Michael Huggins
@miceal.bsky.social
Former historian, retired bolshevik, ex italofilo and one-time fell runner. Currently very grumpy about the state of the world; birding to maintain my sanity. Co. Donegal, Ireland.
Pinned
Summing up the UK in one cartoon. #moderntoss
November 26, 2025 at 9:33 AM
Summing up the UK in one cartoon. #moderntoss
Watching an item on BBC local news from Newcastle upon Tyne. Boss of Cambridge University was encouraging people from the north-east to apply there. The reporter couldn’t work out why only 2.4% of Cambridge undergraduates are from the north-east of England. Nothing further m’lud.
November 21, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Watching an item on BBC local news from Newcastle upon Tyne. Boss of Cambridge University was encouraging people from the north-east to apply there. The reporter couldn’t work out why only 2.4% of Cambridge undergraduates are from the north-east of England. Nothing further m’lud.
#donegalbirding
After a recent spat on the county WhatsApp group about what you might describe as ‘birding ethics’ I searched on line with the following results. If you’re unsure I think the highly-respected British Trust for Ornithology is a good starting point.
duckduckgo.com?q=birdwatchi...
After a recent spat on the county WhatsApp group about what you might describe as ‘birding ethics’ I searched on line with the following results. If you’re unsure I think the highly-respected British Trust for Ornithology is a good starting point.
duckduckgo.com?q=birdwatchi...
birdwatching ethics at DuckDuckGo
DuckDuckGo. Privacy, Simplified.
duckduckgo.com
November 17, 2025 at 11:26 AM
#donegalbirding
After a recent spat on the county WhatsApp group about what you might describe as ‘birding ethics’ I searched on line with the following results. If you’re unsure I think the highly-respected British Trust for Ornithology is a good starting point.
duckduckgo.com?q=birdwatchi...
After a recent spat on the county WhatsApp group about what you might describe as ‘birding ethics’ I searched on line with the following results. If you’re unsure I think the highly-respected British Trust for Ornithology is a good starting point.
duckduckgo.com?q=birdwatchi...
#donegalbirding
A report this morning that the two bitterns are still in residence at Inch.
A report this morning that the two bitterns are still in residence at Inch.
November 16, 2025 at 11:58 AM
#donegalbirding
A report this morning that the two bitterns are still in residence at Inch.
A report this morning that the two bitterns are still in residence at Inch.
My sister has just tried to put a blanket over my dad’s knees for a bit of warmth. He asked her what she was doing that for: ‘it’ll make me look like an old person’. He is 97 tomorrow.
November 13, 2025 at 3:53 PM
My sister has just tried to put a blanket over my dad’s knees for a bit of warmth. He asked her what she was doing that for: ‘it’ll make me look like an old person’. He is 97 tomorrow.
#donegalbirding
Some posts with the #donegalbirding hashtag have disappeared from my view of the feed. Anyone else having this issue?
Some posts with the #donegalbirding hashtag have disappeared from my view of the feed. Anyone else having this issue?
November 7, 2025 at 6:37 AM
#donegalbirding
Some posts with the #donegalbirding hashtag have disappeared from my view of the feed. Anyone else having this issue?
Some posts with the #donegalbirding hashtag have disappeared from my view of the feed. Anyone else having this issue?
#donegalbirding
After I spent a fruitless hour and a half searching around the bay in ‘breezy’ conditions, the Harlequin finally made an appearance, close inshore opposite a park bench 250m north of Port Arthur pier.
After I spent a fruitless hour and a half searching around the bay in ‘breezy’ conditions, the Harlequin finally made an appearance, close inshore opposite a park bench 250m north of Port Arthur pier.
November 1, 2025 at 11:59 AM
#donegalbirding
After I spent a fruitless hour and a half searching around the bay in ‘breezy’ conditions, the Harlequin finally made an appearance, close inshore opposite a park bench 250m north of Port Arthur pier.
After I spent a fruitless hour and a half searching around the bay in ‘breezy’ conditions, the Harlequin finally made an appearance, close inshore opposite a park bench 250m north of Port Arthur pier.
Special Issue of #BirdStudy is now published:
The impacts of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza on birds: part 1
10 papers (5 #OpenAccess) plus Editorial on the impacts of #birdflu #HPAI outbreak in Europe, Canada, Antarctica: www.tandfonline.com/toc/tbis20/7...
#ornithology #ukbirding #seabirds
The impacts of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza on birds: part 1
10 papers (5 #OpenAccess) plus Editorial on the impacts of #birdflu #HPAI outbreak in Europe, Canada, Antarctica: www.tandfonline.com/toc/tbis20/7...
#ornithology #ukbirding #seabirds
October 31, 2025 at 7:20 AM
This flow chart is where I’m at.
October 29, 2025 at 9:59 PM
This flow chart is where I’m at.
#donegalbirding
An unsuccessful search this afternoon for the taiga bean geese recently found by @delboydonegal.bsky.social around Inch Level turned up a number of pink-footed geese, which I would certainly have overlooked if I hadn’t been looking more carefully than usual. There’s a moral there 🤷🏻♂️.
An unsuccessful search this afternoon for the taiga bean geese recently found by @delboydonegal.bsky.social around Inch Level turned up a number of pink-footed geese, which I would certainly have overlooked if I hadn’t been looking more carefully than usual. There’s a moral there 🤷🏻♂️.
October 28, 2025 at 5:57 PM
#donegalbirding
An unsuccessful search this afternoon for the taiga bean geese recently found by @delboydonegal.bsky.social around Inch Level turned up a number of pink-footed geese, which I would certainly have overlooked if I hadn’t been looking more carefully than usual. There’s a moral there 🤷🏻♂️.
An unsuccessful search this afternoon for the taiga bean geese recently found by @delboydonegal.bsky.social around Inch Level turned up a number of pink-footed geese, which I would certainly have overlooked if I hadn’t been looking more carefully than usual. There’s a moral there 🤷🏻♂️.
#donegalbirding
At least 9 ruff among a large flock of c. 500 black-tailed godwit from Tready hide at Inch this morning.
At least 9 ruff among a large flock of c. 500 black-tailed godwit from Tready hide at Inch this morning.
October 28, 2025 at 12:14 PM
#donegalbirding
At least 9 ruff among a large flock of c. 500 black-tailed godwit from Tready hide at Inch this morning.
At least 9 ruff among a large flock of c. 500 black-tailed godwit from Tready hide at Inch this morning.
#donegalbirding
From Robert Vaughan:
There is a radio documentary on at 3pm today on rte1 about the Ring Ouzel. It was recorded in Donegal during the summer, and is about the decline of the species, and the work being done to help them.
www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...
From Robert Vaughan:
There is a radio documentary on at 3pm today on rte1 about the Ring Ouzel. It was recorded in Donegal during the summer, and is about the decline of the species, and the work being done to help them.
www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...
Nature on One - RTÉ Radio 1
Nature on One is a series of natural history documentaries produced by the Mooney Goes Wild team, that will air on public holidays on RTÉ Radio 1.
www.rte.ie
October 27, 2025 at 10:48 AM
#donegalbirding
From Robert Vaughan:
There is a radio documentary on at 3pm today on rte1 about the Ring Ouzel. It was recorded in Donegal during the summer, and is about the decline of the species, and the work being done to help them.
www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...
From Robert Vaughan:
There is a radio documentary on at 3pm today on rte1 about the Ring Ouzel. It was recorded in Donegal during the summer, and is about the decline of the species, and the work being done to help them.
www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...
#donegalbirding
Desperately sad that HPAI (bird flu) seems to be back at Inch, with the NPWS collecting multiple corpses.
Desperately sad that HPAI (bird flu) seems to be back at Inch, with the NPWS collecting multiple corpses.
October 26, 2025 at 6:55 AM
#donegalbirding
Desperately sad that HPAI (bird flu) seems to be back at Inch, with the NPWS collecting multiple corpses.
Desperately sad that HPAI (bird flu) seems to be back at Inch, with the NPWS collecting multiple corpses.
@simoncalder.bsky.social I have enjoyed reading your work for many years. Just received your weekly e-mail dispatch about Nicosia in, I quote: ‘Europe’s last divided nation’. Can I suggest you try Ireland some time, part of which is also under long-term occupation?
October 24, 2025 at 10:17 AM
@simoncalder.bsky.social I have enjoyed reading your work for many years. Just received your weekly e-mail dispatch about Nicosia in, I quote: ‘Europe’s last divided nation’. Can I suggest you try Ireland some time, part of which is also under long-term occupation?
#donegalbirding
While not all our birders will favour a ban on fox hunting, this will probably be of interest to many.
my.uplift.ie/petitions/pe...
While not all our birders will favour a ban on fox hunting, this will probably be of interest to many.
my.uplift.ie/petitions/pe...
Petition to Ban Fox Hunting in Ireland
Can you support this campaign to bring in legislation banning the hunting of foxes using packs of dogs and horses?
my.uplift.ie
October 24, 2025 at 7:27 AM
#donegalbirding
While not all our birders will favour a ban on fox hunting, this will probably be of interest to many.
my.uplift.ie/petitions/pe...
While not all our birders will favour a ban on fox hunting, this will probably be of interest to many.
my.uplift.ie/petitions/pe...
#donegalbirding
Some thoughts, @delboydonegal.bsky.social on the difficulties separating ‘Tundra’ Bean Goose (anser fabalis rossicus) from ‘Taiga’ Bean Goose (anser fabalis fabalis) and your conclusions on the birds you came across yesterday? Feel free to use more than one post 😀.
Some thoughts, @delboydonegal.bsky.social on the difficulties separating ‘Tundra’ Bean Goose (anser fabalis rossicus) from ‘Taiga’ Bean Goose (anser fabalis fabalis) and your conclusions on the birds you came across yesterday? Feel free to use more than one post 😀.
October 21, 2025 at 9:34 AM
#donegalbirding
Some thoughts, @delboydonegal.bsky.social on the difficulties separating ‘Tundra’ Bean Goose (anser fabalis rossicus) from ‘Taiga’ Bean Goose (anser fabalis fabalis) and your conclusions on the birds you came across yesterday? Feel free to use more than one post 😀.
Some thoughts, @delboydonegal.bsky.social on the difficulties separating ‘Tundra’ Bean Goose (anser fabalis rossicus) from ‘Taiga’ Bean Goose (anser fabalis fabalis) and your conclusions on the birds you came across yesterday? Feel free to use more than one post 😀.
#donegalbirding
Some discussion today among Co. Donegal birders of the differences between ‘our’ European golden plover and American golden plover, which turns up in the county reasonably often.This video by @delboydonegal.bsky.social really helps, I think.
Some discussion today among Co. Donegal birders of the differences between ‘our’ European golden plover and American golden plover, which turns up in the county reasonably often.This video by @delboydonegal.bsky.social really helps, I think.
October 18, 2025 at 6:00 PM
#donegalbirding
Some discussion today among Co. Donegal birders of the differences between ‘our’ European golden plover and American golden plover, which turns up in the county reasonably often.This video by @delboydonegal.bsky.social really helps, I think.
Some discussion today among Co. Donegal birders of the differences between ‘our’ European golden plover and American golden plover, which turns up in the county reasonably often.This video by @delboydonegal.bsky.social really helps, I think.
October 16, 2025 at 3:10 PM
#donegalbirding
It’s not all about rarities. I’ve always been thrilled by the spectacle of a large flock of birds responding to the elemental urge to migrate. On a recent visit to Inch @delboydonegal.bsky.social captured this video of an estimated 1,500 Greylag geese.
It’s not all about rarities. I’ve always been thrilled by the spectacle of a large flock of birds responding to the elemental urge to migrate. On a recent visit to Inch @delboydonegal.bsky.social captured this video of an estimated 1,500 Greylag geese.
October 14, 2025 at 7:47 PM
#donegalbirding
It’s not all about rarities. I’ve always been thrilled by the spectacle of a large flock of birds responding to the elemental urge to migrate. On a recent visit to Inch @delboydonegal.bsky.social captured this video of an estimated 1,500 Greylag geese.
It’s not all about rarities. I’ve always been thrilled by the spectacle of a large flock of birds responding to the elemental urge to migrate. On a recent visit to Inch @delboydonegal.bsky.social captured this video of an estimated 1,500 Greylag geese.
Reposted by Michael Huggins
#donegalbirding
Not quite the kerb appeal of a Harlequin, there was a drake Ring-necked Duck today at Inch lake from the Tready hide.
A walk around Horn Head later to look for Snow Bunting was a success with a very confiding bird at the lookout tower nearest to the point. Beautiful birds!
Not quite the kerb appeal of a Harlequin, there was a drake Ring-necked Duck today at Inch lake from the Tready hide.
A walk around Horn Head later to look for Snow Bunting was a success with a very confiding bird at the lookout tower nearest to the point. Beautiful birds!
October 12, 2025 at 8:00 PM
#donegalbirding
Not quite the kerb appeal of a Harlequin, there was a drake Ring-necked Duck today at Inch lake from the Tready hide.
A walk around Horn Head later to look for Snow Bunting was a success with a very confiding bird at the lookout tower nearest to the point. Beautiful birds!
Not quite the kerb appeal of a Harlequin, there was a drake Ring-necked Duck today at Inch lake from the Tready hide.
A walk around Horn Head later to look for Snow Bunting was a success with a very confiding bird at the lookout tower nearest to the point. Beautiful birds!
#donegalbirding
Harlequin in same place as late yesterday.
Harlequin in same place as late yesterday.
October 12, 2025 at 8:35 AM
#donegalbirding
Harlequin in same place as late yesterday.
Harlequin in same place as late yesterday.
#donegalbirding
They’re coming at us from all sides. Common rosefinch reported in that garden at the east end of Toraigh late yesterday.
They’re coming at us from all sides. Common rosefinch reported in that garden at the east end of Toraigh late yesterday.
October 12, 2025 at 5:05 AM
#donegalbirding
They’re coming at us from all sides. Common rosefinch reported in that garden at the east end of Toraigh late yesterday.
They’re coming at us from all sides. Common rosefinch reported in that garden at the east end of Toraigh late yesterday.
#donegalbirding
Grey-cheeked thrush still present on Tory today and red-eyes vireo reported from Arranmore, among mature trees c. 300 metres SW of harbour.
Grey-cheeked thrush still present on Tory today and red-eyes vireo reported from Arranmore, among mature trees c. 300 metres SW of harbour.
October 11, 2025 at 8:28 PM
#donegalbirding
Grey-cheeked thrush still present on Tory today and red-eyes vireo reported from Arranmore, among mature trees c. 300 metres SW of harbour.
Grey-cheeked thrush still present on Tory today and red-eyes vireo reported from Arranmore, among mature trees c. 300 metres SW of harbour.
#donegalbirding
Latest Harlequin location today.
55.1558432,-8.2723872
maps.app.goo.gl/D4e6HPmeJAoU...
Latest Harlequin location today.
55.1558432,-8.2723872
maps.app.goo.gl/D4e6HPmeJAoU...
maps.app.goo.gl
October 11, 2025 at 8:21 PM
#donegalbirding
Latest Harlequin location today.
55.1558432,-8.2723872
maps.app.goo.gl/D4e6HPmeJAoU...
Latest Harlequin location today.
55.1558432,-8.2723872
maps.app.goo.gl/D4e6HPmeJAoU...