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Andy Firth

@andyfirth.bsky.social
106 followers 134 following 106 posts

Mainly patch birder, Sandbach Flashes Cheshire for 25 years, now in County Durham, birding Saltholme, Castle Lake and Low Barns when time allows.Try to bird Flamborough and the Isles of Scilly one week each year when possible.

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Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Local patch birder Kev Stead found this Buff-breasted Sandpiper this morning at Castle Lake (a site first). Managed to get out and twitch it, Buff breasted and Pectoral Sandpipers in the same field of view was special.
Buff-breasted Sandpiper Castle Lake.
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Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Another species that with distance and poor light can look like a small juvenile female Ruff, to my eyes anyway, the Castle Lake Pectoral Sandpiper still present this evening.
Pectoral Sandpiper Castle Lake.
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Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
Really pleased to chance upon this Spotted Flycatcher (patch tick) at Castle Lake today. Two Hobbies also seen made for a good day.
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Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Castle Lake in strengthening westerlies, single Curlew Sandpiper, single Common Sandpiper, two Greenshank, nine Ruff, c200 Curlew and three Black-tailed Godwits. Returning Wigeon now in double figures.
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Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Ten Black-tailed Godwits dropped in Castle Lake as I was leaving plus a Great Egret.
Black-tailed Godwits, with Curlew Sandpiper.
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Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
A little bit static on patch at the moment. Three Curlew Sandpipers still with seven Ruff, two Ringed Plover, singles of Common Sandpiper and maybe my last of year Yellow Wagtail.
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Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
Castle Lake am. Three Curlew Sandpipers, 14 Ruff, one Greenshank, one Green Sandpiper, one Dunlin, one Ringed Plover. Wheatear also present. The site is looking good except for the 700 Greylags!
Castle Lake looking east from the hide. Light extremely poor in the morning.
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Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
Not do my street cred any good, if I had any, but juvenile female Ruff and juvenile Curlew Sandpipers can look very alike at distance. I’ve said it now. I’ve had both on patch recently and this morning, it always takes me a little time to sort them out.
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Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Curlew Sandpipers were up to four with Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Green Sandpiper, Snipe and Curlew also present.
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Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Nice mix again at Castle Lake this evening, some of the 14 Ruff present.
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Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
A shocker of an image through the window but two of the five Tree Sparrows that have become regular garden visitors, I think a family party. Lovely to see.
Two of five Tree Sparrows.
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Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Castle Lake evening, two Dunlin, 14 Ruff (min count), one Ringed Plover, two Green Sandpiper, one Curlew Sandpiper, eight Snipe, one Great White Egret.
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Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
A nice mix of waders at Castle Lake this afternoon. 10 Ruff, two Green Sandpiper, one Wood Sandpiper, three Ringed Plover and four Greenshank all present. Eight of the Ruff in the video.
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Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
Looking forward to reading this, hopefully it will help my strike rate!
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Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 25/07/2026
Surprisingly it has taken me almost 12 months to add Mediterranean Gull to my Castle Lake list. A little sign of wader passage with Black-tailed Godwits, Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, Snipe and Little Ringed Plover all present today.
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Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
Common Redstart (patch tick) Castle Lake in bushes adjacent to the hide. Also two Redshank, Dunlin, Common Sandpiper and five LRP.
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Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 25/05/2026
Garganey showing well in front of Saltholme pools hide. RSPB Saltholme @teesbirds.bsky.social
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Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 17/05/2026
Very quiet at Castle Lake this morning, Yellow Wagtails in decent numbers but just single Little Ringed Plover and four Avocets of minor note. A single Lapwing chick still surviving.
Lapwing chick.Avocets.
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Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 09/05/2026
Adult kittiwake and Sanderling Saltholme Pools hide 15:10. @teesbirds.bsky.social
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Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
Six Whimbrel at Castle Lake brought up the patch 100 for the year. Saved the day really after three hours in the rain yesterday expecting a “fall” of waders failed miserably.
Greenshank.Whimbrel.Yellow Wagtail.
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Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 21/02/2026
Smew again 13:45 wildlife watchpoint RSPBSaltholme. @teesbirds.bsky.social
rspbsaltholme.teesbirds.bsky.social
Bluesky
This is a heavily interactive web application, and JavaScript is required. Simple HTML interfaces are possible, but that is not what this is.
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Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 20/02/2026
The two Tundra Bean Geese at RSPB Saltholme were very distant. Despite having thorough personal records back to the late 1980’s my only previous Bean Goose was a Taiga in Lancashire, suggesting my listing strategy needs some work! @teesbirds.bsky.social
Tundra Bean Geese.
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Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 20/02/2026
Twenty-four Whitefronts on water RSPB Saltholme pools hide 15:30 @teesbirds.bsky.social
White-fronted Geese.
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Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 20/02/2026
Twenty-four Whitefronts over Pools hide RSPB Saltholme 15:15. Bean Geese (2) and Water Pipit also from the hide on and off. @teesbirds.bsky.social
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Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 15/02/2026
Good wader morning at Castle Lake and surrounds for the time of year, 355 Curlew, 26 Oystercatcher, 22 Redshank and 12 Black-tailed Godwit.
Redshank
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Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 17/01/2026
Short-eared Owl hunting around Haverton Gate Saltholme RSPB @teesbirds.bsky.social
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Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 17/01/2026
Grey Plover RSPB Saltholme pools hide. @teesbirds.bsky.social
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Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 31/12/2025
Moved to County Durham in March this year and have concentrated my after work birding at Durham Wildlife Trust Low Barns (88 species) and Castle Lake (91 species) with weekend visits to Saltholme (122 species). The odd local twitch and monthly webs count at South Gare, it’s been enjoyable.
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Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 29/12/2025
Looking through my I phone images and I took this back of camera shot of what I am almost certain is a Marsh Tit back in September on my garden feeder. One or two locals have concurred Marsh but both Marsh and Willow occur locally. Any thoughts welcome, bird wasn’t heard to call.
Marsh Tit?
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Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 07/12/2025
A steady morning at RSPB Saltholme, nice to see a few Tree Sparrows around the feeders, they’ve been quite difficult to see at times this year on site, for me anyway, @teesbirds.bsky.social
Tree Sparrow
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Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 22/11/2025
Short-eared and Barn Owl over meadow from Lake Walk RSPB Saltholme @teesbirds.bsky.social
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Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 31/10/2025
Water Pipit and Bittern from Phil Stead hide, Saltholme RSPB 14:35. @teesbirds.bsky.social. Bittern on and off for the last 10 minutes.
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Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 19/10/2025
A real geography lesson for me today, travelled to South Gare for my WEBS count to find the access road closed. No problem I’ll park in Redcar and walk both ways. Knackered, a Little Stint was with the roosting waders. Not one person (or dog) was nice. @teesbirds.bsky.social
A deserted South Gare.
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Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 09/10/2025
With a British list of roughly 385 after 35 plus years birding I’m hardly “hardcore” but today’s Mourning Dove on my regular(ish) Scilly holiday was special, summed up wonderfully on the local what’s app group by an islander. Not quite as epic as the Swift but it will do.
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Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 20/09/2025
Lovely mix of waders in soggy conditions at Castle Lake with black tailed godwit, ringed plover, dunlin, curlew sand, common sand, ruff and spotted redshank all present.
Castle Lake NR.
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Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 08/09/2025
A nice mix of waders still at Castle Lake NR with Spotted Redshank and five Curlew Sandpipers still. As usual the birds were pretty distant. @durhambirdclub.bsky.social
Curlew Sandpipers and Spotted RedshankRuff.Common Redshank.Ringed Plover.
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Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 24/07/2025
Green and Wood Sandpipers, RSPB Saltholme earlier today. @teesbirds.bsky.social
Green SandpiperWood Sandpiper
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Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 24/07/2025
Green, Wood Sandpiper and Little Stint still RSBP Saltholme, 15:00. @teesbirds.bsky.social
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Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 19/07/2025
Three Whimbrel over Saltholme Pools hide RSPB Saltholme, Garganey still present @teesbirds.bsky.social
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Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 21/06/2025
Wood Sandpiper in front of Saltholme Pools hide, RSPB Saltholme. @teesbirds.bsky.social
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Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 20/06/2025
Just completed reading this book, really enjoyed it, what a garden list!
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Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 15/06/2025
Gradually learning some of the ornithological history of the county I now call home, purchased this rather magnificent publication via the @durhambirdclub.bsky.social its a few years old but should keep me busy for many months. £10 what a bargain.
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Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 18/05/2025
Managed to get species 99, Tree Sparrow and 100, Pintail for my RSPB Saltholme list this morning on my 17th visit since moving to the north east in late March, weekends/ bank holidays only. Not managed a Saltholme twitch yet but I’m sure that will come!
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Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 17/05/2025
Really struggle at times with distance and light when birding from the Pool hide at RSPB Saltholme, the best I could do of this morning’s Curlew Sandpiper. @teesbirds.bsky.social
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Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 17/05/2025
Four Turnstones RSPB Saltholme from Saltholme Pools hide @teesbirds.bsky.social
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Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 17/05/2025
Two Egyptian Geese RSPB Saltholme from Saltholme Pools hide @teesbirds.bsky.social
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Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 17/05/2025
Curlew Sandpiper with 15 Dunlin from Saltholme Pools hide, RSBP Saltholme @teesbirds.bsky.social
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Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 11/05/2025
Not really doing them justice but video of the four Wood Sandpipers RSPB Saltholme. @teesbirds.bsky.social
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Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 05/05/2025
Bittern “boomed” on four occasions earlier from Haverton watchpoint, Saltholme RSPB. @teesbirds.bsky.social
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Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 27/04/2025
My 11th visit to RSPB Saltholme since moving to the North-East on 21st March, species list on 89 with Rook the latest, really enjoying the birding even though the locals tell me it’s a bit “static” currently. The most “record shot”Spotted Redshank in history still present. @teesbirds.bsky.social
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