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. 🌍💚🇪🇺
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 🙏🏻
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
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
2. Fair Isle Day-3. Also four Yellow-browed Warblers which I conspired to miss but I’ll go again tomorrow. The forecast looks absolutely nuts, if not a little scary for the next three days. 😬🙏🏻 #UKBirding
October 18, 2025 at 8:45 PM
2. Fair Isle Day-3. Also four Yellow-browed Warblers which I conspired to miss but I’ll go again tomorrow. The forecast looks absolutely nuts, if not a little scary for the next three days. 😬🙏🏻 #UKBirding
My journey north begins- I’m heading north to Shetland and Fair Isle for the next nine days. And what if this forecast holds?
October 15, 2025 at 9:24 AM
My journey north begins- I’m heading north to Shetland and Fair Isle for the next nine days. And what if this forecast holds?
KABOOM. Just found Isabelline Wheatear at Whitburn Bents. BOC thanks to Dave Foster #NEBirding #UKBirding
September 25, 2025 at 9:57 AM
KABOOM. Just found Isabelline Wheatear at Whitburn Bents. BOC thanks to Dave Foster #NEBirding #UKBirding
Black-crowned Night Heron at Marden Quarry this afternoon. It took a bit of finding but showed brilliantly eventually #NEBirding
August 13, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Black-crowned Night Heron at Marden Quarry this afternoon. It took a bit of finding but showed brilliantly eventually #NEBirding
6. Theo volume concise version of BWP with its protective sleeve.
May 3, 2025 at 1:51 PM
6. Theo volume concise version of BWP with its protective sleeve.
5. Various field guides. The Collins guides are also large format versions.
May 3, 2025 at 1:31 PM
5. Various field guides. The Collins guides are also large format versions.
3. Various Helm Guides.
May 3, 2025 at 1:28 PM
3. Various Helm Guides.
2. Wintering and Breeding Bird Atlas and the Migration Atlas.
May 3, 2025 at 1:27 PM
2. Wintering and Breeding Bird Atlas and the Migration Atlas.
1. Dear bird folk, I am hoping to sell some of my lovely bird books and annual reports. I am open to offers.
Images attached in the hope that someone out there may be interested. Would folk mind reposting for me in the hope it reaches as many people as possible. Thank you. 🙏🏻 #BirdingGear
Images attached in the hope that someone out there may be interested. Would folk mind reposting for me in the hope it reaches as many people as possible. Thank you. 🙏🏻 #BirdingGear
May 3, 2025 at 1:25 PM
1. Dear bird folk, I am hoping to sell some of my lovely bird books and annual reports. I am open to offers.
Images attached in the hope that someone out there may be interested. Would folk mind reposting for me in the hope it reaches as many people as possible. Thank you. 🙏🏻 #BirdingGear
Images attached in the hope that someone out there may be interested. Would folk mind reposting for me in the hope it reaches as many people as possible. Thank you. 🙏🏻 #BirdingGear
As well as singing Skylarks around Whitburn yesterday, there were other signs of spring in and around Whitburn village.
February 22, 2025 at 7:31 AM
As well as singing Skylarks around Whitburn yesterday, there were other signs of spring in and around Whitburn village.
So looking forward to coming back ☺️🙏🏻
February 22, 2025 at 7:25 AM
So looking forward to coming back ☺️🙏🏻
For those on their way to South Shields. 55.00456° N, 1.41685° W
January 8, 2025 at 1:33 PM
For those on their way to South Shields. 55.00456° N, 1.41685° W
While I was sat waiting at East Chevington 🤦🏻♂️😝
December 6, 2024 at 4:54 PM
While I was sat waiting at East Chevington 🤦🏻♂️😝
Surely one has to make it over the North Sea 🙏🏻😬
November 3, 2024 at 8:10 AM
Surely one has to make it over the North Sea 🙏🏻😬
And this is proper bonkers as well 🤪 #UKBirding
October 26, 2024 at 6:27 PM
And this is proper bonkers as well 🤪 #UKBirding
2. Started the day with a seawatch from South Light- 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Sooty Shearwater, 6 Long-tailed Ducks and 1 Common Scoter. Other than the birds, in the aftermath of Storm Ashley, the seas were quite something. Savage power and beauty. Fair Isle. #UKBirding
October 21, 2024 at 7:00 PM
2. Started the day with a seawatch from South Light- 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Sooty Shearwater, 6 Long-tailed Ducks and 1 Common Scoter. Other than the birds, in the aftermath of Storm Ashley, the seas were quite something. Savage power and beauty. Fair Isle. #UKBirding
Well, it’s on. I begin my journey as Shetland and Fair Isle 2024 begins. What will I see this year 🦄 😬
October 16, 2024 at 8:25 AM
Well, it’s on. I begin my journey as Shetland and Fair Isle 2024 begins. What will I see this year 🦄 😬
Bluesky now has over 10 million users, and I was #6,235,185!
September 17, 2024 at 8:55 AM
Bluesky now has over 10 million users, and I was #6,235,185!
Barred Warbler Whitburn Coastal Park in Elderberry by footpath just north of the south car park at 12:35. Saw the bird several times as it foraged but then became really elusive. #NEbirding #UKbirding
September 1, 2024 at 12:26 PM
Barred Warbler Whitburn Coastal Park in Elderberry by footpath just north of the south car park at 12:35. Saw the bird several times as it foraged but then became really elusive. #NEbirding #UKbirding
First week of September is a long way away insofar as a forecast is concerned, but check out the anticyclonic circulation in the North Atlantic. Northeast coast sea watching might, just might be coming alive.
August 26, 2024 at 8:05 AM
First week of September is a long way away insofar as a forecast is concerned, but check out the anticyclonic circulation in the North Atlantic. Northeast coast sea watching might, just might be coming alive.