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Stu Elsom

@camstu.bsky.social
27 followers 22 following 212 posts

Ecologist. Company Owner. Birder. Tour Leader. Photographer. LFC Supporter. Husband. Good Cook! Ellington, Cambridgeshire. UK

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Stu Elsom @camstu.bsky.social · 12/05/2025
Red-footed Falcons are often very showy and can be real entertainers. This 2CY female at Swaffham Prior Fen certainly entertained the four of us admiring its hunting prowess! @rarebirder.bsky.social
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Stu Elsom @camstu.bsky.social · 02/05/2025
This superb summer-plumaged Spotted Sandpiper at Grafham Water was found by Richard Patient yesterday, 1st May. Exactly 31 years ago to the day the overwintering bird at Fen Drayton was last seen, when it only had about three spots🤣. @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social
Summer plumage Spotted Sandpiper
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Stu Elsom @camstu.bsky.social · 26/02/2025
Excellent start to our adventure across Australasia. Fraser’s Hill produced a cracking selection for us including Streaked Spiderhunter, Black-thighed Falconet and the superb Red-bearded Bee-eater!
Streaked SpiderhunterBlack-thighed FalconetRed-bearded Bee-eater
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Stu Elsom @camstu.bsky.social · 19/07/2024
Excellent day in London for Jill’s birthday present, a cruise along the Thames with Afternoon Tea. Lots of sights and sounds, perfect weather and very tasty tea-time treats made the day! #thamesrivercruise @Jaewoodstar1
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Stu Elsom @camstu.bsky.social · 14/07/2024
An emotional and humbling experience as we visited Dunkerque, Ypres and Passchendaele yesterday. So many young men lost. It was emotional taking Dad & Dave and tracing the steps taken by their grandfathers but so glad we did it! #wewillrememberthem
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Stu Elsom @camstu.bsky.social · 09/07/2024
Brief but good views of the smart adult Rose-coloured Starling in Felixstowe. All thanks to the kind house owner who very kindly let us into his garden! ⁦@RareBirdAlertUK⁩ ⁦@OMSYSTEMcameras⁩
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Stu Elsom @camstu.bsky.social · 28/05/2024
Lucky that my survey this morning took me past Corby on the way back. I dropped into Harry’s Park Wood near Weldon for this very cooperative Wood Warbler
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Stu Elsom @camstu.bsky.social · 04/03/2024
A still day on the Norfolk Coast and the Bearded Tits were giving great views. The lack of wind meant you could actually maintain focus too! @CanonUKandIE @RSPBTitchwell
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Stu Elsom @camstu.bsky.social · 01/02/2024
To our beloved Luna, who we said goodbye to on Saturday just 4 weeks before her 15th Birthday. Thanks for the wonderful memories you've given us. Sleep well little girl. We miss you! 💔
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Stu Elsom @camstu.bsky.social · 31/12/2023
A pretty good year with 43 new birds and a total of just over 900 species. Highlight undoubtedly catching up with the superb Ibisbill on the Kozi River. Happy New Year to all and looking forward to whatever adventures 2024 has in store! @CanonUKandIE @RockjumperTours
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Stu Elsom @camstu.bsky.social · 13/12/2023
Two great birds of the Manila Highlands for our @RockjumperTours group were the range-restricted Scaly-bellied Woodpecker and the superb Rufous-breasted Accentor #canonphotography
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Stu Elsom @camstu.bsky.social · 13/12/2023
Always entertaining, the striking Himalayan Black-lored Tit gave us @RockjumperTours wonderful views! #canonphotography
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Stu Elsom @camstu.bsky.social · 13/12/2023
The forested slopes of Manila Highlands gave us superb views of both Koklass and Cheer Pheasants. @rockjumperbirding
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Stu Elsom @camstu.bsky.social · 13/12/2023
A few days without Wi-Fi so here’s a nice mixed flock from Manila. Black-throated Bushtit, Grey-hooded Warbler, Golden Bush Robin and Speckled Piculet @RockjumperTours
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Stu Elsom @camstu.bsky.social · 06/12/2023
Four stunners from Sattal! @RockjumperTours #canonphotography
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Stu Elsom @camstu.bsky.social · 04/12/2023
First day of the @RockjumperTours tour of Northern India, and we started at Sultanpur Wetland. Over 100 species seen today by the group including the most photogenic, this superb Black-rumped Flameback, and the scarcest, a confiding Brooks’ Leaf Warbler. #canonphotography
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Stu Elsom @camstu.bsky.social · 03/12/2023
Final day of the @RockjumperTours tour and the final endemic of 34 finally secured, the elusive Green-billed Coucal A short while later we were feasting our eyes on a rather super Sri Lanka Bay Owl, a very welcome but unexpected surprise, and a great way to finish our tour.
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Stu Elsom @camstu.bsky.social · 03/12/2023
Four more Sri Lanka endemics from the last two days in Sinharaja Rainforest @RockjumperTours. Sri Lanka Spurfowl, Sri Lanka Frogmouth, Crimson-backed Flameback and the diminutive Serendib Scops Owl.
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Stu Elsom @camstu.bsky.social · 03/12/2023
Moving onto the hot and humid environs of Sinharaja Rainforest for the final leg of our @RockjumperTours Sri Lanka Tour. The first endemic to greet us early morning was the superb Sri Lanka Blue Magpie - a real stunner!
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Stu Elsom @camstu.bsky.social · 03/12/2023
Udawalawe National Park. Brown-backed Needletail and Blyth’s Swift entertained our @RockjumperTours group as did a very brief Jungle Cat, but the most impressive sight of the morning was this superb displaying Indian Peafowl!
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Stu Elsom @camstu.bsky.social · 28/11/2023
Bundala National Park again for the @RockjumperTours group and four very special waders for us to enjoy and admire, Pin-tailed Snipe, Pacific Golden Plover, Indian Thick-knee and Great Thick-knee #canonphotography
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Stu Elsom @camstu.bsky.social · 28/11/2023
We @RockjumperTours have now arrived at Yala National Park. Our full day there yesterday produced over 120 species including Sri Lanka Woodshrike and Black-backed Stork. The Indian Pitta in trackside vegetation was a bit special too though…#canonphotography
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Stu Elsom @camstu.bsky.social · 26/11/2023
Yesterday was monochrome day, today is definitely blue day! Starting with Sri Lanka Whistling Thrush in the highlands, Velvet-fronted Nuthatch and Indian Blue Robin lower down. Enjoy @RockjumperTours
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Stu Elsom @camstu.bsky.social · 25/11/2023
Thrush-tastic day for the @RockjumperTours group with two gorgeous Zoothera’s. Firstly the enigmatic riverside songster, the excellent Spot-winged Thrush. Later at Nuwara Eliya the superb Pied Thrush. More soon!
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Stu Elsom @camstu.bsky.social · 23/11/2023
Day 2 of @RockjumperTours Sri Lanka with shy Chestnut-backed Owlet, Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot, Yellow-browed Bulbul and Brown-capped Babblers seen in the rainforest along the Kelani River, where in 1957 the film Bridge over the River Kwai was filmed.
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Stu Elsom @camstu.bsky.social · 23/11/2023
8 years since my last visit to Sri Lanka. Here are Sri Lanka Lesser Flameback and Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher, Sri Lanka Green Pigeon, and a very confiding Ashy Woodswallow from Anawilundawa Wetland pre-tour. Many thanks to Deepal and the @Birdandwildlifeteam
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Stu Elsom @camstu.bsky.social · 09/11/2023
A nice bonus on my way back from site was this superb juvenile Little Crake at Linford Lakes Nature Reserve on the edge of Milton Keynes. Apparently it had not shown for two hours, so having just walked in to the hide it was clearly my lucky day! @RareBirdAlertUK @01000011S
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Stu Elsom @camstu.bsky.social · 02/10/2023
Fabulous views of the crippling Cape May Warbler at Corrymore, Achill Is. Co Mayo this morning with @dunbar44 @RareBirdAlertUK @OMSYSTEMcameras
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Stu Elsom @camstu.bsky.social · 17/09/2023
A decent selection of passage waders including Little Stint, Ruff, Curlew Sandpiper and Spotted Redshank on show @RSPBMinsmere but it was the four Water Voles giving great views near the visitor centre which stole the show!
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Stu Elsom @camstu.bsky.social · 08/09/2023
Isleham looking good with some nice muddy edges, and graced by two immaculate juvenile Curlew Sandpipers this morning ⁦@CambsBirdClub⁩
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Stu Elsom @camstu.bsky.social · 30/08/2023
Isleham washes looking great this morning with a handful of Avocet, Snipe and both Green and Common Sandpipers. A female Red-crested Pochard also on the east side and a single Swift zooming south ⁦@birdingprof⁩ ⁦@CambsBirdClub⁩
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Stu Elsom @camstu.bsky.social · 22/08/2023
Brilliant day on Sunday with @sbbuckingham, Howard Jolliffe and Rich Bayldon. Seabirds galore and the the icing on the cake, the excellent Red-footed Booby perched atop Bishop Rock lighthouse. Twitching at its best! @RareBirdAlertUK @BlaenavonNature @01000011S @GriffinWildlife
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Stu Elsom @camstu.bsky.social · 16/06/2023
Today our pond received the ultimate seal of approval with this superb male Broad-bodied Chaser holding territory. It’s only a year since we dug the out the pond @silveryk so really very pleased! @BBCSpringwatch
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Stu Elsom @camstu.bsky.social · 13/12/2022
Last few days of the trip spent in Huatulco National Park. This rather splendid Pale-billed Woodpecker put on a good show for us!
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Stu Elsom @camstu.bsky.social · 08/12/2022
Moving south to the coast we’re enjoying a bunting bonanza with Orange-breasted Bunting at Huatulco and now Rose-bellied Bunting at La Ventosa. Absolute crackers!
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Stu Elsom @camstu.bsky.social · 08/12/2022
Always satisfying to see a species that has previously eluded you. In this case multiple times in Arizona, but also in Guatemala and Honduras, but today the jinx was broken. A superb male Olive Warbler gave itself up along the mountain road at San Jose del Pacifico - marvellous!
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Stu Elsom @camstu.bsky.social · 05/12/2022
Now we’ve crossed the Pacific divide and at 2700m are based at the very scenic San Jose del Pacifico. We are into a very different set of species. The first of which was a huge target for us all, the beautiful, hyper-active bundle of energy that is Bumblebee Hummingbird - super!
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Stu Elsom @camstu.bsky.social · 04/12/2022
An hour at Presa Piedra Azul produced over 40 species. Howard and I commented that we’d seen the vast majority in the UK. Lots of wildfowl including Blue-winged and Green-winged Teal, Ruddy Duck and 100’s of Ring-necked Ducks. Many waders included very confiding Least Sandpipers
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Stu Elsom @camstu.bsky.social · 04/12/2022
A morning spent in dry arid habitat at Teotitlan del Valle. Highlights were Grey-breasted and Ladder-backed Woodpeckers, together with great views of Curve-billed Thrasher and Chihuahuan Meadowlark.
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Stu Elsom @camstu.bsky.social · 02/12/2022
Excellent birding up on the forested slopes of Corral del Piedra today. Red Warbler was superb but was always too high up to get pics. Next best, a confiding Collared Towhee, a couple of Golden-browed Warblers and a perched Rivoli’s Hummingbird. Enjoy!
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Stu Elsom @camstu.bsky.social · 01/12/2022
Second full day and a visit to Monte Alban produced lots of good stuff. Common birds up here include Vermillion Flycatcher and Townsend’s Warbler, but the best bird of the day had to be the large and impressive endemic, Boucard’s Wren.
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Stu Elsom @camstu.bsky.social · 30/11/2022
First day of Oaxaca Tour and a visit to the forested slopes high above Oaxaca City. Cracking views of Black-vented Oriole with a few Western Tanagers for company. Later on close views of both Dusky and Green-fronted Hummingbirds.
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Stu Elsom @camstu.bsky.social · 16/11/2022
Wonderful close up view of Lions today @RockjumperTours. Two females and five cubs were very interesting to watch, particularly the interaction of the cubs around the recently killed Buffalo. Also a sleeping Leopard didn’t look at all comfortable on this spindly tree!
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Stu Elsom @camstu.bsky.social · 16/11/2022
Another excellent game drive in Masai Mara @RockjumperTours starting with these. Long-crested Eagle, White-browed Coucal, Grey Crowned Cranes and a superb male Red-headed Weaver, mammals to follow!
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Stu Elsom @camstu.bsky.social · 14/11/2022
One of THE quintessential birds of the Mara @RockjumperTours The quirky but superbly elegant Secretarybird
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Stu Elsom @camstu.bsky.social · 14/11/2022
So many @RockjumperTours highlights on this morning’s early drive across the Mara. Beautifully marked Temminck’s Courser and Yellow-throated Longclaw, together with very close views of Yellow-throated Sandgrouse and a sleeping Lioness.
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Stu Elsom @camstu.bsky.social · 14/11/2022
Welcome guests for breakfast @RockjumperTours in Masai Mara this morning. Purple Grenadier, Village Weaver, Grey-capped Social Weavers, Usambiro Barbet and Kenya Rufous Sparrow - super!
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Stu Elsom @camstu.bsky.social · 12/11/2022
Our time spent in Kakamega forest @RockjumperTours has been fantastic and one of the real highlights of the tour. Crowned Eagle on the nest, Northern Double-collared Sunbird and both Cinnamon-chested and the rare Blue-headed Bee-eaters.
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Stu Elsom @camstu.bsky.social · 05/11/2022
@voiwildlife has a superb waterhole in the grounds, and is obviously appreciated by this family party of African Elephants which gave fabulous views as we had our lunch @RockjumperTours
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Stu Elsom @camstu.bsky.social · 05/11/2022
Moving across country we worked our way @RockjumperTours slowly through Tsavo East to our base at Voi. So many highlights, but these four are a taster. Crested Francolin and Buff-crested Bustard together with Rosy-patched Bush-shrike and a pair of White-bellied Bustards.
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