Iain Manfield
@iainmanfield.bsky.social
Patch birdwatcher in Leeds and around the Yorkshire Dales. Enthusiastic lister using BTO BirdTrack and contributor to BBS. Leeds Uni biochemist.
Quality & quantity #patchbirding in the city after a week of rain.
Mallard pr arrived on the inland sea in the park. Patch peak counts of Carrion crow, Herring gull & Stock dove. Lots of Starling, BH gulls feeding too.
The torrent along the beck flushed away almost everything.
#Leeds #ukbirding
Mallard pr arrived on the inland sea in the park. Patch peak counts of Carrion crow, Herring gull & Stock dove. Lots of Starling, BH gulls feeding too.
The torrent along the beck flushed away almost everything.
#Leeds #ukbirding
February 13, 2026 at 10:13 PM
Quality & quantity #patchbirding in the city after a week of rain.
Mallard pr arrived on the inland sea in the park. Patch peak counts of Carrion crow, Herring gull & Stock dove. Lots of Starling, BH gulls feeding too.
The torrent along the beck flushed away almost everything.
#Leeds #ukbirding
Mallard pr arrived on the inland sea in the park. Patch peak counts of Carrion crow, Herring gull & Stock dove. Lots of Starling, BH gulls feeding too.
The torrent along the beck flushed away almost everything.
#Leeds #ukbirding
Really looking forward to this talk 👇
We're back on the road again next week, this time in Leeds to speak to the local RSPB group, where we'll be giving our talk about the new ‘Birds of the LDV’ book - explaining what the book covers, why we chose to write it now & its aims - hope to see you there! @yorkbirding.bsky.social
February 12, 2026 at 8:03 PM
Really looking forward to this talk 👇
Loving my 2025 @birdtrack.bsky.social stats.
100+ complete lists from birding-in-the-city patches in Leeds. My biggest day (43spp) was a long walk in the hills in the #YorkshireDales. Best bird on a Skye beach during a storm - happy days.
For 2026 - aim for 5+ lists from more places.
#ukbirding
100+ complete lists from birding-in-the-city patches in Leeds. My biggest day (43spp) was a long walk in the hills in the #YorkshireDales. Best bird on a Skye beach during a storm - happy days.
For 2026 - aim for 5+ lists from more places.
#ukbirding
February 12, 2026 at 6:40 AM
Loving my 2025 @birdtrack.bsky.social stats.
100+ complete lists from birding-in-the-city patches in Leeds. My biggest day (43spp) was a long walk in the hills in the #YorkshireDales. Best bird on a Skye beach during a storm - happy days.
For 2026 - aim for 5+ lists from more places.
#ukbirding
100+ complete lists from birding-in-the-city patches in Leeds. My biggest day (43spp) was a long walk in the hills in the #YorkshireDales. Best bird on a Skye beach during a storm - happy days.
For 2026 - aim for 5+ lists from more places.
#ukbirding
Pleased to contribute this weeks “Nature Notes” for the Wharfedale Naturalists - available online at www.wharfedale-nats.org.uk/nature-notes
Bird books before field guides.
From fantastic paintings but of exotic birds from the 19thC e.g. Cuban trogon by Elizabeth Gould…
#naturewriting
1/3
Bird books before field guides.
From fantastic paintings but of exotic birds from the 19thC e.g. Cuban trogon by Elizabeth Gould…
#naturewriting
1/3
February 1, 2026 at 5:13 PM
Pleased to contribute this weeks “Nature Notes” for the Wharfedale Naturalists - available online at www.wharfedale-nats.org.uk/nature-notes
Bird books before field guides.
From fantastic paintings but of exotic birds from the 19thC e.g. Cuban trogon by Elizabeth Gould…
#naturewriting
1/3
Bird books before field guides.
From fantastic paintings but of exotic birds from the 19thC e.g. Cuban trogon by Elizabeth Gould…
#naturewriting
1/3
At last, lots of Redwing arrived in the park, well ~50. They usually arrive earlier in the winter. A pair of Mallard at the "pond" in the park, refilled after all this rain.
A few Wrens singing in the woods - been quiet from them.
25 spp from birding in the city this week.
#patchbirding #Leeds
A few Wrens singing in the woods - been quiet from them.
25 spp from birding in the city this week.
#patchbirding #Leeds
January 31, 2026 at 7:35 AM
At last, lots of Redwing arrived in the park, well ~50. They usually arrive earlier in the winter. A pair of Mallard at the "pond" in the park, refilled after all this rain.
A few Wrens singing in the woods - been quiet from them.
25 spp from birding in the city this week.
#patchbirding #Leeds
A few Wrens singing in the woods - been quiet from them.
25 spp from birding in the city this week.
#patchbirding #Leeds
Reposted by Iain Manfield
Click on the link below to read the report about our first coach trip on 2026 which took us to RSPB Frampton Marsh on the 17th January. Photos courtesy of Geoff. #Leeds #RSPB
group.rspb.org.uk/leeds/news-b...
group.rspb.org.uk/leeds/news-b...
RSPB Leeds Local Group visit to RSPB Frampton Marsh on 17th January 2026 - Leeds Local Group
A report on our coach trip to RSPB Frampton Marsh on Saturday 17th January 2026
group.rspb.org.uk
January 24, 2026 at 11:08 PM
Click on the link below to read the report about our first coach trip on 2026 which took us to RSPB Frampton Marsh on the 17th January. Photos courtesy of Geoff. #Leeds #RSPB
group.rspb.org.uk/leeds/news-b...
group.rspb.org.uk/leeds/news-b...
Yes, Redwing on Friday's campus birdwatch at Leeds Uni plus Goldfinch. ~15 of each feeding on berries & seeds.
12 spp not bad for a drizzling lunch-time.
Good to talk birds with other staff & students. Thank you to the Sustainability unit for a loan of binoculars.
@universityofleeds.bsky.social
12 spp not bad for a drizzling lunch-time.
Good to talk birds with other staff & students. Thank you to the Sustainability unit for a loan of binoculars.
@universityofleeds.bsky.social
Looking forward to Big Campus Birdwatch @universityofleeds.bsky.social this Friday. Hoping to find the Redwing (pic) I saw at the weekend and Pied wagtail.
Let's see what's around on campus & talk ID skills for anyone learning. Info & register here 👇
sustainability.leeds.ac.uk/events/big-c...
Let's see what's around on campus & talk ID skills for anyone learning. Info & register here 👇
sustainability.leeds.ac.uk/events/big-c...
January 24, 2026 at 7:10 PM
Yes, Redwing on Friday's campus birdwatch at Leeds Uni plus Goldfinch. ~15 of each feeding on berries & seeds.
12 spp not bad for a drizzling lunch-time.
Good to talk birds with other staff & students. Thank you to the Sustainability unit for a loan of binoculars.
@universityofleeds.bsky.social
12 spp not bad for a drizzling lunch-time.
Good to talk birds with other staff & students. Thank you to the Sustainability unit for a loan of binoculars.
@universityofleeds.bsky.social
Looking forward to Big Campus Birdwatch @universityofleeds.bsky.social this Friday. Hoping to find the Redwing (pic) I saw at the weekend and Pied wagtail.
Let's see what's around on campus & talk ID skills for anyone learning. Info & register here 👇
sustainability.leeds.ac.uk/events/big-c...
Let's see what's around on campus & talk ID skills for anyone learning. Info & register here 👇
sustainability.leeds.ac.uk/events/big-c...
January 19, 2026 at 11:36 AM
Looking forward to Big Campus Birdwatch @universityofleeds.bsky.social this Friday. Hoping to find the Redwing (pic) I saw at the weekend and Pied wagtail.
Let's see what's around on campus & talk ID skills for anyone learning. Info & register here 👇
sustainability.leeds.ac.uk/events/big-c...
Let's see what's around on campus & talk ID skills for anyone learning. Info & register here 👇
sustainability.leeds.ac.uk/events/big-c...
Redwing the best of another Winter bird survey in central Leeds. An otherwise mix of urban birds - esp. pigeons, corvids & gulls.
WP, FP, MG, JD, C., BH, CM, HG + D., R., GT, BT, HS & GO. Can't find the code to record this Golden owl spotted on the Civic Hall on segment 10. @bbs-birds.bsky.social
WP, FP, MG, JD, C., BH, CM, HG + D., R., GT, BT, HS & GO. Can't find the code to record this Golden owl spotted on the Civic Hall on segment 10. @bbs-birds.bsky.social
January 18, 2026 at 2:55 PM
Redwing the best of another Winter bird survey in central Leeds. An otherwise mix of urban birds - esp. pigeons, corvids & gulls.
WP, FP, MG, JD, C., BH, CM, HG + D., R., GT, BT, HS & GO. Can't find the code to record this Golden owl spotted on the Civic Hall on segment 10. @bbs-birds.bsky.social
WP, FP, MG, JD, C., BH, CM, HG + D., R., GT, BT, HS & GO. Can't find the code to record this Golden owl spotted on the Civic Hall on segment 10. @bbs-birds.bsky.social
Coach trip y'day with @rspbleedslocalgr.bsky.social to the superb Frampton Marsh. '00s of Wigeon, Lapwing, Golden plover & Brent geese.
The usual fun "what is that distant bird" debate - eventually Merlin not Peregrine. Nice chat too while searching for raptors from the sea-wall.
@rspb.bsky.social
The usual fun "what is that distant bird" debate - eventually Merlin not Peregrine. Nice chat too while searching for raptors from the sea-wall.
@rspb.bsky.social
January 18, 2026 at 2:16 PM
Coach trip y'day with @rspbleedslocalgr.bsky.social to the superb Frampton Marsh. '00s of Wigeon, Lapwing, Golden plover & Brent geese.
The usual fun "what is that distant bird" debate - eventually Merlin not Peregrine. Nice chat too while searching for raptors from the sea-wall.
@rspb.bsky.social
The usual fun "what is that distant bird" debate - eventually Merlin not Peregrine. Nice chat too while searching for raptors from the sea-wall.
@rspb.bsky.social
🎉Little egret - at last, one on my patch this week, ages after they've been around further up the Beck. Ok, flying over, but that's good enough for me.
A few Redwing arrived in the park. Usually more by this stage of winter.
An excellent 30spp for my birding-in-the-city week.
#patchbirding #Leeds
A few Redwing arrived in the park. Usually more by this stage of winter.
An excellent 30spp for my birding-in-the-city week.
#patchbirding #Leeds
January 17, 2026 at 5:00 AM
🎉Little egret - at last, one on my patch this week, ages after they've been around further up the Beck. Ok, flying over, but that's good enough for me.
A few Redwing arrived in the park. Usually more by this stage of winter.
An excellent 30spp for my birding-in-the-city week.
#patchbirding #Leeds
A few Redwing arrived in the park. Usually more by this stage of winter.
An excellent 30spp for my birding-in-the-city week.
#patchbirding #Leeds
I regularly torture myself trying to make pale Common buzzards into Rough-legged. Here goes again. Thoughts welcome.
This one very pale vs typical Common buzzard also present and looks to have some key features of Rough-legged. Info in ALT text.
@northyorksbirds.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social
This one very pale vs typical Common buzzard also present and looks to have some key features of Rough-legged. Info in ALT text.
@northyorksbirds.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social
January 11, 2026 at 5:08 PM
I regularly torture myself trying to make pale Common buzzards into Rough-legged. Here goes again. Thoughts welcome.
This one very pale vs typical Common buzzard also present and looks to have some key features of Rough-legged. Info in ALT text.
@northyorksbirds.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social
This one very pale vs typical Common buzzard also present and looks to have some key features of Rough-legged. Info in ALT text.
@northyorksbirds.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social
Proper winter for a BTO Winter bird survey on my @bbs-birds.bsky.social square above a frozen Malham Tarn #YorkshireDales. Not many birds, surprised to get any.
Wren picking through a dry-stone wall, toughing it out in frozen conditions. Fieldfare, Starling & mipits below the snow-line.
#ukbirding
Wren picking through a dry-stone wall, toughing it out in frozen conditions. Fieldfare, Starling & mipits below the snow-line.
#ukbirding
January 10, 2026 at 6:21 PM
Proper winter for a BTO Winter bird survey on my @bbs-birds.bsky.social square above a frozen Malham Tarn #YorkshireDales. Not many birds, surprised to get any.
Wren picking through a dry-stone wall, toughing it out in frozen conditions. Fieldfare, Starling & mipits below the snow-line.
#ukbirding
Wren picking through a dry-stone wall, toughing it out in frozen conditions. Fieldfare, Starling & mipits below the snow-line.
#ukbirding
Nice start to my birding-in-the-city year with Grey heron and Grey wagtail the first birds in the book - usually it's Woodpigeon or Magpie.
Difficult to get excited about a Rook in the park but at just 2% of lists it's as unusual as Spotted flycatcher.
23 spp for the week.
#patchbirding #Leeds
Difficult to get excited about a Rook in the park but at just 2% of lists it's as unusual as Spotted flycatcher.
23 spp for the week.
#patchbirding #Leeds
January 10, 2026 at 7:37 AM
Nice start to my birding-in-the-city year with Grey heron and Grey wagtail the first birds in the book - usually it's Woodpigeon or Magpie.
Difficult to get excited about a Rook in the park but at just 2% of lists it's as unusual as Spotted flycatcher.
23 spp for the week.
#patchbirding #Leeds
Difficult to get excited about a Rook in the park but at just 2% of lists it's as unusual as Spotted flycatcher.
23 spp for the week.
#patchbirding #Leeds
Tricky times for birds with the freeze, on fields near Barnoldswick, beside the Leeds-Liverpool canal.
Lapwing, max count 1300 > 0
Golden plover 200 > 0
Snipe 40 > 1
Teal, Mallard, Wigeon > 0
But still '00s of Fieldfare feasting on berries.
#ukbirding @nybirdnews.bsky.social @wadertales.bsky.social
Lapwing, max count 1300 > 0
Golden plover 200 > 0
Snipe 40 > 1
Teal, Mallard, Wigeon > 0
But still '00s of Fieldfare feasting on berries.
#ukbirding @nybirdnews.bsky.social @wadertales.bsky.social
Just some of 500+ Lapwing on wet grassland at the weekend - near Barnoldswick, Lancs/Yorks border. Plus ~100 Teal, 40 Snipe and '00s of Starling.
Going to be interesting to see what arrives here through the seasons.
#ukbirding
Going to be interesting to see what arrives here through the seasons.
#ukbirding
January 5, 2026 at 11:47 AM
Tricky times for birds with the freeze, on fields near Barnoldswick, beside the Leeds-Liverpool canal.
Lapwing, max count 1300 > 0
Golden plover 200 > 0
Snipe 40 > 1
Teal, Mallard, Wigeon > 0
But still '00s of Fieldfare feasting on berries.
#ukbirding @nybirdnews.bsky.social @wadertales.bsky.social
Lapwing, max count 1300 > 0
Golden plover 200 > 0
Snipe 40 > 1
Teal, Mallard, Wigeon > 0
But still '00s of Fieldfare feasting on berries.
#ukbirding @nybirdnews.bsky.social @wadertales.bsky.social
Reposted by Iain Manfield
#HappyNewYear from the RSPB Leeds Local Group! Our next Indoor Meeting is taking place on Wednesday 21st January, starting at 7:30pm. Our speaker with Linda Jenkinson who will be talking about 'Winter Finches' and providing an update on Leeds Swifts. #Leeds #RSPB
January 1, 2026 at 8:01 AM
#HappyNewYear from the RSPB Leeds Local Group! Our next Indoor Meeting is taking place on Wednesday 21st January, starting at 7:30pm. Our speaker with Linda Jenkinson who will be talking about 'Winter Finches' and providing an update on Leeds Swifts. #Leeds #RSPB
Last birding-in-the-city lists of the year, along the Beck and in the park. 23 species for the week.
Peregrine (presumably from Leeds Uni), 2 Buzzards and 2 Red Kites, looking more like a Dales list than the city. Goldcrest, Treecreeper and Great spot in the woods.
#patchbirding
Peregrine (presumably from Leeds Uni), 2 Buzzards and 2 Red Kites, looking more like a Dales list than the city. Goldcrest, Treecreeper and Great spot in the woods.
#patchbirding
December 30, 2025 at 10:17 AM
Last birding-in-the-city lists of the year, along the Beck and in the park. 23 species for the week.
Peregrine (presumably from Leeds Uni), 2 Buzzards and 2 Red Kites, looking more like a Dales list than the city. Goldcrest, Treecreeper and Great spot in the woods.
#patchbirding
Peregrine (presumably from Leeds Uni), 2 Buzzards and 2 Red Kites, looking more like a Dales list than the city. Goldcrest, Treecreeper and Great spot in the woods.
#patchbirding
Quiet week of birding in the city, unless you count an unusually low number of Woodpigeons as interesting. Just 21 species for the week.
Pleased to reach my target of 100 lists for the year (2 per week) across both patches. BirdTrack graph of species per month shown for one patch.
#patchbirding
Pleased to reach my target of 100 lists for the year (2 per week) across both patches. BirdTrack graph of species per month shown for one patch.
#patchbirding
December 19, 2025 at 8:18 PM
Quiet week of birding in the city, unless you count an unusually low number of Woodpigeons as interesting. Just 21 species for the week.
Pleased to reach my target of 100 lists for the year (2 per week) across both patches. BirdTrack graph of species per month shown for one patch.
#patchbirding
Pleased to reach my target of 100 lists for the year (2 per week) across both patches. BirdTrack graph of species per month shown for one patch.
#patchbirding
"And a partridge in a pear tree". Well, Red grouse in a Hawthorn - unusually a tree left on a grouse moor in the #YorkshireDales.
Perhaps if there was more than just heather on grouse moors, Red grouse would eat more than heather.
Anyway, Happy Christmas.
@raptorpersuk.bsky.social #ukbirding
Perhaps if there was more than just heather on grouse moors, Red grouse would eat more than heather.
Anyway, Happy Christmas.
@raptorpersuk.bsky.social #ukbirding
December 19, 2025 at 6:49 AM
"And a partridge in a pear tree". Well, Red grouse in a Hawthorn - unusually a tree left on a grouse moor in the #YorkshireDales.
Perhaps if there was more than just heather on grouse moors, Red grouse would eat more than heather.
Anyway, Happy Christmas.
@raptorpersuk.bsky.social #ukbirding
Perhaps if there was more than just heather on grouse moors, Red grouse would eat more than heather.
Anyway, Happy Christmas.
@raptorpersuk.bsky.social #ukbirding
Coach trip at the w/e to RSPB Burton Mere with @rspbleedslocalgr.bsky.social.
This Buzzard behaving like Stonechats, perching on a flimsy tree and dropping into the grass. '00s of P-F geese out on the marsh. M & F Marsh harriers & SEO at Parkgate.
Next trip Sat January 17th to Frampton.
#ukbirding
This Buzzard behaving like Stonechats, perching on a flimsy tree and dropping into the grass. '00s of P-F geese out on the marsh. M & F Marsh harriers & SEO at Parkgate.
Next trip Sat January 17th to Frampton.
#ukbirding
December 15, 2025 at 10:54 AM
Coach trip at the w/e to RSPB Burton Mere with @rspbleedslocalgr.bsky.social.
This Buzzard behaving like Stonechats, perching on a flimsy tree and dropping into the grass. '00s of P-F geese out on the marsh. M & F Marsh harriers & SEO at Parkgate.
Next trip Sat January 17th to Frampton.
#ukbirding
This Buzzard behaving like Stonechats, perching on a flimsy tree and dropping into the grass. '00s of P-F geese out on the marsh. M & F Marsh harriers & SEO at Parkgate.
Next trip Sat January 17th to Frampton.
#ukbirding
Just some of 500+ Lapwing on wet grassland at the weekend - near Barnoldswick, Lancs/Yorks border. Plus ~100 Teal, 40 Snipe and '00s of Starling.
Going to be interesting to see what arrives here through the seasons.
#ukbirding
Going to be interesting to see what arrives here through the seasons.
#ukbirding
December 9, 2025 at 7:43 AM
Just some of 500+ Lapwing on wet grassland at the weekend - near Barnoldswick, Lancs/Yorks border. Plus ~100 Teal, 40 Snipe and '00s of Starling.
Going to be interesting to see what arrives here through the seasons.
#ukbirding
Going to be interesting to see what arrives here through the seasons.
#ukbirding
Wetland Bird Survey y'day at a reservoir in the #YorkshireDales.
Common gull is the main gull species in winter - 200+ yesterday. Fun picking out singles of other species - Herring (in the pic), LBb and BH gulls.
Male Goosander joining regular Mallard and Teal.
@webs-gsmp.bsky.social #ukbirding
Common gull is the main gull species in winter - 200+ yesterday. Fun picking out singles of other species - Herring (in the pic), LBb and BH gulls.
Male Goosander joining regular Mallard and Teal.
@webs-gsmp.bsky.social #ukbirding
December 7, 2025 at 7:18 AM
Wetland Bird Survey y'day at a reservoir in the #YorkshireDales.
Common gull is the main gull species in winter - 200+ yesterday. Fun picking out singles of other species - Herring (in the pic), LBb and BH gulls.
Male Goosander joining regular Mallard and Teal.
@webs-gsmp.bsky.social #ukbirding
Common gull is the main gull species in winter - 200+ yesterday. Fun picking out singles of other species - Herring (in the pic), LBb and BH gulls.
Male Goosander joining regular Mallard and Teal.
@webs-gsmp.bsky.social #ukbirding
Some graphs from my butterfly records this year along Wharfedale. #YorkshireDales. A thread 1/6
Green-veined white & Green hairstreak - good to see numbers into double figures.
G-V white in spring and summer. Green hairstreak on only two dates but still more GH individuals than any other species.
Green-veined white & Green hairstreak - good to see numbers into double figures.
G-V white in spring and summer. Green hairstreak on only two dates but still more GH individuals than any other species.
November 29, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Some graphs from my butterfly records this year along Wharfedale. #YorkshireDales. A thread 1/6
Green-veined white & Green hairstreak - good to see numbers into double figures.
G-V white in spring and summer. Green hairstreak on only two dates but still more GH individuals than any other species.
Green-veined white & Green hairstreak - good to see numbers into double figures.
G-V white in spring and summer. Green hairstreak on only two dates but still more GH individuals than any other species.
Very pleased with a year of butterfly records from visiting family – Lancs/Yorks border.
Graphs of date & numbers for 12 spp. Also Small skipper, Small copper & Wall. Nettles, long grass & Garlic mustard for larvae. Buddleia, thistles & lots of other flowers for adults.
@savebutterflies.bsky.social
Graphs of date & numbers for 12 spp. Also Small skipper, Small copper & Wall. Nettles, long grass & Garlic mustard for larvae. Buddleia, thistles & lots of other flowers for adults.
@savebutterflies.bsky.social
November 23, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Very pleased with a year of butterfly records from visiting family – Lancs/Yorks border.
Graphs of date & numbers for 12 spp. Also Small skipper, Small copper & Wall. Nettles, long grass & Garlic mustard for larvae. Buddleia, thistles & lots of other flowers for adults.
@savebutterflies.bsky.social
Graphs of date & numbers for 12 spp. Also Small skipper, Small copper & Wall. Nettles, long grass & Garlic mustard for larvae. Buddleia, thistles & lots of other flowers for adults.
@savebutterflies.bsky.social