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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.

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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.

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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 · 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.

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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 · 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.

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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.

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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

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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

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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.

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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

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Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 24/07/2025

Green and Wood Sandpipers, RSPB Saltholme earlier today. @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 · 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 · 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 · 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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Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 13/04/2025

Wheatear and Yellow Wagtail Saltholme RSPB, no sound of yesterdays Grasshopper Warbler @teesbirds.bsky.social

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Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 06/04/2025

Moving home and starting a new job hasn’t been conducive to birding but another visit to the RSPB Saltholme reserve gave 53 species in a couple of hours, can’t see me getting bored of the Avocets anytime soon. #TeesBirds #ukbirding

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Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 26/03/2025

A desperately needed break from the house moving chaos gave me some time at Saltholme RSPB, hopefully one of my new local(ish) patches, the good thing about a change of patch, everything is new #TeesBirds.

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Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 09/03/2025

Pending the usual stuff when moving house my 27 years patch birding at Sandbach Flashes is likely coming to an end.194 species(eBird), 250 WEBS counts,met great people,loved it.I remember running for Great Egret as a patch tick, see them most visits now. #patchbirding @sandbachflashes.bsky.social

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Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 04/03/2025

A couple of hours at Elton Hall Flash, Sandbach. Three Little Egrets flew over which is a decent count even though they are common enough. Six Black-tailed Godwits still around with a single Green Sandpiper. #patchbirding #ukbirding

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Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 02/03/2025

As the wildlife recorder software is not being supported going forward I have started submitting my records on eBird, I can’t work out a way to screenshot these so understand why people submit links only to their lists. This Reed Bunting was trying enthusiastically despite not yet looking his best.

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Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 26/02/2025

Popped to Astbury Mere this afternoon for the Black-necked Grebe, distant in heavy rain. Hoping for one at Sandbach Flashes, still only three ever records there. #ukbirding

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Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 23/02/2025

A couple of fairly static hours around the flashes in strengthening winds, no real change today although an Avocet seen yesterday (no sign today) was new for the year. Shoveler numbers vary day to day so who knows where they go. #patchbirding #ukbirding

Northern Shoveler Sandbach Flashes 23/02/2025.

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Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 16/02/2025

Another three hour session on patch (Sandbach Flashes), nice to have a small influx of Meadow Pipits and Skylarks to freshen things up a little. #ukbirding #patchbirding

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Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 15/02/2025

WEBS count Elton Hall and Pump House Flashes Sandbach this am #ukbirding #patchbirding

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Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 14/02/2025

A nice round 50 species today on patch at Sandbach Flashes, the local Grey Heron’s looking as cold as I was in the nagging Easterly. @patchbirding @ukbirding

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Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 09/02/2025

An out of context Woodcock today’s highlight on patch, Skylark song kicking in, one or two Lapwings halfheartedly displaying suggests a gradual easing of winters grip. #ukbirding #patchbirding

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Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 07/02/2025

A freezing Easterly wind on patch this morning, new for the patch year Pink-Footed Goose, Oystercatcher and Green Sandpiper, doing Green Sandpiper things. #patchbirding #ukbirding

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Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 02/02/2025

A couple of overdue patch year ticks in Treecreeper and Rook this morning, I covered part of the patch that gets little coverage. #patchbirding #ukbirding.

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Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 26/01/2025

Got the day list 50 up at Sandbach Flashes this am. A birding mate let me use his thermal to locate a quite distant roosting Long-eared Owl, very impressive piece of kit, not surprised they’re the latest “must have” with many birders. #ukbirding #patchbirding

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Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 25/01/2025

The last couple of days have been quiet at Sandbach Flashes. Black-tailed Godwit and Pintail new for the year though. #ukbirding #patchbirding

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Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 19/01/2025

Kept the patch year list ticking along with Water Rail, Stonechat and Golden Plover added. This Black-headed Gull waiting for this evenings winGS BTO Gull cont, usually we only have a pre roost but I will check anyway. #patchbirding #ukbirding

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Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 18/01/2025

Enough to maintain interest this morning at Sandbach Flashes. The Green-winged Teal distantly still present, a proper “record shot”.#ukbirding#patchbirding

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