Daniel Branch
@danbranch94.bsky.social
Yorkshire birder usually found on Soil Hill, also Spurn sometimes! Wannabe world lister, with big love for the Neotropics! FC Halifax Town fan! #ShaymenTilIDie
Despite several visits to South America, before visiting Paraguay, I had never managed to see a Tapir!
However, that was laid to rest in spectacular style, with nine encounters during a month of traveling the country, including six in one night!
However, that was laid to rest in spectacular style, with nine encounters during a month of traveling the country, including six in one night!
January 13, 2026 at 4:37 PM
Despite several visits to South America, before visiting Paraguay, I had never managed to see a Tapir!
However, that was laid to rest in spectacular style, with nine encounters during a month of traveling the country, including six in one night!
However, that was laid to rest in spectacular style, with nine encounters during a month of traveling the country, including six in one night!
TAPACULO NUMBER 47!!!
Arguably my most wanted bird from Paraguay was the Crested Gallito!
Having heard but not seen this rather unconventional tapaculo in Argentina, I was keen to right this wrong in my quest to see all the Tapaculos!
Mission accomplished in the Paraguayan Chaco!
Arguably my most wanted bird from Paraguay was the Crested Gallito!
Having heard but not seen this rather unconventional tapaculo in Argentina, I was keen to right this wrong in my quest to see all the Tapaculos!
Mission accomplished in the Paraguayan Chaco!
January 3, 2026 at 3:07 PM
TAPACULO NUMBER 47!!!
Arguably my most wanted bird from Paraguay was the Crested Gallito!
Having heard but not seen this rather unconventional tapaculo in Argentina, I was keen to right this wrong in my quest to see all the Tapaculos!
Mission accomplished in the Paraguayan Chaco!
Arguably my most wanted bird from Paraguay was the Crested Gallito!
Having heard but not seen this rather unconventional tapaculo in Argentina, I was keen to right this wrong in my quest to see all the Tapaculos!
Mission accomplished in the Paraguayan Chaco!
Not been in Calderdale that much in recent times, so it’s was nice that the local rarity waited two weeks for me to return!
An understandably very rare bird in the Pennines, I can now say that I have had a Halifax Shag!
#UKBirding
An understandably very rare bird in the Pennines, I can now say that I have had a Halifax Shag!
#UKBirding
December 27, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Not been in Calderdale that much in recent times, so it’s was nice that the local rarity waited two weeks for me to return!
An understandably very rare bird in the Pennines, I can now say that I have had a Halifax Shag!
#UKBirding
An understandably very rare bird in the Pennines, I can now say that I have had a Halifax Shag!
#UKBirding
In addition to Paraguay's excellent birds and mammals, we also had memorable reptile encounters!
One snake is normally a good trip return, but Paraguay produced six, including three that could kill me; Painted Coralsnake, Painted Lancehead & Mato Grosso Lancehead!
One snake is normally a good trip return, but Paraguay produced six, including three that could kill me; Painted Coralsnake, Painted Lancehead & Mato Grosso Lancehead!
December 24, 2025 at 11:13 AM
In addition to Paraguay's excellent birds and mammals, we also had memorable reptile encounters!
One snake is normally a good trip return, but Paraguay produced six, including three that could kill me; Painted Coralsnake, Painted Lancehead & Mato Grosso Lancehead!
One snake is normally a good trip return, but Paraguay produced six, including three that could kill me; Painted Coralsnake, Painted Lancehead & Mato Grosso Lancehead!
A wet spring had turned the Paraguayan Chaco into a wader paradise!
A flock of 150 Stilt Sandpipers was the highlight, but double figures also of Wilson’s Phalarope and hundreds of commoner species! An awesome sight!
A flock of 150 Stilt Sandpipers was the highlight, but double figures also of Wilson’s Phalarope and hundreds of commoner species! An awesome sight!
November 19, 2025 at 4:05 PM
A wet spring had turned the Paraguayan Chaco into a wader paradise!
A flock of 150 Stilt Sandpipers was the highlight, but double figures also of Wilson’s Phalarope and hundreds of commoner species! An awesome sight!
A flock of 150 Stilt Sandpipers was the highlight, but double figures also of Wilson’s Phalarope and hundreds of commoner species! An awesome sight!
When planning this 28 day trip to Paraguay I set myself a target of 400 species!
This morning Spix’s Spinetail became the 400th species of the trip, with four days left to spare!
🍺🍻🍺🍻🍺
This morning Spix’s Spinetail became the 400th species of the trip, with four days left to spare!
🍺🍻🍺🍻🍺
November 16, 2025 at 5:24 PM
When planning this 28 day trip to Paraguay I set myself a target of 400 species!
This morning Spix’s Spinetail became the 400th species of the trip, with four days left to spare!
🍺🍻🍺🍻🍺
This morning Spix’s Spinetail became the 400th species of the trip, with four days left to spare!
🍺🍻🍺🍻🍺
With no access to either site, it looked like the birding gods had decided we would not be seeing the Endangered White-winged Nightjar!
But driving up to the gate and begging for entry got us a fantastic evening in Paraguayan Cerrado!
Known from only 5 sites, it is a rare bird!
But driving up to the gate and begging for entry got us a fantastic evening in Paraguayan Cerrado!
Known from only 5 sites, it is a rare bird!
November 10, 2025 at 9:00 AM
With no access to either site, it looked like the birding gods had decided we would not be seeing the Endangered White-winged Nightjar!
But driving up to the gate and begging for entry got us a fantastic evening in Paraguayan Cerrado!
Known from only 5 sites, it is a rare bird!
But driving up to the gate and begging for entry got us a fantastic evening in Paraguayan Cerrado!
Known from only 5 sites, it is a rare bird!
My photos are certainly not on par with those possible from the Pantanal, but there are only two pairs of Hyacinth Macaws left in Paraguay, making these birds very special!
Well worth the trip to seek out these spectacular parrots whilst birding here!
Well worth the trip to seek out these spectacular parrots whilst birding here!
November 7, 2025 at 11:15 PM
My photos are certainly not on par with those possible from the Pantanal, but there are only two pairs of Hyacinth Macaws left in Paraguay, making these birds very special!
Well worth the trip to seek out these spectacular parrots whilst birding here!
Well worth the trip to seek out these spectacular parrots whilst birding here!
A very enjoyable start to a month birding in Paraguay!
Really enjoyed reacquainting myself with Sporophila Seedeaters, one of my favourite Neotropic Genus! Tawny-bellied Seedeater was the most abundant today, a species I have only seen once before!
@neobirdconserve.bsky.social
Really enjoyed reacquainting myself with Sporophila Seedeaters, one of my favourite Neotropic Genus! Tawny-bellied Seedeater was the most abundant today, a species I have only seen once before!
@neobirdconserve.bsky.social
October 24, 2025 at 8:36 PM
A very enjoyable start to a month birding in Paraguay!
Really enjoyed reacquainting myself with Sporophila Seedeaters, one of my favourite Neotropic Genus! Tawny-bellied Seedeater was the most abundant today, a species I have only seen once before!
@neobirdconserve.bsky.social
Really enjoyed reacquainting myself with Sporophila Seedeaters, one of my favourite Neotropic Genus! Tawny-bellied Seedeater was the most abundant today, a species I have only seen once before!
@neobirdconserve.bsky.social
Well that’s a bummer!
But what a record for Halifax! If only I was there to see it!
But what a record for Halifax! If only I was there to see it!
October 12, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Well that’s a bummer!
But what a record for Halifax! If only I was there to see it!
But what a record for Halifax! If only I was there to see it!
In the summer, I spent two weeks in the Amazon rainforest around the Peruvian town of Iquitos! A few targets missed, but overall very successful!
For those interested, I have compiled my experiences in a trip report, now free to gander on Cloudbirders!
www.cloudbirders.com/be4/download...
For those interested, I have compiled my experiences in a trip report, now free to gander on Cloudbirders!
www.cloudbirders.com/be4/download...
October 8, 2025 at 9:18 AM
In the summer, I spent two weeks in the Amazon rainforest around the Peruvian town of Iquitos! A few targets missed, but overall very successful!
For those interested, I have compiled my experiences in a trip report, now free to gander on Cloudbirders!
www.cloudbirders.com/be4/download...
For those interested, I have compiled my experiences in a trip report, now free to gander on Cloudbirders!
www.cloudbirders.com/be4/download...
💥SOIL HILL PATCH TICK💥
💥NUMBER 132💥
💥RING-NECKED PARAKEET💥
I was not expecting much for my final Soil Hill visit of the autumn, but then two RN Parakeet flew south! An unexpected patch tick!
Also my second Great Egret went north!
Absolute scenes!
#SoilHillBirding #UKBirding
💥NUMBER 132💥
💥RING-NECKED PARAKEET💥
I was not expecting much for my final Soil Hill visit of the autumn, but then two RN Parakeet flew south! An unexpected patch tick!
Also my second Great Egret went north!
Absolute scenes!
#SoilHillBirding #UKBirding
September 26, 2025 at 9:52 AM
💥SOIL HILL PATCH TICK💥
💥NUMBER 132💥
💥RING-NECKED PARAKEET💥
I was not expecting much for my final Soil Hill visit of the autumn, but then two RN Parakeet flew south! An unexpected patch tick!
Also my second Great Egret went north!
Absolute scenes!
#SoilHillBirding #UKBirding
💥NUMBER 132💥
💥RING-NECKED PARAKEET💥
I was not expecting much for my final Soil Hill visit of the autumn, but then two RN Parakeet flew south! An unexpected patch tick!
Also my second Great Egret went north!
Absolute scenes!
#SoilHillBirding #UKBirding
I was 13 back in 2008, the last time I saw Pochard in Halifax!
All it said in my notes was the word ‘Pochard’ plus the location!
So it would have been rude not to clear up this record by twitching these three dapper drakes on Ringstone Edge Reservoir this morning!
#UKBirding
All it said in my notes was the word ‘Pochard’ plus the location!
So it would have been rude not to clear up this record by twitching these three dapper drakes on Ringstone Edge Reservoir this morning!
#UKBirding
September 24, 2025 at 12:23 PM
I was 13 back in 2008, the last time I saw Pochard in Halifax!
All it said in my notes was the word ‘Pochard’ plus the location!
So it would have been rude not to clear up this record by twitching these three dapper drakes on Ringstone Edge Reservoir this morning!
#UKBirding
All it said in my notes was the word ‘Pochard’ plus the location!
So it would have been rude not to clear up this record by twitching these three dapper drakes on Ringstone Edge Reservoir this morning!
#UKBirding
Despite glorious conditions, it was a rather slow morning on Soil Hill!
But Soil Hill always offers something to enjoy! And today it was a flock of four Lesser Redpolls feeding on thistles with Goldfinches!
A nice change from the flyover views I usually get here!
#SoilHillBirding #UKBirding
But Soil Hill always offers something to enjoy! And today it was a flock of four Lesser Redpolls feeding on thistles with Goldfinches!
A nice change from the flyover views I usually get here!
#SoilHillBirding #UKBirding
September 23, 2025 at 9:55 AM
Despite glorious conditions, it was a rather slow morning on Soil Hill!
But Soil Hill always offers something to enjoy! And today it was a flock of four Lesser Redpolls feeding on thistles with Goldfinches!
A nice change from the flyover views I usually get here!
#SoilHillBirding #UKBirding
But Soil Hill always offers something to enjoy! And today it was a flock of four Lesser Redpolls feeding on thistles with Goldfinches!
A nice change from the flyover views I usually get here!
#SoilHillBirding #UKBirding
Spent the day getting my cetacean fix with the fabulous Risso's Dolphins at Point Lynas, Anglesey!
Around 20 individuals drifting around the headland, pulling off some great acrobatics!
Well worth a day away from Soil Hill...
Around 20 individuals drifting around the headland, pulling off some great acrobatics!
Well worth a day away from Soil Hill...
September 22, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Spent the day getting my cetacean fix with the fabulous Risso's Dolphins at Point Lynas, Anglesey!
Around 20 individuals drifting around the headland, pulling off some great acrobatics!
Well worth a day away from Soil Hill...
Around 20 individuals drifting around the headland, pulling off some great acrobatics!
Well worth a day away from Soil Hill...
A magnificent showing of Pink-footed Goose migration today, with 1016 counted in 19 skeins making their way over Soil Hill this morning!
If they had looked down, they would have seen a solitary observer, standing perishing in the cold, yet loving every minute!
#SoilHillBirding #UKBirding
If they had looked down, they would have seen a solitary observer, standing perishing in the cold, yet loving every minute!
#SoilHillBirding #UKBirding
September 21, 2025 at 5:14 PM
A magnificent showing of Pink-footed Goose migration today, with 1016 counted in 19 skeins making their way over Soil Hill this morning!
If they had looked down, they would have seen a solitary observer, standing perishing in the cold, yet loving every minute!
#SoilHillBirding #UKBirding
If they had looked down, they would have seen a solitary observer, standing perishing in the cold, yet loving every minute!
#SoilHillBirding #UKBirding
Thick, low cloud and strong winds prevented any VizMig from getting going on Soil Hill this morning!
Fortunately, the morning was salvaged when I flushed a Grasshopper Warbler, before it showed nicely!
My latest on Soil Hill by two weeks!
#SoilHillBirding #UKBirding
Fortunately, the morning was salvaged when I flushed a Grasshopper Warbler, before it showed nicely!
My latest on Soil Hill by two weeks!
#SoilHillBirding #UKBirding
September 19, 2025 at 9:47 AM
Thick, low cloud and strong winds prevented any VizMig from getting going on Soil Hill this morning!
Fortunately, the morning was salvaged when I flushed a Grasshopper Warbler, before it showed nicely!
My latest on Soil Hill by two weeks!
#SoilHillBirding #UKBirding
Fortunately, the morning was salvaged when I flushed a Grasshopper Warbler, before it showed nicely!
My latest on Soil Hill by two weeks!
#SoilHillBirding #UKBirding
Finally a clear day to get up to Soil Hill for some succulent VizMig!
And a great morning it turned out to be, more than doubling my previous Swallow record count with my new total standing at 249!
Also a very enjoyable 1022 Meadow Pipits south!
#SoilHillBirding #UKBirding
And a great morning it turned out to be, more than doubling my previous Swallow record count with my new total standing at 249!
Also a very enjoyable 1022 Meadow Pipits south!
#SoilHillBirding #UKBirding
September 18, 2025 at 9:42 AM
Finally a clear day to get up to Soil Hill for some succulent VizMig!
And a great morning it turned out to be, more than doubling my previous Swallow record count with my new total standing at 249!
Also a very enjoyable 1022 Meadow Pipits south!
#SoilHillBirding #UKBirding
And a great morning it turned out to be, more than doubling my previous Swallow record count with my new total standing at 249!
Also a very enjoyable 1022 Meadow Pipits south!
#SoilHillBirding #UKBirding
A delightful end to #Migfest2025 with a double Phalarope day!
First the very showy Red-necked Phalarope off Sammies Point, before stopping off at Swillington Ings for a nice Grey Phalarope on the way home!
#UKBirding
First the very showy Red-necked Phalarope off Sammies Point, before stopping off at Swillington Ings for a nice Grey Phalarope on the way home!
#UKBirding
September 14, 2025 at 7:01 PM
A delightful end to #Migfest2025 with a double Phalarope day!
First the very showy Red-necked Phalarope off Sammies Point, before stopping off at Swillington Ings for a nice Grey Phalarope on the way home!
#UKBirding
First the very showy Red-necked Phalarope off Sammies Point, before stopping off at Swillington Ings for a nice Grey Phalarope on the way home!
#UKBirding
Raced up to Whiteholme Reservoir to twitch the first Halifax Curlew Sandpiper in 10 years, an overdue Calderdale tick!
But upon arrival, I found not one, but two individuals gorging themselves on the ample shoreline!
Fab support cast of Little Stint, Dulin & 18 Ringed Plover!
But upon arrival, I found not one, but two individuals gorging themselves on the ample shoreline!
Fab support cast of Little Stint, Dulin & 18 Ringed Plover!
September 10, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Raced up to Whiteholme Reservoir to twitch the first Halifax Curlew Sandpiper in 10 years, an overdue Calderdale tick!
But upon arrival, I found not one, but two individuals gorging themselves on the ample shoreline!
Fab support cast of Little Stint, Dulin & 18 Ringed Plover!
But upon arrival, I found not one, but two individuals gorging themselves on the ample shoreline!
Fab support cast of Little Stint, Dulin & 18 Ringed Plover!
💥💥SOIL HILL PATCH TICK💥💥
💥💥NUMBER 131💥💥
💥💥MEDITERRANEAN GULL💥💥
First morning of the autumn back on the Hill and already a patch tick! Sadly it was rather distant, but stood out a mile from the stream of Black-headed Gulls!
#SoilHillBirding #UKBirding
💥💥NUMBER 131💥💥
💥💥MEDITERRANEAN GULL💥💥
First morning of the autumn back on the Hill and already a patch tick! Sadly it was rather distant, but stood out a mile from the stream of Black-headed Gulls!
#SoilHillBirding #UKBirding
September 7, 2025 at 11:45 AM
💥💥SOIL HILL PATCH TICK💥💥
💥💥NUMBER 131💥💥
💥💥MEDITERRANEAN GULL💥💥
First morning of the autumn back on the Hill and already a patch tick! Sadly it was rather distant, but stood out a mile from the stream of Black-headed Gulls!
#SoilHillBirding #UKBirding
💥💥NUMBER 131💥💥
💥💥MEDITERRANEAN GULL💥💥
First morning of the autumn back on the Hill and already a patch tick! Sadly it was rather distant, but stood out a mile from the stream of Black-headed Gulls!
#SoilHillBirding #UKBirding
Paris is not exactly a city overflowing with birding opportunities, so I was pretty thrilled to bump into this Pied Flycatcher!
Even more thrilled when it turned out there were two!
Even more thrilled when it turned out there were two!
September 5, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Paris is not exactly a city overflowing with birding opportunities, so I was pretty thrilled to bump into this Pied Flycatcher!
Even more thrilled when it turned out there were two!
Even more thrilled when it turned out there were two!
Day two of our Aquatic Warbler search in Brittany complete with zero Aquatic Warblers to show for our efforts!
But we were able to enjoy a very very silly Coypu instead, so not a total loss!
Not native to France, but better views than I have ever managed in Argentina or Brazil!
But we were able to enjoy a very very silly Coypu instead, so not a total loss!
Not native to France, but better views than I have ever managed in Argentina or Brazil!
August 20, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Day two of our Aquatic Warbler search in Brittany complete with zero Aquatic Warblers to show for our efforts!
But we were able to enjoy a very very silly Coypu instead, so not a total loss!
Not native to France, but better views than I have ever managed in Argentina or Brazil!
But we were able to enjoy a very very silly Coypu instead, so not a total loss!
Not native to France, but better views than I have ever managed in Argentina or Brazil!
Six weeks in Peru resulted in 21 different monkey species! An absolutely phenomenal result!
Hard to pick favourites, but certainly enjoyed seeing my first Saki Monkeys! Four different species encountered, all with equally bizarre faces!
Hard to pick favourites, but certainly enjoyed seeing my first Saki Monkeys! Four different species encountered, all with equally bizarre faces!
August 12, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Six weeks in Peru resulted in 21 different monkey species! An absolutely phenomenal result!
Hard to pick favourites, but certainly enjoyed seeing my first Saki Monkeys! Four different species encountered, all with equally bizarre faces!
Hard to pick favourites, but certainly enjoyed seeing my first Saki Monkeys! Four different species encountered, all with equally bizarre faces!
One of the highlights of the Peruvian Amazon was spending time with the Boto and Tucuxi!
Never easy to photograph, especially the Tucuxi, but I did my best! Frustrating when they would surface right next to the boat, only to be gone again in seconds!
Never easy to photograph, especially the Tucuxi, but I did my best! Frustrating when they would surface right next to the boat, only to be gone again in seconds!
August 7, 2025 at 5:38 PM
One of the highlights of the Peruvian Amazon was spending time with the Boto and Tucuxi!
Never easy to photograph, especially the Tucuxi, but I did my best! Frustrating when they would surface right next to the boat, only to be gone again in seconds!
Never easy to photograph, especially the Tucuxi, but I did my best! Frustrating when they would surface right next to the boat, only to be gone again in seconds!