Paul Baker
@bakerboybirding.bsky.social
Based in south Essex. Enjoy twitching (BOU 500+) as well as local patch birding.
I like to spend time birding in Norfolk, too.
Easily distracted by mammals (esp cetaceans), reptiles, amphibians & butterflies.
No politics on here, just wildlife!
I like to spend time birding in Norfolk, too.
Easily distracted by mammals (esp cetaceans), reptiles, amphibians & butterflies.
No politics on here, just wildlife!
Reposted by Paul Baker
Cropped clip from the trail cam
October 22, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Cropped clip from the trail cam
A few phonepics of the Black-faced Bunting at Spurn this afternoon.
It spent much of it's time behaving like a Lancy as it skulked in the dunes and was constantly eating wild grass seed.
#RareBirdsUK
It spent much of it's time behaving like a Lancy as it skulked in the dunes and was constantly eating wild grass seed.
#RareBirdsUK
October 21, 2025 at 10:02 PM
A few phonepics of the Black-faced Bunting at Spurn this afternoon.
It spent much of it's time behaving like a Lancy as it skulked in the dunes and was constantly eating wild grass seed.
#RareBirdsUK
It spent much of it's time behaving like a Lancy as it skulked in the dunes and was constantly eating wild grass seed.
#RareBirdsUK
Black-faced Bunting striking a pose at Spurn this afternoon
#RareBirdsUK
#RareBirdsUK
October 21, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Black-faced Bunting striking a pose at Spurn this afternoon
#RareBirdsUK
#RareBirdsUK
Reposted by Paul Baker
After a dawn raid on the Point, this little beauty was cowering in the buckthorn on my birding walk back, not far south of the Breach at Spurn. Thomas Willoughby’s brilliant pic. Bird of a lifetime. A British tick as well 😂
October 20, 2025 at 12:28 PM
After a dawn raid on the Point, this little beauty was cowering in the buckthorn on my birding walk back, not far south of the Breach at Spurn. Thomas Willoughby’s brilliant pic. Bird of a lifetime. A British tick as well 😂
Lovely to see a pair of Wall Brown butterflies still lingering in my garden today.
They took a particular interest in this dandelion where the male posed briefly 🦋
They took a particular interest in this dandelion where the male posed briefly 🦋
September 15, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Lovely to see a pair of Wall Brown butterflies still lingering in my garden today.
They took a particular interest in this dandelion where the male posed briefly 🦋
They took a particular interest in this dandelion where the male posed briefly 🦋
Had a much anticipated garden tick today in the shape of two Wasp Spiders.
Also in the garden, two Wall Browns, Common Blue, Hobby, and a late Swift after the showers.
Also in the garden, two Wall Browns, Common Blue, Hobby, and a late Swift after the showers.
September 4, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Had a much anticipated garden tick today in the shape of two Wasp Spiders.
Also in the garden, two Wall Browns, Common Blue, Hobby, and a late Swift after the showers.
Also in the garden, two Wall Browns, Common Blue, Hobby, and a late Swift after the showers.
The Bank Vole, under my garden timber pile, initially relied on camouflage and keeping still.
August 23, 2025 at 7:24 PM
The Bank Vole, under my garden timber pile, initially relied on camouflage and keeping still.
Highlights from moving the timber pile in my garden to a new location just 6ft away.
Bank Vole, 6 Slow-worms, 3 Common Lizards all hiding underneath.
Bank Vole, 6 Slow-worms, 3 Common Lizards all hiding underneath.
August 23, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Highlights from moving the timber pile in my garden to a new location just 6ft away.
Bank Vole, 6 Slow-worms, 3 Common Lizards all hiding underneath.
Bank Vole, 6 Slow-worms, 3 Common Lizards all hiding underneath.
Reposted by Paul Baker
After ok flight views yesterday headed back to Warblewick this morning for the Zitting Cisticola and was rewarded with great views. #rarebirdsuk
Digiscoped with kowa884 using iphone16Pro and vario adapter
Digiscoped with kowa884 using iphone16Pro and vario adapter
August 21, 2025 at 6:41 AM
After ok flight views yesterday headed back to Warblewick this morning for the Zitting Cisticola and was rewarded with great views. #rarebirdsuk
Digiscoped with kowa884 using iphone16Pro and vario adapter
Digiscoped with kowa884 using iphone16Pro and vario adapter
I've not posted on here for a while.
Rescued a Willow Emerald Damselfly from inside my south Essex house again.
Incredibly, this is the 16th individual over the last six years that I've found either inside my house or trying to enter my house!
More than half my sightings here are from indoors 🤷♂️
Rescued a Willow Emerald Damselfly from inside my south Essex house again.
Incredibly, this is the 16th individual over the last six years that I've found either inside my house or trying to enter my house!
More than half my sightings here are from indoors 🤷♂️
August 18, 2025 at 11:53 AM
I've not posted on here for a while.
Rescued a Willow Emerald Damselfly from inside my south Essex house again.
Incredibly, this is the 16th individual over the last six years that I've found either inside my house or trying to enter my house!
More than half my sightings here are from indoors 🤷♂️
Rescued a Willow Emerald Damselfly from inside my south Essex house again.
Incredibly, this is the 16th individual over the last six years that I've found either inside my house or trying to enter my house!
More than half my sightings here are from indoors 🤷♂️
A lovely Barn Owl filmed through my upstairs double glazing this afternoon, in gorgeous light along the Crouch. Endearing head movements, too! I was also able to see a metal ring on its leg.
The Ruddy Shelduck was still present on Blue House Farm as was another Barn Owl.
#essexBirding
The Ruddy Shelduck was still present on Blue House Farm as was another Barn Owl.
#essexBirding
March 24, 2025 at 7:18 PM
A lovely Barn Owl filmed through my upstairs double glazing this afternoon, in gorgeous light along the Crouch. Endearing head movements, too! I was also able to see a metal ring on its leg.
The Ruddy Shelduck was still present on Blue House Farm as was another Barn Owl.
#essexBirding
The Ruddy Shelduck was still present on Blue House Farm as was another Barn Owl.
#essexBirding
Ruddy Shelduck still on Blue House Farm today at range from my house a mile away.
Barn Owl also showing at the bottom of the garden.
Barn Owl also showing at the bottom of the garden.
March 20, 2025 at 10:58 PM
Ruddy Shelduck still on Blue House Farm today at range from my house a mile away.
Barn Owl also showing at the bottom of the garden.
Barn Owl also showing at the bottom of the garden.
March 20, 2025 at 10:58 PM
Ruddy Shelduck still on Blue House Farm today at range from my house a mile away.
Barn Owl also showing at the bottom of the garden.
Barn Owl also showing at the bottom of the garden.
Ruddy Shelduck still present today and yesterday on Blue House Farm as viewed from my house, one mile away! 🔭
#essexBirding
#essexBirding
March 12, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Ruddy Shelduck still present today and yesterday on Blue House Farm as viewed from my house, one mile away! 🔭
#essexBirding
#essexBirding
Lovely few hours this morning in north Norfolk.
2 Firecrest & Treecreeper nr Sheringham.
3 Dartford Warblers, Stonechats, Mistle Thrush, Siskin, Y'hammer, Red Kites on the Heath.
SibeChiff at Walsey.
Glossy Ibis, Ruff & 7 Lsr Whitefronts at Stiffkey.
Goshawk nr Holt 😊
#NorfolkBirding
2 Firecrest & Treecreeper nr Sheringham.
3 Dartford Warblers, Stonechats, Mistle Thrush, Siskin, Y'hammer, Red Kites on the Heath.
SibeChiff at Walsey.
Glossy Ibis, Ruff & 7 Lsr Whitefronts at Stiffkey.
Goshawk nr Holt 😊
#NorfolkBirding
March 2, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Lovely few hours this morning in north Norfolk.
2 Firecrest & Treecreeper nr Sheringham.
3 Dartford Warblers, Stonechats, Mistle Thrush, Siskin, Y'hammer, Red Kites on the Heath.
SibeChiff at Walsey.
Glossy Ibis, Ruff & 7 Lsr Whitefronts at Stiffkey.
Goshawk nr Holt 😊
#NorfolkBirding
2 Firecrest & Treecreeper nr Sheringham.
3 Dartford Warblers, Stonechats, Mistle Thrush, Siskin, Y'hammer, Red Kites on the Heath.
SibeChiff at Walsey.
Glossy Ibis, Ruff & 7 Lsr Whitefronts at Stiffkey.
Goshawk nr Holt 😊
#NorfolkBirding
More highlights of the distant Ruddy Shelduck on Blue House Farm bird this morning from my house.
Short-eared Owl & Barn Owl this evening, too.
#essexBirding
Short-eared Owl & Barn Owl this evening, too.
#essexBirding
February 26, 2025 at 7:47 PM
More highlights of the distant Ruddy Shelduck on Blue House Farm bird this morning from my house.
Short-eared Owl & Barn Owl this evening, too.
#essexBirding
Short-eared Owl & Barn Owl this evening, too.
#essexBirding
A Ruddy Shelduck, distantly on Blue House Farm, was a most welcome addition to the house list this morning.
Also present were 2 Barn Owls, a Short-eared Owl, 24 Pintail, 3 Avocets, and a Marsh Harrier.
#essexBirding
Also present were 2 Barn Owls, a Short-eared Owl, 24 Pintail, 3 Avocets, and a Marsh Harrier.
#essexBirding
February 24, 2025 at 5:42 PM
A Ruddy Shelduck, distantly on Blue House Farm, was a most welcome addition to the house list this morning.
Also present were 2 Barn Owls, a Short-eared Owl, 24 Pintail, 3 Avocets, and a Marsh Harrier.
#essexBirding
Also present were 2 Barn Owls, a Short-eared Owl, 24 Pintail, 3 Avocets, and a Marsh Harrier.
#essexBirding
Yellow Warbler at New Hythe today.
Eventually gave itself up to the crowd at 11am.
#kentbirding
#rarebirdsuk
Eventually gave itself up to the crowd at 11am.
#kentbirding
#rarebirdsuk
December 26, 2024 at 4:43 PM
Yellow Warbler at New Hythe today.
Eventually gave itself up to the crowd at 11am.
#kentbirding
#rarebirdsuk
Eventually gave itself up to the crowd at 11am.
#kentbirding
#rarebirdsuk
A ringtail Hen Harrier flying low east through my south Essex garden near the Crouch this afternoon was a welcome distraction to everything going on in my world.
#essexBirding
#essexBirding
December 15, 2024 at 5:56 PM
A ringtail Hen Harrier flying low east through my south Essex garden near the Crouch this afternoon was a welcome distraction to everything going on in my world.
#essexBirding
#essexBirding
An adult male Hen Harrier through my south Essex garden this afternoon was a nice surprise.
Presumably, the Blue House Farm bird. ##essexBirding
Presumably, the Blue House Farm bird. ##essexBirding
November 16, 2024 at 4:47 PM
An adult male Hen Harrier through my south Essex garden this afternoon was a nice surprise.
Presumably, the Blue House Farm bird. ##essexBirding
Presumably, the Blue House Farm bird. ##essexBirding
Reposted by Paul Baker
My first ever November Wryneck performed admirably at Kimmeridge this morning, despite the rain. A lovely species I see far too infrequently these days. Thanks to James Leaver for the find and gen.
November 10, 2024 at 3:27 PM
My first ever November Wryneck performed admirably at Kimmeridge this morning, despite the rain. A lovely species I see far too infrequently these days. Thanks to James Leaver for the find and gen.
Hen Harrier this afternoon at Wallasea, although the best bird was the Dartford Warbler found yesterday by @richiegannon.bsky.social
Remarkably, there appears to be a second Dartford Warbler on the island today!
2 Great White Egrets, Greenshank & 4 Marsh Harriers also present.
#essexBirding
Remarkably, there appears to be a second Dartford Warbler on the island today!
2 Great White Egrets, Greenshank & 4 Marsh Harriers also present.
#essexBirding
November 2, 2024 at 10:01 PM
Hen Harrier this afternoon at Wallasea, although the best bird was the Dartford Warbler found yesterday by @richiegannon.bsky.social
Remarkably, there appears to be a second Dartford Warbler on the island today!
2 Great White Egrets, Greenshank & 4 Marsh Harriers also present.
#essexBirding
Remarkably, there appears to be a second Dartford Warbler on the island today!
2 Great White Egrets, Greenshank & 4 Marsh Harriers also present.
#essexBirding
Local mega this evening with a Bittern doing two pre-roost flights around Bowers Marsh.
First found y'day morning by GO.
Photos from y'day evening by TJB.
#essexBirding
First found y'day morning by GO.
Photos from y'day evening by TJB.
#essexBirding
October 28, 2024 at 6:52 PM
Local mega this evening with a Bittern doing two pre-roost flights around Bowers Marsh.
First found y'day morning by GO.
Photos from y'day evening by TJB.
#essexBirding
First found y'day morning by GO.
Photos from y'day evening by TJB.
#essexBirding
An excellent 30 mins in Gunners Park, Shoebury, Essex from 10:45-11:15.
Yellow-browed Warbler calling and showing occasionally in Bunker Wood.
Female type Black Redstart in NW corner of car park.
Several Siskins flying SW overhead calling 😊
#essexBirding
Yellow-browed Warbler calling and showing occasionally in Bunker Wood.
Female type Black Redstart in NW corner of car park.
Several Siskins flying SW overhead calling 😊
#essexBirding
October 17, 2024 at 12:24 PM
An excellent 30 mins in Gunners Park, Shoebury, Essex from 10:45-11:15.
Yellow-browed Warbler calling and showing occasionally in Bunker Wood.
Female type Black Redstart in NW corner of car park.
Several Siskins flying SW overhead calling 😊
#essexBirding
Yellow-browed Warbler calling and showing occasionally in Bunker Wood.
Female type Black Redstart in NW corner of car park.
Several Siskins flying SW overhead calling 😊
#essexBirding
Great Grey Shrike this afternoon at 4pm.
Viewed from West Canvey Marsh looking across the creek to Bowers Marsh, so always distant.
My first local one since 2007!
#essexBirding
Viewed from West Canvey Marsh looking across the creek to Bowers Marsh, so always distant.
My first local one since 2007!
#essexBirding
October 15, 2024 at 5:41 PM
Great Grey Shrike this afternoon at 4pm.
Viewed from West Canvey Marsh looking across the creek to Bowers Marsh, so always distant.
My first local one since 2007!
#essexBirding
Viewed from West Canvey Marsh looking across the creek to Bowers Marsh, so always distant.
My first local one since 2007!
#essexBirding