iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Craig Holden @craigholden.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

@simongillings.bsky.social could you please give me a follow. Got a small favour to ask, if possible

Craig Holden @craigholden.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Took a very late lunch in order to check out the high tide roost down the patch. 110 Black-tailed Godwit, 45 Golden Plover and singles of Greenshank and Whimbrel were the best. Also had my first Wheatear of the autumn along the river wall #SuffolkBirding

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Craig Holden @craigholden.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Cleared 2 empty glass bottles and a can of beer from the river wall down on patch, as well as some cigarette butts. The stupidity and recklessness of some people just isn't surprising anymore

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Craig Holden @craigholden.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

Some wader variety on this evening's visit to the patch. Highlight was a calling Wood Sandpiper as it flew overhead (which I find difficult to imagine being the same bird from last week), 5 Greenshank that circled before heading off loudly, 3 Whimbrel, 4 Golden Plover and 14 Dunlin #SuffolkBirding

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Craig Holden @craigholden.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

Managed to see the 2 Black Storks circling over Kingsfleet late afternoon, viewed distantly from the house boats, courtesy of @markpio.bsky.social. Great addition to the patch list #SuffolkBirding

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Craig Holden @craigholden.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

Unfortunately, no sign of the White-rumped Sandpiper in the high tide roost at lunchtime. Dunlin group has seemingly halved. However, a smart Wood Sandpiper was a lovely consolation; a scarce bird on patch #SuffolkBirding

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Craig Holden @craigholden.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

Found a White-rumped Sandpiper on the patch this evening, associating with a small group of Dunlin. Patch tick and self-found tick rolled into one #SuffolkBirding

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Craig Holden @craigholden.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Couple of Glossy Ibis seen in flight over Ramsholt flood this evening, viewed from Falkenham Creek. Although I've seen them elsewhere on the Deben over the years, this was a long overdue tick for the section I call my patch #SuffolkBirding

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Craig Holden @craigholden.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

Hudsonian Godwit is one of my favourite waders, so it was great to finally catch up with it at Cattawade earlier this evening. Especially after missing it at Minsmere the other week due to my own making #SuffolkBirding

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Craig Holden @craigholden.bsky.social · 09/05/2026

Brief visit to the patch this evening. Spoonbill was on the saltings, sharing them with a Whimbrel and couple of Barwit. A flyover Yellow Wagtail and a nice Cuckoo completed the main interest #SuffolkBirding

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Craig Holden @craigholden.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

Short wander around the patch this evening produced the hoped for Whimbrel (first of the year), plus a bonus pair of Spoonbill on the saltings. No camera with me unfortunately, so the phone had to do #SuffolkBirding

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Craig Holden @craigholden.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

It's that time of year again when waders are passing through the patch looking beautiful. A smart Bar-tailed Godwit and Knot were amongst the Dunlin, as well as a single Golden Plover. All mostly in their summer finery #SuffolkBirding

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Craig Holden @craigholden.bsky.social · 13/04/2026

Paid the patch another visit after work, this time walking to Kingsfleet. Short-eared Owl over the golf course and Great White Egret over Kingsfleet were the highlights #SuffolkBirding

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Craig Holden @craigholden.bsky.social · 13/04/2026

Really enjoyable pre-work walk around the patch this morning. Decent numbers of Sedge Warblers are now in, plus a few Whitethroat. Also singles of both Lesser Whitethroat and Willow Warbler, plus 3 Wheatear and a White Wagtail on the beach. 4 Barnacle Geese flew north first thing #SuffolkBirding

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Craig Holden @craigholden.bsky.social · 04/04/2026

Pleasant few hours on patch this morning, once again around Falkenham Creek. Highlights were my first Sedge Warbler of the year and a flyover Raven. Latter being my first on patch for nearly 3 years #SuffolkBirding

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Craig Holden @craigholden.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

Brief walk after work along the beach at the patch. A couple of smart Wheatear were my reward. First of the year for me #SuffolkBirding

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Craig Holden @craigholden.bsky.social · 29/03/2026

Spent a few hours early morning out on patch, focusing around Falkenham Creek. 4 Pochard were an overdue patch tick. Always assumed I'd get them on a seawatch rather than swimming around in a dyke. 70+ Black-tailed Godwit were beginning to look really smart #SuffolkBirding

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Craig Holden @craigholden.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

The female Black Redstart from last week on the patch has been joined by a male the last couple of days. It even had a bit of a sing this morning #SuffolkBirding

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Craig Holden @craigholden.bsky.social · 21/03/2026

Glorious early morning walk around the Ferry, with plenty of birds in full song - a sure sign that spring is here. A booming Bittern was my first of the year #SuffolkBirding

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Craig Holden @craigholden.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

Spent an hour or so after work on the patch at Felixstowe Ferry, primarily around the golf course. Black Redstart was a nice bonus, and hopefully a little indicator of the migrants to come over spring #SuffolkBirding

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Craig Holden @craigholden.bsky.social · 17/02/2026

Enjoyable full day out on patch resulted in a number of year ticks. Whooper Swan still just upriver of Falkenham Creek, Red Kite over Ramsholt and Parakeet at the Ferry the most noteworthy, although the group of 15 Gadwall flying upriver from Falkenham is a good count for here #SuffolkBirding

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Craig Holden @craigholden.bsky.social · 19/01/2026

Fantastic show of the Northern Lights from our Felixstowe garden tonight #aurora

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Craig Holden @craigholden.bsky.social · 04/01/2026

Nice start to the new year on the patch with a couple of Tundra Bean Geese and a lone White-front on Falkenham Marshes earlier this morning #SuffolkBirding

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Craig Holden @craigholden.bsky.social · 02/01/2026

My Swarovski STS 65 HD scope, with 20-60 zoom is available, although lens caps missing. Comes with stay-on case (front lost its lower clip). Tripod available. Know any local young birders who may like it? - free of charge @landguardbo.bsky.social @landguardbirder.bsky.social @david-walsh.bsky.social

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Craig Holden @craigholden.bsky.social · 05/12/2025

The local patch Yellow-browed Warbler was showing and calling well late morning. Wonder whether it will linger until the new year!? #SuffolkBirding

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Craig Holden @craigholden.bsky.social · 30/11/2025

Nice surprise this morning when a gorgeous Pallas's Warbler was found on the patch by Paul Holmes. Wonderful views were had in the small copse at the start of the Tomline Wall, mixed in with the Goldcrests and Long-tailed Tits ##SuffolkBirding

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Craig Holden @craigholden.bsky.social · 26/11/2025

Gave the patch Yellow-browed Warbler another go today, hoping to finally get a photo. Bird showed very well eventually, although very rarely without a branch cutting across it! Hopefully will get better opportunities another time. Nice to hear it calling regularly as well #SuffolkBirding

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Craig Holden @craigholden.bsky.social · 27/10/2025

Been off work for 2.5 months due to a back injury, but for the latter part of that time I was about to enjoy some garden vis-mig. Always kept a garden list, but it is amazing what goes over when you can invest the time. Some lovely movements of Mipits and Thrushes in particular #SuffolkBirding

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Craig Holden @craigholden.bsky.social · 09/08/2025

Went back for seconds of the Zitting Cisticola early morning and was rewarded with some lovely perched views and multiple song flights #SuffolkBirding

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Craig Holden @craigholden.bsky.social · 07/08/2025

Most unexpected #NocMig recording over the garden at 02:00hr this morning (7.8.25) in the form of Night Heron ##SuffolkBirding

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Craig Holden @craigholden.bsky.social · 03/08/2025

Zitting Cisticola was a very welcome and unexpected county tick today. Dodgy back just about survived the experience 🤣 #SuffolkBirding

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Craig Holden @craigholden.bsky.social · 29/07/2025

Ventured the other side of the river to see the Black Stork at Boyton yesterday evening. Great bird and nice to meet up with some familiar faces #SuffolkBirding

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Craig Holden @craigholden.bsky.social · 15/06/2025

Another fantastic trip down to Kent on Friday for more orchids. Masses of plants seen, with highlights being Musk, Lizard and Late Spider. But the sheer number of the commoner species was a joy to see #ukorchids

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Craig Holden @craigholden.bsky.social · 29/05/2025

Nothing beats a midweek day off work. Visited Knocking Hoe with @scottmayson.bsky.social yesterday for the Burnt-tips, and they didn't disappoint. Also decent numbers of White Helleborine in a nearby wood #orchids

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Craig Holden @craigholden.bsky.social · 19/05/2025

This was then followed by a trip to west Suffolk for Military Orchid, and east Cambridgeshire for Frog Orchid (thanks @cycle4nature.bsky.social) The latter site was also alive with Common Blue Butterflies #orchids

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Craig Holden @craigholden.bsky.social · 19/05/2025

Had a fantastic trip to Kent on Saturday with @scottmayson.bsky.social orchid hunting. Some of the highlights included Monkey, Man, Lady and Fly, with multiples of all noted. Throw in the Duke of Burgundy and Adonis Blue, and a great day was had #orchids

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Craig Holden @craigholden.bsky.social · 06/05/2025

Spent a lovely couple of hours around a Suffolk meadow yesterday where there must have been 1000+ Green-winged Orchid, including a fair few white varieties #Orchids

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Craig Holden @craigholden.bsky.social · 30/04/2025

Great addition to my #NocMig garden list here in Felixstowe with a Stone Curlew going over in the early hours this morning! #SuffolkBirding

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Craig Holden @craigholden.bsky.social · 26/04/2025

Fantastic visit to the Kent coast yesterday, where we saw good numbers of our main target - Early Spider-orchid. Also around the reserve we encountered female Ring Ouzel, male Black Redstart and both Wall Brown and Dingy Skipper #ukorchids

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Craig Holden @craigholden.bsky.social · 22/04/2025

Do love this time of year when waders are passing through my patch in all their finery. 6 Bar-tailed Godwit were looking absolutely stunning, and a high percentage of the Dunlin flock are now sporting summer plumage. Also 3 Whimbrel were present briefly this evening #SuffolkBirding

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Craig Holden @craigholden.bsky.social · 20/04/2025

Spent a lovely few hours at a site in Suffolk yesterday afternoon. Both Green-winged and Early-purple Orchids were in flower in their hundreds. Some more advanced than others

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Craig Holden @craigholden.bsky.social · 12/04/2025

A few bits and pieces around the patch today, including 2 Whimbrel, Swallow, 2 White Wag, Sedge Warblers, and a booming Bittern #SuffolkBirding

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Craig Holden @craigholden.bsky.social · 06/04/2025

@ukorchids.bsky.social would there be any chance of a follow back please? There is something I would like to clarify via DM. Many thanks in advance

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Craig Holden @craigholden.bsky.social · 25/03/2025

NocMig recordings picking up these last few nights. Last night quite a bit of duck movement was in evidence, with small groups of Teal, Wigeon and, best of all, Common Scoter passing over #SuffolkBirding

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Craig Holden @craigholden.bsky.social · 08/03/2025

Not too much to report out on patch this morning. Common Scoter is still present in the ditch - been over a week now #SuffolkBirding

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Craig Holden @craigholden.bsky.social · 05/03/2025

After work dash to the patch. 1st year Common Scoter still present in its ditch, with single Barn Owl and 2 Little Owl also seen #SuffolkBirding

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Craig Holden @craigholden.bsky.social · 28/02/2025

Managed to squeeze in a few hours on patch today. Highlights were a 1st year Common Scoter in the ditch approaching Kingsfleet, 3 Spoonbill over the river from Falkenham, Parakeet over the Ferry green and 7 Barnacle Geese north offshore. Good numbers of waders too #SuffolkBirding

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Craig Holden @craigholden.bsky.social · 02/02/2025

Little stroll around the patch this morning. 5 Corn Bunting and a lone White-front were the best. Did have a wanderer from the north in the shape of @scottmayson.bsky.social #SuffolkBirding

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Craig Holden @craigholden.bsky.social · 26/01/2025

Spent a wonderful day yesterday on Texel with the Spectacled Eider, which gave superb scope views. Masses of Geese of various species - including a number of Bean - were also enjoyed. A small group of 9 Smew (7 drake) back on the mainland before departing for home was a bonus

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Craig Holden @craigholden.bsky.social · 17/01/2025

Spent a few hours on patch this morning. Highlights were 3 Corn Bunting, SEO, Peregrine and Green Sandpiper around Kingsfleet and the Ferry Saltings. Best, however, was a flock of c45 White-fronted Geese that flew low overhead and towards Trimley ##SuffolkBirding

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