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Chris Toop @birdingcyclist.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Don't usually promote things on here. But anyone interested to learn why a dog behaves in certain ways in often hysterically funny and wonderfully descriptive words should read The Wolf That Chews Rocks by @russincheshire.bsky.social The bath time scene in particular is worth the cover price! 5⭐

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Chris Toop @birdingcyclist.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

Weekend in the Highlands with the Best Man (24 years ago!), his nephew and my eldest. Couple of #Munros complete with proper river crossing and a wild camp with a view! @walkhighlands.co.uk report on the way

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Chris Toop @birdingcyclist.bsky.social · 14/06/2026

Weekend up north terned out alright (soz), with visits to Farne and Seaton Carew #UKBirding

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Chris Toop @birdingcyclist.bsky.social · 13/06/2026

Popped over to the @nationaltrust.org.uk Farne's, may have got shat on, pecked and got the giggles. Actual bird photos to follow (when I've waded through all the blurred flight shots)

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Chris Toop @birdingcyclist.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

Simply the best birds. Beautiful and charismatic and anyone who doesn't 'get' them needs to give their heads a wobble! #Starlimgs #UKBirding

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Chris Toop @birdingcyclist.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

Plenty of calling Water Rail's @yorkswildlife.bsky.social Potteric Carr this morning, but you don't see them that often.... #chick #UKBirding

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Chris Toop @birdingcyclist.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

Garden Goldcrests are frisky! This one is spending far too long chasing off the rival in the shed window (aka its reflection)! @yorkbirding.bsky.social #UKBirding

Goldcrest in a stand off with its reflection.

Goldcrest doing a hummingbird impression whilst displaying to it's own reflection

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Chris Toop @birdingcyclist.bsky.social · 09/05/2026

Been fairly quiet so far this year for #TansyBeetle with just the odd one or two, but found these this morning, preparing for the next generation.... #BugLife #YNET #RawcliffeIngs #York

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Chris Toop @birdingcyclist.bsky.social · 02/05/2026

Wandered round the more populous part of the patch this morning: Clifton and Rawcliffe Ings. Good to see Skylarks holding territory, 2 Sedge Warblers (very occasional this side of York) and a Cettis singing behind the waterworks. Couple of Kingfishers along the river @yorkbirding.bsky.social

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Chris Toop @birdingcyclist.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

After a few high individuals recently, today really is #Swiftday. 5 or 6 over the Beckfield Lane/ Ouseburn Avenue colony today, including some screamers! #LoveSwifts @yorkbirding.bsky.social

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Chris Toop @birdingcyclist.bsky.social · 26/04/2026

3 Swifts high over Rawcliffe Ings this morning. First bit of calling I've heard this year @yorkbirding.bsky.social

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Chris Toop @birdingcyclist.bsky.social · 26/04/2026

Did my early @bbs-birds.bsky.social y'day and for 3rd yr in a row drew a blank on Tree Sparrows so think the Knapton colony has gone. So headed out to #Bempton. Thought I may as well see the other birds people were there for as well...

Lawn care courtesy of nestbuilding Gannets

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Chris Toop @birdingcyclist.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

First Swift back over Beckfield Lane just now. Always lifts my spirits! @yorkbirding.bsky.social

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Chris Toop @birdingcyclist.bsky.social · 12/04/2026

Female Common Scoter on the canal near the Caravan Park at Baswich, Staffs early afternoon @staffsbirdnews.bsky.social

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Chris Toop @birdingcyclist.bsky.social · 06/04/2026

Been away for Easter but managed a wander on the Ings this afternoon. 1st Sand Martin up the river and 1st Tansy Beetle of the year. Grey Heron nestlings are starting to be visible now and the Egrets are busy. No Osprey for me, but drove past one in the Peaks yesterday! @yorkbirding.bsky.social

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Chris Toop @birdingcyclist.bsky.social · 22/03/2026

The eldest's gf lives near St Aidan's so I kindly offered to give him a lift this morning... A few highlights (not winning any prizes) @rspb.bsky.social #SwillyIngs

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Chris Toop @birdingcyclist.bsky.social · 21/03/2026

First Ings walk of the year with no Redwings. Egrets settling in the heronry but being very shy. Plenty of calling pairs of Treecreeper around, too fast for a pic but a Kingfisher posed @yorkbirding.bsky.social

Buff-tailed Bumblebee and Ladybird on Sallow

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Chris Toop @birdingcyclist.bsky.social · 17/03/2026

Quick phone video of this evenings hunting Barn Owl near Rufforth. 10 Fieldfare gathered for departure in a nearby tree were the first I've seen in a while as well @yorkbirding.bsky.social

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Chris Toop @birdingcyclist.bsky.social · 14/03/2026

A few hastily grabbed shots from a partly-flooded Ings. Migration crossroads with feeding Chiffy and Redwings (down to just 8 today), flyby Parakeets and busy Herons. Buzzards, Kestrel and Sprawk about, plus lots of noisy Reed Bunts and a couple of Kingfishers @yorkbirding.bsky.social #UKBirding

Two Redwings, flashing the iliacs that gives them their specific name

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Chris Toop @birdingcyclist.bsky.social · 09/03/2026

What's better than a Siskin on your feeders? Two Siskins! The species that kicked off my interest over four decades ago @yorkbirding.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social #Acomb #UKBirding

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Chris Toop @birdingcyclist.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

Chiffchaff singing in the garden this morning! Beckfield Ln @yorkbirding.bsky.social

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Chris Toop @birdingcyclist.bsky.social · 28/02/2026

Short walk on the Ings today with dog and child. Busy herons, busy frogs and around 40-50 Redwings still. Male Sparrowhawk and then 2 Red Kites over Great North Way on the way home @yorkbirding.bsky.social

Frogspawn. Adults survived the Herons long enough to pass on genes

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Chris Toop @birdingcyclist.bsky.social · 25/02/2026

Spring has sprung! Warm enough to take the dog out without a coat, birds singing everywhere, including full throated Skylarks drifting out from the fields to over Beckfield Lane! Siskin passage overhead and here's one that stopped off for a feed on Monday @yorkbirding.bsky.social

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Chris Toop @birdingcyclist.bsky.social · 07/02/2026

At least 17 Herons back in the heronry, plus 3 Little Egrets on Rawcliffe Ings. 16 Lapwings over Clifton Ings dropped down but then circled up and away again, a full summer plumaged Black-headed Gull on the shrinking flood and too many noisy Parakeets! @yorkbirding.bsky.social #UKBirding

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Chris Toop @birdingcyclist.bsky.social · 31/01/2026

Enjoyed the Acomb Landing-Clifton Ings murmuration tonight, the patterns, the noise of wingbeats and the splat of droppings all added to the atmosphere! @yorkbirding.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social #UKBirding

Murmuration over Acomb Landing Waterworks

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Chris Toop @birdingcyclist.bsky.social · 11/01/2026

H/lights of an icy visit to @rspb.bsky.social St. Aidan's and Fairburn Ings today. Red Crested Pochard still present, lots of other wildfowl on any bit of open water. Single Blackwit with Curlew, and a Water Rail in flight. Overwintering Chiffchaff feeding on debris in Lin Dyke #UKBirding

Shoveler were displaying a couple of weeks ago but just looked miserable today

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Chris Toop @birdingcyclist.bsky.social · 28/12/2025

Wandered round @rspb.bsky.social St. Aidan's this morning. Finally caught up with the resident Beardies. Ducks were frisky! And 3 Glossy Ibis dropped in #UKBirding

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Chris Toop @birdingcyclist.bsky.social · 28/11/2025

Pleased to see the influx of Blackbirds had finally settled down to the surplus windblown apples, and then this appeared in the garden @yorkbirding.bsky.social #UKBirds

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Chris Toop @birdingcyclist.bsky.social · 17/10/2025

Visited the patch this morning. Chiffys in with every group of tits, calling Bullfinches, 19 Cormorants in River Ouse roost, Cettis behind Acomb Waterworks, Parakeets displaying at nest holes. Then... Short-eared Owl high over Manor School when I was walking home @yorkbirding.bsky.social #UKBirding

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Chris Toop @birdingcyclist.bsky.social · 13/10/2025

Took the dog for an evening empty with a near constant soundtrack of Redwings overhead #tseep #York

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Chris Toop @birdingcyclist.bsky.social · 11/10/2025

Been neglecting the patch so jumped at the chance to get out this am. Lots of migrants either leaving or arriving including Chiffy, Blackcap, Stonechat, Redwing and Pinkies over. A few snaps here #UKBirding

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Chris Toop @birdingcyclist.bsky.social · 03/09/2025

Also from last week in Scotland, I finally got up An Teallach! And remembered to do a write up for @walkhighlands.co.uk #Munro

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Chris Toop @birdingcyclist.bsky.social · 03/09/2025

From last week's trip to Scotland. The eldest enjoying Maol Chean-dearg, my final Torridonian #Munro

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Chris Toop @birdingcyclist.bsky.social · 22/07/2025

You can tell it's "autumn" when York's feral geese fly between the city centre and the fields to the west every day (volume up) #evening #UKBirding @yorkbirding.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social

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Chris Toop @birdingcyclist.bsky.social · 17/07/2025

Took advantage of the 'dead time' twixt end of exams and end of school for a bit of bonding time with the eldest. Quick intro to Lakes ridge scrambling in a brief spell of decent weather. Helvellyn then Blencathra on consecutive days

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Chris Toop @birdingcyclist.bsky.social · 16/07/2025

@rachaelmaskell.bsky.social Thank you Rachael. I'd rather have you as my MP than someone who votes to make kids and disabled people poorer. @teamlabouruk.bsky.social are a disgrace and seem afraid to do what most people voted for. They will let Reform in unless they change #York #Acomb

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Chris Toop @birdingcyclist.bsky.social · 12/07/2025

Quite often have a lull in patch enthusiasm in high summer but dragged the youngest and the dog out today. Was going to be all about the K's: Kestrels have fledged a juv, Kingfisher's along the river and a Kite over the cut meadows, but then had a couple of Jays! #UKBirding @yorkbirding.bsky.social

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Chris Toop @birdingcyclist.bsky.social · 22/06/2025

Had drawn a (scientifically important) nil result from 3 Woodlark squares in @btobirds.bsky.social #heathlandsurvey which was disheartening, but one square was also down for Nightjars, so the relief last night when this happened was immense! Few roding Woodcock too

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Chris Toop @birdingcyclist.bsky.social · 21/06/2025

More of a day for dragon, damsel and butter-flies than birds, but a min of 4 Little Egrets and 14 singing Sedge Warblers between Redhouse and Poppleton along the river this morning, lots of Reed Bunt, other warblers and hirunds too @yorkbirding.bsky.social #UKBirding

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Chris Toop @birdingcyclist.bsky.social · 13/06/2025

More #Swift spam! Enjoyable screaming parties over the Tadcaster Viaduct. Looked like a few fledged Sand Martins around the Bridge too @nybirdnews.bsky.social #UKBirding

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Chris Toop @birdingcyclist.bsky.social · 09/06/2025

A good 40+ Swifts over the house this morning. Feeding over the fields between Acomb and the ring road then heading back to the colony. Managed a couple of snaps @yorkbirding.bsky.social #YorkSwifts #Acomb #UKBirding

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Chris Toop @birdingcyclist.bsky.social · 07/06/2025

At least one of the Kingfisher pairs on the Ouse has been successful. Great to see two fledged juveniles sitting in a Willow waiting to be fed this morning @yorkbirding.bsky.social #Ings #UKBirding

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Chris Toop @birdingcyclist.bsky.social · 04/06/2025

Finally! Some clear justification for having a "messy" garden.... @mammalsociety.bsky.social #York

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Reposted by Chris Toop

RSPB @rspb.bsky.social · 24/05/2025

We’re calling on everyone who cares about nature: write to your MP now. Show them we won’t stand by while vital protections are ripped up: action.rspb.org.uk/page/159517/...

action.rspb.org.uk

Help stop the Planning and Infrastructure Bill tearing up nature protections

I've written to my MP to demand that the UK Government adopts a nature-friendly approach to planning and development. Will you take action too?

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Chris Toop @birdingcyclist.bsky.social · 11/05/2025

Common Sandpiper moving up the Ouse this morning @yorkbirding.bsky.social Didn't have my camera, so here's one from earlier this week! #UKBirding

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Chris Toop @birdingcyclist.bsky.social · 08/05/2025

Garish, but always photogenic. Mandarin on the River Don near Long Sandall today @s-yorksbirding.bsky.social #UKBirding

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