John Barber
@zeiss40.bsky.social
Birder. Angler. Distraught Man Utd fan. Lives in Lymm, Cheshire
Known to twitch within reason.
Love being out in the country.
Known to twitch within reason.
Love being out in the country.
A mad dash to the Point of Ayr this afternoon for the Bufflehead proved fruitless as we managed to miss the bird by a few minutes.
Seen to fly right from the hide around 2.20pm. Hoping it turns up again soon.
Seen to fly right from the hide around 2.20pm. Hoping it turns up again soon.
December 8, 2025 at 7:00 PM
A mad dash to the Point of Ayr this afternoon for the Bufflehead proved fruitless as we managed to miss the bird by a few minutes.
Seen to fly right from the hide around 2.20pm. Hoping it turns up again soon.
Seen to fly right from the hide around 2.20pm. Hoping it turns up again soon.
Only ever having had one poor view of a Lapland Bunting before, on the Gt Orme, so it was a thrill to have super views of the Leasowe bird earlier this morning.
Others will have the photographs, l was just delighted to have been there !
Others will have the photographs, l was just delighted to have been there !
November 10, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Only ever having had one poor view of a Lapland Bunting before, on the Gt Orme, so it was a thrill to have super views of the Leasowe bird earlier this morning.
Others will have the photographs, l was just delighted to have been there !
Others will have the photographs, l was just delighted to have been there !
Heavy rain early this morning at Woolston Eyes Nature Reserve later gave way to bright sunshine and a super view of the Yellow-browed Warber not far the John Morgan hide on no.3 bed. Also large numbers of other birds present amongst the thick vegetation.
November 1, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Heavy rain early this morning at Woolston Eyes Nature Reserve later gave way to bright sunshine and a super view of the Yellow-browed Warber not far the John Morgan hide on no.3 bed. Also large numbers of other birds present amongst the thick vegetation.
A flying visit to Spurn yesterday for the Black-faced Bunting. A 40 minute walk down past the breach not for the faint hearted ! A few brief views, made tricky by the jostling crowd restricted to the width of the narrow single lane road. Not the best, but a new uk tick !
October 22, 2025 at 7:07 AM
A flying visit to Spurn yesterday for the Black-faced Bunting. A 40 minute walk down past the breach not for the faint hearted ! A few brief views, made tricky by the jostling crowd restricted to the width of the narrow single lane road. Not the best, but a new uk tick !
A leisurely trip to Llanfairfechan turned into something slightly more focused when news of the still present White-rumped Sandpiper at Malltraeth came through early morning.
Not showing on arrival but 75 minutes later, magically reappeared on Cob Pool before flying to the beach
Not showing on arrival but 75 minutes later, magically reappeared on Cob Pool before flying to the beach
October 18, 2025 at 3:46 PM
A leisurely trip to Llanfairfechan turned into something slightly more focused when news of the still present White-rumped Sandpiper at Malltraeth came through early morning.
Not showing on arrival but 75 minutes later, magically reappeared on Cob Pool before flying to the beach
Not showing on arrival but 75 minutes later, magically reappeared on Cob Pool before flying to the beach
A smashing day over at Welwick and Spurn yesterday. Six Glossy Ibis and lots of raptors at Welwick; the Red-necked Phalarope at Beacon Ponds; And a Cory's Shearwater from the sea watching hut at the Warren with a supporting cast of several Arctic Terns.
September 19, 2025 at 6:54 AM
A smashing day over at Welwick and Spurn yesterday. Six Glossy Ibis and lots of raptors at Welwick; the Red-necked Phalarope at Beacon Ponds; And a Cory's Shearwater from the sea watching hut at the Warren with a supporting cast of several Arctic Terns.
A trip to Wykeham this morning to see the Ortolan Bunting turned out to be anything but easy, the bird being elusive to say the least !
Luckily l chose the right place to stand to see the bird on the ground shortly after arrival at 8.30. Later, others had occasional glimpses.
Luckily l chose the right place to stand to see the bird on the ground shortly after arrival at 8.30. Later, others had occasional glimpses.
June 29, 2025 at 2:50 PM
A trip to Wykeham this morning to see the Ortolan Bunting turned out to be anything but easy, the bird being elusive to say the least !
Luckily l chose the right place to stand to see the bird on the ground shortly after arrival at 8.30. Later, others had occasional glimpses.
Luckily l chose the right place to stand to see the bird on the ground shortly after arrival at 8.30. Later, others had occasional glimpses.
A very early start this morning for the Song Sparrow at Flamborough proved fruitless and particularly frustrating as l could have - and should have, gone for the bird yesterday afternoon. Plenty of other birds in the gully but not the star of the show. Lovely day though.
June 11, 2025 at 1:54 PM
A very early start this morning for the Song Sparrow at Flamborough proved fruitless and particularly frustrating as l could have - and should have, gone for the bird yesterday afternoon. Plenty of other birds in the gully but not the star of the show. Lovely day though.
Much better photos of the Woodchat Shrike at Daresbury taken by Dave Spencer.
June 4, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Much better photos of the Woodchat Shrike at Daresbury taken by Dave Spencer.
Ashamed to put this on but l was concentrating on the pylon really 😄
Woodchat Shrike showing well. Daresbury, Cheshire at lunchtime.
Woodchat Shrike showing well. Daresbury, Cheshire at lunchtime.
June 4, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Ashamed to put this on but l was concentrating on the pylon really 😄
Woodchat Shrike showing well. Daresbury, Cheshire at lunchtime.
Woodchat Shrike showing well. Daresbury, Cheshire at lunchtime.
Visited the lovely Kiftsgate Court gardens at Chipping Campden in Gloucestershire yesterday. Amazed to see so many Ravens enjoying the strong breeze and tumbling for fun from tall pines on the edge of the escarpment facing the Malvern Hills.
May 30, 2025 at 9:11 AM
Visited the lovely Kiftsgate Court gardens at Chipping Campden in Gloucestershire yesterday. Amazed to see so many Ravens enjoying the strong breeze and tumbling for fun from tall pines on the edge of the escarpment facing the Malvern Hills.
Reposted by John Barber
The oldest hide at the RSPB's famous Leighton Moss reserve has been rebuilt – and is now open to the public:
Rebuilt hide opens at Leighton Moss
The oldest hide at Leighton Moss RSPB in Lancashire has been rebuilt with improved accessibility and expanded views, offering visitors a better chance to spot iconic species such as Western Marsh Harrier and Eurasian Bittern. The hide has been opened to the public.
bit.ly
May 26, 2025 at 9:02 AM
The oldest hide at the RSPB's famous Leighton Moss reserve has been rebuilt – and is now open to the public:
How's this for unusual.
A pair of Albino or Albinistic (?) Coot chicks photographed yesterday morning by a friend while fishing on a pool near Leigh in Lancs.
A pair of Albino or Albinistic (?) Coot chicks photographed yesterday morning by a friend while fishing on a pool near Leigh in Lancs.
May 11, 2025 at 7:46 AM
How's this for unusual.
A pair of Albino or Albinistic (?) Coot chicks photographed yesterday morning by a friend while fishing on a pool near Leigh in Lancs.
A pair of Albino or Albinistic (?) Coot chicks photographed yesterday morning by a friend while fishing on a pool near Leigh in Lancs.
Having an eventful time here in Cheshire at the moment. Our latest continental visitor is a Hoopoe at Newchurch Common, not far from Winsford. Affording super views and continually singing, what more could you ask for on a lovely Spring day amongst the leafy lanes.
May 10, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Having an eventful time here in Cheshire at the moment. Our latest continental visitor is a Hoopoe at Newchurch Common, not far from Winsford. Affording super views and continually singing, what more could you ask for on a lovely Spring day amongst the leafy lanes.
So it was all a (non) wild Kite chase 🙄
May 7, 2025 at 6:49 PM
So it was all a (non) wild Kite chase 🙄
A lamentable late morning try for the Black Kite reported at Lindow Common, Wilmslow. Used to fish there as a teenager back in 60's but haven't really been back since. I was pleasantly surprised how lovely the area still is. Must try to get back soon.
May 7, 2025 at 2:33 PM
A lamentable late morning try for the Black Kite reported at Lindow Common, Wilmslow. Used to fish there as a teenager back in 60's but haven't really been back since. I was pleasantly surprised how lovely the area still is. Must try to get back soon.
Photographs taken by Dave Spencer Monday evening of the Woolston Golden Oriole.
Dave spent most of the day, from early morning to 6pm, searching for a view of this bird, since briefly heard around 8am from a dense wooded area near no.4 bed.
Dave spent most of the day, from early morning to 6pm, searching for a view of this bird, since briefly heard around 8am from a dense wooded area near no.4 bed.
May 6, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Photographs taken by Dave Spencer Monday evening of the Woolston Golden Oriole.
Dave spent most of the day, from early morning to 6pm, searching for a view of this bird, since briefly heard around 8am from a dense wooded area near no.4 bed.
Dave spent most of the day, from early morning to 6pm, searching for a view of this bird, since briefly heard around 8am from a dense wooded area near no.4 bed.
Thrilled to finally see a Golden Oriole in the UK after fifteen years of near misses from Cornwall to Flamborough. This one kindly landed 5 miles from home at Woolston Eyes, Warrington and was found by Dave Spencer. Took three visits to see it though. Photo by Dan Owen.
May 5, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Thrilled to finally see a Golden Oriole in the UK after fifteen years of near misses from Cornwall to Flamborough. This one kindly landed 5 miles from home at Woolston Eyes, Warrington and was found by Dave Spencer. Took three visits to see it though. Photo by Dan Owen.
Fortunate l was out fishing early this morning otherwise l might have been on my way to Flamborough for the Alpine Accentor ! Found by Brett Richards but disappeared soon afterwards and not seen again.
April 29, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Fortunate l was out fishing early this morning otherwise l might have been on my way to Flamborough for the Alpine Accentor ! Found by Brett Richards but disappeared soon afterwards and not seen again.
Three Common Tern, one diving for fish,at Blundells Fishery, Prospect Lane, Rixton, Warrington this morning. Presumed to include the pair that frequent the nearby M/cr Ship Canal. They were better anglers than me 😄
April 29, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Three Common Tern, one diving for fish,at Blundells Fishery, Prospect Lane, Rixton, Warrington this morning. Presumed to include the pair that frequent the nearby M/cr Ship Canal. They were better anglers than me 😄
Lovely sunny skies at Hoylake this morning when we went to try for the Black Scoter. Unfortunately, a cold stiff breeze into the face, streaming eyes and choppy seas made viewing very difficult - even well out from the lifeboat station. Managed a few brief views over three hours.
March 11, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Lovely sunny skies at Hoylake this morning when we went to try for the Black Scoter. Unfortunately, a cold stiff breeze into the face, streaming eyes and choppy seas made viewing very difficult - even well out from the lifeboat station. Managed a few brief views over three hours.
Thousands of Pink-footed Geese, literally hundreds of Whopper Swans and Golden Plover but no sign of the White-fronted Geese at Jeremy Lane, Upper Thurnham in Lancashire today.
March 7, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Thousands of Pink-footed Geese, literally hundreds of Whopper Swans and Golden Plover but no sign of the White-fronted Geese at Jeremy Lane, Upper Thurnham in Lancashire today.
A male Merlin hunting over my local patch at Sow Brook, Lymm this afternoon. I'm not a photographer so no photographs unfortunately.
Lovely day though 😊
Lovely day though 😊
January 29, 2025 at 2:54 PM
A male Merlin hunting over my local patch at Sow Brook, Lymm this afternoon. I'm not a photographer so no photographs unfortunately.
Lovely day though 😊
Lovely day though 😊
Pretty, but very cold ( -5.5c ) today around a local patch at Sow Brook in Lymm, close to the Manchester Ship Canal. Ice 1.5 inches thick on the fields and birds thin on the ground. A few Meadow Pipits, Linnets and the odd Reed Bunting.
January 10, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Pretty, but very cold ( -5.5c ) today around a local patch at Sow Brook in Lymm, close to the Manchester Ship Canal. Ice 1.5 inches thick on the fields and birds thin on the ground. A few Meadow Pipits, Linnets and the odd Reed Bunting.
Closing down my Twitter account on X today.
Just who does Musk think he is ??
I sincerely hope this particular social media provider remains lunatic free. Time will tell.
Just who does Musk think he is ??
I sincerely hope this particular social media provider remains lunatic free. Time will tell.
January 7, 2025 at 10:10 AM
Closing down my Twitter account on X today.
Just who does Musk think he is ??
I sincerely hope this particular social media provider remains lunatic free. Time will tell.
Just who does Musk think he is ??
I sincerely hope this particular social media provider remains lunatic free. Time will tell.