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Brian Small @cach22.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Nailed it! Beautiful views of the juvenile Red-footed Falcon that has taken up residence by the Norfolk Hawker wall in Lowestoft #suffolkbirding #ukbirding

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Brian Small @cach22.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

White-rumped Sand still on Benacre Broad this morning, but no closer than yesterday. Poor phone-scoped video, just before sun came up and shimmer ruined it all...

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Reposted by Brian Small

Rob Wilton @lowestoftlizards.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

I was really pleased to see the White-rumped Sandpiper at Benacre Broad, thanks to @cach22.bsky.social Whilst it was never close the light and lack of shimmer allowed reasonable views. Plus it was great to 'get my eye in,' with the species again.

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Brian Small @cach22.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

A fine juv/1w Caspian Gull at Walberswick has become outrageously tame; in the late afternoon when the 'crabbers' are throwing away their bait it shows to a few metres. These pix are on full-frame without cropping #ukbirding #suffolkbirding

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Brian Small @cach22.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

With the cat out the bag, today I saw a minimum of 10 Zitting Cisticolas near Walberswick - there is almost certainly more. A single male paired with 2 females, one of which 2nd brooded; 1st autumn birds are spreading south, but can be seen from the beach. Please don't enter the fenced-off area

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Brian Small @cach22.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

Another new juv cach for Southwold harbour this afternoon. At times it looked like it was on stilts...

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Brian Small @cach22.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

The juvenile Caspian Gull 'fix' is also underway, with my 3rd of the autumn at Southwold Harbour this afternoon - I am hoping for more and closer views soon... #ukbirding #suffolkbirding

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Brian Small @cach22.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

This afternoon I was able to enjoy my annual juvenile limosa 'fix' with 3 from west hide at Minsmere - one colour-ringed. Such superb birds #ukbirding #suffolkbirding

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Reposted by Brian Small

Paul Selby @selbypaul.bsky.social · 11/07/2026

Yesterday we completed the @mariposanature.bsky.social Butterflies of the French Alps trip, adding Silky Ringlet, extending the record species count to 151. I'm leading the trip in 2027 & there's just 8 spaces left. If you're interested you can book here www.mariposanature.com/tours/butter...

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Paul Selby @selbypaul.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Dusky Grizzled Skipper! Species 150 on Day 7 of the @mariposanature.bsky.social French Alps holiday. With one day left, that's 13 more species than any 8 day trip, anywhere in Europe, ever, by any wildlife holiday company. Proud to be part of the amazing Mariposa team! 🦋

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Brian Small @cach22.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

Such is the brilliance of butterflies on the @mariposanature.bsky.social French Alps tour, that yesterday we reached 150 spp for the week! Esper's Marbled White, Ripart's Anomalous Blue, Hermit, Lesser Purple Emperor, and more... @selbypaul.bsky.social

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Brian Small @cach22.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

Words hardly convey how brilliant the butterflies on the @mariposanature.bsky.social French Alps tour were yesterday: 100s of fritillaries - inc. Cynthia's, Mountain, Shepherd's, Niobe; Alpine Blue, ringlets, skippers, etc. You had to almost force yourself to look up at the spectacular scenery

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Brian Small @cach22.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

Having seen a stunning 93 species the day before, yesterday on the Mariposa Butterflies of French Alps tour proved equally amazing. Titania's Fritillary, Silvery Argus, Eros Blue and last but not least Small Apollo, largely thanks to Paul Selby's brilliant knowledge @mariposanature.bsky.social

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Brian Small @cach22.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

The first 2 days co-guiding with Paul Selby the Mariposa Butterflies of the French Alps have already been amazing: Foulquier's Grizzled Skipper and several Balkan Fritillary, plus oodles of others. Totally stunning landscape and a few birds thrown in - Rock Thrush today @mariposanature.bsky.social

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Brian Small @cach22.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

Just arrived home after a late morning appointment and news of the Hudsonian Godwit at Minsmere broke. Managed to see it on west scrape before it flew to south - the first time we saw the underwing... 2 limosa Black-taileds too #ukbirding #suffolkbirding

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Brian Small @cach22.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

Six limosa Black-tailed Godwits at Minsmere yesterday, but they never came close for nice photos. A selection here; a couple 'beasts' plus a small nicely barred and white-browed bird #ukbirding #suffolkbirding

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Brian Small @cach22.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

The landscapes of Tarbet and Handa change rapidly with the weather, but always spectacular

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Reposted by Brian Small

Mariposa Nature Tours @mariposanature.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

Tour update 🚨 Next year's Fabulous Fuerteventura took some more bookings today, meaning it's already over half-full. It's a wonderful destination with special butterflies and birds, and led by the popular, dynamic duo of Dave Fairhurst & @cach22.bsky.social. www.mariposanature.com/tours/wildli...

Greenish Black Tip (Euchloe charlonia) © Chris Lodge

Houbara Bustard (Chlamydotis undulata fuertaventurae) © Chris Lodge

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Brian Small @cach22.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

I was surprised the Lesser Yellowlegs at Aldeburgh stuck around long enough for me to go and see it this morning; lovely light and I had it all to myself, plus a little bit of bonus singing when antagonised by a Redshank #ukbirding #suffolkbirding

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Brian Small @cach22.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

A royal day out...! Greenland Wheatear taking the coastal path on its way northwest. Most of the late April wheatears we get are likely to be leucorhoa and the length of the wing on this one - almost reaching tail tip - suggests a long-distance migrant #ukbirding #suffolkbirding

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Brian Small @cach22.bsky.social · 25/04/2026

A nice surprise along the beach south of Walberswick this morning: a Wryneck singing three times from a bramble. I am not sure I have ever heard one sing in the UK... #ukbirding #suffolkbirding

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Brian Small @cach22.bsky.social · 24/04/2026

Finally some photos edited from an amazing @mariposanature.bsky.social trip to Provence & Camargue with David Fairhurst. So many highlights: 1000s of Ruff and Wood Sands, Calandra Lark, Lesser Kestrel, Bonelli's Eagle, but also Crested Tit and Firecrest. Spaces available for next year (see reply)

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Mariposa Nature Tours @mariposanature.bsky.social · 13/04/2026

Postcard from the field, from tour leaders Dave Fairhurst & Brian Small in southern France: Our A Spring in Provence tour is under way, and we've spent a wonderful day in the wetlands of the Camargue, with masses of birds on show. More birds, butterflies, wildflowers to follow in the coming days...

Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus), A Spring in Provence © Brian Small

Ashy-headed Wagtail (Motacilla flava cinereocapilla), A Spring in Provence © Brian Small

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Brian Small @cach22.bsky.social · 22/03/2026

Zitting Cisticola at Walberswick showed 6 times in 70 minutes this morning viewing from beach; please do not walk out into marsh along raised bank (like this person), there is no guarantee you will see it (like this person)... #ukbirding #suffolkbirding

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Brian Small @cach22.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

The highlight of a @naturetrek.bsky.social weekend in Suffolk was this juv White-tailed Eagle that appeared over the group at Minsmere sluice - the 10 Adders were pushed to a close second. Ringed on both legs, but where as it is not a tracked IOW bird apparently...#ukbirding #suffolkbirding

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Brian Small @cach22.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

This bean goose at Reydon Marshes confused me. Eventually I identified it as Tundra, however I put several photos through AI and the response was: 50% bean goose sp.; 25% Taiga; 25% Tundra. So not just me that was confused...

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Brian Small @cach22.bsky.social · 07/02/2026

The Hume's Warbler at Flycatcher Alley, Lowestoft was very mobile this morning, but showed well at times. Quite washed out khaki in colour compared to autumn, but with a brown wash across breast typical of winter birds

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Brian Small @cach22.bsky.social · 17/01/2026

Another 3 hours at Walberswick this morning eventually produced some nice looks at at least 4 Zitting Cisticola - thanks to @jakegearty.bsky.social and his hearing #ukbirding #suffolkbirding

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Brian Small @cach22.bsky.social · 13/01/2026

Finally, closer photos of the hybrid goose on Southwold town marshes that has been regularly put out as 'Ridgway's Cackling Goose'. Happy to read comments from others. The grass on bill gives an impression of a narrow white forehead

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Brian Small @cach22.bsky.social · 10/01/2026

Another morning enjoying birding on my local patch produced my first looks at Dartford Warbler this year - a nice male that popped out the heather and sang, though my attention was drawn away by a pair of Crossbill #ukbirding #suffolkbirding

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Brian Small @cach22.bsky.social · 03/01/2026

Finding a confiding first-winter Twite on Reydon Marshes yesterday, just 2 km from home, was pleasing and at an area where large numbers used to winter in Suffolk - I have old video of a flock of over 80. Nowadays, birders twitch them in Suffolk... #ukbirding #suffolkbirding

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Brian Small @cach22.bsky.social · 17/12/2025

Three Suffolk Shrikes - I have a signed, limited edition giclee print of a painting of the 3 rare shrikes in Suffolk this autumn (Isabelline, Turkestan and Brown). Just 50 available and only £50 window mounted (add £12 for P&P): PM me if interested and please repost, thanks

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Brian Small @cach22.bsky.social · 15/12/2025

Three Zitting Cisticola were active at weekend with 2 birds (males?) chasing each other about. Both pictured here, one with a lost second tertial on right wing #ukbirding #suffolkbirding

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Brian Small @cach22.bsky.social · 30/11/2025

I am grateful to Dan at Sunday Times magazine for choosing me to illustrate Mr Clarkson's piece on his farmland birds. We certainly do need to do more to protect them... #ukbirding

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Brian Small @cach22.bsky.social · 28/11/2025

At least one Zitting Cisticola still about south of Walberswick - no others seen in a couple of hours. Silent and elusive but now fully moulted at least and plumage looking quite dark and richly hued #ukbirding #suffolkbirding

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Brian Small @cach22.bsky.social · 22/11/2025

Hume's Warbler in Southwold churchyard brought up 220 for my patch this year, then almost immediately went to 221 with a Richard's Pipit that flew south calling - a scarce bird nowadays #ukbirding #suffolkbirding

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Brian Small @cach22.bsky.social · 09/11/2025

Boom! All the 'red-tailed shrikes' done in Suffolk this year with Isabelline Shrike at N Warren this afternoon. Made sweeter as it is a grip back for me too, having missed the previous birds. No matter what anyone says to me, I can't see such pale birds not being isabellinus

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Brian Small @cach22.bsky.social · 02/11/2025

An early walk at Walberswick in the sun before the rain this morning gave another burst of views of the Zitting Cisticolas. If trying for them please do not traipse across the marshes and view from the banks #ukbirding #suffolkbirding

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Brian Small @cach22.bsky.social · 30/10/2025

3 Zitting Cisticola showed distantly at Walberswick this morning (poss 4); at least 2 in moult - record shots only

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Brian Small @cach22.bsky.social · 22/10/2025

Brown Shrike, Upper Hollesley Common this afternoon. My fourth new bird for Suffolk this year - all since May: Bridled Tern, Zitting Cisticola, Turkestan Shrike and now this. Unfortunately, it kept its distance from me

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Brian Small @cach22.bsky.social · 11/10/2025

A surprisingly glorious day on the Suffolk coast for my @naturetrek.bsky.social day walk ended with ace views of the Turkestan Shrike on Dunwich Heath #ukbirding

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Brian Small @cach22.bsky.social · 08/10/2025

Lapland Bunting, Dunwich yesterday. A scarce migrant through Suffolk (rarely over winters), Lapland Bunting numbers have varied from 6-21 (av. 11) in the county over the past 10 years and is now hard to connect with, so it was nice to find this #ukbirding #suffolkbirding

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Brian Small @cach22.bsky.social · 05/10/2025

Turkestan Shrike at Dunwich Heath this afternoon; a real stunner #ukbirding #suffolkbirding

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Brian Small @cach22.bsky.social · 04/10/2025

Some better views and photos of the male Turkestan Shrike on Dunwich Heath this morning. Windy conditions not helpful #ukbirding #suffolkbirding

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Brian Small @cach22.bsky.social · 02/10/2025

Turkestan Shrike - ad male, Dunwich Heath this afternoon. An excellent bird and find; photos in gloomy light not the best and was a little elusive early evening #ukbirding #suffolkbirding

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Brian Small @cach22.bsky.social · 20/09/2025

A handful of very poor pix that show the juv Sabine's Gull at Benacre Boad this morning - my 210th species on patch this year #ukbirding #suffolkbirding

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Brian Small @cach22.bsky.social · 04/09/2025

Benacre Broad has been very good recently and this morning, as well as 19 species of wader, @david-walsh.bsky.social picked up a 2cy male Hen Harrier that eventually flew over our heads. Missing an inner 'finger' #ukbirding #suffolkbirding

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Brian Small @cach22.bsky.social · 29/08/2025

On my first visit to Easton Bavents for a while a juv/1cy Red-backed Shrike was a nice find and a good way to bring up 200 species on my patch for the year. Always a little distant for photos...

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Brian Small @cach22.bsky.social · 27/08/2025

It has been a while since I saw my last UK Barred Warbler - Southwold 2019 - so it was great to get such good views of the 1cy at Kessingland this afternoon #ukbirding #suffolkbirding

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Brian Small @cach22.bsky.social · 21/08/2025

An educational variety of Dunlin at Aldeburgh yesterday included a couple of juvenile arctica and a worn adult alpina-type #ukbirding #suffolkbirding

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