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Phil Andrews
@pmandrews1973.bsky.social
760 followers 680 following 750 posts
Self-confessed twitcher & West Midlands birder, thwarted by work, 2 kids + a wife. With a few moths, butterflies + dragonflies thrown in for good measure.
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Phil Andrews @pmandrews1973.bsky.social · 2h
They would have burned you in the Middles Ages as a witch Ruth! 😬
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Phil Andrews @pmandrews1973.bsky.social · 3h
Also deployed (without a new fancypants bulb). Agree the wind has suddenly picked up - MDJ or bust!
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Reposted by Phil Andrews
andyhood75.bsky.social
Andy Hood @andyhood75.bsky.social · 1d
White-throated Needletail @rspbbemptoncliffs.bsky.social scored gold again when the Tophill Low bird was relocated there late this afternoon. Still can't believe i've seen this chonky mega Asian Swift a few miles from home. @flamboroughbird.bsky.social @rarebirder.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social
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Phil Andrews @pmandrews1973.bsky.social · 2d
They have their uses!
Phil Andrews @pmandrews1973.bsky.social · 3d
Day 10 on Shetland - frustrating day with dips on the Clickimin Barred Warbler first and last thing, bare supermarket shelves, a broken down car on the dockside + kicking around a couple of sites with no reward. Between this though stunning views of the Siberian Thrush as shown below in Hugh's photo
hughharrop.bsky.social
Hugh Harrop @hughharrop.bsky.social · 3d
Absolutely mind-blowing views of the male Siberian Thrush at Loch of Asta, Shetland this afternoon...

#BirdingScotland #UKbirding #RareBirdsUK #Birds #UKWildlife
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Phil Andrews @pmandrews1973.bsky.social · 4d
Until today it was on my list courtesy of a single male in Dorset which hasn't been accepted to species level (to date)
Phil Andrews @pmandrews1973.bsky.social · 4d
Forgot to mention Marsh Harrier over Hillwell
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Phil Andrews @pmandrews1973.bsky.social · 4d
Day 9 on Shetland - 3 close Storm Petrel Scalloway harbour + 2 Pale- bellied Brent Geese, more Stormies off Aith, Tundra Bean Goose East Burrafirth, 3 YBW Michaelswood, BW Teal in flight + 2 Scaup Merlin Loch of Spiggie, Sibe Chiff Maywick, showy RB Fly Quendale + Western Subalpine Warbler Levenwick
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Phil Andrews @pmandrews1973.bsky.social · 4d
Also @davidearlgray.bsky.social and @greeny55.bsky.social
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Phil Andrews @pmandrews1973.bsky.social · 5d
Day 8 on Shetland + managed a bit of birding between the howling wind & lashing rain. Had a good candidate for Spotted Sandpiper in flight along the shoreline near Pullers Loch with several Purple Sand closer to Lerwick. Then dipped Western Subalpine Warbler at Levenwick in suboptimal conditions.
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Phil Andrews @pmandrews1973.bsky.social · 6d
Day 7 on Shetland started with a Scaup♀️ on Clickimin. We when worked a variety of sites on central Mainland for several YBW, Willow Warblers + Bramblings, plus a frustrating pipit (Tree or OB) very briefly at Kergord. Finished the day back at the Sibe Thrush with views on the deck in the garden.
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Reposted by Phil Andrews
justwildimages.bsky.social
Will Bowell- Just Wild Images @justwildimages.bsky.social · 7d
Stunning views of the Siberian Thrush in Shetland. Worth the three hours in Loch Asta. More on justwildimages.blogspot.com
@birdguides.bsky.social @promoteshetland.bsky.social
@hughharrop.bsky.social @shetlandwildlife.bsky.social
@britishbirds.bsky.social @britishbirdsbbrc.bsky.social
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Phil Andrews @pmandrews1973.bsky.social · 7d
Day 6 on Shetland and another odd one. A kick about our Burn of Sound patch produced nothing then a dash down to Sumburgh Head to just miss an orca pod - one I still desperately need. Then a sprint up to Loch of Asta for multiple views of my 2nd Siberian Thrush of the week in this clump over 4 hours
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Phil Andrews @pmandrews1973.bsky.social · 7d
Nice combo Mike
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Phil Andrews @pmandrews1973.bsky.social · 8d
2 Dick's Pipits? Luxury!
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Phil Andrews @pmandrews1973.bsky.social · 8d
Just difficult to bird for passerines in this weather; as the wind dropped a bit the rain increased.
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Phil Andrews @pmandrews1973.bsky.social · 8d
Day 5 on Shetland + another cliche - "challenging weather". Common Rosefinch on the beach at Grutness + an unperturbed Glossy Ibis feeding in the incongruous setting of a peat bog at Eshaness, a bit different to my last views on Mallorca. Corncrake + Wryneck dipped in wind + rain.
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Phil Andrews @pmandrews1973.bsky.social · 8d
😱🫣
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Phil Andrews @pmandrews1973.bsky.social · 8d
3 MDJ?! How many is that now this year Ruth?
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Phil Andrews @pmandrews1973.bsky.social · 9d
That certainly wouldn't marr the trip!
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Phil Andrews @pmandrews1973.bsky.social · 9d
Are the square lists available anywhere @lesevanshill.bsky.social? As Ruth alludes to it would be interesting to compare the VC38 and VC39 elements of SK10.
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Phil Andrews @pmandrews1973.bsky.social · 9d
😕
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Phil Andrews @pmandrews1973.bsky.social · 9d
Day 4 in Shetland and time to deploy the first autumn birding cliche - "hard work". Sites in north + central Mainland yielded 3 YBW, Willow W, Merlin, Water Rail, Wheatear, 2 Purple Sand + Red Grouse; highlight was a Hedgehog at Busta House. Not seen so much angst and woe on Shetland since ...
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Phil Andrews @pmandrews1973.bsky.social · 10d
Day 3 on Shetland was an odd one. Started with the inevitable dip on Black-faced Bunting followed by slow birding with migrant numbers down; Red Kite the highlight (plus migrant insects - Painted Lady, Hummingbird Hawkmoth + Rush Veneer). Rounded off with flight views of a lifer, Siberian Thrush
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Phil Andrews @pmandrews1973.bsky.social · 11d
Day 2 on Shetland and 2 seconds for me with a distant Blue-winged Teal on Loch of Spiggie + Rustic Bunting at Maywick, found by our crew. Also showy Bluethroat at Geosetter, several Yellow-browed Warbler, Slav Grebes, Great Northern Divers, Curlew Sand, Whooper Swans.
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