Chris Townend (Wise Birding)
@wisebirding.bsky.social
Tour Leader / Freelance Ornithologist.
Love all wildlife, particularly birds, the challenge of rarity finding & searching for elusive cats, especially Lynx & Snow Leopard.
Bird & Mammal Tours: www.wisebirding.co.uk
Beaver Walks: www.devonbeavertours.co.uk
Love all wildlife, particularly birds, the challenge of rarity finding & searching for elusive cats, especially Lynx & Snow Leopard.
Bird & Mammal Tours: www.wisebirding.co.uk
Beaver Walks: www.devonbeavertours.co.uk
Our recent tour to Namibia and Botswana ended at Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. Over 415 species of bird and over 50 mammals.
See just some of our photo tour highlights here: wisebirding.co.uk/latest-news/
#WiseBirding #Birds #Mammals #Namibia
See just some of our photo tour highlights here: wisebirding.co.uk/latest-news/
#WiseBirding #Birds #Mammals #Namibia
November 20, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Our recent tour to Namibia and Botswana ended at Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. Over 415 species of bird and over 50 mammals.
See just some of our photo tour highlights here: wisebirding.co.uk/latest-news/
#WiseBirding #Birds #Mammals #Namibia
See just some of our photo tour highlights here: wisebirding.co.uk/latest-news/
#WiseBirding #Birds #Mammals #Namibia
Reposted by Chris Townend (Wise Birding)
Off this evening for my 8th visit to Oman, a fantastic birding destination. Working for, and with, Chris from @wisebirding.bsky.social, good birds are guaranteed and hopefully this lovely quartet will be enjoyed 😊
November 20, 2025 at 9:24 AM
Off this evening for my 8th visit to Oman, a fantastic birding destination. Working for, and with, Chris from @wisebirding.bsky.social, good birds are guaranteed and hopefully this lovely quartet will be enjoyed 😊
Relocated the Swift again a couple of times briefly this morning but only managed v poor photos. Severely pushing the limit on lighting edits! One sharpened the other not. Certainly Pallid features, but not sure how much you can really trust the poor image….
#DevonBirds #UKBirding
#DevonBirds #UKBirding
November 13, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Relocated the Swift again a couple of times briefly this morning but only managed v poor photos. Severely pushing the limit on lighting edits! One sharpened the other not. Certainly Pallid features, but not sure how much you can really trust the poor image….
#DevonBirds #UKBirding
#DevonBirds #UKBirding
Exciting & frustrating! 😮Returned home from Namibia this AM and find a Common/Pallid Swift on the patch this PM (3.20pm - 4.20pm) over Otter Estuary NR. Brief views appalling light & distance didn’t allow photos or much help with id features.🙄Fingers crossed it returns tomorrow. #DevonBirds #UKBirds
November 12, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Exciting & frustrating! 😮Returned home from Namibia this AM and find a Common/Pallid Swift on the patch this PM (3.20pm - 4.20pm) over Otter Estuary NR. Brief views appalling light & distance didn’t allow photos or much help with id features.🙄Fingers crossed it returns tomorrow. #DevonBirds #UKBirds
Another great bird from our final birding in Namibia before heading to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe was this stunning Rosy-throated Longclaw.😍 #Birds #Namibia #WiseBirding
November 12, 2025 at 6:46 AM
Another great bird from our final birding in Namibia before heading to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe was this stunning Rosy-throated Longclaw.😍 #Birds #Namibia #WiseBirding
Another great day’s birding in Namibia close to the Chobe floodplains produced this lovely Dickinson’s Kestrel catching reptiles.
#Birds #Namibia #WiseBirding
#Birds #Namibia #WiseBirding
November 11, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Another great day’s birding in Namibia close to the Chobe floodplains produced this lovely Dickinson’s Kestrel catching reptiles.
#Birds #Namibia #WiseBirding
#Birds #Namibia #WiseBirding
More great birding in the Bwabwata NP in the Caprivi region today with displaying Racket-tailed Rollers being just one of the day’s highlights. #Birds #NamibiaBirding #WiseBirding
November 9, 2025 at 8:08 PM
More great birding in the Bwabwata NP in the Caprivi region today with displaying Racket-tailed Rollers being just one of the day’s highlights. #Birds #NamibiaBirding #WiseBirding
We had to work hard today to find this mega owl, but perseverance paid off! A great day exploring the Pan Handle of Botswana with this superb Pel’s Fishing Owl. 📷 by tour participant Lori Louth 👌🏻 #Birds #Botswana #WiseBirding
November 7, 2025 at 7:32 PM
We had to work hard today to find this mega owl, but perseverance paid off! A great day exploring the Pan Handle of Botswana with this superb Pel’s Fishing Owl. 📷 by tour participant Lori Louth 👌🏻 #Birds #Botswana #WiseBirding
A fantastic day’s birding in the Okavango region of Namibia yesterday with killer views of two big target birds. The very localised Souza’s Shrike and Rufous-bellied Tit. A very happy group!😊 #Birds #Namibia #WiseBirding
November 6, 2025 at 7:52 PM
A fantastic day’s birding in the Okavango region of Namibia yesterday with killer views of two big target birds. The very localised Souza’s Shrike and Rufous-bellied Tit. A very happy group!😊 #Birds #Namibia #WiseBirding
Our time in Etosha NP was memorable as always, with fantastic birding and of course mammals. Lions were easy to see including these two rather impressive brothers. #Mammals #WiseBirding
November 6, 2025 at 6:14 AM
Our time in Etosha NP was memorable as always, with fantastic birding and of course mammals. Lions were easy to see including these two rather impressive brothers. #Mammals #WiseBirding
More high quality specialities from our ongoing Namibia Birds & Mammals tour over the last couple of days have included Hartlaub’s Spurfowl, Herero Chat, Karoo Long-billed Lark and Ludwig’s Bustard. Etosha now beckons where the mammals are sure to impress….. #Birds #Namibia #WiseBirding
October 31, 2025 at 7:46 PM
More high quality specialities from our ongoing Namibia Birds & Mammals tour over the last couple of days have included Hartlaub’s Spurfowl, Herero Chat, Karoo Long-billed Lark and Ludwig’s Bustard. Etosha now beckons where the mammals are sure to impress….. #Birds #Namibia #WiseBirding
A great start to the Wise Birding Birds & Mammals tour of Namibia. Some nice specialties seen well along the coast today. These included Damara Tern, Chestnut-banded Plover, Gray’s Lark and Humpback Whales and Cape Fur Seals. #Birds #Namibia #Mammals #WiseBirding
October 29, 2025 at 8:47 PM
A great start to the Wise Birding Birds & Mammals tour of Namibia. Some nice specialties seen well along the coast today. These included Damara Tern, Chestnut-banded Plover, Gray’s Lark and Humpback Whales and Cape Fur Seals. #Birds #Namibia #Mammals #WiseBirding
Who doesn’t love a lark, particularly an endemic lark!🤣 Dune Lark in the mighty dunes of Namibia. Great to be back in this fantastic country again. #Birds #WiseBirding
October 27, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Who doesn’t love a lark, particularly an endemic lark!🤣 Dune Lark in the mighty dunes of Namibia. Great to be back in this fantastic country again. #Birds #WiseBirding
Reposted by Chris Townend (Wise Birding)
Finally got a decent bird on my trail camera. Red-eyed Vireo 12th October nr Port of Ness, Isle of Lewis
#BirdingScotland
#UKBirding
#RareBirdsUK
#birds
🪶
🦉
#BirdingScotland
#UKBirding
#RareBirdsUK
#birds
🪶
🦉
October 22, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Finally got a decent bird on my trail camera. Red-eyed Vireo 12th October nr Port of Ness, Isle of Lewis
#BirdingScotland
#UKBirding
#RareBirdsUK
#birds
🪶
🦉
#BirdingScotland
#UKBirding
#RareBirdsUK
#birds
🪶
🦉
A big influx of Jack Snipe today across Scilly. I saw 3 different birds on St Martin’s including 2 different birds feeding on beautiful beaches and rock pools! Such fabulous little birds. #scillybirds
October 15, 2025 at 7:20 PM
A big influx of Jack Snipe today across Scilly. I saw 3 different birds on St Martin’s including 2 different birds feeding on beautiful beaches and rock pools! Such fabulous little birds. #scillybirds
Red-breasted Flycatcher, St Martin’s, Isles of Scilly #ScillyBirds #Birds
October 13, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Red-breasted Flycatcher, St Martin’s, Isles of Scilly #ScillyBirds #Birds
Reposted by Chris Townend (Wise Birding)
Western Paroti doing a mesmerising out of this world dance for the nearby female.
In my 45 years as a birder this tops everything I have seen.
The male did the "full" dance on four occasions in the two hours we were there.
@Wisebirding.bsky.social
#wisebirding
#westpapua
In my 45 years as a birder this tops everything I have seen.
The male did the "full" dance on four occasions in the two hours we were there.
@Wisebirding.bsky.social
#wisebirding
#westpapua
October 8, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Western Paroti doing a mesmerising out of this world dance for the nearby female.
In my 45 years as a birder this tops everything I have seen.
The male did the "full" dance on four occasions in the two hours we were there.
@Wisebirding.bsky.social
#wisebirding
#westpapua
In my 45 years as a birder this tops everything I have seen.
The male did the "full" dance on four occasions in the two hours we were there.
@Wisebirding.bsky.social
#wisebirding
#westpapua
Absolutely loved a few hours on St Agnes today, seeing lots of old friends I haven’t seen for a long time, and seeing a great bird. Normal service resumes on St Martin’s now. 😅Huge thanks in particular to the landowner and Agnes birders organising access. 😜 #MourningDove
October 9, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Absolutely loved a few hours on St Agnes today, seeing lots of old friends I haven’t seen for a long time, and seeing a great bird. Normal service resumes on St Martin’s now. 😅Huge thanks in particular to the landowner and Agnes birders organising access. 😜 #MourningDove
Reposted by Chris Townend (Wise Birding)
Common Paradise-Kingfisher
one of ten species of Kingfisher recorded in West
Papua Sept 2025
@wisebirding.bsky.social
#wisebirding
one of ten species of Kingfisher recorded in West
Papua Sept 2025
@wisebirding.bsky.social
#wisebirding
October 5, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Common Paradise-Kingfisher
one of ten species of Kingfisher recorded in West
Papua Sept 2025
@wisebirding.bsky.social
#wisebirding
one of ten species of Kingfisher recorded in West
Papua Sept 2025
@wisebirding.bsky.social
#wisebirding
Wow! Cracking shots by Dave from our recent West Papua tour👇🏻👇🏻
One of the first Birds of Paradise we saw in West Papua was the Twelve Wired BOP
October 4, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Wow! Cracking shots by Dave from our recent West Papua tour👇🏻👇🏻
Male Magnificent Riflebird, we only had a limited amount of time with this stunner as the mother of rain storms descended upon us.
@wisebirding.bsky.social
#wisebirding
@wisebirding.bsky.social
#wisebirding
October 4, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Nice to find this Rustic Bunting with the Mrs this evening on St Martin’s, Isles of Scilly. A subtle bird, in some ways, compared to obvious autumn males. Looks to be same bird found on St Agnes yesterday when comparing feather details. #ScillyBirding
October 1, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Nice to find this Rustic Bunting with the Mrs this evening on St Martin’s, Isles of Scilly. A subtle bird, in some ways, compared to obvious autumn males. Looks to be same bird found on St Agnes yesterday when comparing feather details. #ScillyBirding
Reposted by Chris Townend (Wise Birding)
The @wisebirding.bsky.social West Papua tour is drawing to an end with 17 species of Birds of Paradise recorded. We finished our last full day in the field on Merparti Island, where Violet-necked Lory was the star attraction amongst a variety of new birds for the tour #WiseBirding #WestPapua
September 25, 2025 at 9:19 AM
The @wisebirding.bsky.social West Papua tour is drawing to an end with 17 species of Birds of Paradise recorded. We finished our last full day in the field on Merparti Island, where Violet-necked Lory was the star attraction amongst a variety of new birds for the tour #WiseBirding #WestPapua
Beautiful sunny and clear day in the SW today. A lovely evening on the patch with M Harrier, Osprey, 3 Curlew Sand, 1 Little Stint and then 9 Glossy Ibis dropped in at dusk. Possibly start of a new wave of birds? Now at least 18 this year for the Otter Estuary.
#DevonBirds #Birds
#DevonBirds #Birds
September 22, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Beautiful sunny and clear day in the SW today. A lovely evening on the patch with M Harrier, Osprey, 3 Curlew Sand, 1 Little Stint and then 9 Glossy Ibis dropped in at dusk. Possibly start of a new wave of birds? Now at least 18 this year for the Otter Estuary.
#DevonBirds #Birds
#DevonBirds #Birds
Certainly wasn’t expecting this on the high tide on the patch this evening! Lovely juvenile Baird’s Sand. 😮 Great find by Steve Windle. Pretty sure it’s a first for the Otter Estuary.👍🏻 Still present at dusk on Little Marsh. #UKBirding #DevonBirds
September 20, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Certainly wasn’t expecting this on the high tide on the patch this evening! Lovely juvenile Baird’s Sand. 😮 Great find by Steve Windle. Pretty sure it’s a first for the Otter Estuary.👍🏻 Still present at dusk on Little Marsh. #UKBirding #DevonBirds