The Backward Birder
@backwardbirder.bsky.social
Old-fashioned birder. Member of The Irregulars. Lover of Wild places and wildlife. Reliably twenty years behind the times.
Also on Twitter {yes, it's still that to me} There's a blog out there somewhere, too...
Also on Twitter {yes, it's still that to me} There's a blog out there somewhere, too...
Pinned
You deserve something to look at, as I once again haven't uploaded my photos yet {This is getting to be a habit}. So perhaps something Special?
One from the Vaults, I hope you like it;
๐คฉ
One from the Vaults, I hope you like it;
๐คฉ
Standing Stone Sunday is here, so here is the Laughing Man.
This was taken today, and you can be assured I got thoroughly rained-on for my pic...
๐ง๏ธ๐ง๏ธ
๐ฟ
This was taken today, and you can be assured I got thoroughly rained-on for my pic...
๐ง๏ธ๐ง๏ธ
๐ฟ
February 8, 2026 at 11:09 PM
Standing Stone Sunday is here, so here is the Laughing Man.
This was taken today, and you can be assured I got thoroughly rained-on for my pic...
๐ง๏ธ๐ง๏ธ
๐ฟ
This was taken today, and you can be assured I got thoroughly rained-on for my pic...
๐ง๏ธ๐ง๏ธ
๐ฟ
From Sunday's amble with the Folks, for Fungus Friday.
A rare one {I think?!? Certainly one I've not seen before ๐ค}, an interestingly arty one, and a four-for-one. ๐
๐
A rare one {I think?!? Certainly one I've not seen before ๐ค}, an interestingly arty one, and a four-for-one. ๐
๐
February 6, 2026 at 5:42 PM
From Sunday's amble with the Folks, for Fungus Friday.
A rare one {I think?!? Certainly one I've not seen before ๐ค}, an interestingly arty one, and a four-for-one. ๐
๐
A rare one {I think?!? Certainly one I've not seen before ๐ค}, an interestingly arty one, and a four-for-one. ๐
๐
It was... a little damp on the Otter today ๐ง๏ธ๐
๐
Eventually found the 2 1w Spoonbill; hiding up by Big Bank {invisible from the causeway.!}. Worth the soaking as a Spotshank showed wonderfully on my return, & in a distant field... a Hare!
๐
๐ฆ
๐
Eventually found the 2 1w Spoonbill; hiding up by Big Bank {invisible from the causeway.!}. Worth the soaking as a Spotshank showed wonderfully on my return, & in a distant field... a Hare!
๐
๐ฆ
February 3, 2026 at 9:07 PM
It was... a little damp on the Otter today ๐ง๏ธ๐
๐
Eventually found the 2 1w Spoonbill; hiding up by Big Bank {invisible from the causeway.!}. Worth the soaking as a Spotshank showed wonderfully on my return, & in a distant field... a Hare!
๐
๐ฆ
๐
Eventually found the 2 1w Spoonbill; hiding up by Big Bank {invisible from the causeway.!}. Worth the soaking as a Spotshank showed wonderfully on my return, & in a distant field... a Hare!
๐
๐ฆ
Most of the Turnstones were still out trying to mug anglers for their bait, one {with an injured leg, the poor thing} sidling up to me in sadly vain hope...
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๐๐ฆ
January 31, 2026 at 7:08 PM
Most of the Turnstones were still out trying to mug anglers for their bait, one {with an injured leg, the poor thing} sidling up to me in sadly vain hope...
๐๐ฆ
๐๐ฆ
Yesterday at Brixham Harbour, it was wondered "Where are all the Purple Sands?"
Having to be in Town today, I decided to see if the Haldon Pier birds were still present.
Yup.
18 Purple Sandpiper & 12+ Turnstone counted late afternoon.
I have photos.
๐๐ฆ
Having to be in Town today, I decided to see if the Haldon Pier birds were still present.
Yup.
18 Purple Sandpiper & 12+ Turnstone counted late afternoon.
I have photos.
๐๐ฆ
January 31, 2026 at 7:08 PM
Yesterday at Brixham Harbour, it was wondered "Where are all the Purple Sands?"
Having to be in Town today, I decided to see if the Haldon Pier birds were still present.
Yup.
18 Purple Sandpiper & 12+ Turnstone counted late afternoon.
I have photos.
๐๐ฆ
Having to be in Town today, I decided to see if the Haldon Pier birds were still present.
Yup.
18 Purple Sandpiper & 12+ Turnstone counted late afternoon.
I have photos.
๐๐ฆ
An adult Med Gull showed quite well, 2 Purple Sands less so. Great Northern Divers all over the place {at least 62, most likely many more}, with 3+ Red-throated Diver {all well out} and a Black-throated Diver, which, well, did this;
๐ฒ๐คฉ
๐ฆ
๐ฒ๐คฉ
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January 30, 2026 at 4:10 PM
An adult Med Gull showed quite well, 2 Purple Sands less so. Great Northern Divers all over the place {at least 62, most likely many more}, with 3+ Red-throated Diver {all well out} and a Black-throated Diver, which, well, did this;
๐ฒ๐คฉ
๐ฆ
๐ฒ๐คฉ
๐ฆ
Finally able to join the Great Brixham Caspo Hunt today, & after a little elusiveness to spice things up, a Caspian Gull showed, er, rather well! ๐
Even better, I didn't get rained on. {Until after the bird had showed, anyway, when I was too happy to care}
๐ฆ
A few other birds present, too โฌ๏ธ
Even better, I didn't get rained on. {Until after the bird had showed, anyway, when I was too happy to care}
๐ฆ
A few other birds present, too โฌ๏ธ
January 30, 2026 at 4:10 PM
Finally able to join the Great Brixham Caspo Hunt today, & after a little elusiveness to spice things up, a Caspian Gull showed, er, rather well! ๐
Even better, I didn't get rained on. {Until after the bird had showed, anyway, when I was too happy to care}
๐ฆ
A few other birds present, too โฌ๏ธ
Even better, I didn't get rained on. {Until after the bird had showed, anyway, when I was too happy to care}
๐ฆ
A few other birds present, too โฌ๏ธ
A variety of other interesting species seen during my soujourn in the wild east included Corn Bunting, White-tailed Eagle {marauding by Avon Causeway}, and a Little Owl on a post by the A35!
But more on the Great-tailed Grackle, because we all know who the Star of the Show is.
๐คฉ๐ฆ
But more on the Great-tailed Grackle, because we all know who the Star of the Show is.
๐คฉ๐ฆ
January 25, 2026 at 11:04 PM
A variety of other interesting species seen during my soujourn in the wild east included Corn Bunting, White-tailed Eagle {marauding by Avon Causeway}, and a Little Owl on a post by the A35!
But more on the Great-tailed Grackle, because we all know who the Star of the Show is.
๐คฉ๐ฆ
But more on the Great-tailed Grackle, because we all know who the Star of the Show is.
๐คฉ๐ฆ
Having paid some dues {Patch first} it was time for a little filthy twitching today.
Though I again managed to get thoroughly rained-on.! ๐ง๏ธ๐คง
Totally worth it with a TOTOF on yankee Lifers ๐.
Ok, one's a little more, er, debatable ๐คญ, but he's so purdy that I'm sure we'll all forgive him, right?
๐ฆ
1/
Though I again managed to get thoroughly rained-on.! ๐ง๏ธ๐คง
Totally worth it with a TOTOF on yankee Lifers ๐.
Ok, one's a little more, er, debatable ๐คญ, but he's so purdy that I'm sure we'll all forgive him, right?
๐ฆ
1/
January 25, 2026 at 11:04 PM
Having paid some dues {Patch first} it was time for a little filthy twitching today.
Though I again managed to get thoroughly rained-on.! ๐ง๏ธ๐คง
Totally worth it with a TOTOF on yankee Lifers ๐.
Ok, one's a little more, er, debatable ๐คญ, but he's so purdy that I'm sure we'll all forgive him, right?
๐ฆ
1/
Though I again managed to get thoroughly rained-on.! ๐ง๏ธ๐คง
Totally worth it with a TOTOF on yankee Lifers ๐.
Ok, one's a little more, er, debatable ๐คญ, but he's so purdy that I'm sure we'll all forgive him, right?
๐ฆ
1/
Numbers of Great Northern Divers rafting in Hope Cove increased even as I was on site, rising from 30 at first scan to 44 seen from IMD as I left!
๐
๐ฆ
Some more pics;
2/
๐
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Some more pics;
2/
January 24, 2026 at 2:56 PM
Numbers of Great Northern Divers rafting in Hope Cove increased even as I was on site, rising from 30 at first scan to 44 seen from IMD as I left!
๐
๐ฆ
Some more pics;
2/
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Some more pics;
2/
Bit frisky at the Nose lunchtime today {see @shiphaybirder.bsky.social for evidence..๐ฒ}, but I defied wind, rain, & sea {all going sideways at speed} to try for Little Gulls.
๐ค
Readers, I rolled a 6!
๐
Party of 5 {2 ad + 3 2cy} loitering, +3rd ad arrived.
Also 44 GND in Hope Cove {next post}
๐ฆ
1/
๐ค
Readers, I rolled a 6!
๐
Party of 5 {2 ad + 3 2cy} loitering, +3rd ad arrived.
Also 44 GND in Hope Cove {next post}
๐ฆ
1/
January 24, 2026 at 2:56 PM
Bit frisky at the Nose lunchtime today {see @shiphaybirder.bsky.social for evidence..๐ฒ}, but I defied wind, rain, & sea {all going sideways at speed} to try for Little Gulls.
๐ค
Readers, I rolled a 6!
๐
Party of 5 {2 ad + 3 2cy} loitering, +3rd ad arrived.
Also 44 GND in Hope Cove {next post}
๐ฆ
1/
๐ค
Readers, I rolled a 6!
๐
Party of 5 {2 ad + 3 2cy} loitering, +3rd ad arrived.
Also 44 GND in Hope Cove {next post}
๐ฆ
1/
This Greenshank WAS there, and rather close, too. ๐
Later, at Dart's Farm, actual wildfowl!! ::faints::
๐ฒ
Even later, at Cockwood Crossing, not a single Little Gull. Or anything else, for that matter...
๐
Lot of 1s today. Bugger.
๐คท
Later, at Dart's Farm, actual wildfowl!! ::faints::
๐ฒ
Even later, at Cockwood Crossing, not a single Little Gull. Or anything else, for that matter...
๐
Lot of 1s today. Bugger.
๐คท
![Shooting into the teeth of Storm Ingrid! Here you see the view I had as I braved Cockwood Crossing in hope of a Little Gull or 15. I got [CENSORED FOR NAUGHTY WORDS]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:j23gq7jqlrngio4l7qyblr4j/bafkreicbizrlpri632cft26xep3baiivs3wu6pbqo4tsbsp5ikx77ubmlu@jpeg)
January 23, 2026 at 9:56 PM
This Greenshank WAS there, and rather close, too. ๐
Later, at Dart's Farm, actual wildfowl!! ::faints::
๐ฒ
Even later, at Cockwood Crossing, not a single Little Gull. Or anything else, for that matter...
๐
Lot of 1s today. Bugger.
๐คท
Later, at Dart's Farm, actual wildfowl!! ::faints::
๐ฒ
Even later, at Cockwood Crossing, not a single Little Gull. Or anything else, for that matter...
๐
Lot of 1s today. Bugger.
๐คท
When you go after a specific bird, you are always rolling the dice.
{Amongst other annoyances, they do this 'flying' thing, you see...}
Sometimes you roll a 1
Spot the Bittern, today at Bowling Green.
๐ฆ
Go on. Look carefully.
Can you see it?
๐ค
No, I couldn't, either.. ๐
{Amongst other annoyances, they do this 'flying' thing, you see...}
Sometimes you roll a 1
Spot the Bittern, today at Bowling Green.
๐ฆ
Go on. Look carefully.
Can you see it?
๐ค
No, I couldn't, either.. ๐
January 23, 2026 at 9:56 PM
When you go after a specific bird, you are always rolling the dice.
{Amongst other annoyances, they do this 'flying' thing, you see...}
Sometimes you roll a 1
Spot the Bittern, today at Bowling Green.
๐ฆ
Go on. Look carefully.
Can you see it?
๐ค
No, I couldn't, either.. ๐
{Amongst other annoyances, they do this 'flying' thing, you see...}
Sometimes you roll a 1
Spot the Bittern, today at Bowling Green.
๐ฆ
Go on. Look carefully.
Can you see it?
๐ค
No, I couldn't, either.. ๐
Did you see the one from my post back in December? Made me look twice! ๐
I should also point out that I'm not the one with the Dread Artefact of rare-summoning.... ๐๐ค
๐
I should also point out that I'm not the one with the Dread Artefact of rare-summoning.... ๐๐ค
๐
January 19, 2026 at 7:39 PM
Did you see the one from my post back in December? Made me look twice! ๐
I should also point out that I'm not the one with the Dread Artefact of rare-summoning.... ๐๐ค
๐
I should also point out that I'm not the one with the Dread Artefact of rare-summoning.... ๐๐ค
๐
Haldon Pier held 9 roosting and 2 foraging Purple Sandpiper, with at least 9 Turnstone {some very friendly!} mobile in the area.
๐ฆ
{I couldn't find a Black Redstart...๐}
๐ฆ
{I couldn't find a Black Redstart...๐}
January 19, 2026 at 5:59 PM
Haldon Pier held 9 roosting and 2 foraging Purple Sandpiper, with at least 9 Turnstone {some very friendly!} mobile in the area.
๐ฆ
{I couldn't find a Black Redstart...๐}
๐ฆ
{I couldn't find a Black Redstart...๐}
As well as the Black-throat, between Thatcher Point and Livermead there were 6 Great Northern Diver, 2 Razorbill, 2 Mediterranean Gull, and an awful lot of {mostly}Cormorants!
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January 19, 2026 at 5:59 PM
As well as the Black-throat, between Thatcher Point and Livermead there were 6 Great Northern Diver, 2 Razorbill, 2 Mediterranean Gull, and an awful lot of {mostly}Cormorants!
๐ฆ
๐ฆ
More highlights from the Patch yesterday, starting with a few early flowers. None from gardens of any kind, btw.
{Oh yes}
๐ผ
{Oh yes}
๐ผ
January 19, 2026 at 5:59 PM
More highlights from the Patch yesterday, starting with a few early flowers. None from gardens of any kind, btw.
{Oh yes}
๐ผ
{Oh yes}
๐ผ
Patrolling the Patch in the rain was enlivened by finding a ridiculously showy Black-throated Diver, at times just off the surf, at Meadfoot today ๐
Even better, despite moving well out, it came back in again for @shiphaybirder.bsky.social & a small but happy twitch
๐
๐ฆ
Even better, despite moving well out, it came back in again for @shiphaybirder.bsky.social & a small but happy twitch
๐
๐ฆ
January 18, 2026 at 5:34 PM
Patrolling the Patch in the rain was enlivened by finding a ridiculously showy Black-throated Diver, at times just off the surf, at Meadfoot today ๐
Even better, despite moving well out, it came back in again for @shiphaybirder.bsky.social & a small but happy twitch
๐
๐ฆ
Even better, despite moving well out, it came back in again for @shiphaybirder.bsky.social & a small but happy twitch
๐
๐ฆ
Altogether more clement conditions today at Broadsands, where the Red-necked Grebe defied expectations & actually showed rather well.! ๐ฒ
I also got on 13+ Great Northern Diver, 1 Red-throated Diver, & ~15 Common Scoter {at range, still on limited scope}.
We will not mention the Tystie...
๐คจ
๐ฆ
I also got on 13+ Great Northern Diver, 1 Red-throated Diver, & ~15 Common Scoter {at range, still on limited scope}.
We will not mention the Tystie...
๐คจ
๐ฆ
January 17, 2026 at 10:50 PM
Altogether more clement conditions today at Broadsands, where the Red-necked Grebe defied expectations & actually showed rather well.! ๐ฒ
I also got on 13+ Great Northern Diver, 1 Red-throated Diver, & ~15 Common Scoter {at range, still on limited scope}.
We will not mention the Tystie...
๐คจ
๐ฆ
I also got on 13+ Great Northern Diver, 1 Red-throated Diver, & ~15 Common Scoter {at range, still on limited scope}.
We will not mention the Tystie...
๐คจ
๐ฆ
Defied the weather post-work to go after Saturday's misses.
The weather replied with rain. And hail. โ๏ธ
Sideways hail.
That was fun.๐ค
But I was not stopped, oh no, and I hit what I'd missed ๐
Nr Modbury; goose. South Huish; duck and pipit, Slapton; egret.
4 more ๐ โ
Happy days.
๐ฆ
The weather replied with rain. And hail. โ๏ธ
Sideways hail.
That was fun.๐ค
But I was not stopped, oh no, and I hit what I'd missed ๐
Nr Modbury; goose. South Huish; duck and pipit, Slapton; egret.
4 more ๐ โ
Happy days.
๐ฆ
![But after a little stalking {not least to find somewhere I could see from.!}, we have a slightly cropped and very zoomed shot of 3 of 3 Barnacle Geese [yeartick!], 3 of 7 Egyptian Geese, and 7 of 7 White-fronted Geese!](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:j23gq7jqlrngio4l7qyblr4j/bafkreic7se2einrn2wti2ullaku7nmewjz72qcv3gtlvgbapfx763ol6te@jpeg)
![Luminous!
Extra GWT to make up for failures elsewhere.
The Water Pipit was less helpful. Ok, actually it posed in the open - if briefly - but this was while it was hailing stright into my view, so while I hit it, you can barely tell there's a bird there, let alone what it is, and my camera got a bit soggy...
Great White Egret at Slapton hid away until finally flying over the bridge to roost in the North Ley. No, I wasn't fast enough [and soggy camera plus well after sunset, oh and it was raining there, as well].
Yes, I had lots of fun. No, really. Honest. Ok, the hail hurt, but it was worth it!](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:j23gq7jqlrngio4l7qyblr4j/bafkreif4hbtymbdbux7z2zvo3gzh3aiklytbf6uk3ib527gjrfk3c3g6ey@jpeg)
January 16, 2026 at 9:30 PM
Defied the weather post-work to go after Saturday's misses.
The weather replied with rain. And hail. โ๏ธ
Sideways hail.
That was fun.๐ค
But I was not stopped, oh no, and I hit what I'd missed ๐
Nr Modbury; goose. South Huish; duck and pipit, Slapton; egret.
4 more ๐ โ
Happy days.
๐ฆ
The weather replied with rain. And hail. โ๏ธ
Sideways hail.
That was fun.๐ค
But I was not stopped, oh no, and I hit what I'd missed ๐
Nr Modbury; goose. South Huish; duck and pipit, Slapton; egret.
4 more ๐ โ
Happy days.
๐ฆ
Also from Saturday.
While sitting quietly under a tree for a couple of hours, waiting for birds {Patience is the First Rule for a reason}, I noticed some pretty mosses.
Birds - as usual - proved unwilling to be photographed, so here's the mosses!
๐
๐ณ๐ฟ๐ฆ
While sitting quietly under a tree for a couple of hours, waiting for birds {Patience is the First Rule for a reason}, I noticed some pretty mosses.
Birds - as usual - proved unwilling to be photographed, so here's the mosses!
๐
๐ณ๐ฟ๐ฆ
January 11, 2026 at 6:07 PM
Also from Saturday.
While sitting quietly under a tree for a couple of hours, waiting for birds {Patience is the First Rule for a reason}, I noticed some pretty mosses.
Birds - as usual - proved unwilling to be photographed, so here's the mosses!
๐
๐ณ๐ฟ๐ฆ
While sitting quietly under a tree for a couple of hours, waiting for birds {Patience is the First Rule for a reason}, I noticed some pretty mosses.
Birds - as usual - proved unwilling to be photographed, so here's the mosses!
๐
๐ณ๐ฟ๐ฆ
Still a bit ๐ค, but that didn't stop me getting out after shameless YearTicks yesterday.
Some hits, some misses {some awful ๐ณ}, but only one was willing to be photo'd.
Who?
Of course it's the Baron of Beesands!
๐๐ฆ
Also a little scenery from where birds were more bashful...
๐คท
๐ฆ
Some hits, some misses {some awful ๐ณ}, but only one was willing to be photo'd.
Who?
Of course it's the Baron of Beesands!
๐๐ฆ
Also a little scenery from where birds were more bashful...
๐คท
๐ฆ
![Black-necked Grebe, Ring-necked Duck {female}, and White-fronted Goose were all present, but could I get a usable shot? Could I [BLEEEEEEP]
I couldn't even hit the Red-throated Diver that was messing about really quite close offshore. Ah well.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:j23gq7jqlrngio4l7qyblr4j/bafkreiejn4iauhcr2ocfv6skqjefwe4ov47wo3qcuijt6fhvwd7gpomzu4@jpeg)
January 11, 2026 at 6:07 PM
Still a bit ๐ค, but that didn't stop me getting out after shameless YearTicks yesterday.
Some hits, some misses {some awful ๐ณ}, but only one was willing to be photo'd.
Who?
Of course it's the Baron of Beesands!
๐๐ฆ
Also a little scenery from where birds were more bashful...
๐คท
๐ฆ
Some hits, some misses {some awful ๐ณ}, but only one was willing to be photo'd.
Who?
Of course it's the Baron of Beesands!
๐๐ฆ
Also a little scenery from where birds were more bashful...
๐คท
๐ฆ
And yet another post...
๐ง
๐ฆ
{You can relax, this is all. For now....}
๐
๐ง
๐ฆ
{You can relax, this is all. For now....}
๐
January 8, 2026 at 6:28 PM
And yet another post...
๐ง
๐ฆ
{You can relax, this is all. For now....}
๐
๐ง
๐ฆ
{You can relax, this is all. For now....}
๐
A study in interesting Lesser Whitethroats.
๐ฆ
๐ฆ
January 8, 2026 at 6:28 PM
A study in interesting Lesser Whitethroats.
๐ฆ
๐ฆ
After being given the run-around by the Slav Grebe, this was a very welcome shift of behaviour ๐๐ฆ
January 8, 2026 at 6:28 PM
After being given the run-around by the Slav Grebe, this was a very welcome shift of behaviour ๐๐ฆ