Simon Nichols
@hobhole.bsky.social
Father, Son, Brother, Husband, Birder, Mental Health Evangelist and lover of literature, music and kindness. #bekind
And over the next three hours I was able to wrack up 65 species including Spoonbill and Barn Owl. As well as the usual suspects (Avocets, Curlews and Oystercatchers)
Migrants were thin on the ground with Whimbrel, Common Tern, Swallow and Sand Martin the obvious ones. No Kestrel or Chiffchaff though
Migrants were thin on the ground with Whimbrel, Common Tern, Swallow and Sand Martin the obvious ones. No Kestrel or Chiffchaff though
April 21, 2025 at 8:07 PM
And over the next three hours I was able to wrack up 65 species including Spoonbill and Barn Owl. As well as the usual suspects (Avocets, Curlews and Oystercatchers)
Migrants were thin on the ground with Whimbrel, Common Tern, Swallow and Sand Martin the obvious ones. No Kestrel or Chiffchaff though
Migrants were thin on the ground with Whimbrel, Common Tern, Swallow and Sand Martin the obvious ones. No Kestrel or Chiffchaff though
Better area ! Being on the opp side of the river to Frampton means that my vantage point should nest some decent species, little did I know that almost the first bird of the day at 05:35 was to be a fantastic Purring Turtle Dove in the paddock next to the garden! Fabulous.It was then focus time 2/3
April 21, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Better area ! Being on the opp side of the river to Frampton means that my vantage point should nest some decent species, little did I know that almost the first bird of the day at 05:35 was to be a fantastic Purring Turtle Dove in the paddock next to the garden! Fabulous.It was then focus time 2/3
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.
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
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
Can’t wait to see (hear !) what you get steve - just checked mine ( I am on London Underground ) and seems like a few anomalies to sort out :-) (the Woodcock yday was someone sawing wood :-)) #ukbirding
November 29, 2024 at 4:15 PM
Can’t wait to see (hear !) what you get steve - just checked mine ( I am on London Underground ) and seems like a few anomalies to sort out :-) (the Woodcock yday was someone sawing wood :-)) #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.
Yes - I am currently on the following - it does mean that all my Long Eared Owls are Collared Doves, Crested Tits and Short T Treecreepers are Dunnocks, My Green Sandpipers are mostly Goldfinch and I have quite a few Rohawfinchbins :-) but overall it’s pretty spot on.
November 24, 2024 at 2:05 PM
Yes - I am currently on the following - it does mean that all my Long Eared Owls are Collared Doves, Crested Tits and Short T Treecreepers are Dunnocks, My Green Sandpipers are mostly Goldfinch and I have quite a few Rohawfinchbins :-) but overall it’s pretty spot on.
I am normally on 25 - 35 Species and 900+ Detections by this time :-)
November 24, 2024 at 10:23 AM
I am normally on 25 - 35 Species and 900+ Detections by this time :-)
Just noticed that I had a Flick of Ruff yday not a Flock. Thinking on how their wings were glistening in the winter sunshine, a Flick of Ruff is now the norm. It’s a beautiful day on the Lincs coast today but not been up the bank yet so dining room window birding only. #ukbirding
November 22, 2024 at 8:28 AM
Just noticed that I had a Flick of Ruff yday not a Flock. Thinking on how their wings were glistening in the winter sunshine, a Flick of Ruff is now the norm. It’s a beautiful day on the Lincs coast today but not been up the bank yet so dining room window birding only. #ukbirding
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🆙
Thanks Steve - and yes Alan :-) def recommend it. 42 species recorded today and only the usual suspects an issue (Hawfinch is Robin, S T Treecreeper is Dunnock and Long Eared Owl is Collared Dove :-) ) but otherwise great. Listen to the recordings here Hobhole.com
November 15, 2024 at 6:07 PM
Thanks Steve - and yes Alan :-) def recommend it. 42 species recorded today and only the usual suspects an issue (Hawfinch is Robin, S T Treecreeper is Dunnock and Long Eared Owl is Collared Dove :-) ) but otherwise great. Listen to the recordings here Hobhole.com
It’s an all in one NOC Mig device - www.birdweather.com and yes :-) the birding is slightly more “exciting” than bucks - moved at end of July. Live other side of river to Frampton. Let me know if you ever pop up.
November 8, 2024 at 9:02 PM
It’s an all in one NOC Mig device - www.birdweather.com and yes :-) the birding is slightly more “exciting” than bucks - moved at end of July. Live other side of river to Frampton. Let me know if you ever pop up.
And just for those fans of the Garden and Hobhole listing updates - the female Brambling was #90 and #122 respectively. Not sure what to do about the albino Mandarin Duck I found today … to add or not to add :-) #ukbirding
November 8, 2024 at 8:23 PM
And just for those fans of the Garden and Hobhole listing updates - the female Brambling was #90 and #122 respectively. Not sure what to do about the albino Mandarin Duck I found today … to add or not to add :-) #ukbirding
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
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.
Up North Two.
A return to Unst to allow Simon and Hasan a chance to get even more lifers.
A fantastic 1.5 hours at Norwick and great views were had of Lanceolated Warbler, Paddyfield Warbler, Common Rosefinch and 4 YBW.
An Otter at Belmont Terminal and the beast of a Glaucous Gull also seen.
A return to Unst to allow Simon and Hasan a chance to get even more lifers.
A fantastic 1.5 hours at Norwick and great views were had of Lanceolated Warbler, Paddyfield Warbler, Common Rosefinch and 4 YBW.
An Otter at Belmont Terminal and the beast of a Glaucous Gull also seen.
October 6, 2024 at 1:30 PM
Up North Two.
A return to Unst to allow Simon and Hasan a chance to get even more lifers.
A fantastic 1.5 hours at Norwick and great views were had of Lanceolated Warbler, Paddyfield Warbler, Common Rosefinch and 4 YBW.
An Otter at Belmont Terminal and the beast of a Glaucous Gull also seen.
A return to Unst to allow Simon and Hasan a chance to get even more lifers.
A fantastic 1.5 hours at Norwick and great views were had of Lanceolated Warbler, Paddyfield Warbler, Common Rosefinch and 4 YBW.
An Otter at Belmont Terminal and the beast of a Glaucous Gull also seen.