Mike Pollard
@mikepnature.bsky.social
Nature recovery, birding and photography.
Curlew conservation in Oxfordshire and NE Wales.
Most bird pics with OM-1 Mark II plus 150-400mm f4.5 lens
🏳️🌈Own views.
Curlew conservation in Oxfordshire and NE Wales.
Most bird pics with OM-1 Mark II plus 150-400mm f4.5 lens
🏳️🌈Own views.
Willow Tit at Llyn Brenig this morning. Visting feeders near the visitor centre, but also foraging in the trees nearby. #birdingWales @richardkbroughton.bsky.social
November 25, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Willow Tit at Llyn Brenig this morning. Visting feeders near the visitor centre, but also foraging in the trees nearby. #birdingWales @richardkbroughton.bsky.social
Male Reed Bunting and Stonechat feeding on/from Reedmace at Gronant Dunes this morning. 46 species seen, including a female/immature Merlin, two Marsh Harriers and a flock of Sanderling that included a one-legged bird hopping along the beach! #birdingWales
November 21, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Male Reed Bunting and Stonechat feeding on/from Reedmace at Gronant Dunes this morning. 46 species seen, including a female/immature Merlin, two Marsh Harriers and a flock of Sanderling that included a one-legged bird hopping along the beach! #birdingWales
North Norfolk today. Hume’s Leaf Warbler & Barn Owl @ Holme NOA;
Pallas’s Warbler @ RSPB Titchwell where also at least 6 fabulous Firecrests. Fab day to be out in the field despite the chill wind.
Pallas’s Warbler @ RSPB Titchwell where also at least 6 fabulous Firecrests. Fab day to be out in the field despite the chill wind.
November 17, 2025 at 8:56 PM
North Norfolk today. Hume’s Leaf Warbler & Barn Owl @ Holme NOA;
Pallas’s Warbler @ RSPB Titchwell where also at least 6 fabulous Firecrests. Fab day to be out in the field despite the chill wind.
Pallas’s Warbler @ RSPB Titchwell where also at least 6 fabulous Firecrests. Fab day to be out in the field despite the chill wind.
@rspbframptonmarsh.bsky.social this PM.
Stonechats finding hairy caterpillars; eastern-type Chiffchaff & huge flock of Golden Plover gathered towards dusk.
Highlight was a male Hen Harrier hunting the saltmarsh late on.
Site has been incredibly dry; starting to look like a wetland again 😀
Stonechats finding hairy caterpillars; eastern-type Chiffchaff & huge flock of Golden Plover gathered towards dusk.
Highlight was a male Hen Harrier hunting the saltmarsh late on.
Site has been incredibly dry; starting to look like a wetland again 😀
November 16, 2025 at 8:50 PM
@rspbframptonmarsh.bsky.social this PM.
Stonechats finding hairy caterpillars; eastern-type Chiffchaff & huge flock of Golden Plover gathered towards dusk.
Highlight was a male Hen Harrier hunting the saltmarsh late on.
Site has been incredibly dry; starting to look like a wetland again 😀
Stonechats finding hairy caterpillars; eastern-type Chiffchaff & huge flock of Golden Plover gathered towards dusk.
Highlight was a male Hen Harrier hunting the saltmarsh late on.
Site has been incredibly dry; starting to look like a wetland again 😀
Another angle on the Shorelark at Great Orme yesterday. It landed for a few minutes on the cairn above the cliffs from where it had a good view of the assembled birders! #birdingWales
November 14, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Another angle on the Shorelark at Great Orme yesterday. It landed for a few minutes on the cairn above the cliffs from where it had a good view of the assembled birders! #birdingWales
'Larking Around!'
Second time lucky for me with the Great Orme Shore Lark this morning. @birdsinwales.bsky.social #birdingWales
Second time lucky for me with the Great Orme Shore Lark this morning. @birdsinwales.bsky.social #birdingWales
November 13, 2025 at 6:49 PM
'Larking Around!'
Second time lucky for me with the Great Orme Shore Lark this morning. @birdsinwales.bsky.social #birdingWales
Second time lucky for me with the Great Orme Shore Lark this morning. @birdsinwales.bsky.social #birdingWales
A couple of distinctive-looking leucistic #Oystercatchers at Gronant yesterday. Very attractive-looking birds too. #birdingWales
November 9, 2025 at 10:07 AM
A couple of distinctive-looking leucistic #Oystercatchers at Gronant yesterday. Very attractive-looking birds too. #birdingWales
Some of the #Natterjack Toad breeding pools at Gronant have been freshly scraped to rejuvenate them for the next breeding season. Nice to see them filled with water. @arc-trust.bsky.social @cofnod.org.uk
November 8, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Some of the #Natterjack Toad breeding pools at Gronant have been freshly scraped to rejuvenate them for the next breeding season. Nice to see them filled with water. @arc-trust.bsky.social @cofnod.org.uk
My first Snow Bunting of the year feeding at the top of the beach at Gronant this morning. Gorgeous sunny weather - couple of Skylarks singing! @birdsinwales.bsky.social #birdingWales
November 8, 2025 at 5:49 PM
My first Snow Bunting of the year feeding at the top of the beach at Gronant this morning. Gorgeous sunny weather - couple of Skylarks singing! @birdsinwales.bsky.social #birdingWales
Reposted by Mike Pollard
Worrying reports of bird flu (avian influenza) are coming in, including an outbreak in Whooper Swans in the Fens. Other waterbirds are also being affected, and cases are rising.
📷 Sick Whooper Swan by Kane Brides
#UKBirding #BirdingWales #BirdingScotland
📷 Sick Whooper Swan by Kane Brides
#UKBirding #BirdingWales #BirdingScotland
November 6, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Worrying reports of bird flu (avian influenza) are coming in, including an outbreak in Whooper Swans in the Fens. Other waterbirds are also being affected, and cases are rising.
📷 Sick Whooper Swan by Kane Brides
#UKBirding #BirdingWales #BirdingScotland
📷 Sick Whooper Swan by Kane Brides
#UKBirding #BirdingWales #BirdingScotland
Grey Plover fly-past at Point of Ayr yesterday - in final stages of wing moult. Nice to capture those black 'arm-pit' feathers. @birdsinwales.bsky.social #birdingWales
October 30, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Grey Plover fly-past at Point of Ayr yesterday - in final stages of wing moult. Nice to capture those black 'arm-pit' feathers. @birdsinwales.bsky.social #birdingWales
An excellent crop of Yew berries this autumn is attracting plenty of thrushes, finches and Starlings. Cilcain. @birdsinwales.bsky.social #birdingWales
October 29, 2025 at 6:14 PM
An excellent crop of Yew berries this autumn is attracting plenty of thrushes, finches and Starlings. Cilcain. @birdsinwales.bsky.social #birdingWales
Reposted by Mike Pollard
📣📸 2025 Photography Competition Winner - Dave Parry
Enillydd Cystadleuaeth Ffotograffiaeth 2025 - Dave Parry 🎉
Llongyfarchiadau!
Enillydd Cystadleuaeth Ffotograffiaeth 2025 - Dave Parry 🎉
Llongyfarchiadau!
October 25, 2025 at 12:45 PM
📣📸 2025 Photography Competition Winner - Dave Parry
Enillydd Cystadleuaeth Ffotograffiaeth 2025 - Dave Parry 🎉
Llongyfarchiadau!
Enillydd Cystadleuaeth Ffotograffiaeth 2025 - Dave Parry 🎉
Llongyfarchiadau!
Two juvenile #Sanderlings at Point of Ayr yesterday, the one of the left still has most of the juvenile feathers, the one on the right has a nice fresh set of grey scapulars. @birdsinwales.bsky.social #birdingWales
October 24, 2025 at 11:39 AM
Two juvenile #Sanderlings at Point of Ayr yesterday, the one of the left still has most of the juvenile feathers, the one on the right has a nice fresh set of grey scapulars. @birdsinwales.bsky.social #birdingWales
This flock of Eider was the hightlight of a couple of hours at Point of Ayr over high tide in windy conditions. Also nice views of Sanderling and Rock Pipit on the beach. @birdsinwales.bsky.social #birdingWales
October 23, 2025 at 7:49 PM
This flock of Eider was the hightlight of a couple of hours at Point of Ayr over high tide in windy conditions. Also nice views of Sanderling and Rock Pipit on the beach. @birdsinwales.bsky.social #birdingWales
Spent some time looking at gulls on the Dee Estuary during the falling tide this pm and picked out a 2nd winter Mediterranean Gull, still quite a scarce bird in these parts. @birdsinwales.bsky.social #birdingWales
October 22, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Spent some time looking at gulls on the Dee Estuary during the falling tide this pm and picked out a 2nd winter Mediterranean Gull, still quite a scarce bird in these parts. @birdsinwales.bsky.social #birdingWales
Want to have a quick 'guesstimate' of the size of this Linnet flock at Flint Castle this morning? Just counted them up. Only part of the flock too! @birdsinwales.bsky.social
October 18, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Want to have a quick 'guesstimate' of the size of this Linnet flock at Flint Castle this morning? Just counted them up. Only part of the flock too! @birdsinwales.bsky.social
Huge flock of #Linnets at Flint Castle this morning, struggling to estimate how many - possibly c.500 - going to check photos in more detail. Also: 5 Great White Egrets, 100s Redshanks, 10s of Dunlins, Knots, Black-tailed Godwits; 2 Barwits and a Turnstone. #birdingWales @birdsinwales.bsky.social
October 18, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Huge flock of #Linnets at Flint Castle this morning, struggling to estimate how many - possibly c.500 - going to check photos in more detail. Also: 5 Great White Egrets, 100s Redshanks, 10s of Dunlins, Knots, Black-tailed Godwits; 2 Barwits and a Turnstone. #birdingWales @birdsinwales.bsky.social
#Porpoises from Point of Ayr this morning, Hilbre Island in the background. Two of three seen. Seeing them quite regularly along the coast of North Wales when the sea is nice and calm. @whalesorg.bsky.social @cofnod.org.uk
October 17, 2025 at 2:34 PM
#Porpoises from Point of Ayr this morning, Hilbre Island in the background. Two of three seen. Seeing them quite regularly along the coast of North Wales when the sea is nice and calm. @whalesorg.bsky.social @cofnod.org.uk
Two Arctic Terns (adult and a first year) paused for a while on the beach at Point of Ayr this morning. Heavily cropped pic of the adult. #birdingWales @birdsinwales.bsky.social
October 16, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Two Arctic Terns (adult and a first year) paused for a while on the beach at Point of Ayr this morning. Heavily cropped pic of the adult. #birdingWales @birdsinwales.bsky.social
Upper Thames Curlew Partnership Crowdfunder has hatched! Target £25k in 6 weeks. Please support and share widely. Thank you. @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social @curlewaction.bsky.social
#Curlews @sheldonbirds.bsky.social @bbcoxford.bsky.social
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-us-sa...
#Curlews @sheldonbirds.bsky.social @bbcoxford.bsky.social
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-us-sa...
October 15, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Upper Thames Curlew Partnership Crowdfunder has hatched! Target £25k in 6 weeks. Please support and share widely. Thank you. @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social @curlewaction.bsky.social
#Curlews @sheldonbirds.bsky.social @bbcoxford.bsky.social
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-us-sa...
#Curlews @sheldonbirds.bsky.social @bbcoxford.bsky.social
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-us-sa...
Fab day on the Great Orme - autumnal feel with arrivals of Redwings and Fieldfares & a few Brambling. Best bird was a Lapland Bunting feeding on seeds in the short turf of the limestone pavement. A couple of Firecrests, found by @marcbuzzard.bsky.social, rounded off the day nicely! #birdsinwales
October 13, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Fab day on the Great Orme - autumnal feel with arrivals of Redwings and Fieldfares & a few Brambling. Best bird was a Lapland Bunting feeding on seeds in the short turf of the limestone pavement. A couple of Firecrests, found by @marcbuzzard.bsky.social, rounded off the day nicely! #birdsinwales
Another visit to Flint Castle on the Dee Estuary this afternoon.
Very pleasantly surprised to find 14 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers. Some were feeding in a group of up to 7, others mixed in with Dunlin, Knot and Redshank. Really good autumn for them. #birdingwales @birdsinwales.bsky.social
Very pleasantly surprised to find 14 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers. Some were feeding in a group of up to 7, others mixed in with Dunlin, Knot and Redshank. Really good autumn for them. #birdingwales @birdsinwales.bsky.social
October 7, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Another visit to Flint Castle on the Dee Estuary this afternoon.
Very pleasantly surprised to find 14 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers. Some were feeding in a group of up to 7, others mixed in with Dunlin, Knot and Redshank. Really good autumn for them. #birdingwales @birdsinwales.bsky.social
Very pleasantly surprised to find 14 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers. Some were feeding in a group of up to 7, others mixed in with Dunlin, Knot and Redshank. Really good autumn for them. #birdingwales @birdsinwales.bsky.social
Three species of heron searching for food on the falling tide this afternoon, on the Dee Estuary near Flint Castle. @birdsinwales.bsky.social #birdingwales
October 6, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Three species of heron searching for food on the falling tide this afternoon, on the Dee Estuary near Flint Castle. @birdsinwales.bsky.social #birdingwales
Rewarding seawatch at Point of Ayr this morning, with a single Leach’s Petrel and 3 Arctic Skuas including these two very dark chocolate brown juveniles. Beautiful markings. Glad I had my camera at the ready when they flew along the beach. #birdingwales @birdsinwales.bsky.social
October 5, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Rewarding seawatch at Point of Ayr this morning, with a single Leach’s Petrel and 3 Arctic Skuas including these two very dark chocolate brown juveniles. Beautiful markings. Glad I had my camera at the ready when they flew along the beach. #birdingwales @birdsinwales.bsky.social