Nick Carter
@merlin753.bsky.social
Birdwatcher, former Agricultural Entomologist, Director of Development BTO, Director of Environment Gardman, Wetland Project Officer NWT, now retired
Three Long-eared Owls at Deeping Lakes on Monday. One spotted by a very observant lady birder and the other 2 by thermal imager. Not the best view of one I accept but even part of one is great!
December 3, 2025 at 9:43 AM
Three Long-eared Owls at Deeping Lakes on Monday. One spotted by a very observant lady birder and the other 2 by thermal imager. Not the best view of one I accept but even part of one is great!
Wish this had been available before Dad died in 2000 but published in 2018. Could have asked him about the march from Dunkirk to Germany, camp life & the Death March at end of the war. A truly remarkable account of life in Stalag VIIIB. Nothing left of the camp now as has reverted to peaceful woods.
November 19, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Wish this had been available before Dad died in 2000 but published in 2018. Could have asked him about the march from Dunkirk to Germany, camp life & the Death March at end of the war. A truly remarkable account of life in Stalag VIIIB. Nothing left of the camp now as has reverted to peaceful woods.
Went back to Titchwell again yesterday @rspb.bsky.social for another look at the Am. GP, not playing ball in the am but 5 Firecrest behind VC a highlight. Back in the pm & the plover was in the GP flock right near the path in beautiful sunlight.
November 14, 2025 at 9:22 AM
Went back to Titchwell again yesterday @rspb.bsky.social for another look at the Am. GP, not playing ball in the am but 5 Firecrest behind VC a highlight. Back in the pm & the plover was in the GP flock right near the path in beautiful sunlight.
A lengthy trip up to @rspbtitchwellsnett.bsky.social yesterday, with a lane closure on the A47, turn-off to the Fakenham Road closed and slow traffic rewarded by excellent views of the immature American Golden Plover on the Fresh Marsh. Really did stand out against the yellower, larger Goldies.
November 12, 2025 at 8:54 AM
A lengthy trip up to @rspbtitchwellsnett.bsky.social yesterday, with a lane closure on the A47, turn-off to the Fakenham Road closed and slow traffic rewarded by excellent views of the immature American Golden Plover on the Fresh Marsh. Really did stand out against the yellower, larger Goldies.
The Umayyad Palace and dome in Amman Citadel; The Royal Tombs in Patra; and the Obelisk Tomb along the track towards Petra.
November 4, 2025 at 5:31 PM
The Umayyad Palace and dome in Amman Citadel; The Royal Tombs in Patra; and the Obelisk Tomb along the track towards Petra.
A few more birds and sites from our recent non-birding trip to Jordan: Hadrian's Arch, entrance to Jerash; The Monastery up 900 steps from Petra valley floor; Laughing Dove, vivid colours in the desert light; and White-crowned Wheatear; both birds in Wadi Rum
November 4, 2025 at 5:18 PM
A few more birds and sites from our recent non-birding trip to Jordan: Hadrian's Arch, entrance to Jerash; The Monastery up 900 steps from Petra valley floor; Laughing Dove, vivid colours in the desert light; and White-crowned Wheatear; both birds in Wadi Rum
As well as stunning natural and man-made sights
October 22, 2025 at 5:38 PM
As well as stunning natural and man-made sights
And some mystery birds which I think are Masked and Red-backed Shrikes and an Indian Silverbill
October 22, 2025 at 5:35 PM
And some mystery birds which I think are Masked and Red-backed Shrikes and an Indian Silverbill
Managed a few birds on our recent history/landscape trip to Jordan including Sinai Rosefinch, Mourning Wheatear, Sand Partridge and a family of Sooty Falcons
October 22, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Managed a few birds on our recent history/landscape trip to Jordan including Sinai Rosefinch, Mourning Wheatear, Sand Partridge and a family of Sooty Falcons
After a 2 hour wait at Landguard today the Wryneck showed very well!
September 16, 2025 at 3:47 PM
After a 2 hour wait at Landguard today the Wryneck showed very well!
Windy walk round Aldeburgh Marshes today with few waders on the main scrape area although low tide on the river so godwits there. Then Wheatear & Yellow Wagtails, latter with cattle. At the allotment pools 4 Curlew Sandpipers and more Yellow Wagtails; further on 3Whinchat & another Wheatear.
August 31, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Windy walk round Aldeburgh Marshes today with few waders on the main scrape area although low tide on the river so godwits there. Then Wheatear & Yellow Wagtails, latter with cattle. At the allotment pools 4 Curlew Sandpipers and more Yellow Wagtails; further on 3Whinchat & another Wheatear.
A rather birdless start to the day in the garden this morning
August 31, 2025 at 5:48 PM
A rather birdless start to the day in the garden this morning
A slightly tatty, unsuccessful visitor to my garden this morning
August 25, 2025 at 10:41 AM
A slightly tatty, unsuccessful visitor to my garden this morning
Good view of the Cisticola yesterday in song flight rising out of the reedbed and then did the long trek to see the Black Stork at Boyton; perhaps showing signs of some colouring at the base of the bill. #UKbirding
August 6, 2025 at 7:16 AM
Good view of the Cisticola yesterday in song flight rising out of the reedbed and then did the long trek to see the Black Stork at Boyton; perhaps showing signs of some colouring at the base of the bill. #UKbirding
Waterbird day y'day NW Norfolk, +Reg Land, starting at Snettisham; no White-rumped Sand, but Pec Sand as it walked behind a forest of Redshank legs & purring Turtle Dove on way back. Titchwell had a couple of the dark-billed juv Cattle Egrets and Spoonbills @rspbtitchwellsnett.bsky.social #UKbirding
August 1, 2025 at 9:59 AM
Waterbird day y'day NW Norfolk, +Reg Land, starting at Snettisham; no White-rumped Sand, but Pec Sand as it walked behind a forest of Redshank legs & purring Turtle Dove on way back. Titchwell had a couple of the dark-billed juv Cattle Egrets and Spoonbills @rspbtitchwellsnett.bsky.social #UKbirding
My latest bird painting attempt, hopefully recognisable. Taken from my photo of one seen in India this Spring
July 28, 2025 at 7:55 AM
My latest bird painting attempt, hopefully recognisable. Taken from my photo of one seen in India this Spring
An atrocious image of a probable Garganey at Aldeburgh Town Marshes yesterday, showing white fringes to feathering, dark line through eye, white supercilium and chin and possibly white loral spot although the bird was preening very actively or asleep so difficult to be sure.
July 24, 2025 at 8:14 AM
An atrocious image of a probable Garganey at Aldeburgh Town Marshes yesterday, showing white fringes to feathering, dark line through eye, white supercilium and chin and possibly white loral spot although the bird was preening very actively or asleep so difficult to be sure.
No Black Stork but this family party(?) of 4 Ruddy Shelduck on Aldeburgh Town Marshes was a nice surprise on the first small pool from 2nd right hand path. #birds
July 23, 2025 at 5:58 PM
No Black Stork but this family party(?) of 4 Ruddy Shelduck on Aldeburgh Town Marshes was a nice surprise on the first small pool from 2nd right hand path. #birds
At last one of the adult Roseate Terns came close enough for a decent shot from South Hide @rspbminsmere.bsky.social , initially amongst the large Sandwich Tern flock before walking down to edge of the island
July 11, 2025 at 8:53 AM
At last one of the adult Roseate Terns came close enough for a decent shot from South Hide @rspbminsmere.bsky.social , initially amongst the large Sandwich Tern flock before walking down to edge of the island
No Caspian Tern at NWT Cley yesterday but a good showing of egrets and Spoonbills
July 8, 2025 at 8:39 AM
No Caspian Tern at NWT Cley yesterday but a good showing of egrets and Spoonbills
A good range of seabirds in a line, 3 Great Egrets, juv Med Gull and a fine Summer-plumaged Spotted Redshank @rspbminsmere.bsky.social today amongst a wide range of other species #birds
July 2, 2025 at 2:52 PM
A good range of seabirds in a line, 3 Great Egrets, juv Med Gull and a fine Summer-plumaged Spotted Redshank @rspbminsmere.bsky.social today amongst a wide range of other species #birds
A very pleasant if windy day at RSPB Frampton on Thursday with distant views of the Collared Pratincole, a moulting Red-crested Pochard and some very elegant Ruffs
June 28, 2025 at 8:21 AM
A very pleasant if windy day at RSPB Frampton on Thursday with distant views of the Collared Pratincole, a moulting Red-crested Pochard and some very elegant Ruffs
Mini break in East and North Yorkshire produced the goods but didn't get photo of Song Sparrow but others including the pale morph male Honey Buzzard at second attempt. Tree Sparrows everywhere at RSPB Bempton
June 15, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Mini break in East and North Yorkshire produced the goods but didn't get photo of Song Sparrow but others including the pale morph male Honey Buzzard at second attempt. Tree Sparrows everywhere at RSPB Bempton
A productive, although wet, day in the Brecks with 2 broods of Mandarin Duck with 14 (apparently the upper limit although egg dumping occurs) very young ducklings and then this brood of 7 larger ducklings. Also singing Tree Pipit and Yellowhammer.
May 27, 2025 at 4:34 PM
A productive, although wet, day in the Brecks with 2 broods of Mandarin Duck with 14 (apparently the upper limit although egg dumping occurs) very young ducklings and then this brood of 7 larger ducklings. Also singing Tree Pipit and Yellowhammer.
Three highlights amongst many from our recent trip to Uganda with Arctic Tern Expeditions and Great Lakes Safaris, Uganda
May 24, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Three highlights amongst many from our recent trip to Uganda with Arctic Tern Expeditions and Great Lakes Safaris, Uganda