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

With a brisk north-westerly wind continuing for a second day I was hopeful of finding a Snow Bunting on the #MalvernHills. Et voilà! This beauty was favouring the summit of North Hill. Also my first Bramblings, Redwings, Redpolls & Siskins of the autumn through Happy Valley. #WorcsBirds

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Brian Stretch @brianstretch.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Two Wheatear on North Hill #MalvernHills late this afternoon; the bird present on Sunday remains and has been joined by a paler individual. #WorcsBirds

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Brian Stretch @brianstretch.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Common Waxbill at Olhão, Algarve, #Portugal last month. Native to sub-Saharan Africa there are naturalised populations all around the world including Brazil, Hawaii and Taiwan as well as the Iberian Peninsula. #BirdsSeenin2026

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Brian Stretch @brianstretch.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

The Eurasian Stone-curlew still at Ryall Court Pits, Upton-upon-Severn this morning. Distant views but thanks to the power of a Nikon P1000 and some AI sharpening, the photographic results were better! Also 11 Golden Plover over, Dunlin, Green Sandpiper & Pintail. #WorcsBirds

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Brian Stretch @brianstretch.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

This Wheatear in Chat Valley, North Hill #MalvernHills this morning was a new arrival. #WorcsBirds

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Brian Stretch @brianstretch.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Ring-necked Parakeet at Pitmaston Park, St John's, Worcester this evening. Heard it calling distantly while visiting my parents, so we went around and there it was. Occasionally feeding on holm oak acorns. Still a scarce bird in the city. #WorcsBirds

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Brian Stretch @brianstretch.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Two Cattle Egrets (adult & juvenile) at Powick Wetland briefly this afternoon were my first for the site. Also of note were a pair of Stonechat along the west hedge. #WorcsBirds

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Brian Stretch @brianstretch.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

A single Wheatear remained on North Hill #MalvernHills early this morning. A couple of Swallows and a few House Martins heading south were the only signs of any movement. #WorcsBirds

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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