Ian Moore
@themoorehen.bsky.social
Usually birding random spots in and around Wolverhampton
A walk along the canal yday morning from Dimmingsdale to Bratch Locks revealed the drake Mandarin from Dec’25 was still present & became no.79 for the 10k year. Quiet otherwise but a good total of 9 singing Song Thrush added their uplifting vocals along the way #ukbirding
February 9, 2026 at 7:34 PM
A walk along the canal yday morning from Dimmingsdale to Bratch Locks revealed the drake Mandarin from Dec’25 was still present & became no.79 for the 10k year. Quiet otherwise but a good total of 9 singing Song Thrush added their uplifting vocals along the way #ukbirding
Ended Jan on 75 for the 10k, my best start since started keeping a total in 2022. 1st Feb added another 3 to the total inc 5 Pochard (2m,3f) on Himley Great Pool, a scarce bird in my 10k now (didn’t see any in 2025!). 3 Gt C Grebe & c60 Siskin other 2 additions, roosting Tawny Owl too #ukbirding
February 4, 2026 at 6:55 PM
Ended Jan on 75 for the 10k, my best start since started keeping a total in 2022. 1st Feb added another 3 to the total inc 5 Pochard (2m,3f) on Himley Great Pool, a scarce bird in my 10k now (didn’t see any in 2025!). 3 Gt C Grebe & c60 Siskin other 2 additions, roosting Tawny Owl too #ukbirding
A venture to the very edge of my 10k this anoon for the 3 Russian White-fronted Geese (2ad+1w) at Mere Farm, near Highgate was successful plus picked out an ad Pink-footed & 1 Egyptian amongst 300+ Greylags. 3 Stonechat (2m,1f) around too. 75 for the 10k year @staffsbirdnews.bsky.social #ukbirding
January 24, 2026 at 7:01 PM
A venture to the very edge of my 10k this anoon for the 3 Russian White-fronted Geese (2ad+1w) at Mere Farm, near Highgate was successful plus picked out an ad Pink-footed & 1 Egyptian amongst 300+ Greylags. 3 Stonechat (2m,1f) around too. 75 for the 10k year @staffsbirdnews.bsky.social #ukbirding
Last few photos processed for end of Dec’25. Although much more regular in Staffs now, any encounter with a Goshawk (the avian terminator) is still a pleasure…although I’m not sure the Sparrowhawk keeping a watchful eye would agree! Male Stonechat & drake Mandarin the supporting cast #ukbirding
January 6, 2026 at 7:55 PM
Last few photos processed for end of Dec’25. Although much more regular in Staffs now, any encounter with a Goshawk (the avian terminator) is still a pleasure…although I’m not sure the Sparrowhawk keeping a watchful eye would agree! Male Stonechat & drake Mandarin the supporting cast #ukbirding
2w Caspian Gull in West Park, Wolverhampton on 27/12/25 (also present 1/1/26). A fairly small bird & likely the same bird that has been regularly seen at Belvide this winter & was also present at both sites last winter, compare 1w photos from 4/1/25 #caspiangull #gulls #ukbirding
January 6, 2026 at 1:17 PM
2w Caspian Gull in West Park, Wolverhampton on 27/12/25 (also present 1/1/26). A fairly small bird & likely the same bird that has been regularly seen at Belvide this winter & was also present at both sites last winter, compare 1w photos from 4/1/25 #caspiangull #gulls #ukbirding
4/1/26 a quiet last day off b4 work until last hr walk to Pool Hall fishery: Jack & 2 Common Snipe in tiny patch of unfrozen ditch, Great Egret, 3 Teal, Shoveler & 7 Goosander on ice / small area of unfrozen pool. 2 Tawny Owl dueting at dusk & in flight. 68 for 10k in 2026 in 4 days #ukbirding
January 6, 2026 at 1:08 PM
4/1/26 a quiet last day off b4 work until last hr walk to Pool Hall fishery: Jack & 2 Common Snipe in tiny patch of unfrozen ditch, Great Egret, 3 Teal, Shoveler & 7 Goosander on ice / small area of unfrozen pool. 2 Tawny Owl dueting at dusk & in flight. 68 for 10k in 2026 in 4 days #ukbirding
A quiet day yday but still added Red Kite to the 10k year with one SW over Finchfield. Back out walking today and added a lovely ad male Goshawk cruising above a woodland in the cold winter sun. Fem Stonechat, male Kestrel, Treecreeper & a few other common bits took the 2026 10k up to 61 #ukbirding
January 3, 2026 at 6:25 PM
A quiet day yday but still added Red Kite to the 10k year with one SW over Finchfield. Back out walking today and added a lovely ad male Goshawk cruising above a woodland in the cold winter sun. Fem Stonechat, male Kestrel, Treecreeper & a few other common bits took the 2026 10k up to 61 #ukbirding
A respectable 50 species in & around Wolverhampton for day 1 of 2026: 2w Caspian Gull again in West Park at 14:15 @rarebirder.bsky.social also 7 Shoveler & 2 RN Parakeet plus male Peregrine nearby. Pool Hall fishery in am held: Great & 6 L Egret, 26+ Goosander, Lapwing & male Kingfisher #ukbirding
January 1, 2026 at 6:25 PM
A respectable 50 species in & around Wolverhampton for day 1 of 2026: 2w Caspian Gull again in West Park at 14:15 @rarebirder.bsky.social also 7 Shoveler & 2 RN Parakeet plus male Peregrine nearby. Pool Hall fishery in am held: Great & 6 L Egret, 26+ Goosander, Lapwing & male Kingfisher #ukbirding
Ended 2025 with 118 for the 10k circle, down on 122 (2024) & record 126 (2023) but plenty of quality: Marsh Warbler & Whimbrel were 10k ✅’s. Firecrest, Dipper, Caspian Gull, Black Redstart, Hawfinch, Goshawk, Grey Partridge & Corn Bunting all noteworthy for in & around Wolverhampton #ukbirding
December 31, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Ended 2025 with 118 for the 10k circle, down on 122 (2024) & record 126 (2023) but plenty of quality: Marsh Warbler & Whimbrel were 10k ✅’s. Firecrest, Dipper, Caspian Gull, Black Redstart, Hawfinch, Goshawk, Grey Partridge & Corn Bunting all noteworthy for in & around Wolverhampton #ukbirding
Last attempt of 2025 this am to add to the 10k year list failed but did find two 2nd records - 2 adult Goshawk inc this perched bird with was joined by a brave Sprawk! A distant Great Egret was the other. Peregrine, Kestrel, male Stonechat & remains of an unfortunate Barn Owl also found #ukbirding
December 31, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Last attempt of 2025 this am to add to the 10k year list failed but did find two 2nd records - 2 adult Goshawk inc this perched bird with was joined by a brave Sprawk! A distant Great Egret was the other. Peregrine, Kestrel, male Stonechat & remains of an unfortunate Barn Owl also found #ukbirding
2nd winter Caspian Gull showing very well in West Park, Wolverhampton this afternoon coming to bread. With the recent regular 2w bird at Belvide, I had an inclining that bird might be the returning 1w bird I found in West Park in late Dec24, so I dropped in today & there it was 😊 #ukbirding #gulls
December 27, 2025 at 3:11 PM
2nd winter Caspian Gull showing very well in West Park, Wolverhampton this afternoon coming to bread. With the recent regular 2w bird at Belvide, I had an inclining that bird might be the returning 1w bird I found in West Park in late Dec24, so I dropped in today & there it was 😊 #ukbirding #gulls
A full day of 10k birding failed to produce an addition for the year but was just great to be out of the office! A drake Mandarin on the canal at Awbridge brightened up a dull grey day. 4 Golden Plover NE over Trescott mid anoon (only my 2nd 10k record of 2025) were the other highlight #ukbirding
December 24, 2025 at 9:31 AM
A full day of 10k birding failed to produce an addition for the year but was just great to be out of the office! A drake Mandarin on the canal at Awbridge brightened up a dull grey day. 4 Golden Plover NE over Trescott mid anoon (only my 2nd 10k record of 2025) were the other highlight #ukbirding
Another addition to the 10k year today with the Firecrest in Whites Wood, Baggeridge CP showing well, although mobile, early pm (118). There aren’t many better birds in Britain in my opinion. Finish work on Thurs for this year, so might just push the 10k year up to 120 or above again #ukbirding
December 14, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Another addition to the 10k year today with the Firecrest in Whites Wood, Baggeridge CP showing well, although mobile, early pm (118). There aren’t many better birds in Britain in my opinion. Finish work on Thurs for this year, so might just push the 10k year up to 120 or above again #ukbirding
The last day of Nov produced an addition to the 10k with an imm male Goshawk causing chaos as it raided a local wood at 15:30 (117). 3 Corn Bunting, 8 Goosander over & 11 Red-legged Partridge the best of the rest #ukbirding
November 30, 2025 at 7:47 PM
The last day of Nov produced an addition to the 10k with an imm male Goshawk causing chaos as it raided a local wood at 15:30 (117). 3 Corn Bunting, 8 Goosander over & 11 Red-legged Partridge the best of the rest #ukbirding
A very pleasant morn in the Trescott area produced my first Golden Plover of the year in 10k (116 now) but a covey of 12 Grey Partridge stole the show. Single Snipe & Lapwing were my first in area of ‘winter’ also 2 Stonechat, 2 fem Goosander, 2 L Egret, 3 L Grebe, Reed Bunt, Kestrel #ukbirding
November 2, 2025 at 5:50 PM
A very pleasant morn in the Trescott area produced my first Golden Plover of the year in 10k (116 now) but a covey of 12 Grey Partridge stole the show. Single Snipe & Lapwing were my first in area of ‘winter’ also 2 Stonechat, 2 fem Goosander, 2 L Egret, 3 L Grebe, Reed Bunt, Kestrel #ukbirding
With Sept+Oct unfortunately dominated by work, I only added two species to my 10k year - Jack Snipe & Red-legged Partridge to put me on 115, 2 short of this time last year & 5 short of my best in 2023. Hopefully Nov+Dec will be more productive…although work isn’t going to be any quieter! 😣
November 1, 2025 at 6:58 AM
With Sept+Oct unfortunately dominated by work, I only added two species to my 10k year - Jack Snipe & Red-legged Partridge to put me on 115, 2 short of this time last year & 5 short of my best in 2023. Hopefully Nov+Dec will be more productive…although work isn’t going to be any quieter! 😣
A walk around theTrescott area finally produced an additional in October to my 10k year with a single Jack Snipe (115 for year now). Without a thermal ydays bird flew out before I could see it, unlike this one at the same spot in 2022, found the old fashioned way with my eyes! #ukbirding
October 27, 2025 at 12:17 PM
A walk around theTrescott area finally produced an additional in October to my 10k year with a single Jack Snipe (115 for year now). Without a thermal ydays bird flew out before I could see it, unlike this one at the same spot in 2022, found the old fashioned way with my eyes! #ukbirding
After the thrill of the Belvide White-rumped Sand flock on Sat it was a rather more routine (previous stomping ground) ✅ Whooper Swan at Gailey Reservoirs. Found by @thesnapper1978.bsky.social late on Sat it was still present in the fog with 11 Mutes on the sailing reservoir yday
October 13, 2025 at 12:14 PM
After the thrill of the Belvide White-rumped Sand flock on Sat it was a rather more routine (previous stomping ground) ✅ Whooper Swan at Gailey Reservoirs. Found by @thesnapper1978.bsky.social late on Sat it was still present in the fog with 11 Mutes on the sailing reservoir yday
Sept+Oct so far had been poor for me locally & not being able to get up to the Needletail due to work I was quite demotivated yday…then @belvidebirding.bsky.social pulls out an unbelievable flock of 8 White-rumped Sandpiper at Belvide. A jog to the west end for my 233rd sp for the reserve #ukbirding
October 12, 2025 at 7:55 AM
Sept+Oct so far had been poor for me locally & not being able to get up to the Needletail due to work I was quite demotivated yday…then @belvidebirding.bsky.social pulls out an unbelievable flock of 8 White-rumped Sandpiper at Belvide. A jog to the west end for my 233rd sp for the reserve #ukbirding
A family holiday in Cala d’Or, Majorca in mid-Aug was ‘non-birding’ but a short walk down to the sea & I could enjoy one of my favourite birds of the Med with sev Audouin’s Gull present most days. Much more relaxing than my first in Britain after a mad dash to Dunge on a bank holiday Monday! #gulls
September 7, 2025 at 10:48 AM
A family holiday in Cala d’Or, Majorca in mid-Aug was ‘non-birding’ but a short walk down to the sea & I could enjoy one of my favourite birds of the Med with sev Audouin’s Gull present most days. Much more relaxing than my first in Britain after a mad dash to Dunge on a bank holiday Monday! #gulls
After a good start to Aug with 3 x 10k additions in the first week, a family holiday in Majorca ended that run & I missed a few but a session watching @birdergaz.bsky.social ringing on 25/8 added 2 more: Grasshopper Warbler & Spotted Fly to hit 113 by the end of the month #ukbirding
September 7, 2025 at 10:42 AM
After a good start to Aug with 3 x 10k additions in the first week, a family holiday in Majorca ended that run & I missed a few but a session watching @birdergaz.bsky.social ringing on 25/8 added 2 more: Grasshopper Warbler & Spotted Fly to hit 113 by the end of the month #ukbirding
The good start to Aug in the 10k was followed by two ‘dips’ (after work walks for birds seen earlier) in two days, so was pleased not to make it a hatrick early am with another attempt at Dipper proving successful with this 1cy bird showing well before work. 111 now for the 10k year #ukbirding
August 7, 2025 at 7:46 PM
The good start to Aug in the 10k was followed by two ‘dips’ (after work walks for birds seen earlier) in two days, so was pleased not to make it a hatrick early am with another attempt at Dipper proving successful with this 1cy bird showing well before work. 111 now for the 10k year #ukbirding
August has started well in the 10k with overdue addition of Green Sand (2/8) & first Tree Pipit (3/8) taking total to 110. First garden Hobby of year over yday too. Love or loath them Wolverhampton’s Parakeets have had a good season with flocks of up to 11 noted at sev sites in late July #ukbirding
August 4, 2025 at 12:07 PM
August has started well in the 10k with overdue addition of Green Sand (2/8) & first Tree Pipit (3/8) taking total to 110. First garden Hobby of year over yday too. Love or loath them Wolverhampton’s Parakeets have had a good season with flocks of up to 11 noted at sev sites in late July #ukbirding
My first gulling session of summer in West Park, Wolverhampton yday anoon produced a single (smallish fem?) Juv Yellow-legged Gull amongst 100+ LBBG. Bright sunlight & fact they’d been well fed already hampered decent photos. An imm male Redstart locally on 25/7 was a 10k year ✅ (108) #ukbirding
July 27, 2025 at 8:05 AM
My first gulling session of summer in West Park, Wolverhampton yday anoon produced a single (smallish fem?) Juv Yellow-legged Gull amongst 100+ LBBG. Bright sunlight & fact they’d been well fed already hampered decent photos. An imm male Redstart locally on 25/7 was a 10k year ✅ (108) #ukbirding
Finally put a ✅ against a butterfly bogey species today with 2 White-letter Hairstreak at Baggeridge Country Park this afternoon. Also 1+ Silver-washed Fritillary bombing around the meadow amongst a host of the commoner species
July 13, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Finally put a ✅ against a butterfly bogey species today with 2 White-letter Hairstreak at Baggeridge Country Park this afternoon. Also 1+ Silver-washed Fritillary bombing around the meadow amongst a host of the commoner species