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Pete Morris

@birdingpete.bsky.social
614 followers 374 following 120 posts

Bird tour leader, world birder, lapsed twitcher, sport and music enthusiast, based in East Lancashire. Sharing amazing birds and wildlife from the UK and all around the world.

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Pete Morris @birdingpete.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
Whatever is going on is pretty tragic and sad to see. As soon as they all started turning up, I suspected the writing was on the wall. Let's hope it's not too damaging to their population, although it's alarming to see many are adults.
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Pete Morris @birdingpete.bsky.social · 06/12/2025
Crikey, you'll get me arrested 😂
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Pete Morris @birdingpete.bsky.social · 05/12/2025
Crikey. I saw that one as well. Officially old gimmers mate. You got your railcard and bus pass yet? 😂😂🤦‍♂️
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Pete Morris @birdingpete.bsky.social · 04/07/2025
In fact, now you remind me, they got heavy use in Alaska, so maybe time...
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Pete Morris @birdingpete.bsky.social · 04/07/2025
On average a couple of times a year. Once they've had a good bit of use, I give them a good scrub down then apply the spray. Makes them feel soft and tacky like new, rather than hard and shiny...
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Pete Morris @birdingpete.bsky.social · 04/07/2025
Bill, did you treat your Aigle wellies with the rubber moisturiser/nourisher product that they recommend? I have found this keeps the rubber supple and less likely to perish.
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Pete Morris @birdingpete.bsky.social · 19/05/2025
Exactly what I was thinking...
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Pete Morris @birdingpete.bsky.social · 08/04/2025
Oh wow... have to see you up there some time. We're fairly frequent visitors and that's where the boys learnt to ring!
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Pete Morris @birdingpete.bsky.social · 08/04/2025
What caused the east to west shift? Most of us can't wait to head the other way!
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Pete Morris @birdingpete.bsky.social · 08/04/2025
When did you move over to the sunny side?
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Pete Morris @birdingpete.bsky.social · 08/04/2025
Sorry mate, didn't try! Was still walking that way when it happened. How's life with you? Gather things have changed a bit since we last chatted! Congratulations mate. Btw, where are you living now?
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Pete Morris @birdingpete.bsky.social · 06/04/2025
Yes... it's looking good Bill. Bit of agro with the resident GCGs, who don't appreciate it's presence, even making it fly at one point!
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Pete Morris @birdingpete.bsky.social · 06/04/2025
Six weeks after my last visit, I popped over to Clowbridge where the Red-necked Grebe is now largely sporting its summer plumage, though this 2cyr bird still retains its pale eyes. Today it was catching Bullheads (Miller's Thumb) rather than Perch! #LancsBirding #RareBirdsUk
Red-necked Grebe, with Bullhead fish, Clowbridge Reservoir (Pete Morris)Red-necked Grebe, Clowbridge Reservoir (Pete Morris)Red-necked Grebe, Clowbridge Reservoir (Pete Morris)Red-necked Grebe, Clowbridge Reservoir (Pete Morris)
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Pete Morris @birdingpete.bsky.social · 06/04/2025
2cy Red-necked Grebe still at Clowbridge Reservoir, 0930, fishing in the northeast corner, opposite end from the sailing club. @birdguides.bsky.social #RareBirdsUk
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Pete Morris @birdingpete.bsky.social · 08/03/2025
A couple of kms of wet sand. A reasonably easy walk and pretty firm under foot. Good luck!
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Pete Morris @birdingpete.bsky.social · 08/03/2025
A real stretch for the R5, the Black Scoter was showing well in the scope a couple of hundred metres offshore straight out from Leasowe Lifeboat Station this am. The big head and thick neck almost as apparent as that bill! #RareBirdsUk
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Pete Morris @birdingpete.bsky.social · 08/03/2025
Black Scoter still off Hoylake @birdguides ##LancsBirding ##RareBirdsUk
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Pete Morris @birdingpete.bsky.social · 06/03/2025
By Norfolk bird, I am referring to the King's Lynn bird rather than the recent flocks...
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Pete Morris @birdingpete.bsky.social · 06/03/2025
It took 2.5 hours searching through the hordes of Pinks at Upper Thurnham y/day, but it was worth it when the fine Lesser White-fronted Goose popped up in the scope. Belly pattern looks the same as Norfolk bird. Origin? Who knows, but a great bird, now living with Pinkies! #LancsBirding #RareBirdsUK
Adult Lesser White-fronted Goose, Upper Thurnham, Lancashire, 03/25 (Pete Morris)Adult Lesser White-fronted Goose, Upper Thurnham, Lancashire, 03/25 (Pete Morris)Adult Lesser White-fronted Goose, Upper Thurnham, Lancashire, 03/25 (Pete Morris)Adult Lesser White-fronted Goose, Upper Thurnham, Lancashire, 03/25 (Pete Morris)
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Pete Morris @birdingpete.bsky.social · 05/03/2025
Seems logical, though apparently not known in Whoopers 🤷‍♂️
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Pete Morris @birdingpete.bsky.social · 05/03/2025
@kanebrides.bsky.social
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Pete Morris @birdingpete.bsky.social · 05/03/2025
This was something I'd never seen before... Albinism or leucism is something I guess you don't expect in a white bird!! Have many others seen leucistic/albino Whooper Swans? These two were along Moss Lane at Cockerham today, and certainly stood out from the crowd. #LancsBirding
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Pete Morris @birdingpete.bsky.social · 02/03/2025
It's a subtle one, especially in winter!
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Pete Morris @birdingpete.bsky.social · 01/03/2025
I know mate... a bit ashamed to post! Seriously though, heavy crops but great IQ on the R5!
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Pete Morris @birdingpete.bsky.social · 01/03/2025
Well it's on its way from Halifax... Alston next 🤷‍♂️🤞
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Pete Morris @birdingpete.bsky.social · 01/03/2025
Cracking Red-necked Grebe showing beautifully on Clowbridge Reservoir, Burnley, this morning. A bit far for my lens, but stunning light and nice still conditions. Aged as 2cy by the pale outer irides. #LancsBirding #RareBirdsUk
2cy Red-necked Grebe, Clowbridge Reservoir,  Lancashire, Pete Morris2cy Red-necked Grebe, Clowbridge Reservoir,  Lancashire, Pete Morris2cy Red-necked Grebe, Clowbridge Reservoir,  Lancashire, Pete Morris2cy Red-necked Grebe, Clowbridge Reservoir,  Lancashire, Pete Morris
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Pete Morris @birdingpete.bsky.social · 25/02/2025
Thanks Tom. The super perhaps isn't as yellow as I initially thought from your pic. As far as I know, all assigned UK birds are nominate, but a good yellow super could raise the possibility of taivana, the males of which are stunners.
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Pete Morris @birdingpete.bsky.social · 24/02/2025
What form is it thought to be? The yellow supercilium looks interesting...
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Pete Morris @birdingpete.bsky.social · 14/02/2025
Just pulling your leg. I use one too. XQ35 pro. Great kit 👌
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Pete Morris @birdingpete.bsky.social · 14/02/2025
😂😂 with that camo, thank goodness you had the thermal 😉
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Pete Morris @birdingpete.bsky.social · 31/01/2025
Indeed I did. Yes, regular cleaning and application of the Swipol rubber spray (every few months perhaps) helps nourish the rubber and keep it supple, stopping it from perishing.
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Pete Morris @birdingpete.bsky.social · 26/01/2025
I've used Aigle Parcours for nearly 30years - on about my 4th pair. I do think it is important to clean them and treat them with the recommended swipol rubber nutrient. It keeps the rubber soft and supple and helps stop them from perishing and splitting, making them last much better...
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Pete Morris @birdingpete.bsky.social · 21/01/2025
It's not often I have the pleasure of spending most of the winter back in the UK! I've managed to sneak out with the camera on a few occasions with varying degrees of success! Here's a few shots from the last few weeks... #RarebirdsUK #birding
Britain's only real endemic (!!), the Red Grouse, on a frosty morning on my local moor. (Pete Morris)American Yellow Warbler from Kent at Christmas. A surprise this one left in such a hurry! (Pete Morris)A fine drake American Wigeon at Big Waters NR in Northumberland. (Pete Morris)A smart adult Iceland Gull at Big Waters NR in Northumberland (Pete Morris)
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Pete Morris @birdingpete.bsky.social · 19/01/2025
They struggle with addition too 😂
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Pete Morris @birdingpete.bsky.social · 14/01/2025
I agree Steve; if the colour tones in the video are correct, it's not a very distinctive bird. I'd likely not look too hard at it!
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Pete Morris @birdingpete.bsky.social · 13/01/2025
I use the XQ35pro (3rd Pulsar I've owned). Still a relatively budget model, but adequate for my purposes... below, an example of a decent hour's work with it on tour... www.facebook.com/share/p/1KBz...
facebook.com
Redirecting...
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Pete Morris @birdingpete.bsky.social · 13/01/2025
Personally, I find a lower Base mag and greater field of view the most important factors. You're only looking for heat, and the wider the field of view, the less panning you need to do to detect things... once detected, you switch to your binoculars to work out what you've found!
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Pete Morris @birdingpete.bsky.social · 12/01/2025
That's a corker Bill. Looks like a big male!
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Pete Morris @birdingpete.bsky.social · 05/01/2025
Cheers Nick
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Pete Morris @birdingpete.bsky.social · 05/01/2025
It's been a cold, miserable day in the NW today, in stark contrast to the last few days when the local Barn Owls, including this pallid male, have been out and about in the winter sun. Happy New Year to all my friends and fellow wildlife enthusiasts. #Owls #BirdPhotography #UKBirds
Male Western Barn Owl, Forest of Bowland, Pete MorrisMale Western Barn Owl, Forest of Bowland, Pete MorrisMale Western Barn Owl, Forest of Bowland, Pete MorrisMale Western Barn Owl, Forest of Bowland, Pete Morris
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Pete Morris @birdingpete.bsky.social · 16/12/2024
Here's the moment a smart Black-collared Hawk snatched a piranha from a small river right in front of us! #Pantanal, #Brazil #Birding #BirdPhotography
Black-collared Hawk, Pantanal, Brazil (Pete Morris)Black-collared Hawk, Pantanal, Brazil (Pete Morris)Black-collared Hawk, Pantanal, Brazil (Pete Morris)
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Pete Morris @birdingpete.bsky.social · 13/12/2024
This amorous pair of huge Hyacinth Macaws showed up in our lodge garden in #Brazil just at dusk, when it was really too dark for conventional photography. I used a bit of fill-flash to bring out the colour, producing a somewhat interesting, if different effect! #BirdPhotography #Birding #Parrots
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Pete Morris @birdingpete.bsky.social · 09/12/2024
Yeah, quite unreal!
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Pete Morris @birdingpete.bsky.social · 09/12/2024
I'm still catching up on photos and reliving encounters that I'd nearly forgotten about already! This incredible Red-legged Seriema, in #Brazil was as impressive to listen to as it was to watch! An amazingly charismatic bird! #Birds #Birding #BirdPhotography
Red-legged Seriema, Brazil (Pete Morris)
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Pete Morris @birdingpete.bsky.social · 09/12/2024
Thanks, they were great to see.
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Pete Morris @birdingpete.bsky.social · 09/12/2024
Thanks...
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Pete Morris @birdingpete.bsky.social · 08/12/2024
I found this gorgeous pair of Oriental Scops Owls on a pre-dinner leg-stretch, just at dusk, at our hotel in Dalat, Vietnam. The contrast between the two birds was superb. #Birding #BirdPhotography #Canon #Owls
Pair of Oriental Scops Owls, Dalat, Vietnam (Pete Morris)Pair of Oriental Scops Owls, Dalat, Vietnam (Pete Morris)Grey morph Oriental Scops Owl, Dalat, Vietnam (Pete Morris)Rufous morph Oriental Scops Owl, Dalat, Vietnam (Pete Morris)
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Pete Morris @birdingpete.bsky.social · 07/12/2024
There's a few contenders...
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Pete Morris @birdingpete.bsky.social · 07/12/2024
Thanks Dougie. Is it rough up your way?
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Pete Morris @birdingpete.bsky.social · 07/12/2024
Well it's grim outside, so here's a bit of colour to brighten the day! These used to be known as Oriental Dwarf Kingfishers, but are now split as Black-backed Kingfisher (taken in Vietnam) and Rufous-backed Kingfisher (Bornean form motleyi) (see Alt text). #Birding #Kingfishers #BirdPhotography
Black-backed Kingfisher, Vietnam (Pete Morris)Rufous-backed Kingfisher, Sabah, Borneo (Pete Morris)Black-backed Kingfisher, Vietnam (Pete Morris)Rufous-backed Kingfisher, Sabah, Borneo (Pete Morris)
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