Richard Swinbank
@avocet-richard.bsky.social
Retired meteorologist and active birder, living in East Devon.
Just adding one of my photos of the Wryneck at Turf Lock (Exminster) this afternoon - its second day, showing very well at times.
August 28, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Just adding one of my photos of the Wryneck at Turf Lock (Exminster) this afternoon - its second day, showing very well at times.
Although I have many more photos from Switzerland, I'll finish with some views of the gorgeous mountain scenery. First, the Eiger, Mönch & Jungfrau. Second, the Jungfrau and Lauterbrunnen valley, from Männlichen. Third, the Wetterhorn and Grindelwald. Last, the Eiger, taken from my room in Mürren.
July 23, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Although I have many more photos from Switzerland, I'll finish with some views of the gorgeous mountain scenery. First, the Eiger, Mönch & Jungfrau. Second, the Jungfrau and Lauterbrunnen valley, from Männlichen. Third, the Wetterhorn and Grindelwald. Last, the Eiger, taken from my room in Mürren.
Another set of flower photos from my recent trip to Switzerland. This selection includes four flowers from the Buttercup family: Alpine Pasque-flower, Glacier Crowfoot, Narcissus-flowered Anemone and Alpine Buttercup.
July 22, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Another set of flower photos from my recent trip to Switzerland. This selection includes four flowers from the Buttercup family: Alpine Pasque-flower, Glacier Crowfoot, Narcissus-flowered Anemone and Alpine Buttercup.
As well as seeing all the beautiful flowers on my recent holiday in Switzerland, we also encountered some lovely butterflies. Here are just four, all photos taken on a walk from Mürren to Grütschalp: Mountain Ringlet, Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Mazarine Blue and Green Hairstreak.
July 22, 2025 at 3:45 PM
As well as seeing all the beautiful flowers on my recent holiday in Switzerland, we also encountered some lovely butterflies. Here are just four, all photos taken on a walk from Mürren to Grütschalp: Mountain Ringlet, Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Mazarine Blue and Green Hairstreak.
Four more flower photos from my recent trip to Switzerland - this time four pretty Saxifrages. This selection comprises: Livelong Saxifrage; Scree Saxifrage; Mossy Saxifrage and Round-leaved Saxifrage.
July 22, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Four more flower photos from my recent trip to Switzerland - this time four pretty Saxifrages. This selection comprises: Livelong Saxifrage; Scree Saxifrage; Mossy Saxifrage and Round-leaved Saxifrage.
Four more flowers from my recent holiday in the Swiss Alps. The first two are from Männlichen to Kleine Scheidegg: Snowdon Lily (nowhere near Snowdon!) and Spring Crocus. The other two from Mürren to Grütschalp: Bearded Bellflower and Mountain Houseleek.
July 21, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Four more flowers from my recent holiday in the Swiss Alps. The first two are from Männlichen to Kleine Scheidegg: Snowdon Lily (nowhere near Snowdon!) and Spring Crocus. The other two from Mürren to Grütschalp: Bearded Bellflower and Mountain Houseleek.
Here is another set of photos from my recent trip to Switzerland - this time they're all species of Primula. These photos show Bird's Eye Primose, Auricula, Hairy Primrose and Oxlip. The first photo was taken at Allmendhubel, and the other three on a walk from Männlichen to Kleine Scheidegg.
July 20, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Here is another set of photos from my recent trip to Switzerland - this time they're all species of Primula. These photos show Bird's Eye Primose, Auricula, Hairy Primrose and Oxlip. The first photo was taken at Allmendhubel, and the other three on a walk from Männlichen to Kleine Scheidegg.
A few more alpine flowers from my recent trip to Switzerland. The first two are from the Schilthorn: Round-leaved Pennycress and Swiss Rock-jasmine. While the other two were taken at Eigergletscher: Chamois Cress and Mt Cenis Pansy.
July 20, 2025 at 9:06 PM
A few more alpine flowers from my recent trip to Switzerland. The first two are from the Schilthorn: Round-leaved Pennycress and Swiss Rock-jasmine. While the other two were taken at Eigergletscher: Chamois Cress and Mt Cenis Pansy.
Here are a few more photos from my recent trip to Switzerland. This time, some orchids: Broad-leaved Marsh Orchid; Bird's Nest Orchid; Round-headed Orchid and Lady's Slipper Orchid. The latter isn't quite so rare in Switzerland as in Britain!
July 20, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Here are a few more photos from my recent trip to Switzerland. This time, some orchids: Broad-leaved Marsh Orchid; Bird's Nest Orchid; Round-headed Orchid and Lady's Slipper Orchid. The latter isn't quite so rare in Switzerland as in Britain!
I recently returned from a lovely holiday in Switzerland, focusing on flowers, birds & butterflies. I'm sharing just a few of my bird photos here, though I will post some more later. Species shown here are Alpine Accentor, Crested Tit, Spotted Nutcracker, and Alpine Choughs.
July 14, 2025 at 3:04 PM
I recently returned from a lovely holiday in Switzerland, focusing on flowers, birds & butterflies. I'm sharing just a few of my bird photos here, though I will post some more later. Species shown here are Alpine Accentor, Crested Tit, Spotted Nutcracker, and Alpine Choughs.
A few pictures from Chew Valley Lake this morning: the Spotted Sandpiper that's been there for a few days now, and a pair of Egyptian Geese with their goslings.
May 28, 2025 at 3:55 PM
A few pictures from Chew Valley Lake this morning: the Spotted Sandpiper that's been there for a few days now, and a pair of Egyptian Geese with their goslings.
Here are a few more pictures from last week's trip to Dorset - this time from the RSPB nature reserve at Arne: view of Corfe Castle across the heath; Sika Deer; Four-spotted Chaser; and Whimbrel.
May 8, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Here are a few more pictures from last week's trip to Dorset - this time from the RSPB nature reserve at Arne: view of Corfe Castle across the heath; Sika Deer; Four-spotted Chaser; and Whimbrel.
A pair of Black-winged Stilts making themsleves at home at Seaton Wetlands this morning.
May 6, 2025 at 7:07 PM
A pair of Black-winged Stilts making themsleves at home at Seaton Wetlands this morning.
A few photos from my trip to Brownsea Island last week: a Red Squirrel, Sandwich Terns (behind wire netting protecting their nest site), Common Tern and a Little Gull (with a Black-headed Gull).
May 6, 2025 at 2:33 PM
A few photos from my trip to Brownsea Island last week: a Red Squirrel, Sandwich Terns (behind wire netting protecting their nest site), Common Tern and a Little Gull (with a Black-headed Gull).
Visiting #SeatonWetlands this morning, I was surprised by this flock of 14 Cranes that flew over Colyford Common, heading towards Seaton.
April 27, 2025 at 9:41 PM
Visiting #SeatonWetlands this morning, I was surprised by this flock of 14 Cranes that flew over Colyford Common, heading towards Seaton.
A second Early-purple Orchid has now started to flower in my meadow, to join the one that I discovered the other day. The Cowslips are also in flower at the moment. Photos show: the original orchid, the new one, orchid with cowslips, just some cowslips.
April 22, 2025 at 5:51 PM
A second Early-purple Orchid has now started to flower in my meadow, to join the one that I discovered the other day. The Cowslips are also in flower at the moment. Photos show: the original orchid, the new one, orchid with cowslips, just some cowslips.
A new species of orchid has appeared in the meadow in my garden! Early-purple Orchid? The leaves of the Common Spotted Orchids are only just starting to appear.
April 16, 2025 at 11:06 AM
A new species of orchid has appeared in the meadow in my garden! Early-purple Orchid? The leaves of the Common Spotted Orchids are only just starting to appear.
Here are a second set of photos from my recent visit to Cornwall, this time around Sennen Cove & Lands End. Photos show: view from Sennen Cove, Longships lighthouse, Cape Cornwall from Lands End, a Cornish Chough.
March 20, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Here are a second set of photos from my recent visit to Cornwall, this time around Sennen Cove & Lands End. Photos show: view from Sennen Cove, Longships lighthouse, Cape Cornwall from Lands End, a Cornish Chough.
Here are a few photos from a quick visit that I made to Cornwall earlier this month. These four photos are from around the Lizard peninsula, showing Southerly Point, Housel Bay, Grey Seals and Kynance Cove.
March 20, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Here are a few photos from a quick visit that I made to Cornwall earlier this month. These four photos are from around the Lizard peninsula, showing Southerly Point, Housel Bay, Grey Seals and Kynance Cove.
These Dendrobium Nobile orchids are amazing. I bought the one on the left a year ago, and this is its second prolific flowering. The one on the right is older, and a was given to me as a present. It’s been in flower for over 3 months now!
March 17, 2025 at 9:19 PM
These Dendrobium Nobile orchids are amazing. I bought the one on the left a year ago, and this is its second prolific flowering. The one on the right is older, and a was given to me as a present. It’s been in flower for over 3 months now!
Four photos of owls and a harrier from my bird-filled trip to Norfolk last week. They are: Tawny Owl roosting at the Nene Washes, Marsh Harrier at Cley, Barn Owl at Titchwell and Long-eared Owl at Deeping Lakes.
February 14, 2025 at 11:21 AM
Four photos of owls and a harrier from my bird-filled trip to Norfolk last week. They are: Tawny Owl roosting at the Nene Washes, Marsh Harrier at Cley, Barn Owl at Titchwell and Long-eared Owl at Deeping Lakes.
Four more photos from my recent trip to Namibia - this time four bustards, in the order we first saw them. First is Rüppell's Koorhan, then Northern Black Koorhan. Kori Bustard (supposed to be the heaviest flying bird in the world), and finally Red-crested Koorhan.
November 27, 2024 at 10:34 AM
Four more photos from my recent trip to Namibia - this time four bustards, in the order we first saw them. First is Rüppell's Koorhan, then Northern Black Koorhan. Kori Bustard (supposed to be the heaviest flying bird in the world), and finally Red-crested Koorhan.
Another few photos from my trip to Namibia. This time, here are some big cat photos: Lions and a Cheetah from Etosha, and two different Leopards from Okonjima. I wish I was still there!
November 22, 2024 at 12:28 PM
Another few photos from my trip to Namibia. This time, here are some big cat photos: Lions and a Cheetah from Etosha, and two different Leopards from Okonjima. I wish I was still there!
Another taste of Namibia, this time some randomish reddish smallish birds. Red-breasted Swallow, Rufous-eared Warbler (both from Etosha, near Okaukuejo), and Pririt Batis and Crimson-breasted Gonolek (both from Okonjima nature reserve). All four were lifers for me.
November 21, 2024 at 12:44 PM
Another taste of Namibia, this time some randomish reddish smallish birds. Red-breasted Swallow, Rufous-eared Warbler (both from Etosha, near Okaukuejo), and Pririt Batis and Crimson-breasted Gonolek (both from Okonjima nature reserve). All four were lifers for me.
Another taste of Namibia - four more photos from my recent trip. These photos were all taken at the excellent waterhole at Okaukuejo, in Etosha National Park. The animals featured are: a group of Gemsbok; Common Eland and a Springbok; a Black Rhino and African Elephants.
November 19, 2024 at 4:21 PM
Another taste of Namibia - four more photos from my recent trip. These photos were all taken at the excellent waterhole at Okaukuejo, in Etosha National Park. The animals featured are: a group of Gemsbok; Common Eland and a Springbok; a Black Rhino and African Elephants.