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Colin Bushell

@colinbushell.bsky.social
567 followers 466 following 327 posts

Birding mainly between Easington and Spurn and Outstrays along the Humber. No lists, just enjoying looking for my own stuff.

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BirdGuides @birdguides.bsky.social · 19h
An international census of wintering Yellow-breasted Buntings was completed across six Asian countries between mid-February and mid-March 2026:
f.mtr.cool
First international census of wintering Yellow-breasted Bunting completed
An census of wintering Yellow-breasted Buntings was conducted across six Asian countries between mid-February and mid-March 2026 and has reported more than 187,000 birds.
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Joe Wynn @joewynnbirds.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
The autumn arrival of yellow-browed warblers is pure magic every year. This season we’ve been on Shetland taking genomic samples from these enigmatic birds, in the hope we can link ’reverse’ migration to underlying genomic factors 🧬🗺️ excited to see what we find!
Yellow-browed warbler in the hand at dusk.Yellow-browed warbler in the hand in front of a van.Yellow-browed warbler in the hand in dull light. Yellow-browed warbler in the hand in front of a grassy verge.
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Colin Bushell @colinbushell.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Fingers crossed for you tomorrow 🤞
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Colin Bushell @colinbushell.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Cheers John. It’s been a good week.
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Colin Bushell @colinbushell.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Beautiful autumn day at Spurn ending with this Lesser Yellowlegs on Beacon Ponds this afternoon #phonescoped
Lesser Yellowlegs (foreground) with Bar-tailed Godwit, Beacon Ponds 3/10/26
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British Birds @britishbirds.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
The Report on Rare Birds in Great Britain in 2025 is available to journal subscribers, or as a single-purchase hard copy from our shop. Packed with fascinating records, fantastic images and the stories behind Britain’s rarest birds. britishbirds.co.uk/journal/volu...
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Colin Bushell @colinbushell.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Cheers Dave. Yes, I dipped on a couple on my Scilly trips in 80’s, so I thought I’d had my chance of a UK one.
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Colin Bushell @colinbushell.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
I just about managed to see my first Redwing of the autumn before this beauty was shown at Spurn this morning. Delighted to see an Eyebrowed Thrush in the UK after a couple of near misses on Scilly many years ago. Thanks to the @spurnbirdobs.bsky.social ringers again.
Eyebrowed Thrush controlled in Church Field, Kilnsea 29/9/26
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Colin Bushell @colinbushell.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Nice Alan Partridge reference 👍
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Colin Bushell @colinbushell.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Side by side with Little Stint 👌
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Aidan G. Kelly @agk10k.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Was lucky to be in Kerry when this gorgeous juv. Least Sand. was found by Elliot Maher this morning. My 4th in Ireland, but first for quite a while.
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Steve Rogers 🟰🟰 @runnelstone.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Short-billed Dowitcher, adult in moult at Drift Res this afternoon (14th Sept). Delighted to find it but will admit that was a difficult id in this plumage. Thanks to Killian Mullarney for confirming id.
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Tate Lloyd @tatelloyd18.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
A brilliant birding week in Glam started with finding a Baird’s sand at Blackpill and continued with seeing White-winged tern in Cardiff bay, Bonaparte’s and Caspian gull at Blackpill (both also self-found!) and several Curlew sand and Little stint. Oh and 38 colour rings read across 7 species!
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Colin Bushell @colinbushell.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Epic stuff! Well done Tate 👍
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Colin Bushell @colinbushell.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
We’re also enjoying a good autumn for Spotted Flycatchers in our Easington garden, this is one of three (along with a single Pied) in the Sycamores last week @bto-gbw.bsky.social
Spotted Flycatcher in our Easington garden last week.
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Colin Bushell @colinbushell.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Pied Flycatcher in our Easington garden this morning in what’s turning out to be a record year for this species at home @bto-gbw.bsky.social A Little Stint, 13 (1 ad’) Curlew Sands at the #Outstrays this afternoon and 2 Leach’s Petrels off Easington boatyard this evening.
Pied Flycatcher in our Easington garden 9/9/26
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Hugh Harrop @hughharrop.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
And then there were two! Watching the long-staying Pallid Harrier at Brow Marsh, Shetland last Thursday and delighted to find a second individual. Both birds put on a brilliant display as they glided around the marsh before going to roost. #BirdingScotland #UKbirding #RareBirdsUK #Birds #UKWildlife
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Colin Bushell @colinbushell.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
Purple Sandpiper, Easington Lagoons 6/9/26Little Stint, Easington Lagoons 6/9/26
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Colin Bushell @colinbushell.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
The juv’ Pectoral Sandpiper showing very nicely on Easington Lagoons this evening with 2 Little Stints and the Purple Sand’ #phonescoped
Pectoral Sandpiper, Easington Lagoons 6/9/26
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Colin Bushell @colinbushell.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Nice double on Beacon Ponds this morning: Black-necked Grebe and Pectoral Sandpiper #phonescoped
Black-necked Grebe, Beacon Ponds 5/9/26Pectoral Sandpiper, Beacon Ponds 5/9/26
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Colin Bushell @colinbushell.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Lovely evening up at Beacon Ponds with the Pec’ making its way onto Easington Lagoons, feeding alongside Purple Sand’ and Little Stint (2 more Little Stints on ponds).
Beacon Ponds 4/9/26Pectoral Sandpiper, Beacon Ponds 4/9/26
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Colin Bushell @colinbushell.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Pec’ Sand’ still showing very nicely indeed south end of Beacon Ponds 17.00hrs #phonescoped @birdguides.bsky.social
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Colin Bushell @colinbushell.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Brilliant, wasn’t it. Came in calling.
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Colin Bushell @colinbushell.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
This juv’ Pectoral Sandpiper was showing very well late morning (alongside the Purple Sand’ at one time) on Beacon Ponds, allowing close views to an appreciative gathering of birders #phonescoped
Pectoral Sandpiper on Beacon Ponds 4/9/26Pectoral Sandpiper on Beacon Ponds 4/9/26Pectoral Sandpiper on Beacon Ponds 4/9/26Pectoral Sandpiper on Beacon Ponds 4/9/26
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Colin Bushell @colinbushell.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Garganey was a surprise in the Shoveler flock on the Outstrays at Weeton this morning with 8 Curlew Sand’s and 31 Greenshank of note. 1CY Caspian Gull, Short-eared Owl, 3 Spoonbill, 492 Avocet last night but a smaller selection of waders with late pm high tides #Outstrays @birdguides.bsky.social
The Outstrays from Weeton 4/9/26
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Dan Foy @dfoyliv.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Nothing like a mad dash twitch before an afternoon flight! Bairds Sandpiper showing extremely well at Meols, Wirral. Great find by @seanoh58.bsky.social 👌 #WirralBirding #UKBIRDING #rarebirdsuk
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BirdTrack @birdtrack.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
A spell of easterly winds last week led to the best week for Pied Flycatchers since early September 2024. Some great counts at east coast hotspots, but also lots of reports of birds further west #ukbirding
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Colin Bushell @colinbushell.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
A dozen Curlew Sandpipers, including a bird in almost full summer plumage on the Outstrays this evening. Juv’ Little Stint again and the first duck influx of the autumn with 161 Teal and a handful of Pintail and Shoveler. Merlin and Short-eared Owl over the salt marsh. Clip shows feeding Avocets.
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Colin Bushell @colinbushell.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Great session on the Outstrays this evening with plenty of waders on view from Weeton, including 13 Curlew Sand’s (just 2 adults) and a juv’ Little Stint @pratorum2112.bsky.social
Looking across The Outstrays towards the Humber Estuary 31/8/26
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mickturton.bsky.social @mickturton.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
Chatting at our gate with @colinbushell.bsky.social at c7:30 when the Garden Warb we were watching in the elderberry was joined by, presumably, the Barred Warb from yesterday aft'. Showed on and off all day but only saw it in bits. Prime bit of hedge for them. 2 Turnstone over, a bonus garden ✅
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Dave Foster @pratorum2112.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Evening session at Outstrays (Skeffling) on the incoming tide yesterday. Highlights - 10 Curlew Sand (all juvs), 3+ Spotted Redshank ( ad. and 2+ juvs), 5 Little Gull, 2 Yellow-legs, 50+ Little Terns (44 1cy), Merlin, 3 Spoonbills. Lots of birds!
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Colin Bushell @colinbushell.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
With the wind in the east overnight my morning walk around Spurn was a little disappointing for migrants. So a Wryneck trapped late morning was very welcome indeed, with hopefully more arrivals this afternoon. Thanks once again to the ringers for showing the bird.
Wryneck in the hand, Sykes Field (Spurn) 25/8/26
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Colin Bushell @colinbushell.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Winnie, our Labrador, jumping against the French doors at dusk, alerted us to something going on in the garden. This Buzzard on our old unused bird table, had probably been on the pond when she saw it first. It made its way clumsily onto the hedge, before disappearing next door.
Common Buzzard on unused bird table in our Easington garden 24/8/26Common Buzzard on garden hedge at dusk 24/8/26
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Colin Bushell @colinbushell.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
Huge numbers of birds pushed off the Humber onto the Outstrays this weekend. Highlights include 2+ Spotshanks, 2 Curlew Sands, 2 YLG’s and 29 Greenshank tonight. Photo of the Outstrays at sunset last Friday evening as the tide filled the creeks.
Sunset over the Outstrays 14/8/26 from Skeffling (E. Yorks)
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Colin Bushell @colinbushell.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
And Purple Sand’ not too shabby #phonescoped
Juvenile Purple Sandpiper on Beacon Ponds 15/8/26
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Colin Bushell @colinbushell.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
The White-rumped Sandpiper was showing very nicely on Beacon Ponds again this morning #phonescoped
White-rumped Sandpiper on Beacon Ponds, 15/8/26
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Colin Bushell @colinbushell.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
Wood Warbler in Church Field, Spurn. Great way to start the day @spurnbirdobs.bsky.social
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Colin Bushell @colinbushell.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
🤣👏
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Colin Bushell @colinbushell.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
My first White-rumped Sandpiper was at Benacre in Suffolk, way back in 1978. Like most late autumn UK birds (I saw it on 4/11/78) it was a nice juvenile, but I’ve been fortunate to see many adults since, like this bird on Beacon Ponds this afternoon #phonescoped #spurnbirds
White-rumped Sandpiper feeding at close range on Beacon Ponds near Spurn, 12/8/26
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David Walsh @david-walsh.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
I was told that no-one visits Pak Thale in August. I went there anyway: 22 wader species, many in summer plumage! Highlights Grey-tailed Tattler, Asian Dowitcher, Great Knot (photos) + bonus Milky Stork. Also Terek, Marsh, Broad-billed Sandpipers, Tibetan Sandplover, Long-toed & Red-necked Stints.
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Peter J Morgan @pbo61.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
By chance found photo of Bll Oddie's last Autmnwatch,10th Oct.2008.Where else would he be but at Portland where many 'Goodies' filmed in the quarries & where he found during his visits a Yellow billed Cuckoo in 1979. Enjoyed stories after 1961 at the obs,pulled rank! 4 months older than me.Big Loss.
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Stuart’s birding @stuartsbirding.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
Mum and dad’s Pec from #HOM this morning - class little wader #UKbirding
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Colin Bushell @colinbushell.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
All good thanks Stuart. Be over in December, so hopefully get to look through the Ribble pinks 🤞
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Jim Lawrence @jimlaw.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
This White-rumped Sandpiper, that I encountered this morning, is one of two present at RSPB Snettisham in the past couple of days. #NorfolkBirding
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Colin Bushell @colinbushell.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
Good to see my old patch turning up the goods. Cracking photo Stuart. Say hi to them from me please.
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Colin Bushell @colinbushell.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
Your own wader scrape! So jealous 😉
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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
OTD 40 yrs ago: This 1st for Britain; Red-necked Stint at Blacktoft. What started out as either un-ID’ed, and/or mis-ID’ed was eventually resolved, and seems so easy in hindsight. I remember RGM’s comment: “I went expecting a funny-looking Little Stint and saw a funny looking Robin.” #UKRareBirds
Red-necked Stint Blacktoft 1986

📸 unknown
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Colin Bushell @colinbushell.bsky.social · 26/07/2026
Lovely Buff-breasted Sandpiper found by Little Tern Warden Tate Lloyd early this morning on Beacon Ponds. White-rumped Sand’ still and a Little Stint briefly #phonescoped
Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Beacon Ponds 26/7/26Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Beacon Ponds 26/7/26Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Beacon Ponds 26/7/26White-rumped Sandpiper on Beacon Ponds over a week ago when it was first discovered. Still present today.
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Jack Maynard(he/him) @jhmsparky.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
We had our first nice looks at Western Sandpipers today at Cannon Beach, Oregon. #birding
Western sandpiper on beach Western sandpiper on beach, bill in sandWestern sandpiper on beach legs crossed
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sandwichbirdobs.bsky.social @sandwichbirdobs.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
The first Wood Warbler of autumn ringed this morning.
Wood Warbler in hand
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