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Mark Newsome @whitburnbirds.bsky.social · 19h

#Yorkshirebirding #RarebirdsUK

Mark Newsome @whitburnbirds.bsky.social · Aug 20

A few more images from my recent trip to Oman. Many influences from Africa with breeding species; African Paradise Flycatcher, Black-crowned Tchagra, Spotted Thick-knee and Grey-headed Kingfisher.

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Mark Newsome @whitburnbirds.bsky.social · Aug 19

A few more pics from my recent trip to Oman. A nice range of breeding species on offer, from Sooty Falcons on an offshore island near Muscat, Crab Plovers on the mudflats of Masirah Island, Arabian Partridge near Salalah, and one of the plainest yet most range restricted species, Yemen Serin.

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Mark Newsome @whitburnbirds.bsky.social · Aug 18

A few regional specialities from my recent trip to Oman; Arabian Eagle Owl, Wheatear, Sunbird and Warbler!

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Mark Newsome @whitburnbirds.bsky.social · Aug 17

Oman was a great country for terns. Saunder's and White-cheeked are regional specialities, whereas Lesser and Great Crested are more widespread (Great Crested the most abundant in Oman). #seabirds

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Mark Newsome @whitburnbirds.bsky.social · Aug 16

No idea why news is put out - just look at eBird records, up to 34 in residence at Grange-over-Sands in last few years. Wandering feral birds regular across northern England. Why report these and not Black Swan, Monk Parakeet etc..? (And why use 'of unknown origin...'!)

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Mark Newsome @whitburnbirds.bsky.social · Aug 16

Over 600 Masked Booby and 150 Socotra in under 3 hrs was our peak. Only a few small sample watches though, must be brilliant in right conditions.

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Mark Newsome @whitburnbirds.bsky.social · Aug 16

Some of the scarcer #seabirds on our pelagics off Oman: Swinhoe's Storm-petrel, Masked Booby, Socotra Cormorant and Bridled Tern.

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Mark Newsome @whitburnbirds.bsky.social · Aug 15

Juv. Caspian Gull hanging around fishing boat offshore from Whitburn late afternoon, also 13 Little Gulls & 5 Roseates. Skua numbers still low despite NE'ly wind, only 1 Bonxie and 1 Arctic this afternoon. Two Common Dolphins this morning the best sighting of the day (3rd site record). #NEbirding

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Mark Newsome @whitburnbirds.bsky.social · Aug 15

Flesh-footed Shearwaters reached three figures from pelagics and land based seawatching in Oman. A mix of worn adults and fresh juvs, likely from breeding colonies on St Paul Island in Indian Ocean. #seabirds

Flesh-footed Shearwater - fresh juvenile

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Mark Newsome @whitburnbirds.bsky.social · Aug 14

Another much wanted but common species off Mirbat, Oman was Persian #Shearwater. As well as small numbers passing close to shore, we had over 500 rafting on the last pelagic, including one aberrant white-headed bird. #seabirds

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Mark Newsome @whitburnbirds.bsky.social · Aug 13

One of the commoner offshore species in Oman was Wilson's Storm-Petrel. They regularly came within 100m of land, at times even feeding over channels in mudflats! Many were adults in heavy moult, but also plenty of pristine juvs. #seabirds

Wilson's Storm-petrel - typical views from land

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Mark Newsome @whitburnbirds.bsky.social · Aug 12

Just back from a seabirding trip to Oman. Jouanin's #Petrel didn't disappoint, seeing three figure counts from land as well as close views on pelagics. (last image ©Nick Lessof) #seabirds

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Mark Newsome @whitburnbirds.bsky.social · Jul 3

A solid collapsible option is the Walkstool. Not cheap but very well made and lightweight. Ideal for on boat decks as well as in rucksacks. I went for the 65cm size, just right for looking over boat railings!
www.walkstool.com/comfort

Walkstool Comfort | Walkstool

www.walkstool.com

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Mark Newsome @whitburnbirds.bsky.social · Jun 27

Large numbers of adult Herring Gulls also been moving south. From where and to where?! Not heard of any larger scale breeding failures, but next 4-6 weeks will be interesting.

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Mark Newsome @whitburnbirds.bsky.social · Jun 27

The Med Gull influx continues at Whitburn with another 10 S this morning, June total now 70. It'll be interesting once juvs start arriving! Also nearly 600 Sandwich terns today, 1 Bonxie and 2 Arctic Skuas, but Manx down to 248. #NEbirding

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Mark Newsome @whitburnbirds.bsky.social · Jun 21

The Med Gull influx continues to gather pace, a total of 17 flew south at Whitburn this morning. The flock of 13 on its own beat the previous county site record! The majority this week have been adults, presumably pushed from continent by hot weather. #NEbirding

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Mark Newsome @whitburnbirds.bsky.social · Jun 8

#YorkshireBirding

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Mark Newsome @whitburnbirds.bsky.social · Jun 7

observation.org is good site which covers a variety of taxa including marine mammals. You're able to search everyone's records, see photos, use a mobile app for recording in the field etc. Definitely worth a look.

Observation.org

Observation.org wants to enable everyone to record and share observations, increasing the knowledge of nature.

observation.org

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Mark Newsome @whitburnbirds.bsky.social · May 30

They passed Whitburn about 05:35 too. There now seems to be an established late spring passage along east coast, possibly late departing Dutch birds?

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Mark Newsome @whitburnbirds.bsky.social · May 26

We did the same itinerary with Carles a couple of years back. Brilliant trip, birds were fantastic and a great price for the tour.

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Mark Newsome @whitburnbirds.bsky.social · May 23

Good numbers of Hairy #Dragonfly at Leven Canal, East Yorks. this week. One even headed straight for me and caught a newly emerged Banded Demoiselle that I'd disturbed from grass, then went to brambles to eat it. Voracious predators!

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Mark Newsome @whitburnbirds.bsky.social · May 22

Quail singing at 7am between Burshill and Hempholme. maps.app.goo.gl/3oggwRegFP6H.... #Yorkshirebirding

maps.app.goo.gl

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Mark Newsome @whitburnbirds.bsky.social · May 15

Most regularly seeing them in the River Hull valley, northeast of Beverley. I suspect you'll have a chance anywhere which good for dragonflies in that area.

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Mark Newsome @whitburnbirds.bsky.social · May 15

Hobbys are still a rare bird in the northeast, so it's a novelty to see them regularly during survey work in East Yorkshire. Stunning birds to watch as they take dragonflies, always on the look out for potential prey. #Yorkshirebirding

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