iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Brian Stretch @brianstretch.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Two Wheatear on the north #MalvernHills this morning - singles on Worcestershire Beacon (pictured) and North Hill. Otherwise quiet with just a few House Martins heading south. #WorcsBirds

0230

Brian Stretch @brianstretch.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

The Eurasian Stone-curlew at Ryall Court Pits, Upton-upon-Severn earlier today. Its cryptic plumage blended in perfectly with its well chosen surroundings. A superb and well deserved find by @andywarr.bsky.social. #WorcsBirds

1160

Brian Stretch @brianstretch.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Normal service has been resumed on a return visit to North Hill #MalvernHills this evening. This brightly plumaged Wheatear was showing in exactly the same spot as this morning's Dotterel. #WorcsBirds

0180

Brian Stretch @brianstretch.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

It has been many years since I saw a Dotterel on the #MalvernHills so was very pleased to find this juvenile on North Hill early this morning. #WorcsBirds #BirdsSeenIn2026 @waderquest.bsky.social

712510

Brian Stretch @brianstretch.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Juvenile Dotterel on #MalvernHills early morning. Initially on North Hill before relocating to adjacent Table Hill and still showing at 7.55am. #WorcsBirds

1350

Brian Stretch @brianstretch.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Zitting Cisticola (or Fan-tailed Warbler in old money) at Lagos, #Portugal a couple of days ago. A common species in suitable habitat throughout the Algarve and easy to see, especially at well trodden tourist sites like Ponta da Piedade where they appear completely fearless. #BirdsSeenIn2026

0162

Brian Stretch @brianstretch.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

This immature Black-winged Kite has been present for some time along the railway line just west of Olhão, #Portugal and gave fabulous views early this morning. #BirdsSeenIn2026

01911

Brian Stretch @brianstretch.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

This juvenile Woodchat Shrike was showing beautifully in the evening light at Olhão, #Portugal a few days ago. #BirdsSeenIn2026

0162

Brian Stretch @brianstretch.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Three Wheatear were fresh in on the northern #MalvernHills early morning; 1 on Sugarloaf Hill & 2 on Worcs Beacon. A steady stream of southbound hirundines was enlivened by the presence of several Sand Martins - a species I've never seen flying along the high tops before. #WorcsBirds

0200

Brian Stretch @brianstretch.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Tough conditions on North Hill #MalvernsHills early morning contrary to the weather forecast, naturally. A Red Kite and Swallow south was as good as it got in over 4 hours. #WorcsBirds

2150

Brian Stretch @brianstretch.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Wheatear still on North Hill, #MalvernHills early morning and 2 Tree Pipits briefly before continuing south. #WorcsBirds

0140

Brian Stretch @brianstretch.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Very quiet on the northern #MalvernHills early this morning; a Wheatear on North Hill, 2 Redstarts, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff. #WorcsBirds

0110

Brian Stretch @brianstretch.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

No change on the northern #MalvernHills this evening; the Wheatear still on Table Hill and 2 Redstarts. #WorcsBirds

0180

Brian Stretch @brianstretch.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

A Wheatear still on Table Hill #MalvernHills early this morning and 2 Redstarts. Another Redstart in Chat Valley, plus Tree Pipit and Grey Wagtail over. #WorcsBirds

0170

Brian Stretch @brianstretch.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

A single Wheatear on Table Hill #MalvernHills this morning. A couple of Marsh Tits and a Red Kite was the best of the rest. #WorcsBirds

0140

Brian Stretch @brianstretch.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

The long-staying adult male Whinchat remains at Grimley Church Farm meadows, showing beautifully in the late afternoon sunshine. #WorcsBirds

0140

Brian Stretch @brianstretch.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Still plenty of Redstarts around North and Table Hills #MalvernHills early this morning. Also Tree Pipit flew south calling. #WorcsBirds

0170

Brian Stretch @brianstretch.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

A single Wheatear on British Camp #MalvernHills this morning. Also single Tree Pipits over Millennium Hill, Broad Down and Swinyard Hill and 7 Red Kites together over Midsummer Hill. #WorcsBirds

0210

Brian Stretch @brianstretch.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

A good morning for migrant Tree Pipits on the northern #MalvernHills with four together on Sugarloaf Hill and another calling south over North Hill later. A Cormorant that flew SE over Happy Valley was unusual and it was the first Wheatear free visit for over a couple of weeks. #WorcsBirds

1260

Brian Stretch @brianstretch.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Four Wheatear on North Hill #MalvernHills this morning; two new birds on west side and two still in Chat Valley including the long-staying adult male. Otherwise 5+ Redstarts on west side was the best of the rest. #WorcsBirds

0200

Brian Stretch @brianstretch.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Two Wheatears on North Hill, #MalvernHills early this morning including the long-staying adult male which is looking smarter than he was last week. Also a few Common Redstarts around the hill and a single Tree Pipit over. #WorcsBirds

0160

Brian Stretch @brianstretch.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

This moulting adult male Wheatear on North Hill, #MalvernHills early this morning wasn't too keen on having his picture taken. Which is understandable, given his disheveled appearance! #WorcsBirds

0130

Brian Stretch @brianstretch.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

Relieved to have seen the Hoopoe at Grimley on second attempt earlier today where it was favouring Church Farm fishing pools. Two juvenile Wood Sandpipers were a welcome find at Camp Lane Pits while failing to locate the Hoopoe early morning. Also Whinchat still and 2 Yellow Wagtails. #WorcsBirds

0170

Brian Stretch @brianstretch.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

Good to catch up with the moulting male Whinchat at Grimley earlier. An increasingly scarce migrant in Worcestershire, this one being in the company of a juvenile Stonechat. #WorcsBirds

0140

Brian Stretch @brianstretch.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

For inland patch birders, this bird gives us hope! The Long-tailed Shrike on the Gloucs/Oxon border near Eastleach Martin this afternoon. A remarkable record that demonstrates perfectly - anything is possible in birding. #GlosBirds #OxonBirds #BirdsSeenIn2026 #England

2403

Brian Stretch @brianstretch.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

Encouraging that four of the five Redstarts seen on North Hill #MalvernHills this morning were juveniles, including this one in Chat Valley. Also decent numbers of young Stonechats, a few Willow Warblers still singing and a Marsh Tit on the wooded east side. #WorcsBirds

1210

Brian Stretch @brianstretch.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

Male Canary Islands Chaffinch of the subspecies 'F. c. palmae' photographed a few days ago. Endemic to the island of La Palma, its plumage is the bluest of the four subspecies found on the Canaries and other than the peach face and breast is similar to Gran Canaria Blue Chaffinch. #BirdsSeenIn2026

0142

Brian Stretch @brianstretch.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

Social media is awash with pictures of Western Reef Heron and rightly so given the first for Britain is currently residing in Wales. And being a dark-morph it's a real stunner! So here is a more subtle looking white-morph photographed in Gujarat, India in February for comparison. #BirdsSeenIn2026

0202

Brian Stretch @brianstretch.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

Great Egret, Little Egret and Grey Heron at Powick Wetland this morning. The fish don't stand a chance! #WorcsBirds

0160

Brian Stretch @brianstretch.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

Stonechats have been in short supply on the northern #MalvernHills so far this spring so it was encouraging to see this recently fledged juvenile on North Hill yesterday. #WorcsBirds

0240

Brian Stretch @brianstretch.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

A couple of Sanderling at Clifton Pits early this morning was a nice surprise. This was the brighter individual - a real stunner! #WorcsBirds #WaderWednesday

0300

Brian Stretch @brianstretch.bsky.social · 03/05/2026

My second Woodlark of the spring on the #MalvernHills was the highlight early this morning as it flew east calling while a male Wheatear was near the summit of Worcestershire Beacon. Thankfully, yesterday's fire in Happy Valley didn't spread too far. #WorcsBirds

1250

Brian Stretch @brianstretch.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

At least two Ring Ouzels still lingering on North Hill #MalvernHills this morning, plus Yellow Wagtail north, 3 Redstarts, Tree Pipit, Red Kite over and my first Green Hairstreak of the year. #WorcsBirds

0190

Brian Stretch @brianstretch.bsky.social · 25/04/2026

Good to see a fresh arrival of Ring Ouzels on the #MalvernHills this morning. A male and three females on North Hill along with a female Wheatear. #WorcsBirds #UKBirding

1240

Brian Stretch @brianstretch.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

Two male Wheatears were on the #MalvernHills on North Hill this morning and a singing Tree Pipit in North Valley. A couple of Common Redstarts in Happy Valley along with plenty of Willow Warblers in song while a Yellow Wagtail flew north calling over Worcestershire Beacon. #WorcsBirds

0230

Brian Stretch @brianstretch.bsky.social · 06/04/2026

A Wheatear at Broadway Hill late afternoon and plenty of Red Kites enjoying the fine spring weather. #WorcsBirds

0170

Brian Stretch @brianstretch.bsky.social · 05/04/2026

An interesting immature female aythya at Dudmaston Estate NT on the Big Pool #Shropshire this afternoon. Superficially resembling a Greater Scaup its overall bulk and size seems to be lacking for this species as well as the possibly suspect bill pattern 🤔 #ShropshireBirding

2141

Brian Stretch @brianstretch.bsky.social · 05/04/2026

One of the highlights of #birding in Gujarat earlier this year was finally catching up with Indian Skimmer, a species missed on previous visits. This group were photographed near Jamnagar, an important wintering site for these endangered birds. #BirdsSeenIn2026 #India

0182

Brian Stretch @brianstretch.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

Male Ring Ouzel on the #MalvernHills favouring the SW side of North Hill early morning. Also a couple of Willow Warblers were singing in Happy Valley but the most unusual sighting was a Yellowhammer that flew low north over Table Hill. #WorcsBirds

0240

Brian Stretch @brianstretch.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

Firmly grounded in #Gujarat, #India earlier this year. Clockwise from left; Grey Francolin - common & widespread resident. Common Quail - widespread winter visitor. Barred Buttonquail - widespread resident but often difficult to see well; this bird pretended otherwise. #BirdsSeenIn2026

042

Brian Stretch @brianstretch.bsky.social · 30/03/2026

This female Black Redstart on the #MalvernHills at End Hill towards the lower end of North Valley was the highlight during a perishingly cold few hours. A female Wheatear around the summit of Worcestershire Beacon early morning was the best of the rest. #WorcsBirds

0260

Brian Stretch @brianstretch.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

From North America via Cornwall, the long-staying pair of Lesser Scaup still at Clifton main pit late afternoon. #WorcsBirds

0120

Brian Stretch @brianstretch.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

Good to see Ring Ouzel numbers slowly increasing on the Malvern Hills early this morning. Three males present; two from Monday including the ringed bird have been joined by a younger male with a partial albino head. Also Wheatear still on North Hill & 2 Crossbills over Sugarloaf Hill. #WorcsBirds

Male Ring Ouzel bearing a metal ring on its left leg.

Sub-adult male Ring Ouzel with partial albino head.

Male Ring Ouzel - the un-ringed individual.

1331

Brian Stretch @brianstretch.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

An early start on the Malvern Hills today was rewarded with a migrating Woodlark on North Hill and thankfully it paused briefly for a picture. The first record for the hills since 2010. Other highlights included the lingering male Black Redstart, 2 male Ring Ouzels and 2 Wheatear. #WorcsBirds

0330

Brian Stretch @brianstretch.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

The Indian state of Gujarat is home to a good variety of larks. Here are four of them; clockwise from top left - Tawny, Rufous-tailed (both endemic to the Indian Subcontinent), Crested and Sand. #BirdsSeenIn2026 #India

0142

Brian Stretch @brianstretch.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

Three 'blue' kingfishers seen in north-east India last month. The localised Blue-eared, the rare and elusive Blyth's and the familiar Common. #BirdsSeenIn2026 #India

0103

Brian Stretch @brianstretch.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

Austen's Brown Hornbills at Namdapha NP, Arunachal Pradesh last month. This was my 8th and final hornbill species for #India. There is a ninth, an endemic of Narcondam Island, but this remains off limits to non-Indian nationals. #BirdsSeenIn2026

0112

Brian Stretch @brianstretch.bsky.social · 09/03/2026

Great Egret at Powick Wetland this morning. Only my second record at this site - the first (3 birds together) being almost two years ago. #WorcsBirds

0150

Brian Stretch @brianstretch.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

Red-necked Grebe at Rushden Lakes on Delta Pit this morning. It's been a few years since I saw one of these and in fact drove past a nearby Lesser Scaup to see it - how times change! #Northantsbirds @mikealibone.bsky.social

0100

Brian Stretch @brianstretch.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

This Common Greenshank that I photographed at Sachana Beach, Jamnagar, #Gujarat last month was originally ringed just down the road at Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary on 23rd February 2020 per Bombay Natural History Society. #WaderWednesday #IndiAves #BirdsSeenIn2026 #India @waderquest.bsky.social

0192