Andy Close
@birds-and-me.bsky.social
ADHD birder, hubby and daddy. Just trying to find my way in an upside down world. I love birds and the peace they bring. Coastal patch at Seaburn and Whitburn but my birding heart rests in Fair Isle. 🌍💚🇪🇺
Pretty much how I feel right now 😕
November 20, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Pretty much how I feel right now 😕
Found out about the Pallas’s Warbler at Whitburn Coastal Park to late in the afternoon to be able to go yesterday. Tried my best this morning but to no avail. Then tried for Firecrest at Roker Park. Nope, didn’t see that either. Just one of those days 😝🤦🏻♂️ #UKBirding #NEBirding
November 17, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Found out about the Pallas’s Warbler at Whitburn Coastal Park to late in the afternoon to be able to go yesterday. Tried my best this morning but to no avail. Then tried for Firecrest at Roker Park. Nope, didn’t see that either. Just one of those days 😝🤦🏻♂️ #UKBirding #NEBirding
1. Patch workout and a much calmer day today. Started brightly- Pink-footed Geese 90ca. (in two flocks), Whooper Swan 16 all heading south at Seaburn. A Woodcock and Common Buzzard over the garden was as good as it got from there on. No passerines at all in Cornthwaite Park. #UKBirding #NEBirding
November 16, 2025 at 2:41 PM
1. Patch workout and a much calmer day today. Started brightly- Pink-footed Geese 90ca. (in two flocks), Whooper Swan 16 all heading south at Seaburn. A Woodcock and Common Buzzard over the garden was as good as it got from there on. No passerines at all in Cornthwaite Park. #UKBirding #NEBirding
Patch work out this morning in a stonking easterly. Obvious movement of Common Gull offshore 60 ca. north. Increase in Great Black-backed Gull, too. Also Eider, Wigeon, Mallard and a cracking 1-w Little Gull along the high tide line at Seaburn. #NEBirding #UKBirding
November 15, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Patch work out this morning in a stonking easterly. Obvious movement of Common Gull offshore 60 ca. north. Increase in Great Black-backed Gull, too. Also Eider, Wigeon, Mallard and a cracking 1-w Little Gull along the high tide line at Seaburn. #NEBirding #UKBirding
Really wild day on patch. I didn’t hang around too long. Highlight was a Peregrine following the high tide line north from Seaburn, much to the displeasure of the local Herring and Black-headed Gulls. #NEBirding #UKBirding
November 13, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Really wild day on patch. I didn’t hang around too long. Highlight was a Peregrine following the high tide line north from Seaburn, much to the displeasure of the local Herring and Black-headed Gulls. #NEBirding #UKBirding
Reposted by Andy Close
Still wondering whether to visit the new Fair Isle Bird Obs in 2026? We are open for bookings 20th May to 31st October. Although there is only limited availability in May-July, we still have plenty of space from early August until the end of October. Our website includes information on how to book.
November 12, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Still wondering whether to visit the new Fair Isle Bird Obs in 2026? We are open for bookings 20th May to 31st October. Although there is only limited availability in May-July, we still have plenty of space from early August until the end of October. Our website includes information on how to book.
Jammed in the Pallid Swift at Whitburn this afternoon. Great find by @pratorum2112.bsky.social Bird showed well at times and offered good views through bins. Poor light didn’t really help with regard to photographs and this is the best I could do. #NEBirding #UKBirding 🙏🏻
November 12, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Jammed in the Pallid Swift at Whitburn this afternoon. Great find by @pratorum2112.bsky.social Bird showed well at times and offered good views through bins. Poor light didn’t really help with regard to photographs and this is the best I could do. #NEBirding #UKBirding 🙏🏻
Reposted by Andy Close
Terrific Pallid Swift at West Runton today.
November 11, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Terrific Pallid Swift at West Runton today.
Reposted by Andy Close
Just look at this! This is right up my alley, I love ID as most know and seeing work like this that illustrates the differences so well is fantastic.
I completed the Swainson's and Grey-cheeked Thrush illustration over the weekend. It was really enjoyable to work on these 2 subtle American vagrants that I was lucky to see earlier this Autumn close to home. #donegalbirding
November 11, 2025 at 10:57 AM
Just look at this! This is right up my alley, I love ID as most know and seeing work like this that illustrates the differences so well is fantastic.
After Fair Isle it’s back to the realities of patch birding. It may feel like the entire western palearctic is lifting with Pallas’s and Dusky Warblers, and whatever else, but Seaburn and Whitburn? A large slice of nowt, zip and sod all. 🙄🤦🏻♂️ #NEBirding #UKBirding
November 11, 2025 at 7:23 PM
After Fair Isle it’s back to the realities of patch birding. It may feel like the entire western palearctic is lifting with Pallas’s and Dusky Warblers, and whatever else, but Seaburn and Whitburn? A large slice of nowt, zip and sod all. 🙄🤦🏻♂️ #NEBirding #UKBirding
Reposted by Andy Close
Black-faced Bunting @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social
early morning - the second two images probably give a better indication of true colour - another first for Dorset in a remarkable year for this species in Western Europe:
early morning - the second two images probably give a better indication of true colour - another first for Dorset in a remarkable year for this species in Western Europe:
November 6, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Black-faced Bunting @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social
early morning - the second two images probably give a better indication of true colour - another first for Dorset in a remarkable year for this species in Western Europe:
early morning - the second two images probably give a better indication of true colour - another first for Dorset in a remarkable year for this species in Western Europe:
Reposted by Andy Close
Worrying reports of bird flu (avian influenza) are coming in, including an outbreak in Whooper Swans in the Fens. Other waterbirds are also being affected, and cases are rising.
📷 Sick Whooper Swan by Kane Brides
#UKBirding #BirdingWales #BirdingScotland
📷 Sick Whooper Swan by Kane Brides
#UKBirding #BirdingWales #BirdingScotland
November 6, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Worrying reports of bird flu (avian influenza) are coming in, including an outbreak in Whooper Swans in the Fens. Other waterbirds are also being affected, and cases are rising.
📷 Sick Whooper Swan by Kane Brides
#UKBirding #BirdingWales #BirdingScotland
📷 Sick Whooper Swan by Kane Brides
#UKBirding #BirdingWales #BirdingScotland
Finally caught up with a local Yellow-browed Warbler this year. One bird, and calling frequently, in Mete Knolls late morning. #NEBirding #UKBirding
November 5, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Finally caught up with a local Yellow-browed Warbler this year. One bird, and calling frequently, in Mete Knolls late morning. #NEBirding #UKBirding
Reposted by Andy Close
Europe's Insect-Eating Birds Reveal a Hidden Crisis in the Food Chain www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/E...
Europe's Insect-Eating Birds Reveal a Hidden Crisis in the Food Chain
New research shows that beetles and grasshoppers underpin bird diets – and their decline could spell disaster for species already in trouble
www.rarebirdalert.co.uk
October 31, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Europe's Insect-Eating Birds Reveal a Hidden Crisis in the Food Chain www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/E...
Reposted by Andy Close
Warra week. Black-throated Thrush and Sibe Rubythroat!
#OrkneyBirding
#OrkneyBirding
October 28, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Warra week. Black-throated Thrush and Sibe Rubythroat!
#OrkneyBirding
#OrkneyBirding
Reposted by Andy Close
We are still interested in any found twite feathers for a study on the relationships and genetic diversity between the British groups - particularly now for birds of Scottish origin in the NE of England or, birds on the Avon.
DM me for me more info.
#birdringing
DM me for me more info.
#birdringing
October 28, 2025 at 7:20 AM
We are still interested in any found twite feathers for a study on the relationships and genetic diversity between the British groups - particularly now for birds of Scottish origin in the NE of England or, birds on the Avon.
DM me for me more info.
#birdringing
DM me for me more info.
#birdringing
Reposted by Andy Close
The cruelty of bird migration laid bare at Cley this morning as a tired Woodcock reached the end of its sea crossing to be met by a hungry Peregrine. Knocked into the water the Woodcock ultimately succumbed to the rough breakers while the Peregrine left with just a tail feather. #NorfolkBirding
October 26, 2025 at 4:26 PM
The cruelty of bird migration laid bare at Cley this morning as a tired Woodcock reached the end of its sea crossing to be met by a hungry Peregrine. Knocked into the water the Woodcock ultimately succumbed to the rough breakers while the Peregrine left with just a tail feather. #NorfolkBirding
Mainland Shetland Day-8. Atrocious conditions but ventured out anyway. A brief view of the Steppe Grey Shrike at Scousburgh before it for cover, and an immaculate male Northern Bullfinch at Geosetter. Simply stunning birds. And that’s a wrap for Shetland 2025. See you next year. #UKBirding
October 24, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Mainland Shetland Day-8. Atrocious conditions but ventured out anyway. A brief view of the Steppe Grey Shrike at Scousburgh before it for cover, and an immaculate male Northern Bullfinch at Geosetter. Simply stunning birds. And that’s a wrap for Shetland 2025. See you next year. #UKBirding
1. Fair Isle Day-7. After a howling westerly yesterday a shift to a gentle ESE overnight had potential. The Obs. team trapped two Bluethroat in the observatory garden and the lads then found a Paddyfield Warbler. Sadly it did disappearing act before we managed to see it #UKBirding
October 23, 2025 at 5:34 PM
1. Fair Isle Day-7. After a howling westerly yesterday a shift to a gentle ESE overnight had potential. The Obs. team trapped two Bluethroat in the observatory garden and the lads then found a Paddyfield Warbler. Sadly it did disappearing act before we managed to see it #UKBirding
1. Fair Isle Day-6. We spent the entire day trying to identify a Pipit in the Boini Mire. Six and half hours we grilled it, photographed it and tried to record it. It was giving some really weird calls- nothing like I have ever heard from other Richard’s Pipits. Proper scary. #UKBirding
October 23, 2025 at 6:46 AM
1. Fair Isle Day-6. We spent the entire day trying to identify a Pipit in the Boini Mire. Six and half hours we grilled it, photographed it and tried to record it. It was giving some really weird calls- nothing like I have ever heard from other Richard’s Pipits. Proper scary. #UKBirding
👇🏻🤪
A classic day in Fair Isle today. With superb numbers of Woodcock and Blackcap especially, amongst a good spread of thrushes. A personal highlight was finding this Isabelline wheatear with @birds-and-me.bsky.social. Just a second for Fair Isle.
October 21, 2025 at 8:42 PM
👇🏻🤪
1. Fair Isle Day-5. A much calmer day and the feeling that birds were taking their time to emerge after the battering of yesterday. As the morning wore on Woodcock were zipping around all over the place. And Blackcaps- swarms of the sods. #UKBirding
October 21, 2025 at 5:29 PM
1. Fair Isle Day-5. A much calmer day and the feeling that birds were taking their time to emerge after the battering of yesterday. As the morning wore on Woodcock were zipping around all over the place. And Blackcaps- swarms of the sods. #UKBirding
Boom 💥 lightening strikes twice @kevinshetland.bsky.social and I have just found Isabelline Wheatear on Fair Isle. @fairislebirdobs.bsky.social #UKBirding
October 21, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Boom 💥 lightening strikes twice @kevinshetland.bsky.social and I have just found Isabelline Wheatear on Fair Isle. @fairislebirdobs.bsky.social #UKBirding
1. Fair Isle Day-4. Flag cracking SSE to SE later meant birds were seeking whatever cover they could find and that made it hard work for birding. And yet, there was still the feeling that birds were arriving. Managed to catch up with Yellow-browed Warbler in the morning. #UKBirding
October 20, 2025 at 10:11 AM
1. Fair Isle Day-4. Flag cracking SSE to SE later meant birds were seeking whatever cover they could find and that made it hard work for birding. And yet, there was still the feeling that birds were arriving. Managed to catch up with Yellow-browed Warbler in the morning. #UKBirding