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Chris Gibbs @cgibbs.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

Finally paid a visit to the Long-tailed Shrike yesterday morning. Great to see it perched up in the bramble when we arrived. Got a bit of a soaking in the rain. Photos courtesy of @paulgibbs.bsky.social #birds #ukbirding

1st summer male Long-tailed Shrike perched in a Bramble

1st summer male Long-tailed Shrike in a Bramble looking a bit bedraggled after a few rain showers

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Chris Gibbs @cgibbs.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

Nice lunchtime visit to Stanwick today to see the drake Garganey. Mostly sleeping but did wake up from time to time. #northantsbirds #birds #ukbirding

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Chris Gibbs @cgibbs.bsky.social · 12/04/2026

Back in Northants after a week away. Yesterday at Summer Leys 3 Sandwich Tern, county ✅. Then this morning close views of Whimbrel at Clifford Hill. #northantsbirds #ukbirding #birds

2 Sandwich Tern on island, seen through reeds

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Chris Gibbs @cgibbs.bsky.social · 17/03/2026

Male Wheatear, one of my favourite birds. This one seen at Clifford Hill late morning after missing it earlier on. #northantsbirds

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Chris Gibbs @cgibbs.bsky.social · 28/02/2026

Decided to shelter from the rain at Summer Leys this morning and it paid off! Glossy Ibis and Curlew. But best of all was finding this adult Kittiwake. My first for Northants. #northantsbirds #birds #ukbirding

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Chris Gibbs @cgibbs.bsky.social · 22/02/2026

A great day birding in Northants. 2 Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank and a year tick Cetti's 🫣 at Summer Leys. Then news broke of a Red-necked Grebe at Kinewell Lake, showed well as soon as I arrived. Northants tick number 200! #northantsbirds #ukbirding #birds

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Chris Gibbs @cgibbs.bsky.social · 10/02/2026

I wasn't optimistic about my chances of seeing the Red-throated Diver first thing this morning at Ravensthorpe in the fog. Luckily it popped up only a couple of meters off the dam and was showing well. County tick 199 for me. #northantsbirds #birds #ukbirding

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Chris Gibbs @cgibbs.bsky.social · 07/01/2026

Finally caught up with the Tundra Bean Goose at Stanwick this afternoon. Nice winter sunset as well. County list on 198. #northantsbirds #ukbirding #birds

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Chris Gibbs @cgibbs.bsky.social · 04/01/2026

Great views of Crossbills today at Salcey Forest as they were coming down to ground level to drink. #northantsbirds #ukbirding

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Chris Gibbs @cgibbs.bsky.social · 03/01/2026

First opportunity to get out properly this year, spent the morning at Titchmarsh LNR. American Wigeon drake still and then great views of Scaup and Ring-necked Duck at Town Lake, Thrapston GP. #northantsbirds #birds #ukbirding

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Chris Gibbs @cgibbs.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

Finished the year with 215 for the UK. 179 in Northants for 2025, including 11 county ticks. Highlights include the Lesser Scaup, White-winged Black Tern and the self-found Red-footed Falcon on the patch. Looking forward to seeing what 2026 produces. Happy New year #northantsbirds #birds

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Chris Gibbs @cgibbs.bsky.social · 28/12/2025

2 County tick day after being away over the Christmas break. 8 Corn Bunting at least still near Deanshanger, then the American Wigeon at Titchmarsh. Smew and White-fronted Goose at Clifford Hill as well rounded off the day nicely. #northantsbirds #birds #ukbirding

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Chris Gibbs @cgibbs.bsky.social · 07/12/2025

County tick Black Redstart on a grey and rainy afternoon at Abington. Great find by @tylapwing.bsky.social. #northantsbirds #birds

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Chris Gibbs @cgibbs.bsky.social · 12/11/2025

Went for a second viewing of the Lesser Scaup on Saturday at Rushden. Wasn't expecting to see a bonus redhead Smew on the lake opposite. Seemed to have gone by the next day #northantsbirds #birds #ukbirding

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Chris Gibbs @cgibbs.bsky.social · 29/10/2025

After being away when news broke of the Lesser Scaup this week, I was glad it hung around for me to catch up with it this morning. #northantsbirds #birds #ukbirding

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Chris Gibbs @cgibbs.bsky.social · 30/09/2025

After a recent failed attempt for the Lesser Scaup, I was glad to see the American Golden Plover stuck around for long enough at Clifford Hill GP this afternoon. #northantsbirds #ukbirding

American Golden Plover on waters edge of main lake

American Golden Plover on edge of water on main lake

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Chris Gibbs @cgibbs.bsky.social · 19/05/2025

Just the 9 Wader species this morning at Clifford Hill. Not bad going with Knot, Turnstone, Sanderling and Grey Plover being the highlights. I think Northants has had 15(?) Wader sp. in total today. Who needs North Norfolk 😅 #northantsbirds

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Chris Gibbs @cgibbs.bsky.social · 19/05/2025

White-winged Black Tern yesterday at Summer Leys. A nice UK tick. Great views as it went up and down over the main lake. #Northantsbirds #birds #ukbirding

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Chris Gibbs @cgibbs.bsky.social · 07/05/2025

What a morning at Clifford Hill! Was content with a fly over Whimbrel and heading back home came across this Red-footed Falcon! Lifer on the local patch, absolute gold. #birds #ukbirding #northantsbirds

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Paul Gibbs @paulgibbs.bsky.social · 15/04/2025

Had a fantastic week in Cyprus, which started with the WP mega Lesser Moorhen.

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Paul Gibbs @paulgibbs.bsky.social · 18/04/2025

Ortolan Bunting in Cyprus last week

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Paul Gibbs @paulgibbs.bsky.social · 19/04/2025

Squacco Heron, M1 pools, Cyprus

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Paul Gibbs @paulgibbs.bsky.social · 19/04/2025

Spanish Sparrow collecting nesting material, Paphos, Cyprus. #cyprusbirds

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Chris Gibbs @cgibbs.bsky.social · 20/04/2025

A great day in the county yesterday. Started at Summer Leys with Garden Warbler, Blackwit, 6 Dunlin and Common Sand. Then Clifford Hill with 6 Avocet and a brief Whimbrel drop in before flying off east. #Northantsbirds #birds #ukbirding

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Paul Gibbs @paulgibbs.bsky.social · 20/04/2025

Sardinian Warbler, Asprokremmos Dam, Cyprus.

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Chris Gibbs @cgibbs.bsky.social · 06/03/2025

Good lunch time walk at Clifford Hill today. 1st Little Ringed Plover of the year beating the earliest ever for Northants by a day. 4 Oystercatcher and a Redshank. Plus a Cattle Egret with all the sheep. #Northantsbirds #Ukbirding #birds

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Chris Gibbs @cgibbs.bsky.social · 06/02/2025

Now seen Ring-necked Duck 3 years in a row in Northants. Visit to Thrapston today and seeing my first ever drake. Marsh Harrier present as well. #northantsbirds #birds #ukbirding

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Chris Gibbs @cgibbs.bsky.social · 06/02/2025

After the closest views of Smew the other week, normal service was resumed on Sunday with this drake at Clifford Hill. Still good to find one though. #northantsbirds #birds #ukbirding

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Chris Gibbs @cgibbs.bsky.social · 29/01/2025

Managed a brief stop at Ravensthorpe Reservoir today to see the 2 Smew. Closest views I've ever had. #northantsbirds #ukbirding #birds

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Chris Gibbs @cgibbs.bsky.social · 26/01/2025

Finally added Blackcap to the year list yesterday with a male in the garden. Then at Harrington AF later, views of Barn Owl, Short-eared Owl and Woodcock. #Northantsbirds #ukbirding

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Chris Gibbs @cgibbs.bsky.social · 20/01/2025

First day trip of the year to Eldernell and Old Hunstanton yesterday. Saw the juv Glaucous Gull which is a lifer and my 2000th species! Tundra Bean Goose and good views of the Owls at Eldernell. #ukbirding #birds

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Chris Gibbs @cgibbs.bsky.social · 04/01/2025

Walk round Ravensthorpe Res on the 2nd Jan. Both White-fronted Geese on the water. #Northantsbirds #ukbirding

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Chris Gibbs @cgibbs.bsky.social · 04/01/2025

A good day round the county today. Adult Caspian Gull the highlight at Hollowell #Northantsbirds

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Chris Gibbs @cgibbs.bsky.social · 30/12/2024

Bird of the year has to be this juvenile Harpy Eagle, seen back in August in Peru. #Birds

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Chris Gibbs @cgibbs.bsky.social · 11/12/2024

County tick number 15 for the year with a distant Slavonian Grebe at Hollowell Res. Will it be the last for 2024? #Northantsbirds

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Chris Gibbs @cgibbs.bsky.social · 16/11/2024

Gould's Jewelfront along the Manu Road, Peru. August 2024. 1 of over 30 species of Hummingbird seen on the trip #birds

Gould's Jewelfront facing left, perched on branch.

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Chris Gibbs @cgibbs.bsky.social · 13/11/2024

Andean Cock-of-the-rock from a trip to Peru back in August. #birding #birds

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Paul Gibbs @paulgibbs.bsky.social · 11/11/2024

I got lucky with the Hen Harrier at Earls Barton today as it flew across the path shortly after I arrived. What a fantastic bird! #Northantsbirds

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Chris Gibbs @cgibbs.bsky.social · 10/11/2024

2 Harrier morning at the New workings. Green Sand, the lone Pink foot and 5 Stonechat the best of the rest. #Northantsbirds

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