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Mike Buckland

@mcbuckland.bsky.social

720 followers 730 following 130 posts

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Mike Buckland @mcbuckland.bsky.social · 13h

Still (sadly) at least that annoying Sparrowhawk won’t be chasing any more migrant passerines that arrive here exhausted. Looks like it lost a scrap with the local Peregrine! #norfolkbirding

Mike Buckland @mcbuckland.bsky.social · 13h

It was like AI birding today. I got exactly what I asked for, but not quite what I had in mind… an offtrack oddity blown of course and sheltering under a coastal bush 😫 #norfolkbirding

Mike Buckland @mcbuckland.bsky.social · 7d

While clearing rubbish I happened upon an interesting looking, camouflaged, fast and tiny spider. I was surprised to learn I’d seen a Sand Running-Spider, Rhysodromus fallax, a Nationally Rare and Threatened Arachnid, found only at a few sites in coastal Norfolk and Wales @norfolknats.bsky.social

The tiny and highly camouflaged Sand Running-Spider Rhysodromus fallax is almost invisible when stationary. It moves very quickly running briefly before pausing and its markings blend incredibly with the sand.

Mike Buckland @mcbuckland.bsky.social · 7d

Today was largely spent clearing rubbish from East Hills. Some was the inevitable flotsam from fishing boats, but so much left by inconsiderate visitors - I don’t understand why people go to enjoy the beauty of a place only to leave all their rubbish for others to ‘enjoy’ (and clear up!).

Mike Buckland @mcbuckland.bsky.social · 7d

Lovely views of the juvenile Red-backed Shrike between Stiffkey and Morston yesterday afternoon. A very confiding individual with patience. #NorfolkBirding

A juvenile Red-backed Shrike sat in an Elder in the sunshine

Mike Buckland @mcbuckland.bsky.social · 9d

Those are Grey Plover. Sanderling much smaller and likely to be running around on the tideline.

Mike Buckland @mcbuckland.bsky.social · 19d

An evening walk at Holkham produced my first flock of Pink-footed Geese for the autumn, but the surprising highlight was this stunning ‘Silver’ Hare near Meals House!

Mike Buckland @mcbuckland.bsky.social · 27d

Native breeding population in Scotland, a wing-clipped migrant pair (presumably from European range) in Norfolk in 1850, and a rapid spread from the 1950s - source the BTO website - www.bto.org/learn/about-....

Slightly smaller than Mallard, Gadwall is a slimmer duck with a white speculum and (useful in flight) a whitish belly.The Gadwall is a herbivorous surface-feeding duck that favours the more productive...

Mike Buckland @mcbuckland.bsky.social · 29d

This composite might help with side by side comparison, easier than separate photos.

Mike Buckland @mcbuckland.bsky.social · Aug 18

I think BirdGuides were giving them away with a years’ subscription?

Mike Buckland @mcbuckland.bsky.social · Aug 18

Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for reading.

Mike Buckland @mcbuckland.bsky.social · Aug 18

My last collage from Japan. Yellow Bunting in the forests at Karuizawa, Japanese Green Pheasant at Narita, Japanese Accentor on Mount Fuji and Ryukyu Green Pigeon on Amami. Read more at travellingbirder.blogspot.com

A male Yellow Bunting singing in the wonderful forests at Karuizawa when we eventually located him, a surprisingly showy Japanese Green Pheasant, the subtly attractive Japanese Accentor on the slopes of the iconic Mount Fuji and a Ryukyu Green Pigeon enjoying a light shower on Amami.

Mike Buckland @mcbuckland.bsky.social · Aug 18

Locustella Warblers in Japan, easily heard but a particularly challenging group to see: Middendorf’s Grasshopper Warbler, Sakhalin Grasshopper Warbler and Styan’s Grasshopper Warbler. We also heard many Lanceolated Warblers but never saw even a feather! Read more at travellingbirder.blogspot.com

Middendorf’s, Sakhalin and Styan’s Grasshopper Warblers were all seen eventually on the Spring tour of Japan. A skulky, challenging group of birds by any standard.

Mike Buckland @mcbuckland.bsky.social · Aug 18

Some interesting Phylloscopus Warblers on the Japan spring tour: Ijima’s Leaf Warbler, Sakhalin Leaf Warbler, Japanese Leaf Warbler (x2 images) and Eastern Crowned Warbler all seen and more importantly heard very well. Read more at travellingbirder.blogspot.com

Phylloscopus Leaf Warblers seen and heard around Japan in Spring 2025 were Ijima’s Leaf Warbler, Sakhalin Leaf Warbler, Japanese Leaf Warbler and Eastern Crowner Warbler.

Mike Buckland @mcbuckland.bsky.social · Aug 17

Fantastic find and perfect location! Nice one, well pleased for you!

Mike Buckland @mcbuckland.bsky.social · Aug 17

A night drive on Amami produced some unexpected birds roosting along the overhead cables: Lidth’s Jays, Amami Thrush and Ruddy Kingfisher while we searched the road for Amami Woodcocks. Read more at travellingbirder.blogspot.com

Lidth’s Jay glows purple and blue in the torchlight, Amami Theusb high up on cables and a dazzling Ruddy Kingfisher showing a purple sheen across its back, with the target Amami Woodcock finally giving great views on the road.

Mike Buckland @mcbuckland.bsky.social · Aug 17

Japanese Scops Owl, Ryukyu Scops Owl and the imposing Blakiston’s Fish Owl from a late Spring tour of Japan. Read more at travellingbirder.blogspot.com

The bright orange eyes of the Japanese Scops Owl shine in the torchlight, a very relaxed Ryukyu Scops Owl sitting calmly at its day roost and the huge and imposing Blakiston’s Fish Owl catching fish in a small stream.

Mike Buckland @mcbuckland.bsky.social · Aug 16

The rarely seen and very local Iriomote Tit, a couple of very confiding Ryukyu Serpent Eagles and the gorgeous Ryukyu Flycatcher from Japan this Spring. Read more at travellingbirder.blogspot.com

The very local Iriomote Tit tantalises over the path on Iriomote Island, two confiding Ryukyu Serpent Eagles show no fear and a delightful Ryukyu Flycatcher shows off his sulphur yellow throat as he sings in the forest.

Mike Buckland @mcbuckland.bsky.social · Aug 15

The Robins are one of the avian highlights of birding in Japan, though can be challenging to see well. I managed to see Japanese, the stunning Ryukyu, Okinawa and Izu on my spring tour. Read more at travellingbirder.blogspot.com

Four species of Robin seen in Japan - Japanese, Ryukyu, Okinawa and Izu

Mike Buckland @mcbuckland.bsky.social · Aug 14

Some highlights from a late spring Japan tour, the iconic Okinawa Rail and Amami Woodcock and an amazing encounter with an Amami Thrush incubating on its nest! Read more and see more images on my blog travellingbirder.blogspot.com

Okinawa Rail, Amami Woodcock and Amami Thrush on its best

Mike Buckland @mcbuckland.bsky.social · Aug 13

#UKBirding

Mike Buckland @mcbuckland.bsky.social · Aug 13

For any local Suffolk birders / Boyton watchers a flock of c30 European Goldies drifted north over the Black Stork with a ‘Lesser’ Golden Plover among them, c09:15. They dropped not far away but can’t relocate.

Mike Buckland @mcbuckland.bsky.social · Jul 31

Funky leucistic Northern Lapwing at Cley NWT this evening. Also a Wood Sandpiper and ‘Anouk’ the resident limosa Black-tailed Godwit #norfolkbirding

Mike Buckland @mcbuckland.bsky.social · Jul 19

Wow! Amazing footage and great to include the build up and elation of such an amazing event. Awesome to share it all.

Mike Buckland @mcbuckland.bsky.social · Jul 16

Stupidly left my camera in the car and forgot my phone adapter so forced to hand hold my iPhone15 on my amazing Kowa TSN55, so a bit lucky to get the Pacific Golden Plover in flight as it departed Warham Greens within 35 mins of finding it! Lost to view just north of Wells #NorfolkBirding #UKBirding