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Hrafn Archer 🏴‍☠️ @archieraven.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

My third visit to the Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire borders for the handsome male LONG-TAILED SHRIKE. It even gave us a brief rendition of ‘song’. Something I doubt I’ll ever witness in Britain again. #peakybirders #twitching #phonescoping #digiscoping #ukbirding 🪶

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Hrafn Archer 🏴‍☠️ @archieraven.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

The past few days gets even better with this beauty of a Needletail arriving in Warwickshire while I was up north. Fond memories of a magical few hours at Scarborough Castle last autumn. Thanks a million Steph. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #birdart #wildlifeart #wildlifeartist #ukbirding 🪶

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Hrafn Archer 🏴‍☠️ @archieraven.bsky.social · 05/04/2026

Hooded Merganser (fem) at Alvecote Pools, Warwickshire today. Fully-winged, wary and scoffing voraciously all day. It also doesn’t appear to carry any leg rings. #peakybirders #patchbirding #localpatch #ukbirding 🪶

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Hrafn Archer 🏴‍☠️ @archieraven.bsky.social · 21/03/2026

A lovely souvenir of a recent trip to Cornwall to see a rare ROSS’S GULL. No birder in their right mind would ever tire of being in the company of such a species. Massive thanks to Theresa Owens for sharing her talents. #peakybirders #cornwallbirding #ukbirding 🪶

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Hrafn Archer 🏴‍☠️ @archieraven.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

A mooch around some secret spots locally with my Great Uncle this morning. The wild Daffodils were out in force in a few of the private areas we gained access to. I also had my first Brimstone butterflies of the year. #peakybirders #localpatch #patchbirding #daffodils #wildflowers

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Hrafn Archer 🏴‍☠️ @archieraven.bsky.social · 18/02/2026

Both HUME’S WARBLER & Yellow-browed Warbler just a few miles from home so far this year. RIDICULOUS. Another great find by Rich Walker! #peakybirders #warwickshirebirding #ukbirding 🪶

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Hrafn Archer 🏴‍☠️ @archieraven.bsky.social · 19/06/2025

‘Peaky Birders Curry Night’ followed by doggin’ and ‘jarrin’ on the Chase…. hence the smiles. #ukbirding #peakybirders #cannockchase 🪶

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Hrafn Archer 🏴‍☠️ @archieraven.bsky.social · 13/06/2025

The quest to obtain every bird species I’ve seen in Britain, in pin badge form. Here are 125 of some the rare and scarce ones. #peakybirders #peakybadgers #ukbirding #birdpinbadges #birdcollector 🪶

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Hrafn Archer 🏴‍☠️ @archieraven.bsky.social · 29/03/2025

During turbulent times, art and nature help to calm my anxiety. Fresh back from the excellent Ferrers Frames in Derbyshire; ‘Hooded Crows’ original by Daniel Cole, ‘Cross Crow’ woodcut print by Tim Wayne and original ‘Llŷn Peninsula Chough’ by Kim Atkinson. 🪶 #peakybirders #ukbirding #birdart

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Hrafn Archer 🏴‍☠️ @archieraven.bsky.social · 23/03/2025

Stunning views of a DARK-BREASTED BARN OWL (Tyto alba guttata) in Lincolnshire this morning. Close encounters with any Barn Owl are always special but add to the fact that this continental subspecies is extremely rare in Britain, it made the occasion even more thrilling. 🪶 #ukbirding #peakybirders

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Hrafn Archer 🏴‍☠️ @archieraven.bsky.social · 02/03/2025

The highly mobile Great Grey Shrike on Cannock Chase early this morning. It was seen to catch and eat a lizard at one stage. 🪶 #ukbirding #ukbirds #peakybirders #staffordshirebirding #butcherbird #phonescoping

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Hrafn Archer 🏴‍☠️ @archieraven.bsky.social · 01/03/2025

We nailed all three regular breeding British woodpecker species at Middleton Lakes RSPB this morning. Here’s a mega scarce male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker drumming away. You can just about hear another in the background. 🪶 #ukbirding #peakybirders #peakypeckers #woodpecker #phonescoping #warksbirding

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Hrafn Archer 🏴‍☠️ @archieraven.bsky.social · 24/02/2025

A work trip to Scotland provided a few year ticks. I had my earliest ever Sand Martin (#158) at Strathclyde Loch, quickly followed by the RING-BILLED GULL (#159). At Methil I had Eider (#160), Long-tailed Duck (#161) Red-breasted Merganser (#162) and 7 Scaup (#163) among the scoters. 🪶 #ukbirding

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Hrafn Archer 🏴‍☠️ @archieraven.bsky.social · 19/02/2025

The first ‘Peaky Birders Curry Night’ of the year. Quality scran, top company, plenty of birding nostalgia and copious amounts of laughter. 🪶 #peakybirders #westmidlandsbirding #ukbirding #currynight

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Hrafn Archer 🏴‍☠️ @archieraven.bsky.social · 18/02/2025

Urban birding style. Territorial Lesser Black-backed Gull and Herring Gull numbers are building up in Birmingham. More importantly, I had my first ‘City Centre’ Raven, carrying nesting material over the office last week. 🪶 #ukbirding #peakybirders #0121birding #urbanbirding #birminghamuk

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Hrafn Archer 🏴‍☠️ @archieraven.bsky.social · 18/02/2025

I woke up in Cornwall yesterday, had two work appointments in Devon and finished the day birding the patch in Warwickshire. I also squeezed in an early morning stroll around Saltram, near Plymouth to ‘year tick’ Mandarin (#156) and Ring-necked Parakeet (#157). 🪶 #ukbirding #peakybirders #CatCbirding

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Hrafn Archer 🏴‍☠️ @archieraven.bsky.social · 16/02/2025

The Cornish PACIFIC DIVER (#155) proved a challenge today in choppy conditions. It eventually showed well off Jubilee Pool, Penzance this afternoon. Other quality species included 6+ Great Northern Diver, Velvet Scoter (#154), Iceland Gull and 3 Bottle-nosed Dolphin. 🪶 #ukbirding #peakybirders

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Hrafn Archer 🏴‍☠️ @archieraven.bsky.social · 13/02/2025

I was working down on the ‘English Riviera’ today. Lunchtime highlights included a few Red-throated Diver, a singing Firecrest and 11 Cirl Bunting (#151). A break at Slimbridge late afternoon provided 2 Whooper Swan, 45 Bewick’s Swan, Spoonbill and 4 Common Crane. 🪶 #ukbirding #fawltybirders

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Hrafn Archer 🏴‍☠️ @archieraven.bsky.social · 09/02/2025

BEASTIE BIRDERS - ‘Scoping For Your Right To Party’ - left to right: Dave G, MCJ and Adrockpipit. 🎤 🎶 🪶 #ukbirding #peakybirders #beastiebirders #sabirdtage #nosleeptillrooking #intergullactic #birdymovin’

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Hrafn Archer 🏴‍☠️ @archieraven.bsky.social · 09/02/2025

Staffordshire ‘ghetto birding’ continued. At Chasewater this evening, the adult Iceland Gull (#150) was picked out early on in the roost. Other highlights were a couple of adult Yellow-legged Gull (#149) and an adult Mediterranean Gull. #peakybirders #winterbirding #westmidlandsbirding #gullroost

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Hrafn Archer 🏴‍☠️ @archieraven.bsky.social · 09/02/2025

An afternoon of Staffordshire ‘ghetto birding’. Highlights at Whitemoor Haye included Slavonian Grebe (#148), a couple of juvenile Whooper Swan and a trio of adult Whooper/Bewick’s Swan over. It was then over to Chasewater….. #peakybirders #winterbirding #westmidlandsbirding

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Hrafn Archer 🏴‍☠️ @archieraven.bsky.social · 08/02/2025

After spending nearly 5 hypothermic hours, shivering away on the edge of the Bristol Channel, the LEAST SANDPIPER (#147) finally flew in at 3pm. This was only my 2nd sighting of this species in Britain. My first was in Staffordshire back in 2002. 🪶 #ukbirding #peakybirders #winterbirding

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Hrafn Archer 🏴‍☠️ @archieraven.bsky.social · 08/02/2025

After dipping the female KENTISH PLOVER (#146) several times at Burnham-on-Sea over the past few winters, we finally connected this morning. The mosaics were created by the Romans around 69AD. 🪶 #ukbirding #peakybirders #winterbirding #somersetbirding #burnhamonsea #yearlisting

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Hrafn Archer 🏴‍☠️ @archieraven.bsky.social · 26/01/2025

There was sign of the Somerset Least Sandpiper en route to Cornwall today. The weather was appalling for most of the day though. I did have a tiny wader flying around with Dunlin at one stage but it could have been a Little Stint OR a Least Sandpiper. 🪶 #ukbirding #peakydippers #leastweforget

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Hrafn Archer 🏴‍☠️ @archieraven.bsky.social · 25/01/2025

At least 3 Jack Snipe were present on the patch today, along with 55 Common Snipe. Other species included 6 Goosander, Pochard and 2 Great White Egret. The only new species for the year was a sad, solitary Yellowhammer (#132) in Seckington. #peakybirders #patchbirding #thermalbirding #alvecotepools

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Hrafn Archer 🏴‍☠️ @archieraven.bsky.social · 15/01/2025

A walk around the local woods this balmy morn’ produced a few extra ‘year ticks’. A couple of roosting Woodcock (#103) were picked up with the thermal and a singing Mistle Thrush (#104) was finally located around the village. #peakybirders #warwickshirebirding #winterbirding

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Hrafn Archer 🏴‍☠️ @archieraven.bsky.social · 15/01/2025

Taking it back to the birding old school, with a classic quiz book and a couple of fantasy novels. 🪶 #retrobirding #birdbooks #vintagebirdbooks #ukbirding

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Hrafn Archer 🏴‍☠️ @archieraven.bsky.social · 26/12/2024

‘Operation Jaundice’ successfully completed. The vocal male AMERICAN YELLOW WARBLER in Kent eventually showed well to the crowd today. It’s a little Christmas miracle! 🪶 #ukbirding #megaalert #winterbirding #kentbirding #britishbirding #peakybirders

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Hrafn Archer 🏴‍☠️ @archieraven.bsky.social · 17/11/2024

Another day of local mooching started at Alvecote Pools this morning and ended at Whitemoor Haye with a male AMERICAN WIGEON. The wigeon became only my third sighting in Staffordshire following a male at Blithfield in 1998 and a female at Belvide in 2006. 🪶 #peakybirders #ukbirding #staffsbirding

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Hrafn Archer 🏴‍☠️ @archieraven.bsky.social · 16/11/2024

Great to see the water levels dropping and the wildfowl numbers increasing down at Alvecote Pools today. Highlights included 2 Pintail (male & first-winter male), 2 Red-crested Pochard (male & female), Mandarin (female), 3 Great White Egret, Water Rail and 2 Chiffchaff. 🪶 #patchbirding #ukbirding

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Hrafn Archer 🏴‍☠️ @archieraven.bsky.social · 11/11/2024

My run of bad birding luck has finally ended. The SCARLET TANAGER (first-winter male) eventually showed well in the late afternoon sunshine in West Yorkshire. 🪶 #peakybirders #megaalert #ukbirding #ukbirds

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Hrafn Archer 🏴‍☠️ @archieraven.bsky.social · 09/11/2024

A new patch tick was a major reprieve from a horrible period of ‘black dog’ this afternoon. A first-winter MEDITERRANEAN GULL loafed around on Mill Pool for about 40 minutes. My first in FORTY TWO years. Also female Marsh Harrier and adult Yellow-legged Gull. #alvecotepools #warksbirding #naturecure

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Hrafn Archer 🏴‍☠️ @archieraven.bsky.social · 24/10/2024

Absolute bargain off eBay for £6.15 including postage and packaging. It’s like it’s never been touched! #shetland #shetlandbirding #birdbooks #booksforbirders #usedbooks #reusereducerecycle

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Hrafn Archer 🏴‍☠️ @archieraven.bsky.social · 21/10/2024

The birding Gods love a trier. After covering an estimated 75 miles on foot around the patch since Shetland, I eventually found a Yellow-browed Warbler this afternoon. I can now celebrate, relax and move on with my life! #localpatch #patchbirding #patchgold #autumnbirding #collinsbirdguide

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Hrafn Archer 🏴‍☠️ @archieraven.bsky.social · 11/10/2024

The aurora borealis last night in Seckington, North Warwickshire. I even managed to get a bit of a reflection in the moat of the 11th century motte-and-bailey castle. A Tawny Owl calling also made the experience all the more special. #auroraborealis #northernlights #theskyatnight

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Hrafn Archer 🏴‍☠️ @archieraven.bsky.social · 11/10/2024

Back on the patch at Alvecote yesterday. High water levels made birding difficult. Highlights included Great White Egret, 2 Pintail, Kingfisher, 2 Cetti’s Warbler and singing Chiffchaff. The list also included ten species I’ve never seen on Shetland! 🪶 #ukbirds #ukbirding #patchbirding #localpatch

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Hrafn Archer 🏴‍☠️ @archieraven.bsky.social · 11/10/2024

Shetland 2024: A final total of 107 species. Highlights towards the end included PADDYFIELD WARBLER, LANCEOLATED WARBLER, PALLAS’S GRASSHOPPER WARBLER and ARCTIC WARBLER. Thanks to Mark Rayment for the Pechora Pipit and Arctic Warbler photos. 🪶 #ukbirds #shetlandbirding #autumnbirding #peakybirders

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Hrafn Archer 🏴‍☠️ @archieraven.bsky.social · 04/10/2024

At last a proper ‘MEGA’ up here on Shetland. We all enjoyed decent views of Scotland’s first ever EASTERN CROWNED WARBLER yesterday. Other recent highlights include Rose-coloured Starling, Golden Oriole and Little Bunting. #ukbirds #ukbirding #shetlandbirding #peakybirders #autumnbirding

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Hrafn Archer 🏴‍☠️ @archieraven.bsky.social · 02/10/2024

URGENT HELP REQUIRED: Does anyone know how to put the ‘squeak’ back into a birder’s old squeaker? So far I’ve tried old grass heads, bran flakes, ground-up vitamin tablets and deodorant (Sure for Men). None have worked. 🪶 #peakybirders #shetlandbirding #autumnbirding #ukbirding #ukbirds

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Hrafn Archer 🏴‍☠️ @archieraven.bsky.social · 02/10/2024

It’s a little slow going up on Shetland due to the ‘fine’ weather. Highlights so far: Pechora Pipit, Red-backed Shrike, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Bluethroat, Barred Warbler, Pallas’s Warbler, many Yellow-browed Warblers & Common Rosefinch. 🪶 #ukbirds #ukbirding #shetlandbirding #autumnbirding

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Hrafn Archer 🏴‍☠️ @archieraven.bsky.social · 24/09/2024

That’s me done with work for TWENTY days. Bring on those rarities, scarcities and falls of migrants! 🪶 #ukbirds #autumnbirding #peakybirders #ukbirding #britishbirding #birds

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Hrafn Archer 🏴‍☠️ @archieraven.bsky.social · 21/09/2024

That time of year every birder loves! A pretty decent time down at the patch this morning. 2 Great White Egret, 6 Little Egret, 4 Lapwing, Golden Plover (over), Snipe, 3 Common Sandpiper, Red Kite & Hobby. 🪶 #ukbirds #ukbirding #patchbirding #alvecotepools #warksbirding #autumnbirding #peakybirders

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Hrafn Archer 🏴‍☠️ @archieraven.bsky.social · 18/09/2024

Peaky Birders vs Leicestershire Llamas Curry Night. Our next one together will be 600 miles further north, up on Shetland in a couple of weeks. 🪶 #peakybirders #ukbirders #twitchers #twitching #birding #ukbirds #britishbirding #autumnbirding

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Hrafn Archer 🏴‍☠️ @archieraven.bsky.social · 16/09/2024

Not much to report from a balmy local patch this evening: 3 Great White Egret, 6 Little Egret, Wigeon, Kingfisher, 20 Swallow and 6 House Martin. The Cetti’s Warblers are starting to become more vocal too. 🪶 #patchbirding #localpatch #ukbirds #ukbirding #alvecotepools #warksbirding #peakybirders

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Hrafn Archer 🏴‍☠️ @archieraven.bsky.social · 15/09/2024

A pleasant few hours at Belvide this morning. The main target was the male Lesser Scaup. It’s looking a lot more handsome now it’s in the final stages of moult. Also 5 Cattle Egret dropped in for a while, 2 Great White Egret, 2 Garganey & 12 Ringed Plover. 🪶 #ukbirds #ukbirding #staffsbirding

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Hrafn Archer 🏴‍☠️ @archieraven.bsky.social · 14/09/2024

It’s always nice to see a Black Redstart. This one showed well around the quaint 13th Century Holy Trinity Church in Morton Bagot, Warwickshire this afternoon. 🪶 #ukbirds #ukbirding #warksbirding #westmidlandsbirding #peakybirders

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