iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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The White Falcon @markgolley.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Coming soon to the UK... If you're a gambler, the smart money is on the impending appearance of a Nutcracker on our shores. By way of pre-emptive celebs, here's the two outrageous individuals that were part of my youth ~ Westleton November 1985 & Cocknage Wood, October 1991. Epic rare! #rarebirdsuk

1985 was a stunning year of rare bird chasing for me. One of only two occasions I hit the magic 300 mark for the yearlist and, within them, some truly outstanding birds, including one or two that still haven't "come back" (hello Little Whimbrel 👋). The autumn of 1985 was crammed full of new birds for me. A host of rarities around Scilly was followed by some tremendous long weekends bunking off school for twitches to East Anglia. The Westleton Nutcracker was supplemented by Long-billed Dowitcher, Rough-legged Buzzard, Grey Phalarope & more...(another weekend would produce the famous How Hill Black-and-white Warbler plus Snow Goose, White-tailed Eagle and - again - more! There was a Pied Wheatear in there too somewhere...

This absolute character gave ludicrous views on the edge of Stoke-on-Trent through October 1991. I think I was looking at the board of the Porthcressa when it was written large on the blackboard. My erstwhile companion, Graham Etherington, was a Stoke boy and he couldn't quite believe it...
We came off Scilly for the Flamborough Desert Warbler and took in a visit to Cocknage Wood (and Graham's mum!) and were blown away by the fearless spotty one...somewhere there is a photo of me and the bird, side by side, one of us mugging off for the camera 😂

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alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social @alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Semipalmated Sandpiper at Fishtail Lagoon, Pennington - 26/09/26 - An enjoyable couple of hours spent with this peep today, the sixth I've seen in Hampshire and four of those have been on the same two pools!

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Ochruros (KayD) @ochrurosbirder.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

I was on cloud 9 this morning after being lucky enough to find these 2 Dotterel. Great to also catch up with this confiding Lapland Bunting, my first for 4 years. Quality not quantity, a brilliant day at Flamborough!

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Lundy Bird Observatory @lundybirds.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

- Red eyed Vireo caught and ringed in Millcombe - Great White Egret - Wryneck - Common Rosefinch who has a ring from at least 2wks ago! - 3 Firecrest @birdguides.bsky.social

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Graham Deacon @grahamd12.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Salisbury Plain session this morning with 223 birds processed. Chiffchaff migration now in full effect with 116 caught inc 2 UK controls & 97 Blackcap inc an Arnheim Holland control. The only other warbler ringed was a tardy Grasshopper Warbler #birdringing #migration @wiltsbirdclub.bsky.social

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Mark Hawkes @grafhamwbirder.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Buff-b Sand at Grafham Water (found by Nigel Butler). First site record since 1975 (which he also saw!). It was last seen to land on point at Plummer, but no sign currently (it has been very flighty) @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social #ukbirding

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Andy Warr @andywarr.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

The Ring Ouzel that flew past the west side of Table Hill, and continued around the north side of North Hill, was relocated by the rocky crag on the east side of North Hill (pictured), before flying towards Chat/Happy Valley. It looks like a juvenile male. #WorcsBird

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J Hanlon @jahanlon.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Paddyfield Pipit, Land's End area, Nov 2019 A jaw-dropping record of this sedentary cryptic Asian pipit that was assessed and controversially not accepted as likely naturally-occurring. But they've reached the Middle East Oct-Dec & must be hugely under recorded. Let's hope it's upgraded. #BirdsA-Z

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Matt D @mattdenial.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

I missed the Pec Sand (twice) & showy Wryneck at Freiston, then the Buff-breasted Sandpiper at Frampton on Thu eve.. but managed to level the score on that today. Very windy conditions, but a beautiful bird indeed. Year #274. #lincsbirding #ukbirding #birding #birdsseenin2026 #buffbreastedsandpiper

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Portland Bird Observatory @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

It's been so relatively quiet this month that atrophied fingers have been been an issue for our visiting ringers but there's nothing like a good catch of House Martins to remedy that situation

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Andy Stockhausen @andy-1963.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Wow! P Hall's image of Red-billed Tropicbird off Porthgwarra this morning #ukbirding

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Neil Donaghy @neild1962.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

This wholly unexpected Red-eyed Vireo was trapped and ringed at Kenfig Pool this morning and is the seocnd record for Glamorgan and the reserve recording area. I had the shock of my life when I saw it staring back at me from the net. Seen by 20+ observers upon release #birdingWales #UKbirding

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Tom Lowe @saloplarus.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Magical morning on the Wirral with 36 Leach's Storm-petrels heading west into the wind, some more offshore than others 😍 #seawatching #superseabirdSunday

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Matt D @mattdenial.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

5hr seawatch at Flamborough Head today & finally ticked Long-tailed Skua*. 6 juvs, with many Arctic & Greats, seen. It helps being next to Brett Richards & Craig Thomas! Incredibly talented people. With Dave Woodhouse. #birds #ukbirding #yorksbirding #birdsseenin2026 *I refused a Lincs ‘dot’ in ‘25

Good views of 3 Skua species were had. Marsh Harrier & Snipe in-off. RT-Divers, Little Gulls, Manxies & Black Tern also.

I’ve never been in a hide with the man who the hide is named after before.

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Kevin Clements @kevin-clements.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

First day at Khurkh Bird Ringing Station #Mongolia 106 new birds incl 27 Black-faced Bunting (p1), 19 Little Bunting, 5 Daurian Redstart (p2), 4 Pine Bunting, 4 Siberian Rubythroat (p3), 2 Red-flanked Bluetail, 1 Amur Falcon (p4) & 1 Taiga Flycatcher www.facebook.com/share/19STrQ... #BelvideRingers

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Kevin Clements @kevin-clements.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Second day at Khurkh Bird Ringing Station #Mongolia 440 new birds incl 205 Black-faced, 74 Little & 26 Pine Bunting (p1), 5 Siberian Rubythroat, 5 Red-flanked Bluetail (p2), 4 Olive-backed Pipit, 1 Nutcracker (p3) & 1 Red-throated Thrush (p4) www.facebook.com/share/14sZ2s... #BelvideRingers

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Gareth Clements @birdergaz.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

So jel of my dad. @kevin-clements.bsky.social Total of today's ringing - Black faced bunt 205 Little bunt 74 Pine bunt 26 Sibe rubythroat 55 Pallas's warbler 20 Daurian redstart 11 and more please can we see all these on Shetland

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Steve Rogers 🟰🟰 @runnelstone.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Four key pics of the moulting first summer Short-billed Dowitcher at Drift Res (14th Sept). Observed for a couple hours before a Peregrine spooked it and then flew off high. It was video’d and the Turnstone-like call recorded. First record for Cornwall.

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Steve Richards @thesnapper1978.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Was at uni in ‘96 when the Blithfield bird was present, & stood at Gailey Res when the Chasewater bird was being watched but not reported. Baird’s Sand has been one of my most wanted in Staffs until today. The superb juv gave great views along with 35 Pinkfeet over W, 5 Ringie, 2 Blackwit & 2 Ruff

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Gareth Clements @birdergaz.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

My 2ND STAFFS Bairds Sand still present 18:21. Now time to do a night shift

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gpcbirding.bsky.social @gpcbirding.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

On September 16th 1982 I estimated a total of 250,000 Swallows roosted at Barton on Humber with 70,000 still on 29th: tonight 44 years on there was not one! With Spurn Migfest lacking Mig it is obvious we are heading for the precipice like the proverbial lemmings but 99% of Britains don’t care:

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Marc Hunt @somersetbirder.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Lesser Yellowlegs at Herriots Bridge Pool at Chew Valley Lake this morning 😍

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Richard K Broughton @richardkbroughton.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

A plump juvenile female Marsh Tit joining the Monks Wood population. That's what we like to see. Colour-ringed, biometrics and GIS registered for the long-term study. #ornithology

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Dungeness Bird Observatory @dungenessbirdobs.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

A superb afternoon seawatch didn't have a great deal of birds but it did have excellent quality - the star being a first for Dungeness in the form of an adult Brown Booby! Other goodies included a close juvenile Long-tailed Skua, 15 Black Tern and three Little Gull. #kentbirding

The star of the day, the adult Brown Booby found by Neil Burt. Image of it taken by Martin Casemore.

1cy Long-tailed Skua taken by Richard Watkins.

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Matt D @mattdenial.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

I’m going to start taking location pics when I’ve haven’t seen birds.. but for today, here’s an image off the web of Old Fall, Flamborough, where a Western Bonelli’s Warbler wasn’t. 2nd dip in 2.5 weeks. #notbirds #birdsdippedin2026 #ukdipping #yorksdipping #bonelliwho #flamborough

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Graham Deacon @grahamd12.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Salisbury Plain again today with 192 birds ringed, 625 over the last 3 days. Another big 136 Blackcap with Chiffchaff now moving with 43. Also, 4 Sedge & singles of Whitethroat, Reed & Willow Warbler & Sparrowhawk. Star bird was another stunning Wryneck, the 3rd of the Autumn #birdringing #migration

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The Scottish Ornithologists' Club @scottishbirding.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

New local bird reports - out now! It's been a busy few months for bird report editors with a number of new reports hot off the press, including: Lothian Bird Report 2023 Isle of May Bird Observatory Annual Report 2024 Dumfries and Galloway Bird Report 2024 Orkney Bird Report 2025

Lothian Bird Report 2023 cover featuring a photo of a Little Ringed Plover in flight

Dumfries and Galloway Bird Report 2024 cover featuring artwork of two Peregrines in flight

Isle of May Bird Observatory Annual Report 2024 cover featuring a photo of a Brambling

Orkney Bird Report 2025 cover featuring a photo of a Firecrest

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Phil Andrews @pmandrews1973.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Many thanks to the 18 sites who took part in Saturday's West Midlands All-Day Birdwatch. The previous record of 104 species was broken twice: 106 at Brandon & 111 at Blithfield. An odd day with several sites noting their highest ever totals & others their lowest #WestMidsAllDayer

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Richard Harbird @mortonbagotbirder.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

A really good morning on my Morton Bagot patch: 5 Spotted Flycatchers, Tree Pipit, 2 Redstarts, 2 Whinchats, first Meadow Pipit of the autumn, Lesser Whitethroat, and three Stonechats. #PWC2026. What a shame the #WestMidsAllDayer can't be the West Midlands All Weekender!

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Gareth Clements @birdergaz.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Really jealous of all the sites that get nightjar at there sites i just dont have the same luck at the moment.

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Bucktonbirder @bucktonbirder.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

A Nightjar dawn at Clopton, South Cambridgeshire.

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Rob S @rbstrng.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Bredon Hill - Wryneck - flushed from scrub area south of the tower. Seen to land. Trying to relocate. #worcsbirds

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Gareth Clements @birdergaz.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

I know @staffsbirdnews.bsky.social and @pmandrews1973.bsky.social Do year lists sorry for late news but kept quiet due to being at private site. 27th June - 1 Marsh Warbler Staffs During summer at a site in south staffs upto 8 singing quail kept quiet due to number. Don't know record for one site

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Hugh Harrop @hughharrop.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Britain's third and Scotland's first-ever EGYPTIAN NIGHTJAR at Virkie, Shetland this evening. A brilliant find by Roger Riddington. Stunning. #BirdingScotland #UKbirding #RareBirdsUK

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Kevin Clements @kevin-clements.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

75 species in Smestow Valley #westmidsalldayer including Barn, Little & Tawny Owls, Red Kite, Hobby, Green Sandpiper, Snipe, Swift, Tree Pipit, Yellow Wagtail, Common & Lesser Whitethroats & Willow Warbler @pmandrews1973.bsky.social

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Phil Andrews @pmandrews1973.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Have bailed at 2:40pm with Blithfield on 109, a new record for #westmidsalldayer (autumn or spring). Latest additions including Redstart, Goshawk, Wheatear, Caspian Gull, Wood Sand and Cuckoo plus the pesky combination of Coot and Moorhen.

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Phil Saunders @beardybirder.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

One of those rare, magic, mornings at St Aldhelm's Head, with a typically furtive Ortolan seen/heard several times in flight first thing, followed by a pale juv Honey Buzzard north at 1030hrs, & capped off by 6+ Lesser Emperor (new for the site) hawking over the paddocks @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social

A rounded marker stone, emblazoned with the words "Coast Path" and "Winspit" and respective direction arrows stands amongst short yellow and green coastal grassland. A sliver of blue sea is visible in the background and a light blue sky, besmirched with a smattering of white clouds, stands overhead.

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Lundy Bird Observatory @lundybirds.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Crazy scenes this evening when 3 Buff breasted Sandpipers arrived in off the sea following one yesterday. Unprecedented influx on the way??? @birdguides.bsky.social

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Ian Moore @themoorehen.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

A Juv Sedge in a hedge at Furnace Grange, Seisdon early am on 31/8/26 after overnight showers, Part of an inland ‘fall’ in just one hedge that also held a Whinchat, Tree Pipit, 2 Yellow Wag, 3 Lesser & c10 Whitethroat, 2 Juv Willow W, 5+ Blackcap & c10 Chiffs. Epic by my 10k standards #ukbirding

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Paul Slade @paulslade.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Two of at least 31 Yellow Wagtail's at Bank End Cockerham this morning (up to 40 seen in recent days)they must have had a good breeding season as not been these sort of numbers locally since the mid 1980's ! #LancsBirding

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Ochruros (KayD) @ochrurosbirder.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Revisiting the Eastleach Long-tailed Shrike, which was looking fabulous in the morning sun. Also 3 Whinchat, plenty of Corn Buntings, Yellowhammer & Peregrine. At Slimbridge 8 Spotshank, 2 Garganey, Spoonbill, 4 Cattle Egret & 20 ♻️Cranes. Great day in Gloucestershire with @mybirding.bsky.social

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MYBirding @mybirding.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

No words needed!

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Andy Stockhausen @andy-1963.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Several hours of trolling around Falmouth Bay in promising conditions, surprisingly failed to produce anything overly exciting. But Great Shearwater is always worth seeing and at least 20 of these southern pelagic wanderers delighted on a big sea. Pic: Paul Chapman #ukbirding #Cornwallbirding

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Matt D @mattdenial.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

I knew the Scilly Pelagics could be ‘bad’, but I wasn’t quite prepared for the onslaught today. Soaked from head to toe, then, after hitting another massive wave, the stinking bag of chum flew back into the boat and hit me. We still had 3 hrs to go. Still, Sooty Shearwater lifer, come on! #birds

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Gareth Clements @birdergaz.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Kept missing the large shears but then started picking them out and was alot happier

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Gareth Clements @birdergaz.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Massive Ty to the seawatchers finally added Great Shearwater to my life list. Porthgwarra was hard work but pendeen was lively.

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