Michael Huggins
@miceal.bsky.social
Former historian, retired bolshevik, ex italofilo and one-time fell runner. Currently very grumpy about the state of the world; birding to maintain my sanity. Co. Donegal, Ireland.
Pinned
#donegalbirding
An immature wing-tagged white-tailed eagle has turned up in the county (again). Let’s hope it can play its part in the re-establishing of this magnificent species in Ireland with no interference from people or wind turbines.
An immature wing-tagged white-tailed eagle has turned up in the county (again). Let’s hope it can play its part in the re-establishing of this magnificent species in Ireland with no interference from people or wind turbines.
February 2, 2026 at 8:54 AM
#donegalbirding
An immature wing-tagged white-tailed eagle has turned up in the county (again). Let’s hope it can play its part in the re-establishing of this magnificent species in Ireland with no interference from people or wind turbines.
An immature wing-tagged white-tailed eagle has turned up in the county (again). Let’s hope it can play its part in the re-establishing of this magnificent species in Ireland with no interference from people or wind turbines.
#donegalbirding
A couple of Russian white-fronted geese at Burt, courtesy of @delboydonegal.bsky.social
A couple of Russian white-fronted geese at Burt, courtesy of @delboydonegal.bsky.social
February 1, 2026 at 1:13 PM
#donegalbirding
A couple of Russian white-fronted geese at Burt, courtesy of @delboydonegal.bsky.social
A couple of Russian white-fronted geese at Burt, courtesy of @delboydonegal.bsky.social
#donegalbirding
After what has so far been a quiet start to 2026 in the county, a yellow-legged gull turned up at St John’s Point yesterday.
After what has so far been a quiet start to 2026 in the county, a yellow-legged gull turned up at St John’s Point yesterday.
February 1, 2026 at 12:42 AM
#donegalbirding
After what has so far been a quiet start to 2026 in the county, a yellow-legged gull turned up at St John’s Point yesterday.
After what has so far been a quiet start to 2026 in the county, a yellow-legged gull turned up at St John’s Point yesterday.
#donegalbirding
A quiet weekend of iWebs surveying at Blanket Nook. Missed a big flock of c. 200 pink-footed geese which were found later in the day by @delboydonegal.bsky.social but the Taiga Bean geese seem to have gone.
A quiet weekend of iWebs surveying at Blanket Nook. Missed a big flock of c. 200 pink-footed geese which were found later in the day by @delboydonegal.bsky.social but the Taiga Bean geese seem to have gone.
January 12, 2026 at 9:24 AM
#donegalbirding
A quiet weekend of iWebs surveying at Blanket Nook. Missed a big flock of c. 200 pink-footed geese which were found later in the day by @delboydonegal.bsky.social but the Taiga Bean geese seem to have gone.
A quiet weekend of iWebs surveying at Blanket Nook. Missed a big flock of c. 200 pink-footed geese which were found later in the day by @delboydonegal.bsky.social but the Taiga Bean geese seem to have gone.
#donegalbirding
As predicted on this thread but a few hours ago, @delboydonegal.bsky.social has hit the ground running in 2026 with a singing #chiffchaff at Burnfoot F93 KN7X.
As predicted on this thread but a few hours ago, @delboydonegal.bsky.social has hit the ground running in 2026 with a singing #chiffchaff at Burnfoot F93 KN7X.
January 1, 2026 at 3:02 PM
#donegalbirding
As predicted on this thread but a few hours ago, @delboydonegal.bsky.social has hit the ground running in 2026 with a singing #chiffchaff at Burnfoot F93 KN7X.
As predicted on this thread but a few hours ago, @delboydonegal.bsky.social has hit the ground running in 2026 with a singing #chiffchaff at Burnfoot F93 KN7X.
#donegalbirding
Congratulations to @delboydonegal.bsky.social on identifying a remarkable 205 species in the county in 2025 and writing up a fascinating account of his birding year. It’s the morning of New Year’s Day 2026 and I bet he’s already clocked up a few for this year. Go to it Derek!
Congratulations to @delboydonegal.bsky.social on identifying a remarkable 205 species in the county in 2025 and writing up a fascinating account of his birding year. It’s the morning of New Year’s Day 2026 and I bet he’s already clocked up a few for this year. Go to it Derek!
January 1, 2026 at 9:14 AM
#donegalbirding
Congratulations to @delboydonegal.bsky.social on identifying a remarkable 205 species in the county in 2025 and writing up a fascinating account of his birding year. It’s the morning of New Year’s Day 2026 and I bet he’s already clocked up a few for this year. Go to it Derek!
Congratulations to @delboydonegal.bsky.social on identifying a remarkable 205 species in the county in 2025 and writing up a fascinating account of his birding year. It’s the morning of New Year’s Day 2026 and I bet he’s already clocked up a few for this year. Go to it Derek!
#donegalbirding
Is this the furthest anyone has travelled to twitch the Magheraroarty Harlequin Duck (which is now showing its very smart male plumage, as the recent video by @delboydonegal.bsky.social shows)? Congratulations @helsinkibirder.bsky.social
Is this the furthest anyone has travelled to twitch the Magheraroarty Harlequin Duck (which is now showing its very smart male plumage, as the recent video by @delboydonegal.bsky.social shows)? Congratulations @helsinkibirder.bsky.social
Harlequin Duck. Well it had to be done. A slog of a morning in Donegal, but managed to bag @robertvaughani.bsky.social Harley for my Christmas stocking. The one day it was being a hoor of course. #birds #birding #irishrarebirds
December 22, 2025 at 8:07 PM
#donegalbirding
Is this the furthest anyone has travelled to twitch the Magheraroarty Harlequin Duck (which is now showing its very smart male plumage, as the recent video by @delboydonegal.bsky.social shows)? Congratulations @helsinkibirder.bsky.social
Is this the furthest anyone has travelled to twitch the Magheraroarty Harlequin Duck (which is now showing its very smart male plumage, as the recent video by @delboydonegal.bsky.social shows)? Congratulations @helsinkibirder.bsky.social
#donegalbirding
Those Taiga Bean Geese in the fields behind Blanket Nook are keeping me awake at night.
Those Taiga Bean Geese in the fields behind Blanket Nook are keeping me awake at night.
December 8, 2025 at 10:29 AM
#donegalbirding
Those Taiga Bean Geese in the fields behind Blanket Nook are keeping me awake at night.
Those Taiga Bean Geese in the fields behind Blanket Nook are keeping me awake at night.
#donegalbirding
Nothing of note at Blanket Nook today but lots of goldeneye; always beautiful.
Nothing of note at Blanket Nook today but lots of goldeneye; always beautiful.
December 1, 2025 at 3:40 PM
#donegalbirding
Nothing of note at Blanket Nook today but lots of goldeneye; always beautiful.
Nothing of note at Blanket Nook today but lots of goldeneye; always beautiful.
#donegalbirding
After many hours wasted/spent (delete as appropriate) seeking the long-staying bittern at Inch, I finally saw it this morning, courtesy of Mrs H, who located it on a couple of brief flights among the reeds. Only the third modern era record for the county.
After many hours wasted/spent (delete as appropriate) seeking the long-staying bittern at Inch, I finally saw it this morning, courtesy of Mrs H, who located it on a couple of brief flights among the reeds. Only the third modern era record for the county.
November 30, 2025 at 9:57 PM
#donegalbirding
After many hours wasted/spent (delete as appropriate) seeking the long-staying bittern at Inch, I finally saw it this morning, courtesy of Mrs H, who located it on a couple of brief flights among the reeds. Only the third modern era record for the county.
After many hours wasted/spent (delete as appropriate) seeking the long-staying bittern at Inch, I finally saw it this morning, courtesy of Mrs H, who located it on a couple of brief flights among the reeds. Only the third modern era record for the county.
The genius of the digiverse: Apple Music can’t distinguish between Birgit Nilsson and Harry 😂.
November 28, 2025 at 9:45 PM
The genius of the digiverse: Apple Music can’t distinguish between Birgit Nilsson and Harry 😂.
Summing up the UK in one cartoon. #moderntoss
November 26, 2025 at 9:33 AM
Summing up the UK in one cartoon. #moderntoss
Watching an item on BBC local news from Newcastle upon Tyne. Boss of Cambridge University was encouraging people from the north-east to apply there. The reporter couldn’t work out why only 2.4% of Cambridge undergraduates are from the north-east of England. Nothing further m’lud.
November 21, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Watching an item on BBC local news from Newcastle upon Tyne. Boss of Cambridge University was encouraging people from the north-east to apply there. The reporter couldn’t work out why only 2.4% of Cambridge undergraduates are from the north-east of England. Nothing further m’lud.
#donegalbirding
After a recent spat on the county WhatsApp group about what you might describe as ‘birding ethics’ I searched on line with the following results. If you’re unsure I think the highly-respected British Trust for Ornithology is a good starting point.
duckduckgo.com?q=birdwatchi...
After a recent spat on the county WhatsApp group about what you might describe as ‘birding ethics’ I searched on line with the following results. If you’re unsure I think the highly-respected British Trust for Ornithology is a good starting point.
duckduckgo.com?q=birdwatchi...
birdwatching ethics at DuckDuckGo
DuckDuckGo. Privacy, Simplified.
duckduckgo.com
November 17, 2025 at 11:26 AM
#donegalbirding
After a recent spat on the county WhatsApp group about what you might describe as ‘birding ethics’ I searched on line with the following results. If you’re unsure I think the highly-respected British Trust for Ornithology is a good starting point.
duckduckgo.com?q=birdwatchi...
After a recent spat on the county WhatsApp group about what you might describe as ‘birding ethics’ I searched on line with the following results. If you’re unsure I think the highly-respected British Trust for Ornithology is a good starting point.
duckduckgo.com?q=birdwatchi...
#donegalbirding
A report this morning that the two bitterns are still in residence at Inch.
A report this morning that the two bitterns are still in residence at Inch.
November 16, 2025 at 11:58 AM
#donegalbirding
A report this morning that the two bitterns are still in residence at Inch.
A report this morning that the two bitterns are still in residence at Inch.
My sister has just tried to put a blanket over my dad’s knees for a bit of warmth. He asked her what she was doing that for: ‘it’ll make me look like an old person’. He is 97 tomorrow.
November 13, 2025 at 3:53 PM
My sister has just tried to put a blanket over my dad’s knees for a bit of warmth. He asked her what she was doing that for: ‘it’ll make me look like an old person’. He is 97 tomorrow.
#donegalbirding
Some posts with the #donegalbirding hashtag have disappeared from my view of the feed. Anyone else having this issue?
Some posts with the #donegalbirding hashtag have disappeared from my view of the feed. Anyone else having this issue?
November 7, 2025 at 6:37 AM
#donegalbirding
Some posts with the #donegalbirding hashtag have disappeared from my view of the feed. Anyone else having this issue?
Some posts with the #donegalbirding hashtag have disappeared from my view of the feed. Anyone else having this issue?
#donegalbirding
After I spent a fruitless hour and a half searching around the bay in ‘breezy’ conditions, the Harlequin finally made an appearance, close inshore opposite a park bench 250m north of Port Arthur pier.
After I spent a fruitless hour and a half searching around the bay in ‘breezy’ conditions, the Harlequin finally made an appearance, close inshore opposite a park bench 250m north of Port Arthur pier.
November 1, 2025 at 11:59 AM
#donegalbirding
After I spent a fruitless hour and a half searching around the bay in ‘breezy’ conditions, the Harlequin finally made an appearance, close inshore opposite a park bench 250m north of Port Arthur pier.
After I spent a fruitless hour and a half searching around the bay in ‘breezy’ conditions, the Harlequin finally made an appearance, close inshore opposite a park bench 250m north of Port Arthur pier.
Special Issue of #BirdStudy is now published:
The impacts of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza on birds: part 1
10 papers (5 #OpenAccess) plus Editorial on the impacts of #birdflu #HPAI outbreak in Europe, Canada, Antarctica: www.tandfonline.com/toc/tbis20/7...
#ornithology #ukbirding #seabirds
The impacts of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza on birds: part 1
10 papers (5 #OpenAccess) plus Editorial on the impacts of #birdflu #HPAI outbreak in Europe, Canada, Antarctica: www.tandfonline.com/toc/tbis20/7...
#ornithology #ukbirding #seabirds
October 31, 2025 at 7:20 AM
This flow chart is where I’m at.
October 29, 2025 at 9:59 PM
This flow chart is where I’m at.
#donegalbirding
An unsuccessful search this afternoon for the taiga bean geese recently found by @delboydonegal.bsky.social around Inch Level turned up a number of pink-footed geese, which I would certainly have overlooked if I hadn’t been looking more carefully than usual. There’s a moral there 🤷🏻♂️.
An unsuccessful search this afternoon for the taiga bean geese recently found by @delboydonegal.bsky.social around Inch Level turned up a number of pink-footed geese, which I would certainly have overlooked if I hadn’t been looking more carefully than usual. There’s a moral there 🤷🏻♂️.
October 28, 2025 at 5:57 PM
#donegalbirding
An unsuccessful search this afternoon for the taiga bean geese recently found by @delboydonegal.bsky.social around Inch Level turned up a number of pink-footed geese, which I would certainly have overlooked if I hadn’t been looking more carefully than usual. There’s a moral there 🤷🏻♂️.
An unsuccessful search this afternoon for the taiga bean geese recently found by @delboydonegal.bsky.social around Inch Level turned up a number of pink-footed geese, which I would certainly have overlooked if I hadn’t been looking more carefully than usual. There’s a moral there 🤷🏻♂️.
#donegalbirding
At least 9 ruff among a large flock of c. 500 black-tailed godwit from Tready hide at Inch this morning.
At least 9 ruff among a large flock of c. 500 black-tailed godwit from Tready hide at Inch this morning.
October 28, 2025 at 12:14 PM
#donegalbirding
At least 9 ruff among a large flock of c. 500 black-tailed godwit from Tready hide at Inch this morning.
At least 9 ruff among a large flock of c. 500 black-tailed godwit from Tready hide at Inch this morning.
#donegalbirding
From Robert Vaughan:
There is a radio documentary on at 3pm today on rte1 about the Ring Ouzel. It was recorded in Donegal during the summer, and is about the decline of the species, and the work being done to help them.
www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...
From Robert Vaughan:
There is a radio documentary on at 3pm today on rte1 about the Ring Ouzel. It was recorded in Donegal during the summer, and is about the decline of the species, and the work being done to help them.
www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...
Nature on One - RTÉ Radio 1
Nature on One is a series of natural history documentaries produced by the Mooney Goes Wild team, that will air on public holidays on RTÉ Radio 1.
www.rte.ie
October 27, 2025 at 10:48 AM
#donegalbirding
From Robert Vaughan:
There is a radio documentary on at 3pm today on rte1 about the Ring Ouzel. It was recorded in Donegal during the summer, and is about the decline of the species, and the work being done to help them.
www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...
From Robert Vaughan:
There is a radio documentary on at 3pm today on rte1 about the Ring Ouzel. It was recorded in Donegal during the summer, and is about the decline of the species, and the work being done to help them.
www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...
#donegalbirding
Desperately sad that HPAI (bird flu) seems to be back at Inch, with the NPWS collecting multiple corpses.
Desperately sad that HPAI (bird flu) seems to be back at Inch, with the NPWS collecting multiple corpses.
October 26, 2025 at 6:55 AM
#donegalbirding
Desperately sad that HPAI (bird flu) seems to be back at Inch, with the NPWS collecting multiple corpses.
Desperately sad that HPAI (bird flu) seems to be back at Inch, with the NPWS collecting multiple corpses.
@simoncalder.bsky.social I have enjoyed reading your work for many years. Just received your weekly e-mail dispatch about Nicosia in, I quote: ‘Europe’s last divided nation’. Can I suggest you try Ireland some time, part of which is also under long-term occupation?
October 24, 2025 at 10:17 AM
@simoncalder.bsky.social I have enjoyed reading your work for many years. Just received your weekly e-mail dispatch about Nicosia in, I quote: ‘Europe’s last divided nation’. Can I suggest you try Ireland some time, part of which is also under long-term occupation?