Darren (George) Best
@wildlifegeekpix.bsky.social
Patchbird Swinemoor, E Yorks, regular at Flamborough, Spurn, North Cave Wetlands and Tophill Low. Patch 123, E Yorks 255, UK 316 (from 2017 on return to UK). When I’m doing photography then I use Nikon Z9, otherwise it’s shaky thirdrate PhoneSkope images!
Had a great day at Flamborough (as always), albeit the wind was challenging at times. Greenish Warbler at Thornwick and in line with a lot of places a bevvy of Pied Flycatcher and Redstart as well as a single Spotfly and Yellow Wag. @flamboroughbird.bsky.social
September 7, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Had a great day at Flamborough (as always), albeit the wind was challenging at times. Greenish Warbler at Thornwick and in line with a lot of places a bevvy of Pied Flycatcher and Redstart as well as a single Spotfly and Yellow Wag. @flamboroughbird.bsky.social
Nice start to the day at Spurn. Dipped so far on the Roseate Tern, needed for a county tick, but managed to get a new county tick with the long staying Juv Stone Curlew at Skeffling. @birdguides.bsky.social @rarebirder.bsky.social @spurnbirdobs.bsky.social #eastyorksbirding
July 26, 2025 at 8:03 AM
Nice start to the day at Spurn. Dipped so far on the Roseate Tern, needed for a county tick, but managed to get a new county tick with the long staying Juv Stone Curlew at Skeffling. @birdguides.bsky.social @rarebirder.bsky.social @spurnbirdobs.bsky.social #eastyorksbirding
So near, yet so far! Mistle Thrush at the entrance to Weel Rd tonight. Just a little too far out to join the patch list for #Swinemoor #patchbirding #eastyorksbirding
June 30, 2025 at 5:45 PM
So near, yet so far! Mistle Thrush at the entrance to Weel Rd tonight. Just a little too far out to join the patch list for #Swinemoor #patchbirding #eastyorksbirding
Had to go up to Wykeham Forest this morning to check out the Ortolan Bunting after dipping the Hornsea bird last year. Saw it albeit at distance, as soon as I got there, but then nothing until I left at 11. @rarebirder.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social
June 21, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Had to go up to Wykeham Forest this morning to check out the Ortolan Bunting after dipping the Hornsea bird last year. Saw it albeit at distance, as soon as I got there, but then nothing until I left at 11. @rarebirder.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social
Huge respect for the first ever breeding pair of avocets on #Swinemoor. Despite off-leash dogs, tractors, many predators and nearly losing their food and water due to drought, the young are now flying strong—against all odds. They should leave any day now. #patchbirding @rspb.bsky.social
June 21, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Huge respect for the first ever breeding pair of avocets on #Swinemoor. Despite off-leash dogs, tractors, many predators and nearly losing their food and water due to drought, the young are now flying strong—against all odds. They should leave any day now. #patchbirding @rspb.bsky.social
Very worried about the two Avocet chicks on #Swinemoor (first breeding record). They are about a week away from being able to fly away from site, however the last remaining water pool on site is critically low. Can the Beverley Pastermasters help? @bbclooknorth.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social
June 15, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Very worried about the two Avocet chicks on #Swinemoor (first breeding record). They are about a week away from being able to fly away from site, however the last remaining water pool on site is critically low. Can the Beverley Pastermasters help? @bbclooknorth.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social
As with the BOC photo, I had a flying visit up to Thornwick to try and see the Song Sparrow. Despite getting soaking wet and thinking the bird would be in hiding, it graced us with its presence. I understand that it’s been giving great views since. @birdguides.bsky.social @rarebirder.bsky.social
June 10, 2025 at 3:03 PM
As with the BOC photo, I had a flying visit up to Thornwick to try and see the Song Sparrow. Despite getting soaking wet and thinking the bird would be in hiding, it graced us with its presence. I understand that it’s been giving great views since. @birdguides.bsky.social @rarebirder.bsky.social
All a bit quiet this morning at Kilnsea Wetlands, Spurn. Nice to see this summer plumage Turnstone. @spurnbirdobs.bsky.social
June 7, 2025 at 7:18 PM
All a bit quiet this morning at Kilnsea Wetlands, Spurn. Nice to see this summer plumage Turnstone. @spurnbirdobs.bsky.social
#Swinemoor this morning. I still feel like a nervous dad as the first site Avocet chicks have now reached two weeks. Keeping fingers crossed. Bonus Cuckoo this morning as well as good numbers of Pom Pom lapwings! #patchbirding #eastyorksbirding #pwc2025
May 31, 2025 at 7:42 AM
#Swinemoor this morning. I still feel like a nervous dad as the first site Avocet chicks have now reached two weeks. Keeping fingers crossed. Bonus Cuckoo this morning as well as good numbers of Pom Pom lapwings! #patchbirding #eastyorksbirding #pwc2025
#Swinemoor very happy today as the Avocet pair now have two chicks. Keeping my fingers crossed that they remain safe. Quiet otherwise for LRP and Oystercatcher still, plus Yellow Wag, C Whitethroat #patchbirding #yorkshirebirding #pwc2025
May 16, 2025 at 7:44 AM
#Swinemoor very happy today as the Avocet pair now have two chicks. Keeping my fingers crossed that they remain safe. Quiet otherwise for LRP and Oystercatcher still, plus Yellow Wag, C Whitethroat #patchbirding #yorkshirebirding #pwc2025
#Swinemoor pretty well dry now bar a couple of small pools. 2 Avocet, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Common Tern passing through, Garden Warbler, Whitethroat and Yellow Wag the only birds of note. #patchbirding #eastyorksbirding #pwc2025
May 13, 2025 at 6:41 AM
#Swinemoor pretty well dry now bar a couple of small pools. 2 Avocet, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Common Tern passing through, Garden Warbler, Whitethroat and Yellow Wag the only birds of note. #patchbirding #eastyorksbirding #pwc2025
I thought I would chance my arm and see if the Kentish plover turned up this morning at Spurn. No sign, but 6 Curlew Sand from the Warren was my only highlight. Tried to get to Hornsea for the Great Reed Warbler but got a puncture, and my spare was flat! I gave up!! A poor day!!
May 11, 2025 at 5:17 PM
I thought I would chance my arm and see if the Kentish plover turned up this morning at Spurn. No sign, but 6 Curlew Sand from the Warren was my only highlight. Tried to get to Hornsea for the Great Reed Warbler but got a puncture, and my spare was flat! I gave up!! A poor day!!
Had a lovely walk this morning around the @rspbengland.bsky.social St Aidan’s site this morning, with a bonus Temminck’s Stint. Thanks to those who let me look through their scopes as I had left mine in the car! Arghhh!
May 10, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Had a lovely walk this morning around the @rspbengland.bsky.social St Aidan’s site this morning, with a bonus Temminck’s Stint. Thanks to those who let me look through their scopes as I had left mine in the car! Arghhh!
#Swinemoor on a blustery, showery morning, Wood Sand, Greenshank, 3 LRP, sitting Avocet still, Ruff, Golden Plover, 3 White Wag, good numbers of Swift, Swallow, House and Sand Martin and C&L Whitethroat.
May 4, 2025 at 7:59 AM
#Swinemoor on a blustery, showery morning, Wood Sand, Greenshank, 3 LRP, sitting Avocet still, Ruff, Golden Plover, 3 White Wag, good numbers of Swift, Swallow, House and Sand Martin and C&L Whitethroat.
#Swinemoor Greenshank, 6 Whimbrel, 4 Ruff, 3 Curlew, 2 LRP, Avocet still in nest, 2 Oystercatcher, 15+ Swift, Swallow, House and Sand Martin in good numbers
May 3, 2025 at 7:16 AM
#Swinemoor Greenshank, 6 Whimbrel, 4 Ruff, 3 Curlew, 2 LRP, Avocet still in nest, 2 Oystercatcher, 15+ Swift, Swallow, House and Sand Martin in good numbers
Had another quick check in of #Swinemoor after lunch, and the only additional species for the day was a solitary Greenshank. I was joined however by this little guy for the duration of my stay. Roger the Reed Warbler #patchbirding #eastyorksbirding
May 2, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Had another quick check in of #Swinemoor after lunch, and the only additional species for the day was a solitary Greenshank. I was joined however by this little guy for the duration of my stay. Roger the Reed Warbler #patchbirding #eastyorksbirding
#Swinemoor- 3 Wood Sand, 3 LRP, pair Avocet still on nest, 2 Oystercatcher, 4 Ruff, Cetti’s, Reed and Sedge Warblers. #patchbirding #eastyorksbirding #pwc2025
May 2, 2025 at 6:35 AM
#Swinemoor- 3 Wood Sand, 3 LRP, pair Avocet still on nest, 2 Oystercatcher, 4 Ruff, Cetti’s, Reed and Sedge Warblers. #patchbirding #eastyorksbirding #pwc2025
#Swinemoor- 1 Wood Sand, 3 Whimbrel, 2 LRP, pair Avocet still on nest, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Golden Plover, 1 White Wag, Cetti’s, Reed and Sedge Warblers. #pwc2025 @birdguides.bsky.social @rarebirder.bsky.social #ukbirding
April 30, 2025 at 6:10 AM
#Swinemoor- 1 Wood Sand, 3 Whimbrel, 2 LRP, pair Avocet still on nest, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Golden Plover, 1 White Wag, Cetti’s, Reed and Sedge Warblers. #pwc2025 @birdguides.bsky.social @rarebirder.bsky.social #ukbirding
Finally uploaded pictures from last week with the Eastern Subalpine Warbler at Filey. That’s quick for me, usually it takes a few months to look at my photos! I managed to get one with it consuming an aphid.
April 26, 2025 at 11:24 AM
Finally uploaded pictures from last week with the Eastern Subalpine Warbler at Filey. That’s quick for me, usually it takes a few months to look at my photos! I managed to get one with it consuming an aphid.
#Swinemoor- 2 Whimbrel, 2 LRP, pair Avocet still on nest, 4 Oystercatcher, 6 Ruff (1 male partially displaying) 2 White Wag, 4 Pied, singing Cetti’s, Reed and Sedge Warblers. #patchbirding #ukbirding #pwc2025
April 26, 2025 at 7:42 AM
#Swinemoor- 2 Whimbrel, 2 LRP, pair Avocet still on nest, 4 Oystercatcher, 6 Ruff (1 male partially displaying) 2 White Wag, 4 Pied, singing Cetti’s, Reed and Sedge Warblers. #patchbirding #ukbirding #pwc2025
#Swinemoor this morning 2 Curlew, 2 Whimbrel, 2 LRP, pair Avocet, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Ruff, full suite of Wags, 1 Grey, 2 Yellow, 2 White, 4 Pied, singing Cetti’s, Reed and Sedge Warblers. #patchbirding #eastyorksbirding #pwc2025
April 25, 2025 at 8:28 AM
#Swinemoor this morning 2 Curlew, 2 Whimbrel, 2 LRP, pair Avocet, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Ruff, full suite of Wags, 1 Grey, 2 Yellow, 2 White, 4 Pied, singing Cetti’s, Reed and Sedge Warblers. #patchbirding #eastyorksbirding #pwc2025
#Swinemoor this morning- 2 Wood Sand, 2 Whimbrel, 4 LRP, pair Avocet, 2 Oystercatcher, 5 Ruff, 2 Yellow Wag, 3 White Wag. #patchbirding #pwc2025 #ukbirding
April 24, 2025 at 6:44 AM
#Swinemoor this morning- 2 Wood Sand, 2 Whimbrel, 4 LRP, pair Avocet, 2 Oystercatcher, 5 Ruff, 2 Yellow Wag, 3 White Wag. #patchbirding #pwc2025 #ukbirding
After missing the Eastern Subalpine Warbler at Filey yesterday, I thought I’d give it another go today. Thankfully after some amount of waiting it finally started to show, albeit at distance. Two BOC shots. @rarebirdalertuk.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social
April 21, 2025 at 8:23 AM
After missing the Eastern Subalpine Warbler at Filey yesterday, I thought I’d give it another go today. Thankfully after some amount of waiting it finally started to show, albeit at distance. Two BOC shots. @rarebirdalertuk.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social
An absolute flying visit to quickly get the Bonaparte’s Gull at Hornsea Mere. Thanks as always Jon L! Nice county tick! @eastyorksbirding
April 20, 2025 at 10:57 AM
An absolute flying visit to quickly get the Bonaparte’s Gull at Hornsea Mere. Thanks as always Jon L! Nice county tick! @eastyorksbirding
Very blustery, but dry day at #Swinemoor this morning. Very much a Wagtail day with 8 Yellow, 9 White and 4 Pied. Also, Whimbrel, 2 LRP, Pair of Avocet, 8 Ruff, 4 Oystercatcher, 4 Wheatear, and a number of Sand and House Martin and Swallow. #patchbirding #eastyorksbirding #pwc2025
April 19, 2025 at 9:24 AM
Very blustery, but dry day at #Swinemoor this morning. Very much a Wagtail day with 8 Yellow, 9 White and 4 Pied. Also, Whimbrel, 2 LRP, Pair of Avocet, 8 Ruff, 4 Oystercatcher, 4 Wheatear, and a number of Sand and House Martin and Swallow. #patchbirding #eastyorksbirding #pwc2025