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Ben CM @bencm24.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Not quite the excitement of the east coast, but exciting enough! BAIRD’S SANDPIPER at Swilly!!! Chuffed it stuck around for one more day! No pics, but not the only Swilly lifer tonight as this Grey Plover was also a very welcome site tick! The Beardie’s did show very well too!

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Ben CM @bencm24.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

2 Swilly lifers over the past few weeks. Spotted Redshank (2) which have now been present for a few weeks, and this evening this cracker of a Pied Flycatcher!

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Ben CM @bencm24.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

First visit back to Swilly for a while, hopefully back to usual ways now. Nice to catch up with a few year ticks, including the big group of Cattle Egrets that have taken up residence in the heat haze. Garganey, Barnacle Goose, Spoonbill, GWE and Green Woodpecker best of the rest!

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Ben CM @bencm24.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

First twitch (and bit of birding) for a while, Hudsonian Godwit eventually revealed itself this morning at Cattawade this morning on the River by the White Bridge!

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Ben CM @bencm24.bsky.social · 21/03/2026

Been very quiet for me on the bird front in 2026, but 1st patch lifer fell today in the form of an Iceland Gull!

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Ben CM @bencm24.bsky.social · 04/01/2026

Probable Siberian Chiffchaff found yesterday at Lemonroyd Sewage Works on the Filter Beds with around 8 other Chiffchaff. Not heard to call, but the first bit of local excitement for 2026. 1 Glossy Ibis and Red-crested Pochard lingering into the new year at Swillington Ings for #PWC2026

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Ben CM @bencm24.bsky.social · 28/12/2025

Finally saw all 3 Glossy Ibis all at the same time today at St Aidans, still no scarce Geese yet. Water Pipit and the very showy Red-crested Pochard best of the rest!

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Ben CM @bencm24.bsky.social · 23/12/2025

Back on the Suffolk coast today - Starling murmuration stole the show at Minsmere, but Shorelark, Snow Buntings, Temmincks Stint, Water Pipit, Spotted Redshank and Caspian Gulls made for a nice day!

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Ben CM @bencm24.bsky.social · 21/10/2025

Not the hoped for Glossy Ibis that didn’t hang around St Aidans long enough for me to get there, but this Scaup showed superbly on Bowers Lake in the late afternoon drizzle! 5th record for 2025 @patchbirding.bsky.social

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Ben CM @bencm24.bsky.social · 18/10/2025

One of 2 Long-eared Owls and one of 5 Yellow-browed Warblers amongst a brilliant day of migration action at Flamborough head today!

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Ben CM @bencm24.bsky.social · 16/10/2025

Big shock when this juv Gannet came through Swillington Ings this evening - huge patch lifer!!!

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Ben CM @bencm24.bsky.social · 12/10/2025

On way back from Suffolk, rude not to call into the Baird’s Sandpiper at Rutland Water. Showing well a slight understatement!

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Ben CM @bencm24.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

Patch lifer Grey Phalarope this morning from Swillington Ings, right place right time for once! Luckily hung around all day for people to connect. 5th site record, 1st in 15 years!

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Ben CM @bencm24.bsky.social · 07/09/2025

My 2nd patch Curlew Sandpiper dropped in this afternoon after some rain! Nice addition to @patchbirding.bsky.social #PWC2025 after Black Tern present most of today on site!

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Ben CM @bencm24.bsky.social · 27/04/2025

Pied Flycatcher a nice surprise in a random woodland in Yorkshire Dales today!

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Ben CM @bencm24.bsky.social · 17/04/2025

Stonking Ring Ouzel still hanging around in Haughley, Suffolk this evening!

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Ben CM @bencm24.bsky.social · 23/03/2025

Stonking views of Blue-winged Teal at Brough this afternoon!

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Ben CM @bencm24.bsky.social · 08/03/2025

Black-necked Grebes back on patch today!

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Ben CM @bencm24.bsky.social · 24/02/2025

4 Cranes over Swillington Ings this afternoon! Buzzing with these, my first for patch! Distant screengrab from video below…

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Ben CM @bencm24.bsky.social · 08/02/2025

Cracking Firecrest on patch today at Methley!

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Ben CM @bencm24.bsky.social · 25/01/2025

Buzzing to find this drk Scaup on Lemonroyd Lake, Swilly Ings this afternoon! Patch Lifer! Slavonian Grebe back on Western Reedbed too. Caspian Gull in roost. Willow Tit & 3 Cattle Egret at Fairburn Lin Dike.

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Ben CM @bencm24.bsky.social · 11/01/2025

Unreal up in the NE, White-billed Diver & bonus RNDuck (both my 2nd ever), American Wigeon, Green-winged Teal, 2 Iceland Gull, Velvet Scoter, BN Dolphins, Purple Sandpipers, Hen Harrier and Smew to name a few! Nice to see some familiar faces about too!