Tristan ap Rheinallt
@tichodrome.bsky.social
Into birding and most aspects of natural history. Divide my time between France, Scotland's Outer Hebrides and anywhere exotic I can afford to visit. Abandoning the dark side for Bluesky and hoping for a better experience
Much like Australia's Masked Lapwing, the Red-wattled Lapwing is an excitable bird that makes a lot of noise by day and by night. I photographed this one recently at Laem Phak Bia, Thailand. #birds
April 12, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Much like Australia's Masked Lapwing, the Red-wattled Lapwing is an excitable bird that makes a lot of noise by day and by night. I photographed this one recently at Laem Phak Bia, Thailand. #birds
It's noisy, sedentary, has a wide range, and likes urban environments, so the Black-collared Starling is not much of a "birder's bird". Still, this one in Bangkok last week looked pretty smart.
April 11, 2025 at 5:36 PM
It's noisy, sedentary, has a wide range, and likes urban environments, so the Black-collared Starling is not much of a "birder's bird". Still, this one in Bangkok last week looked pretty smart.
Another recent photo from Thailand: Brown-throated Sunbird at Laem Phak Bia. One of seven sunbird species I recorded on my trip.
April 7, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Another recent photo from Thailand: Brown-throated Sunbird at Laem Phak Bia. One of seven sunbird species I recorded on my trip.
Another flycatcher from Thailand: Yellow-rumped. Present for 2 days last week at Baan Maka Nature Lodge near Kaeng Krachan NP: a brilliant place to stay for anyone interested in birds and/or other wildlife.
April 6, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Another flycatcher from Thailand: Yellow-rumped. Present for 2 days last week at Baan Maka Nature Lodge near Kaeng Krachan NP: a brilliant place to stay for anyone interested in birds and/or other wildlife.
Just back from a 6wk trip to Thailand. Going to post a few photos, starting with this wee cracker: Ferruginous Flycatcher at Kaeng Krachan NP last week.
April 5, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Just back from a 6wk trip to Thailand. Going to post a few photos, starting with this wee cracker: Ferruginous Flycatcher at Kaeng Krachan NP last week.
This is the nearest I'll ever get to seeing a Gurney's Pitta. Thailand's KNC, once a global mecca for the species, is littered with images and other references - even sculptures - though the bird itself is gone. Plenty of other exciting birds in the forest here, but seeing them is hard work.
February 24, 2025 at 12:53 PM
This is the nearest I'll ever get to seeing a Gurney's Pitta. Thailand's KNC, once a global mecca for the species, is littered with images and other references - even sculptures - though the bird itself is gone. Plenty of other exciting birds in the forest here, but seeing them is hard work.
My Swarovskis went on holiday to Austria and came back 6 weeks later with new rubber armour. I hope it lasts more than 2 yrs this time.
February 14, 2025 at 5:34 PM
My Swarovskis went on holiday to Austria and came back 6 weeks later with new rubber armour. I hope it lasts more than 2 yrs this time.
Reposted by Tristan ap Rheinallt
Enjoy intimate vid of Spoon-billed Sandpiper, 1 of 10+ wintering Fangchenggang, Guangxi, South China, near Vietnam, feeding on polychaete worms in its typical habitat, pools on upper tidal flats (much of which, across range, destroyed in recent decades) by local Huasheng. #BirdsSeenIn2025 #Birds 1/2
February 4, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Enjoy intimate vid of Spoon-billed Sandpiper, 1 of 10+ wintering Fangchenggang, Guangxi, South China, near Vietnam, feeding on polychaete worms in its typical habitat, pools on upper tidal flats (much of which, across range, destroyed in recent decades) by local Huasheng. #BirdsSeenIn2025 #Birds 1/2
Nowadays Siskins can be found year-round in Stornoway (Outer Hebrides), with numbers predictably peaking in autumn. Eight individuals at this feeder were more than usual for the month of February.
February 12, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Nowadays Siskins can be found year-round in Stornoway (Outer Hebrides), with numbers predictably peaking in autumn. Eight individuals at this feeder were more than usual for the month of February.
Reposted by Tristan ap Rheinallt
Nature is not a blocker to growth.
The UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves has claimed that 'The balance has gone too far in the direction of always protecting every bat and every newt.' But how can this statement be true when the UK is one of the most nature depleted countries in the world?🌍
The UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves has claimed that 'The balance has gone too far in the direction of always protecting every bat and every newt.' But how can this statement be true when the UK is one of the most nature depleted countries in the world?🌍
January 30, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Nature is not a blocker to growth.
The UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves has claimed that 'The balance has gone too far in the direction of always protecting every bat and every newt.' But how can this statement be true when the UK is one of the most nature depleted countries in the world?🌍
The UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves has claimed that 'The balance has gone too far in the direction of always protecting every bat and every newt.' But how can this statement be true when the UK is one of the most nature depleted countries in the world?🌍
Reposted by Tristan ap Rheinallt
Here's the long-staying Ring-necked Duck at Tiumpan Loch, Isle of Lewis, this morning, showing off his striking bill pattern. Other birds in the area included an adult Iceland Gull and a Hen Harrier.
January 19, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Here's the long-staying Ring-necked Duck at Tiumpan Loch, Isle of Lewis, this morning, showing off his striking bill pattern. Other birds in the area included an adult Iceland Gull and a Hen Harrier.
Cold north wind and snow showers for my Jan 1st walk around Stornoway. A measly 32 species, enlivened by an adult Iceland Gull and a couple of Great Northern Divers. #birdingScotland #UKbirding
January 1, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Cold north wind and snow showers for my Jan 1st walk around Stornoway. A measly 32 species, enlivened by an adult Iceland Gull and a couple of Great Northern Divers. #birdingScotland #UKbirding
Thank you, Santa! #birdingScotland #ukbirding
December 25, 2024 at 10:17 AM
Thank you, Santa! #birdingScotland #ukbirding
Reposted by Tristan ap Rheinallt
The world's smallest transmitter has helped discover a previously unknown breeding ground of the Critically Endangered Spoon-billed Sandpiper:
Transmitter reveals new Spoon-billed Sandpiper breeding grounds
The world's smallest transmitter has helped discover a previously unknown breeding ground of the Critically Endangered Spoon-billed Sandpiper. Thanks to the installation of a tiny solar satellite transmitter, a Spoon-billed Sandpiper was tracked in spring 2024 between Thailand and Chukotka in Siberi...
bit.ly
December 24, 2024 at 9:56 AM
The world's smallest transmitter has helped discover a previously unknown breeding ground of the Critically Endangered Spoon-billed Sandpiper:
Over much of Britain, the lichen Lobaria pulmonaria (lungwort) is an ancient woodland indicator. Not so in the humid climate of NW Scotland, where it even occurs on treeless St Kilda. It's very common in Stornoway Castle Grounds, Lewis (where this photo was taken yesterday).
December 21, 2024 at 4:15 PM
Over much of Britain, the lichen Lobaria pulmonaria (lungwort) is an ancient woodland indicator. Not so in the humid climate of NW Scotland, where it even occurs on treeless St Kilda. It's very common in Stornoway Castle Grounds, Lewis (where this photo was taken yesterday).
Reposted by Tristan ap Rheinallt
Exit polls
With the recent news that redpolls are to be lumped into a single species, David Campbell reflects on these charming birds and the joy the rarer forms bring:
With the recent news that redpolls are to be lumped into a single species, David Campbell reflects on these charming birds and the joy the rarer forms bring:
David Campbell: exit polls
With the recent news that redpolls are to be lumped into a single species, David Campbell reflects on these charming birds and the joy the rarer forms bring.
bit.ly
December 15, 2024 at 6:49 PM
Reposted by Tristan ap Rheinallt
An amazing encounter with a Rufous-vented Ground-Cuckoo in Panama today, as army ants swarmed around us. Taken on iPhone. #ornithology
December 13, 2024 at 1:14 AM
An amazing encounter with a Rufous-vented Ground-Cuckoo in Panama today, as army ants swarmed around us. Taken on iPhone. #ornithology
Reposted by Tristan ap Rheinallt
Newly published research has provided insight into the status of two Siberian Phylloscopus warblers in Europe:
Research reveals insight into vagrancy of Siberian leaf warblers in Europe
Newly published research has provided insight into the status of two Siberian Phylloscopus warblers in Europe. Yellow-browed Warbler and Siberian Chiffchaff occurrences have increased in Europe in recent years, but their status remains unclear. Ornithologists have pondered as to whether these birds...
bit.ly
December 12, 2024 at 12:46 PM
Newly published research has provided insight into the status of two Siberian Phylloscopus warblers in Europe:
The Butt of Lewis lighthouse at sunrise today. A lovely calm morning after two solid days of northerlies - surely promising conditions for finding an interesting bird, but no such luck.
December 9, 2024 at 8:59 PM
The Butt of Lewis lighthouse at sunrise today. A lovely calm morning after two solid days of northerlies - surely promising conditions for finding an interesting bird, but no such luck.
Time was when I would willingly have driven a couple of hundred miles to see 2 egret species at the same UK site. But this morning, neither Little Egret (several) nor Great White Egret (2) were flagged up as rarities on my eBird list for Porthmadog Cob, North Wales. #birdingwales #ukbirding
November 22, 2024 at 4:07 PM
Time was when I would willingly have driven a couple of hundred miles to see 2 egret species at the same UK site. But this morning, neither Little Egret (several) nor Great White Egret (2) were flagged up as rarities on my eBird list for Porthmadog Cob, North Wales. #birdingwales #ukbirding
This hybrid Hooded x Carrion Crow was on the beach at Llanddwyn, Ynys Môn / Anglesey today, paired with a Carrion Crow. Does anyone know what the status of Hooded Crow is in this part of Wales? #birdingwales #ukbirding
November 21, 2024 at 9:34 PM
This hybrid Hooded x Carrion Crow was on the beach at Llanddwyn, Ynys Môn / Anglesey today, paired with a Carrion Crow. Does anyone know what the status of Hooded Crow is in this part of Wales? #birdingwales #ukbirding
This preening individual was one of about 40 Black-tailed Godwits seen along Porthmadog Cob, North Wales, this morning. #birdingwales #ukbirding
November 20, 2024 at 4:56 PM
This preening individual was one of about 40 Black-tailed Godwits seen along Porthmadog Cob, North Wales, this morning. #birdingwales #ukbirding
Good to see and hear a few Choughs on the North Wales coast this morning. A very different habitat to the high Pyrenees where I last encountered this species. #birdingwales #ukbirding
November 19, 2024 at 5:32 PM
Good to see and hear a few Choughs on the North Wales coast this morning. A very different habitat to the high Pyrenees where I last encountered this species. #birdingwales #ukbirding
After just 2 years, my Swarovskis are going on a wee holiday to Austria. Rubber armour split on both sides🙁 #ukbirding (with my old Zeiss for the next few weeks)
November 14, 2024 at 11:10 AM
After just 2 years, my Swarovskis are going on a wee holiday to Austria. Rubber armour split on both sides🙁 #ukbirding (with my old Zeiss for the next few weeks)