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Peter Howlett @cardiffbirder.bsky.social · 4h

Very good, it's the person wielding that matter usually - though good tracking autofocus certainly helps! Yes - have the Z8 and 180-600

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Reposted by Peter Howlett

Mark D @seaskywatch.bsky.social · 5h

Atlantic Bluefin Tuna and their Garfish prey, South Devon

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Peter Howlett @cardiffbirder.bsky.social · 5h

Great photos Mark

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Peter Howlett @cardiffbirder.bsky.social · 5h

Some more blue sky this afternoon so a quick visit to see the Hobbies again, only a couple of passes this afternoon but the light a little more even than Monday. Settled weather for the next few days so they could be on their way south #birdingWales #UKbirding #birds

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Peter Howlett @cardiffbirder.bsky.social · 1d

Watching some vis mig on Cardiff barrage this morning and a Raven lands in the grass a few metres away. Even in dull light it's always worth taking a photo of one of these splendid beasts #birdingWales #ukbirding #birds #naturephotography

A Raven stands on some grass, the light catching the feathers to reveal the metallic sheen to the feathers

A Raven faces the photographer with throat feathers slightly puffed out and the light accentuating the metallic sheen of the feathers

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Peter Howlett @cardiffbirder.bsky.social · 2d

Lots of Migrant Hawkers mainly I think

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Peter Howlett @cardiffbirder.bsky.social · 2d

Two juv Hobbies turned up on the River Ely last week while I was away, I really didn't expect them to still be there today in some lovely light and blue skies #birdingWales #ukbirding #birds #naturephotography

A Hobby clasps a headless dragonfly in its right talon, it has just bitten the head off and is chewing on it

A Hobby holds a dragonfly in its right talon and is pecking at it

A Hobby holds a dragonfly in its right talon and is about to take a bite of the body

A Hobby soars past the photographer, wings outstretched, against blue sky, showing off the dark eye masks, spotted underwings, striped underside and striped tail

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Peter Howlett @cardiffbirder.bsky.social · 3d

Just back from two weeks wildlife guiding for Ocean Wildlife Encounters on @fredolsencruise.bsky.social ship Borealis to the Azores and Madeira. The blog for the trip can be read here:
www.oceanwildlifeencounters.co.uk/post/s2526-v... #birds #marinelife #mammals

S2526 – Volcanic Vistas of the Azores and Madeira on board Borealis

The OWE adventures on the Azores and Madeira cruise

www.oceanwildlifeencounters.co.uk

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Peter Howlett @cardiffbirder.bsky.social · 3d

Desertas Petrel between the Desertas Islands and Madeira on a Madeira Wind Birds tour last week #SuperSeabirdSunday #birds #naturephotography

The bird banks away from the photographer showing the mainly dark underwing contrasting with the white undersides and a triangle of white at the base of the wing

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Peter Howlett @cardiffbirder.bsky.social · 10d

There was a huge feeding flock of c5000 Cory's Shearwater off of Ponta Delgada on Wednesday (along with several 1000 Atlantic Spotted Dolphin) a spectacular sight #birds #SuperSeabirdSunday

A Cory's Shearwater banks towards the photographer on stiff but slightly bowed wings

A huge flock of feeding Cory's Shearwater, this is just a small part of the 5000 or so that were feeding

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Peter Howlett @cardiffbirder.bsky.social · 17d

Great Shearwaters seen from the M/V Borealis in the western approaches yesterday #superseabirdSunday #birds

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Peter Howlett @cardiffbirder.bsky.social · 17d

Very pleased to see my second Red-necked Phalarope in Cardiff in the space of few days #superseabirdsunday #birdingwales #birds

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Reposted by Peter Howlett

Paul Roberts @npaulroberts.bsky.social · 19d

A spellbinding display from six Sabine's Gulls at Jackstones Pier, Aberavon. Incredible to witness at close quarters. Little Tern, Black Tern and two Grey Phalaropes also present.

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Reposted by Peter Howlett

Adam @atmylifeoutside.bsky.social · 19d

A tense day at work was rewarded with all 7 Sabine’s Gulls still present off Aberavon this eve, together with a supporting cast of 3 Grey Phalarope (of course). Sensational views down to a few feet at times. Hell of a way to bag a lifer. #birdingWales #UKWildlife #birds @birdsinwales.bsky.social

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Peter Howlett @cardiffbirder.bsky.social · 19d

A rubbish record shot in comparison to the photos I got at Lisvane the other day but special none the less as this bird was in Cardiff Bay so on my patch - a nice year tick #birdingWales #ukbirding #birds

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Peter Howlett @cardiffbirder.bsky.social · 19d

Nice to finally year tick Common Tern, a 2nd yr bird, in the bay yesterday. Spent a little while hunting close to the shore near the sails on the barrage #birdingWales #ukbirding #birds #naturephotography

This 2nd year bird shows a dark bar on the forewing and the upper side of the primaries are all dark, an adult wouldn't have these features

The tern had just dipped into the water and caught a fish, here flying away with the fish still in its beak

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Peter Howlett @cardiffbirder.bsky.social · 22d

The 2 Grey Phalaropes keeping the Red-necked company. 1 of the Greys appeared to only have one eye, I didn't see the left open at any time #birdingWales #ukbirding #birds #naturephotography

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Peter Howlett @cardiffbirder.bsky.social · 22d

Hot on the heels of Cardiff's first Red-necked Phalarope a second turned up on Lisvane res yesterday, along with 2 Greys. Still there this morning , so a visit was required - Red-necked first, Greys will be in a 2nd post #birdingWales #ukbirding #birds #naturephotography

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Reposted by Peter Howlett

Bill Coulson @devonshirenature.bsky.social · 23d

Atlantic Bluefin Tuna seen from Berry Head this morning. They were all chasing and sometimes catching, Garfish, which are a long thin fish with a pointed beak. They tend to swim close to the surface which is why we can catch sight of chasing Tuna.

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Reposted by Peter Howlett

Paul Roberts @npaulroberts.bsky.social · 23d

Two Grey Phalaropes, pictured at Ogmore Estuary this evening. Earlier an Arctic Tern was present, in context a much scarcer bird at the site historically.

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Peter Howlett @cardiffbirder.bsky.social · 23d

Today's stormy weather coincided with a midday high tide and I managed to finally get over to Porthcawl to see the waves breaking against the pier - a very impressive sight #seascape #storms #stormyseas #waves

A wave rebounding off the pier hits the next incoming wave and causes a mountain of spray

A wave bursts against the pier, dwarfing the 10m lighthouse on the end. There are 3 figures sat on rocks in the foreground - they look as though they are in danger but are actually quite some way from the sea

A rebounding wave hits an incoming wave almost immediately and the pier and lighthouse disappear behind the explosion of spray

A cropped photo shows people watching the waves with a wave breaking behind them

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Reposted by Peter Howlett

Ukrainka 🇺🇦 @mariaanastasia1.bsky.social · 24d

Brandt's Cormorant.
Vancouver Island Canada

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Reposted by Peter Howlett

Chris Williams @hilbre.bsky.social · 23d

A lovely Red-necked Phalarope @spurnbirdobs.bsky.social #migfest last weekend, a great event and nice to see lots of young people engaging with conversation.

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Reposted by Peter Howlett

The Wildlife Oculus @thewildlifeoculus.bsky.social · 24d

One of the three Grey Phalaropes at Lisvane/Llanhishen reservoirs this morning. The Phalropes were seen to be occasionally taking to the air and picking off flying insects. #birdingwales

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Peter Howlett @cardiffbirder.bsky.social · 24d

Should have added this is on the breakwater of Funchal harbour, Madeira!

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