Paul Baker
@bakerboybirding.bsky.social
Based in south Essex. Enjoy twitching (BOU 500+) as well as local patch birding.
I like to spend time birding in Norfolk, too.
Easily distracted by mammals (esp cetaceans), reptiles, amphibians & butterflies.
No politics on here, just wildlife!
I like to spend time birding in Norfolk, too.
Easily distracted by mammals (esp cetaceans), reptiles, amphibians & butterflies.
No politics on here, just wildlife!
Well that was unexpected.
A first-winter Little Gull seen from my house this afternoon in the murk, feeding on the River Crouch.
#EssexBirding
A first-winter Little Gull seen from my house this afternoon in the murk, feeding on the River Crouch.
#EssexBirding
February 5, 2026 at 5:11 PM
Well that was unexpected.
A first-winter Little Gull seen from my house this afternoon in the murk, feeding on the River Crouch.
#EssexBirding
A first-winter Little Gull seen from my house this afternoon in the murk, feeding on the River Crouch.
#EssexBirding
'Just' a Barn Owl from the house this evening although two male Yellowhammers also flew in at dusk, and are arguably now scarcer than owls here.
#EssexBirding
#EssexBirding
January 30, 2026 at 5:02 PM
'Just' a Barn Owl from the house this evening although two male Yellowhammers also flew in at dusk, and are arguably now scarcer than owls here.
#EssexBirding
#EssexBirding
Short-eared Owl again from the house but not as showy today.
40 Linnets, 20 Corn Bunts and 2 Yellowhammers also present.
♂️ Merlin streaked through chasing a Starling.
3 Spoonbills still on Wallasea.
2 HARVEST MICE with thermal imager on the south Essex marshes with NC tonight.
#EssexBirding
40 Linnets, 20 Corn Bunts and 2 Yellowhammers also present.
♂️ Merlin streaked through chasing a Starling.
3 Spoonbills still on Wallasea.
2 HARVEST MICE with thermal imager on the south Essex marshes with NC tonight.
#EssexBirding
January 28, 2026 at 8:24 PM
Short-eared Owl again from the house but not as showy today.
40 Linnets, 20 Corn Bunts and 2 Yellowhammers also present.
♂️ Merlin streaked through chasing a Starling.
3 Spoonbills still on Wallasea.
2 HARVEST MICE with thermal imager on the south Essex marshes with NC tonight.
#EssexBirding
40 Linnets, 20 Corn Bunts and 2 Yellowhammers also present.
♂️ Merlin streaked through chasing a Starling.
3 Spoonbills still on Wallasea.
2 HARVEST MICE with thermal imager on the south Essex marshes with NC tonight.
#EssexBirding
Phonescope pics of the two Short-eared Owls at the bottom of my garden today 😍
#EssexBirding
#EssexBirding
January 26, 2026 at 6:17 PM
Phonescope pics of the two Short-eared Owls at the bottom of my garden today 😍
#EssexBirding
#EssexBirding
In addition to the Hen Harrier, the two Short-eared Owls were still around the end of my garden too 🦉
#EssexBirding
#EssexBirding
January 26, 2026 at 6:16 PM
In addition to the Hen Harrier, the two Short-eared Owls were still around the end of my garden too 🦉
#EssexBirding
#EssexBirding
A ringtail Hen Harrier was hunting at the bottom of my south Essex garden this afternoon.
In panic, much fumbling with my phone meant I nearly missed getting any footage 🙄
They really are such special birds 😍
#EssexBirding
In panic, much fumbling with my phone meant I nearly missed getting any footage 🙄
They really are such special birds 😍
#EssexBirding
January 26, 2026 at 6:12 PM
A ringtail Hen Harrier was hunting at the bottom of my south Essex garden this afternoon.
In panic, much fumbling with my phone meant I nearly missed getting any footage 🙄
They really are such special birds 😍
#EssexBirding
In panic, much fumbling with my phone meant I nearly missed getting any footage 🙄
They really are such special birds 😍
#EssexBirding
Short-eared Owl at the bottom of the garden this afternoon.
#EssexBirding
#EssexBirding
January 25, 2026 at 5:43 PM
Short-eared Owl at the bottom of the garden this afternoon.
#EssexBirding
#EssexBirding
Short-eared Owl from the house today, (south Essex) at the moment it realised there was a second bird present.
Red Kite and two Ravens also seen from the house.
#EssexBirding
Red Kite and two Ravens also seen from the house.
#EssexBirding
January 25, 2026 at 5:42 PM
Short-eared Owl from the house today, (south Essex) at the moment it realised there was a second bird present.
Red Kite and two Ravens also seen from the house.
#EssexBirding
Red Kite and two Ravens also seen from the house.
#EssexBirding
Superb adult male Hen Harrier from the house this morning hunting the Crouch seawall by Blue House Farm.
#EssexBirding
#EssexBirding
January 21, 2026 at 4:50 PM
Superb adult male Hen Harrier from the house this morning hunting the Crouch seawall by Blue House Farm.
#EssexBirding
#EssexBirding
Reposted by Paul Baker
A second try for the Black winged Kite, and much better views today at the pumping station near Stubb Mill. Never particularly close but a fantastic looking bird, with very striking eyes when the sun is in the right place. #Norfolkbirding
January 20, 2026 at 7:34 PM
A second try for the Black winged Kite, and much better views today at the pumping station near Stubb Mill. Never particularly close but a fantastic looking bird, with very striking eyes when the sun is in the right place. #Norfolkbirding
Ringtail Hen Harrier from the house this evening between 4:30pm and 4:40pm on Blue House Farm, where it probably roosted.
Barn Owl hunting the seawall at the bottom of the garden too. They've been unusually scarce over the last 12 months.
#EssexBirding
Barn Owl hunting the seawall at the bottom of the garden too. They've been unusually scarce over the last 12 months.
#EssexBirding
January 20, 2026 at 5:17 PM
Ringtail Hen Harrier from the house this evening between 4:30pm and 4:40pm on Blue House Farm, where it probably roosted.
Barn Owl hunting the seawall at the bottom of the garden too. They've been unusually scarce over the last 12 months.
#EssexBirding
Barn Owl hunting the seawall at the bottom of the garden too. They've been unusually scarce over the last 12 months.
#EssexBirding
A Raven flew over my garden today, being pursued by an angry Carrion Crow. Most likely the same bird that flew across the Crouch yesterday.
Still a notable local record, although they are getting more regular here now in south-east Essex. #EssexBirding
Still a notable local record, although they are getting more regular here now in south-east Essex. #EssexBirding
January 20, 2026 at 4:17 PM
A Raven flew over my garden today, being pursued by an angry Carrion Crow. Most likely the same bird that flew across the Crouch yesterday.
Still a notable local record, although they are getting more regular here now in south-east Essex. #EssexBirding
Still a notable local record, although they are getting more regular here now in south-east Essex. #EssexBirding
Black-necked Grebe made it onto my South Fambridge house list today when one drifted upriver on the rising tide close in to Blue House Farm.
Shockingly poor video taken through double glazing 😳
#EssexBirding
Shockingly poor video taken through double glazing 😳
#EssexBirding
January 19, 2026 at 7:22 PM
Black-necked Grebe made it onto my South Fambridge house list today when one drifted upriver on the rising tide close in to Blue House Farm.
Shockingly poor video taken through double glazing 😳
#EssexBirding
Shockingly poor video taken through double glazing 😳
#EssexBirding
Excellent day around Essex with NC.
4 Slav Grebe, 3 BnGrebe, 2 GNDiver off Rolls Farm.
4 Smew, 2 RCP, 3 Tundra Beans, Cattle Egret at Abberton.
10 Mandarin at Birch Lake.
2 Marsh Tit, Redpoll, Nuthatch, Treecreeper at Brookes EWT.
Pinkfoot, 50 Whitefronts, Merlin at Bowers Marsh
#EssexBirding
4 Slav Grebe, 3 BnGrebe, 2 GNDiver off Rolls Farm.
4 Smew, 2 RCP, 3 Tundra Beans, Cattle Egret at Abberton.
10 Mandarin at Birch Lake.
2 Marsh Tit, Redpoll, Nuthatch, Treecreeper at Brookes EWT.
Pinkfoot, 50 Whitefronts, Merlin at Bowers Marsh
#EssexBirding
January 18, 2026 at 7:57 PM
Excellent day around Essex with NC.
4 Slav Grebe, 3 BnGrebe, 2 GNDiver off Rolls Farm.
4 Smew, 2 RCP, 3 Tundra Beans, Cattle Egret at Abberton.
10 Mandarin at Birch Lake.
2 Marsh Tit, Redpoll, Nuthatch, Treecreeper at Brookes EWT.
Pinkfoot, 50 Whitefronts, Merlin at Bowers Marsh
#EssexBirding
4 Slav Grebe, 3 BnGrebe, 2 GNDiver off Rolls Farm.
4 Smew, 2 RCP, 3 Tundra Beans, Cattle Egret at Abberton.
10 Mandarin at Birch Lake.
2 Marsh Tit, Redpoll, Nuthatch, Treecreeper at Brookes EWT.
Pinkfoot, 50 Whitefronts, Merlin at Bowers Marsh
#EssexBirding
Reposted by Paul Baker
Another 3 hours at Walberswick this morning eventually produced some nice looks at at least 4 Zitting Cisticola - thanks to @jakegearty.bsky.social and his hearing #ukbirding #suffolkbirding
January 17, 2026 at 8:12 PM
Another 3 hours at Walberswick this morning eventually produced some nice looks at at least 4 Zitting Cisticola - thanks to @jakegearty.bsky.social and his hearing #ukbirding #suffolkbirding
Reposted by Paul Baker
Shorelark
Kessingland 03/01/2026
Conditions in the morning were really tricky, but occasionally, the light allowed a nice separation between the snow flurry blur and the colour of the #birds.
Kessingland 03/01/2026
Conditions in the morning were really tricky, but occasionally, the light allowed a nice separation between the snow flurry blur and the colour of the #birds.
January 4, 2026 at 10:15 PM
Shorelark
Kessingland 03/01/2026
Conditions in the morning were really tricky, but occasionally, the light allowed a nice separation between the snow flurry blur and the colour of the #birds.
Kessingland 03/01/2026
Conditions in the morning were really tricky, but occasionally, the light allowed a nice separation between the snow flurry blur and the colour of the #birds.
I saw a large diver fly up the Crouch at 10:30 from the house at South Fambridge, which I then relocated on the river at 13:30 at Brandy Hole.
It was a very active Black-throated Diver which eventually flew off high east at 3pm.
Stunning view of a close ♀️ Merlin too.
Photo by S Arlow.
#EssexBirding
It was a very active Black-throated Diver which eventually flew off high east at 3pm.
Stunning view of a close ♀️ Merlin too.
Photo by S Arlow.
#EssexBirding
January 4, 2026 at 3:44 PM
I saw a large diver fly up the Crouch at 10:30 from the house at South Fambridge, which I then relocated on the river at 13:30 at Brandy Hole.
It was a very active Black-throated Diver which eventually flew off high east at 3pm.
Stunning view of a close ♀️ Merlin too.
Photo by S Arlow.
#EssexBirding
It was a very active Black-throated Diver which eventually flew off high east at 3pm.
Stunning view of a close ♀️ Merlin too.
Photo by S Arlow.
#EssexBirding
What a way to start the year on my local patch. Landed on the beach for a few minutes then flew off west.
January 1, 2026 at 5:10 PM
Reposted by Paul Baker
Eastern Black Redstart in Sheringham is a bit of a stunner! #BirdingNorfolk #NorfolkBirding #UKRareBirds
December 29, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Eastern Black Redstart in Sheringham is a bit of a stunner! #BirdingNorfolk #NorfolkBirding #UKRareBirds
The Black-winged Kite at Ludham Bridge showed OK this morning.
Ludham Airfield held 4 Bewick's and 18 Whoopers.
Sheringham's Eastern Black Redstart gave itself up quickly but was quite distant.
2 Goosanders, Kingfisher & Chiffchaff at Bayfield Lake.
2 Firecrests at Brandon.
#NorfolkBirding
Ludham Airfield held 4 Bewick's and 18 Whoopers.
Sheringham's Eastern Black Redstart gave itself up quickly but was quite distant.
2 Goosanders, Kingfisher & Chiffchaff at Bayfield Lake.
2 Firecrests at Brandon.
#NorfolkBirding
December 29, 2025 at 7:15 PM
The Black-winged Kite at Ludham Bridge showed OK this morning.
Ludham Airfield held 4 Bewick's and 18 Whoopers.
Sheringham's Eastern Black Redstart gave itself up quickly but was quite distant.
2 Goosanders, Kingfisher & Chiffchaff at Bayfield Lake.
2 Firecrests at Brandon.
#NorfolkBirding
Ludham Airfield held 4 Bewick's and 18 Whoopers.
Sheringham's Eastern Black Redstart gave itself up quickly but was quite distant.
2 Goosanders, Kingfisher & Chiffchaff at Bayfield Lake.
2 Firecrests at Brandon.
#NorfolkBirding
December 29, 2025 at 7:15 PM
The Black-winged Kite at Ludham Bridge showed OK this morning.
Ludham Airfield held 4 Bewick's and 18 Whoopers.
Sheringham's Eastern Black Redstart gave itself up quickly but was quite distant.
2 Goosanders, Kingfisher & Chiffchaff at Bayfield Lake.
2 Firecrests at Brandon.
#NorfolkBirding
Ludham Airfield held 4 Bewick's and 18 Whoopers.
Sheringham's Eastern Black Redstart gave itself up quickly but was quite distant.
2 Goosanders, Kingfisher & Chiffchaff at Bayfield Lake.
2 Firecrests at Brandon.
#NorfolkBirding
Staines Res this afternoon yielded the drake Lesser Scaup which refused to wake up, two Greater Scaup, 2 Great Northern Divers, and 8 BlnGrebes.
Crossbills, Marsh Tits, Redpolls, Bullfinch, Woodcock, Red Kites, Fallow Deer also seen around the New Forest.
#RareBirdsUK
Crossbills, Marsh Tits, Redpolls, Bullfinch, Woodcock, Red Kites, Fallow Deer also seen around the New Forest.
#RareBirdsUK
December 28, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Staines Res this afternoon yielded the drake Lesser Scaup which refused to wake up, two Greater Scaup, 2 Great Northern Divers, and 8 BlnGrebes.
Crossbills, Marsh Tits, Redpolls, Bullfinch, Woodcock, Red Kites, Fallow Deer also seen around the New Forest.
#RareBirdsUK
Crossbills, Marsh Tits, Redpolls, Bullfinch, Woodcock, Red Kites, Fallow Deer also seen around the New Forest.
#RareBirdsUK
What better way to fill the quiet time between Christmas and New Year than a trip to see the long-staying Great-tailed Grackle at Holbury 😊
December 28, 2025 at 3:12 PM
What better way to fill the quiet time between Christmas and New Year than a trip to see the long-staying Great-tailed Grackle at Holbury 😊
Nice to find 6 Whitefronts from the house today over on Blue House Farm.
I was half expecting them, given the ongoing influx.
The Red Kite is still around the area too, and flew from my garden, across the Crouch to hunt the Blue House Farm seawall.
#EssexBirding
I was half expecting them, given the ongoing influx.
The Red Kite is still around the area too, and flew from my garden, across the Crouch to hunt the Blue House Farm seawall.
#EssexBirding
December 26, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Nice to find 6 Whitefronts from the house today over on Blue House Farm.
I was half expecting them, given the ongoing influx.
The Red Kite is still around the area too, and flew from my garden, across the Crouch to hunt the Blue House Farm seawall.
#EssexBirding
I was half expecting them, given the ongoing influx.
The Red Kite is still around the area too, and flew from my garden, across the Crouch to hunt the Blue House Farm seawall.
#EssexBirding
This male Yellowhammer was a much appreciated visitor to my south Essex garden today.
Like many species, they're getting increasingly hard to find locally now, with just a handful of birds remaining.
Taken through double glazing so you might have to squint a bit!
#EssexBirding
Like many species, they're getting increasingly hard to find locally now, with just a handful of birds remaining.
Taken through double glazing so you might have to squint a bit!
#EssexBirding
December 22, 2025 at 6:23 PM
This male Yellowhammer was a much appreciated visitor to my south Essex garden today.
Like many species, they're getting increasingly hard to find locally now, with just a handful of birds remaining.
Taken through double glazing so you might have to squint a bit!
#EssexBirding
Like many species, they're getting increasingly hard to find locally now, with just a handful of birds remaining.
Taken through double glazing so you might have to squint a bit!
#EssexBirding