Gary Flakes
@flako1959.bsky.social
North Yorkshire birdwatcher posting photos of birds in context and a bit of other stuff, hopefully.
Juvenile Iceland Gull, a biscuity beauty, at Roundhay Park, Leeds, today.
@wendyredrobin.bsky.social had her camera with her, which saved me from taking a memory card full of blurry shots.
#Gulls
#BirdsInContext
@wendyredrobin.bsky.social had her camera with her, which saved me from taking a memory card full of blurry shots.
#Gulls
#BirdsInContext
February 9, 2026 at 6:13 PM
Juvenile Iceland Gull, a biscuity beauty, at Roundhay Park, Leeds, today.
@wendyredrobin.bsky.social had her camera with her, which saved me from taking a memory card full of blurry shots.
#Gulls
#BirdsInContext
@wendyredrobin.bsky.social had her camera with her, which saved me from taking a memory card full of blurry shots.
#Gulls
#BirdsInContext
Lovely views of the Slavonian Grebe from Garganey Hide @ldvnnr.bsky.social NDC.
@wendyredrobin.bsky.social should have a decent photo of a bird that usually keeps its distance.
My camera is back at HQ!
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
@nybirdnews.bsky.social
@wendyredrobin.bsky.social should have a decent photo of a bird that usually keeps its distance.
My camera is back at HQ!
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
@nybirdnews.bsky.social
February 8, 2026 at 12:57 PM
Lovely views of the Slavonian Grebe from Garganey Hide @ldvnnr.bsky.social NDC.
@wendyredrobin.bsky.social should have a decent photo of a bird that usually keeps its distance.
My camera is back at HQ!
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
@nybirdnews.bsky.social
@wendyredrobin.bsky.social should have a decent photo of a bird that usually keeps its distance.
My camera is back at HQ!
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
@nybirdnews.bsky.social
At least three Shags still at The Great Lake, Castle Howard. Decent numbers of Tufted Duck, Goosander & Goldeneye too, together with a guest appearance from the resident female Red-crested Pochard.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
@nybirdnews.bsky.social
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
@nybirdnews.bsky.social
February 3, 2026 at 6:04 PM
At least three Shags still at The Great Lake, Castle Howard. Decent numbers of Tufted Duck, Goosander & Goldeneye too, together with a guest appearance from the resident female Red-crested Pochard.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
@nybirdnews.bsky.social
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
@nybirdnews.bsky.social
An imposter amongst the ducks. One of two Shags seen @nosterfieldnr.bsky.social at the weekend. Unusual to see them inland. Part of a small influx of birds seen on North Yorkshire lakes following Storm Chandra and recent foggy weather.
February 2, 2026 at 9:41 AM
An imposter amongst the ducks. One of two Shags seen @nosterfieldnr.bsky.social at the weekend. Unusual to see them inland. Part of a small influx of birds seen on North Yorkshire lakes following Storm Chandra and recent foggy weather.
Without the assistance of another birdwatcher and a thermal imaging device, I would never have seen this wonderful Woodcock @rspb.bsky.social Bempton Cliffs yesterday afternoon.
Photo taken by @wendyredrobin.bsky.social
@nybirdnews.bsky.social
Photo taken by @wendyredrobin.bsky.social
@nybirdnews.bsky.social
January 29, 2026 at 9:53 AM
Without the assistance of another birdwatcher and a thermal imaging device, I would never have seen this wonderful Woodcock @rspb.bsky.social Bempton Cliffs yesterday afternoon.
Photo taken by @wendyredrobin.bsky.social
@nybirdnews.bsky.social
Photo taken by @wendyredrobin.bsky.social
@nybirdnews.bsky.social
Waxwing on Acaster Airfield yesterday afternoon.
Lovely to see a @yorkbirding.bsky.social bird this winter.
Some nice close views too, not that you would guess that from my photo.
#BirdsInContext
@nybirdnews.bsky.social
Lovely to see a @yorkbirding.bsky.social bird this winter.
Some nice close views too, not that you would guess that from my photo.
#BirdsInContext
@nybirdnews.bsky.social
January 17, 2026 at 8:05 AM
Waxwing on Acaster Airfield yesterday afternoon.
Lovely to see a @yorkbirding.bsky.social bird this winter.
Some nice close views too, not that you would guess that from my photo.
#BirdsInContext
@nybirdnews.bsky.social
Lovely to see a @yorkbirding.bsky.social bird this winter.
Some nice close views too, not that you would guess that from my photo.
#BirdsInContext
@nybirdnews.bsky.social
Four Hawfinch visiting the trees that border All Saints’ Church at Harewood today.
Some nice views from the graveyard wall as they dropped into a couple of smaller yews to feed.
Only distant photos though as I like a bird in context pic. Well that’s my excuse.
Some nice views from the graveyard wall as they dropped into a couple of smaller yews to feed.
Only distant photos though as I like a bird in context pic. Well that’s my excuse.
January 15, 2026 at 5:54 PM
Four Hawfinch visiting the trees that border All Saints’ Church at Harewood today.
Some nice views from the graveyard wall as they dropped into a couple of smaller yews to feed.
Only distant photos though as I like a bird in context pic. Well that’s my excuse.
Some nice views from the graveyard wall as they dropped into a couple of smaller yews to feed.
Only distant photos though as I like a bird in context pic. Well that’s my excuse.
Aconites & snowdrops already in flower in Masham Churchyard and a fleeting male Firecrest at the end of the rainbow, Green Lane @nosterfieldnr.bsky.social
Bonkers!
Bonkers!
December 19, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Aconites & snowdrops already in flower in Masham Churchyard and a fleeting male Firecrest at the end of the rainbow, Green Lane @nosterfieldnr.bsky.social
Bonkers!
Bonkers!
There are some incredible photos of the Eastern Black Redstart on SM and then there’s mine.
Hard to resist a visit to Filey on a sunny Monday morning having previously missed the bird in Scarborough and getting thoroughly wet through too.
Hard to resist a visit to Filey on a sunny Monday morning having previously missed the bird in Scarborough and getting thoroughly wet through too.
December 8, 2025 at 6:27 PM
There are some incredible photos of the Eastern Black Redstart on SM and then there’s mine.
Hard to resist a visit to Filey on a sunny Monday morning having previously missed the bird in Scarborough and getting thoroughly wet through too.
Hard to resist a visit to Filey on a sunny Monday morning having previously missed the bird in Scarborough and getting thoroughly wet through too.
Thirty seven Sanderling set against a silver sea at Filey this morning. Heading into the winter sun, they passed by me and disappeared as quickly as they arrived.
@nybirdnews.bsky.social
@nybirdnews.bsky.social
December 8, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Thirty seven Sanderling set against a silver sea at Filey this morning. Heading into the winter sun, they passed by me and disappeared as quickly as they arrived.
@nybirdnews.bsky.social
@nybirdnews.bsky.social
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