Eddie Bathgate
@limeypomme.bsky.social
Landowner, genius & pickpocket. Bird watching, cricket and geography. Saving Suffolk’s Swifts. Woodbridge
All was going so well with my Swifts, this box is newly used and now paired up. We’ve had a clueless Swift circling this evening, trying to work out how to land, crashing into the brickwork many times. It has now ended up in with the pair and is getting a beating from both.
May 14, 2025 at 8:30 PM
All was going so well with my Swifts, this box is newly used and now paired up. We’ve had a clueless Swift circling this evening, trying to work out how to land, crashing into the brickwork many times. It has now ended up in with the pair and is getting a beating from both.
As of 2pm this afternoon this Swift nest box now has a pair getting to know each other. This nest box hasn’t hosted Swifts before, did have a wasp nest inside though last year. The neighbouring nest box was used and that pair have yet to arrrive, I’m hoping they still will and they aren’t these ones
May 9, 2025 at 3:59 PM
As of 2pm this afternoon this Swift nest box now has a pair getting to know each other. This nest box hasn’t hosted Swifts before, did have a wasp nest inside though last year. The neighbouring nest box was used and that pair have yet to arrrive, I’m hoping they still will and they aren’t these ones
This is my second Swift nest box to be colonised, now a pair in there re-establishing their bonds. 6 Swifts screaming around the house this evening without calls being played, which is very good for this early in the Swift season here @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social @sosswifts.bsky.social
May 8, 2025 at 8:26 PM
This is my second Swift nest box to be colonised, now a pair in there re-establishing their bonds. 6 Swifts screaming around the house this evening without calls being played, which is very good for this early in the Swift season here @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social @sosswifts.bsky.social
My first Swift has returned back here to a nest box used last year, it was my second of my boxes to be taken up. Now playing The Cramps, ‘Let’s Get Fluffed Up’ very loudly in celebration. @sosswifts.bsky.social
May 6, 2025 at 8:09 PM
My first Swift has returned back here to a nest box used last year, it was my second of my boxes to be taken up. Now playing The Cramps, ‘Let’s Get Fluffed Up’ very loudly in celebration. @sosswifts.bsky.social
Whimbrels, Sanderling, Bar-tailed Godwits, Ruff and Red-breasted Mergansers the best of a rising tide off Sandbanks this afternoon. Turnstones and Oystercatchers boosted the numbers and entertained in miserable weather. #PooleHarbour
February 8, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Whimbrels, Sanderling, Bar-tailed Godwits, Ruff and Red-breasted Mergansers the best of a rising tide off Sandbanks this afternoon. Turnstones and Oystercatchers boosted the numbers and entertained in miserable weather. #PooleHarbour
Super icy stroll today up the Deben, once the freezing fog lifted. Colour ringed Avocets, Kingfisher, Bar-tailed Godwit and Spotted Redshank the best amongst a nice selection of waders and wildfowl. #SuffolkBirding #UKBirding @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social
January 11, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Super icy stroll today up the Deben, once the freezing fog lifted. Colour ringed Avocets, Kingfisher, Bar-tailed Godwit and Spotted Redshank the best amongst a nice selection of waders and wildfowl. #SuffolkBirding #UKBirding @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social
Always a pleasure to come home to the latest Suffolk Bird Group Harrier magazine, and good to get the 2025 indoor talks & outdoor walks on the calendar early. Magnificently edited by @wildlifegig.bsky.social as always. #SuffolkBirds @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social
December 16, 2024 at 6:32 PM
Always a pleasure to come home to the latest Suffolk Bird Group Harrier magazine, and good to get the 2025 indoor talks & outdoor walks on the calendar early. Magnificently edited by @wildlifegig.bsky.social as always. #SuffolkBirds @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social
Midge Ure was gracious to write many excellent songs over the years, playing Ipswich tonight.
November 27, 2024 at 9:07 PM
Midge Ure was gracious to write many excellent songs over the years, playing Ipswich tonight.
Whilst staying in Leeuwarden we took the ferry from Holwerd across to the outer island of Ameland. A White-tailed Eagle was harassing the Barnacle Geese on the coast putting up clouds of ducks and waders, quite a sight.
November 4, 2024 at 6:22 PM
Whilst staying in Leeuwarden we took the ferry from Holwerd across to the outer island of Ameland. A White-tailed Eagle was harassing the Barnacle Geese on the coast putting up clouds of ducks and waders, quite a sight.
Super non-birding short trip over to Holland; Leiden, up to Leeuwarden then via Delft on the way back. The overnight Harwich-Hook ferry was simple and the drive across the polders stunning.
November 3, 2024 at 7:25 PM
Super non-birding short trip over to Holland; Leiden, up to Leeuwarden then via Delft on the way back. The overnight Harwich-Hook ferry was simple and the drive across the polders stunning.
The Boquer Valley didn’t disappoint. Cleopatra butterflies, Ravens and a Booted Eagle over the car park then Spotted Flycatcher, Redstarts, Firecrest, Wheatear and Ortolan Buntings below the gates. Ace Eleonora’s & Blue Rock Thrushes further on but missed the Balearic Warbler, looked the wrong way..
October 17, 2024 at 4:28 PM
The Boquer Valley didn’t disappoint. Cleopatra butterflies, Ravens and a Booted Eagle over the car park then Spotted Flycatcher, Redstarts, Firecrest, Wheatear and Ortolan Buntings below the gates. Ace Eleonora’s & Blue Rock Thrushes further on but missed the Balearic Warbler, looked the wrong way..
Cases de Son Real down the coast from Alcudia was an excellent stop. Hoopoes were around the car park and both Bath White & Two-tailed Pasha butterflies were around the museum garden, an ace picnic stop. 12 Shag, 75 Kentish Plover & 30 Audouin’s Gulls were off the beach on S’lllot des Porros
October 16, 2024 at 6:56 PM
Cases de Son Real down the coast from Alcudia was an excellent stop. Hoopoes were around the car park and both Bath White & Two-tailed Pasha butterflies were around the museum garden, an ace picnic stop. 12 Shag, 75 Kentish Plover & 30 Audouin’s Gulls were off the beach on S’lllot des Porros
A lovely older birder couple told us of this little wetland tucked behind Alcudia’s Lidl supermarket by the water park, close to our hotel. Purple Swamphen, Kentish Plover, Great Egret and Little Bittern were amongst the many Black-winged Stilts, Glossy Ibis and Little Egrets. #BirdingMajorca
October 14, 2024 at 5:08 PM
A lovely older birder couple told us of this little wetland tucked behind Alcudia’s Lidl supermarket by the water park, close to our hotel. Purple Swamphen, Kentish Plover, Great Egret and Little Bittern were amongst the many Black-winged Stilts, Glossy Ibis and Little Egrets. #BirdingMajorca
With strong southerly winds we decided to drive down to the southern tip of Majorca for a sea watch, tucked up beneath the Cap de ses Salines’ lighthouse. Close in Manx & Cory’s Shearwaters passed by and a low flying Eleonora’s Falcon went out hunting, skimming the waves. #BirdingMajorca
October 13, 2024 at 4:16 PM
With strong southerly winds we decided to drive down to the southern tip of Majorca for a sea watch, tucked up beneath the Cap de ses Salines’ lighthouse. Close in Manx & Cory’s Shearwaters passed by and a low flying Eleonora’s Falcon went out hunting, skimming the waves. #BirdingMajorca
A birding stroll around Cuber Reservoir today, western Majorca. Max count of 2 Black Vulture, 5 Griffon Vulture, 2 Booted Eagle and 14 Ravens, plus singles of Osprey, Cirl Bunting and both Black and Common Redstart. Chilly breeze and 17°C up in the hills, 25°C with a Spotted Fly at the hotel
October 8, 2024 at 4:19 PM
A birding stroll around Cuber Reservoir today, western Majorca. Max count of 2 Black Vulture, 5 Griffon Vulture, 2 Booted Eagle and 14 Ravens, plus singles of Osprey, Cirl Bunting and both Black and Common Redstart. Chilly breeze and 17°C up in the hills, 25°C with a Spotted Fly at the hotel
Birding break to Majorca, staying in Alcudia with Crossbills and Sardinian Warblers around the hotel plus Cleopatra & stunning Plain Tiger butterflies in the adjacent scrub. S’Albufera today, super place with close up Red-knobbed Coot (no sniggering) & Audouin’s Gulls being lifers.
October 7, 2024 at 3:51 PM
Birding break to Majorca, staying in Alcudia with Crossbills and Sardinian Warblers around the hotel plus Cleopatra & stunning Plain Tiger butterflies in the adjacent scrub. S’Albufera today, super place with close up Red-knobbed Coot (no sniggering) & Audouin’s Gulls being lifers.
Wonderfully humid evening here, still 21°C with a hint of murky mist. Moth trap fired up!
September 5, 2024 at 7:23 PM
Wonderfully humid evening here, still 21°C with a hint of murky mist. Moth trap fired up!
After work trip to RSPB Boyton. Curlew Sandpiper the best. Ruff, Snipe, Lapwing and Green Sandpipers around the same flash too.
August 28, 2024 at 3:20 PM
After work trip to RSPB Boyton. Curlew Sandpiper the best. Ruff, Snipe, Lapwing and Green Sandpipers around the same flash too.
Weekend away in Cambridge, beautiful walks around the colleges.
October 29, 2023 at 7:31 PM
Weekend away in Cambridge, beautiful walks around the colleges.
Suffolk Bird Group trip this morning to Landguard Bird Observatory on the southern tip of Felixstowe. Great to see Song Thrush, Chiffchaff and Goldcrest close up & it will be interesting to learn the history of an already ringed Chaffinch
October 21, 2023 at 9:55 AM
Suffolk Bird Group trip this morning to Landguard Bird Observatory on the southern tip of Felixstowe. Great to see Song Thrush, Chiffchaff and Goldcrest close up & it will be interesting to learn the history of an already ringed Chaffinch
Delivered a Swift Community Set for this elevation of The Anchor pub in Walberswick, Suffolk. Five nest boxes will be fitted along with a 240V call system to help attract the Swifts in next year
October 16, 2023 at 6:40 PM
Delivered a Swift Community Set for this elevation of The Anchor pub in Walberswick, Suffolk. Five nest boxes will be fitted along with a 240V call system to help attract the Swifts in next year