Terry Brown
@terrytwitcher.bsky.social
Hertfordshire based birder. Birding battling with my other obsession - football - for my time and energy. Patch birding at Paxton Pits and Portland Bird Observatory my favourite place in the world.
There may have been thousands of birds at Ouse Wash RSPB but todays visit was more memorable due to the dead Swans littering the place Around 25 maybe 30 noted Sad to see And with a Buzzsrd feasting on one of 'em it could be a bleek winter ahead
November 16, 2025 at 4:32 PM
There may have been thousands of birds at Ouse Wash RSPB but todays visit was more memorable due to the dead Swans littering the place Around 25 maybe 30 noted Sad to see And with a Buzzsrd feasting on one of 'em it could be a bleek winter ahead
Don't expect to see much when I take a walk at RSPBHQ in Sandy but a few moments ago I flushed a Woodcock from the side of a footpath and watched it fly off for a few seconds before it disappeared from sight - Crackin'
November 15, 2025 at 10:23 AM
Don't expect to see much when I take a walk at RSPBHQ in Sandy but a few moments ago I flushed a Woodcock from the side of a footpath and watched it fly off for a few seconds before it disappeared from sight - Crackin'
A leaving gift from Martin and the team Pallas's Warbler What a stunner
November 9, 2025 at 9:42 AM
A leaving gift from Martin and the team Pallas's Warbler What a stunner
I haven't stopped smiling all morning Black-faced Bunting on Portland
November 6, 2025 at 10:32 AM
I haven't stopped smiling all morning Black-faced Bunting on Portland
The weather on Portland has been awful today and got worse as the day went on Gannets and Auks abundant om the sea but the land quiet again An overhead Siskin and a Sparrowhawk were my highlights Better weather expected tomorrow so hoping for change in fortunes
November 4, 2025 at 4:42 PM
The weather on Portland has been awful today and got worse as the day went on Gannets and Auks abundant om the sea but the land quiet again An overhead Siskin and a Sparrowhawk were my highlights Better weather expected tomorrow so hoping for change in fortunes
First day of 7 on Portland Its been a day of strong winds and sunshine with very little overhead or on the ground Loads of Gannets Kittiwakes & Auks on the sea with some Med Gulls too Bird of the day was a Snow Bunting found on east cliffs mid morning A Razorbill rested up on the rocks at the bill
November 3, 2025 at 4:54 PM
First day of 7 on Portland Its been a day of strong winds and sunshine with very little overhead or on the ground Loads of Gannets Kittiwakes & Auks on the sea with some Med Gulls too Bird of the day was a Snow Bunting found on east cliffs mid morning A Razorbill rested up on the rocks at the bill
Main reason for coming to Ouse Wash RSPB was to see the Cranes which are year ticks for me The now gloomy weather doesn't help the photo taken through the scope but at least you can see what they are There are 36 in total
October 31, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Main reason for coming to Ouse Wash RSPB was to see the Cranes which are year ticks for me The now gloomy weather doesn't help the photo taken through the scope but at least you can see what they are There are 36 in total
First decent movement I've seen of Fieldfare this Autumn Around 200 moving along the treetops at Ouse Wash RSPB this morning on a bright sunny albeit breezy day
October 31, 2025 at 9:31 AM
First decent movement I've seen of Fieldfare this Autumn Around 200 moving along the treetops at Ouse Wash RSPB this morning on a bright sunny albeit breezy day
Constant drizzle at PaxtonNR today made for a murky day Even the Buzzards looked unhappy Sparrowhawk Marsh Harrier & 2 Redpoll were the only quality with just a single Redwing Wildfowl included 2 Goldeneye 33 Pochard 140 Shoveller 100 Wigeon 90 Teal and the female Red Crested Pochard
October 29, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Constant drizzle at PaxtonNR today made for a murky day Even the Buzzards looked unhappy Sparrowhawk Marsh Harrier & 2 Redpoll were the only quality with just a single Redwing Wildfowl included 2 Goldeneye 33 Pochard 140 Shoveller 100 Wigeon 90 Teal and the female Red Crested Pochard
Some days I like a rest from driving Today was one such day so I gave attention to local farmland immediately south of Baldock It was a pleasant amble and quite busy albeit with routine fair See below for bird list
October 17, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Some days I like a rest from driving Today was one such day so I gave attention to local farmland immediately south of Baldock It was a pleasant amble and quite busy albeit with routine fair See below for bird list
Not a lot happening at Fen Drayton this afternoon A leisurely walk round Ferry Lagoon and the only birds of interest are 120 Lapwing 3 Snipe and 10 Whooper Swans Not sure if I've seen Whoopers here before Will have to check when I get home
October 8, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Not a lot happening at Fen Drayton this afternoon A leisurely walk round Ferry Lagoon and the only birds of interest are 120 Lapwing 3 Snipe and 10 Whooper Swans Not sure if I've seen Whoopers here before Will have to check when I get home
Back at PaxtonNR today after my UK adventure where many water birds have moved in during my absence including 70 Shoveller 90 Teal 80 Tufted Duck 165 Gadwall & 160 Wigeon Also Green Sandpiper 66 Lapwing Water Rail & 2 Kingfisher Redpoll were noted with 8 feeding in the tree tops before moving on
October 7, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Back at PaxtonNR today after my UK adventure where many water birds have moved in during my absence including 70 Shoveller 90 Teal 80 Tufted Duck 165 Gadwall & 160 Wigeon Also Green Sandpiper 66 Lapwing Water Rail & 2 Kingfisher Redpoll were noted with 8 feeding in the tree tops before moving on
29 days after leaving Hertfordshire the journey home begins The drive home from Aberdeen tomorrow being split over two days with a stop over in Hexham Northumberland to come Very much looking forward to sleeping in my own bed again!
September 29, 2025 at 3:46 PM
29 days after leaving Hertfordshire the journey home begins The drive home from Aberdeen tomorrow being split over two days with a stop over in Hexham Northumberland to come Very much looking forward to sleeping in my own bed again!
Not a pleasant start to the weekend here in Shetland Strong winds and/or rain predicted next couple of days I can hear the beer and TV screens calling me in to The Douglas Arms Might just watch some football today
September 27, 2025 at 7:34 AM
Not a pleasant start to the weekend here in Shetland Strong winds and/or rain predicted next couple of days I can hear the beer and TV screens calling me in to The Douglas Arms Might just watch some football today
Day 20 spent travelling to Aberdeen The ferry left on time on day 21 but arrived in Lerwick a bit late on day 22 Not surprising given the rough crossing First job on arrival was breakfast The second was a gander at the Ring Necked Duck at Tingwall The Scalloway Hotel is my home for the next 7 days
September 22, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Day 20 spent travelling to Aberdeen The ferry left on time on day 21 but arrived in Lerwick a bit late on day 22 Not surprising given the rough crossing First job on arrival was breakfast The second was a gander at the Ring Necked Duck at Tingwall The Scalloway Hotel is my home for the next 7 days
Moved further north on day 18 Now in Warkworth alongside the River Coquet and just north of Amble Gave the wife a choice for tomorrow Bamburgh Castle or Hauxley NR Glad to say she chose the latter
September 18, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Moved further north on day 18 Now in Warkworth alongside the River Coquet and just north of Amble Gave the wife a choice for tomorrow Bamburgh Castle or Hauxley NR Glad to say she chose the latter
Day 17 started with strong winds and rain and made morning birding difficult It got a little better after midday but still didn't see a great deal Spotted Flycatcher and Hobby the best birds after the rain stopped Today was the last day at Spurn I move further north tomorrow
September 17, 2025 at 8:54 PM
Day 17 started with strong winds and rain and made morning birding difficult It got a little better after midday but still didn't see a great deal Spotted Flycatcher and Hobby the best birds after the rain stopped Today was the last day at Spurn I move further north tomorrow
Even though the winds abated a tad not much birding was done on day 16 Partly due to heavy showers and partly due to a long lunch break in the Crown & Anchor During a brief late morning seawatch Arctic Skua & Manx Shearwater was noted Meadow Pipits Swallow and House Martins were still moving through
September 16, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Even though the winds abated a tad not much birding was done on day 16 Partly due to heavy showers and partly due to a long lunch break in the Crown & Anchor During a brief late morning seawatch Arctic Skua & Manx Shearwater was noted Meadow Pipits Swallow and House Martins were still moving through
As birding in gale force winds is not my cup of tea most of day 15 of my UK trip was spent indoors It was hard to escape the wind other than seawatching in the hut along beacon lane
September 15, 2025 at 8:13 PM
As birding in gale force winds is not my cup of tea most of day 15 of my UK trip was spent indoors It was hard to escape the wind other than seawatching in the hut along beacon lane
Day 13 and other than an early morning visit to Sammys Point birding took a back seat for the football A few trip newbies though including Caspian Gull Med Gull and Swift A Whimbrel posed nicely on the shoreline while getting battered by strong winds
September 13, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Day 13 and other than an early morning visit to Sammys Point birding took a back seat for the football A few trip newbies though including Caspian Gull Med Gull and Swift A Whimbrel posed nicely on the shoreline while getting battered by strong winds
It took too long to get my UK Birding trip list over the 100 but it finally happened today on day 11 with Winchat at Gibralter Point The most memorable interaction of the day was going eye to eye with a stoat on the edge of east dunes Cracking it was Off to Yorkshire tomorrow for 6 days at Spurn
September 11, 2025 at 4:46 PM
It took too long to get my UK Birding trip list over the 100 but it finally happened today on day 11 with Winchat at Gibralter Point The most memorable interaction of the day was going eye to eye with a stoat on the edge of east dunes Cracking it was Off to Yorkshire tomorrow for 6 days at Spurn
Returned to Freiston Shore on day 10 for the early morning Wader roost There were thousands - 2000 Oystercatcher 1000 Redshank 600 Curlew 300 BlackTG 10 BarTG 55 Greenshank 10 Knot 20 Grey Plover 800 Ringed Plover 800 Dunlin 25 Spoonbill 50 Little Egret 10 Turnstone & 2 Little Stint
September 10, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Returned to Freiston Shore on day 10 for the early morning Wader roost There were thousands - 2000 Oystercatcher 1000 Redshank 600 Curlew 300 BlackTG 10 BarTG 55 Greenshank 10 Knot 20 Grey Plover 800 Ringed Plover 800 Dunlin 25 Spoonbill 50 Little Egret 10 Turnstone & 2 Little Stint
Changed counties yesterday (day 8) so today day 9/30 was spent at the RSPB Reserves Frampton Marsh and Freiston Shore in Lincolnshire Frampton very dry but with patience Geeen Sand Spot Shank Greenshank & Little Stints can be seen Waders were elsewhere at Freiston but 3 Little Stints were noted
September 9, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Changed counties yesterday (day 8) so today day 9/30 was spent at the RSPB Reserves Frampton Marsh and Freiston Shore in Lincolnshire Frampton very dry but with patience Geeen Sand Spot Shank Greenshank & Little Stints can be seen Waders were elsewhere at Freiston but 3 Little Stints were noted
Was hoping day 7 of UK trip would see me hit 100 species but it didn't 6 hours at Cley saw Cattle Egret & Sand Martin push me up to 97 The most memorable part of the day was coffee & walnut cake in the VC and a cooling pint of Cider in the pub on what was a hot albeit windy day
September 7, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Was hoping day 7 of UK trip would see me hit 100 species but it didn't 6 hours at Cley saw Cattle Egret & Sand Martin push me up to 97 The most memorable part of the day was coffee & walnut cake in the VC and a cooling pint of Cider in the pub on what was a hot albeit windy day
End of day 6 and it's been a fun one apart from watching the England game which was really tedoous Trip list up to 93 with Little Stint & Greenshank amongst the 6 added today Couldn't resist another look at the Wasp Spider at Titchwell Pizza & wine this evening a perfect end to the day
September 6, 2025 at 6:44 PM
End of day 6 and it's been a fun one apart from watching the England game which was really tedoous Trip list up to 93 with Little Stint & Greenshank amongst the 6 added today Couldn't resist another look at the Wasp Spider at Titchwell Pizza & wine this evening a perfect end to the day