Pete Aley
@plymbirding.bsky.social
Lifelong birder, avid Plym Estuary and Soar patch worker, occasional twitcher (more a marathon than a sprint) and enthusiastic foreign birder. Nothing beats finding a rarity!
Great White Egret at Dozmary Pool today. Also, at Siblyback Res, adult Yellow-legged Gull & c290 Redwings going east with 3 Fieldfares.
November 16, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Great White Egret at Dozmary Pool today. Also, at Siblyback Res, adult Yellow-legged Gull & c290 Redwings going east with 3 Fieldfares.
A vintage Scilly day on St Agnes on Friday. With the Mourning Dove (a great find by Keith P) in the bag by 9.30am, I enjoyed American Pipit, Spotted Sandpiper, Hoopoe, Turtle Dove & Arctic Warbler. Just like old times!
October 13, 2025 at 4:38 PM
A vintage Scilly day on St Agnes on Friday. With the Mourning Dove (a great find by Keith P) in the bag by 9.30am, I enjoyed American Pipit, Spotted Sandpiper, Hoopoe, Turtle Dove & Arctic Warbler. Just like old times!
Well just about the worst photo I’ve posted here (& that’s saying something) but I’m celebrating my 200th species at my Plym Estuary & Saltram patch (thanks Dave). Part of, but hopefully not the end of, an excellent recent run here.
September 23, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Well just about the worst photo I’ve posted here (& that’s saying something) but I’m celebrating my 200th species at my Plym Estuary & Saltram patch (thanks Dave). Part of, but hopefully not the end of, an excellent recent run here.
Before I chuck them out, does anyone want some old Isles of Scilly Bird reports 1987-99? Free to a good home if collected from Plymouth or Colyton.
July 18, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Before I chuck them out, does anyone want some old Isles of Scilly Bird reports 1987-99? Free to a good home if collected from Plymouth or Colyton.
Anyone want these Devon Bird reports, free to a good home? Collect from Plymouth or Colyton.
July 11, 2025 at 6:01 AM
Anyone want these Devon Bird reports, free to a good home? Collect from Plymouth or Colyton.
Ok sorry about the “record shots” but the first Glossy Ibis for the Plym Estuary- in and out before 8am on 16th May - was a red letter day for me.
May 18, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Ok sorry about the “record shots” but the first Glossy Ibis for the Plym Estuary- in and out before 8am on 16th May - was a red letter day for me.
Dingy Skipper at Plym Estuary last week. One of 3+ and the first here for many years AFAIK.
May 18, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Dingy Skipper at Plym Estuary last week. One of 3+ and the first here for many years AFAIK.
Well we’ve finally left Argentina, flying into La Paz. Then overland by road to Puno & train to Cusco. We loved Argentina and are equally enjoying Peru, where we’ll spend the final 2 weeks of our trip. Pics: Black-fronted Piping-Guan, Surucua Trogon, Azure Jay & Andean Flicker.
March 26, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Well we’ve finally left Argentina, flying into La Paz. Then overland by road to Puno & train to Cusco. We loved Argentina and are equally enjoying Peru, where we’ll spend the final 2 weeks of our trip. Pics: Black-fronted Piping-Guan, Surucua Trogon, Azure Jay & Andean Flicker.
Just finished 6 very birdy days south of Salta on the latest leg of our Argentina trip. Wildlife included Yellow-browed Tyrant, plenty of White-tipped Plantcutters (the “complaining bird”, due to the call), Mitred Parakeets & Mountain Vizcachas.
March 15, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Just finished 6 very birdy days south of Salta on the latest leg of our Argentina trip. Wildlife included Yellow-browed Tyrant, plenty of White-tipped Plantcutters (the “complaining bird”, due to the call), Mitred Parakeets & Mountain Vizcachas.
After several days of searching, both Magellanic Woodpecker & Tapaculo, showed during our last hour in Torres del Paine, Chile. Then back in Argentina, Scale -throated Earthcreeper and Elegant Crested Tinamou were just 2 of the birds I enjoyed.
March 5, 2025 at 6:09 PM
After several days of searching, both Magellanic Woodpecker & Tapaculo, showed during our last hour in Torres del Paine, Chile. Then back in Argentina, Scale -throated Earthcreeper and Elegant Crested Tinamou were just 2 of the birds I enjoyed.
Great views of this lovely White Monjita in Montevideo, Uruguay, this morning. A bird I had missed in Argentina.
March 5, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Great views of this lovely White Monjita in Montevideo, Uruguay, this morning. A bird I had missed in Argentina.
Highlights of the Chile leg of our S. America trip have included swimming Puma, Snares Penguin in the King colony nr Porvenir and close encounters with Magellanic Penguins. Also 1000s of B-b Albatross between Cape Horn and the Fyords and White-bellied Seedsnipe in a snow storm.
February 24, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Highlights of the Chile leg of our S. America trip have included swimming Puma, Snares Penguin in the King colony nr Porvenir and close encounters with Magellanic Penguins. Also 1000s of B-b Albatross between Cape Horn and the Fyords and White-bellied Seedsnipe in a snow storm.
Unfortunately Costanera Sur (Buenos Aires) was unexpectedly closed this morning. But birding its fringes produced 50 species including 9 lifers. Pictured Rosy-billed Pochard, Rufescent Tiger-Heron & Red-crested Cardinal.
#@rainbowtours.uk
#@rainbowtours.uk
February 9, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Unfortunately Costanera Sur (Buenos Aires) was unexpectedly closed this morning. But birding its fringes produced 50 species including 9 lifers. Pictured Rosy-billed Pochard, Rufescent Tiger-Heron & Red-crested Cardinal.
#@rainbowtours.uk
#@rainbowtours.uk
#BigGardenBirdWatch this morning produced 9 species, with Goldcrest the highlight. Great to be part of such a big community effort. Well done RSPB!
January 25, 2025 at 11:46 AM
#BigGardenBirdWatch this morning produced 9 species, with Goldcrest the highlight. Great to be part of such a big community effort. Well done RSPB!
Plym Est 24: 134 species seen, of which I saw 131, a new personal record. I also had 4 patch ticks: Pink-ftd Goose, Sanderling, Arctic Skua & Lssr Whitethroat, the latter 2 being new for the site. Thanks to everyone who contributed, especially @stuart17.bsky.social , @iteague.bsky.social & Martin P.
January 1, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Plym Est 24: 134 species seen, of which I saw 131, a new personal record. I also had 4 patch ticks: Pink-ftd Goose, Sanderling, Arctic Skua & Lssr Whitethroat, the latter 2 being new for the site. Thanks to everyone who contributed, especially @stuart17.bsky.social , @iteague.bsky.social & Martin P.
2nd time lucky on Saturday with great views of the Grey-headed Lapwing @ East Chevington. Also Surf Scoter, Little Auk, Hen & Marsh Harriers. Many thanks to @CharletonBirder for accommodation despite difficult circumstances.
December 18, 2024 at 5:26 PM
2nd time lucky on Saturday with great views of the Grey-headed Lapwing @ East Chevington. Also Surf Scoter, Little Auk, Hen & Marsh Harriers. Many thanks to @CharletonBirder for accommodation despite difficult circumstances.
As ever, slipped a bit of birding into our non-birding trip to Istanbul. A nice circular walk from our hotel via Gulhane Park to the waterfront produced a Hawfinch, c200 Yelkouan Shearwaters and Pygmy Cormorant amongst others.
December 12, 2024 at 11:24 AM
As ever, slipped a bit of birding into our non-birding trip to Istanbul. A nice circular walk from our hotel via Gulhane Park to the waterfront produced a Hawfinch, c200 Yelkouan Shearwaters and Pygmy Cormorant amongst others.
Predictions for what storm Bert might bring? Suggestions include Great Blue Heron from across the pond or something scooped up from the south with even Sudan Golden Sparrow mentioned. But very few Leach’s so far, let alone a top rare. Maybe birders are struggling to stand upright!
November 24, 2024 at 7:17 AM
Predictions for what storm Bert might bring? Suggestions include Great Blue Heron from across the pond or something scooped up from the south with even Sudan Golden Sparrow mentioned. But very few Leach’s so far, let alone a top rare. Maybe birders are struggling to stand upright!