smallest and easily overlooked.
@bcyorkshire.bsky.social
@savebutterflies.bsky.social

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Gary Flakes @flako1959.bsky.social · May 18

A lack of orchids at Leyburn Old Glebe & a very low River Ure are the result of a continued lack of rain this spring.
Spotted Flycatcher & a female Banded Demoiselle were new for 2025, and a beast of a Mistle Thrush saved the day.
@nybirdnews.bsky.social

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Gary Flakes @flako1959.bsky.social · May 11

Seems like there have been more showy Garden Warblers this year, perhaps as a consequence of the warm, sunny weather?
This showy bird was belting out its ‘babbling brook’ song @nosterfieldnr.bsky.social yesterday.

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Gary Flakes @flako1959.bsky.social · May 10

It's never an Osprey...

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Gary Flakes @flako1959.bsky.social · May 9

I must stop Wendy drinking pints, it's playing havoc with my pension! 🤭

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Gary Flakes @flako1959.bsky.social · May 9

Caught up with my first singing Common Quail of the year in a young crop field on Levisham Moor. A brief flight view too and all because I stopped to watch a Wall butterfly fluttering along the field's dry stone wall.
Worth celebrating on a sunny afternoon in early May.

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Gary Flakes @flako1959.bsky.social · May 9

Surprise bonus birds following a walk in the hills close to home yesterday afternoon.
Always relieved and amazed to see Turtle Doves back after their long & perilous journey. I can only hope they have a successful breeding season here in North Yorkshire.

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Gary Flakes @flako1959.bsky.social · May 2

A few trips into the North York Moors this week to take advantage of the lovely weather and find some of the excellent butterflies we have locally.
Green Hairstreak, Duke of Burgundy, Pearl-bordered Fritillary and Small Blue.
@savebutterflies.bsky.social
@bcyorkshire.bsky.social

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Gary Flakes @flako1959.bsky.social · Apr 28

Didn't bump in to you!
Had some nice views of Wood Warbler, my first there for a good few years.

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Gary Flakes @flako1959.bsky.social · Apr 25

Went looking for Whinchat on the North York Moors today. Only found Stonechat.
Next week maybe.
@nybirdnews.bsky.social @nymnptrust.bsky.social

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Gary Flakes @flako1959.bsky.social · Apr 20

A Saturday afternoon hike around the common at Strensall resulted in my first singing Tree Pipit of the year and a confiding Roe Deer.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social

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Gary Flakes @flako1959.bsky.social · Mar 31

Some good looking birds up on’t moors this afternoon.
Nice to catch up with my first Northern Wheatears of 2025 together with a bonus male Ring Ouzel.
Spring has at last arrived on the North York Moors.
@nybirdnews.bsky.social

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Gary Flakes @flako1959.bsky.social · Mar 15

Lovely to see, albeit briefly, a flock of twenty three key jangling Corn Buntings @northcavewet.bsky.social yesterday afternoon. Once ‘the sound of the countryside; sadly no longer.
A single Kittiwake, female Scaup, Kingfisher, Brambling & a couple of Redpoll made a lovely day out.

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Gary Flakes @flako1959.bsky.social · Mar 13

Yet another pic in my recent ‘Bird Spotting’ series!
Just the one point & shoot photo to record a brief encounter with a male Brambling (and Goldfinch) @northcavewet.bsky.social today.
A wintering bird I’m always happy to see.

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Gary Flakes @flako1959.bsky.social · Mar 11

Ever get the feeling you’re being watched?
Several booming Bitterns made a nice soundtrack at a rather chilly @rspb.bsky.social St Aidan’s today.

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Gary Flakes @flako1959.bsky.social · Feb 6

Rose-ringed Parakeet entertainment whilst waiting for my local Starling murmuration over Clifton Ings this evening.
Nine birds flying around the local housing estate and nearby allotments. You couldn’t fail to hear them!
#UKbirds
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
@nybirdnews.bsky.social

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Gary Flakes @flako1959.bsky.social · Jan 27

A visit today to the two best bird hides in the @yorkbirding.bsky.social area.
A herd of 32 Whooper Swans from Ellerton Church & good numbers of Pintail with the waterfowl from Aughton Church. A couple of hundred Pinkies too, stirred up by @ldvnnr.bsky.social Marsh Harrier.
Lovely stuff!

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Gary Flakes @flako1959.bsky.social · Jan 20

I can’t remember seeing a pair of Smew locally, so it was nice to catch up with this White Nun and his Redhead, albeit distantly in the rain, from the Pool Hide @ldvnnr.bsky.social this afternoon.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
#UKbirding

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