Nicola Crockford
@numenini.bsky.social
RSPB Principal Policy Officer. BirdLife Global Flyways Programme policy lead. Privileged to work full time for the world's migratory birds. Love snorkelling. The views I express here are mine alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of the RSPB.
My favourite birds during a few days last month, after IUCN World Conservation Congress, based at Atana Khasab Hotel, Oman, were the pair of Indian Rollers that were my constant companions, even after night fell, hunting by the light of the ornaments strung round the palm trees. #BirdsSeenIn2025 6/6
November 5, 2025 at 10:02 PM
My favourite birds during a few days last month, after IUCN World Conservation Congress, based at Atana Khasab Hotel, Oman, were the pair of Indian Rollers that were my constant companions, even after night fell, hunting by the light of the ornaments strung round the palm trees. #BirdsSeenIn2025 6/6
Purple Sunbirds were stars of Atana Khasab Hotel gardens, House Sparrows drinking at the garden hose, with both White-eared and Red-vented Bulbul song filling the air.
#BirdsSeenIn2025 #Oman 5/6
#BirdsSeenIn2025 #Oman 5/6
November 5, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Purple Sunbirds were stars of Atana Khasab Hotel gardens, House Sparrows drinking at the garden hose, with both White-eared and Red-vented Bulbul song filling the air.
#BirdsSeenIn2025 #Oman 5/6
#BirdsSeenIn2025 #Oman 5/6
Rock Doves & Blue Rock Thrushes had nests in the cliffs beneath which I swam, pair of latter frantically feeding young. Hume's & Red-tailed Wheatears also common among rocks of the hinterland, Laughing Doves retreating to shade of Umbrella Thorns, Common Myna soundtrack. #BirdsSeenIn2025 #Oman 4/6
November 5, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Rock Doves & Blue Rock Thrushes had nests in the cliffs beneath which I swam, pair of latter frantically feeding young. Hume's & Red-tailed Wheatears also common among rocks of the hinterland, Laughing Doves retreating to shade of Umbrella Thorns, Common Myna soundtrack. #BirdsSeenIn2025 #Oman 4/6
I was delighted to see a Socotra Cormorant on the cliffs above, while on the beach were Slender-billed Gulls, young Caspian Gulls and the occasional Lesser Black-backed Gull as well as White-Cheeked and Common Terns. #BirdsSeenIn2025 #Oman 3/6
November 5, 2025 at 10:02 PM
I was delighted to see a Socotra Cormorant on the cliffs above, while on the beach were Slender-billed Gulls, young Caspian Gulls and the occasional Lesser Black-backed Gull as well as White-Cheeked and Common Terns. #BirdsSeenIn2025 #Oman 3/6
Besides the many active human fishermen, the most common avian shoreline fishers during my swims from Atana Khasab Hotel last month, were Western Reef Herons, mainly the dark morph but also one white. Also saw a Striated Heron and high above, on the harbour wall, a Grey Heron. #BirdsSeenIn2025. 2/6
November 5, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Besides the many active human fishermen, the most common avian shoreline fishers during my swims from Atana Khasab Hotel last month, were Western Reef Herons, mainly the dark morph but also one white. Also saw a Striated Heron and high above, on the harbour wall, a Grey Heron. #BirdsSeenIn2025. 2/6
Among the most moving encounters I had with wild things during swims from Atana Khasab Hotel on Oman's Musandam Peninsula, was with this majestic Purple Heron. As I got closer, realised it had a brutally broken leg, foot hanging by a 🧵. Seemed to have adapted to its injury. #BirdsSeenIn2025. 🧵1/6
November 5, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Among the most moving encounters I had with wild things during swims from Atana Khasab Hotel on Oman's Musandam Peninsula, was with this majestic Purple Heron. As I got closer, realised it had a brutally broken leg, foot hanging by a 🧵. Seemed to have adapted to its injury. #BirdsSeenIn2025. 🧵1/6
Other old friends at Al Hidayriyyat included House Sparrows & Collared Dove, as well as Laughing Doves.
A visit to a coastal wetland is always good for recharging energy for conservation action, this one featuring Arabian Jointed Glasswort (Suaeda vermiculata) as well as #BirdsSeenIn2025. 5/5
A visit to a coastal wetland is always good for recharging energy for conservation action, this one featuring Arabian Jointed Glasswort (Suaeda vermiculata) as well as #BirdsSeenIn2025. 5/5
November 3, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Other old friends at Al Hidayriyyat included House Sparrows & Collared Dove, as well as Laughing Doves.
A visit to a coastal wetland is always good for recharging energy for conservation action, this one featuring Arabian Jointed Glasswort (Suaeda vermiculata) as well as #BirdsSeenIn2025. 5/5
A visit to a coastal wetland is always good for recharging energy for conservation action, this one featuring Arabian Jointed Glasswort (Suaeda vermiculata) as well as #BirdsSeenIn2025. 5/5
At Al Hidayriyyat Heritage Trail we enjoyed the gorgeous Arabian Green Bee-eater as well as the more subtle Asian Desert Warbler plus Pied Wheatears, while the few Barn Swallows were more familiar.
#BirdsSeenIn2025 #AbuDhabi #UnitedArabEmirates #birdwatching 4/5
#BirdsSeenIn2025 #AbuDhabi #UnitedArabEmirates #birdwatching 4/5
November 3, 2025 at 9:51 PM
At Al Hidayriyyat Heritage Trail we enjoyed the gorgeous Arabian Green Bee-eater as well as the more subtle Asian Desert Warbler plus Pied Wheatears, while the few Barn Swallows were more familiar.
#BirdsSeenIn2025 #AbuDhabi #UnitedArabEmirates #birdwatching 4/5
#BirdsSeenIn2025 #AbuDhabi #UnitedArabEmirates #birdwatching 4/5
During an early morning #birding trip to Al Hidayriyyat Heritage Trail we had fly-bys of Egyptian Goose, Osprey and House Crow while a Common Kestrel hunted.
#BirdsSeenIn2025 #AbuDhabi #UnitedArabEmirates #birdwatching 3/5
#BirdsSeenIn2025 #AbuDhabi #UnitedArabEmirates #birdwatching 3/5
November 3, 2025 at 9:51 PM
During an early morning #birding trip to Al Hidayriyyat Heritage Trail we had fly-bys of Egyptian Goose, Osprey and House Crow while a Common Kestrel hunted.
#BirdsSeenIn2025 #AbuDhabi #UnitedArabEmirates #birdwatching 3/5
#BirdsSeenIn2025 #AbuDhabi #UnitedArabEmirates #birdwatching 3/5
At Al Hidayriyyat Heritage Trail, as well as Grey Plover and Kentish Plover there were a few Tibetan Plovers and Slender-billed Gulls on a steamy morning last month. #BirdsSeenIn2025 #AbuDhabi #UnitedArabEmirates #birding #birdwatching 2/5
November 3, 2025 at 9:51 PM
At Al Hidayriyyat Heritage Trail, as well as Grey Plover and Kentish Plover there were a few Tibetan Plovers and Slender-billed Gulls on a steamy morning last month. #BirdsSeenIn2025 #AbuDhabi #UnitedArabEmirates #birding #birdwatching 2/5
To fill some gaps in #BirdsSeenIn2025, a highlight of an early morning respite from the IUCN World Conservation Congress last month in Abu Dhabi, was a Terek Sandpiper, among more familiar waders, Redshank & Dunlin, & a few Little Terns at Al Hidayriyyat Heritage Trail. #Birding #Birdwatching #️⃣1/5
November 3, 2025 at 9:51 PM
To fill some gaps in #BirdsSeenIn2025, a highlight of an early morning respite from the IUCN World Conservation Congress last month in Abu Dhabi, was a Terek Sandpiper, among more familiar waders, Redshank & Dunlin, & a few Little Terns at Al Hidayriyyat Heritage Trail. #Birding #Birdwatching #️⃣1/5
Great this reach of River Test catchment will be restored next week to reach potential as world class chalk stream where the abundant Trout & Grayling can flourish & burgeon without restocking. (Vid doesn't do it justice; overcast & vis surprisingly poor - water looks crystal clear from above.) 7/7
October 26, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Great this reach of River Test catchment will be restored next week to reach potential as world class chalk stream where the abundant Trout & Grayling can flourish & burgeon without restocking. (Vid doesn't do it justice; overcast & vis surprisingly poor - water looks crystal clear from above.) 7/7
In this reach of the River Test catchment, there's some bright patches of Water Starwort (Callitriche sp), & of Willow Moss (Fontinalis antipyretica).
But too much #invasivespecies Canadian Waterweed & green #algae blanketweed (Cladophora glomerata). #flower #rivers #hampshire #nature #wildlife 6/7
But too much #invasivespecies Canadian Waterweed & green #algae blanketweed (Cladophora glomerata). #flower #rivers #hampshire #nature #wildlife 6/7
October 26, 2025 at 4:00 PM
In this reach of the River Test catchment, there's some bright patches of Water Starwort (Callitriche sp), & of Willow Moss (Fontinalis antipyretica).
But too much #invasivespecies Canadian Waterweed & green #algae blanketweed (Cladophora glomerata). #flower #rivers #hampshire #nature #wildlife 6/7
But too much #invasivespecies Canadian Waterweed & green #algae blanketweed (Cladophora glomerata). #flower #rivers #hampshire #nature #wildlife 6/7
Tho' fringing White Willows with red subaqua roots, this reach of River Test catchment lacks woody structures for trout lairs. They cluster under bridge.
Some rocks pop with red encrusting #algae Hildenbrandia (aka Riverina) rubra.
Water Whorl-grass (Catabrosa aquatica) where cattle trample.
5/7
Some rocks pop with red encrusting #algae Hildenbrandia (aka Riverina) rubra.
Water Whorl-grass (Catabrosa aquatica) where cattle trample.
5/7
October 26, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Tho' fringing White Willows with red subaqua roots, this reach of River Test catchment lacks woody structures for trout lairs. They cluster under bridge.
Some rocks pop with red encrusting #algae Hildenbrandia (aka Riverina) rubra.
Water Whorl-grass (Catabrosa aquatica) where cattle trample.
5/7
Some rocks pop with red encrusting #algae Hildenbrandia (aka Riverina) rubra.
Water Whorl-grass (Catabrosa aquatica) where cattle trample.
5/7
This reach of the River Test catchment, long canalised, suffers from a lot of silt, as can be seen from the coating on this Fool's Watercress. The other dominant macrophyte is Common Mare's Tail, with only a few wisps of Stream Water Crowfoot (Ranunculus penicillatus). #flower #Hampshire #rivers 4/7
October 26, 2025 at 4:00 PM
This reach of the River Test catchment, long canalised, suffers from a lot of silt, as can be seen from the coating on this Fool's Watercress. The other dominant macrophyte is Common Mare's Tail, with only a few wisps of Stream Water Crowfoot (Ranunculus penicillatus). #flower #Hampshire #rivers 4/7
Given the abundance of Trout & Grayling in this reach of the River Test catchment, was surprised not to see more invertebrates. The caddisfly larvae were different from those I see in East Anglian chalk #rivers. Plenty of Signal Crayfish holes in the bank. Water already only 7°C. #Riverflies 3/7
October 26, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Given the abundance of Trout & Grayling in this reach of the River Test catchment, was surprised not to see more invertebrates. The caddisfly larvae were different from those I see in East Anglian chalk #rivers. Plenty of Signal Crayfish holes in the bank. Water already only 7°C. #Riverflies 3/7
Main revelation of my swim in River Test catchment was the shoals of parr I assumed were trout, never even having seen a picture of juv Grayling, but was surprised how differently they behaved from East Anglian parr, clearly schooling. Noticing horizontal lines & shape, realised were Grayling. 2/7
October 26, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Main revelation of my swim in River Test catchment was the shoals of parr I assumed were trout, never even having seen a picture of juv Grayling, but was surprised how differently they behaved from East Anglian parr, clearly schooling. Noticing horizontal lines & shape, realised were Grayling. 2/7
Delighted to have my 1st swim in catchment of that iconic Wessex chalk stream, the River Test, & only my 2nd with European Grayling (1st was in the Itchen). Also plenty Brown Trout, 9-24 inches long but no parr, & oodles of Minnows. #MySwim #Rivers #Nature #Wildlife #TeamFish #Fish #Fishsky 🧵 1/7
October 26, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Around a temple at Nantong Yangkou, Spotted Dove, Eurasian Tree Sparrow, some handsome Red-billed aka White-cheeked Starlings & Oriental Magpie.
#BirdsSeenIn2025 #China 1/2
#BirdsSeenIn2025 #China 1/2
October 7, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Around a temple at Nantong Yangkou, Spotted Dove, Eurasian Tree Sparrow, some handsome Red-billed aka White-cheeked Starlings & Oriental Magpie.
#BirdsSeenIn2025 #China 1/2
#BirdsSeenIn2025 #China 1/2
On a humid, dank, dawn at Nantong Yangkou, quick bit of birding before flight home from Shanghai included a Common Hoopoe & on a little wetland, big roost of Black-crowned Night Heron, while a Pied Kingfisher hunted for brek & Black Drongo perched above the tidal flats. #BirdsSeenIn2025 #China 1/2
October 7, 2025 at 3:43 PM
On a humid, dank, dawn at Nantong Yangkou, quick bit of birding before flight home from Shanghai included a Common Hoopoe & on a little wetland, big roost of Black-crowned Night Heron, while a Pied Kingfisher hunted for brek & Black Drongo perched above the tidal flats. #BirdsSeenIn2025 #China 1/2
Eriswell Lode looks potentially tempting for a snorkel, with healthy growth of Broad-leaved Pondweed (Potamogeton natans). Beautiful Harebells still in flower, nestled among the long grass.
Orange Mullein, I think, a garden escape at Holywell Row. #Wildflowerhour #Nature #Wildlife #Suffolk 2/3
Orange Mullein, I think, a garden escape at Holywell Row. #Wildflowerhour #Nature #Wildlife #Suffolk 2/3
October 5, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Eriswell Lode looks potentially tempting for a snorkel, with healthy growth of Broad-leaved Pondweed (Potamogeton natans). Beautiful Harebells still in flower, nestled among the long grass.
Orange Mullein, I think, a garden escape at Holywell Row. #Wildflowerhour #Nature #Wildlife #Suffolk 2/3
Orange Mullein, I think, a garden escape at Holywell Row. #Wildflowerhour #Nature #Wildlife #Suffolk 2/3
Raindrops remain on fallen White Poplar leaves but are quickly drying off in the stiff breeze. A fine display of Common Toadflax along the Cut-Off Channel and a patch of Fennel. The Hemp Agrimony going to seed, still channelling a candy floss vibe. #Wildflowerhour #Nature #Wildlife #flower 2/3
October 5, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Raindrops remain on fallen White Poplar leaves but are quickly drying off in the stiff breeze. A fine display of Common Toadflax along the Cut-Off Channel and a patch of Fennel. The Hemp Agrimony going to seed, still channelling a candy floss vibe. #Wildflowerhour #Nature #Wildlife #flower 2/3
Good to be out exploring in the blowy, mild West Suffolk countryside yesterday, along the Cut-Off Channel Mildenhall - Holywell Row. Enough Field Mushrooms for breakfast but few other #fungi, despite recent rain. Fairy Ring Champignons & Garland Roundheads on show. #MyWalk #Nature #Wildlife 1/3
October 5, 2025 at 1:59 PM
On Thursday, the #Cambridgeshire countryside around Chippenham still very dry, with few fungi to be seen, apart from handsome Dryad's Saddle and fresh Ganoderma.
Badgers have clearly been enjoying the abundant fruit, Roe Deer putting up with the plague of gormless Pheasants. 2/2
Badgers have clearly been enjoying the abundant fruit, Roe Deer putting up with the plague of gormless Pheasants. 2/2
October 4, 2025 at 9:27 PM
On Thursday, the #Cambridgeshire countryside around Chippenham still very dry, with few fungi to be seen, apart from handsome Dryad's Saddle and fresh Ganoderma.
Badgers have clearly been enjoying the abundant fruit, Roe Deer putting up with the plague of gormless Pheasants. 2/2
Badgers have clearly been enjoying the abundant fruit, Roe Deer putting up with the plague of gormless Pheasants. 2/2
Only evidence, Lee Brook, a winterbourne #chalkstream, is still a live river through Chippenham en route to join the River Kennett at Freckenham and thence the Lark, is a bit of Fool's Watercress & some river restoration structures. Even the sewage works isn't getting it flowing. #MyWalk #Rivers 1/2
October 4, 2025 at 9:27 PM
Only evidence, Lee Brook, a winterbourne #chalkstream, is still a live river through Chippenham en route to join the River Kennett at Freckenham and thence the Lark, is a bit of Fool's Watercress & some river restoration structures. Even the sewage works isn't getting it flowing. #MyWalk #Rivers 1/2