Sam O'Donnell
@samodonnell25.bsky.social
17/Patch Birder and Wildlife Photographer/Martin Garner Spurn Young birder of the year winner 2024/UK Life list 265 (Cory's Shearwater)
A long and anxious wait to finish my lessons at college today paid off as I managed to see this Bittern on Patch at Walthamstow Wetlands. A Patch tick and the first here since 2012! Also a Yellow-browed Warbler seen this morning, though no sign later on. Hopefully tomorrow 🤞
November 21, 2025 at 6:20 PM
A long and anxious wait to finish my lessons at college today paid off as I managed to see this Bittern on Patch at Walthamstow Wetlands. A Patch tick and the first here since 2012! Also a Yellow-browed Warbler seen this morning, though no sign later on. Hopefully tomorrow 🤞
Yesterday's Brent Goose passage on Patch at Walthamstow Wetlands was a bit insane! I had 114 out of a combined total of c200 all going high South! Also, 34 Lapwing and my first Goosander of the year here. #ukbirding
November 17, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Yesterday's Brent Goose passage on Patch at Walthamstow Wetlands was a bit insane! I had 114 out of a combined total of c200 all going high South! Also, 34 Lapwing and my first Goosander of the year here. #ukbirding
Reposted by Sam O'Donnell
The first Water Pipit since 2021 was October's bird highlight at London's Walthamstow Wetlands. Round-up of the 97 species seen now on walthamstowbirders.blogspot.com Thanks to @samodonnell25.bsky.social @chris-farthing.bsky.social @wheresrhys.bsky.social & MLP for pics. #londonbirding
November 7, 2025 at 3:46 PM
The first Water Pipit since 2021 was October's bird highlight at London's Walthamstow Wetlands. Round-up of the 97 species seen now on walthamstowbirders.blogspot.com Thanks to @samodonnell25.bsky.social @chris-farthing.bsky.social @wheresrhys.bsky.social & MLP for pics. #londonbirding
Since my last post 10 days ago, Patch at Walthamstow Wetlands has been relatively quiet. Firecrest trapped and ringed on the 22nd was nice to see. A Marsh Harrier today was my 2nd ever here! Also 2 Ravens, YLG, Rock Pipit, Brambling, Redpolls, Siskins, Skylarks and more!
October 30, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Since my last post 10 days ago, Patch at Walthamstow Wetlands has been relatively quiet. Firecrest trapped and ringed on the 22nd was nice to see. A Marsh Harrier today was my 2nd ever here! Also 2 Ravens, YLG, Rock Pipit, Brambling, Redpolls, Siskins, Skylarks and more!
Reposted by Sam O'Donnell
A 1st winter male SIBERIAN RUBYTHROAT caught on North Ronaldsay!!!
#RareBirdsUK
#BirdingScotland
#OrkneyBirding
#RareBirdsUK
#BirdingScotland
#OrkneyBirding
October 28, 2025 at 8:35 AM
A 1st winter male SIBERIAN RUBYTHROAT caught on North Ronaldsay!!!
#RareBirdsUK
#BirdingScotland
#OrkneyBirding
#RareBirdsUK
#BirdingScotland
#OrkneyBirding
Bit of a crazy few days on Patch at Walthamstow Wetlands. Found this Water Pipit, a Patch tick! My first Great Egret, 2 Brambling and 6 Pintails of the year here! Also Rock Pipits, Yellow-legged Gull, 7 Wigeon, Siskin, Redpoll, Jack Snipe, Green Sandpiper, Fieldfares, and more! #ukbirding
October 20, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Bit of a crazy few days on Patch at Walthamstow Wetlands. Found this Water Pipit, a Patch tick! My first Great Egret, 2 Brambling and 6 Pintails of the year here! Also Rock Pipits, Yellow-legged Gull, 7 Wigeon, Siskin, Redpoll, Jack Snipe, Green Sandpiper, Fieldfares, and more! #ukbirding
Reposted by Sam O'Donnell
After the initial couple of flyby’s the juvenile Sabine’s Gull showed incredibly well. Not many birds that are as stunning in juvenile plum as adults but Sab’s are definitely one of those. Just a shame for it be on site with no access #UKbirding @birdguides.bsky.social @berksbirdclub.bsky.social
October 16, 2025 at 4:48 PM
After the initial couple of flyby’s the juvenile Sabine’s Gull showed incredibly well. Not many birds that are as stunning in juvenile plum as adults but Sab’s are definitely one of those. Just a shame for it be on site with no access #UKbirding @birdguides.bsky.social @berksbirdclub.bsky.social
Great day on Patch at Walthamstow Wetlands and Waterworks NR. Med Gull, Rock Pipit, Ringed Plover, Dunlin, 5 Jack Snipes, Common Snipe, 10 Redpolls, Siskins, Raven, Skylark, YLG, 4 Wigeon, 80 Redwings and more! #ukbirding #patchbirding
October 15, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Great day on Patch at Walthamstow Wetlands and Waterworks NR. Med Gull, Rock Pipit, Ringed Plover, Dunlin, 5 Jack Snipes, Common Snipe, 10 Redpolls, Siskins, Raven, Skylark, YLG, 4 Wigeon, 80 Redwings and more! #ukbirding #patchbirding
Reposted by Sam O'Donnell
I’ve really enjoyed birding at Landguard regularly this autumn. Y’day was great, with Jack Snipe & Long-eared Owl amongst 50+ species. Today was epic! A self-found Yellow-browed Warbler then the magic moment of relocating a Pallas’s Warbler with Will Brame which he & Bill Mackie had found earlier.
October 14, 2025 at 6:10 PM
I’ve really enjoyed birding at Landguard regularly this autumn. Y’day was great, with Jack Snipe & Long-eared Owl amongst 50+ species. Today was epic! A self-found Yellow-browed Warbler then the magic moment of relocating a Pallas’s Warbler with Will Brame which he & Bill Mackie had found earlier.
Another decent weekend on Patch at Walthamstow Wetlands. Raven, Garganey, YLG, Caspian Gull, 2 Rock Pipits, Meadow Pipits, 3 Wigeons, Snipes, my first Redwings of the autumn, Stonechats and more. Nice to help out doing WeBS as well! #patchbirding #ukbirding
October 12, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Another decent weekend on Patch at Walthamstow Wetlands. Raven, Garganey, YLG, Caspian Gull, 2 Rock Pipits, Meadow Pipits, 3 Wigeons, Snipes, my first Redwings of the autumn, Stonechats and more. Nice to help out doing WeBS as well! #patchbirding #ukbirding
Reposted by Sam O'Donnell
Honey Buzzard, Grasshopper W, Grey Plover & Raven - all new for 2025 - highlights of September @ Walthamstow Wetlands. Round-up on walthamstowbirders.blogspot.com Thanks to @samodonnell25.bsky.social @chris-farthing.bsky.social @ivorh.bsky.social @eugenedh.bsky.social & YLD for pics #londonbirding
October 1, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Honey Buzzard, Grasshopper W, Grey Plover & Raven - all new for 2025 - highlights of September @ Walthamstow Wetlands. Round-up on walthamstowbirders.blogspot.com Thanks to @samodonnell25.bsky.social @chris-farthing.bsky.social @ivorh.bsky.social @eugenedh.bsky.social & YLD for pics #londonbirding
Good to see 3 Rock Pipits this weekend on Patch at Walthamstow Wetlands. My first here this year. Also, ringed Plover, Wheatear, Yellow Wagtails, Siskins, Swallows, Sand and House Martins, Green Sandpiper, Dunlin, Stonechats, Yellow-legged Gull, Common Sandpipers and more! #ukbirding
September 28, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Good to see 3 Rock Pipits this weekend on Patch at Walthamstow Wetlands. My first here this year. Also, ringed Plover, Wheatear, Yellow Wagtails, Siskins, Swallows, Sand and House Martins, Green Sandpiper, Dunlin, Stonechats, Yellow-legged Gull, Common Sandpipers and more! #ukbirding
2 Green Sandpipers were nice to see on Patch at Walthamstow Wetlands over the weekend, a species that I don't often see here. Also, decent movement of Meadow Pipits and Hirundines as well as a few Siskins and a Snipe.
September 22, 2025 at 4:56 PM
2 Green Sandpipers were nice to see on Patch at Walthamstow Wetlands over the weekend, a species that I don't often see here. Also, decent movement of Meadow Pipits and Hirundines as well as a few Siskins and a Snipe.
A few more of the very smart juvenile Red-necked Phalarope while at Migfest! @spurnbirdobs.bsky.social
September 18, 2025 at 5:35 PM
A few more of the very smart juvenile Red-necked Phalarope while at Migfest! @spurnbirdobs.bsky.social
Migfest 2025 was really fun! Red-necked Phalarope (lifer!), Cranes, Curlew Sandpipers, Garganey, Pink feet, Osprey, Arctic Skua, Tree Pipit, Redstarts, Crossbill and 000s of Meadow Pipit the highlights! Was fantastic to have such amazing company as well! Sorry don't have enough space to tag people.
September 15, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Migfest 2025 was really fun! Red-necked Phalarope (lifer!), Cranes, Curlew Sandpipers, Garganey, Pink feet, Osprey, Arctic Skua, Tree Pipit, Redstarts, Crossbill and 000s of Meadow Pipit the highlights! Was fantastic to have such amazing company as well! Sorry don't have enough space to tag people.
Reposted by Sam O'Donnell
Had a great time at Spurn's #migfest this weekend. Not too many birds but good to spend some time with friends new and old. with @joesn.bsky.social @finchleybirder.bsky.social @samodonnell25.bsky.social @desertwarbler.bsky.social @amiranuseibeh.bsky.social and many many more
September 15, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Had a great time at Spurn's #migfest this weekend. Not too many birds but good to spend some time with friends new and old. with @joesn.bsky.social @finchleybirder.bsky.social @samodonnell25.bsky.social @desertwarbler.bsky.social @amiranuseibeh.bsky.social and many many more
Reposted by Sam O'Donnell
Ruff & Little Stint highlights of a 100-species August at Walthamstow Wetlands. Round-up now on walthamstowbirders.blogspot.com Thanks to @samodonnell25.bsky.social @eugenedh.bsky.social @chris-farthing.bsky.social @londonkingfishers.bsky.social @ivorh.bsky.social @Callahanbirder & MLP for photos.
September 12, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Ruff & Little Stint highlights of a 100-species August at Walthamstow Wetlands. Round-up now on walthamstowbirders.blogspot.com Thanks to @samodonnell25.bsky.social @eugenedh.bsky.social @chris-farthing.bsky.social @londonkingfishers.bsky.social @ivorh.bsky.social @Callahanbirder & MLP for photos.
Been a very good weekend on Patch at Walthamstow Wetlands. 2 Patch ticks being Grasshopper Warbler and 2 Ravens! Both extremely rare birds here! Also, Caspian and YL Gull, 2 Greenshanks, 2 Curlews, Hobby, 6+ Spotted Flycatchers, first Meadow Pipits of the autumn and more! #ukbirding
September 7, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Been a very good weekend on Patch at Walthamstow Wetlands. 2 Patch ticks being Grasshopper Warbler and 2 Ravens! Both extremely rare birds here! Also, Caspian and YL Gull, 2 Greenshanks, 2 Curlews, Hobby, 6+ Spotted Flycatchers, first Meadow Pipits of the autumn and more! #ukbirding
On Saturday, I headed to Rainham Marshes with Ben Rumsby, @ravigrewal.bsky.social, Daniel Brasier, and Fred Matthews. Was brilliant to see a Roseate Tern on the river (credit to Fred for picking it up)! Very distant but a great bird! Also 4 Wood Sands, Whinchat, Tree Pipit, Barn Owl etc
September 1, 2025 at 7:47 PM
On Saturday, I headed to Rainham Marshes with Ben Rumsby, @ravigrewal.bsky.social, Daniel Brasier, and Fred Matthews. Was brilliant to see a Roseate Tern on the river (credit to Fred for picking it up)! Very distant but a great bird! Also 4 Wood Sands, Whinchat, Tree Pipit, Barn Owl etc
Since I've got back from Pembs, Patch at Walthamstow Wetlands has been quite good. Ruff (my 2nd ever here and a patch rarity), Greenshank, Blackwit, Black Tern, 1st summer Arctic Tern, Wheatear, Garganey, Spot fly, both Caspian and YLG, Hobby, Yellow Wags and more! #ukbirding #patchbirding
September 1, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Since I've got back from Pembs, Patch at Walthamstow Wetlands has been quite good. Ruff (my 2nd ever here and a patch rarity), Greenshank, Blackwit, Black Tern, 1st summer Arctic Tern, Wheatear, Garganey, Spot fly, both Caspian and YLG, Hobby, Yellow Wags and more! #ukbirding #patchbirding
A nice final walk around the Nevern Estuary this morning. Found this Wood Warbler, which was quite a surprise! Also the German ringed juvenile female Osprey still showing well, Blackwit, 10 Ringo, 30 Dunlins, Kingfisher, Red Kite 3 Med Gulls, Willow Warbler and more! #ukbirding
August 26, 2025 at 7:01 PM
A nice final walk around the Nevern Estuary this morning. Found this Wood Warbler, which was quite a surprise! Also the German ringed juvenile female Osprey still showing well, Blackwit, 10 Ringo, 30 Dunlins, Kingfisher, Red Kite 3 Med Gulls, Willow Warbler and more! #ukbirding
Found this Lesser Emperor a couple days ago on Dinas Head. Must have been newly arrived as it was on the headland with no bodies of water apart from the sea around. Pretty rare here I think! Yesterday, I finally saw my first Euro Storm Petrels along with good views of Conmon Dolphins! #ukbirding
August 26, 2025 at 8:14 AM
Found this Lesser Emperor a couple days ago on Dinas Head. Must have been newly arrived as it was on the headland with no bodies of water apart from the sea around. Pretty rare here I think! Yesterday, I finally saw my first Euro Storm Petrels along with good views of Conmon Dolphins! #ukbirding
Reposted by Sam O'Donnell
Zitting cisticola
Walberswick, Suffolk, 23/08/2025
I thought I was having a good day with an image of one of the juveniles from the 1st recorded breeding of Zitting cisticola in the UK. On review I found four juveniles and the adult female🤯
@suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social #suffolkbirding #ukbirding
Walberswick, Suffolk, 23/08/2025
I thought I was having a good day with an image of one of the juveniles from the 1st recorded breeding of Zitting cisticola in the UK. On review I found four juveniles and the adult female🤯
@suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social #suffolkbirding #ukbirding
August 23, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Zitting cisticola
Walberswick, Suffolk, 23/08/2025
I thought I was having a good day with an image of one of the juveniles from the 1st recorded breeding of Zitting cisticola in the UK. On review I found four juveniles and the adult female🤯
@suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social #suffolkbirding #ukbirding
Walberswick, Suffolk, 23/08/2025
I thought I was having a good day with an image of one of the juveniles from the 1st recorded breeding of Zitting cisticola in the UK. On review I found four juveniles and the adult female🤯
@suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social #suffolkbirding #ukbirding
First 2 days in Pembs have been great! Lots of good birds at the Nevern Estuary. Little Stint, German ringed Osprey, Yellow Wagtails, Knot, Arctic and Sandwich Terns, both Godwits, and more! I finally saw my first ever Willow Tits in the UK as well after dipping multiple times! #ukbirding
August 23, 2025 at 9:06 PM
First 2 days in Pembs have been great! Lots of good birds at the Nevern Estuary. Little Stint, German ringed Osprey, Yellow Wagtails, Knot, Arctic and Sandwich Terns, both Godwits, and more! I finally saw my first ever Willow Tits in the UK as well after dipping multiple times! #ukbirding
The last few days on Patch at Walthamstow Wetlands have been ok though a little dull at times but today was great! This juv Little Stint made me rush out again after I had just arrived home! Also so far this week, Curlew, Yellow Wagtail, Wheatear, Hobby, Little Owl, Ringo, YLG. #ukbirding
August 19, 2025 at 7:04 PM
The last few days on Patch at Walthamstow Wetlands have been ok though a little dull at times but today was great! This juv Little Stint made me rush out again after I had just arrived home! Also so far this week, Curlew, Yellow Wagtail, Wheatear, Hobby, Little Owl, Ringo, YLG. #ukbirding