Simon Nichols
@hobhole.bsky.social
Father, Son, Brother, Husband, Birder, Mental Health Evangelist and lover of literature, music and kindness. #bekind
A Purrfect Morning
The last time I did a big sit, was November 2020 during the 2nd lockdown when all around the country we gathered in our gardens for a few hours each week to see what we could see.
I decided to do a big sit this morning (the day after my Birthday) as I have moved to a slightly 1/3
The last time I did a big sit, was November 2020 during the 2nd lockdown when all around the country we gathered in our gardens for a few hours each week to see what we could see.
I decided to do a big sit this morning (the day after my Birthday) as I have moved to a slightly 1/3
April 21, 2025 at 8:07 PM
A Purrfect Morning
The last time I did a big sit, was November 2020 during the 2nd lockdown when all around the country we gathered in our gardens for a few hours each week to see what we could see.
I decided to do a big sit this morning (the day after my Birthday) as I have moved to a slightly 1/3
The last time I did a big sit, was November 2020 during the 2nd lockdown when all around the country we gathered in our gardens for a few hours each week to see what we could see.
I decided to do a big sit this morning (the day after my Birthday) as I have moved to a slightly 1/3
Tales from the Bank - Day #264.
What an evening, 54 Corn Buntings into the Saltmarsh roost, Barn Owl posing in the Paddock, Avocets, Curlews and Oystercatcher trying to out call the Greenshank that flew around for 5 minutes TewTewTew’ing and the sunset. Of Carlsberg did April Birding #ukbirding
What an evening, 54 Corn Buntings into the Saltmarsh roost, Barn Owl posing in the Paddock, Avocets, Curlews and Oystercatcher trying to out call the Greenshank that flew around for 5 minutes TewTewTew’ing and the sunset. Of Carlsberg did April Birding #ukbirding
April 16, 2025 at 6:20 AM
Tales from the Bank - Day #264.
What an evening, 54 Corn Buntings into the Saltmarsh roost, Barn Owl posing in the Paddock, Avocets, Curlews and Oystercatcher trying to out call the Greenshank that flew around for 5 minutes TewTewTew’ing and the sunset. Of Carlsberg did April Birding #ukbirding
What an evening, 54 Corn Buntings into the Saltmarsh roost, Barn Owl posing in the Paddock, Avocets, Curlews and Oystercatcher trying to out call the Greenshank that flew around for 5 minutes TewTewTew’ing and the sunset. Of Carlsberg did April Birding #ukbirding
Tide is high …
I wasn’t just holding on, I was basking, the recent spring high tides and the glorious weather have meant more sojourns on the bank. The Avocets are back (and took rightful place as the 100th species in or over my garden in the last 8 months)
The river is alive with spring.
I wasn’t just holding on, I was basking, the recent spring high tides and the glorious weather have meant more sojourns on the bank. The Avocets are back (and took rightful place as the 100th species in or over my garden in the last 8 months)
The river is alive with spring.
April 3, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Tide is high …
I wasn’t just holding on, I was basking, the recent spring high tides and the glorious weather have meant more sojourns on the bank. The Avocets are back (and took rightful place as the 100th species in or over my garden in the last 8 months)
The river is alive with spring.
I wasn’t just holding on, I was basking, the recent spring high tides and the glorious weather have meant more sojourns on the bank. The Avocets are back (and took rightful place as the 100th species in or over my garden in the last 8 months)
The river is alive with spring.
#ukbirding - an incredible thread from one of the finest Birder-Storytellers of my generation.
Relive the past glories of our wonderful hobby and try not to think of the fact that as a minimum most of these birds were over 35 years ago … I salute you @markgolley.bsky.social thank you.
Relive the past glories of our wonderful hobby and try not to think of the fact that as a minimum most of these birds were over 35 years ago … I salute you @markgolley.bsky.social thank you.
When I'm away working & get a bit bored, I'll sometimes disappear down some wormhole or other, birds mainly (or music). That happened last week as I decided to work out (some of) the rare birds I've only seen once & how many years have elapsed since that one sighting...
Long🧵1/16
#blastfromthepast
Long🧵1/16
#blastfromthepast
April 3, 2025 at 5:35 AM
#ukbirding - an incredible thread from one of the finest Birder-Storytellers of my generation.
Relive the past glories of our wonderful hobby and try not to think of the fact that as a minimum most of these birds were over 35 years ago … I salute you @markgolley.bsky.social thank you.
Relive the past glories of our wonderful hobby and try not to think of the fact that as a minimum most of these birds were over 35 years ago … I salute you @markgolley.bsky.social thank you.
Back on bank…
8 days away is too much, a road warrior these last few weeks, it was great to be greeted by a pair of Med Gulls over the garden calling. A Song Thrush in full pelt (we have only seen a single Song Thrush over the winter) Oystercatcher and Curlew in full display. Missed it #ukbirding
8 days away is too much, a road warrior these last few weeks, it was great to be greeted by a pair of Med Gulls over the garden calling. A Song Thrush in full pelt (we have only seen a single Song Thrush over the winter) Oystercatcher and Curlew in full display. Missed it #ukbirding
March 27, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Back on bank…
8 days away is too much, a road warrior these last few weeks, it was great to be greeted by a pair of Med Gulls over the garden calling. A Song Thrush in full pelt (we have only seen a single Song Thrush over the winter) Oystercatcher and Curlew in full display. Missed it #ukbirding
8 days away is too much, a road warrior these last few weeks, it was great to be greeted by a pair of Med Gulls over the garden calling. A Song Thrush in full pelt (we have only seen a single Song Thrush over the winter) Oystercatcher and Curlew in full display. Missed it #ukbirding
Life on the Bank … it’s been an incredible few days with enormous skies and brilliant sunsets and the birds, Barn Owls most mornings, Merlin today and the first Chiffchaff back on territory - what’s not to love #ukbirding
March 15, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Life on the Bank … it’s been an incredible few days with enormous skies and brilliant sunsets and the birds, Barn Owls most mornings, Merlin today and the first Chiffchaff back on territory - what’s not to love #ukbirding
A short walk… to the car today along the bank produced Curlew, Redshank and Oystercatcher all calling and a brilliant Barn Owl (this was Browny - there is also Ghost, an almost pure white one that also hunts this stretch) Bank Bliss. #ukbirding
March 11, 2025 at 9:41 AM
A short walk… to the car today along the bank produced Curlew, Redshank and Oystercatcher all calling and a brilliant Barn Owl (this was Browny - there is also Ghost, an almost pure white one that also hunts this stretch) Bank Bliss. #ukbirding
Today I am mostly seeing …
Golden Plover, and Brent Geese, few Curlew over and piping Oystercatchers back displaying at the end of the garden.
If Carlsberg did morning Coffee … (I appreciate they don’t) but not a bad start to the day. #ukbirding #hobholeobs
Golden Plover, and Brent Geese, few Curlew over and piping Oystercatchers back displaying at the end of the garden.
If Carlsberg did morning Coffee … (I appreciate they don’t) but not a bad start to the day. #ukbirding #hobholeobs
February 21, 2025 at 8:12 AM
Today I am mostly seeing …
Golden Plover, and Brent Geese, few Curlew over and piping Oystercatchers back displaying at the end of the garden.
If Carlsberg did morning Coffee … (I appreciate they don’t) but not a bad start to the day. #ukbirding #hobholeobs
Golden Plover, and Brent Geese, few Curlew over and piping Oystercatchers back displaying at the end of the garden.
If Carlsberg did morning Coffee … (I appreciate they don’t) but not a bad start to the day. #ukbirding #hobholeobs
Reposted by Simon Nichols
Fancy some drumming this February? Join us via shrikebirdingtours.com #ukbirding
January 14, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Fancy some drumming this February? Join us via shrikebirdingtours.com #ukbirding
Today was sponsored by Gurgling Brent Geese, Pinking Pinks, Bugling Curlews, sipping Meadow Pipits and a swirling maelstrom of Starlings over the Garden. Hope your day was also bird filled with sight and sound. #ukbirding
December 29, 2024 at 7:26 PM
Today was sponsored by Gurgling Brent Geese, Pinking Pinks, Bugling Curlews, sipping Meadow Pipits and a swirling maelstrom of Starlings over the Garden. Hope your day was also bird filled with sight and sound. #ukbirding
Reposted by Simon Nichols
Just on the slim chance that anyone is aware of anyone magically acquiring a new pair of binoculars or you see them offered for sale .... my Leica Ultravid 10 x 42 binoculars were stolen from a hide at WWT Slimbridge on 11 December. The serial number is 1593393. #BirdingGear
December 29, 2024 at 7:40 AM
Just on the slim chance that anyone is aware of anyone magically acquiring a new pair of binoculars or you see them offered for sale .... my Leica Ultravid 10 x 42 binoculars were stolen from a hide at WWT Slimbridge on 11 December. The serial number is 1593393. #BirdingGear
Reposted by Simon Nichols
Welcome to the UK & Ireland Birding feed.
For an introduction to Bsky and feeds see here - bou.org.uk/blog-dudley-...
Otherwise, see the feed notes attached.
For an introduction to Bsky and feeds see here - bou.org.uk/blog-dudley-...
Otherwise, see the feed notes attached.
December 6, 2024 at 8:44 AM
Welcome to the UK & Ireland Birding feed.
For an introduction to Bsky and feeds see here - bou.org.uk/blog-dudley-...
Otherwise, see the feed notes attached.
For an introduction to Bsky and feeds see here - bou.org.uk/blog-dudley-...
Otherwise, see the feed notes attached.
The big smoke.
Two days of training meant an overnight stay in London.
Normally I am on it, with regard to birding, but arrival and departure have both been in the dark. The only bird I consciously saw all day was a brilliant Ring Necked Parakeet. For us northerners it’s still a novelty #ukbirding
Two days of training meant an overnight stay in London.
Normally I am on it, with regard to birding, but arrival and departure have both been in the dark. The only bird I consciously saw all day was a brilliant Ring Necked Parakeet. For us northerners it’s still a novelty #ukbirding
November 29, 2024 at 5:43 PM
The big smoke.
Two days of training meant an overnight stay in London.
Normally I am on it, with regard to birding, but arrival and departure have both been in the dark. The only bird I consciously saw all day was a brilliant Ring Necked Parakeet. For us northerners it’s still a novelty #ukbirding
Two days of training meant an overnight stay in London.
Normally I am on it, with regard to birding, but arrival and departure have both been in the dark. The only bird I consciously saw all day was a brilliant Ring Necked Parakeet. For us northerners it’s still a novelty #ukbirding
The Small Things.
Not much been happening on the Bank in the last few days, work and weather have not been kind to my birding endeavours, but a male Brambling in the garden not only enthralled me for 10 mins as it fed around the feeding station, but also the first I had seen in any of my gardens.
Not much been happening on the Bank in the last few days, work and weather have not been kind to my birding endeavours, but a male Brambling in the garden not only enthralled me for 10 mins as it fed around the feeding station, but also the first I had seen in any of my gardens.
November 27, 2024 at 10:42 PM
The Small Things.
Not much been happening on the Bank in the last few days, work and weather have not been kind to my birding endeavours, but a male Brambling in the garden not only enthralled me for 10 mins as it fed around the feeding station, but also the first I had seen in any of my gardens.
Not much been happening on the Bank in the last few days, work and weather have not been kind to my birding endeavours, but a male Brambling in the garden not only enthralled me for 10 mins as it fed around the feeding station, but also the first I had seen in any of my gardens.
Bert doesn’t deliver.
Storm Bert, while exhilarating and exciting to be out in has blown all the birds elsewhere. My BirdWeather Puc only recorded 3 species overnight and my dog walk recorded 1 Curlew and 1 Redshank - normally loads. The best sight was 2000 Brents battling the breeze #ukbirding
Storm Bert, while exhilarating and exciting to be out in has blown all the birds elsewhere. My BirdWeather Puc only recorded 3 species overnight and my dog walk recorded 1 Curlew and 1 Redshank - normally loads. The best sight was 2000 Brents battling the breeze #ukbirding
November 24, 2024 at 9:25 AM
Bert doesn’t deliver.
Storm Bert, while exhilarating and exciting to be out in has blown all the birds elsewhere. My BirdWeather Puc only recorded 3 species overnight and my dog walk recorded 1 Curlew and 1 Redshank - normally loads. The best sight was 2000 Brents battling the breeze #ukbirding
Storm Bert, while exhilarating and exciting to be out in has blown all the birds elsewhere. My BirdWeather Puc only recorded 3 species overnight and my dog walk recorded 1 Curlew and 1 Redshank - normally loads. The best sight was 2000 Brents battling the breeze #ukbirding
And still they come.
A cracking morning dog walk on the Bank, the 4 Little Grebes were still hanging around as were the two Goldeneye, 10 Ruff and 2 Knot were feeding with the small flock of 20 or so Dunlin but the crème de la crème was the Red Throated Diver that was on the Haven - making 124 for
A cracking morning dog walk on the Bank, the 4 Little Grebes were still hanging around as were the two Goldeneye, 10 Ruff and 2 Knot were feeding with the small flock of 20 or so Dunlin but the crème de la crème was the Red Throated Diver that was on the Haven - making 124 for
November 22, 2024 at 12:33 PM
And still they come.
A cracking morning dog walk on the Bank, the 4 Little Grebes were still hanging around as were the two Goldeneye, 10 Ruff and 2 Knot were feeding with the small flock of 20 or so Dunlin but the crème de la crème was the Red Throated Diver that was on the Haven - making 124 for
A cracking morning dog walk on the Bank, the 4 Little Grebes were still hanging around as were the two Goldeneye, 10 Ruff and 2 Knot were feeding with the small flock of 20 or so Dunlin but the crème de la crème was the Red Throated Diver that was on the Haven - making 124 for
Knowing your patch.
It’s a steep learning curve, that first year on your new patch and life on the Hobhole changes daily. The colder weather pushed two Goldeneye up river onto the Haven and they were chilling with a pair of Gadwell and 5 Teal (!) both species I have only seen in flight before today
It’s a steep learning curve, that first year on your new patch and life on the Hobhole changes daily. The colder weather pushed two Goldeneye up river onto the Haven and they were chilling with a pair of Gadwell and 5 Teal (!) both species I have only seen in flight before today
November 21, 2024 at 6:41 PM
Knowing your patch.
It’s a steep learning curve, that first year on your new patch and life on the Hobhole changes daily. The colder weather pushed two Goldeneye up river onto the Haven and they were chilling with a pair of Gadwell and 5 Teal (!) both species I have only seen in flight before today
It’s a steep learning curve, that first year on your new patch and life on the Hobhole changes daily. The colder weather pushed two Goldeneye up river onto the Haven and they were chilling with a pair of Gadwell and 5 Teal (!) both species I have only seen in flight before today
A Lovely Dovekie.
Decided to pop down to Cut End for an early Lunchtime visit, half heartedly hoping for one of the many 100’s of Little Auks passing the east coast to have been swept into the wash.
And 1 was, which was nice. A brilliant little thing about 200 yds out keeping pace with a Dunlin.
Decided to pop down to Cut End for an early Lunchtime visit, half heartedly hoping for one of the many 100’s of Little Auks passing the east coast to have been swept into the wash.
And 1 was, which was nice. A brilliant little thing about 200 yds out keeping pace with a Dunlin.
November 20, 2024 at 2:43 PM
A Lovely Dovekie.
Decided to pop down to Cut End for an early Lunchtime visit, half heartedly hoping for one of the many 100’s of Little Auks passing the east coast to have been swept into the wash.
And 1 was, which was nice. A brilliant little thing about 200 yds out keeping pace with a Dunlin.
Decided to pop down to Cut End for an early Lunchtime visit, half heartedly hoping for one of the many 100’s of Little Auks passing the east coast to have been swept into the wash.
And 1 was, which was nice. A brilliant little thing about 200 yds out keeping pace with a Dunlin.
Oh and while I am here.
Great White Egret and Wigeon become species number #91 and #92 for the Garden respectively. I know some (one !) of you cares. Can’t wait to see what species 100 is. Jay, Song Thrush and Mistle Thrush are all still obvious by their absence …
Great White Egret and Wigeon become species number #91 and #92 for the Garden respectively. I know some (one !) of you cares. Can’t wait to see what species 100 is. Jay, Song Thrush and Mistle Thrush are all still obvious by their absence …
November 17, 2024 at 12:25 PM
Oh and while I am here.
Great White Egret and Wigeon become species number #91 and #92 for the Garden respectively. I know some (one !) of you cares. Can’t wait to see what species 100 is. Jay, Song Thrush and Mistle Thrush are all still obvious by their absence …
Great White Egret and Wigeon become species number #91 and #92 for the Garden respectively. I know some (one !) of you cares. Can’t wait to see what species 100 is. Jay, Song Thrush and Mistle Thrush are all still obvious by their absence …
Burbling Brilliant Brent’s.
I know I talk about being lucky on here, but I bloody well am.
Never for one moment did I think that sitting in my garden watching Whistling Curlews, Pinking Pink Feet and Burbling Brents flying past my morning cup of Coffee. Just sublime. #ukbirding #lincsbirding sound🆙
I know I talk about being lucky on here, but I bloody well am.
Never for one moment did I think that sitting in my garden watching Whistling Curlews, Pinking Pink Feet and Burbling Brents flying past my morning cup of Coffee. Just sublime. #ukbirding #lincsbirding sound🆙
November 17, 2024 at 12:19 PM
Burbling Brilliant Brent’s.
I know I talk about being lucky on here, but I bloody well am.
Never for one moment did I think that sitting in my garden watching Whistling Curlews, Pinking Pink Feet and Burbling Brents flying past my morning cup of Coffee. Just sublime. #ukbirding #lincsbirding sound🆙
I know I talk about being lucky on here, but I bloody well am.
Never for one moment did I think that sitting in my garden watching Whistling Curlews, Pinking Pink Feet and Burbling Brents flying past my morning cup of Coffee. Just sublime. #ukbirding #lincsbirding sound🆙
@rockgod2112.bsky.social yay :-) good to see you on here mate. And great to see you albeit briefly up north. Speak soon my friend.
November 15, 2024 at 10:35 AM
@rockgod2112.bsky.social yay :-) good to see you on here mate. And great to see you albeit briefly up north. Speak soon my friend.
Puc is live
Never thought I would tire of Pink Footed Geese and Goldfinches.
But the new continuous monitoring device (Puc) set up in the garden recorded 567 and 1108 detections of each respectively since Wednesday!
But still love wading through them trying to find new stuff. Hobhole.com #ukbirding
Never thought I would tire of Pink Footed Geese and Goldfinches.
But the new continuous monitoring device (Puc) set up in the garden recorded 567 and 1108 detections of each respectively since Wednesday!
But still love wading through them trying to find new stuff. Hobhole.com #ukbirding
November 8, 2024 at 8:13 PM
Puc is live
Never thought I would tire of Pink Footed Geese and Goldfinches.
But the new continuous monitoring device (Puc) set up in the garden recorded 567 and 1108 detections of each respectively since Wednesday!
But still love wading through them trying to find new stuff. Hobhole.com #ukbirding
Never thought I would tire of Pink Footed Geese and Goldfinches.
But the new continuous monitoring device (Puc) set up in the garden recorded 567 and 1108 detections of each respectively since Wednesday!
But still love wading through them trying to find new stuff. Hobhole.com #ukbirding
Reposted by Simon Nichols
Fancy a brilliant afternoon out? Why not join us for a Winter Wonderland birding trip on the beautiful Nene Washes. #ukbirding
November 3, 2024 at 5:51 PM
Fancy a brilliant afternoon out? Why not join us for a Winter Wonderland birding trip on the beautiful Nene Washes. #ukbirding
Another Bank Day.
I never dreamt that one day Whooper Swans and Pink Footed Geese would be flying over my house, 1000’s Brent Geese would be feeding at the bottom of my Garden and Rock Pipits and Curlews would be seen on my morning dog walks. For a born and bred Bucks Birder - Lincs is incredible.
I never dreamt that one day Whooper Swans and Pink Footed Geese would be flying over my house, 1000’s Brent Geese would be feeding at the bottom of my Garden and Rock Pipits and Curlews would be seen on my morning dog walks. For a born and bred Bucks Birder - Lincs is incredible.
October 27, 2024 at 11:32 AM
Another Bank Day.
I never dreamt that one day Whooper Swans and Pink Footed Geese would be flying over my house, 1000’s Brent Geese would be feeding at the bottom of my Garden and Rock Pipits and Curlews would be seen on my morning dog walks. For a born and bred Bucks Birder - Lincs is incredible.
I never dreamt that one day Whooper Swans and Pink Footed Geese would be flying over my house, 1000’s Brent Geese would be feeding at the bottom of my Garden and Rock Pipits and Curlews would be seen on my morning dog walks. For a born and bred Bucks Birder - Lincs is incredible.
The Hobhole Dream.
Did I mention that I love where I live?
The thought that one day I would walk 30yds from the end of my garden and see 2 Grey Plover fly over my house, 2 Whooper Swans calling as the fly past at eye level, a Red Breasted Merganser a mile up the river and then 2 Barwits drop in.
Did I mention that I love where I live?
The thought that one day I would walk 30yds from the end of my garden and see 2 Grey Plover fly over my house, 2 Whooper Swans calling as the fly past at eye level, a Red Breasted Merganser a mile up the river and then 2 Barwits drop in.
October 19, 2024 at 10:46 AM
The Hobhole Dream.
Did I mention that I love where I live?
The thought that one day I would walk 30yds from the end of my garden and see 2 Grey Plover fly over my house, 2 Whooper Swans calling as the fly past at eye level, a Red Breasted Merganser a mile up the river and then 2 Barwits drop in.
Did I mention that I love where I live?
The thought that one day I would walk 30yds from the end of my garden and see 2 Grey Plover fly over my house, 2 Whooper Swans calling as the fly past at eye level, a Red Breasted Merganser a mile up the river and then 2 Barwits drop in.