Chris Toop
@birdingcyclist.bsky.social
Birds, bicycles, hills, family (not necessarily in that order)
Visited the patch this morning. Chiffys in with every group of tits, calling Bullfinches, 19 Cormorants in River Ouse roost, Cettis behind Acomb Waterworks, Parakeets displaying at nest holes. Then... Short-eared Owl high over Manor School when I was walking home @yorkbirding.bsky.social #UKBirding
October 17, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Visited the patch this morning. Chiffys in with every group of tits, calling Bullfinches, 19 Cormorants in River Ouse roost, Cettis behind Acomb Waterworks, Parakeets displaying at nest holes. Then... Short-eared Owl high over Manor School when I was walking home @yorkbirding.bsky.social #UKBirding
Been neglecting the patch so jumped at the chance to get out this am. Lots of migrants either leaving or arriving including Chiffy, Blackcap, Stonechat, Redwing and Pinkies over. A few snaps here #UKBirding
October 11, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Been neglecting the patch so jumped at the chance to get out this am. Lots of migrants either leaving or arriving including Chiffy, Blackcap, Stonechat, Redwing and Pinkies over. A few snaps here #UKBirding
Also from last week in Scotland, I finally got up An Teallach! And remembered to do a write up for @walkhighlands.co.uk #Munro
September 3, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Also from last week in Scotland, I finally got up An Teallach! And remembered to do a write up for @walkhighlands.co.uk #Munro
You can tell it's "autumn" when York's feral geese fly between the city centre and the fields to the west every day (volume up) #evening #UKBirding @yorkbirding.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social
July 22, 2025 at 9:14 PM
You can tell it's "autumn" when York's feral geese fly between the city centre and the fields to the west every day (volume up) #evening #UKBirding @yorkbirding.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social
Took advantage of the 'dead time' twixt end of exams and end of school for a bit of bonding time with the eldest. Quick intro to Lakes ridge scrambling in a brief spell of decent weather. Helvellyn then Blencathra on consecutive days
July 17, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Took advantage of the 'dead time' twixt end of exams and end of school for a bit of bonding time with the eldest. Quick intro to Lakes ridge scrambling in a brief spell of decent weather. Helvellyn then Blencathra on consecutive days
Quite often have a lull in patch enthusiasm in high summer but dragged the youngest and the dog out today. Was going to be all about the K's: Kestrels have fledged a juv, Kingfisher's along the river and a Kite over the cut meadows, but then had a couple of Jays! #UKBirding @yorkbirding.bsky.social
July 12, 2025 at 11:55 AM
Quite often have a lull in patch enthusiasm in high summer but dragged the youngest and the dog out today. Was going to be all about the K's: Kestrels have fledged a juv, Kingfisher's along the river and a Kite over the cut meadows, but then had a couple of Jays! #UKBirding @yorkbirding.bsky.social
Had drawn a (scientifically important) nil result from 3 Woodlark squares in @btobirds.bsky.social #heathlandsurvey which was disheartening, but one square was also down for Nightjars, so the relief last night when this happened was immense! Few roding Woodcock too
June 22, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Had drawn a (scientifically important) nil result from 3 Woodlark squares in @btobirds.bsky.social #heathlandsurvey which was disheartening, but one square was also down for Nightjars, so the relief last night when this happened was immense! Few roding Woodcock too
More #Swift spam! Enjoyable screaming parties over the Tadcaster Viaduct. Looked like a few fledged Sand Martins around the Bridge too @nybirdnews.bsky.social #UKBirding
June 13, 2025 at 12:27 PM
More #Swift spam! Enjoyable screaming parties over the Tadcaster Viaduct. Looked like a few fledged Sand Martins around the Bridge too @nybirdnews.bsky.social #UKBirding
A good 40+ Swifts over the house this morning. Feeding over the fields between Acomb and the ring road then heading back to the colony. Managed a couple of snaps @yorkbirding.bsky.social #YorkSwifts #Acomb #UKBirding
June 9, 2025 at 7:31 AM
A good 40+ Swifts over the house this morning. Feeding over the fields between Acomb and the ring road then heading back to the colony. Managed a couple of snaps @yorkbirding.bsky.social #YorkSwifts #Acomb #UKBirding
Finally! Some clear justification for having a "messy" garden.... @mammalsociety.bsky.social #York
June 4, 2025 at 7:09 AM
Finally! Some clear justification for having a "messy" garden.... @mammalsociety.bsky.social #York
Common Sandpiper moving up the Ouse this morning @yorkbirding.bsky.social Didn't have my camera, so here's one from earlier this week! #UKBirding
May 11, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Common Sandpiper moving up the Ouse this morning @yorkbirding.bsky.social Didn't have my camera, so here's one from earlier this week! #UKBirding
Garish, but always photogenic. Mandarin on the River Don near Long Sandall today @s-yorksbirding.bsky.social #UKBirding
May 8, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Garish, but always photogenic. Mandarin on the River Don near Long Sandall today @s-yorksbirding.bsky.social #UKBirding
May 3, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Full patch tick Cettis today and a Gropper (1st for 3 years) yesterday giving typical views. #Patchbirding #York #UKBirding
April 27, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Full patch tick Cettis today and a Gropper (1st for 3 years) yesterday giving typical views. #Patchbirding #York #UKBirding
WFH today with occasional distractions. Pair of Buzzards displaying really high then grappling each other in a dizzying spiral, Sparrowhawk through setting everything off, and this beauty being harassed... #raptors #UKBirding #York
April 23, 2025 at 4:25 PM
WFH today with occasional distractions. Pair of Buzzards displaying really high then grappling each other in a dizzying spiral, Sparrowhawk through setting everything off, and this beauty being harassed... #raptors #UKBirding #York
Working down the Humber today. Which was nice. Yellow Wag took me to #152 for the year but no pic as I was enjoying just watching it! #UKBirding 🪶
April 8, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Working down the Humber today. Which was nice. Yellow Wag took me to #152 for the year but no pic as I was enjoying just watching it! #UKBirding 🪶
Great day out, started with Willow Warbler in the garden, then ALL the herons and 4sp Grebes @rspb.bsky.social #Fairburn #StAidans today #UKBirding 🪶
April 5, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Great day out, started with Willow Warbler in the garden, then ALL the herons and 4sp Grebes @rspb.bsky.social #Fairburn #StAidans today #UKBirding 🪶
Patch wander this afternoon, and yesterday, and Friday evening. Still no Sand Martins! Had a pair of Buzzards fly from Acomb Waterworks to escort a Red Kite from over York Cricket Club, noisy Parakeets, and these.... #UKBirding 🪶 @yorkbirding.bsky.social
March 30, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Patch wander this afternoon, and yesterday, and Friday evening. Still no Sand Martins! Had a pair of Buzzards fly from Acomb Waterworks to escort a Red Kite from over York Cricket Club, noisy Parakeets, and these.... #UKBirding 🪶 @yorkbirding.bsky.social
Anyone ever seen Grey Wagtails in trees? Had a pair today who appeared to be prospecting a cavity! Plus some other birds in trees.... #UKBirding
March 29, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Anyone ever seen Grey Wagtails in trees? Had a pair today who appeared to be prospecting a cavity! Plus some other birds in trees.... #UKBirding
Aren't Cranes brilliant! Near Beverley today #UKBirding
March 27, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Aren't Cranes brilliant! Near Beverley today #UKBirding
Walked the patch 3 times this weekend looking for Sand Martin. Drew a blank. So here are some piscivores... #UKBirding #York
March 23, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Walked the patch 3 times this weekend looking for Sand Martin. Drew a blank. So here are some piscivores... #UKBirding #York
Dusted off the moth trap yesterday and ran it overnight, wasn't expecting much...
Diurnea flagella 1
Small Quaker 2
Common Quaker 22
Clouded Drab 5
Hebrew Character 2
Early Grey 2
Satellite 1
Turned out alright despite the rain #mothsmatter
Diurnea flagella 1
Small Quaker 2
Common Quaker 22
Clouded Drab 5
Hebrew Character 2
Early Grey 2
Satellite 1
Turned out alright despite the rain #mothsmatter
March 22, 2025 at 8:38 AM
Dusted off the moth trap yesterday and ran it overnight, wasn't expecting much...
Diurnea flagella 1
Small Quaker 2
Common Quaker 22
Clouded Drab 5
Hebrew Character 2
Early Grey 2
Satellite 1
Turned out alright despite the rain #mothsmatter
Diurnea flagella 1
Small Quaker 2
Common Quaker 22
Clouded Drab 5
Hebrew Character 2
Early Grey 2
Satellite 1
Turned out alright despite the rain #mothsmatter
....But hello Spring! Comma on the patio and NFY Speckled Wood trying to get out of the house!
March 21, 2025 at 2:16 PM
....But hello Spring! Comma on the patio and NFY Speckled Wood trying to get out of the house!
Farewell Winter! 18 Whoopers N up the west edge of York this morning sparked a mad scramble from my desk for a camera..... #UKBirding @yorkbirding.bsky.social
March 21, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Farewell Winter! 18 Whoopers N up the west edge of York this morning sparked a mad scramble from my desk for a camera..... #UKBirding @yorkbirding.bsky.social