Reposted by Alex JonesMark Lewis @fatpaulscholes.bsky.social · 30/09/2026Well that was fun. Sykes warbler at Girdle Ness this afternoon… 517112
Alex Jones @alexhj.bsky.social · 20/09/2026A Baird's Sandpiper was found at Burleydam Pool in Cheshire on 19 Sept - although the hopes was high another local bird would be found, not many would've had it down for here. What an autumn it is becoming for these. Only my 2nd UK individual after my last on Anglesey in 2009. #RareBirdsUK #Birding 0160
Alex Jones @alexhj.bsky.social · 26/08/2026Usually the Great Orme pulls in a showy annual Dotterel and this year was no exception! Great to see this juvenile in the late afternoon light this afternoon #BirdingWales #Birds #Birding 2360
Alex Jones @alexhj.bsky.social · 30/07/2026Just sometimes you've got to be there at the right moment... Bittern at @rspbburtonmere.bsky.social Amazing view of 2 Bitterns recently! #birds #birding 0140
Alex Jones @alexhj.bsky.social · 23/07/2026A bit of July butterflying in Dorset following our visit for the Long-tailed Shrike. Lulworth Skipper being the main target with a great supporting cast of Adonis Blue, Marbled White and Brown Argus. #Butterflies #UKbutterflies 0110
Alex Jones @alexhj.bsky.social · 20/07/2026Sometimes you've just got to get lucky and this was one of them. Who'd have thought there would be a second first summer Long-tailed Shrike up for grabs this summer delighting many! Thoroughly enjoyable afternoon watching it for over 4 hrs! It eventually showed beautifully! #RareBirdsUK #Birding 0200
Alex Jones @alexhj.bsky.social · 18/07/2026The American Black Tern returned to Long Nanny, Northumberland this year for it's 6th year. I got down just before the remarkable announcement of the hybrid Black Tern x Arctic Tern chick making it a first successful breeding attempt between these species #birds #birding #RarebirdsUK 0120
Reposted by Alex JonesPapay ranger - Jonathan Ford @papayranger.bsky.social · 18/07/2026The best bird I have ever seen on Papay (so far).. the Blue-cheeked Bee-eater has now headed away but I managed an early morning viewing before it went. Papay's very own bird of paradise. #Papay #Orkney #rarebirds #beeeater 4879
Alex Jones @alexhj.bsky.social · 15/05/2026britainsfavouritebutterfly.co.uk/butterfly/pa... Painted Ladybritainsfavouritebutterfly.co.ukPainted Lady - Britain’s Favourite ButterflyThe Painted Lady is one of the 60 beautiful butterflies found across the UK. Will it be Britain's Favourite Butterfly? 030
Alex Jones @alexhj.bsky.social · 12/05/2026Yet another May Bank Holiday weekend delivered with the arrival of a smart male Lesser Kestrel to Cornwall. It remained loyal to the area for a few days affording great views for most that visited. #RareBirdsUK #Birds 0160
Alex Jones @alexhj.bsky.social · 21/04/2026An after work detour to see this lovely Hoopoe at Gronant, Flintshire (UK) yesterday brought a taste of the Mediterranean to the North Wales coast hot on the heels of my first Spring Wryneck found early on Sunday morning at Burton. #Birds #RareBirdsUK #Birding 11114
Alex Jones @alexhj.bsky.social · 19/04/2026One of the showiest Lesser Scaups I've seen, this drake was a delight to go and see recently at The Mere (Ellesmere) in Shropshire, UK often associating with the Tufted Duck present #RareBirdsUK #Birdsoftheworld #Birding 0444
Alex Jones @alexhj.bsky.social · 29/03/2026A recent trip to Sorrento, Italy saw us visit Mount Vesuvius where I was overjoyed to walk into 2 Alpine Accentors after missing them in the Pyrenees and Atlas Mountains over the years. Good numbers of Black Redstart were also present. 0110
Alex Jones @alexhj.bsky.social · 01/03/2026Of what use to be common wintering grounds for these species along the North Wales coast, there has just been one wintering Snow Bunting (Gronant) and one Shorelark (just outside the region in Cheshire) available this winter. Both really nice to catch up recently #Birding #Birds #UKBirding 080
Alex Jones @alexhj.bsky.social · 18/01/2026A tour through Conwy County in North Wales this morning saw a few notable mentions inc. an unexpected Black-throated Diver from Rhos Point behind 7 Purple Sands roosting at high tide. A Surf Scoter and Slavonian Grebe were a touch distant for images but a Gt Northern Diver was close in #BirdingWales 1280
Alex Jones @alexhj.bsky.social · 11/01/2026North Point Pools gave me a rare opportunity to see multiple goose species within a pan of the scope. The most educational was the presumed Taiga Bean Goose which was only my second UK bird in 15+ years. Albeit on the small side, it seemed to fit the criteria for a small female. #RareBirdsUK #Geese 0110
Alex Jones @alexhj.bsky.social · 11/01/20262025 ended in Norfolk with a day to hit a couple of smart, desirable targets: the over-wintering Black-winged Kite and the Eastern Black Redstart. Both showed rather nicely marking an excellent December for rarities in the UK #RareBirdsUK #Birds #Birding 1260
Reposted by Alex JonesMike Pollard @mikepnature.bsky.social · 08/01/2026Delighted to catch up with the first winter Lesser Yellowlegs @ the Clwyd Estuary this morning. Feeding mostly in the saltmarsh, and occasionally on the mudflats. A little smaller and more dainty than the Redshanks nearby. @alexhj.bsky.social @birdsinwales.bsky.social #birdingWales 0415
Alex Jones @alexhj.bsky.social · 02/01/2026A broken down car and I was left stranded in Rhyl - so I thought I'd try and pick up a few year ticks on the River Clwyd. A Lesser Yellowlegs was one of the last birds I expected to find in January socialising with the Redshanks! 2750
Reposted by Alex JonesMarcbuzzard @marcbuzzard.bsky.social · 02/01/2026Bonkers weather and road chaos scuppered a proper shot at a New Year bird race however great fun with Tony Kearney + Owen Parsons. A close Slav Grebe at the Spinnies NR was the highlight until @alexhj.bsky.social found a superb Lesser Yellowlegs on the Clwyd! cracking bird ☺️ #ukbiring #birdingwales 1341
Alex Jones @alexhj.bsky.social · 21/12/2025This striking drake Bufflehead made quite an early Christmas present marking a potential first for Wales when it was found briefly; a couple of weeks ago in Flintshire. Luckily it was refound 45 miles to the west on Y Foryd, near Caernarfon on Friday 19th staying put for all to connect #RareBirdsUK 0290
Reposted by Alex JonesMike Pollard @mikepnature.bsky.social · 08/12/2025Exciting to catch up with the drake Bufflehead that graced Point of Ayr #RSPB over high tide today. No sign of rings & behaving like a wild bird. @rspbcymru.bsky.social @britishbirds.bsky.social #birdingWales @birdsinwales.bsky.social @rspbburtonmere.bsky.social @penrhynbirder.bsky.social 3969
Alex Jones @alexhj.bsky.social · 09/12/2025A Lesser Crested Tern was a real turn up for a December after a 20 year absence in the UK. Ranging over 5 miles, it did give itself up after remaining fairly elusive on Saturday on the Exe Estuary, Devon. #RareBirdsUK #Birding 0300
Reposted by Alex JonesWest Coast Birdwatching @westcoastbirds.bsky.social · 02/10/2025Fantastic to find 2 American Golden Plovers on Dale Airfield, Pembrokeshire, this afternoon. Such an elegant wader. #BirdingWales #RareBirdsUK 415510
Alex Jones @alexhj.bsky.social · 30/07/2025Our recent trip to Colorado gave us so many memorable experiences and one in particular was our encounter with this young American Black Bear at Dinosaur Ridge just a few feet away! #BlackBears #Colorado 0191
Alex Jones @alexhj.bsky.social · 28/07/2025I was pleased to find 3 Yellow-legged Gulls just outside of Chester, UK on the River Dee. Always a scarer species in the NW but July and August are a good time for passage. #UkBirding 0330
Alex Jones @alexhj.bsky.social · 08/06/2025The Woodchat Shrike at Daresbury, Cheshire showed nicely proving to be another good local bird of the Spring in 2025. #RareBirdsUK 0330
Alex Jones @alexhj.bsky.social · 18/05/2025My 4th Painted Lady butterfly this week in North Wales after recording none last year. I feel a UK influx coming on! #butterflies @savebutterflies.bsky.social 0100
Alex Jones @alexhj.bsky.social · 21/04/2025For World Curlew Day, it's worth highlighting the vulnerable Bristle-thighed Curlew we saw in Oahu, #Hawaii 2 years ago. With a very restricted breeding & wintering range, it was a joy to connect with 3 individuals at the end of our 3 week trip. #Birdsoftheworld #Birds @curlewaction.bsky.social 1354
Alex Jones @alexhj.bsky.social · 21/04/2025What a record... Black Kite over the landfill site at Wood Lane NR on Saturday. My first UK individual since the overwintering 2010 Welsh Gigrin Farm bird. Much welcomed just less than.40 min drive from home #RareBirdsUK #Birds 0280
Reposted by Alex JonesJohn Martin @pilning.bsky.social · 19/04/2025Great find by @saloplarus.bsky.social of Shropshire's first Black Kite at Wood Lane. It hung around the tip there late morning, often chased by 2CY Red Kites and Corvids. #shropshirebirding #ukwildlife 🪶 410810
Alex Jones @alexhj.bsky.social · 19/04/2025Quality views of Ring Ouzel locally in NE Wales over the weekend. This was promptly followed by a further 5 found during a Heathland BTO survey! #Birds 0280
Reposted by Alex JonesPaul Roberts @npaulroberts.bsky.social · 10/03/2025The rather splendid 1st-winter Bonaparte's Gull at Ogmore Estuary, well found by @tomwright1.bsky.social This is the third of this species I've seen at the site, albeit the first non-adult. 1525
Reposted by Alex JonesSean O’Hara @seanoh58.bsky.social · 05/03/2025Hoylake…….another cold walk out to the low tide shoreline this morning was rewarded with this interesting looking drake Scoter….. general consensus is Black Scoter @patchbirding.bsky.social 2443
Alex Jones @alexhj.bsky.social · 06/03/2025This smart returning adult drake Greater Scaup gave nice views at Westport Lake in Stoke. Worth the effort to stop off on my way through! #birds 0100
Alex Jones @alexhj.bsky.social · 27/02/2025Earlier in the week, I took a visit to Carsington Water for some waterbird action - a nice first winter female Lesser Scaup providing useful ID comparisons with the local Tufties. Female Ring-necked Duck, GT Northern Diver, RT Diver and Willow Tit was best of the rest. 0132
Alex Jones @alexhj.bsky.social · 15/02/2025A local Glossy Ibis showed incredibly well in Rhuddlan, North Wales last weekend as it fed within a few feet of the admiring crowd of people #Birds #BirdingWales 0261
Alex Jones @alexhj.bsky.social · 09/02/2025An interesting Jackdaw in the garden yesterday showing features of 'Nordic' Jackdaw with a light collar on the lower neck. Despite the dark, gloomy conditions it did show a fairly pale neck/nape as seen in third image. Comments/info welcome #BirdingWales #Birds 3313
Alex Jones @alexhj.bsky.social · 26/01/2025Last weekend saw us take a trip to see the unprecedented record of the drake Spectacled Eider on Texel. Luckily we gave ourselves the weekend which saw us obtain some nice views after the fog had lifted. #Birds #Birdsoftheworld 0636
Alex Jones @alexhj.bsky.social · 03/01/2025A look back over 2024 and particular highlight was the fantastic trip to the Seychelles, Mauritius, Reunion and Rodrigues that saw us connect with every endemic bird possible with a snapshot of some of them below! #Birds #BirdsOfTheWorld 1143
Alex Jones @alexhj.bsky.social · 28/12/2024Boxing Day will be one to remember with a trip to Kent for a remarkable record of Yellow Warbler found on Christmas Eve. This rather vocal 1w individual remained dominant over the afternoon, often fending off Chiffchaffs and Firecrest who dared enter the alders it was feeding in #RareBirdsUK #birds 0402
Reposted by Alex JonesGary Woodburn @gary-woodburn.bsky.social · 08/12/2024Strong northerlies today = some more Little Auks ! 98 came wanging past Beadnell Point this afternoon between 13:30 and 15:00. Never get tired of seeing these incredible little birds. #NEBirding #Northumberland 41418
Alex Jones @alexhj.bsky.social · 07/12/2024The Seychelles Sunbird is a small native passerine with a stable, healthy population across most islands. Easily photographed from our hotel balconies allowing close views! #Birdsoftheworld #Birds #BirdingSeychelles #Seychelles 0364
Alex Jones @alexhj.bsky.social · 02/12/2024This smart Ring-necked Duck has returned to St Helens in Merseyside, UK where it is currently with 50 Tufted Duck at Taylor Park. After some perseverance, the bird became a little more active in the late morning sunshine! #RareBirdsUK #UKbirding #Birds #Birdsoftheworld 0413
Alex Jones @alexhj.bsky.social · 23/11/2024#Dubai has one of the busiest airports in the world and longer connections can be utilised to visit local birding sites just a matter of a few miles away #birds #birdsoftheworld #UAE 1240
Reposted by Alex JonesKane Brides 🦆 @kanebrides.bsky.social · 18/11/2024Update by Dan Gornall on our Yellow-browed warbler project "1) Mainland Shetland > Carmel Head, Anglesey 2) Lundy > Lower Moors, Scilly. Especially interesting southerly re-orientation from Shetland. Many thanks to the ringers & birders who reported these". 📸Reg Thorpe. @alexanderlees.bsky.social 28118
Reposted by Alex JonesJames Robson @jamesrobson.bsky.social · 15/11/2024Taiga Bean Goose at Hay-a-Park, Knaresborough this afternoon @nybirdnews.bsky.social 0243
Reposted by Alex JonesDave Helliar @dhelliar.bsky.social · 14/11/2024Azores Gull still on roof at Newlyn Harbour 13:00 today. #UKbirding #CornwallBirds 0714
Alex Jones @alexhj.bsky.social · 12/11/2024Believed to feature in one in every 500-1000 birds, this American (Storm) Wigeon shows a striking and rarely seen plumage variation. It returned to the North Wales coastline and it was great to be on site in Rhyl when found over the weekend after spending some time in Anglesey last winter #Birds 0342
Alex Jones @alexhj.bsky.social · 10/10/2024Beautiful Northern Lights in North Wales this evening! #NorthernLights #AuroraBorealis 0100
