Old Caley
@oldcaley.bsky.social
Singular objective in life but always diverted by something else. Birds are my bag but there are other interests.
I write a diary of my birding days out. It’s at www.oldcaley.blogspot.co.uk A place where I waffle and somewhere to air my best photos.
I write a diary of my birding days out. It’s at www.oldcaley.blogspot.co.uk A place where I waffle and somewhere to air my best photos.
Just a single, and elusive Yellow-browed Warbler to show for our Kenidjack efforts so far plus a smattering of Firecrests and Goldcrests. Difficult going in pretty poor weather. #UKbirding #CBWPS
October 21, 2025 at 5:43 AM
Just a single, and elusive Yellow-browed Warbler to show for our Kenidjack efforts so far plus a smattering of Firecrests and Goldcrests. Difficult going in pretty poor weather. #UKbirding #CBWPS
On Saturday on route to a week’s holiday in West Cornwall, we stopped off at Colliford Lake for the Baird’s Sandpiper. After taking a while to locate, the dapper little bird showed very well indeed! #UKbirding #cornwallbirding
October 21, 2025 at 5:39 AM
On Saturday on route to a week’s holiday in West Cornwall, we stopped off at Colliford Lake for the Baird’s Sandpiper. After taking a while to locate, the dapper little bird showed very well indeed! #UKbirding #cornwallbirding
The latest addition to my “leucistic” collection is this Pied Wagtail seen at Farmoor Reservoir yesterday. That’s about 15 on the list now. 😊 #UKbirding
August 25, 2025 at 3:49 PM
The latest addition to my “leucistic” collection is this Pied Wagtail seen at Farmoor Reservoir yesterday. That’s about 15 on the list now. 😊 #UKbirding
Got on the Oxon Hawfinch bandwagon again today. A full set of male, female & juvenile seen this afternoon at our local hotspot where the birds are attracted to a small pond to drink & bathe. #UKbirding #hawfinch
August 16, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Got on the Oxon Hawfinch bandwagon again today. A full set of male, female & juvenile seen this afternoon at our local hotspot where the birds are attracted to a small pond to drink & bathe. #UKbirding #hawfinch
I’d seen both already this year, on Lesvos in April, but the Zitting Cisticola was a UK life tick for me at Walberswick yesterday. Then on to ridiculous views of the juvenile Black Stork at Boyton. #UKbirding #rarebirdsUK (*Cisticola pic taken on Lesvos)
August 10, 2025 at 5:07 AM
I’d seen both already this year, on Lesvos in April, but the Zitting Cisticola was a UK life tick for me at Walberswick yesterday. Then on to ridiculous views of the juvenile Black Stork at Boyton. #UKbirding #rarebirdsUK (*Cisticola pic taken on Lesvos)
It was back in March but I’ve written an account of my trip to North Wales featuring Kumlien’s Gull, Black Grouse, Twite and lots more. It’s at www.oldcaley.blogspot.co.uk Thanks for looking. #UKbirding #Walesbirds
August 9, 2025 at 4:01 AM
It was back in March but I’ve written an account of my trip to North Wales featuring Kumlien’s Gull, Black Grouse, Twite and lots more. It’s at www.oldcaley.blogspot.co.uk Thanks for looking. #UKbirding #Walesbirds
Staying on the leucistic theme, saw this young Oystercatcher at Snettisham on Saturday. Attending adults were normally plumaged. #UKbirding #leucism
August 4, 2025 at 6:13 AM
Staying on the leucistic theme, saw this young Oystercatcher at Snettisham on Saturday. Attending adults were normally plumaged. #UKbirding #leucism
This leucistic Sand Martin ghosted past me as I walked along the causeway at Farmoor Reservoir this morning. Smart looking bird! #UKbirding
August 3, 2025 at 1:38 PM
This leucistic Sand Martin ghosted past me as I walked along the causeway at Farmoor Reservoir this morning. Smart looking bird! #UKbirding
Very, very lucky this morning when a Quail flushed from almost under our feet in North Oxon. Lucky I was ready with the camera, and very lucky when the bird turned and flew around us rather than flying straight off. Very happy! #UKbirding
August 1, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Very, very lucky this morning when a Quail flushed from almost under our feet in North Oxon. Lucky I was ready with the camera, and very lucky when the bird turned and flew around us rather than flying straight off. Very happy! #UKbirding
Terrific views of the large flock of Crossbills at Great Hampden, Bucks recently as the birds made use of a small pool. Several family groups amongst them. #UKbirding
July 29, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Terrific views of the large flock of Crossbills at Great Hampden, Bucks recently as the birds made use of a small pool. Several family groups amongst them. #UKbirding
After taking in the superb Dotterel, I made my annual excursion to #rspb Gwenffrwd-Dinas reserve to see the woodland specials. Quiet by usual standards but still had great views of a fantastic singing Wood Warbler. #UKbirding
May 3, 2025 at 8:13 PM
After taking in the superb Dotterel, I made my annual excursion to #rspb Gwenffrwd-Dinas reserve to see the woodland specials. Quiet by usual standards but still had great views of a fantastic singing Wood Warbler. #UKbirding
Nothing much beats a Dotterel in my book, so I took the trip to Cam Cadlan near Merthyr Tydfil where these four were wowing all comers today. Absolutely stunning! I love 'em! #UKbirding #Walesbirds
May 3, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Nothing much beats a Dotterel in my book, so I took the trip to Cam Cadlan near Merthyr Tydfil where these four were wowing all comers today. Absolutely stunning! I love 'em! #UKbirding #Walesbirds
The Spotted Sandpiper was showing a bit nicely at Grafham Water this lunchtime. Nice bird to get back into the Blighty groove. #UKbirding
May 2, 2025 at 3:37 PM
The Spotted Sandpiper was showing a bit nicely at Grafham Water this lunchtime. Nice bird to get back into the Blighty groove. #UKbirding
Finally saw Brambling & Redpoll this winter with a few mixing in with other finches at Sydlings Copse near Beckley, Oxford yesterday afternoon. Great find by Jacek. #UKbirding
March 10, 2025 at 5:58 AM
Finally saw Brambling & Redpoll this winter with a few mixing in with other finches at Sydlings Copse near Beckley, Oxford yesterday afternoon. Great find by Jacek. #UKbirding
Absolute privilege to watch this female Lesser Spotted Woodpecker at an undisclosed location in the Home Counties this weekend. At least 3 birds seen altogether. #UKbirding
March 10, 2025 at 5:56 AM
Absolute privilege to watch this female Lesser Spotted Woodpecker at an undisclosed location in the Home Counties this weekend. At least 3 birds seen altogether. #UKbirding
Had to work hard for our target birds at Carsington Water yesterday. Distant views of the female Lesser Scaup and further still of the two young male Greater Scaups. The dependable Willow Tits played hard to get too. #UKbirding
February 23, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Had to work hard for our target birds at Carsington Water yesterday. Distant views of the female Lesser Scaup and further still of the two young male Greater Scaups. The dependable Willow Tits played hard to get too. #UKbirding
Was 15 mins too late this morning and then had to wait almost 3 hours for the Richard's Pipit at Newport Pagnall to reappear. Glad I stuck it out. Splash of colour provided by a Ring-necked Parakeet. #UKbirding
February 21, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Was 15 mins too late this morning and then had to wait almost 3 hours for the Richard's Pipit at Newport Pagnall to reappear. Glad I stuck it out. Splash of colour provided by a Ring-necked Parakeet. #UKbirding
The Red-necked Grebe at Denham Quarry showed well this morning. The best views I’ve had of one for a few years. #UKbirding #RareBirdsUK
January 11, 2025 at 5:26 PM
The Red-necked Grebe at Denham Quarry showed well this morning. The best views I’ve had of one for a few years. #UKbirding #RareBirdsUK
Some of my better efforts of the Least Sandpiper @wwtworldwide.bsky.social Start Marshes, taken on Friday. Very happy to have seen the bird and especially pleased to grab a flight shot. #UKbirding #RareBirdUK
January 6, 2025 at 6:14 AM
Some of my better efforts of the Least Sandpiper @wwtworldwide.bsky.social Start Marshes, taken on Friday. Very happy to have seen the bird and especially pleased to grab a flight shot. #UKbirding #RareBirdUK
Pleasant stroll around Draycote Water today. Flat calm conditions, dead flat light, nice views of Red-throated Diver, Ferruginous Duck, Goosanders plus others. #UKbirding
January 4, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Pleasant stroll around Draycote Water today. Flat calm conditions, dead flat light, nice views of Red-throated Diver, Ferruginous Duck, Goosanders plus others. #UKbirding
I've now seen a Yellow-browed Warbler in the 1st week of the last 7 years! The ground-hugging little beauty at Frampton-on-Severn was well worth the diversion on way back from seeing the Least Sandpiper. #UKbirding
January 3, 2025 at 7:05 PM
I've now seen a Yellow-browed Warbler in the 1st week of the last 7 years! The ground-hugging little beauty at Frampton-on-Severn was well worth the diversion on way back from seeing the Least Sandpiper. #UKbirding
After dropping a clanger yesterday, I went back to WWT Steart Marshes today and successfully added the Least Sandpiper to my UK life list #436. Very distant at first, it flew in a bit closer with its Little Stint mate. Worth the return trip. #UKbirding
January 3, 2025 at 6:31 PM
After dropping a clanger yesterday, I went back to WWT Steart Marshes today and successfully added the Least Sandpiper to my UK life list #436. Very distant at first, it flew in a bit closer with its Little Stint mate. Worth the return trip. #UKbirding
I should have left Greylake yesterday and gone to Steart Marshes when news broke of the mega there. Inexplicably I didn't, a decision that doesn't augur well for the rest of my year. At least (see what I did there) I saw the beautiful female Merlin that I wanted! #UKbirding
January 3, 2025 at 6:15 AM
I should have left Greylake yesterday and gone to Steart Marshes when news broke of the mega there. Inexplicably I didn't, a decision that doesn't augur well for the rest of my year. At least (see what I did there) I saw the beautiful female Merlin that I wanted! #UKbirding
Conceivably the same pair of birds that spent a week or so at Grimsbury reservoir at Banbury in November?
January 2, 2025 at 6:24 AM
Conceivably the same pair of birds that spent a week or so at Grimsbury reservoir at Banbury in November?