Mike Gaston
@impatientbirder.bsky.social
Impatient casual 'photobirder'. I enjoy taking pictures of birds - if we happen to be in the same place at the same time. East Anglia and Devon, UK http://microbirdology.uk
It was too breezy for Bearded Tits or even Reed Buntings to pose for photographs this morning at Ouse Fen. Fortunately, there are always Stonechats!
November 13, 2025 at 3:21 PM
It was too breezy for Bearded Tits or even Reed Buntings to pose for photographs this morning at Ouse Fen. Fortunately, there are always Stonechats!
Nothing too exciting from the main observatory at Welney in the early afternoon but there are plenty of birds on the water. We are looking forward to going to a floodlit swan feed. #WWTWelney
November 12, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Nothing too exciting from the main observatory at Welney in the early afternoon but there are plenty of birds on the water. We are looking forward to going to a floodlit swan feed. #WWTWelney
It is amazing how Sanderlings stay so white on the beach, especially given the state dogs around them were getting into, on the wet sand.
November 9, 2025 at 5:28 PM
It is amazing how Sanderlings stay so white on the beach, especially given the state dogs around them were getting into, on the wet sand.
The end of my week of casual wandering in North Norfolk. No Shore Larks or convincing Water Pipits but I did get a Snow Bunting (West Runton) and my first Crossbills (Holme NOA), so I am not complaining!
November 8, 2025 at 6:12 PM
The end of my week of casual wandering in North Norfolk. No Shore Larks or convincing Water Pipits but I did get a Snow Bunting (West Runton) and my first Crossbills (Holme NOA), so I am not complaining!
Overcast early morning at Sculthorpe Moor. Barn owls asleep but the Tawny owls were both looking out of their box. A female Kingfisher caught a huge fish from the ‘goal post’ perch, managed to swallow it and then moved briefly to a perch near the hide to have her picture taken. #SculthorpeMoor
November 5, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Overcast early morning at Sculthorpe Moor. Barn owls asleep but the Tawny owls were both looking out of their box. A female Kingfisher caught a huge fish from the ‘goal post’ perch, managed to swallow it and then moved briefly to a perch near the hide to have her picture taken. #SculthorpeMoor
That is a lifetime’s worth of ‘Crossbill luck’ used up in two visits to the Holme NOA site. I could hear Crossbills in the trees, but it was too windy to catch sight of them. I sat down in one of the hides and a male landed on a branch just in from of me! Very happy! #Norfolkbirding
November 4, 2025 at 8:51 PM
That is a lifetime’s worth of ‘Crossbill luck’ used up in two visits to the Holme NOA site. I could hear Crossbills in the trees, but it was too windy to catch sight of them. I sat down in one of the hides and a male landed on a branch just in from of me! Very happy! #Norfolkbirding
Snow Buntings are amazingly confiding wild birds. This one just carried on feeding while I shuffled about taking its portrait. The only time it ducked down was when a dog walker passed just behind me. West Runton, near the car park this pm. #Norfolkbirding
November 3, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Snow Buntings are amazingly confiding wild birds. This one just carried on feeding while I shuffled about taking its portrait. The only time it ducked down was when a dog walker passed just behind me. West Runton, near the car park this pm. #Norfolkbirding
Reposted by Mike Gaston
The rainbow diffraction effect on a blue tit, taken yesterday with the fab new OM 50-200. Can’t wait for my OM interview at 5pm GMT Friday on YouTube @omsystem.bsky.social @shropshirewildlife.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social @natgeophotos.bsky.social
November 3, 2025 at 8:08 AM
The rainbow diffraction effect on a blue tit, taken yesterday with the fab new OM 50-200. Can’t wait for my OM interview at 5pm GMT Friday on YouTube @omsystem.bsky.social @shropshirewildlife.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social @natgeophotos.bsky.social
My first Crossbill, found at the Holme NOA site. My thanks to the couple who pointed the bird out. 15 had been seen during the day but one was good enough for me! #Norfolkbirding
November 2, 2025 at 4:53 PM
My first Crossbill, found at the Holme NOA site. My thanks to the couple who pointed the bird out. 15 had been seen during the day but one was good enough for me! #Norfolkbirding
The Grey Phalarope on Cley marshes this morning. Blurry shots but, according to Google Maps, I was 370m away from the bird, so I’m quite impressed that it is recognisable at all! #Norfolkbirding
October 30, 2025 at 6:52 PM
The Grey Phalarope on Cley marshes this morning. Blurry shots but, according to Google Maps, I was 370m away from the bird, so I’m quite impressed that it is recognisable at all! #Norfolkbirding
Fallow deer jumping a fence at Hollesley Common, while we were waiting patiently for the Brown Shrike to move a bit closer!
October 29, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Fallow deer jumping a fence at Hollesley Common, while we were waiting patiently for the Brown Shrike to move a bit closer!
I knew little about shrikes, before 5 species appeared locally. Lesser Grey Shrike breeds in SE Europe and W Asia. Red-backed Shrike breeds across Europe and W Asia. Brown Shrike breeds in E Asia. Red-tailed Shrike very closely related to the Brown Shrike (conspecific), breeds in C Asia.
October 29, 2025 at 7:51 AM
I knew little about shrikes, before 5 species appeared locally. Lesser Grey Shrike breeds in SE Europe and W Asia. Red-backed Shrike breeds across Europe and W Asia. Brown Shrike breeds in E Asia. Red-tailed Shrike very closely related to the Brown Shrike (conspecific), breeds in C Asia.
Reposted by Mike Gaston
October 27, 2025 at 9:57 PM
I had another attempt at the Brown Shrike on Hollesley Common today. The bird remained distant am but was a bit closer pm, although mainly visible through a chain link fence. These two shots have been sharpened in ON1 PhotoRaw. They look good to me, but the eyes are a bit suspect... #suffolkbirding
October 27, 2025 at 8:09 PM
I had another attempt at the Brown Shrike on Hollesley Common today. The bird remained distant am but was a bit closer pm, although mainly visible through a chain link fence. These two shots have been sharpened in ON1 PhotoRaw. They look good to me, but the eyes are a bit suspect... #suffolkbirding
Distant/heavily cropped shots of the Brown Shrike at Hollesey Common this morning. Another Asian Shrike that seems to be somewhat astray, geographically speaking. Getting there was tricky, with the level crossing closed off for works. Shrike sp. #5 this autumn!
October 25, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Distant/heavily cropped shots of the Brown Shrike at Hollesey Common this morning. Another Asian Shrike that seems to be somewhat astray, geographically speaking. Getting there was tricky, with the level crossing closed off for works. Shrike sp. #5 this autumn!
Reflective Blackwit at Pat's pool this afternoon. #Norfolkbirding
October 22, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Reflective Blackwit at Pat's pool this afternoon. #Norfolkbirding
Common Snipe by Pat's pool at Cley this afternoon/ #Norfolkbirding
October 22, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Common Snipe by Pat's pool at Cley this afternoon/ #Norfolkbirding
Great Grey Shrike at Walsey Hills. There are occasions when successfully finding a bird is rather underwhelming i.e. when the bird is on a wire, several hundred metres away on private land. But I shouldn't moan as this is the 4th Shrike species, I have managed to see in East Anglia this autumn!
October 22, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Great Grey Shrike at Walsey Hills. There are occasions when successfully finding a bird is rather underwhelming i.e. when the bird is on a wire, several hundred metres away on private land. But I shouldn't moan as this is the 4th Shrike species, I have managed to see in East Anglia this autumn!
A couple of records shots. Jack Snipe at Holme Bird Obs yesterday, from the NWT hide, and the Green winged Teal at Welney WWT this morning. #WelneyWWT
October 21, 2025 at 1:24 PM
A couple of records shots. Jack Snipe at Holme Bird Obs yesterday, from the NWT hide, and the Green winged Teal at Welney WWT this morning. #WelneyWWT
A few more record shots from the cruise with Birds of Poole Harbour this afternoon, to give a flavour of the day. A ‘flight’ of Cormorants, presumably ‘sinensis’, Spoonbills on Brownsea, a Kestrel being escorted out of the lagoon and a distant shot of six Glossy Ibis. @harbourbirds.bsky.social
October 17, 2025 at 8:34 PM
A few more record shots from the cruise with Birds of Poole Harbour this afternoon, to give a flavour of the day. A ‘flight’ of Cormorants, presumably ‘sinensis’, Spoonbills on Brownsea, a Kestrel being escorted out of the lagoon and a distant shot of six Glossy Ibis. @harbourbirds.bsky.social
Excellent Autumn safari with Birds of Poole Harbour this afternoon - our thanks to Paul and Mya. A few shots of the resident female White tailed Eagle G466, who put on an excellent display, including catching a fish. @harbourbirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
October 17, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Excellent Autumn safari with Birds of Poole Harbour this afternoon - our thanks to Paul and Mya. A few shots of the resident female White tailed Eagle G466, who put on an excellent display, including catching a fish. @harbourbirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
Nice to see a bit of sun on the Black Hole Marsh, Seaton Wetlands, this afternoon. The usual suspects were showing well.
October 16, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Nice to see a bit of sun on the Black Hole Marsh, Seaton Wetlands, this afternoon. The usual suspects were showing well.
Record shot of the Wryneck at the quarry near the Portland Observatory. My first time at the quarry but now I know where to look for the Little Owl, next time. Sadly, no sign of the Red backed Shrike during my visit. Sanderling and a Grey Plover near Ferrybridge. @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social
October 15, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Record shot of the Wryneck at the quarry near the Portland Observatory. My first time at the quarry but now I know where to look for the Little Owl, next time. Sadly, no sign of the Red backed Shrike during my visit. Sanderling and a Grey Plover near Ferrybridge. @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social
Unexpected Common Dolphin encounter on the Stuart Line Jurassic coast cruise yesterday, out of Exmouth. I was hoping for some seabirds but happy with Dolphins instead!
October 13, 2025 at 7:57 AM
Unexpected Common Dolphin encounter on the Stuart Line Jurassic coast cruise yesterday, out of Exmouth. I was hoping for some seabirds but happy with Dolphins instead!
I couldn't resist the lure of the Red-tailed Shrike at Dunwich Heath. A splendid, confiding bird, and, judging by the number of birders, probably the most photographed bird in East Anglia at the moment. #Suffolkbirding
October 7, 2025 at 2:33 PM
I couldn't resist the lure of the Red-tailed Shrike at Dunwich Heath. A splendid, confiding bird, and, judging by the number of birders, probably the most photographed bird in East Anglia at the moment. #Suffolkbirding