Terry Brown
@terrytwitcher.bsky.social
Hertfordshire based birder. Birding battling with my other obsession - football - for my time and energy. Patch birding at Paxton Pits and Portland Bird Observatory my favourite place in the world.
Don't expect to see much when I take a walk at RSPBHQ in Sandy but a few moments ago I flushed a Woodcock from the side of a footpath and watched it fly off for a few seconds before it disappeared from sight - Crackin'
November 15, 2025 at 10:23 AM
Don't expect to see much when I take a walk at RSPBHQ in Sandy but a few moments ago I flushed a Woodcock from the side of a footpath and watched it fly off for a few seconds before it disappeared from sight - Crackin'
A leaving gift from Martin and the team Pallas's Warbler What a stunner
November 9, 2025 at 9:42 AM
A leaving gift from Martin and the team Pallas's Warbler What a stunner
Well just as you thought birding couldn't get any better a Pallid Swift flies over my head in top fields What a day on Portland and it ain't over yet
November 6, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Well just as you thought birding couldn't get any better a Pallid Swift flies over my head in top fields What a day on Portland and it ain't over yet
I haven't stopped smiling all morning Black-faced Bunting on Portland
November 6, 2025 at 10:32 AM
I haven't stopped smiling all morning Black-faced Bunting on Portland
The weather on Portland has been awful today and got worse as the day went on Gannets and Auks abundant om the sea but the land quiet again An overhead Siskin and a Sparrowhawk were my highlights Better weather expected tomorrow so hoping for change in fortunes
November 4, 2025 at 4:42 PM
The weather on Portland has been awful today and got worse as the day went on Gannets and Auks abundant om the sea but the land quiet again An overhead Siskin and a Sparrowhawk were my highlights Better weather expected tomorrow so hoping for change in fortunes
First day of 7 on Portland Its been a day of strong winds and sunshine with very little overhead or on the ground Loads of Gannets Kittiwakes & Auks on the sea with some Med Gulls too Bird of the day was a Snow Bunting found on east cliffs mid morning A Razorbill rested up on the rocks at the bill
November 3, 2025 at 4:54 PM
First day of 7 on Portland Its been a day of strong winds and sunshine with very little overhead or on the ground Loads of Gannets Kittiwakes & Auks on the sea with some Med Gulls too Bird of the day was a Snow Bunting found on east cliffs mid morning A Razorbill rested up on the rocks at the bill
@andy6day.bsky.social @laziobirder.bsky.social I was there today The staff are aware I spoke to one of them A dead goose was tested recently but showed no signs of bird flu apparently I was told the Swans are to be collected and tested too
October 31, 2025 at 5:51 PM
@andy6day.bsky.social @laziobirder.bsky.social I was there today The staff are aware I spoke to one of them A dead goose was tested recently but showed no signs of bird flu apparently I was told the Swans are to be collected and tested too
36 Cranes from Cadbury Hide at Ouse Wash RSPB @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social
October 31, 2025 at 11:12 AM
36 Cranes from Cadbury Hide at Ouse Wash RSPB @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social
Main reason for coming to Ouse Wash RSPB was to see the Cranes which are year ticks for me The now gloomy weather doesn't help the photo taken through the scope but at least you can see what they are There are 36 in total
October 31, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Main reason for coming to Ouse Wash RSPB was to see the Cranes which are year ticks for me The now gloomy weather doesn't help the photo taken through the scope but at least you can see what they are There are 36 in total
First decent movement I've seen of Fieldfare this Autumn Around 200 moving along the treetops at Ouse Wash RSPB this morning on a bright sunny albeit breezy day
October 31, 2025 at 9:31 AM
First decent movement I've seen of Fieldfare this Autumn Around 200 moving along the treetops at Ouse Wash RSPB this morning on a bright sunny albeit breezy day
Constant drizzle at PaxtonNR today made for a murky day Even the Buzzards looked unhappy Sparrowhawk Marsh Harrier & 2 Redpoll were the only quality with just a single Redwing Wildfowl included 2 Goldeneye 33 Pochard 140 Shoveller 100 Wigeon 90 Teal and the female Red Crested Pochard
October 29, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Constant drizzle at PaxtonNR today made for a murky day Even the Buzzards looked unhappy Sparrowhawk Marsh Harrier & 2 Redpoll were the only quality with just a single Redwing Wildfowl included 2 Goldeneye 33 Pochard 140 Shoveller 100 Wigeon 90 Teal and the female Red Crested Pochard
Don't wish to belittle seeing a Peregrine scything through a Goldfinch flock but Cliffe RSPB was hugely disappointing today A scattering of duck included 310 Wigeon 155 Shoveller & 160 Shelllduck Waders were largely absent with just 5 Greenshank 71 Redshank & 155 Lapwing due to little water
October 26, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Don't wish to belittle seeing a Peregrine scything through a Goldfinch flock but Cliffe RSPB was hugely disappointing today A scattering of duck included 310 Wigeon 155 Shoveller & 160 Shelllduck Waders were largely absent with just 5 Greenshank 71 Redshank & 155 Lapwing due to little water
Would be wrong to say Goldeneye are pouring in at PaxtonNR but at least a slight increase noted today with 5 (up from 3) A cracking female Marsh Harrier was on the deck on an exposed island on heronry lake 7 flighty Siskin in the tree tops & 7 Redwing went over 2 Kingfisher worthy of a mention too
October 24, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Would be wrong to say Goldeneye are pouring in at PaxtonNR but at least a slight increase noted today with 5 (up from 3) A cracking female Marsh Harrier was on the deck on an exposed island on heronry lake 7 flighty Siskin in the tree tops & 7 Redwing went over 2 Kingfisher worthy of a mention too
My 7 hours at PaxtonNR was very productive today A late Hobby 8 Siskin 13 Redpoll 15 Skylark 6 Chaffinch a Grey Wagtail a Marsh Harrier & 160 Lapwing were the vismig birds overhead My first Goldeneye of the season was noted with 29 Pochard 110 Shoveller 135 Teal 150 Gadwall & 110 Wigeon on the lakes
October 21, 2025 at 4:49 PM
My 7 hours at PaxtonNR was very productive today A late Hobby 8 Siskin 13 Redpoll 15 Skylark 6 Chaffinch a Grey Wagtail a Marsh Harrier & 160 Lapwing were the vismig birds overhead My first Goldeneye of the season was noted with 29 Pochard 110 Shoveller 135 Teal 150 Gadwall & 110 Wigeon on the lakes
Some days I like a rest from driving Today was one such day so I gave attention to local farmland immediately south of Baldock It was a pleasant amble and quite busy albeit with routine fair See below for bird list
October 17, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Some days I like a rest from driving Today was one such day so I gave attention to local farmland immediately south of Baldock It was a pleasant amble and quite busy albeit with routine fair See below for bird list
Good to see a flock of 30 Redpoll at PaxtonNR this morning & with 15 Redwing & 3 Siskin overhead it's a reminder that winter is fast approaching Duck numbers on the heronry lakes included 155 Wigeon 80 Gadwall 135 Teal & 120 Shoveller Green Sand Water Rail & Kingfisher joined 'em in the notebook
October 15, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Good to see a flock of 30 Redpoll at PaxtonNR this morning & with 15 Redwing & 3 Siskin overhead it's a reminder that winter is fast approaching Duck numbers on the heronry lakes included 155 Wigeon 80 Gadwall 135 Teal & 120 Shoveller Green Sand Water Rail & Kingfisher joined 'em in the notebook
Not a lot happening at Fen Drayton this afternoon A leisurely walk round Ferry Lagoon and the only birds of interest are 120 Lapwing 3 Snipe and 10 Whooper Swans Not sure if I've seen Whoopers here before Will have to check when I get home
October 8, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Not a lot happening at Fen Drayton this afternoon A leisurely walk round Ferry Lagoon and the only birds of interest are 120 Lapwing 3 Snipe and 10 Whooper Swans Not sure if I've seen Whoopers here before Will have to check when I get home
Back at PaxtonNR today after my UK adventure where many water birds have moved in during my absence including 70 Shoveller 90 Teal 80 Tufted Duck 165 Gadwall & 160 Wigeon Also Green Sandpiper 66 Lapwing Water Rail & 2 Kingfisher Redpoll were noted with 8 feeding in the tree tops before moving on
October 7, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Back at PaxtonNR today after my UK adventure where many water birds have moved in during my absence including 70 Shoveller 90 Teal 80 Tufted Duck 165 Gadwall & 160 Wigeon Also Green Sandpiper 66 Lapwing Water Rail & 2 Kingfisher Redpoll were noted with 8 feeding in the tree tops before moving on
29 days after leaving Hertfordshire the journey home begins The drive home from Aberdeen tomorrow being split over two days with a stop over in Hexham Northumberland to come Very much looking forward to sleeping in my own bed again!
September 29, 2025 at 3:46 PM
29 days after leaving Hertfordshire the journey home begins The drive home from Aberdeen tomorrow being split over two days with a stop over in Hexham Northumberland to come Very much looking forward to sleeping in my own bed again!
Not a pleasant start to the weekend here in Shetland Strong winds and/or rain predicted next couple of days I can hear the beer and TV screens calling me in to The Douglas Arms Might just watch some football today
September 27, 2025 at 7:34 AM
Not a pleasant start to the weekend here in Shetland Strong winds and/or rain predicted next couple of days I can hear the beer and TV screens calling me in to The Douglas Arms Might just watch some football today
Confess to not doing much birding on my 4th Shetland day Getting battered by strong winds is not my idea of fun so returned to hotel mid afternoon and tended to the needs of my sick wife And another confession - upon returning I had an afternoon nap
September 26, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Confess to not doing much birding on my 4th Shetland day Getting battered by strong winds is not my idea of fun so returned to hotel mid afternoon and tended to the needs of my sick wife And another confession - upon returning I had an afternoon nap
Yellow browed Warbler still at Sumburgh Head Shetland in hedge by visitors centre @shetlandwildlife.bsky.social
September 25, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Yellow browed Warbler still at Sumburgh Head Shetland in hedge by visitors centre @shetlandwildlife.bsky.social
Disappointing That's the only word that can describe my 3rd day in Shetland Given the run around by a Citrine Wagtail and a Rosefinch it ended with no year ticks of trip newbies On top of that no Otters were seen in a place we've seen them before On a good note a large bar of chocolate was eaten
September 24, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Disappointing That's the only word that can describe my 3rd day in Shetland Given the run around by a Citrine Wagtail and a Rosefinch it ended with no year ticks of trip newbies On top of that no Otters were seen in a place we've seen them before On a good note a large bar of chocolate was eaten
Second day in Shetland and day 23 of 30 day UK trip One of the Mainlands (4?) Barred Warblers made it in to the notebook along with a Pied Flycatcher at Quendale Otherwise the usual stuff was on show including Eider Wheatear Red Throated Diver Common Scoter and Black Guiilimot
September 23, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Second day in Shetland and day 23 of 30 day UK trip One of the Mainlands (4?) Barred Warblers made it in to the notebook along with a Pied Flycatcher at Quendale Otherwise the usual stuff was on show including Eider Wheatear Red Throated Diver Common Scoter and Black Guiilimot
Day 20 spent travelling to Aberdeen The ferry left on time on day 21 but arrived in Lerwick a bit late on day 22 Not surprising given the rough crossing First job on arrival was breakfast The second was a gander at the Ring Necked Duck at Tingwall The Scalloway Hotel is my home for the next 7 days
September 22, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Day 20 spent travelling to Aberdeen The ferry left on time on day 21 but arrived in Lerwick a bit late on day 22 Not surprising given the rough crossing First job on arrival was breakfast The second was a gander at the Ring Necked Duck at Tingwall The Scalloway Hotel is my home for the next 7 days