Mel S-W
@corvidcrazychap.bsky.social
Birder - Plants - Insects - MOTHS & more
Essex - Rye meads volunteer - did I say birds
I am definitely a Biophiliac 🤭
Essex - Rye meads volunteer - did I say birds
I am definitely a Biophiliac 🤭
Reposted by Mel S-W
Another great EBWS field trip yesterday, co-guiding with @swallowbirding.bsky.social & @esbr-essex.bsky.social! Lots of good birds at Freiston & Frampton, including Hen Harrier, Merlins, Whooper Swans, Spoonbill, Peregrines, and huge numbers of Wigeon & Pintail. #Birding #UKBirding
November 10, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Another great EBWS field trip yesterday, co-guiding with @swallowbirding.bsky.social & @esbr-essex.bsky.social! Lots of good birds at Freiston & Frampton, including Hen Harrier, Merlins, Whooper Swans, Spoonbill, Peregrines, and huge numbers of Wigeon & Pintail. #Birding #UKBirding
Reposted by Mel S-W
09/11/25
A good day with @essexbirdnews.bsky.social visiting
#RSPBFrampton & #RSPBFreistonShore
77 Species recorded. Highlights, Whooper Swans (10), Merlin (2) successfully chasing a pipit,
Male Hen Harrier, Eurasian Spoonbill, Peregrine, Great Egret, Pink-footed Goose, & Common Kingfisher.
A good day with @essexbirdnews.bsky.social visiting
#RSPBFrampton & #RSPBFreistonShore
77 Species recorded. Highlights, Whooper Swans (10), Merlin (2) successfully chasing a pipit,
Male Hen Harrier, Eurasian Spoonbill, Peregrine, Great Egret, Pink-footed Goose, & Common Kingfisher.
November 9, 2025 at 5:03 PM
09/11/25
A good day with @essexbirdnews.bsky.social visiting
#RSPBFrampton & #RSPBFreistonShore
77 Species recorded. Highlights, Whooper Swans (10), Merlin (2) successfully chasing a pipit,
Male Hen Harrier, Eurasian Spoonbill, Peregrine, Great Egret, Pink-footed Goose, & Common Kingfisher.
A good day with @essexbirdnews.bsky.social visiting
#RSPBFrampton & #RSPBFreistonShore
77 Species recorded. Highlights, Whooper Swans (10), Merlin (2) successfully chasing a pipit,
Male Hen Harrier, Eurasian Spoonbill, Peregrine, Great Egret, Pink-footed Goose, & Common Kingfisher.
Reposted by Mel S-W
Wonderful afternoon spent at Wallasea Island RSPB reserve. The big high tide pushed waders everywhere but the real highlights were seeing HEN HARRIER on several occasions plus BARN OWL, SPOONBILL, GREAT EGRET, 6+ MARSH HARRIER and lots more. #essexbirding #birds #birding #BirdsSeenIn2025
November 8, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Wonderful afternoon spent at Wallasea Island RSPB reserve. The big high tide pushed waders everywhere but the real highlights were seeing HEN HARRIER on several occasions plus BARN OWL, SPOONBILL, GREAT EGRET, 6+ MARSH HARRIER and lots more. #essexbirding #birds #birding #BirdsSeenIn2025
Reposted by Mel S-W
Very fun afternoon guiding for @swallowbirding.bsky.social & Topsail Charters on the Blackwater. The highlights included Harbour Seal, Avocets, Marsh Harrier, Turnstones, Golden Plover, very close views of Rock Pipit, and some lovely soup! #EssexBirding #Birding #UKBirding
November 8, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Very fun afternoon guiding for @swallowbirding.bsky.social & Topsail Charters on the Blackwater. The highlights included Harbour Seal, Avocets, Marsh Harrier, Turnstones, Golden Plover, very close views of Rock Pipit, and some lovely soup! #EssexBirding #Birding #UKBirding
Reposted by Mel S-W
What were your #Top5Birds or bird moments from the past week?
Mine, from my garden:
1. Jay burying an acorn in a flowerbed
2. Hearing migrating Redwings call at night
3. Bullfinch eating rowan berries
4. Robin visiting window feeder
5. Magpie on my windowsill trying to get to the window feeder
🪶
Mine, from my garden:
1. Jay burying an acorn in a flowerbed
2. Hearing migrating Redwings call at night
3. Bullfinch eating rowan berries
4. Robin visiting window feeder
5. Magpie on my windowsill trying to get to the window feeder
🪶
November 9, 2025 at 10:40 AM
What were your #Top5Birds or bird moments from the past week?
Mine, from my garden:
1. Jay burying an acorn in a flowerbed
2. Hearing migrating Redwings call at night
3. Bullfinch eating rowan berries
4. Robin visiting window feeder
5. Magpie on my windowsill trying to get to the window feeder
🪶
Mine, from my garden:
1. Jay burying an acorn in a flowerbed
2. Hearing migrating Redwings call at night
3. Bullfinch eating rowan berries
4. Robin visiting window feeder
5. Magpie on my windowsill trying to get to the window feeder
🪶
Reposted by Mel S-W
Brilliant day guiding at Blue House Farm EWT Reserve. Highlights inc GLOSSY IBIS, RAVEN, MARSH HARRIERS, BARNACLE GEESE, ARCTIC TERN and lots more. #essexbirding #birds #birding #BirdsSeenIn2025
November 7, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Brilliant day guiding at Blue House Farm EWT Reserve. Highlights inc GLOSSY IBIS, RAVEN, MARSH HARRIERS, BARNACLE GEESE, ARCTIC TERN and lots more. #essexbirding #birds #birding #BirdsSeenIn2025
Reposted by Mel S-W
In case you missed it I recently posted my video on how to film wildlife
youtu.be/Zr7HqTM5saE
#wildlife #wildlifefilmmaking #nature #ukwildlife #filmmaking #video
youtu.be/Zr7HqTM5saE
#wildlife #wildlifefilmmaking #nature #ukwildlife #filmmaking #video
Introduction to Wildlife Filmmaking
YouTube video by UK Wildlife
youtu.be
November 7, 2025 at 6:45 PM
In case you missed it I recently posted my video on how to film wildlife
youtu.be/Zr7HqTM5saE
#wildlife #wildlifefilmmaking #nature #ukwildlife #filmmaking #video
youtu.be/Zr7HqTM5saE
#wildlife #wildlifefilmmaking #nature #ukwildlife #filmmaking #video
Reposted by Mel S-W
A recent outbreak of bird flu in Britain is causing concern among scientists:
Whooper Swans hit hard as bird-flu outbreak worsens
The number of sick, dying or dead birds being reported has been increasing in recent weeks, according to the British Trust for Ornithology, with Whooper Swans particularly affected.
bit.ly
November 7, 2025 at 12:46 PM
A recent outbreak of bird flu in Britain is causing concern among scientists:
Reposted by Mel S-W
Where are they now? More than 10 years on from the initial revelation, it still blows my mind that Shetland’s phalaropes winter in the Pacific (map from Brooke’s ‘Far From Land’). Yet they are short-distance migrants compared with Arctic Terns… #BirdingScotland
November 7, 2025 at 8:29 AM
Where are they now? More than 10 years on from the initial revelation, it still blows my mind that Shetland’s phalaropes winter in the Pacific (map from Brooke’s ‘Far From Land’). Yet they are short-distance migrants compared with Arctic Terns… #BirdingScotland
Reposted by Mel S-W
Some good news for Friday: the new RBBP report reveals that five species of large wading bird reached record totals in 2023, including Spoonbill. See the trend since 2010 below… even the bird itself looks shocked by the increase! Read more at rbbp.org.uk/2023-report-... #ukbirding #ornithology
November 7, 2025 at 10:19 AM
Some good news for Friday: the new RBBP report reveals that five species of large wading bird reached record totals in 2023, including Spoonbill. See the trend since 2010 below… even the bird itself looks shocked by the increase! Read more at rbbp.org.uk/2023-report-... #ukbirding #ornithology
Reposted by Mel S-W
Legacy of a Labour Baroness who voted against Swift Bricks
@hannahbournetaylor.bsky.social
@hannahbournetaylor.bsky.social
November 5, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Legacy of a Labour Baroness who voted against Swift Bricks
@hannahbournetaylor.bsky.social
@hannahbournetaylor.bsky.social
Reposted by Mel S-W
This month's fascinating talk is about Recording Rare Breeding Birds in the UK and Essex, by Mark Eaton from the RBBP. It's streaming live on YouTube from 8pm on Friday: youtube.com/live/VlTi7GS...
#essexbirding #RareBirdsUK @ukrbbp.bsky.social
#essexbirding #RareBirdsUK @ukrbbp.bsky.social
Recording Rare Breeding Birds in the UK and Essex
YouTube video by Essex Birdwatching Society
youtube.com
November 5, 2025 at 9:15 PM
This month's fascinating talk is about Recording Rare Breeding Birds in the UK and Essex, by Mark Eaton from the RBBP. It's streaming live on YouTube from 8pm on Friday: youtube.com/live/VlTi7GS...
#essexbirding #RareBirdsUK @ukrbbp.bsky.social
#essexbirding #RareBirdsUK @ukrbbp.bsky.social
Reposted by Mel S-W
Other goodies at Heybridge included COMMON GREENSHANK, KINGFISHER, BRENT GEESE galore and lots of waders including this RUDDY TURNSTONE. #essexbirding #birds #birding #BirdsSeenIn2025
November 4, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Other goodies at Heybridge included COMMON GREENSHANK, KINGFISHER, BRENT GEESE galore and lots of waders including this RUDDY TURNSTONE. #essexbirding #birds #birding #BirdsSeenIn2025
Reposted by Mel S-W
Cracking day guiding at Heybridge Basin, Essex where this female RING-NECKED DUCK stole the show as bird of the day spending time with the TUFTED DUCKS! #essexbirding #birds #birding #BirdsSeenIn2025 #RareBirdsUK @rarebirder.bsky.social
November 4, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Cracking day guiding at Heybridge Basin, Essex where this female RING-NECKED DUCK stole the show as bird of the day spending time with the TUFTED DUCKS! #essexbirding #birds #birding #BirdsSeenIn2025 #RareBirdsUK @rarebirder.bsky.social
Reposted by Mel S-W
If you have ever fancied trying wildlife filmmaking or just want some tips on how to get better footage, I just posted a video on that very subject - its a long one though so get comfy 1st!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zr7H...
#wildlife #ukwildlife #wildlifefilm #filmmaking
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zr7H...
#wildlife #ukwildlife #wildlifefilm #filmmaking
Introduction to Wildlife Filmmaking
YouTube video by UK Wildlife
www.youtube.com
November 2, 2025 at 10:38 AM
If you have ever fancied trying wildlife filmmaking or just want some tips on how to get better footage, I just posted a video on that very subject - its a long one though so get comfy 1st!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zr7H...
#wildlife #ukwildlife #wildlifefilm #filmmaking
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zr7H...
#wildlife #ukwildlife #wildlifefilm #filmmaking
Reposted by Mel S-W
What were your #Top5Birds or bird moments from the past week?
Mine, from my garden:
1. Wren bathing in one of the bird baths
2. Robin singing a sub-song
& in Sussex
3. First of year Corn Bunting
4. Lovely view of 3 Ravens low overhead
5. Heard a Yellow-browed Warbler (now I want to see one!)
🪶
Mine, from my garden:
1. Wren bathing in one of the bird baths
2. Robin singing a sub-song
& in Sussex
3. First of year Corn Bunting
4. Lovely view of 3 Ravens low overhead
5. Heard a Yellow-browed Warbler (now I want to see one!)
🪶
November 2, 2025 at 8:58 AM
What were your #Top5Birds or bird moments from the past week?
Mine, from my garden:
1. Wren bathing in one of the bird baths
2. Robin singing a sub-song
& in Sussex
3. First of year Corn Bunting
4. Lovely view of 3 Ravens low overhead
5. Heard a Yellow-browed Warbler (now I want to see one!)
🪶
Mine, from my garden:
1. Wren bathing in one of the bird baths
2. Robin singing a sub-song
& in Sussex
3. First of year Corn Bunting
4. Lovely view of 3 Ravens low overhead
5. Heard a Yellow-browed Warbler (now I want to see one!)
🪶
Reposted by Mel S-W
Really pleased to see this gorgeous PALLAS'S WARBLER at The Naze this morning. Always on the move and feeding actively. Great to catch up with lots of local birders too! #essexbirding #birds #birding #BirdsSeenIn2025 #RareBirdsUK
November 1, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Really pleased to see this gorgeous PALLAS'S WARBLER at The Naze this morning. Always on the move and feeding actively. Great to catch up with lots of local birders too! #essexbirding #birds #birding #BirdsSeenIn2025 #RareBirdsUK
Reposted by Mel S-W
🕷️ Britain’s craziest creature? Meet Megabunus diadema — a harvestman with eyes on a spiky turret! Not a spider, but part of its own Order: Opiliones.
Learn more in our UK Harvestmen webinar on 5 Feb 2026:
🔗 www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1720584467...
@britishspiders.bsky.social @megabunus.bsky.social
Learn more in our UK Harvestmen webinar on 5 Feb 2026:
🔗 www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1720584467...
@britishspiders.bsky.social @megabunus.bsky.social
November 1, 2025 at 11:26 AM
🕷️ Britain’s craziest creature? Meet Megabunus diadema — a harvestman with eyes on a spiky turret! Not a spider, but part of its own Order: Opiliones.
Learn more in our UK Harvestmen webinar on 5 Feb 2026:
🔗 www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1720584467...
@britishspiders.bsky.social @megabunus.bsky.social
Learn more in our UK Harvestmen webinar on 5 Feb 2026:
🔗 www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1720584467...
@britishspiders.bsky.social @megabunus.bsky.social
Reposted by Mel S-W
@essexbirdnews.bsky.social, @btobirds.bsky.social Youth and the South Essex Ringing Group are holding a bird-ringing demonstration for u25s on 15th November at Wat Tyler CP. To find out more and book your place visit www.bto.org/our-work/eve...
#essexbirding
#essexbirding
October 30, 2025 at 8:13 PM
@essexbirdnews.bsky.social, @btobirds.bsky.social Youth and the South Essex Ringing Group are holding a bird-ringing demonstration for u25s on 15th November at Wat Tyler CP. To find out more and book your place visit www.bto.org/our-work/eve...
#essexbirding
#essexbirding
@radiolento.bsky.social forget to include you here are my Dead man’s fingers I had on this Fungi walk yesterday
Had an amazing #FungiWalk on Tiptree Heath today with #EssexFieldClub the popped to #EssexWildlifeTrust #AbbertonReservoir for some birdwatching bumped into @esbr-essex.bsky.social 👍
October 31, 2025 at 1:46 PM
@radiolento.bsky.social forget to include you here are my Dead man’s fingers I had on this Fungi walk yesterday
Reposted by Mel S-W
Another great morning seawatching at Frinton with @esbr-essex.bsky.social Highlights Inc 2 PURPLE SAND, 1 LITTLE STINT, 5 COM SCOTER, 2 RB MERG, GANNETS, 4 GADWALL + FIRECREST on the undercliff. Full totals on @trektellen.bsky.social www.trektellen.org/count/view/2... #essexbirding #migration
October 31, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Another great morning seawatching at Frinton with @esbr-essex.bsky.social Highlights Inc 2 PURPLE SAND, 1 LITTLE STINT, 5 COM SCOTER, 2 RB MERG, GANNETS, 4 GADWALL + FIRECREST on the undercliff. Full totals on @trektellen.bsky.social www.trektellen.org/count/view/2... #essexbirding #migration
Reposted by Mel S-W
Amazon is helping fund a $300 million build of a ballroom for the White House.
Independent bookstores are donating to food banks and organizations that help with food insecurity.
They are not the same.
Independent bookstores are donating to food banks and organizations that help with food insecurity.
They are not the same.
October 30, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Amazon is helping fund a $300 million build of a ballroom for the White House.
Independent bookstores are donating to food banks and organizations that help with food insecurity.
They are not the same.
Independent bookstores are donating to food banks and organizations that help with food insecurity.
They are not the same.
Had an amazing #FungiWalk on Tiptree Heath today with #EssexFieldClub the popped to #EssexWildlifeTrust #AbbertonReservoir for some birdwatching bumped into @esbr-essex.bsky.social 👍
October 30, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Had an amazing #FungiWalk on Tiptree Heath today with #EssexFieldClub the popped to #EssexWildlifeTrust #AbbertonReservoir for some birdwatching bumped into @esbr-essex.bsky.social 👍
Reposted by Mel S-W
Rather damp day guiding at The Naze & Holland Haven yesterday. Despite the drenching we still managed to find YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER, FIRECREST, BRAMBLING, RAZORBILL, KINGFISHER, GOLDCRESTS, CHIFFCHAFF and more. #essexbirding #birds #birding #BirdsSeenIn2025
October 30, 2025 at 8:59 AM
Rather damp day guiding at The Naze & Holland Haven yesterday. Despite the drenching we still managed to find YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER, FIRECREST, BRAMBLING, RAZORBILL, KINGFISHER, GOLDCRESTS, CHIFFCHAFF and more. #essexbirding #birds #birding #BirdsSeenIn2025
Exciting post delivered today 😍 reading for the darker evenings @vc40ladybirds.bsky.social @vc40orthops.bsky.social @yvonnecouch.bsky.social @andrew-jewels.bsky.social @chrismothman.bsky.social
October 30, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Exciting post delivered today 😍 reading for the darker evenings @vc40ladybirds.bsky.social @vc40orthops.bsky.social @yvonnecouch.bsky.social @andrew-jewels.bsky.social @chrismothman.bsky.social