Daryl Rhymes
@darylrhymes.bsky.social
Mainly birds & wildlife, mid/North Essex
Goldhanger views this afternoon
November 21, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Goldhanger views this afternoon
Goldhanger on the falling tide this afternoon was lovely and there were some birds too - a 1w drake Velvet Scoter, 2 Red-throated Diver, Common Scoter, 5 Goldeneye, 42 RB Merganser, lots of Brent & other wildfowl, 2 Stonechat & a flyover RN Parakeet #essexbirding
November 21, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Goldhanger on the falling tide this afternoon was lovely and there were some birds too - a 1w drake Velvet Scoter, 2 Red-throated Diver, Common Scoter, 5 Goldeneye, 42 RB Merganser, lots of Brent & other wildfowl, 2 Stonechat & a flyover RN Parakeet #essexbirding
Abberton views this morning
November 21, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Abberton views this morning
Lovely day to be out today, viewing difficult at Abberton but eventually managed 3 Common Scoter, 5 Bewick's Swan, 14 Scaup, Slav Grebe, 12 RC Pochard, 65 Goldeneye, Turnstone, Peregrine, 6 Fieldfare, Rock Pipit and good numbers of other wildfowl & waders #essexbirding
November 21, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Lovely day to be out today, viewing difficult at Abberton but eventually managed 3 Common Scoter, 5 Bewick's Swan, 14 Scaup, Slav Grebe, 12 RC Pochard, 65 Goldeneye, Turnstone, Peregrine, 6 Fieldfare, Rock Pipit and good numbers of other wildfowl & waders #essexbirding
I had time for a couple of hours at Abberton this pm, as usual lots to see including 2 ad Bewick's Swan, 3 fem Common Scoter, 4+ Scaup, 12 RC Pochard, 75 Goldeneye & an impressive count of 1450 Pintail #essexbirding
November 16, 2025 at 5:51 PM
I had time for a couple of hours at Abberton this pm, as usual lots to see including 2 ad Bewick's Swan, 3 fem Common Scoter, 4+ Scaup, 12 RC Pochard, 75 Goldeneye & an impressive count of 1450 Pintail #essexbirding
There were a few wildfowl moving at The Naze this morning, including 340 Brent, 2 RB Merganser, a Goldeneye, 32 Common Scoter, 2 Pintail & 2 drake Eider. Also 2 Gannet & Red-throated Diver. Better still were the 2 Firecrest (1 ringed) which I watched for ages down to about 6 feet #essexbirding
November 16, 2025 at 5:47 PM
There were a few wildfowl moving at The Naze this morning, including 340 Brent, 2 RB Merganser, a Goldeneye, 32 Common Scoter, 2 Pintail & 2 drake Eider. Also 2 Gannet & Red-throated Diver. Better still were the 2 Firecrest (1 ringed) which I watched for ages down to about 6 feet #essexbirding
A few hours at Abberton this am revealed the drake Lesser Scaup, 9 Greater Scaup, Slav Grebe, 12 RC Pochard, 18 Ruff & all the usual wildfowl. Also Red Admiral there & 2 Firecrests across the road in Fridaywood. I think we need some colder weather now! #essexbirding
November 12, 2025 at 5:39 PM
A few hours at Abberton this am revealed the drake Lesser Scaup, 9 Greater Scaup, Slav Grebe, 12 RC Pochard, 18 Ruff & all the usual wildfowl. Also Red Admiral there & 2 Firecrests across the road in Fridaywood. I think we need some colder weather now! #essexbirding
I had an impromptu day at The Naze today, hoping for a few Firecrests. I failed but there were a few birds about - 25 Goldcrest, 3 Chiffs, Blackcap, 7 Fieldfare, Siskin, Redpoll & juv Arctic Tern, plus 2 Clouded Yellow. I suppose I should mention that I saw the 2 Pallid Swift as well! #essexbirding
November 9, 2025 at 6:25 PM
I had an impromptu day at The Naze today, hoping for a few Firecrests. I failed but there were a few birds about - 25 Goldcrest, 3 Chiffs, Blackcap, 7 Fieldfare, Siskin, Redpoll & juv Arctic Tern, plus 2 Clouded Yellow. I suppose I should mention that I saw the 2 Pallid Swift as well! #essexbirding
As well as good numbers, there were a few scarcities at Abberton today - a drake Lesser Scaup, Slavonian & Black-necked Grebe, 2 Little Stint, 2 Spoonbill & 9 RC Pochard. Also lots of passerines, including 400+ Linnet & 1000's of Starlings #essexbirding
November 7, 2025 at 5:42 PM
As well as good numbers, there were a few scarcities at Abberton today - a drake Lesser Scaup, Slavonian & Black-necked Grebe, 2 Little Stint, 2 Spoonbill & 9 RC Pochard. Also lots of passerines, including 400+ Linnet & 1000's of Starlings #essexbirding
There were some good totals on the Abberton WeBS today including 5757 Coot, 2947 Tufted Duck, 2375 Teal, 1658 Wigeon, 252 Egyptian Geese, 1857 Cormorant, 634 Pochard, 503 GC Grebe, 500 Golden Plover, 1354 Lapwing, 64 Dunlin, 36 GW Egret & 16 Greater Scaup. Too dull for photos though #essexbirding
November 7, 2025 at 5:33 PM
There were some good totals on the Abberton WeBS today including 5757 Coot, 2947 Tufted Duck, 2375 Teal, 1658 Wigeon, 252 Egyptian Geese, 1857 Cormorant, 634 Pochard, 503 GC Grebe, 500 Golden Plover, 1354 Lapwing, 64 Dunlin, 36 GW Egret & 16 Greater Scaup. Too dull for photos though #essexbirding
First walk round Whetmead NR, Witham since September. 2 Red Kite were the birding highlight amongst 29 species seen, but more surprisingly still 15+ Common Darter around, plus lots of caddisfly activity and a Peacock butterfly #essexbirding
November 6, 2025 at 1:40 PM
First walk round Whetmead NR, Witham since September. 2 Red Kite were the birding highlight amongst 29 species seen, but more surprisingly still 15+ Common Darter around, plus lots of caddisfly activity and a Peacock butterfly #essexbirding
Abberton was full of birds again today, especially wildfowl that were everywhere. Highlights were Merlin, Spoonbill, 14 Goosander, 2 Scaup, 13 RC Pochard, Little Stint, 140 Golden Plover, 10 Ruff, 11 Dunlin & 24 GW Egret. Tufted Duck, Teal, Pintail & Wigeon were all numerous #essexbirding
November 3, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Abberton was full of birds again today, especially wildfowl that were everywhere. Highlights were Merlin, Spoonbill, 14 Goosander, 2 Scaup, 13 RC Pochard, Little Stint, 140 Golden Plover, 10 Ruff, 11 Dunlin & 24 GW Egret. Tufted Duck, Teal, Pintail & Wigeon were all numerous #essexbirding
Abberton Res is quiet at the moment, could do with the water level rising a bit as it's all a bit dry. However, the aythya flocks kept me entertained today & found at least 7 Scaup amongst the Tufteds, plus a ringed Tufted & a good hybrid. Little Stint was best of the rest #essexbirding
October 27, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Abberton Res is quiet at the moment, could do with the water level rising a bit as it's all a bit dry. However, the aythya flocks kept me entertained today & found at least 7 Scaup amongst the Tufteds, plus a ringed Tufted & a good hybrid. Little Stint was best of the rest #essexbirding
Another am visit to Abberton today on a lovely calm day. Best birds were 3 Redpoll, Siskin, Goldcrests, 2 Little Stint, 4 Spotted Redshank, 120 Golden Plover, 12 Ruff, 19 Goldeneye, 4 Stonechat & 16 GW Egret. Huge numbers of Coot & Tufted Duck too #essexbirding
October 22, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Another am visit to Abberton today on a lovely calm day. Best birds were 3 Redpoll, Siskin, Goldcrests, 2 Little Stint, 4 Spotted Redshank, 120 Golden Plover, 12 Ruff, 19 Goldeneye, 4 Stonechat & 16 GW Egret. Huge numbers of Coot & Tufted Duck too #essexbirding
I had hoped for a few migrants at Abberton today, but it was hard going with the rain not arriving until much later & sunny, breezy conditions early on. Still, picked up 2 Scaup (fem & juv), 7 Goldeneye, 10 Goosander, 8 Redwing, 8 Goldcrest, 26 Med Gulls, 18 GW Egret & Spoonbill #essexbirding
October 19, 2025 at 3:21 PM
I had hoped for a few migrants at Abberton today, but it was hard going with the rain not arriving until much later & sunny, breezy conditions early on. Still, picked up 2 Scaup (fem & juv), 7 Goldeneye, 10 Goosander, 8 Redwing, 8 Goldcrest, 26 Med Gulls, 18 GW Egret & Spoonbill #essexbirding
Not a bad day at The Naze today with at least 2 (probably 3) Yellow-browed Warblers, 25+ Goldcrests, 2 Bramblings, Redpolls, Siskins, Chiffchaffs, Stonechats, 10 Swallows & 2 Redwings #essexbirding
October 17, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Not a bad day at The Naze today with at least 2 (probably 3) Yellow-browed Warblers, 25+ Goldcrests, 2 Bramblings, Redpolls, Siskins, Chiffchaffs, Stonechats, 10 Swallows & 2 Redwings #essexbirding
It was WeBS day at Abbetton yesterday. Good numbers of the common ducks & geese, GC Grebes, Coots & a decent count of 46 GW Egret. Otherwise, drake Scaup, Goldeneye, 14 Spotted Redshank, Spoonbill, Black Tern, 7+ Stonechat and loads of Linnets & Meadow Pipits. Not a bad day at all #essexbirding
October 11, 2025 at 9:23 AM
It was WeBS day at Abbetton yesterday. Good numbers of the common ducks & geese, GC Grebes, Coots & a decent count of 46 GW Egret. Otherwise, drake Scaup, Goldeneye, 14 Spotted Redshank, Spoonbill, Black Tern, 7+ Stonechat and loads of Linnets & Meadow Pipits. Not a bad day at all #essexbirding
Menorca - we're back home now, the last few days were quieter for wildlife but still plenty to see. Ended up with 79 bird species & plenty of inverts, plus a few reptiles. Didn't get to see Thekla's Lark, but we were in the wrong area to stand much of a chance....
October 6, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Menorca - we're back home now, the last few days were quieter for wildlife but still plenty to see. Ended up with 79 bird species & plenty of inverts, plus a few reptiles. Didn't get to see Thekla's Lark, but we were in the wrong area to stand much of a chance....
Menorca - I had a profitable time wandering slowly round Son Bou today, excellent views of the Swamphens, 2 GW Egret, Sparrowhawk, Osprey, 300+ Swallows feeding up in the evening & a big flock of Starlings (4000+) over the reedbed. Also, a good look at the darters & Keeled Skimmer in the dunes.
October 2, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Menorca - I had a profitable time wandering slowly round Son Bou today, excellent views of the Swamphens, 2 GW Egret, Sparrowhawk, Osprey, 300+ Swallows feeding up in the evening & a big flock of Starlings (4000+) over the reedbed. Also, a good look at the darters & Keeled Skimmer in the dunes.
Menorca - visit to Mahon on Tuesday (by bus) and around Son Bou yesterday. Still lots to see - Garganey, Turtle Doves, Stonechats, Song Thrush, Lapwing & calling Stone Curlew all new for me this week. Also, what I think are Southern Darters (in the dunes) amongst the many other inverts.
October 2, 2025 at 6:30 AM
Menorca - visit to Mahon on Tuesday (by bus) and around Son Bou yesterday. Still lots to see - Garganey, Turtle Doves, Stonechats, Song Thrush, Lapwing & calling Stone Curlew all new for me this week. Also, what I think are Southern Darters (in the dunes) amongst the many other inverts.
Prat de Son Bou, Menorca today - Italian Wall Lizards, Hermann's Tortoise, European Pond Terrapins. There were lots of other invertebrates too.
September 29, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Prat de Son Bou, Menorca today - Italian Wall Lizards, Hermann's Tortoise, European Pond Terrapins. There were lots of other invertebrates too.
Prat de Son Bou, Menorca today. Plenty of butterflies & moths including Cleopatra, Clouded Yellow, Bath White, Lang's short-tailed Blue, Long-tailed Blue, Painted Lady, Beet Webworm, Rush Veneer & Beautiful Snout.
September 29, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Prat de Son Bou, Menorca today. Plenty of butterflies & moths including Cleopatra, Clouded Yellow, Bath White, Lang's short-tailed Blue, Long-tailed Blue, Painted Lady, Beet Webworm, Rush Veneer & Beautiful Snout.
Prat de Son Bou, Menorca - lots of odonata today, including hundreds of Broad Scarlets
September 29, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Prat de Son Bou, Menorca - lots of odonata today, including hundreds of Broad Scarlets
I had a good walk around Prat de Son Bou, Menorca this morning. Plenty of birds to see including 5 Western Swamphens, Egyptian Vulture, Booted Eagles, Pallid Swifts, a Pintail, Wheatear, 2 Whinchats, 2 Spotted Flycatchers, 4 Hoopoes, 2 LR Plovers & Kingfisher.
September 29, 2025 at 8:08 PM
I had a good walk around Prat de Son Bou, Menorca this morning. Plenty of birds to see including 5 Western Swamphens, Egyptian Vulture, Booted Eagles, Pallid Swifts, a Pintail, Wheatear, 2 Whinchats, 2 Spotted Flycatchers, 4 Hoopoes, 2 LR Plovers & Kingfisher.
First full day on Menorca, mostly on the beach! Nonetheless I still saw 12+ Audouin's Gull, Osprey, 9 Gtr Flamingo, 2 BN Grebe, 45 Cattle Egret, Snipe, 2 BW Stilt, Spotted Redshank, Crimson Speckled, Long-tailed Blue & Spurge Hawkmoth caterpillar. No odonata, but it was a mostly dull day
September 28, 2025 at 8:44 PM
First full day on Menorca, mostly on the beach! Nonetheless I still saw 12+ Audouin's Gull, Osprey, 9 Gtr Flamingo, 2 BN Grebe, 45 Cattle Egret, Snipe, 2 BW Stilt, Spotted Redshank, Crimson Speckled, Long-tailed Blue & Spurge Hawkmoth caterpillar. No odonata, but it was a mostly dull day