Oli Beacock
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olibeacock.bsky.social
Oli Beacock
@olibeacock.bsky.social
Professional Ecologist | Birder and Occasional Twitcher from Notts | 26 | MSc Zoology | C-permit Ringer | Amateur Moth-er | Keen but terrible digiscoper
Afternoon trip to enjoy the roost @LWTWildNews Willow Tree Fen this evening. 22 Cranes, 18 Marsh Harriers plus a single Bewick's Swan with the Whoopers. Bonus woodcock out of the treeline opposite the entrance as we were leaving too.
January 6, 2025 at 11:18 PM
Male stonechat on the moor at Allt-na-guibhsaich. Striking pale underparts at ~150m. In full song. Orange limited to breast, big white collar, large white rump, and black auxilliaries... Siberian?

@ScottishBirding @BirdGuides @RareBirdAlertUK @LeeEvansBirding @docmartin2mc
January 6, 2025 at 11:18 PM
Osprey briefly circling over Cuttail Fishing Pond near Kirkby Woodhouse this morning brightened up an otherwise pretty dull BBS this am. Female Wheatear also in the ploughed field by footpath West of Sherwood Park @NottsBirders
January 6, 2025 at 11:18 PM
Just relocated the drake Canvasback in the large Aythya flock off the end of Lodge Lane. Flock is fairly mobile and has been relatively close to the viewing screen though spending a lot of time across towards Pumping Station. @BirdGuides @RareBirdAlertUK
January 6, 2025 at 11:23 PM
Musselburgh today @birdinglothian @ijandrews1
Scoter flock held Stejneger's, drk Surf and probable fem White-winged that avoided usable photos too distant by the time light improved - really striking head pattern and broken nose look hopefully better views can be had... 1/
January 6, 2025 at 11:23 PM
Six Black Terns currently @RSPBLangford mostly over Deep Water Pit but have been over to Phase 2/SL7 @NottsBirders @notbirdingnick
January 6, 2025 at 11:23 PM
@RSPBFrampton at its best today - personal total of 78spp but 90+ across the reserve. Wader bonanza included BW Stilt, Temminck's Stint, sp Spotted Redshank and 4+ Wood Sands. Topped off by finding a drake Blue-winged Teal on Marsh Farm @Lincsbirding @PhilOpus
January 6, 2025 at 11:28 PM
Didn't expect a singing Wood Warbler on my BBS just outside Northampton this morning. Site is private land away from PROWs @BirdNorthants
January 6, 2025 at 11:34 PM
My first Notts Hobby of the year during a BBS at Barton in Fabis this am. Other notables included a dapper Green Sandpiper on a small flooded field corner, 6 Yellow Wags, 7 species of warblers and a decent flock of 102 House Martins East along the Trent. @NottsBirders
January 6, 2025 at 11:34 PM
Very elusive drake Garganey currently with Teal on Phase @RSPBLangford. Flock disappeared into reeds on North shore at present @NottsBirders @AlfieBirder @notbirdingnick
January 6, 2025 at 11:39 PM
No better way to de-stress with the absolutely spectacular hoar frost in the Cambridgeshire Fens today and the birds weren't too bad either: 4 LEOs roosting together plus Tawny and Barn, male Hen Harrier and 7 Cranes bugling in the fog - winter birding at its best.
January 6, 2025 at 11:44 PM
Pleasant afternoon watching waterfowl at Eyebrook Res and Rutland this pm. Plenty of Smew, 3 Scaup and "the duck-who-must-not-be-named" at the former (plus a funky Aythya hybrid doing its best to look like a Redhead) and added Velvet Scoter and GN Diver at the latter @LROSbirds
January 6, 2025 at 11:44 PM
Some more videograbs of the Eastern Stonechat from The Hood, Blakeney yesterday am. Seems to fit the bill for Stej on field marks alone but unfortunately no retrievable DNA before tdisappearing. Would appreciate any comments.
@NorfolkBirds @Vaasetter
January 6, 2025 at 11:44 PM
Eastern-type Stonechat poss. Stejneger's om sueda at South end of dunes at Blakeney Point (Dropped pin
https://maps.app.goo.gl/v1ULptHXUJ4x7MZK8). Opinions appreciated @BirdGuides @RareBirdAlertUK @LeeEvansBirding @NorfolkBirds
January 6, 2025 at 11:50 PM
Signs of passrine movement early morning at Treswell Wood. Totals of 15 Redwing, 2 alba Wagtail, 7 Skylark, 4 Meadow Pipit and 19 Chaffinch heading South, single Lesser Redpoll calling as it headed low North. Single Chiffchaff in subsong around the car park @NottsBirders
January 6, 2025 at 11:50 PM
Dawn til dusk @FlamboroughBird today. Seawatching proved quite productive for the morning with totals below. Landbird interest included two Rosefinches, YBW heard at South Landing with Spot Fly, Sedge in Booted Gully and a Lesser Whitethroat at Old Fall Hedge.
January 6, 2025 at 11:50 PM
Good day on Yorks coast y'day. Drift migrants plus a couple of headliners with Citrine Wag and RNP at Spurn, South Landing Greenish @FlamboroughBird that caused some panic at first with second wing bar. Ended with frustrating Acro at Bempton, probably Blyth's RW but not certain.
January 6, 2025 at 11:55 PM
Juv Purple Heron still at Pittam's Pond, Willington GPs until 15.13 when chased by Grey Heron. Flew SW and appeared to go down into reeds by Platform 1. Heading over there to relocate now. @Derbyshirebirds
January 6, 2025 at 11:55 PM
Big thanks to @FlamboroBirder, @CraigCThomas1 and others @FlamboroughBird Seawatch Festival for an informative afternoon of seabird ID! All 4 skuas, Manx & Sooty Shears and more. 2 Wheatears at the lighthouse. Shame I didn't wait 10 minutes for the Balearic but can't complain!
January 7, 2025 at 12:00 AM
Juvenile Pomarine Skua just gone north @FlamboroughBird. Also 5 Arctics and 2 Greats plus 4 Manx Shears, 1 Common Scoter and 3 lingering Harbour Porpoise since 12.30
January 7, 2025 at 12:00 AM
Followed up the plover with the not quite as showy juv Red-backed Shrike still at South Gare on seaward side c200m North of Shrike Bushes
January 7, 2025 at 12:00 AM
Greater Sand Plover still showing well on the strandlineat Redcar beach south of Majuba C/P this morning. Activity already picking up for the bank hol!
January 7, 2025 at 12:05 AM
Roller still showing well albeit distantly at Timberland Fen late afternoon @Lincsbirding @lincsbirders
January 7, 2025 at 12:05 AM
2 juv Black Terns with Arctics/Sandwiches around Aberlady Bay. Plenty of Arctic Skuas too plus 8 Common Scoter W up Forth and single Red-breasted Merganser on sea and a nice selection of waders. No sign of @ijandrews1's Little Terns from earlier this week. @birdinglothian
January 7, 2025 at 12:05 AM
1s drake King Eider still at East end of Musselburgh sea front (55.9515402, -3.0225069) with 712 Eiders and 42 Velvet Scoters so far @birdinglothian
January 7, 2025 at 12:10 AM