Gary Flakes
@flako1959.bsky.social
North Yorkshire birdwatcher posting photos of birds in context and a bit of other stuff, hopefully.
A rewarding couple of hours today at Filey Brigg in spite of the strong NW wind & the odd icy shower.
Three confiding Snow Buntings on Carr Naze; a Red-necked Grebe, two Great Northern Divers & a Little Auk all on the sea, bay side.
@nybirdnews.bsky.social
Three confiding Snow Buntings on Carr Naze; a Red-necked Grebe, two Great Northern Divers & a Little Auk all on the sea, bay side.
@nybirdnews.bsky.social
November 17, 2025 at 5:33 PM
A rewarding couple of hours today at Filey Brigg in spite of the strong NW wind & the odd icy shower.
Three confiding Snow Buntings on Carr Naze; a Red-necked Grebe, two Great Northern Divers & a Little Auk all on the sea, bay side.
@nybirdnews.bsky.social
Three confiding Snow Buntings on Carr Naze; a Red-necked Grebe, two Great Northern Divers & a Little Auk all on the sea, bay side.
@nybirdnews.bsky.social
Caught up with a juvenile Red-throated Diver today that had become a little lost on its overnight commute. The perch was a little less pleased to see it.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
@nybirdnews.bsky.social
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
@nybirdnews.bsky.social
November 16, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Caught up with a juvenile Red-throated Diver today that had become a little lost on its overnight commute. The perch was a little less pleased to see it.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
@nybirdnews.bsky.social
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
@nybirdnews.bsky.social
Lovely to get one of my photos on the rear cover of the 2024 report.
The less said about the front cover the better!
@wendyredrobin.bsky.social
The less said about the front cover the better!
@wendyredrobin.bsky.social
The @yorkbirding.bsky.social 2024 report is now out, covering a great year locally with @wendyredrobin.bsky.social Little Gull on the cover & detailing our first Great Reed & Icterine Warblers. Free to members & also available from yorkbirding.org.uk
@ldvnnr.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social
@ldvnnr.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social
November 16, 2025 at 10:47 AM
Lovely to get one of my photos on the rear cover of the 2024 report.
The less said about the front cover the better!
@wendyredrobin.bsky.social
The less said about the front cover the better!
@wendyredrobin.bsky.social
Away from the chaos along the coast. Second helpings of Nosterfield’s Red-necked Phalarope, lunch in Masham, then over the tops to Gouthwaite Reservoir and a game of spot the difference for the somewhat sleepy & distant Lesser Scaup.
@nybirdnews.bsky.social
@nybirdnews.bsky.social
October 11, 2025 at 7:55 AM
Away from the chaos along the coast. Second helpings of Nosterfield’s Red-necked Phalarope, lunch in Masham, then over the tops to Gouthwaite Reservoir and a game of spot the difference for the somewhat sleepy & distant Lesser Scaup.
@nybirdnews.bsky.social
@nybirdnews.bsky.social
Today’s two Clouded Yellow butterflies @ldvnnr.bsky.social provided the usual photographic challenge. Too distant, behind vegetation and out of focus. Not to mention too quick & almost constantly on the move.
@bcyorkshire.bsky.social
@bcyorkshire.bsky.social
August 11, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Today’s two Clouded Yellow butterflies @ldvnnr.bsky.social provided the usual photographic challenge. Too distant, behind vegetation and out of focus. Not to mention too quick & almost constantly on the move.
@bcyorkshire.bsky.social
@bcyorkshire.bsky.social
Caught up with my first Brown Argus of the year on the Causeway at a blustery @nosterfieldnr.bsky.social today.
@bcyorkshire.bsky.social
@savebutterflies.bsky.social
@bcyorkshire.bsky.social
@savebutterflies.bsky.social
July 7, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Caught up with my first Brown Argus of the year on the Causeway at a blustery @nosterfieldnr.bsky.social today.
@bcyorkshire.bsky.social
@savebutterflies.bsky.social
@bcyorkshire.bsky.social
@savebutterflies.bsky.social
Had a fairly quiet June, so lovely to start July with three Silver-washed Fritillaries in Bishop Wood, North Yorkshire today.
@bcyorkshire.bsky.social
@savebutterflies.bsky.social
@bcyorkshire.bsky.social
@savebutterflies.bsky.social
July 2, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Had a fairly quiet June, so lovely to start July with three Silver-washed Fritillaries in Bishop Wood, North Yorkshire today.
@bcyorkshire.bsky.social
@savebutterflies.bsky.social
@bcyorkshire.bsky.social
@savebutterflies.bsky.social
Finally caught up with the thief that has been stealing the apples I leave out for the birds in my garden. Approaching 10pm so difficult to get a decent photo but I think this would stand up in a court of law.
#foxoftheday
#foxcub
@bbcspringwatch.bsky.social
@chrisgpackham.bsky.social
#foxoftheday
#foxcub
@bbcspringwatch.bsky.social
@chrisgpackham.bsky.social
May 30, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Finally caught up with the thief that has been stealing the apples I leave out for the birds in my garden. Approaching 10pm so difficult to get a decent photo but I think this would stand up in a court of law.
#foxoftheday
#foxcub
@bbcspringwatch.bsky.social
@chrisgpackham.bsky.social
#foxoftheday
#foxcub
@bbcspringwatch.bsky.social
@chrisgpackham.bsky.social
Lovely to catch up with twenty plus Small Blue butterflies today on the outskirts of York.
A recent reintroduction scheme at an undisclosed site, now firmly established and doing well.
Britain’s smallest and easily overlooked.
@bcyorkshire.bsky.social
@savebutterflies.bsky.social
A recent reintroduction scheme at an undisclosed site, now firmly established and doing well.
Britain’s smallest and easily overlooked.
@bcyorkshire.bsky.social
@savebutterflies.bsky.social
May 20, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Lovely to catch up with twenty plus Small Blue butterflies today on the outskirts of York.
A recent reintroduction scheme at an undisclosed site, now firmly established and doing well.
Britain’s smallest and easily overlooked.
@bcyorkshire.bsky.social
@savebutterflies.bsky.social
A recent reintroduction scheme at an undisclosed site, now firmly established and doing well.
Britain’s smallest and easily overlooked.
@bcyorkshire.bsky.social
@savebutterflies.bsky.social
A lack of orchids at Leyburn Old Glebe & a very low River Ure are the result of a continued lack of rain this spring.
Spotted Flycatcher & a female Banded Demoiselle were new for 2025, and a beast of a Mistle Thrush saved the day.
@nybirdnews.bsky.social
Spotted Flycatcher & a female Banded Demoiselle were new for 2025, and a beast of a Mistle Thrush saved the day.
@nybirdnews.bsky.social
May 18, 2025 at 8:41 AM
A lack of orchids at Leyburn Old Glebe & a very low River Ure are the result of a continued lack of rain this spring.
Spotted Flycatcher & a female Banded Demoiselle were new for 2025, and a beast of a Mistle Thrush saved the day.
@nybirdnews.bsky.social
Spotted Flycatcher & a female Banded Demoiselle were new for 2025, and a beast of a Mistle Thrush saved the day.
@nybirdnews.bsky.social
Seems like there have been more showy Garden Warblers this year, perhaps as a consequence of the warm, sunny weather?
This showy bird was belting out its ‘babbling brook’ song @nosterfieldnr.bsky.social yesterday.
This showy bird was belting out its ‘babbling brook’ song @nosterfieldnr.bsky.social yesterday.
May 11, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Seems like there have been more showy Garden Warblers this year, perhaps as a consequence of the warm, sunny weather?
This showy bird was belting out its ‘babbling brook’ song @nosterfieldnr.bsky.social yesterday.
This showy bird was belting out its ‘babbling brook’ song @nosterfieldnr.bsky.social yesterday.
It's never an Osprey...
May 10, 2025 at 9:17 AM
It's never an Osprey...
Caught up with my first singing Common Quail of the year in a young crop field on Levisham Moor. A brief flight view too and all because I stopped to watch a Wall butterfly fluttering along the field's dry stone wall.
Worth celebrating on a sunny afternoon in early May.
Worth celebrating on a sunny afternoon in early May.
May 9, 2025 at 7:05 AM
Caught up with my first singing Common Quail of the year in a young crop field on Levisham Moor. A brief flight view too and all because I stopped to watch a Wall butterfly fluttering along the field's dry stone wall.
Worth celebrating on a sunny afternoon in early May.
Worth celebrating on a sunny afternoon in early May.
Surprise bonus birds following a walk in the hills close to home yesterday afternoon.
Always relieved and amazed to see Turtle Doves back after their long & perilous journey. I can only hope they have a successful breeding season here in North Yorkshire.
Always relieved and amazed to see Turtle Doves back after their long & perilous journey. I can only hope they have a successful breeding season here in North Yorkshire.
May 9, 2025 at 6:53 AM
Surprise bonus birds following a walk in the hills close to home yesterday afternoon.
Always relieved and amazed to see Turtle Doves back after their long & perilous journey. I can only hope they have a successful breeding season here in North Yorkshire.
Always relieved and amazed to see Turtle Doves back after their long & perilous journey. I can only hope they have a successful breeding season here in North Yorkshire.
A few trips into the North York Moors this week to take advantage of the lovely weather and find some of the excellent butterflies we have locally.
Green Hairstreak, Duke of Burgundy, Pearl-bordered Fritillary and Small Blue.
@savebutterflies.bsky.social
@bcyorkshire.bsky.social
Green Hairstreak, Duke of Burgundy, Pearl-bordered Fritillary and Small Blue.
@savebutterflies.bsky.social
@bcyorkshire.bsky.social
May 2, 2025 at 7:57 AM
A few trips into the North York Moors this week to take advantage of the lovely weather and find some of the excellent butterflies we have locally.
Green Hairstreak, Duke of Burgundy, Pearl-bordered Fritillary and Small Blue.
@savebutterflies.bsky.social
@bcyorkshire.bsky.social
Green Hairstreak, Duke of Burgundy, Pearl-bordered Fritillary and Small Blue.
@savebutterflies.bsky.social
@bcyorkshire.bsky.social
Went looking for Whinchat on the North York Moors today. Only found Stonechat.
Next week maybe.
@nybirdnews.bsky.social @nymnptrust.bsky.social
Next week maybe.
@nybirdnews.bsky.social @nymnptrust.bsky.social
April 25, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Went looking for Whinchat on the North York Moors today. Only found Stonechat.
Next week maybe.
@nybirdnews.bsky.social @nymnptrust.bsky.social
Next week maybe.
@nybirdnews.bsky.social @nymnptrust.bsky.social
A Saturday afternoon hike around the common at Strensall resulted in my first singing Tree Pipit of the year and a confiding Roe Deer.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
April 20, 2025 at 8:24 AM
A Saturday afternoon hike around the common at Strensall resulted in my first singing Tree Pipit of the year and a confiding Roe Deer.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
Some good looking birds up on’t moors this afternoon.
Nice to catch up with my first Northern Wheatears of 2025 together with a bonus male Ring Ouzel.
Spring has at last arrived on the North York Moors.
@nybirdnews.bsky.social
Nice to catch up with my first Northern Wheatears of 2025 together with a bonus male Ring Ouzel.
Spring has at last arrived on the North York Moors.
@nybirdnews.bsky.social
March 31, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Some good looking birds up on’t moors this afternoon.
Nice to catch up with my first Northern Wheatears of 2025 together with a bonus male Ring Ouzel.
Spring has at last arrived on the North York Moors.
@nybirdnews.bsky.social
Nice to catch up with my first Northern Wheatears of 2025 together with a bonus male Ring Ouzel.
Spring has at last arrived on the North York Moors.
@nybirdnews.bsky.social
Lovely to see, albeit briefly, a flock of twenty three key jangling Corn Buntings @northcavewet.bsky.social yesterday afternoon. Once ‘the sound of the countryside; sadly no longer.
A single Kittiwake, female Scaup, Kingfisher, Brambling & a couple of Redpoll made a lovely day out.
A single Kittiwake, female Scaup, Kingfisher, Brambling & a couple of Redpoll made a lovely day out.
March 15, 2025 at 9:29 AM
Lovely to see, albeit briefly, a flock of twenty three key jangling Corn Buntings @northcavewet.bsky.social yesterday afternoon. Once ‘the sound of the countryside; sadly no longer.
A single Kittiwake, female Scaup, Kingfisher, Brambling & a couple of Redpoll made a lovely day out.
A single Kittiwake, female Scaup, Kingfisher, Brambling & a couple of Redpoll made a lovely day out.
Yet another pic in my recent ‘Bird Spotting’ series!
Just the one point & shoot photo to record a brief encounter with a male Brambling (and Goldfinch) @northcavewet.bsky.social today.
A wintering bird I’m always happy to see.
Just the one point & shoot photo to record a brief encounter with a male Brambling (and Goldfinch) @northcavewet.bsky.social today.
A wintering bird I’m always happy to see.
March 13, 2025 at 10:48 PM
Yet another pic in my recent ‘Bird Spotting’ series!
Just the one point & shoot photo to record a brief encounter with a male Brambling (and Goldfinch) @northcavewet.bsky.social today.
A wintering bird I’m always happy to see.
Just the one point & shoot photo to record a brief encounter with a male Brambling (and Goldfinch) @northcavewet.bsky.social today.
A wintering bird I’m always happy to see.
Ever get the feeling you’re being watched?
Several booming Bitterns made a nice soundtrack at a rather chilly @rspb.bsky.social St Aidan’s today.
Several booming Bitterns made a nice soundtrack at a rather chilly @rspb.bsky.social St Aidan’s today.
March 11, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Ever get the feeling you’re being watched?
Several booming Bitterns made a nice soundtrack at a rather chilly @rspb.bsky.social St Aidan’s today.
Several booming Bitterns made a nice soundtrack at a rather chilly @rspb.bsky.social St Aidan’s today.
Rose-ringed Parakeet entertainment whilst waiting for my local Starling murmuration over Clifton Ings this evening.
Nine birds flying around the local housing estate and nearby allotments. You couldn’t fail to hear them!
#UKbirds
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
@nybirdnews.bsky.social
Nine birds flying around the local housing estate and nearby allotments. You couldn’t fail to hear them!
#UKbirds
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
@nybirdnews.bsky.social
February 6, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Rose-ringed Parakeet entertainment whilst waiting for my local Starling murmuration over Clifton Ings this evening.
Nine birds flying around the local housing estate and nearby allotments. You couldn’t fail to hear them!
#UKbirds
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
@nybirdnews.bsky.social
Nine birds flying around the local housing estate and nearby allotments. You couldn’t fail to hear them!
#UKbirds
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
@nybirdnews.bsky.social
A visit today to the two best bird hides in the @yorkbirding.bsky.social area.
A herd of 32 Whooper Swans from Ellerton Church & good numbers of Pintail with the waterfowl from Aughton Church. A couple of hundred Pinkies too, stirred up by @ldvnnr.bsky.social Marsh Harrier.
Lovely stuff!
A herd of 32 Whooper Swans from Ellerton Church & good numbers of Pintail with the waterfowl from Aughton Church. A couple of hundred Pinkies too, stirred up by @ldvnnr.bsky.social Marsh Harrier.
Lovely stuff!
January 27, 2025 at 9:29 PM
A visit today to the two best bird hides in the @yorkbirding.bsky.social area.
A herd of 32 Whooper Swans from Ellerton Church & good numbers of Pintail with the waterfowl from Aughton Church. A couple of hundred Pinkies too, stirred up by @ldvnnr.bsky.social Marsh Harrier.
Lovely stuff!
A herd of 32 Whooper Swans from Ellerton Church & good numbers of Pintail with the waterfowl from Aughton Church. A couple of hundred Pinkies too, stirred up by @ldvnnr.bsky.social Marsh Harrier.
Lovely stuff!
I can’t remember seeing a pair of Smew locally, so it was nice to catch up with this White Nun and his Redhead, albeit distantly in the rain, from the Pool Hide @ldvnnr.bsky.social this afternoon.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
#UKbirding
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
#UKbirding
January 20, 2025 at 6:23 PM
I can’t remember seeing a pair of Smew locally, so it was nice to catch up with this White Nun and his Redhead, albeit distantly in the rain, from the Pool Hide @ldvnnr.bsky.social this afternoon.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
#UKbirding
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
#UKbirding
Two Russian White-fronted Geese still viewable on river bank from the platform at the NDC.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
@ldvnnr.bsky.social
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
@ldvnnr.bsky.social
January 17, 2025 at 12:32 PM
Two Russian White-fronted Geese still viewable on river bank from the platform at the NDC.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
@ldvnnr.bsky.social
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
@ldvnnr.bsky.social