Steve Dudley
@stevedudley.bsky.social
Birder #WestrayBirding | Orkney Bird Recorder | #birdingScotland #ornithology 🪶 | #TeamMoth | #wildlife #art | 🎶 Punk, Post-punk| PUFC | MUFC | Pro-EU | ✊🏾🏳️🌈 ally
Feeds - Birding Gear, Orkney Birding, UK Patch Birding and BirdWeather PUC.
Feeds - Birding Gear, Orkney Birding, UK Patch Birding and BirdWeather PUC.
Today dawned still and bright but despite strong sun it never really warmed up - certainly no airborne insects visible so really quite cool. And so I saw very little until I bumped into the now long-staying Firecrest and found a new Siberian Chiffchaff elsewhere in the village. #WestrayBirding
November 11, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Today dawned still and bright but despite strong sun it never really warmed up - certainly no airborne insects visible so really quite cool. And so I saw very little until I bumped into the now long-staying Firecrest and found a new Siberian Chiffchaff elsewhere in the village. #WestrayBirding
After only very brief views of the Radde's Warbler and Firecrest yday, this morning the sun shone, the insects emerged in their droves and out came the birds. Both of these gems performed brilliantly for a short while at least and one local managed to catch up with the Firecrest #WestrayBirding
November 7, 2025 at 6:44 PM
After only very brief views of the Radde's Warbler and Firecrest yday, this morning the sun shone, the insects emerged in their droves and out came the birds. Both of these gems performed brilliantly for a short while at least and one local managed to catch up with the Firecrest #WestrayBirding
David has done brilliant to claw back a species which, as he says, has a very strong east bias in Orkney. But it gives me hope for Westray, just as yday both David and I scored Firecrests, another eastern bias species, which were first record for Westray and only second for Papay. #OrkneyBirding
November 6, 2025 at 9:46 PM
David has done brilliant to claw back a species which, as he says, has a very strong east bias in Orkney. But it gives me hope for Westray, just as yday both David and I scored Firecrests, another eastern bias species, which were first record for Westray and only second for Papay. #OrkneyBirding
A Papay and Westray double! Amazing how long it's taken them to make it to us here in the west. First birds down east side on 19 Oct, then eight by end of 22nd. Central Mainland on 27-28th. Then no new birds until two today in NW of county - see graphic. #OrkneyBirding
November 5, 2025 at 8:45 PM
A Papay and Westray double! Amazing how long it's taken them to make it to us here in the west. First birds down east side on 19 Oct, then eight by end of 22nd. Central Mainland on 27-28th. Then no new birds until two today in NW of county - see graphic. #OrkneyBirding
Radde's Warbler was a real bogey bird for me until I found my own on the Isles of Scilly on 14 October 1994 (sadly forgot the photographer). It was commemorated on a badge (which is now a fridge magnet). Self-found firsts always mean the species stays special. Forget who the photographer was.
November 5, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Radde's Warbler was a real bogey bird for me until I found my own on the Isles of Scilly on 14 October 1994 (sadly forgot the photographer). It was commemorated on a badge (which is now a fridge magnet). Self-found firsts always mean the species stays special. Forget who the photographer was.
5 Nov fireworks 💥 on Westray today! Not one, but two isle firsts! 🙅♂️ First up was Orkney's 11th Radde's Warbler (second this autumn and the latest ever recorded in the county) which was followed minutes later by a Firecrest - in the same bush! Pure #PatchGold! #PWC2025 #WestrayBirding
November 5, 2025 at 7:03 PM
5 Nov fireworks 💥 on Westray today! Not one, but two isle firsts! 🙅♂️ First up was Orkney's 11th Radde's Warbler (second this autumn and the latest ever recorded in the county) which was followed minutes later by a Firecrest - in the same bush! Pure #PatchGold! #PWC2025 #WestrayBirding
Rather disappointing #WestrayBirding today. The influx of Blackbirds continues but no other thrushes. A ‘pheeting’ Siberian Chiffchaff refused to come out of cover apart from glimpses of its ghostly form. Three Blackcaps remain, each now feeding exclusively on the ground as trees are now leafless.
November 4, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Rather disappointing #WestrayBirding today. The influx of Blackbirds continues but no other thrushes. A ‘pheeting’ Siberian Chiffchaff refused to come out of cover apart from glimpses of its ghostly form. Three Blackcaps remain, each now feeding exclusively on the ground as trees are now leafless.
Boy it’s been wet here and #WestrayBirding has been both tough and grim in recent days. Birding between deluges today and I was rewarded with a couple of 1CY ♂ Ring Ouzels hopping about amongst 40+ Blackbirds and a few Redwing and Fieldfare up by Noup lighthouse. My first Ringos of the autumn!
November 3, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Boy it’s been wet here and #WestrayBirding has been both tough and grim in recent days. Birding between deluges today and I was rewarded with a couple of 1CY ♂ Ring Ouzels hopping about amongst 40+ Blackbirds and a few Redwing and Fieldfare up by Noup lighthouse. My first Ringos of the autumn!
What an unexpectedly fabulous morning to be out #WestrayBirding. Here’s hoping 🤞🏼
October 30, 2025 at 8:33 AM
What an unexpectedly fabulous morning to be out #WestrayBirding. Here’s hoping 🤞🏼
Autumn definitely feels like it’s on its last knockings. This garden Brambling was today’s #WestrayBirding highlight. No warblers at all today for the first time in weeks. Little of anything other than increasing numbers of winter seaduck.
October 29, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Autumn definitely feels like it’s on its last knockings. This garden Brambling was today’s #WestrayBirding highlight. No warblers at all today for the first time in weeks. Little of anything other than increasing numbers of winter seaduck.
Whilst @northronbirdobs.bsky.social basked in their glory of a male Sibe Rubythroat, I again flogged Westray with diminishing return as migrants ship out rather than in. Chiffchaffs are hanging on, both Common and Siberian. Now up to five different Sibes this last week. #WestrayBirding
October 28, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Whilst @northronbirdobs.bsky.social basked in their glory of a male Sibe Rubythroat, I again flogged Westray with diminishing return as migrants ship out rather than in. Chiffchaffs are hanging on, both Common and Siberian. Now up to five different Sibes this last week. #WestrayBirding
My #Top5Birds from this week’s #WestrayBirding are:
1) Waxwing in the garden 🙂 sadly all too brief 😕
2) Garden Warbler (getting late for them up here)
3) Redwings
4) Grey Heron
5) Siberian Chiffchaff
1) Waxwing in the garden 🙂 sadly all too brief 😕
2) Garden Warbler (getting late for them up here)
3) Redwings
4) Grey Heron
5) Siberian Chiffchaff
October 26, 2025 at 9:42 PM
My #Top5Birds from this week’s #WestrayBirding are:
1) Waxwing in the garden 🙂 sadly all too brief 😕
2) Garden Warbler (getting late for them up here)
3) Redwings
4) Grey Heron
5) Siberian Chiffchaff
1) Waxwing in the garden 🙂 sadly all too brief 😕
2) Garden Warbler (getting late for them up here)
3) Redwings
4) Grey Heron
5) Siberian Chiffchaff
Well I never, United up to sixth after three wins on the bounce. Now, we’re starting to see some progress. As long as we can keep it up! 🤞🏼 #mufc
October 26, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Well I never, United up to sixth after three wins on the bounce. Now, we’re starting to see some progress. As long as we can keep it up! 🤞🏼 #mufc
🤫 after 10 yrs using the Swaro 8x32 Field Pros I’ve just upgraded! I bought a used pair, of course. And IMO the Zeiss Victory SF are the best 32s on the market. And I’m absolutely loving ‘em! #BirdingGear
October 24, 2025 at 8:18 PM
🤫 after 10 yrs using the Swaro 8x32 Field Pros I’ve just upgraded! I bought a used pair, of course. And IMO the Zeiss Victory SF are the best 32s on the market. And I’m absolutely loving ‘em! #BirdingGear
They’re here! Waxwings started to arrive in Orkney yday afternoon (and more today) and one very obligingly landed, albeit too briefly, in our Westray garden early afternoon. As ever, the luck of looking anywhere at the precise second a bird appears never fails to stagger me! #WestrayBirding
October 24, 2025 at 4:56 PM
They’re here! Waxwings started to arrive in Orkney yday afternoon (and more today) and one very obligingly landed, albeit too briefly, in our Westray garden early afternoon. As ever, the luck of looking anywhere at the precise second a bird appears never fails to stagger me! #WestrayBirding
Damn! Just saw I didn’t attach the pic! It’s lived on my fridge(s) ever since as a fridge magnet 🙂
October 24, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Damn! Just saw I didn’t attach the pic! It’s lived on my fridge(s) ever since as a fridge magnet 🙂
Big drop in migrant numbers today but still a few sylvias and phylloscs around. This Garden Warbler was finding plenty of food in the nettles it was feeding in, but its movements were very sluggish and it barely got off the ground. First-year survival is the toughest. #WestrayBirding
October 22, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Big drop in migrant numbers today but still a few sylvias and phylloscs around. This Garden Warbler was finding plenty of food in the nettles it was feeding in, but its movements were very sluggish and it barely got off the ground. First-year survival is the toughest. #WestrayBirding
The last few days I’ve noticed sparrows in the village collecting ‘nest’ material. Here’s a male robbing a Goldfinch nest of material (one of four I saw doing this). Do sparrows line their winter roost holes/crevices? #OrkneyBirding #ornithology
October 21, 2025 at 9:24 PM
The last few days I’ve noticed sparrows in the village collecting ‘nest’ material. Here’s a male robbing a Goldfinch nest of material (one of four I saw doing this). Do sparrows line their winter roost holes/crevices? #OrkneyBirding #ornithology
A very full days #WestrayBirding with lots of common migrants but nowt remotely scarce to show for it. Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Garden Warbler, 30+ Blackcap, 18 Chiffchaff (mostly abietinus), Willow Warbler, 5 Goldcrest, Mistle Thrush, 5 Song Thrush, Greenland Redpoll, Long-eared Owl and Woodcock.
October 21, 2025 at 9:20 PM
A very full days #WestrayBirding with lots of common migrants but nowt remotely scarce to show for it. Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Garden Warbler, 30+ Blackcap, 18 Chiffchaff (mostly abietinus), Willow Warbler, 5 Goldcrest, Mistle Thrush, 5 Song Thrush, Greenland Redpoll, Long-eared Owl and Woodcock.
Six Firecrests today in the county (previous day high was only two) which will also make 2025 the best year for the species from today alone. Today's spread - North Ronaldsay 3, Sanday 1, Shapinsay 1, East Mainland 1. The map here is all previous records to 31/12/24. See also alt text #OrkneyBirding
October 21, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Six Firecrests today in the county (previous day high was only two) which will also make 2025 the best year for the species from today alone. Today's spread - North Ronaldsay 3, Sanday 1, Shapinsay 1, East Mainland 1. The map here is all previous records to 31/12/24. See also alt text #OrkneyBirding
What is evident however is a southern bias (draw that line where you want the bias remains) which indicates that the vast majority of tits arriving in Orkney come from Scotland Only one Long-tailed, small numbers of Coal and a handful (?) of Great originate from Scandinavia. #OrkneyBirding
October 20, 2025 at 6:28 PM
What is evident however is a southern bias (draw that line where you want the bias remains) which indicates that the vast majority of tits arriving in Orkney come from Scotland Only one Long-tailed, small numbers of Coal and a handful (?) of Great originate from Scandinavia. #OrkneyBirding
There's a clear eastern bias to continental passage migrants which isn't apparent for tit species. West Mainland does account for 77% of west's records. Apart from some observer bias, West Mainland also has the majority of trees/woodland in the county many of which are hotspots. #OrkneyBirding
October 20, 2025 at 6:28 PM
There's a clear eastern bias to continental passage migrants which isn't apparent for tit species. West Mainland does account for 77% of west's records. Apart from some observer bias, West Mainland also has the majority of trees/woodland in the county many of which are hotspots. #OrkneyBirding
Wow! Love this. Some 29 years after the publication of our book, Rare Birds Day by Day, here is the social media equivalent!
#ukrarebirds #BirdingScotland #BirdingWales 🪶
bsky.app/profile/ukra...
#ukrarebirds #BirdingScotland #BirdingWales 🪶
bsky.app/profile/ukra...
October 20, 2025 at 11:23 AM
Wow! Love this. Some 29 years after the publication of our book, Rare Birds Day by Day, here is the social media equivalent!
#ukrarebirds #BirdingScotland #BirdingWales 🪶
bsky.app/profile/ukra...
#ukrarebirds #BirdingScotland #BirdingWales 🪶
bsky.app/profile/ukra...
The afternoon turned a little dreich here so I quickly sorted records (not number of birds) of all tit species by isle and here they are in map form.
See Alt Text on attached image for some notes.
#OrkneyBirding
See Alt Text on attached image for some notes.
#OrkneyBirding
October 19, 2025 at 3:03 PM
The afternoon turned a little dreich here so I quickly sorted records (not number of birds) of all tit species by isle and here they are in map form.
See Alt Text on attached image for some notes.
#OrkneyBirding
See Alt Text on attached image for some notes.
#OrkneyBirding
Oh, havent done this for a while.
1. Corncrake in an overgrown village garden 📷
2. A showy Grey Plover 📷
3. A late Garden Warbler 📷
4. First real arrival of Redwings 📷
5. Fly-by Franklin’s Gull from house.
Not a bad weeks #WestrayBirding
1. Corncrake in an overgrown village garden 📷
2. A showy Grey Plover 📷
3. A late Garden Warbler 📷
4. First real arrival of Redwings 📷
5. Fly-by Franklin’s Gull from house.
Not a bad weeks #WestrayBirding
October 19, 2025 at 11:09 AM
Oh, havent done this for a while.
1. Corncrake in an overgrown village garden 📷
2. A showy Grey Plover 📷
3. A late Garden Warbler 📷
4. First real arrival of Redwings 📷
5. Fly-by Franklin’s Gull from house.
Not a bad weeks #WestrayBirding
1. Corncrake in an overgrown village garden 📷
2. A showy Grey Plover 📷
3. A late Garden Warbler 📷
4. First real arrival of Redwings 📷
5. Fly-by Franklin’s Gull from house.
Not a bad weeks #WestrayBirding