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Russ Boland @russboland.bsky.social · 16h

On 17th May 2005 shortly after heavy rain I recall just emerging from woodland at the Yang He ( bulldozed shortly afterwards) having ticked male Sibe Thrush only to clock 3 of these blast through at tree height. A monster day.

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Russ Boland @russboland.bsky.social · 3d

Saw my first today too. 5 dropped in at Old Moor RSPB. A favorite species. Magnificent!

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Russ Boland @russboland.bsky.social · 3d

Oooof! 😍

Jan Wilczur @janwilczur.bsky.social · 3d

‘Turkestan Shrike, adult male’

acrylic, 13 x 18 cms.

Turkestan Shrike, also known as Red-tailed Shrike, is a very rare visitor from Central Asia to the UK. Along with the closely related Daurian Shrike it was once considered one of the sub-species of Isabelline Shrike.
#turkestanshrike
#birdart

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Russ Boland @russboland.bsky.social · 3d

Stunning work, Jan!

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Russ Boland @russboland.bsky.social · 4d

A tale of two Terns for #SuperSeabirdSunday. Little 'n' large. The world's biggest and smallest sketched at Salinas de Isla Cristina, Spain in May. Gracias.

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Reposted by Russ Boland

Dragan's Birding Travel Tips @albicilla66.bsky.social · 5d

#Birding #CanoNegro, #CostaRica, a shallow 10K ha lagoon surrounded by rainforest, grassland and marshes, 450sp.: Jabiru, Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture, Spot-breasted Wren, Boat-billed Heron, Green Ibis, Roseate Spoonbill, American Pygmy Kingfisher; #CanoNegroLodge; 4hrs drive from San Jose; Dec-Apr🌴

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Russ Boland @russboland.bsky.social · 5d

Brilliant 👌

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Reposted by Russ Boland

Steph' Thorpe @stephbirdart.bsky.social · 5d

The Ogston Reservoir #Derbyshirebirds Ring-necked Duck on 2 dates separated by about 3 weeks in July and August and in vastly differing weather conditions. #UKbirding #birding #birdart #birds #art

Set of sketches in a sketchbook of an eclipse drake Ring-necked Duck. They were painted in dull, flat light. The duck has a slightly peaked rear crown, a general brown colouration with square paler patches on the cheeks and around the bill base. The pale flanks are a rather smooth lighter brown with the ghost of the vertical pale line at the front edge of the flank patch. The tertials are much more worn and paler along with the tail. The breast feathers are thinly fringed paler. The gold eye stands out.

Second set of sketches from about a 3 weeks later. The bird was in sunlight and looks much brighter. The head has become more Ring-necked Duck like with a strong peak at the rear of the crown. The brown flanks etc are much the same as before.

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Reposted by Russ Boland

Dragan's Birding Travel Tips @albicilla66.bsky.social · 5d

#Birding #Tortuguero NP on the Caribbean coast, #CostaRica 350sp, Tiger, & Agami Herons, White-fronted Nunbird, all 6 kingfishers, Lineated Woodpecker, Sungrebe, Great Green Macaw, Great Potoo; 📷 #LagunaLodge; from San Jose drive to Pavona, plus boat ride, 6hrs, or 30min by plane; timing Aug to Oct🌴

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Russ Boland @russboland.bsky.social · 5d

A watercolor of the Buff-breasted Sandpiper for my birding buddy. This bird paused at East Halton, Lincs back in May and was much wanted lifer and was worked up from my field sketches. Cheers #BirdArt

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Reposted by Russ Boland

Graham Appleton @wadertales.bsky.social · 7d

One of the benefits of studying wader migration is that you learn how interconnected places are.
The world seems smaller and country borders seem trivial.
Black-tailed Godwit blog:
wadertales.wordpress.com/2025/01/09/h...
#ornithology

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Russ Boland @russboland.bsky.social · 7d

Happy birthday. I don't usually gush over dogs but there's summat about an old terrier!

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Reposted by Russ Boland

Alex Tomlinson @alextomlinson.com · 8d

Poster I made for the Great Midwest Crane Fest!

Flat, graphic poster of a Whooping Crane standing in the negative space of many Sandhill Cranes. The poster reads "The Great Midwest Crane Fest - Nov. 15-16, 2025 Baraboo, Wisconsin.

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Reposted by Russ Boland

Dragan's Birding Travel Tips @albicilla66.bsky.social · 9d

#Birding #Kinabatangan River #Borneo #Malaysia 📷 #KinabatanganWetlandsResort freshwater swamps & mangrove forest 250sp., 100sp/3days: Black, & Rhinoceros Hornbill, White-fronted Falconet, Buffy Fish-owl, Large, & Sunda Frogmouth, 10 primate sp., 🦧🐘; 1.5hr by speedboat from #Sandakan ✈️; Jun-Sep

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Reposted by Russ Boland

Stewart @stewchat.bsky.social · 9d

Enjoyed excellent but brief views of the Holy Island Red breasted Flycatcher on Sunday afternoon. Its a while since Ive seen one...
#Northumberland #BirdArt

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Russ Boland @russboland.bsky.social · 10d

Hi Howard. I got your message but can't reply for some frustrating reason I can't fathom. Can I message you on X please. Thanks

Russ Boland @russboland.bsky.social · 11d

Hi Howard. Is it possible to PM you? Are you still on X? I was just after a bit of info about a possible birding trip over there.
Thanks

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Russ Boland @russboland.bsky.social · 12d

Field studies of Greenshanks at RSPB Old Moor recently. At least 5 were busily feeding in the morning sunshine. A bit of colour added later. #BirdArt #Birding

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Reposted by Russ Boland

Sheffield Bird Study Group @shefbirdstudy.bsky.social · 12d

Any birders reporting autumn passage Ring Ouzels (esp in southern England) please look out for coloured leg rings on juveniles from the Peak District Eastern Moors project. 🙏
Report to [email protected]

Combo of 3 colours on left leg

@birdguides.bsky.social @rarebirder.bsky.social
#ukbirding

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Reposted by Russ Boland

Steph' Thorpe @stephbirdart.bsky.social · 14d

I didn't post these before but I think I will after all. The Hickling Black-winged Kite.

Set of pencil and watercolour sketches of a Black-winged Kite in a sketchbook. This page shows the bird perched and flying. The bird is a small raptor somewhere between a falcon and a kite in shape with broad but rather pointed silver grey wings with a black patch on the wing coverts (forming the shoulder that was in its old name and now refers to the very similar Australian species). The underbody is white and the upperparts are the same silvery gray as the wings. It has a shortish white tail with a shallow fork when closed. The central tail feathers are grey and contrast with the white outer feathers. The bird looks very white from underneath with black primaries contrasting. It has a typical raptor head shape with a neat hooked bill and a narrow black "bandit mask" through the eye.

Set of pencil and watercolour sketches of a Black-winged Kite in a sketchbook. This page shows the bird perched and flying. It is sitting right at the top of the tree scanning the ground for prey. The bird is a small raptor somewhere between a falcon and a kite in shape with broad but rather pointed silver grey wings with a black patch on the wing coverts (forming the shoulder that was in its old name and now refers to the very similar Australian species). The underbody is white and the upperparts are the same silvery gray as the wings. It has a shortish white tail with a shallow fork when closed. The central tail feathers are grey and contrast with the white outer feathers. The bird looks very white from underneath with black primaries contrasting. It has a typical raptor head shape with a neat hooked bill and a narrow black "bandit mask" through the eye.

Set of pencil and watercolour sketches of a Black-winged Kite in a sketchbook. This page shows the bird perched in a tree. The bird is a small raptor somewhere between a falcon and a kite in shape with broad but rather pointed silver grey wings with a black patch on the wing coverts (forming the shoulder that was in its old name and now refers to the very similar Australian species). The underbody is white and the upperparts are the same silvery gray as the wings. It has a shortish white tail with a shallow fork when closed. The central tail feathers are grey and contrast with the white outer feathers. The bird looks very white from underneath with black primaries contrasting. It has a typical raptor head shape with a neat hooked bill and a narrow black "bandit mask" through the eye.

Set of pencil and watercolour sketches of a Black-winged Kite in a sketchbook. This page shows the bird perched in a tree and they were my first goes as I learned the birds shape. It was difficult through heat haze! The bird is a small raptor somewhere between a falcon and a kite in shape with broad but rather pointed silver grey wings with a black patch on the wing coverts (forming the shoulder that was in its old name and now refers to the very similar Australian species). The underbody is white and the upperparts are the same silvery gray as the wings. It has a shortish white tail with a shallow fork when closed. The central tail feathers are grey and contrast with the white outer feathers. The bird looks very white from underneath with black primaries contrasting. It has a typical raptor head shape with a neat hooked bill and a narrow black "bandit mask" through the eye.

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Russ Boland @russboland.bsky.social · 14d

Top stuff as always!

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Russ Boland @russboland.bsky.social · 15d

Field studies of Black Terns, Ruff and Sandwich Tern from Druridge Bay CP, Northumberland recently. Nice to be able to sketch these from the comfort of hide as it poured it down! #wildlifeArt #sketchbook Cheers

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Reposted by Russ Boland

Dragan's Birding Travel Tips @albicilla66.bsky.social · 17d

#Birding #Nepal #Chitwan NP 930km2 of grassland, Sal &riverine forest, 600 bird sp, 150sp/day: Indian Grassbird, Bristled Grassbird, Jerdon’s Babbler, Slender-billed Babbler, White-tailed Stonechat, Black-breasted Weaver; 📷 #BarahiJungleLodge; 30min flight or 5hr drive from Kathmandu; timing Oct-Apr

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Reposted by Russ Boland

garywright62.bsky.social @garywright62.bsky.social · 17d

The 2 pec sands at Salthouse eventually gave themselves up, after staying hidden amongst reeds and vegetation for long periods

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Reposted by Russ Boland

Dragan's Birding Travel Tips @albicilla66.bsky.social · 25d

#Birding #RondonRidgeLodge @ 2100m asl in montane forests of the #MtHagen, #PNG (trails up to 2640m): 180sp incl. 10 BoPs, 6 in the lodge grounds incl. Blue, Superb, Princess Stephanie Astrapia, Short-tailed Paradigalla, Brown Sicklebill, Lawe's Parrotia; 1hr drive from the #MountHagen ✈️; Jun-Sep

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