Andy Stockhausen
@andy-1963.bsky.social
Bristol-based sports journalist with a passion for birding. Mostly retired now and spending more time on my local Severnside patch, though still prone to twitching on occasion.
November has been almost as productive as October in terms of rare and scarce birds added to my year list. Clear favourite was my discovery of a second Pallid Swift at Foreness Point in Kent on 8/11, superbly captured here by Oxon birder @tmbirding.bsky.social. Such a buzz . . . #ukbirding
November 27, 2025 at 5:11 PM
November has been almost as productive as October in terms of rare and scarce birds added to my year list. Clear favourite was my discovery of a second Pallid Swift at Foreness Point in Kent on 8/11, superbly captured here by Oxon birder @tmbirding.bsky.social. Such a buzz . . . #ukbirding
Spent 4 hours pursuing Bedfordshire's first Hume's Leaf Warbler around Marston Vale CP before I finally caught up with it and had good (if brief) views. It calls regularly, but is highly mobile and elusive, showing fleetingly at best. Loved the challenge it presented, though #ukbirding
November 24, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Spent 4 hours pursuing Bedfordshire's first Hume's Leaf Warbler around Marston Vale CP before I finally caught up with it and had good (if brief) views. It calls regularly, but is highly mobile and elusive, showing fleetingly at best. Loved the challenge it presented, though #ukbirding
On a trying day when England surrendered the first Ashes Test to Australia and Brentford plucked defeat from the jaws of victory at Brighton, I was relieved that the Wallasea Island Red-breasted Goose at least played ball on a raw morning in Essex #ukbirding
November 22, 2025 at 6:49 PM
On a trying day when England surrendered the first Ashes Test to Australia and Brentford plucked defeat from the jaws of victory at Brighton, I was relieved that the Wallasea Island Red-breasted Goose at least played ball on a raw morning in Essex #ukbirding
While in Scotland this week, I lucked in on a small flock of Bohemian Waxwings in a stunning coastal location near Montrose. Any encounter with these Scandinavian wanderers is guaranteed to brighten your day. My 360th species in the British Isles this year. Pic: @lainy.bsky.social #ukbirding
November 20, 2025 at 8:43 AM
While in Scotland this week, I lucked in on a small flock of Bohemian Waxwings in a stunning coastal location near Montrose. Any encounter with these Scandinavian wanderers is guaranteed to brighten your day. My 360th species in the British Isles this year. Pic: @lainy.bsky.social #ukbirding
Since the regular wintering Taiga Beans deserted Norfolk, my encounters with this elegant goose have been few and far between. As such, I was excited to encounter 96 in two flocks on a freezing cold visit to the Slamannon plateau in Forth. Special birds! #ukbirding #birdingScotland
November 18, 2025 at 10:59 AM
Since the regular wintering Taiga Beans deserted Norfolk, my encounters with this elegant goose have been few and far between. As such, I was excited to encounter 96 in two flocks on a freezing cold visit to the Slamannon plateau in Forth. Special birds! #ukbirding #birdingScotland
My bird of the year (so far)! Spent today putting a frame on this beauty - the magnificent Loch of Asta Siberian Thrush by the hugely talented Phil Jones. A fitting memento for what has been a very special year. #ukbirding
November 15, 2025 at 1:58 PM
My bird of the year (so far)! Spent today putting a frame on this beauty - the magnificent Loch of Asta Siberian Thrush by the hugely talented Phil Jones. A fitting memento for what has been a very special year. #ukbirding
As a teenage birder, I recall seeing flocks of 30 or more Lapland Buntings at Burnham Norton in Norfolk. A subsequent change in status means they are now a scarce treat, like this attractive male near Leasowe lighthouse, my first sighting of one this year. Pic: Sean O'Hara. #ukbirding
November 13, 2025 at 6:35 AM
As a teenage birder, I recall seeing flocks of 30 or more Lapland Buntings at Burnham Norton in Norfolk. A subsequent change in status means they are now a scarce treat, like this attractive male near Leasowe lighthouse, my first sighting of one this year. Pic: Sean O'Hara. #ukbirding
My favourite pipit species, this super-bright Olive-backed Pipit showed supremely well in all its tail-pumping glory at South Gare. Great to share the experience with @manchesterbirder.bsky.social, who captured this image #ukbirding
November 12, 2025 at 3:53 PM
My favourite pipit species, this super-bright Olive-backed Pipit showed supremely well in all its tail-pumping glory at South Gare. Great to share the experience with @manchesterbirder.bsky.social, who captured this image #ukbirding
There have been some notable firsts on the Severnside patch in 2025, including Booted Eagle, Caspian Tern and Pallid Harrier. This obliging first winter Penduline Tit became the fourth new species when it was found on Northwick Warth this week. Pic: @aravindramesh19.bsky.social #ukbirding
November 11, 2025 at 6:02 AM
There have been some notable firsts on the Severnside patch in 2025, including Booted Eagle, Caspian Tern and Pallid Harrier. This obliging first winter Penduline Tit became the fourth new species when it was found on Northwick Warth this week. Pic: @aravindramesh19.bsky.social #ukbirding
Excited to land a full-fat patch tick when this Penduline Tit reappeared on Severnside at the north end of Northwick Warth this morning. It showed well despite the chilly conditions. A quality bird for Avon! Pic: @matthall95.bsky.social #ukbirding
November 10, 2025 at 10:40 AM
Excited to land a full-fat patch tick when this Penduline Tit reappeared on Severnside at the north end of Northwick Warth this morning. It showed well despite the chilly conditions. A quality bird for Avon! Pic: @matthall95.bsky.social #ukbirding
Having dipped a couple of Dusky Warblers earlier in the Autumn, I was delighted to connect with two in Kent at the weekend - a vocal if elusive individual at Foreness and a slightly more showy example in Margate. The latter is superbly captured here by @baldingbadger.bsky.social #ukbirding
November 9, 2025 at 8:32 AM
Having dipped a couple of Dusky Warblers earlier in the Autumn, I was delighted to connect with two in Kent at the weekend - a vocal if elusive individual at Foreness and a slightly more showy example in Margate. The latter is superbly captured here by @baldingbadger.bsky.social #ukbirding
Thrilled to be watching a superb overhead Pallid Swift at North Foreland when it was unexpectedly joined by another of its kind. Pandemonium ensued as birders had to decide which way to look first! Pic: Vincent Clarke #ukbirding
November 8, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Thrilled to be watching a superb overhead Pallid Swift at North Foreland when it was unexpectedly joined by another of its kind. Pandemonium ensued as birders had to decide which way to look first! Pic: Vincent Clarke #ukbirding
Not one, but two Pallid Swifts now showing at north end of Botany Bay in Kent over the housing estate at 10.10am #ukbirding
November 8, 2025 at 10:14 AM
Not one, but two Pallid Swifts now showing at north end of Botany Bay in Kent over the housing estate at 10.10am #ukbirding
Pallas's Warbler still present and showing well occasionally in Brooklands Park, Worthing this afternoon #ukbirding
November 5, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Pallas's Warbler still present and showing well occasionally in Brooklands Park, Worthing this afternoon #ukbirding
Ship assisted, category E, can't tick it, blah, blah, blah . . . I went to see the Hampshire Boat-tailed Grackle, and I'm glad I did. A smart-looking, characterful bird watched in good company in a picturesque setting. What's not to like? #ukbirding
November 5, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Ship assisted, category E, can't tick it, blah, blah, blah . . . I went to see the Hampshire Boat-tailed Grackle, and I'm glad I did. A smart-looking, characterful bird watched in good company in a picturesque setting. What's not to like? #ukbirding
What a looker! Cornwall's first winter Steppe Grey Shrike eventually gave superb views at Gunwalloe this morning. That's eight species of shrike I've seen in the UK this year. Pic: @runnelstone.bsky.social #ukbirding #Cornwallbirding
November 1, 2025 at 12:47 PM
What a looker! Cornwall's first winter Steppe Grey Shrike eventually gave superb views at Gunwalloe this morning. That's eight species of shrike I've seen in the UK this year. Pic: @runnelstone.bsky.social #ukbirding #Cornwallbirding
Another day, another shrike. Spent a few hours with this superb 1st w Isabelline Shrike in West Sussex this morning. If anyone can tell me why it's not a Daurian, I will be very interested in learning why not. Pic: Richard Bonser #ukbirding
October 30, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Another day, another shrike. Spent a few hours with this superb 1st w Isabelline Shrike in West Sussex this morning. If anyone can tell me why it's not a Daurian, I will be very interested in learning why not. Pic: Richard Bonser #ukbirding
The Autumn continued to produce rare Shrike species in the UK . . . a roving Lesser Grey at Winterton Dunes (Norfolk), a one-day wonder adult male Brown at Hunmanby Gap (North Yorks) and a supremely photogenic adult Red-tailed at Dunwich Heath (Suffolk). What next, I wonder? #ukbirding
October 29, 2025 at 8:05 AM
The Autumn continued to produce rare Shrike species in the UK . . . a roving Lesser Grey at Winterton Dunes (Norfolk), a one-day wonder adult male Brown at Hunmanby Gap (North Yorks) and a supremely photogenic adult Red-tailed at Dunwich Heath (Suffolk). What next, I wonder? #ukbirding
Reflecting on an excellent shrike year in the UK. Winter/Spring yielded a ghostly Great Grey at Copt Hall (Essex), a superb male Red-backed in the sunshine at Fen Drayton (Cambs) and a showy bee-eating Woodchat at Newhaven (East Sussex). Each one of them a memorable birding experience #ukbirding
October 29, 2025 at 7:57 AM
Reflecting on an excellent shrike year in the UK. Winter/Spring yielded a ghostly Great Grey at Copt Hall (Essex), a superb male Red-backed in the sunshine at Fen Drayton (Cambs) and a showy bee-eating Woodchat at Newhaven (East Sussex). Each one of them a memorable birding experience #ukbirding
I really enjoy getting to grips with sub-species and October has served up a few, including Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll and Mealy Redpolls in Shetland, and a flock of Greenland White-fronted Geese in Cornwall #ukbirding, #Cornwallbirding, #BirdingScotland
October 28, 2025 at 7:31 AM
I really enjoy getting to grips with sub-species and October has served up a few, including Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll and Mealy Redpolls in Shetland, and a flock of Greenland White-fronted Geese in Cornwall #ukbirding, #Cornwallbirding, #BirdingScotland
Great to catch up with the Greenland white-fronted Geese at Walmsley Sanctuary today. A new species for me in Cornwall. Ten flew off early this morning - 11 returned at 10.30am! Watched from Tower Hide. Thanks to warden Adrian Langdon for his assistance #ukbirding #CornwallBirding
October 27, 2025 at 11:23 AM
Great to catch up with the Greenland white-fronted Geese at Walmsley Sanctuary today. A new species for me in Cornwall. Ten flew off early this morning - 11 returned at 10.30am! Watched from Tower Hide. Thanks to warden Adrian Langdon for his assistance #ukbirding #CornwallBirding
Slimbridge WWT served up my second Temminck's Stint of the year, a showy juvenile on the Rushy Pen, which proved popular with photographers. This superb image was captured on a brighter day by Heather England. Also, Yellow-browed Warbler gave brief but decent views #ukbirding
October 26, 2025 at 7:10 AM
Slimbridge WWT served up my second Temminck's Stint of the year, a showy juvenile on the Rushy Pen, which proved popular with photographers. This superb image was captured on a brighter day by Heather England. Also, Yellow-browed Warbler gave brief but decent views #ukbirding
October has been tough going. Poor weather, broken down car & illness have all hindered the search for birds from Shetland to Scilly. Yet despite these challenges, some truly memorable highlights have served to render all of the effort worthwhile. Many thanks to the finders . . . #ukbirding
October 23, 2025 at 6:18 PM
October has been tough going. Poor weather, broken down car & illness have all hindered the search for birds from Shetland to Scilly. Yet despite these challenges, some truly memorable highlights have served to render all of the effort worthwhile. Many thanks to the finders . . . #ukbirding
Wondering if the Spurn Black-faced Bunting might, in fact, be a first-winter male. Extensive plain grey area on neck sides, large grey-brown area around ear coverts and strong yellowish wash on flanks/breast sides maybe indicative of male? #ukbirding #YorkshireBirding
October 23, 2025 at 9:46 AM
Wondering if the Spurn Black-faced Bunting might, in fact, be a first-winter male. Extensive plain grey area on neck sides, large grey-brown area around ear coverts and strong yellowish wash on flanks/breast sides maybe indicative of male? #ukbirding #YorkshireBirding
Two weeks after my car broke down on Yell, I'm finally back in the rarity-chasing business. Found by Somerset birder @andymears.bsky.social at Spurn on Monday, the confiding Black-faced Bunting continued to perform for a steady stream of admirers at Middle Point today #ukbirding, #Yorkshirebirding
October 22, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Two weeks after my car broke down on Yell, I'm finally back in the rarity-chasing business. Found by Somerset birder @andymears.bsky.social at Spurn on Monday, the confiding Black-faced Bunting continued to perform for a steady stream of admirers at Middle Point today #ukbirding, #Yorkshirebirding