Rob Swift
@robswift5.bsky.social
Birder & Birding. Continuously life inspired by Birds & the wonder of the Natural World around me! 🏴🇬🇧
A check of Amerton Flood meadow, east of Weston, NR Stafford after lunch .. weh hey.. found 38 loafing Russian White-fronted Geese . Also, 3 Oystercatcher, Curlew, 502 Lapwing, 84 Wigeon, 36 Shoveler, 2 Greylag. 2 Gadwall…. And then the heavens opened! ☔️ @staffsbirdnews.bsky.social
February 7, 2026 at 3:42 PM
A check of Amerton Flood meadow, east of Weston, NR Stafford after lunch .. weh hey.. found 38 loafing Russian White-fronted Geese . Also, 3 Oystercatcher, Curlew, 502 Lapwing, 84 Wigeon, 36 Shoveler, 2 Greylag. 2 Gadwall…. And then the heavens opened! ☔️ @staffsbirdnews.bsky.social
Well flooded Radford Meadows, Stafford this AM. 81 Pintail, Pochard, 3 Tufted Duck, 2 Goosander, 20 Gadwall, 150 Shoveler, 500+ Wigeon, 500+ Teal, 612 Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Snipe, Golden Plover, Great Egret & Lt Egret, 8 Siskin, 247 LBB & 18 Herring Gull. @staffsbirdnews.bsky.social
February 7, 2026 at 1:42 PM
Well flooded Radford Meadows, Stafford this AM. 81 Pintail, Pochard, 3 Tufted Duck, 2 Goosander, 20 Gadwall, 150 Shoveler, 500+ Wigeon, 500+ Teal, 612 Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Snipe, Golden Plover, Great Egret & Lt Egret, 8 Siskin, 247 LBB & 18 Herring Gull. @staffsbirdnews.bsky.social
Curlew Sandpipers at @rspbtitchwellsnett.bsky.social for #BirdOfTheDay and the theme of #Reflection 😌
February 3, 2026 at 7:14 PM
Curlew Sandpipers at @rspbtitchwellsnett.bsky.social for #BirdOfTheDay and the theme of #Reflection 😌
I’ve heard some of these recording’s and they’re superb! 😀👍 @staffsbirdnews.bsky.social @staffswildlife.bsky.social
February 3, 2026 at 9:02 AM
I’ve heard some of these recording’s and they’re superb! 😀👍 @staffsbirdnews.bsky.social @staffswildlife.bsky.social
Reposted by Rob Swift
A gloomy start to the day here in our Colchester garden. 1 Lesser Redpoll still around and a sign that spring is not too far away, here’s our male Blackcap singing which it’s been doing since Jan 26th. ( my earliest singing bird ) #essexbirding
February 2, 2026 at 9:10 AM
A gloomy start to the day here in our Colchester garden. 1 Lesser Redpoll still around and a sign that spring is not too far away, here’s our male Blackcap singing which it’s been doing since Jan 26th. ( my earliest singing bird ) #essexbirding
Enjoyable visit to murky Aqualate Mere NNR, Staffs this AM. Good views of an Otter, Water Rail & Cetti’s Warbler (4). Also 5 Great Egret, fem Marsh Harrier, c150 Lapwing, 6 Shelduck, 15+ Pintail, 40+ Wigeon, 2 Stonechat & 29 Chaffinch flock. #Birds #Birdhotography 🦉 @staffsbirdnews.bsky.social
February 1, 2026 at 6:39 PM
Enjoyable visit to murky Aqualate Mere NNR, Staffs this AM. Good views of an Otter, Water Rail & Cetti’s Warbler (4). Also 5 Great Egret, fem Marsh Harrier, c150 Lapwing, 6 Shelduck, 15+ Pintail, 40+ Wigeon, 2 Stonechat & 29 Chaffinch flock. #Birds #Birdhotography 🦉 @staffsbirdnews.bsky.social
‘Birds in Landscape’ & just being there in the moment! Teal & Mallard at dusk on Radford Meadows, Stafford, mid week. It’s hard to believe there’s fields under that water! 🌅😌 #Birds #BirdPhotography #NaturePhotography #Sunset 🪶
January 31, 2026 at 4:31 PM
‘Birds in Landscape’ & just being there in the moment! Teal & Mallard at dusk on Radford Meadows, Stafford, mid week. It’s hard to believe there’s fields under that water! 🌅😌 #Birds #BirdPhotography #NaturePhotography #Sunset 🪶
My best ever experience with Snow Buntings last week with a flock of c70 at Winterton, Norfolk, UK. Fantastic, characterful Birds. 🤩 #BirdPhotography #NaturePhotography #Birds #UKBirds 🦉🪶
January 31, 2026 at 3:48 PM
My best ever experience with Snow Buntings last week with a flock of c70 at Winterton, Norfolk, UK. Fantastic, characterful Birds. 🤩 #BirdPhotography #NaturePhotography #Birds #UKBirds 🦉🪶
@staffsbirdnews.bsky.social 3 hours on a flooded Radford Meadows, Stafford, UK this AM. Patch rare fem Pochard, 3 Goosander, 2 Shelduck, 18 Gadwall, 69 Pintail, 94 Shoveler, c1200 Lapwing, 11 Golden Plover, c60 Siskin, Stonechat, Lt Egret, Kingfisher, 2 Skylark.100’s Wigeon/Teal. #Birds #Birding 🦉🪶
January 31, 2026 at 3:33 PM
@staffsbirdnews.bsky.social 3 hours on a flooded Radford Meadows, Stafford, UK this AM. Patch rare fem Pochard, 3 Goosander, 2 Shelduck, 18 Gadwall, 69 Pintail, 94 Shoveler, c1200 Lapwing, 11 Golden Plover, c60 Siskin, Stonechat, Lt Egret, Kingfisher, 2 Skylark.100’s Wigeon/Teal. #Birds #Birding 🦉🪶
Northern Lapwing for #BirdOfTheDay & today’s theme of #Iridescent . In the U.K. they have the alternative name of Green Plover (you can see why) or Pee-wit (from the call) 😀 #Birds #Nature #UKBirds
January 28, 2026 at 8:44 AM
Northern Lapwing for #BirdOfTheDay & today’s theme of #Iridescent . In the U.K. they have the alternative name of Green Plover (you can see why) or Pee-wit (from the call) 😀 #Birds #Nature #UKBirds
A summer visitor, Yellow Wagtail (British race flavissima) for #BirdOfTheDay .. about as #yellow as you can get! #Birds #Nature 🦉🪶
January 27, 2026 at 10:47 AM
A summer visitor, Yellow Wagtail (British race flavissima) for #BirdOfTheDay .. about as #yellow as you can get! #Birds #Nature 🦉🪶
Reposted by Rob Swift
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Handsome and friendly fella let me spend some time with him today!
#birds #nature #photography
Handsome and friendly fella let me spend some time with him today!
#birds #nature #photography
January 27, 2026 at 2:54 AM
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Handsome and friendly fella let me spend some time with him today!
#birds #nature #photography
Handsome and friendly fella let me spend some time with him today!
#birds #nature #photography
Reposted by Rob Swift
you jiggle jiggle jiggle
and you jiggle then you slide,
you jiggle jiggle slide
then you slide jiggle jiggle 🪶
and you jiggle then you slide,
you jiggle jiggle slide
then you slide jiggle jiggle 🪶
January 27, 2026 at 3:46 AM
you jiggle jiggle jiggle
and you jiggle then you slide,
you jiggle jiggle slide
then you slide jiggle jiggle 🪶
and you jiggle then you slide,
you jiggle jiggle slide
then you slide jiggle jiggle 🪶
Reposted by Rob Swift
Posedown In The Wild... Gunner The Pine Grosbeak (Husband of Gracie), enjoying the fresh air and scenery. Stunning plumage. He enjoys the Pine Forests of the Northern Wilderness. Very handsome. 📸🇨🇦
#AlgonquinPark #PineGrosbeak #Birds #Wildlife #Photography
#WildlifePhotography #OntarioParks #Canada
#AlgonquinPark #PineGrosbeak #Birds #Wildlife #Photography
#WildlifePhotography #OntarioParks #Canada
January 27, 2026 at 3:56 AM
Posedown In The Wild... Gunner The Pine Grosbeak (Husband of Gracie), enjoying the fresh air and scenery. Stunning plumage. He enjoys the Pine Forests of the Northern Wilderness. Very handsome. 📸🇨🇦
#AlgonquinPark #PineGrosbeak #Birds #Wildlife #Photography
#WildlifePhotography #OntarioParks #Canada
#AlgonquinPark #PineGrosbeak #Birds #Wildlife #Photography
#WildlifePhotography #OntarioParks #Canada
Reposted by Rob Swift
Just got back from Japan and managed to sneak off to Hokkaido for a couple of days to see Steller's sea eagles. Still processing all my images but here is a quick view of the two eagle species on the ice - white tailed in the foreground and Steller's. Amazing how much bigger the Steller's are! 🦉🦅
January 27, 2026 at 5:43 AM
Just got back from Japan and managed to sneak off to Hokkaido for a couple of days to see Steller's sea eagles. Still processing all my images but here is a quick view of the two eagle species on the ice - white tailed in the foreground and Steller's. Amazing how much bigger the Steller's are! 🦉🦅
Reposted by Rob Swift
"In The Garden - Dunnock"
Hand embroidery thread painting on wallpaper artwork.
The third in my new series.
#AnimalArtTuesday #birds #embroidery #WildlifeArt
Hand embroidery thread painting on wallpaper artwork.
The third in my new series.
#AnimalArtTuesday #birds #embroidery #WildlifeArt
January 27, 2026 at 7:46 AM
"In The Garden - Dunnock"
Hand embroidery thread painting on wallpaper artwork.
The third in my new series.
#AnimalArtTuesday #birds #embroidery #WildlifeArt
Hand embroidery thread painting on wallpaper artwork.
The third in my new series.
#AnimalArtTuesday #birds #embroidery #WildlifeArt
The small Bird with the big voice… Eurasian Wren for #Birdoftheday #brownisbeautiful 🦉🪶 😀
January 27, 2026 at 8:41 AM
The small Bird with the big voice… Eurasian Wren for #Birdoftheday #brownisbeautiful 🦉🪶 😀
Reposted by Rob Swift
Seven sacks of dead Pheasants dumped by side of road in S Lanarkshire.
Dodgy ethics aside, no need to worry about the mandatory biosecurity measures that everyone, including gamebird shoot managers, are supposed to comply with, eh? #AvianFlu
New blog ⬇️
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2026/01/26/s...
Dodgy ethics aside, no need to worry about the mandatory biosecurity measures that everyone, including gamebird shoot managers, are supposed to comply with, eh? #AvianFlu
New blog ⬇️
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2026/01/26/s...
Seven sacks of dead Pheasants dumped by side of road in South Lanarkshire
Seven sacks of dead Pheasants have been dumped by the side of the road at two locations (3km apart) near Stonehouse, South Lanarkshire earlier this month (many thanks to the blog reader who sent in…
raptorpersecutionuk.org
January 26, 2026 at 5:48 PM
Seven sacks of dead Pheasants dumped by side of road in S Lanarkshire.
Dodgy ethics aside, no need to worry about the mandatory biosecurity measures that everyone, including gamebird shoot managers, are supposed to comply with, eh? #AvianFlu
New blog ⬇️
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2026/01/26/s...
Dodgy ethics aside, no need to worry about the mandatory biosecurity measures that everyone, including gamebird shoot managers, are supposed to comply with, eh? #AvianFlu
New blog ⬇️
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2026/01/26/s...
Successful trip to Norfolk to see the B W Kite yesterday, but the c70 exquisite Snow Bunting flock at Winterton, easily stole the show. Iceland Gull, Med Gull, Purple Sandpiper, Bewick’s & Whooper Swans, 26+Crane flock, Marsh Harriers amongst other species seen on a great day! 😎 #Birds #Birding 🦉🪶
January 25, 2026 at 7:45 PM
Reposted by Rob Swift
Hen Harrier killing continues on England’s #grouse moors in 2025. A parliamentary debate back in June did not generate a step change.
Blog: markavery.info/2026/01/20/r...
Photo: Dynamo/Ivan Ellison
@rspbinvestigations.bsky.social @northyorkmoors.org.uk @forestofbowlandnl.bsky.social
#Defra
Blog: markavery.info/2026/01/20/r...
Photo: Dynamo/Ivan Ellison
@rspbinvestigations.bsky.social @northyorkmoors.org.uk @forestofbowlandnl.bsky.social
#Defra
January 20, 2026 at 6:09 AM
Hen Harrier killing continues on England’s #grouse moors in 2025. A parliamentary debate back in June did not generate a step change.
Blog: markavery.info/2026/01/20/r...
Photo: Dynamo/Ivan Ellison
@rspbinvestigations.bsky.social @northyorkmoors.org.uk @forestofbowlandnl.bsky.social
#Defra
Blog: markavery.info/2026/01/20/r...
Photo: Dynamo/Ivan Ellison
@rspbinvestigations.bsky.social @northyorkmoors.org.uk @forestofbowlandnl.bsky.social
#Defra
Yellow-browed Warbler action in an outflow ditch, in north Warwickshire UK, a few days back. A far cry from it’s summer home in the Siberian Taiga Forest & normal winter range of SE Asia. I liked how it ’bossed’ the accompanying Chiffchaffs. What an incredible little #Bird #Birding #Birds 🦉🪶
January 20, 2026 at 12:46 PM
Smart Barnacle Geese on the Solway Firth, Scotland. #BirdOfTheDay #BlackandWhite 🪶🦉
January 6, 2026 at 8:38 PM
Smart Barnacle Geese on the Solway Firth, Scotland. #BirdOfTheDay #BlackandWhite 🪶🦉
Reposted by Rob Swift
A yellow wagtail is singing to stop the setting sun. Its just too early to be night!
1/800s, ISO 5000, F5.6
#bird #photography #nature #birdphotography #wagtail
1/800s, ISO 5000, F5.6
#bird #photography #nature #birdphotography #wagtail
January 6, 2026 at 8:04 PM
A yellow wagtail is singing to stop the setting sun. Its just too early to be night!
1/800s, ISO 5000, F5.6
#bird #photography #nature #birdphotography #wagtail
1/800s, ISO 5000, F5.6
#bird #photography #nature #birdphotography #wagtail
Love it when a plan comes to fruition…24 Crossbill in Abraham’s Valley Cannock Chase, Staffs this AM. Mostly feeding high in the Larches (apart from one😀) Also c80 Siskin flock, 10 Ls Redpoll & Grey Wagtail. 🪶🦉
January 6, 2026 at 8:11 PM
Love it when a plan comes to fruition…24 Crossbill in Abraham’s Valley Cannock Chase, Staffs this AM. Mostly feeding high in the Larches (apart from one😀) Also c80 Siskin flock, 10 Ls Redpoll & Grey Wagtail. 🪶🦉