Alison Allen
@alisonallen.bsky.social
Birds, moths and other wildlife, plus my sheep and Red Poll cows
Firecrest at Corton today, one of my favourite British birds. This one was one part of a large influx on the Suffolk coast #suffolkbirding
October 26, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Firecrest at Corton today, one of my favourite British birds. This one was one part of a large influx on the Suffolk coast #suffolkbirding
It was a beautiful day in Suffolk today after the rain and gales of yesterday, and the Hollesley Brown Shrike duly emerged from hiding. It showed very well but never in range of my camera so this is a phonescoped shot
October 24, 2025 at 4:29 PM
It was a beautiful day in Suffolk today after the rain and gales of yesterday, and the Hollesley Brown Shrike duly emerged from hiding. It showed very well but never in range of my camera so this is a phonescoped shot
After not seeing the Pennington Flash Black-faced Bunting in 1994, its only taken 31 years to catch up with one finally this morning! Photo courtesy of my personal photographer Chris Allen ##rarebirdsuk #ukbirding
October 21, 2025 at 6:04 PM
After not seeing the Pennington Flash Black-faced Bunting in 1994, its only taken 31 years to catch up with one finally this morning! Photo courtesy of my personal photographer Chris Allen ##rarebirdsuk #ukbirding
The St Agnes Mourning Dove was finally located after 3 days of angst and, with much appreciated access granted, seen well by most on Scilly today. Excellent backing cast of American Pipit, Hoopoe, Spotted Sandpiper and RBF too #rarebirdsuk #ukbirding
October 9, 2025 at 4:31 PM
The St Agnes Mourning Dove was finally located after 3 days of angst and, with much appreciated access granted, seen well by most on Scilly today. Excellent backing cast of American Pipit, Hoopoe, Spotted Sandpiper and RBF too #rarebirdsuk #ukbirding
Wilsons Phalarope from this morning at Porth Hellick, Scilly. Many thanks to the Isles of Scilly Wildlife trust for the new Stephen Sussex hide which comfortably accommodated 22 birders at dawn #ukbirding
October 1, 2025 at 8:05 AM
Wilsons Phalarope from this morning at Porth Hellick, Scilly. Many thanks to the Isles of Scilly Wildlife trust for the new Stephen Sussex hide which comfortably accommodated 22 birders at dawn #ukbirding
Excellent start to a fortnight on Scilly with Isabelline Wheatear on St Just Airfield, Semi-p Sand yesterday and Paddyfield Warbler today along with 2 very showy Ortolan Buntings, Glossy Ibis and Rose-coloured Starling
#ukbirding
#ukbirding
September 28, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Excellent start to a fortnight on Scilly with Isabelline Wheatear on St Just Airfield, Semi-p Sand yesterday and Paddyfield Warbler today along with 2 very showy Ortolan Buntings, Glossy Ibis and Rose-coloured Starling
#ukbirding
#ukbirding
I was showing sheep yesterday when news of the Walberswick Cisticola came through. 2× 1sts eased the pain but a mad evening dash just yielded a few brief song snatches. A dawn visit this morning was rewarded with perched scope views plus many song flights. Photo is husbands
#suffolkbirds
#ukbirding
#suffolkbirds
#ukbirding
August 4, 2025 at 1:49 PM
I was showing sheep yesterday when news of the Walberswick Cisticola came through. 2× 1sts eased the pain but a mad evening dash just yielded a few brief song snatches. A dawn visit this morning was rewarded with perched scope views plus many song flights. Photo is husbands
#suffolkbirds
#ukbirding
#suffolkbirds
#ukbirding
To say the Red-footed Falcons at Carlton Marshes were showing well this evening is a bit of an under-statement!
@lowestoftlizards.bsky.social
#suffolkbirding
#rarebirdsuk
@lowestoftlizards.bsky.social
#suffolkbirding
#rarebirdsuk
May 8, 2025 at 7:58 PM
To say the Red-footed Falcons at Carlton Marshes were showing well this evening is a bit of an under-statement!
@lowestoftlizards.bsky.social
#suffolkbirding
#rarebirdsuk
@lowestoftlizards.bsky.social
#suffolkbirding
#rarebirdsuk
Its been an excellent couple of days birding in the local area. First a Hoopoe at Corton yesterday, then a late afternoon amble at Hen Reedbeds on the Blyth for Garganey, Whimbrel and Spot Red followed by a quick diversion back to Corton for a male Pallid Harrier!
#suffolkbirding
#suffolkbirding
April 17, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Its been an excellent couple of days birding in the local area. First a Hoopoe at Corton yesterday, then a late afternoon amble at Hen Reedbeds on the Blyth for Garganey, Whimbrel and Spot Red followed by a quick diversion back to Corton for a male Pallid Harrier!
#suffolkbirding
#suffolkbirding
Nipped to the coast yesterday afternoon to finally catch up with the local Purple Sandpipers at Ness Point have a wash and brush up. Also two handsome male Black Redstarts at the net posts and a bonus early Swallow on the drive there
#ukbirding
#ukwildlife
#ukbirding
#ukwildlife
March 25, 2025 at 9:52 AM
Nipped to the coast yesterday afternoon to finally catch up with the local Purple Sandpipers at Ness Point have a wash and brush up. Also two handsome male Black Redstarts at the net posts and a bonus early Swallow on the drive there
#ukbirding
#ukwildlife
#ukbirding
#ukwildlife
After a 3 year gap there were 5 Lapwings displaying on our marshes this morning. The usual Oystercatcher pair are back, plus still a few lingering Snipe and a single Jack Snipe. Add in a couple of Water Pipits and a flock of passing Redwings and it made for a decent morning wander
March 23, 2025 at 12:41 PM
After a 3 year gap there were 5 Lapwings displaying on our marshes this morning. The usual Oystercatcher pair are back, plus still a few lingering Snipe and a single Jack Snipe. Add in a couple of Water Pipits and a flock of passing Redwings and it made for a decent morning wander
Great to see two Barn Owls hunting across our marshes in Norfolk late yesterday afternoon. They became very scarce a few years ago but seem to be on the up again 🤞#ukbirding
February 25, 2025 at 9:29 AM
Great to see two Barn Owls hunting across our marshes in Norfolk late yesterday afternoon. They became very scarce a few years ago but seem to be on the up again 🤞#ukbirding
Installing the new automatic door on my hen house under close supervision! 🤣
February 2, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Installing the new automatic door on my hen house under close supervision! 🤣
The Whitlingham Country Park Red-necked Grebe eventually gave sensational views after it woke up from its nap in the middle of the broad!
#ukbirding #norfolkbirding
#ukbirding #norfolkbirding
January 25, 2025 at 7:04 PM
The Whitlingham Country Park Red-necked Grebe eventually gave sensational views after it woke up from its nap in the middle of the broad!
#ukbirding #norfolkbirding
#ukbirding #norfolkbirding
After Kessingland, I nipped up the coast to the concrete of Ness Point where this smart Black Redstart put in an appearance amongst the parked cars
#suffolkbirding
#ukbirding
#suffolkbirding
#ukbirding
January 13, 2025 at 9:53 PM
After Kessingland, I nipped up the coast to the concrete of Ness Point where this smart Black Redstart put in an appearance amongst the parked cars
#suffolkbirding
#ukbirding
#suffolkbirding
#ukbirding
A couple of hours on the coast today, first on the shingle at Kessingland to see this Shorelark
#ukbirding #suffolkbirding
#ukbirding #suffolkbirding
January 13, 2025 at 9:51 PM
A couple of hours on the coast today, first on the shingle at Kessingland to see this Shorelark
#ukbirding #suffolkbirding
#ukbirding #suffolkbirding
It took a bit of time but the Sotterley Hawfinches finally popped up near St Margarets Church early afternoon #ukbirding #suffolkbirding
January 12, 2025 at 5:19 PM
It took a bit of time but the Sotterley Hawfinches finally popped up near St Margarets Church early afternoon #ukbirding #suffolkbirding
One of several Stonechats wintering around our marshes. Hope he survives the current cold snap #ukbirding
January 9, 2025 at 8:37 PM
One of several Stonechats wintering around our marshes. Hope he survives the current cold snap #ukbirding
A few hours out in the Broads yesterday catching up on geese, wild swans, several cranes and these Cattle Egrets feeding at the feet of this handsome black bull
January 9, 2025 at 8:34 PM
A few hours out in the Broads yesterday catching up on geese, wild swans, several cranes and these Cattle Egrets feeding at the feet of this handsome black bull
This hare was hoping if it stayed still I wouldn't see it and allowed an approach close enough for a phone photo. I have never heard of Brown Hares turning white in winter but this one has a whitish patch on its back and a whitish fluffy 'beard'
December 17, 2024 at 1:31 PM
This hare was hoping if it stayed still I wouldn't see it and allowed an approach close enough for a phone photo. I have never heard of Brown Hares turning white in winter but this one has a whitish patch on its back and a whitish fluffy 'beard'
Same in Norfolk before the cloud broke!
December 15, 2024 at 5:10 PM
Same in Norfolk before the cloud broke!
I've not seen much of the sun this last 4 weeks and it didn't really show itself today but the cloud broke enough at sunset for it to light the sky with fire to the delight of this shepherd checking her sheep
December 15, 2024 at 5:07 PM
I've not seen much of the sun this last 4 weeks and it didn't really show itself today but the cloud broke enough at sunset for it to light the sky with fire to the delight of this shepherd checking her sheep
Two more from Ecuador to brighten a dull, grey British December day. Moss-backed Tanager and Rose-faced Parrot, both Choco endemics and both seen at the awesome Mashpi #birds
December 9, 2024 at 9:39 AM
Two more from Ecuador to brighten a dull, grey British December day. Moss-backed Tanager and Rose-faced Parrot, both Choco endemics and both seen at the awesome Mashpi #birds
Final full day in Ecuador at the canopy tower at Rio Silanche allowed eye-level views of these two trogons, Blue-tailed and White-tailed
November 21, 2024 at 12:06 AM
Final full day in Ecuador at the canopy tower at Rio Silanche allowed eye-level views of these two trogons, Blue-tailed and White-tailed
Our penultimate full day in Ecuador found us at a small ravine looking at Oilbirds. A unique, nocturnal, fruit-eating bird that can use echolocation to navigate
November 20, 2024 at 2:02 AM
Our penultimate full day in Ecuador found us at a small ravine looking at Oilbirds. A unique, nocturnal, fruit-eating bird that can use echolocation to navigate