Birdingprof
@birdingprof.bsky.social
Actual Birder, sometime Twitcher, nascent Moth-er.
2026 Garden Bird yearlist 0️⃣4️⃣9️⃣
2026 Garden Moth yearlist 0️⃣0️⃣1️⃣
VC 26 - TL77C West Suffolk, Breckland/Fenland interface
2026 Garden Bird yearlist 0️⃣4️⃣9️⃣
2026 Garden Moth yearlist 0️⃣0️⃣1️⃣
VC 26 - TL77C West Suffolk, Breckland/Fenland interface
A flock of 10-15 Redpoll, (#49 for the year) plus a couple of stragglers, and a few Siskins were the best of the early morning.
Later about, 10:00 saw the Yellow-browed Warbler with a winter-plumaged @debalmer.bsky.social the latter a patch tick. 😅
#SuffolkBirds
Later about, 10:00 saw the Yellow-browed Warbler with a winter-plumaged @debalmer.bsky.social the latter a patch tick. 😅
#SuffolkBirds
January 3, 2026 at 10:26 AM
A flock of 10-15 Redpoll, (#49 for the year) plus a couple of stragglers, and a few Siskins were the best of the early morning.
Later about, 10:00 saw the Yellow-browed Warbler with a winter-plumaged @debalmer.bsky.social the latter a patch tick. 😅
#SuffolkBirds
Later about, 10:00 saw the Yellow-browed Warbler with a winter-plumaged @debalmer.bsky.social the latter a patch tick. 😅
#SuffolkBirds
Just 30 minutes this morning, but managed to add Lesser Black-backed Gull, Canada Goose, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Water Rail and Peregrine to the burgeoning garden yearlist - 44 species. An average January is 55 species, and the best 63, so plenty of scope for the rest of the month.
January 2, 2026 at 10:37 AM
Just 30 minutes this morning, but managed to add Lesser Black-backed Gull, Canada Goose, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Water Rail and Peregrine to the burgeoning garden yearlist - 44 species. An average January is 55 species, and the best 63, so plenty of scope for the rest of the month.
A lovely Moon Bow tonight.
January 2, 2026 at 12:25 AM
A lovely Moon Bow tonight.
Last bird of the day was a singing Cetti’s Warbler heard from the bathroom.
Strange misses today include Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Egyptian Goose and Goldcrest, but tomorrow is another day.
Hoping for a bit of cold weather movement in the coming week…
Strange misses today include Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Egyptian Goose and Goldcrest, but tomorrow is another day.
Hoping for a bit of cold weather movement in the coming week…
January 1, 2026 at 5:11 PM
Last bird of the day was a singing Cetti’s Warbler heard from the bathroom.
Strange misses today include Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Egyptian Goose and Goldcrest, but tomorrow is another day.
Hoping for a bit of cold weather movement in the coming week…
Strange misses today include Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Egyptian Goose and Goldcrest, but tomorrow is another day.
Hoping for a bit of cold weather movement in the coming week…
39 species around the garden today. Highlights: 3 Teal flushed from the millstream, they’ve not been in there so far this winter.
The Yellow-browed Warbler which made it into 2026 (though it took 3 hours before I found it) and a singing Cetti’s Warbler, both of which were new birds for January.
The Yellow-browed Warbler which made it into 2026 (though it took 3 hours before I found it) and a singing Cetti’s Warbler, both of which were new birds for January.
January 1, 2026 at 4:06 PM
39 species around the garden today. Highlights: 3 Teal flushed from the millstream, they’ve not been in there so far this winter.
The Yellow-browed Warbler which made it into 2026 (though it took 3 hours before I found it) and a singing Cetti’s Warbler, both of which were new birds for January.
The Yellow-browed Warbler which made it into 2026 (though it took 3 hours before I found it) and a singing Cetti’s Warbler, both of which were new birds for January.
Kicked off the year with 4 hours around the garden. (Not totally intentionally)
Nice to see a fishing Otter, though it was swimming downriver and I didn’t pursue it.
First Moth of the year was a larval case - White-speckled Bagworm
(Narycia duplicella) #teammoth
Nice to see a fishing Otter, though it was swimming downriver and I didn’t pursue it.
First Moth of the year was a larval case - White-speckled Bagworm
(Narycia duplicella) #teammoth
January 1, 2026 at 3:57 PM
Kicked off the year with 4 hours around the garden. (Not totally intentionally)
Nice to see a fishing Otter, though it was swimming downriver and I didn’t pursue it.
First Moth of the year was a larval case - White-speckled Bagworm
(Narycia duplicella) #teammoth
Nice to see a fishing Otter, though it was swimming downriver and I didn’t pursue it.
First Moth of the year was a larval case - White-speckled Bagworm
(Narycia duplicella) #teammoth
Reposted by Birdingprof
Yes, this is a consistent “on average” feature. One I mentioned upthread.
Also the angle of the upper mandible is steeper proximally and shallower distally on Taiga, presumably giving it a more concave feel. And the lower mandible is flatter on Taiga with less of a grinning patch.
Also the angle of the upper mandible is steeper proximally and shallower distally on Taiga, presumably giving it a more concave feel. And the lower mandible is flatter on Taiga with less of a grinning patch.
December 31, 2025 at 11:48 PM
Yes, this is a consistent “on average” feature. One I mentioned upthread.
Also the angle of the upper mandible is steeper proximally and shallower distally on Taiga, presumably giving it a more concave feel. And the lower mandible is flatter on Taiga with less of a grinning patch.
Also the angle of the upper mandible is steeper proximally and shallower distally on Taiga, presumably giving it a more concave feel. And the lower mandible is flatter on Taiga with less of a grinning patch.
Reposted by Birdingprof
I've lived in Norfolk for nearly 6 years and still haven't had GBBG over the garden. There's a neighbour that submits them on Bird Track but I'm convinced they're seeing LBBG. 3 garden ticks for me; mute swan, rl partridge and whimbrel. 61 species in and around the garden this year. 86 in total.
December 31, 2025 at 7:24 PM
I've lived in Norfolk for nearly 6 years and still haven't had GBBG over the garden. There's a neighbour that submits them on Bird Track but I'm convinced they're seeing LBBG. 3 garden ticks for me; mute swan, rl partridge and whimbrel. 61 species in and around the garden this year. 86 in total.
Well, it’s a wrap for the 2025 garden list. 110 spp. is a new record total, 61.3 avg. species/month a joint high.
6 new species, is not too bad having lived here for 7 1/2 years now.
End-of-year round-up seems to have many more positives than negatives for a change. 👇🏼
We go again in the morning…
6 new species, is not too bad having lived here for 7 1/2 years now.
End-of-year round-up seems to have many more positives than negatives for a change. 👇🏼
We go again in the morning…
December 31, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Well, it’s a wrap for the 2025 garden list. 110 spp. is a new record total, 61.3 avg. species/month a joint high.
6 new species, is not too bad having lived here for 7 1/2 years now.
End-of-year round-up seems to have many more positives than negatives for a change. 👇🏼
We go again in the morning…
6 new species, is not too bad having lived here for 7 1/2 years now.
End-of-year round-up seems to have many more positives than negatives for a change. 👇🏼
We go again in the morning…
Marsh Tit & Yellow-browed Warbler (day 76) this a.m. Peregrine on the church at dusk. Hopefully all will have a safe night and be ready for tomorrow’s role-call.
Finally tracked down the 30+ White-fronted Geese down the road for my last yeartick of 2025. My 2nd lowest year ever - 195 species!
Finally tracked down the 30+ White-fronted Geese down the road for my last yeartick of 2025. My 2nd lowest year ever - 195 species!
December 31, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Marsh Tit & Yellow-browed Warbler (day 76) this a.m. Peregrine on the church at dusk. Hopefully all will have a safe night and be ready for tomorrow’s role-call.
Finally tracked down the 30+ White-fronted Geese down the road for my last yeartick of 2025. My 2nd lowest year ever - 195 species!
Finally tracked down the 30+ White-fronted Geese down the road for my last yeartick of 2025. My 2nd lowest year ever - 195 species!
Birds teeing up nicely for 2026. Water Rail calling this morning, as was the Cetti’s Warbler, both of which have been elusive since the beginning of the month.
Yellow-browed Warbler was silent, though seen well. #SuffolkBirds
A Winter Moth and a White-speckled Bagworm case noted too. #teammoth
Yellow-browed Warbler was silent, though seen well. #SuffolkBirds
A Winter Moth and a White-speckled Bagworm case noted too. #teammoth
December 30, 2025 at 9:36 AM
Birds teeing up nicely for 2026. Water Rail calling this morning, as was the Cetti’s Warbler, both of which have been elusive since the beginning of the month.
Yellow-browed Warbler was silent, though seen well. #SuffolkBirds
A Winter Moth and a White-speckled Bagworm case noted too. #teammoth
Yellow-browed Warbler was silent, though seen well. #SuffolkBirds
A Winter Moth and a White-speckled Bagworm case noted too. #teammoth
A Wild Goose Chase! 🪿
Set my alarm, ⏰ and rolled over - mistake.
Missed the Lincolnshire Snow Goose by minutes, then had to spend the next 4 hours searching for it. 🤨 Finally found it in the gloaming 🕓 with its Whooper Swan 🦢 friends.
My 1st in 18 years, hence my persistence. #UKRareBirds
Set my alarm, ⏰ and rolled over - mistake.
Missed the Lincolnshire Snow Goose by minutes, then had to spend the next 4 hours searching for it. 🤨 Finally found it in the gloaming 🕓 with its Whooper Swan 🦢 friends.
My 1st in 18 years, hence my persistence. #UKRareBirds
December 29, 2025 at 8:28 PM
A Wild Goose Chase! 🪿
Set my alarm, ⏰ and rolled over - mistake.
Missed the Lincolnshire Snow Goose by minutes, then had to spend the next 4 hours searching for it. 🤨 Finally found it in the gloaming 🕓 with its Whooper Swan 🦢 friends.
My 1st in 18 years, hence my persistence. #UKRareBirds
Set my alarm, ⏰ and rolled over - mistake.
Missed the Lincolnshire Snow Goose by minutes, then had to spend the next 4 hours searching for it. 🤨 Finally found it in the gloaming 🕓 with its Whooper Swan 🦢 friends.
My 1st in 18 years, hence my persistence. #UKRareBirds
Reposted by Birdingprof
My grandad said 'that's a funny looking robin' moments later is was looking at this magnificent red-flanked bluetail. Seen at nethy Bridge Scotland! The exact location is on birdguides!
December 29, 2025 at 5:36 PM
My grandad said 'that's a funny looking robin' moments later is was looking at this magnificent red-flanked bluetail. Seen at nethy Bridge Scotland! The exact location is on birdguides!
Reposted by Birdingprof
December 27, 2025 at 11:59 PM
Reposted by Birdingprof
Certain to be far better but for now, a few record shots of todays Great Shearwater as it passed Waxham this morning. Hell of a buzz!.. #NorfolkBirding
December 27, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Certain to be far better but for now, a few record shots of todays Great Shearwater as it passed Waxham this morning. Hell of a buzz!.. #NorfolkBirding
✅ @BlaenavonNature (from the other channel) watching the/my Yellow-browed Warbler this afternoon. Their 2nd attempt, apparently.
Also watched a Grey Heron catch, and eat a Signal Crayfish. My arms got tired filming it, but I guess if your food is trying to bite you, you have to take your time.
Also watched a Grey Heron catch, and eat a Signal Crayfish. My arms got tired filming it, but I guess if your food is trying to bite you, you have to take your time.
December 27, 2025 at 8:28 PM
✅ @BlaenavonNature (from the other channel) watching the/my Yellow-browed Warbler this afternoon. Their 2nd attempt, apparently.
Also watched a Grey Heron catch, and eat a Signal Crayfish. My arms got tired filming it, but I guess if your food is trying to bite you, you have to take your time.
Also watched a Grey Heron catch, and eat a Signal Crayfish. My arms got tired filming it, but I guess if your food is trying to bite you, you have to take your time.
Reposted by Birdingprof
Further photos suggest that more likely - hard to see how you’d get the cap/bib contrast in a Willow Tit plumage variant
artportalen.se/MediaLibrary...
artportalen.se/MediaLibrary...
December 27, 2025 at 12:50 PM
Further photos suggest that more likely - hard to see how you’d get the cap/bib contrast in a Willow Tit plumage variant
artportalen.se/MediaLibrary...
artportalen.se/MediaLibrary...
Day 71 for the Yellow-browed Warbler, just willing it to hang on for Jan 1st. 🙂
A singing Mistle Thrush (rare this year) this morning makes this my joint best year in the garden, with an average of 61.3 species each month. Though it takes 1st place with 110 species overall. 🥇
#suffolkbirds
A singing Mistle Thrush (rare this year) this morning makes this my joint best year in the garden, with an average of 61.3 species each month. Though it takes 1st place with 110 species overall. 🥇
#suffolkbirds
December 26, 2025 at 11:56 AM
Day 71 for the Yellow-browed Warbler, just willing it to hang on for Jan 1st. 🙂
A singing Mistle Thrush (rare this year) this morning makes this my joint best year in the garden, with an average of 61.3 species each month. Though it takes 1st place with 110 species overall. 🥇
#suffolkbirds
A singing Mistle Thrush (rare this year) this morning makes this my joint best year in the garden, with an average of 61.3 species each month. Though it takes 1st place with 110 species overall. 🥇
#suffolkbirds
Nice views of the @rspb.bsky.social Fendrayton Red-necked Grebe, in the Southeast corner of Ferry Lagoon. Also there 10 Goosander, 4 Goldeneye and, after a long muddy walk, flushed a Glossy Ibis. @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social
December 22, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Nice views of the @rspb.bsky.social Fendrayton Red-necked Grebe, in the Southeast corner of Ferry Lagoon. Also there 10 Goosander, 4 Goldeneye and, after a long muddy walk, flushed a Glossy Ibis. @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social
Reposted by Birdingprof
I've never had both chiffchaff and blackcap in the garden at the same time. Just had 2 blackcap and 1 chiffchaff and its December!! #Mulbarton #Norfolkbirding
December 22, 2025 at 10:22 AM
I've never had both chiffchaff and blackcap in the garden at the same time. Just had 2 blackcap and 1 chiffchaff and its December!! #Mulbarton #Norfolkbirding
The Yellow-browed Warbler showed pleasingly well this morning. Doing a lot of fly-catching. Not very vocal at all though.
Also a male Blackcap in the same tree. It’s been nearly 7 weeks since I’ve seen a male.
#suffolkbirds
Also a male Blackcap in the same tree. It’s been nearly 7 weeks since I’ve seen a male.
#suffolkbirds
December 22, 2025 at 10:33 AM
The Yellow-browed Warbler showed pleasingly well this morning. Doing a lot of fly-catching. Not very vocal at all though.
Also a male Blackcap in the same tree. It’s been nearly 7 weeks since I’ve seen a male.
#suffolkbirds
Also a male Blackcap in the same tree. It’s been nearly 7 weeks since I’ve seen a male.
#suffolkbirds
Reposted by Birdingprof
The fragment of ND2 DNA that @tessaroo.bsky.social got from Calshot GT Grackle doesn't tell exactly where it came from but it excludes a USA west coast (nelsoni) origin and puts it in the Panama-Central-USA populations. Orange shape overlaid on map from DaCosta et al., 2008 doi.org/10.1525/cond...
December 20, 2025 at 3:19 PM
The fragment of ND2 DNA that @tessaroo.bsky.social got from Calshot GT Grackle doesn't tell exactly where it came from but it excludes a USA west coast (nelsoni) origin and puts it in the Panama-Central-USA populations. Orange shape overlaid on map from DaCosta et al., 2008 doi.org/10.1525/cond...
Reposted by Birdingprof
Ooh, poop sample from the grackle from Calshot, Hampshire, Nov 25, shows it was Great-tailed, not Boat-tailed as thought. Analysis by @tessaroo.bsky.social poop by @wjrpb.bsky.social
@birdguides.bsky.social
@birdguides.bsky.social
Analysis.by
December 20, 2025 at 12:04 AM
Ooh, poop sample from the grackle from Calshot, Hampshire, Nov 25, shows it was Great-tailed, not Boat-tailed as thought. Analysis by @tessaroo.bsky.social poop by @wjrpb.bsky.social
@birdguides.bsky.social
@birdguides.bsky.social
Happy to find NFM Ramshorn Bagworm (Luffia lapidella) on St. Mary’s church, which I can see from our window. It’s new for the tetrad too. 🔲 #teammoth
Red Kite this afternoon filled in the last blank month for the species.
The Yellow-browed Warbler heard at 14:30. I was wondering if it had gone. 😥
Red Kite this afternoon filled in the last blank month for the species.
The Yellow-browed Warbler heard at 14:30. I was wondering if it had gone. 😥
December 19, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Happy to find NFM Ramshorn Bagworm (Luffia lapidella) on St. Mary’s church, which I can see from our window. It’s new for the tetrad too. 🔲 #teammoth
Red Kite this afternoon filled in the last blank month for the species.
The Yellow-browed Warbler heard at 14:30. I was wondering if it had gone. 😥
Red Kite this afternoon filled in the last blank month for the species.
The Yellow-browed Warbler heard at 14:30. I was wondering if it had gone. 😥
As suspected, and predicted, my first solo trapping session came up empty.
I’m guessing that it won’t get a proper airing till the end of the winter now.
#zerohero
#teammoth
I’m guessing that it won’t get a proper airing till the end of the winter now.
#zerohero
#teammoth
Thanks to the good folks at www.angleps.com I’m all kitted out with my new Moth Trap and raring to go.
It’s cold, wet and windy - what could possibly go wrong?
#teammoth
It’s cold, wet and windy - what could possibly go wrong?
#teammoth
December 19, 2025 at 11:17 AM