Colin Bushell
@colinbushell.bsky.social
470 followers 420 following 190 posts
Birding mainly between Easington and Spurn. Partial to a Phyllosc’.
Posts Media Videos Starter Packs
Reposted by Colin Bushell
wiwildlife.bsky.social
It's been an excellent autumn for Baird's Sandpipers in the UK and especially the Outer Hebs. This bird is the 2nd one for Loch Paible, North Uist this year. Also lots of Barnacle Geese resting on the sands with a Cackling Goose amongst them. #BIrdingScotland #BirdingOuterHebrides
colinbushell.bsky.social
Birthday present from Mrs B. a @rayscally.bsky.social - American and Pacific Golden Plover, Kentish Plover on the Humber off the Warren, Spurn autumn 2023.
Painting by Ray Scally of 3 plovers - American & Pacific Goldies and Kentish, Spurn 2023.
colinbushell.bsky.social
Early morning display of the Western Parotia in the Arfak Mountains of Western Papua, September 2025 @wisebirding.bsky.social #wisebirding #WestPapua
Reposted by Colin Bushell
spurnbirdobs.bsky.social
We are looking for a short-term residential volunteer to join the team from the 2nd to 19th October (+/-2 days). Tasks include morning bird monitoring (Point Counts / Visible Migration watches) and afternoon maintenance tasks (habitat/estate work)⬇️
colinbushell.bsky.social
The @wisebirding.bsky.social West Papua tour is drawing to an end with 17 species of Birds of Paradise recorded. We finished our last full day in the field on Merparti Island, where Violet-necked Lory was the star attraction amongst a variety of new birds for the tour #WiseBirding #WestPapua
View from Merparti Island, West Papua 25/9/25 Violet-necked Lory, Merpati Island 25/9/25 Violet-necked Lory, Merparti Island 25/9/25 Merparti Island, West Papua 25/9/25
colinbushell.bsky.social
Female Black Sicklebill in the Arfak mountains of West Papua yesterday. We watched the male displaying in the early morning gloom, performing ‘avian aerobics’ and ‘whiplash’ calling before disappearing into the lush montane forest @wisebirding.bsky.social
Female Black Sicklebill, Arfak mountains (West Papua) September 2025
colinbushell.bsky.social
Although overshadowed a little by the Birds of Paradise in West Papua, pittas are always a firm favourite. This Eastern Hooded Pitta showed extremely well for the @wisebirding.bsky.social team yesterday afternoon
Eastern Hooded Pitta Eastern Hooded Pitta
colinbushell.bsky.social
Weather and birds been kind at the start to the @wisebirding.bsky.social West Papua tour at Nimbokrang, with Twelve-wired and Lesser Bird of Paradise, Papuan Frogmouth and Common Paradise Kingfisher in the first couple of days.
Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise pair in courtship, West Papua Lesser Bird of Paradise male, West Papua Papuan Frogmouth at day roost Common Paradise Kingfisher, West Papua
colinbushell.bsky.social
Is that mud I see there Bill? 😉
colinbushell.bsky.social
Winnie on #InternationalDogDay at the Crown & Anchor near Spurn. Seven months old Red Fox Lab’. She’s alright I suppose 😉
Reposted by Colin Bushell
simongillings.bsky.social
This looks like the same individual with the damaged crown that was at Snettisham 11–12 August #UKBirding
Reposted by Colin Bushell
stuartsbirding.bsky.social
The juv Monties showed really nicely in great light this morning at #Marshside #UKbirding - what a cracker
colinbushell.bsky.social
A few more from this morning: Barred Warbler trapped early at the Warren, Avocet towering over a Little Stint on Beacon Ponds and Black Tern on the falling Humber tide from the Warren gate #spurnbirds
Barred Warbler trapped at the Warren, Spurn 23/8/25 Barred Warbler trapped at the Warren, Spurn 23/8/25 Avocet towering over a Little Stint, Beacon Ponds 23/8/25 Black Tern with Sandwich Terns on the Humber from the Warren, Spurn 23/8/25
colinbushell.bsky.social
White-rumped Sandpiper showing very nicely on Beacon Ponds this morning #spurnbirds #phonescoped
White-rumped Sandpiper wing-stretching, Beacon Ponds 23/8/25
colinbushell.bsky.social
Wood Warbler at Spurn this morning, splendid birds indeed. Thanks as always to the ringers #spurnbirds
Wood Warbler controlled at Spurn 22/8/25 Wood Warbler in the hand at the Spurn ringing station, 22/8/25
Reposted by Colin Bushell
deansmatthew.bsky.social
The exquisite juvenile Greenish Warbler from Britain's most easterly point - Ness Point, Lowestoft this morning. A rare bird in Suffolk these days.
Reposted by Colin Bushell
sheldonbirds.bsky.social
First time I've actually seen the amazing 'butterfly' wing-clapping display of Honey-buzzard from this striking dark male at Ledskär in North Uppland, Sweden, last week
One of a sequence of pictures of a male Honey-buzzard performing wing-clapping display flight. Bird (flying away) is dark grey-brown above with black tips to primary and secondary feathers, as well as primary and greater coverts creating bars on upper wing. Wings held in moderate V-shape One of a sequence of pictures of a male Honey-buzzard performing wing-clapping display flight. Bird (flying away) is dark chocolate brown on wing coverts and body, with off-white flight feathers with dark tips creating dark bars on a pale background.  Wings held in steep V-shape One of a sequence of pictures of a male Honey-buzzard performing wing-clapping display flight. Bird (flying away) is dark chocolate brown on wing coverts and body, with off-white flight feathers with dark tips creating dark bars on a pale background.  Wings are at apex of display, almost touching with legs hanging down One of a sequence of pictures of a male Honey-buzzard performing wing-clapping display flight. Bird (flying away) is dark chocolate brown on wing coverts and body, with off-white flight feathers with dark tips creating dark bars on a pale background.  Wings held downwards
colinbushell.bsky.social
Nice morning wader watching at Spurn on the incoming tide. Nothing rare, just plenty of birds including 3 Greenshank showing beautifully on the Canal Scrape at high tide #phonescoped #spurnbirds
Greenshank on Canal Scrape, Spurn 15/8/25 2 Greenshank on Canal Scrape, Spurn 15/8/25
Reposted by Colin Bushell
johnmalloy.bsky.social
Greater Sandplover, Cleveland August 2022.

From the archive - a walk along the beach at Redcar was topped with a flyby from the Greater Sandplover.

#NEBirding #RarebirdsUK
colinbushell.bsky.social
Yes, only half the size of last year’s Snettisham ‘flock’ but still got the BirdGuides exclamation mark.
colinbushell.bsky.social
Virtually expected nowadays, but three is something else!
colinbushell.bsky.social
One of three White-rumped Sandpipers on Beacon Ponds this evening. Rather drab grey with few dark feather centres above and softer flank marks, it’s the dullest, but came closer than the others #phonescoped #spurnbirds
White-rumped Sandpiper, Beacon Ponds 9/8/25
colinbushell.bsky.social
With Kilnsea Wetlands bone dry this summer the Canal Scrape has been a valuable site for close-up views of waders. This Common Snipe was showing well this morning alongside 13 Black-tailed Godwits #phonescoped #spurnbirds
Common Snipe on the Canal Scrape, Spurn 7/8/25 Common Snipe on Canal Scrape, Spurn 7/8/25