Carl S
@sprayxcappo.bsky.social
Brummie, (Sub)Urban Birder, Rookie Phone-scoper, Radical Pedestrian. Museums guy of late.
Some nice incidental birding today. Kingfisher with catch on the Bourne at Pershore Road this morning. Good numbers of Shoveler, Wigeon and Gadwall at (re-opened!) Edgbaston Pool.
November 17, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Some nice incidental birding today. Kingfisher with catch on the Bourne at Pershore Road this morning. Good numbers of Shoveler, Wigeon and Gadwall at (re-opened!) Edgbaston Pool.
The joy of bi-lingual birding: brilliant article on Black Redstarts by Dr Bernd Nicolai. Lots of insights that are of use to urban birders looking for this species in our cities.
November 2, 2025 at 11:12 AM
The joy of bi-lingual birding: brilliant article on Black Redstarts by Dr Bernd Nicolai. Lots of insights that are of use to urban birders looking for this species in our cities.
Heavy fog and a record low water level at Edg Res this morning w/ @robhemming25.bsky.social A magnificent patch tick for me in form of 8 Rock pipits on the shore beneath the old Tower Ballroom.
October 12, 2025 at 9:53 AM
Heavy fog and a record low water level at Edg Res this morning w/ @robhemming25.bsky.social A magnificent patch tick for me in form of 8 Rock pipits on the shore beneath the old Tower Ballroom.
Super breezy at Gibraltar Point today with @westmidbirdclub.bsky.social Highlights were RT Diver, Curlew Sand and Knot.
October 5, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Super breezy at Gibraltar Point today with @westmidbirdclub.bsky.social Highlights were RT Diver, Curlew Sand and Knot.
A chance find and lovely addition to my New Naturalists collection. Clifford & Rosemary Ellis’s cover designs remain unmatched.
September 10, 2025 at 10:13 AM
A chance find and lovely addition to my New Naturalists collection. Clifford & Rosemary Ellis’s cover designs remain unmatched.
Productive day out to St Aidans with @westmidbirdclub.bsky.social Highlights were BN Grebe, Black Tern, Spoonbill, Whinchat and this gang of Yellow Wags.
September 7, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Productive day out to St Aidans with @westmidbirdclub.bsky.social Highlights were BN Grebe, Black Tern, Spoonbill, Whinchat and this gang of Yellow Wags.
Team Edgbaston away at Walton Hill for this rendition of the #westmidsalldayer A superb Goshawk flyby puts us on 52. @thehairycrisp.bsky.social @robhemming25.bsky.social
September 6, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Team Edgbaston away at Walton Hill for this rendition of the #westmidsalldayer A superb Goshawk flyby puts us on 52. @thehairycrisp.bsky.social @robhemming25.bsky.social
A lovely surprise on my walk back from work: a Hummingbird Hawkmoth. Busy feeding and darting about amongst the flowers. An uncommon sight in Selly Park.
September 1, 2025 at 8:53 PM
A lovely surprise on my walk back from work: a Hummingbird Hawkmoth. Busy feeding and darting about amongst the flowers. An uncommon sight in Selly Park.
Overdue visit to the patch. 50+ Swift, 100+ House Martin, 4 Yellow Wag, Swallow and Hobby were a good result.
August 31, 2025 at 8:46 AM
Overdue visit to the patch. 50+ Swift, 100+ House Martin, 4 Yellow Wag, Swallow and Hobby were a good result.
Was sat contemplating on how nice the trunk of this Dawn Redwood looked, when this Treecreeper appeared out of a crevace. I think it agreed.
August 3, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Was sat contemplating on how nice the trunk of this Dawn Redwood looked, when this Treecreeper appeared out of a crevace. I think it agreed.
Brilliant day out to Upton Fen and Strumpshaw Fen, with @britishdragonflies.bsky.social Lots of firsts for me today. Highlights were Hen Harrier, Crane, Smew, Fen Orchid, Norfolk Hawker, Scarce Chaser and the mighty Swallowtail!
June 14, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Brilliant day out to Upton Fen and Strumpshaw Fen, with @britishdragonflies.bsky.social Lots of firsts for me today. Highlights were Hen Harrier, Crane, Smew, Fen Orchid, Norfolk Hawker, Scarce Chaser and the mighty Swallowtail!
Popped a bird box in the garden the other year, probably in an unwise position as no birds ever took to it. Today I discovered that it has been claimed by a swarm of Tree Bumblebees. How appropriate!
May 11, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Popped a bird box in the garden the other year, probably in an unwise position as no birds ever took to it. Today I discovered that it has been claimed by a swarm of Tree Bumblebees. How appropriate!
Another fun #westmidsalldayer came to close yesterday, with Team Edgbaston finishing up on 60 (if you include two bits of plastic).
A true urban birding marathon with @robhemming25.bsky.social also turned up 3 badgers, 1 skinny dipper and Rob’s pet Pike. Roll on Autumn!
A true urban birding marathon with @robhemming25.bsky.social also turned up 3 badgers, 1 skinny dipper and Rob’s pet Pike. Roll on Autumn!
May 4, 2025 at 7:28 AM
Another fun #westmidsalldayer came to close yesterday, with Team Edgbaston finishing up on 60 (if you include two bits of plastic).
A true urban birding marathon with @robhemming25.bsky.social also turned up 3 badgers, 1 skinny dipper and Rob’s pet Pike. Roll on Autumn!
A true urban birding marathon with @robhemming25.bsky.social also turned up 3 badgers, 1 skinny dipper and Rob’s pet Pike. Roll on Autumn!
Good days birding at Frampton Marsh today in glorious sunshine with @westmidbirdclub.bsky.social Highlights were Spoonbill, Green-winged Teal, Whimbrel and Marsh Harrier. #UKBirding
April 27, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Good days birding at Frampton Marsh today in glorious sunshine with @westmidbirdclub.bsky.social Highlights were Spoonbill, Green-winged Teal, Whimbrel and Marsh Harrier. #UKBirding
Open day at the BMAG Collection Center yesterday. Those Egyptians sure knew their birds of prey.
April 20, 2025 at 6:20 AM
Open day at the BMAG Collection Center yesterday. Those Egyptians sure knew their birds of prey.
Frogspawn getting active in the sunshine in the garden pond.
April 12, 2025 at 7:25 AM
Frogspawn getting active in the sunshine in the garden pond.
Trip out the the Forest of Dean with @westmidbirdclub.bsky.social today. Rubbish weather but great company. Hawfinch and Crossbill were todays highlights.
March 23, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Trip out the the Forest of Dean with @westmidbirdclub.bsky.social today. Rubbish weather but great company. Hawfinch and Crossbill were todays highlights.
Been seeing more and more Ravens in south Brum over the last few years. Very heartening to have a pair nosing around the parkland on my way to work this year. #pedestrianbirding
February 13, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Been seeing more and more Ravens in south Brum over the last few years. Very heartening to have a pair nosing around the parkland on my way to work this year. #pedestrianbirding
A brisk walk around Edg Res this morning. Highlights were 27 Tufties, 8 L Grebe and Treecreeper. And arguably one of the best views of Brum 👊
January 25, 2025 at 10:00 AM
A brisk walk around Edg Res this morning. Highlights were 27 Tufties, 8 L Grebe and Treecreeper. And arguably one of the best views of Brum 👊
A tight work schedule has meant I couldnt get a start on the Year List till now. Good extended mooch across Sandwell Valley. Highlights were Goldeneye and the remaining 3 Barnacles from the local feral flock.
January 20, 2025 at 7:25 PM
A tight work schedule has meant I couldnt get a start on the Year List till now. Good extended mooch across Sandwell Valley. Highlights were Goldeneye and the remaining 3 Barnacles from the local feral flock.
Don’t usually do new year’s resolutions, but I’m keen to do more drawing this year. Here’s a start anyway.
January 4, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Don’t usually do new year’s resolutions, but I’m keen to do more drawing this year. Here’s a start anyway.
Had a great family break in Berlin over Christmas and New Years. No intentional birding but did come across Goshawk, Kestrel, White-fronts and Bean Geese. Plus red squirrels and some tame WildcBoar.
January 2, 2025 at 10:15 AM
Had a great family break in Berlin over Christmas and New Years. No intentional birding but did come across Goshawk, Kestrel, White-fronts and Bean Geese. Plus red squirrels and some tame WildcBoar.
Great day out to Parkgate and Burton Mere with @westmidbirdclub.bsky.social today. Highlights being SEO, Greenshank and a stonking male Hen Harrier.
December 1, 2024 at 5:10 PM
Great day out to Parkgate and Burton Mere with @westmidbirdclub.bsky.social today. Highlights being SEO, Greenshank and a stonking male Hen Harrier.
Little Egret at Cannon Hill Park. Still a nice bird to find in an urban setting.
November 30, 2024 at 2:39 PM
Little Egret at Cannon Hill Park. Still a nice bird to find in an urban setting.