Simon Gillings
@simongillings.bsky.social
Birder, artist, sound recordist, data scientist at BTO; One half of Alula Designs. Views my own
One minute of Wigeon whistles #Birds soundcloud.com/user-9092529...
One minute Wigeon
Calls of a drake Wigeon, with additional Wigeon and Mallard in background. Byall Fen, Cambs, November 2025
soundcloud.com
November 12, 2025 at 1:51 PM
One minute of Wigeon whistles #Birds soundcloud.com/user-9092529...
Today I collected an audio recorder I left in the Fens with the aim of getting some nice Wigeon recordings. Incredibly it also picked up this Richard's Pipit flying through on the morning of 6th November! xeno-canto.org/1053297 #UKBirding
XC1053297 Richard's Pipit (Anthus richardi)
12 flight calls
xeno-canto.org
November 8, 2025 at 10:47 PM
Today I collected an audio recorder I left in the Fens with the aim of getting some nice Wigeon recordings. Incredibly it also picked up this Richard's Pipit flying through on the morning of 6th November! xeno-canto.org/1053297 #UKBirding
Breezy walk at Coveney Byall Fen. Whooper Swans, Cranes and an obliging Stonechat
November 2, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Breezy walk at Coveney Byall Fen. Whooper Swans, Cranes and an obliging Stonechat
I'm considering getting a camera for birding (record shots/video, not looking for pro quality). Thinking bridge rather than dslr/mirrorless owing to lens costs. Anyone using Nikon P1100 or Sony RX10 for this purpose? Pros/cons? Am I missing anything obvious? Any advice appreciated ta #BirdingGear
November 1, 2025 at 12:24 PM
I'm considering getting a camera for birding (record shots/video, not looking for pro quality). Thinking bridge rather than dslr/mirrorless owing to lens costs. Anyone using Nikon P1100 or Sony RX10 for this purpose? Pros/cons? Am I missing anything obvious? Any advice appreciated ta #BirdingGear
Reposted by Simon Gillings
🪶 Free UK shipping is happening all weekend at aluladesigns.co.uk 📦
Stock up on our bird-inspired designs while the post flies free 🐦
Offer ends Sunday at midnight – don’t miss it!
Stock up on our bird-inspired designs while the post flies free 🐦
Offer ends Sunday at midnight – don’t miss it!
October 31, 2025 at 5:25 PM
🪶 Free UK shipping is happening all weekend at aluladesigns.co.uk 📦
Stock up on our bird-inspired designs while the post flies free 🐦
Offer ends Sunday at midnight – don’t miss it!
Stock up on our bird-inspired designs while the post flies free 🐦
Offer ends Sunday at midnight – don’t miss it!
New @aluladesigns.bsky.social mug so I can relive seawatching season #UKBirding
October 30, 2025 at 11:57 AM
New @aluladesigns.bsky.social mug so I can relive seawatching season #UKBirding
Amidst a big nocturnal passage of thrushes last night, this Ring Ouzel passed over my Cambridge garden. Detected using the BTO Acoustic Pipeline's nocmig classifier xeno-canto.org/1047905 @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social #UKBirding 🔉
XC1047905 Ring Ouzel (Turdus torquatus)
xeno-canto.org
October 14, 2025 at 12:32 PM
Amidst a big nocturnal passage of thrushes last night, this Ring Ouzel passed over my Cambridge garden. Detected using the BTO Acoustic Pipeline's nocmig classifier xeno-canto.org/1047905 @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social #UKBirding 🔉
Reposted by Simon Gillings
🐦⬛Ever been in awe of the huge journeys some birds undertake each year?
That’s what inspired us.
Celebrate #WorldMigratoryBirdDay with clothing that captures the magic of migration and wear what moves you.
🪶 For bird lovers. For nature lovers. For you.
🛒aluladesigns.co.uk
#Birding #BirdArt #WMBD2025
That’s what inspired us.
Celebrate #WorldMigratoryBirdDay with clothing that captures the magic of migration and wear what moves you.
🪶 For bird lovers. For nature lovers. For you.
🛒aluladesigns.co.uk
#Birding #BirdArt #WMBD2025
October 11, 2025 at 3:03 PM
🐦⬛Ever been in awe of the huge journeys some birds undertake each year?
That’s what inspired us.
Celebrate #WorldMigratoryBirdDay with clothing that captures the magic of migration and wear what moves you.
🪶 For bird lovers. For nature lovers. For you.
🛒aluladesigns.co.uk
#Birding #BirdArt #WMBD2025
That’s what inspired us.
Celebrate #WorldMigratoryBirdDay with clothing that captures the magic of migration and wear what moves you.
🪶 For bird lovers. For nature lovers. For you.
🛒aluladesigns.co.uk
#Birding #BirdArt #WMBD2025
Went to see the stunning Turkestan Shrike today with @sconebirding.bsky.social, seeing it catch beetles, tipulids and even a hawker dragonfly. Also lots of singing Dartford Warblers, a Woodlark and 24 Crossbills. But no joy with the Zitting Cisticolas so couldn't pull off a two-tick day #UKBirding
October 10, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Went to see the stunning Turkestan Shrike today with @sconebirding.bsky.social, seeing it catch beetles, tipulids and even a hawker dragonfly. Also lots of singing Dartford Warblers, a Woodlark and 24 Crossbills. But no joy with the Zitting Cisticolas so couldn't pull off a two-tick day #UKBirding
Reposted by Simon Gillings
✨🐦⬛FREE POSTAGE THIS WEEKEND!🐦⬛✨
This weekend only, we’re offering FREE UK delivery on all orders.
Autumn migration is in full swing. Whether you’re spotting Redwings or searching for that rare vagrant, get everything you need delivered free.
🛒[aluladesigns.co.uk]
#UKBirding #SiberianThrush #BirdArt
This weekend only, we’re offering FREE UK delivery on all orders.
Autumn migration is in full swing. Whether you’re spotting Redwings or searching for that rare vagrant, get everything you need delivered free.
🛒[aluladesigns.co.uk]
#UKBirding #SiberianThrush #BirdArt
October 3, 2025 at 4:16 PM
✨🐦⬛FREE POSTAGE THIS WEEKEND!🐦⬛✨
This weekend only, we’re offering FREE UK delivery on all orders.
Autumn migration is in full swing. Whether you’re spotting Redwings or searching for that rare vagrant, get everything you need delivered free.
🛒[aluladesigns.co.uk]
#UKBirding #SiberianThrush #BirdArt
This weekend only, we’re offering FREE UK delivery on all orders.
Autumn migration is in full swing. Whether you’re spotting Redwings or searching for that rare vagrant, get everything you need delivered free.
🛒[aluladesigns.co.uk]
#UKBirding #SiberianThrush #BirdArt
Reposted by Simon Gillings
We are seeking an ornithologist/modeller for a 2-year POST-DOC in Turin. Using archaeological remains, we will reconstruct past avian communities to understand the impacts of climate change and human pressure on birds through time. For details see cutt.ly/irN76QDZ PLEASE RT. #ornithology #AviArch
September 29, 2025 at 7:20 AM
We are seeking an ornithologist/modeller for a 2-year POST-DOC in Turin. Using archaeological remains, we will reconstruct past avian communities to understand the impacts of climate change and human pressure on birds through time. For details see cutt.ly/irN76QDZ PLEASE RT. #ornithology #AviArch
I'm glad these are small! Devil's Coach-horse Beetle @flamboroughbird.bsky.social. A good couple of days' birding with a wide range of species.
September 29, 2025 at 8:46 AM
I'm glad these are small! Devil's Coach-horse Beetle @flamboroughbird.bsky.social. A good couple of days' birding with a wide range of species.
My recent seawatching-inspired artwork for @aluladesigns.bsky.social, a Fea's type Pterodroma petrel #SuperSeabirdSunday #BirdArt
September 14, 2025 at 8:51 AM
My recent seawatching-inspired artwork for @aluladesigns.bsky.social, a Fea's type Pterodroma petrel #SuperSeabirdSunday #BirdArt
Great day birding Fen Drayton and surroundings with @scottmayson.bsky.social, catching up with the already present Curlew Sandpipers, Little Stint and Black Tern, plus good views of small and large fish eaters #UKBirding
September 13, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Great day birding Fen Drayton and surroundings with @scottmayson.bsky.social, catching up with the already present Curlew Sandpipers, Little Stint and Black Tern, plus good views of small and large fish eaters #UKBirding
An unexpected but very pleasant detour on route to work today to see this elegant Lesser Yellowlegs at Isleham Washes. Unfortunately it was flushed by a Sparrowhawk and flew off NE. Hopefully it will come back #UKBirding
September 12, 2025 at 9:54 AM
An unexpected but very pleasant detour on route to work today to see this elegant Lesser Yellowlegs at Isleham Washes. Unfortunately it was flushed by a Sparrowhawk and flew off NE. Hopefully it will come back #UKBirding
Reposted by Simon Gillings
Birding meets style with our seabird-inspired designs — shearwaters shearing, petrels gliding. T-shirts or hoodies, these pieces have you covered for every seawatching adventure. Explore at aluladesigns.co.uk and take flight.
September 10, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Birding meets style with our seabird-inspired designs — shearwaters shearing, petrels gliding. T-shirts or hoodies, these pieces have you covered for every seawatching adventure. Explore at aluladesigns.co.uk and take flight.
Checking my backlog of passive nocmig recordings made whilst away from home. A nice Quail over my Cambridge garden 23:26, 21st August 2025 @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social #bioacoustics
September 3, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Checking my backlog of passive nocmig recordings made whilst away from home. A nice Quail over my Cambridge garden 23:26, 21st August 2025 @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social #bioacoustics
Short video of one of the Great Shearwaters from Friday at Bloody Foreland #DonegalBirding #UKBirding
August 31, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Short video of one of the Great Shearwaters from Friday at Bloody Foreland #DonegalBirding #UKBirding
Seawatch at Bloody Foreland, Donegal this am surpassed expectations. Self-found Fea's type petrel (0858 south), 3 Cory’s, 17 Great (📷), 18 Sooty, 800+ Manx. Also 2 adult Sab's Gulls, 3 Pom Skuas (1 with spoons), 3 Arctics, 13 Bonxies. (0630–1300) #IrishBirding #UKBirding
August 29, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Seawatch at Bloody Foreland, Donegal this am surpassed expectations. Self-found Fea's type petrel (0858 south), 3 Cory’s, 17 Great (📷), 18 Sooty, 800+ Manx. Also 2 adult Sab's Gulls, 3 Pom Skuas (1 with spoons), 3 Arctics, 13 Bonxies. (0630–1300) #IrishBirding #UKBirding
Found a nice juvenile Curlew Sandpiper at Dunfanaghy, Donegal today. #IrishBirding
August 28, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Found a nice juvenile Curlew Sandpiper at Dunfanaghy, Donegal today. #IrishBirding
Don't know which of Slartibartfast's colleagues made the Northern Ireland coast, but they made a fine job of it
August 26, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Don't know which of Slartibartfast's colleagues made the Northern Ireland coast, but they made a fine job of it
This looks like the same individual with the damaged crown that was at Snettisham 11–12 August #UKBirding
August 25, 2025 at 5:46 PM
This looks like the same individual with the damaged crown that was at Snettisham 11–12 August #UKBirding
In Co. Antrim for family holiday. A quick 20min seawatch at Garron Point produced c.190 Manx Shearwaters, probably more than my annual total on the British East coast! #UKBirding
August 24, 2025 at 5:06 PM
In Co. Antrim for family holiday. A quick 20min seawatch at Garron Point produced c.190 Manx Shearwaters, probably more than my annual total on the British East coast! #UKBirding
A nice #nocmig Bittern over my Cambridge garden at 0041 last night. 5 calls, spaced 15-19s apart. #UKBirding @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social
August 15, 2025 at 5:44 PM
A nice #nocmig Bittern over my Cambridge garden at 0041 last night. 5 calls, spaced 15-19s apart. #UKBirding @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social