Steve Blain
@steveblain.bsky.social
Birder, Bedfordshire, nocmig, vismig, digiscoper. Views my own. #BedsBirding
Lesser Scaup finally falls. Bedfordshire’s first today at Broom GP. Nice to have another Beds first on the local patch. Well done Matt Burgess for the find on his @webs-gsmp.bsky.social count. #BedsBirding
November 9, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Lesser Scaup finally falls. Bedfordshire’s first today at Broom GP. Nice to have another Beds first on the local patch. Well done Matt Burgess for the find on his @webs-gsmp.bsky.social count. #BedsBirding
We then followed the calling bird along the hedgerow for over 100m piecing together the bird from snatched views often on the ground. It was a Dusky! A fitting end to a brilliant day. And I see the Hume's has been confirmed this morning, well done @jamesrmccallum1.bsky.social!
October 16, 2025 at 11:49 AM
We then followed the calling bird along the hedgerow for over 100m piecing together the bird from snatched views often on the ground. It was a Dusky! A fitting end to a brilliant day. And I see the Hume's has been confirmed this morning, well done @jamesrmccallum1.bsky.social!
We then spent some time looking for the Yellow-brows at Garden Drove. A lovely Firecrest showed nicely here too. After a while @jamesrmccallum1.bsky.social popped up and said he'd got an interesting warbler which was calling like a Hume's. We all got on to it but the light was already going.
October 16, 2025 at 11:49 AM
We then spent some time looking for the Yellow-brows at Garden Drove. A lovely Firecrest showed nicely here too. After a while @jamesrmccallum1.bsky.social popped up and said he'd got an interesting warbler which was calling like a Hume's. We all got on to it but the light was already going.
No sooner had we got on to the coast path when a Red-throated Pipit went over calling! We then had it three more times before losing it near Garden Drove. Unfortunately only seen in flight but at least we had the recording gear running.
October 16, 2025 at 11:49 AM
No sooner had we got on to the coast path when a Red-throated Pipit went over calling! We then had it three more times before losing it near Garden Drove. Unfortunately only seen in flight but at least we had the recording gear running.
This gave me a shock last night at Broom GP. Superficially an Azorean Gull (hate the name Azores Gull!). However despite the hooded appearance, dark blue-grey mantle, stocky appearance, and mucky bill it didn’t quite stand up to scrutiny.
October 10, 2025 at 2:32 PM
This gave me a shock last night at Broom GP. Superficially an Azorean Gull (hate the name Azores Gull!). However despite the hooded appearance, dark blue-grey mantle, stocky appearance, and mucky bill it didn’t quite stand up to scrutiny.
The first Redwings of the autumn dashed west over the Pinnacle this morning. Just five but it’s a start. Looking forward to more. #vismig #BedsBirding
September 24, 2025 at 7:53 AM
The first Redwings of the autumn dashed west over the Pinnacle this morning. Just five but it’s a start. Looking forward to more. #vismig #BedsBirding
Says phones up to 95mm wide so I would think so Bill. Best to check though!
August 29, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Says phones up to 95mm wide so I would think so Bill. Best to check though!
You can’t beat a Dotterel. It’s even better when there are four of ‘em. Today at Nanjizal #CornwallBirding
August 26, 2025 at 7:38 PM
You can’t beat a Dotterel. It’s even better when there are four of ‘em. Today at Nanjizal #CornwallBirding
Have done a couple of Woodlark surveys in the last couple of days in Bedfordshire. No Woodlarks or Dartfords but habitats have been decent and the weather lovely. Bumped in to a few Woodcocks including four this morning at the Lodge. @btobirds.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social
March 11, 2025 at 8:37 AM
Have done a couple of Woodlark surveys in the last couple of days in Bedfordshire. No Woodlarks or Dartfords but habitats have been decent and the weather lovely. Bumped in to a few Woodcocks including four this morning at the Lodge. @btobirds.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social
Pleased to find a pair of vocal Marsh Tits in my local woods this morning. #BedsBirding
March 8, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Pleased to find a pair of vocal Marsh Tits in my local woods this morning. #BedsBirding
A short visit to GLE this afternoon, with 36 Pochards, the long-staying Goldeneye and around 100 Greenfinches roosting in a roadside bramble. Then 11 Woodcocks heading in to the arable at dusk nearby #BedsBirding #ukbirdinf
January 3, 2025 at 7:58 PM
A short visit to GLE this afternoon, with 36 Pochards, the long-staying Goldeneye and around 100 Greenfinches roosting in a roadside bramble. Then 11 Woodcocks heading in to the arable at dusk nearby #BedsBirding #ukbirdinf
A quick visit to Blunham Lake this lunchtime. Quite a few duck present but the most interesting bird was this third-winter Caspian Gull. This bird first turned up in the Ivel Valley last winter and looked a bit odd and hybridy. However it looks better the older it gets. #BedsBirding #ukbirding
January 2, 2025 at 7:29 PM
A quick visit to Blunham Lake this lunchtime. Quite a few duck present but the most interesting bird was this third-winter Caspian Gull. This bird first turned up in the Ivel Valley last winter and looked a bit odd and hybridy. However it looks better the older it gets. #BedsBirding #ukbirding
Later in April I was leaving the Lodge one evening and I heard a Firecrest singing right by the traffic lights! A quick pull-in and there it was belting out its song from the Yew trees. Firecrests are a lot of birders favorites and certainly one of mine
January 1, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Later in April I was leaving the Lodge one evening and I heard a Firecrest singing right by the traffic lights! A quick pull-in and there it was belting out its song from the Yew trees. Firecrests are a lot of birders favorites and certainly one of mine
A damp and dreary start to 2025 brightened by two gaudy Hawfinches at Warden Warren this afternoon. Few other species to speak of, the best probably a (Lesser) Redpoll and some Siskins. No sign of any Woodcock in their usual spots via the thermal #BedsBirding #ukbirding
January 1, 2025 at 3:56 PM
A damp and dreary start to 2025 brightened by two gaudy Hawfinches at Warden Warren this afternoon. Few other species to speak of, the best probably a (Lesser) Redpoll and some Siskins. No sign of any Woodcock in their usual spots via the thermal #BedsBirding #ukbirding
A very ordinary last visit to Derek Whites Eggs pit for the year this evening. Hoping for a roosting Bittern.
None of those but did see a delightful drake Pintail, among the few ducks on the water. About 800 Starlings roosted in the reeds whcih was nice against the pink sky #BedsBirding #ukbirding
None of those but did see a delightful drake Pintail, among the few ducks on the water. About 800 Starlings roosted in the reeds whcih was nice against the pink sky #BedsBirding #ukbirding
December 31, 2024 at 5:18 PM
A very ordinary last visit to Derek Whites Eggs pit for the year this evening. Hoping for a roosting Bittern.
None of those but did see a delightful drake Pintail, among the few ducks on the water. About 800 Starlings roosted in the reeds whcih was nice against the pink sky #BedsBirding #ukbirding
None of those but did see a delightful drake Pintail, among the few ducks on the water. About 800 Starlings roosted in the reeds whcih was nice against the pink sky #BedsBirding #ukbirding
An afternoon visit to Stewartby lake for the gull roost today. Eight species of gull was a great return with a first-winter Med the highlight. Also 3 Caspian’s (1w,2w,3w), 4 Yellow-legs, 2 GBB’s, 400 Herring, 120 LBB’s and a few thousand each of Bh and Common Gull. #BedsBirding #ukbirding
December 30, 2024 at 8:02 PM
An afternoon visit to Stewartby lake for the gull roost today. Eight species of gull was a great return with a first-winter Med the highlight. Also 3 Caspian’s (1w,2w,3w), 4 Yellow-legs, 2 GBB’s, 400 Herring, 120 LBB’s and a few thousand each of Bh and Common Gull. #BedsBirding #ukbirding
This exquisite singing Wood Warbler in Harrys Park Wood in Northamptonshire back in the spring. Unfortunately an increasingly difficult bird to see now locally.
December 29, 2024 at 7:21 PM
This exquisite singing Wood Warbler in Harrys Park Wood in Northamptonshire back in the spring. Unfortunately an increasingly difficult bird to see now locally.
Warden Warren this afternoon for a quick walk round. Four Hawfinches are a regular fixture currently and fairly reliable mid-afternoon in their canopy retreat. Also a thermaled Woodcock hiding under its laylandii shelter. #BedsBirding #ukbirding
View my #BirdTrack list: app.bto.org/birdtrack/pu...
View my #BirdTrack list: app.bto.org/birdtrack/pu...
December 29, 2024 at 5:26 PM
Warden Warren this afternoon for a quick walk round. Four Hawfinches are a regular fixture currently and fairly reliable mid-afternoon in their canopy retreat. Also a thermaled Woodcock hiding under its laylandii shelter. #BedsBirding #ukbirding
View my #BirdTrack list: app.bto.org/birdtrack/pu...
View my #BirdTrack list: app.bto.org/birdtrack/pu...
An early morning jaunt to Meadow Lane today. Bloomin’ good too! 4 Bearded Tits, Drake Pintail, Jack Snipe, Great White Egret, Redshank, Water Rail, and 72 Shovelers. 15 Chiffchaffs was also a very good count locally. And best of all made 101 for the month in Beds. #BedsBirding #ukbirding
December 29, 2024 at 12:19 PM
An early morning jaunt to Meadow Lane today. Bloomin’ good too! 4 Bearded Tits, Drake Pintail, Jack Snipe, Great White Egret, Redshank, Water Rail, and 72 Shovelers. 15 Chiffchaffs was also a very good count locally. And best of all made 101 for the month in Beds. #BedsBirding #ukbirding
A family walk round Woburn Park today. Pretty quiet due to the misty conditions.
A single Goosander was on the pool in front of the Abbey but no Mandarins today. Star bird was a single Hawfinch which I found calling from the top of a tree in the grounds of the Abbey. PIX! #ukbirding #BedsBirding
A single Goosander was on the pool in front of the Abbey but no Mandarins today. Star bird was a single Hawfinch which I found calling from the top of a tree in the grounds of the Abbey. PIX! #ukbirding #BedsBirding
December 28, 2024 at 7:30 PM
A family walk round Woburn Park today. Pretty quiet due to the misty conditions.
A single Goosander was on the pool in front of the Abbey but no Mandarins today. Star bird was a single Hawfinch which I found calling from the top of a tree in the grounds of the Abbey. PIX! #ukbirding #BedsBirding
A single Goosander was on the pool in front of the Abbey but no Mandarins today. Star bird was a single Hawfinch which I found calling from the top of a tree in the grounds of the Abbey. PIX! #ukbirding #BedsBirding
This evening it was back to Stewartby Lake. An adult Caspian Gull on a bouy was a good start but bird of the evening - a Great Black-back! These are now astonishingly rare in Beds. The four I had a few nights ago will probably be the peak count for the county in 2024 #BedsBirding
December 27, 2024 at 6:59 PM
This evening it was back to Stewartby Lake. An adult Caspian Gull on a bouy was a good start but bird of the evening - a Great Black-back! These are now astonishingly rare in Beds. The four I had a few nights ago will probably be the peak count for the county in 2024 #BedsBirding
Had a wander in some farmland near Cople this morning and stumbled on a flock of 26 Corn Buntings. These are getting very tricky to find in winter locally so that was nice. #ukbirding #BedsBirding
December 27, 2024 at 6:59 PM
Had a wander in some farmland near Cople this morning and stumbled on a flock of 26 Corn Buntings. These are getting very tricky to find in winter locally so that was nice. #ukbirding #BedsBirding
A showy Cetti’s Warbler was nice to see at Gypsy Lane East, Beds this Christmas morning. Earlier I had a Hawfinch and Woodcock near Southill along very peaceful empty roads. #ukbirding #BedsBirding
December 25, 2024 at 3:06 PM
A showy Cetti’s Warbler was nice to see at Gypsy Lane East, Beds this Christmas morning. Earlier I had a Hawfinch and Woodcock near Southill along very peaceful empty roads. #ukbirding #BedsBirding
September 28, 2024 at 3:22 PM