Birdingprof
@birdingprof.bsky.social
Actual Birder, sometime Twitcher, nascent Moth-er.
2026 Garden Bird yearlist 0️⃣6️⃣7️⃣
2026 Garden Moth yearlist 0️⃣0️⃣8️⃣
VC 26 - TL77C West Suffolk, Breckland/Fenland interface
2026 Garden Bird yearlist 0️⃣6️⃣7️⃣
2026 Garden Moth yearlist 0️⃣0️⃣8️⃣
VC 26 - TL77C West Suffolk, Breckland/Fenland interface
A couple of old friends popped up today. The Water Rail in the millstream, that has been MIA for over a month, and one of the Peregrines on the church, that I’ve not seen for a week or two. It was keeping the local Feral Pigeons on their toes.
#SuffolkBirds
#SuffolkBirds
February 18, 2026 at 4:47 PM
A couple of old friends popped up today. The Water Rail in the millstream, that has been MIA for over a month, and one of the Peregrines on the church, that I’ve not seen for a week or two. It was keeping the local Feral Pigeons on their toes.
#SuffolkBirds
#SuffolkBirds
Reposted by Birdingprof
***SBRC BIRDERS CONFERENCE*** you’ve got until Thursday to register for the free online birders conference which starts next week. For full details of talks check out the SOC website: the-soc.org.uk/pages/sbrc-onl…
February 17, 2026 at 3:45 PM
***SBRC BIRDERS CONFERENCE*** you’ve got until Thursday to register for the free online birders conference which starts next week. For full details of talks check out the SOC website: the-soc.org.uk/pages/sbrc-onl…
Apparently this is one of the Rustic/Uncertain/Mottled Rustic type Caterpillars - all of which would be new for me, so a bit frustrating really, but at least it means I can expect one of the actual Moths in due course.
Bumped into this Pike just around the corner later this afternoon, c.12lbs.
Bumped into this Pike just around the corner later this afternoon, c.12lbs.
February 14, 2026 at 8:42 PM
Apparently this is one of the Rustic/Uncertain/Mottled Rustic type Caterpillars - all of which would be new for me, so a bit frustrating really, but at least it means I can expect one of the actual Moths in due course.
Bumped into this Pike just around the corner later this afternoon, c.12lbs.
Bumped into this Pike just around the corner later this afternoon, c.12lbs.
Reposted by Birdingprof
Great report of a Tufted Duck from @theroyalparks.bsky.social. This little duck, ringed at #Serpentine #Hydepark in Dec 2023 made it all the way to the Rusian arctic circle, ca 2000km NE of Moscow. This shows just how far ducks wintering in London can migrate. #Londonbirds #birdringing #duck #BTO
February 10, 2026 at 7:20 AM
Great report of a Tufted Duck from @theroyalparks.bsky.social. This little duck, ringed at #Serpentine #Hydepark in Dec 2023 made it all the way to the Rusian arctic circle, ca 2000km NE of Moscow. This shows just how far ducks wintering in London can migrate. #Londonbirds #birdringing #duck #BTO
Maybe Spring is on the way. My first Oystercatcher of the year @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social Lackford this afternoon. Also m Goldeneye, but a bit of a clearout of Ducks. Just one Pochard left from a big group earlier in the year.
#SuffolkBirds
#SuffolkBirds
February 9, 2026 at 3:10 PM
Maybe Spring is on the way. My first Oystercatcher of the year @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social Lackford this afternoon. Also m Goldeneye, but a bit of a clearout of Ducks. Just one Pochard left from a big group earlier in the year.
#SuffolkBirds
#SuffolkBirds
My first 3 Avocets of the year, at Isleham Wash this morning.
@cambsbirdclub.bsky.social
Later a flyover Woodlark at Cavenham.
#SuffolkBirds
Does have the feeling of killing time till the spring though.
@cambsbirdclub.bsky.social
Later a flyover Woodlark at Cavenham.
#SuffolkBirds
Does have the feeling of killing time till the spring though.
February 9, 2026 at 1:49 PM
My first 3 Avocets of the year, at Isleham Wash this morning.
@cambsbirdclub.bsky.social
Later a flyover Woodlark at Cavenham.
#SuffolkBirds
Does have the feeling of killing time till the spring though.
@cambsbirdclub.bsky.social
Later a flyover Woodlark at Cavenham.
#SuffolkBirds
Does have the feeling of killing time till the spring though.
February 9, 2026 at 11:58 AM
Another empty Moth trap. It’s staying under wraps until (if ever) conditions improve. 🤨
On the upside, the main river is much higher, therefore our millstream, which relies mainly on backfill, is the highest we’ve seen it for 9 months.
A singing Skylark today was, strangely, a 1st for February.
On the upside, the main river is much higher, therefore our millstream, which relies mainly on backfill, is the highest we’ve seen it for 9 months.
A singing Skylark today was, strangely, a 1st for February.
February 8, 2026 at 6:07 PM
Another empty Moth trap. It’s staying under wraps until (if ever) conditions improve. 🤨
On the upside, the main river is much higher, therefore our millstream, which relies mainly on backfill, is the highest we’ve seen it for 9 months.
A singing Skylark today was, strangely, a 1st for February.
On the upside, the main river is much higher, therefore our millstream, which relies mainly on backfill, is the highest we’ve seen it for 9 months.
A singing Skylark today was, strangely, a 1st for February.
Fifth time of running a trap this winter, 5th time coming up empty!
Moth envy sated though, with a well marked, #8 Pale Brindled Beauty of my own on a random wall. NFM/NFG and new for tetrad 🔲 🤗 #teammoth
A female Blackcap, after last weeks male, was the only other thing of note. #SuffolkBirds
Moth envy sated though, with a well marked, #8 Pale Brindled Beauty of my own on a random wall. NFM/NFG and new for tetrad 🔲 🤗 #teammoth
A female Blackcap, after last weeks male, was the only other thing of note. #SuffolkBirds
February 7, 2026 at 9:08 AM
Fifth time of running a trap this winter, 5th time coming up empty!
Moth envy sated though, with a well marked, #8 Pale Brindled Beauty of my own on a random wall. NFM/NFG and new for tetrad 🔲 🤗 #teammoth
A female Blackcap, after last weeks male, was the only other thing of note. #SuffolkBirds
Moth envy sated though, with a well marked, #8 Pale Brindled Beauty of my own on a random wall. NFM/NFG and new for tetrad 🔲 🤗 #teammoth
A female Blackcap, after last weeks male, was the only other thing of note. #SuffolkBirds
I spotted what looked like it could be a Moth on an outside door last night, but it was raining and we were keen to get in.
Fortunately it was still there this morning NFG & Tetrad 🔲 #7 Dotted Border.
So good to see any Moths in this dank and dreary weather.
#teammoth
Fortunately it was still there this morning NFG & Tetrad 🔲 #7 Dotted Border.
So good to see any Moths in this dank and dreary weather.
#teammoth
February 6, 2026 at 10:20 AM
I spotted what looked like it could be a Moth on an outside door last night, but it was raining and we were keen to get in.
Fortunately it was still there this morning NFG & Tetrad 🔲 #7 Dotted Border.
So good to see any Moths in this dank and dreary weather.
#teammoth
Fortunately it was still there this morning NFG & Tetrad 🔲 #7 Dotted Border.
So good to see any Moths in this dank and dreary weather.
#teammoth
Going to have to give this a go. #teammoth
I collected a few Alder catkins from along the canal at Cadder, on Monday. Several micro-moth species caterpillars feed inside these and this morning one catkin proved to be tenanted (see ejected frass). The only species i've ever reared thru by this process tho is Argyresthia goedartella.
#teammoth
#teammoth
February 5, 2026 at 10:21 PM
Going to have to give this a go. #teammoth
eBird Checklist - 2 Feb 2026 - Guéra, TD (12,176, 18,786) - 38 species
Submitted by Pierre Defos du Rau.
ebird.org
February 5, 2026 at 10:18 PM
This was going to be a video of a Muntjac eating Watercress, taken from the bathroom window. But, by the time I had got the scope set up it had wandered off.
So, have a Moorhen instead. They almost abandoned us for the last half of last year, but are showing up more frequently this year.
So, have a Moorhen instead. They almost abandoned us for the last half of last year, but are showing up more frequently this year.
February 5, 2026 at 6:02 PM
This was going to be a video of a Muntjac eating Watercress, taken from the bathroom window. But, by the time I had got the scope set up it had wandered off.
So, have a Moorhen instead. They almost abandoned us for the last half of last year, but are showing up more frequently this year.
So, have a Moorhen instead. They almost abandoned us for the last half of last year, but are showing up more frequently this year.
#6 Yellow-headed Bagworm (Diplodoma laichartingella) on a wall in the garden this afternoon. An early date according to
suffolkmoths.co.uk/micros.php?b...
#teammoth
suffolkmoths.co.uk/micros.php?b...
#teammoth
February 4, 2026 at 2:32 PM
#6 Yellow-headed Bagworm (Diplodoma laichartingella) on a wall in the garden this afternoon. An early date according to
suffolkmoths.co.uk/micros.php?b...
#teammoth
suffolkmoths.co.uk/micros.php?b...
#teammoth
Quick smash and grab visit to London, despite train 🚂 🚫disruption (natch) it looks like I’ll be home an hour early!
Did spot this Stock Dove looking very comfortable in its nesting(?) hole in West Smithfield EC1.
Didn’t get that sort of thing when I worked in central London.
Did spot this Stock Dove looking very comfortable in its nesting(?) hole in West Smithfield EC1.
Didn’t get that sort of thing when I worked in central London.
February 4, 2026 at 1:27 PM
Quick smash and grab visit to London, despite train 🚂 🚫disruption (natch) it looks like I’ll be home an hour early!
Did spot this Stock Dove looking very comfortable in its nesting(?) hole in West Smithfield EC1.
Didn’t get that sort of thing when I worked in central London.
Did spot this Stock Dove looking very comfortable in its nesting(?) hole in West Smithfield EC1.
Didn’t get that sort of thing when I worked in central London.
Difficult finding time for the garden this week. The only things of consequence today were this bruiser of a Muntjac, who judging by his scarred face, has obviously been scrapping with another.
A Hawthorn Shield Bug, which struck me as early.
And one of the Peregrines sitting out the rain.
A Hawthorn Shield Bug, which struck me as early.
And one of the Peregrines sitting out the rain.
February 3, 2026 at 10:32 PM
Difficult finding time for the garden this week. The only things of consequence today were this bruiser of a Muntjac, who judging by his scarred face, has obviously been scrapping with another.
A Hawthorn Shield Bug, which struck me as early.
And one of the Peregrines sitting out the rain.
A Hawthorn Shield Bug, which struck me as early.
And one of the Peregrines sitting out the rain.
On this day 40 years ago: After an unpleasant snowy drive across the Pennines, the night before, overnight in North Wales.
Eventually, at 10:45, the winter-plumaged Forster’s Tern showed up in Holyhead harbour.
More in ALT text.
Eventually, at 10:45, the winter-plumaged Forster’s Tern showed up in Holyhead harbour.
More in ALT text.
February 2, 2026 at 9:26 AM
On this day 40 years ago: After an unpleasant snowy drive across the Pennines, the night before, overnight in North Wales.
Eventually, at 10:45, the winter-plumaged Forster’s Tern showed up in Holyhead harbour.
More in ALT text.
Eventually, at 10:45, the winter-plumaged Forster’s Tern showed up in Holyhead harbour.
More in ALT text.
OTD 40 yrs ago:
A big turnout, in cold and gloomy conditions, for this 1st winter Ivory Gull at Saltburn.
c.20 Wawings at Guisborough, then seconds of the returning, now 3rd winter, Laughing Gull at Newcastle General, that I had ticked in 1984.
Then a snowy drive across the Pennines to Wales…
A big turnout, in cold and gloomy conditions, for this 1st winter Ivory Gull at Saltburn.
c.20 Wawings at Guisborough, then seconds of the returning, now 3rd winter, Laughing Gull at Newcastle General, that I had ticked in 1984.
Then a snowy drive across the Pennines to Wales…
February 1, 2026 at 4:26 PM
OTD 40 yrs ago:
A big turnout, in cold and gloomy conditions, for this 1st winter Ivory Gull at Saltburn.
c.20 Wawings at Guisborough, then seconds of the returning, now 3rd winter, Laughing Gull at Newcastle General, that I had ticked in 1984.
Then a snowy drive across the Pennines to Wales…
A big turnout, in cold and gloomy conditions, for this 1st winter Ivory Gull at Saltburn.
c.20 Wawings at Guisborough, then seconds of the returning, now 3rd winter, Laughing Gull at Newcastle General, that I had ticked in 1984.
Then a snowy drive across the Pennines to Wales…
Could hear a strange Goose calling, as I was having breakfast, and just managed to get on it as it flew over. #67 White-fronted Goose. Only my 2nd record after 3 in March 2020.
Very handy, as I didn’t have time to go round the garden this morning.
Very handy, as I didn’t have time to go round the garden this morning.
February 1, 2026 at 9:45 AM
Could hear a strange Goose calling, as I was having breakfast, and just managed to get on it as it flew over. #67 White-fronted Goose. Only my 2nd record after 3 in March 2020.
Very handy, as I didn’t have time to go round the garden this morning.
Very handy, as I didn’t have time to go round the garden this morning.
Lest anyone think I’ve not been looking around the garden lately, here is some Coral Spot (Nectria cinnabarina) #fungi
It’s not all bad news though. The 31st of the month officially ends my dry January. 3.3kg down and £££’s up. February here we come. 🍷 🍸
Might try cutting out dessert next month 🤔
It’s not all bad news though. The 31st of the month officially ends my dry January. 3.3kg down and £££’s up. February here we come. 🍷 🍸
Might try cutting out dessert next month 🤔
January 31, 2026 at 8:39 PM
Lest anyone think I’ve not been looking around the garden lately, here is some Coral Spot (Nectria cinnabarina) #fungi
It’s not all bad news though. The 31st of the month officially ends my dry January. 3.3kg down and £££’s up. February here we come. 🍷 🍸
Might try cutting out dessert next month 🤔
It’s not all bad news though. The 31st of the month officially ends my dry January. 3.3kg down and £££’s up. February here we come. 🍷 🍸
Might try cutting out dessert next month 🤔
Some birds today, with a Raven at a local nest site, on the way to Sainsburys (other retailers are available)
Also a little drive out of town, and some Bewick’s Swans with Whooper Swans, though most were too distant to differentiate. Possibly only my 2nd sighting in my 10K⭕️
#SuffolkBirds
Also a little drive out of town, and some Bewick’s Swans with Whooper Swans, though most were too distant to differentiate. Possibly only my 2nd sighting in my 10K⭕️
#SuffolkBirds
January 30, 2026 at 3:44 PM
Some birds today, with a Raven at a local nest site, on the way to Sainsburys (other retailers are available)
Also a little drive out of town, and some Bewick’s Swans with Whooper Swans, though most were too distant to differentiate. Possibly only my 2nd sighting in my 10K⭕️
#SuffolkBirds
Also a little drive out of town, and some Bewick’s Swans with Whooper Swans, though most were too distant to differentiate. Possibly only my 2nd sighting in my 10K⭕️
#SuffolkBirds
Brown Pelican on Hawaii last week - 4,000km out of range. ebird.org/checklist/S2...
The Azores are about 4,000km from BP core range, plus they are just about annual on Bermuda. It would only take the right hurricane at the right time. Maybe it should be on the radar for the Western Palearctic?
The Azores are about 4,000km from BP core range, plus they are just about annual on Bermuda. It would only take the right hurricane at the right time. Maybe it should be on the radar for the Western Palearctic?
eBird Checklist - 23 Jan 2026 - Punaluʻu Beach and Pond - 1 species
Submitted by Christian Reynolds.
ebird.org
January 30, 2026 at 12:48 PM
Brown Pelican on Hawaii last week - 4,000km out of range. ebird.org/checklist/S2...
The Azores are about 4,000km from BP core range, plus they are just about annual on Bermuda. It would only take the right hurricane at the right time. Maybe it should be on the radar for the Western Palearctic?
The Azores are about 4,000km from BP core range, plus they are just about annual on Bermuda. It would only take the right hurricane at the right time. Maybe it should be on the radar for the Western Palearctic?
The day neatly bookended with #65 Egyptian Goose heard from bed, then calling from across the road when I made it out.
A little pootle at dusk produced #66 Blackcap, a male having a bit of a sing. That makes 14 months straight for Blackcap in the garden.
66 is hands down the best January ever.
A little pootle at dusk produced #66 Blackcap, a male having a bit of a sing. That makes 14 months straight for Blackcap in the garden.
66 is hands down the best January ever.
January 28, 2026 at 5:54 PM
The day neatly bookended with #65 Egyptian Goose heard from bed, then calling from across the road when I made it out.
A little pootle at dusk produced #66 Blackcap, a male having a bit of a sing. That makes 14 months straight for Blackcap in the garden.
66 is hands down the best January ever.
A little pootle at dusk produced #66 Blackcap, a male having a bit of a sing. That makes 14 months straight for Blackcap in the garden.
66 is hands down the best January ever.
Reposted by Birdingprof
Looking at these images of the Cheddar Red-necked Grebe captured by Bristol birder Bri Thompson and the bill is broad-based and appears to be roughly the same length as the head. Possibly a candidate Holboells? Appeared on the large side overall when seen next to Great-crested Grebe #ukbirding
January 28, 2026 at 1:07 PM
Looking at these images of the Cheddar Red-necked Grebe captured by Bristol birder Bri Thompson and the bill is broad-based and appears to be roughly the same length as the head. Possibly a candidate Holboells? Appeared on the large side overall when seen next to Great-crested Grebe #ukbirding
So Carib Grackle it is. Just that the Dutch RBA doesn’t have that as an option on its drop down menu.
Back to being a Common Grackle again, perhaps next stop is Boat-tailed Grackle? 😅
This seems to have settled down as Common Grackle overnight. But as of this morning is now thought to be a Great-tailed Grackle.
Out of context Grackles are hard!
Out of context Grackles are hard!
January 27, 2026 at 2:38 PM
So Carib Grackle it is. Just that the Dutch RBA doesn’t have that as an option on its drop down menu.