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Gary Watton @garywatton.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

The Western Reef Heron was feeding well yesterday morning at Caernarfon. Nice to get a mega that shows well giving great views and for a good duration. @birdguides.bsky.social @rarebirder.bsky.social

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Gary Watton @garywatton.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

A close up of the Western Reef Heron at Caernarfon in the harbour in front of the castle. 7th June 2026. This is the first for Britain, well worth the ten hour round trip, up at 4am to see it at around 9am. @birdguides.bsky.social @rarebirdalertuk.bsky.social

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Reposted by Gary Watton

BTO Scotland @btoscotland.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

An amazing find in Perthshire- an adult Robin repeatedly feeding a recently-fledged Dipper! Interspecific feeding is recorded from time-to-time, but it's rare and a phenomenal thing to witness first-hand. Huge thanks to James Clements for reporting it. #BirdingScotland

Adult Robin feeding a fledgling Dipper. Perthshire, 3/6/26

Adult Robin feeding a fledgling Dipper. Perthshire, 3/6/26.
Check out the Dipper's nictitating membrane (over the eye)

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Gary Watton @garywatton.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

Black-headed Wagtail (Motacilla flava feldegg) such a striking form of the Yellow Wagtail. Seen while driving up the Lotzaria Track, Lesvos on 17.05.2026

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Gary Watton @garywatton.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

A distant Roller showing off the eye-catching colours that make them such attractive birds. Meladia Valley, Lesvos 21.05.2026

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Gary Watton @garywatton.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

Black-winged Stilt at Kalloni Salt Pans, Lesvos 23.05.2026 The long legs look so fragile, in this picture half of the legs are underwater.

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Gary Watton @garywatton.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

Woodchat Shrikes were very frequently seen by us all over Lesvos, this one was at Haramida Scrubland 24.05.2026

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Gary Watton @garywatton.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

This isn't a Red-legged Partridge. It is actually a Chukar, recognisable by the solid black bib. RLP has a broken throat collar. Seen crossing the road at Haramida Scrubland in Lesvos. We spotted a few across the island during our ten days there.

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Gary Watton @garywatton.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

Cirl Bunting singing away in Achladeri Forest, Lesvos. 24th May 2026. They were quite common in the pine forests.

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Gary Watton @garywatton.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

Spotted Flycatcher 24th May 2026 at Achladeri Forest, Lesvos. Saw quite a few of these while looking for a Krüper's Nuthatch.

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Gary Watton @garywatton.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

Eastern Bonelli's Warbler at Filia Mast, Lesvos picture taken on 26.05.2026 As it was a hot day I thought I'd seek out some shaded birds to avoid the dreaded heat shimmer that makes photography tricky.

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Gary Watton @garywatton.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

Gull-billed Tern at Minsmere yesterday late morning. Picture taken from the Island Mere Hide where it showed quite well. UK lifer no. 380 for me ✅️😊 @rspbminsmere.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social @rarebirder.bsky.social

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Gary Watton @garywatton.bsky.social · 31/05/2026

Krüper's Nuthatch at Achladeri Forest, Lesvos on Tuesday 26th May. Was so happy to see this after three visits to the forest searching four separate sites.

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Gary Watton @garywatton.bsky.social · 31/05/2026

Short-toed Snake Eagle at Lesvos last week. We saw quite a number of these especially over the western side of the island.

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Gary Watton @garywatton.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

Squacco Heron, one of several seen at Lesvos last week. This one was at Alykes Wetland.

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Gary Watton @garywatton.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

Bee-eater, Alykes Wetland, Lesvos last week. Saw lots during our ten day holiday, such colourful birds.

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Gary Watton @garywatton.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

Lesser Flamingo at Kalloni Salt Pans, Lesvos last week. Only the 4th record for Greece and a first for Lesvos. Stood out as smaller, pinker and dark billed compared to the many Greater Flamingo present.

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Gary Watton @garywatton.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

Scopoli's Shearwater. One of a few following a fishing boat just offshore at Kavaki cliffs, Lesvos last week.

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Gary Watton @garywatton.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

Eastern Subalpine Warbler at Cow Gap, Beachy Head this afternoon. Thanks to @beachybirder.bsky.social for finding it! Legs aching after steep walk uphill back to car! @sussexornitholo.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social @rarebirder.bsky.social

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Gary Watton @garywatton.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

Summer plumage Cattle Egret, one in a breeding colony high in tall bushes surrounded by water. A treat to see. Viewed from a well used public footpath (had to mind the dog poo!) in Sussex.

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Gary Watton @garywatton.bsky.social · 02/05/2026

I'm sure the weather's better where you came from! Lesser Kestrel this afternoon at Goonhilly Downs, Cornwall. @cbwps.org.uk @birdguides.bsky.social @rarebirder.bsky.social

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Gary Watton @garywatton.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

I'll tell you a funny story. I arrived at Landguard at 6.50am today to see a few birders looking into the fenced area. And there was this Tawny Pipit in front of me on the grass before the fenced area! ✅️ no 376 @rarebirder.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social

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Gary Watton @garywatton.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

Another view of the Woodchat Shrike at Pagham on Saturday. For once it left the field side hedgerows and perched by the central scrape catching food around it. @birdguides.bsky.social @rarebirder.bsky.social @selseybirder.bsky.social

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Gary Watton @garywatton.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

A few more pictures of the Basingstoke Hoopoe seen at the weekend. Does anyone know what is the mid air food item? @birdguides.bsky.social @rarebirder.bsky.social

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Gary Watton @garywatton.bsky.social · 19/04/2026

A close up of the confiding Hoopoe at Basingstoke this morning. What a delight to see this stunning bird only 20 mins from home. @birdguides.bsky.social @rarebirder.bsky.social

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Gary Watton @garywatton.bsky.social · 18/04/2026

Woodchat Shrike this afternoon at Pagham Rife. Lovely to see in the sunshine. @birdguides.bsky.social @rarebirder.bsky.social @selseybirder.bsky.social

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Gary Watton @garywatton.bsky.social · 18/04/2026

Here's one of my many photos of the Red-spotted Bluethroat we saw yesterday near Wareham, Dorset. So confiding that it would hop up the path until a few feet away from us. Pre 9am is best time. @birdguides.bsky.social @rarebirder.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @harbourbirds.bsky.social

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Gary Watton @garywatton.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

Forgot to put this one up from our recent Ireland trip. Looking over Tacumshin at all the amazing water birds in front of you it pays to look at the bushes behind you. There was this Merlin only a few yards away watching us! #eireroadtrip

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Gary Watton @garywatton.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

Went to see the American Bittern again last night near Cork. Photo is the best I could come up with as dusk and dawn are really the only times it makes a show. @birdguides.bsky.social @rarebirder.bsky.social #eireroadtrip

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Gary Watton @garywatton.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

I love those red feet on Black Guillemots. Took the opportunity to take some pictures of some close to the pier at Magheraroarty while we were there to see the Harlequin Duck. #eireroadtrip

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Gary Watton @garywatton.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

This morning we visited Magheraroarty in Donegal to see the Harlequin Duck. It was just awesome to see it, the colours were amazing for a first winter drake especially in good light. @birdguides.bsky.social @rarebirder.bsky.social #eireroadtrip

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Gary Watton @garywatton.bsky.social · 05/04/2026

American Coot at Lady's Island, Wexford this morning. Nice to get better pictures in calmer conditions after seeing it in yesterday's storm! #yankbird #eireroadtrip

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Gary Watton @garywatton.bsky.social · 29/03/2026

One of four Stone Curlews we saw today on Salisbury Plain along with a pair of Grey Partridge. The photo might not be pin sharp, that's because it is about keeping a good distance to avoid disturbance. 600 lens with 1.4 TC and heavily cropped. @wiltsbirdclub.bsky.social

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Gary Watton @garywatton.bsky.social · 24/03/2026

Saw a few Firecrests at our local Fleet Pond on Sunday, they were very active and territorial. Difficult to keep the camera on them as they can be so quick. Luckily this one kept going back to the same perch. @hosbirding.bsky.social

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Gary Watton @garywatton.bsky.social · 14/03/2026

Great Grey Shrike today at Pig Bush in the New Forest. Amazing to watch it catch a lizard and fly up to impale it onto a thorn in a small hawthorn tree. Also saw Dartford Warblers and distant Goshawks. @hosbirding.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social @rarebirdalertuk.bsky.social

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Gary Watton @garywatton.bsky.social · 08/03/2026

Forster's Tern at Poole Park after a short wait this morning. Nice to catch up with it again after seeing it three years ago. @birdguides.bsky.social @rarebirder.bsky.social @harbourbirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social

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Gary Watton @garywatton.bsky.social · 01/03/2026

Saw quite a few Firecrests over the weekend in various locations in West Cornwall. Couldn't resist taking a picture of this one at Boscathnoe Res while dipping the Dusky. @cbwps.org.uk

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Gary Watton @garywatton.bsky.social · 01/03/2026

Ring-necked Duck a few days ago at Fleet Pond, Hants. Literally half a mile from home. What a handsome fella, those white markings on his bill really do stand out.

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Gary Watton @garywatton.bsky.social · 01/03/2026

Popped in this morning to see the Lesser Yellowlegs at the back of Tesco at Truro. To say it showed well would be an understatement, such a confiding bird! @birdguides.bsky.social @cbwps.org.uk

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Gary Watton @garywatton.bsky.social · 01/03/2026

Ring-billed Gull this morning seen from Lelant Station on the Hayle estuary at low tide. @birdguides.bsky.social @cbwps.org.uk

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Gary Watton @garywatton.bsky.social · 28/02/2026

Another picture of today's sighting of the 1st winter Ross's Gull at Newlyn Harbour. @birdguides.bsky.social @cbwps.org.uk

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Gary Watton @garywatton.bsky.social · 28/02/2026

Ross's Gull at Newlyn Harbour today with the harbour wall making a nice back drop to make the bird stand out. This first winter gull showed well visiting the harbour a few times today. @birdguides.bsky.social @cbwps.org.uk

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Gary Watton @garywatton.bsky.social · 14/02/2026

Siberian Lesser Whitethroat in the sun today by the bowling green at Seaton, Devon. Also saw a few female / juvenile Black Redstarts. Read Steve Waite's most interesting blog: stevesbirdingblog.blogspot.com/2026/01/the-se… @birdguides.bsky.social @rarebirder.bsky.social @axebirder.bsky.social

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Gary Watton @garywatton.bsky.social · 07/02/2026

The red listed Mistle Thrush was frequently seen when we visited the New Forest yesterday. We even saw small flocks of up to 15 birds often mixing with Fieldfares and Redwings. Usually flighty but this one posed for the camera 😊 #newforest @hosbirding.bsky.social

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Gary Watton @garywatton.bsky.social · 07/02/2026

A Tawny Owl roosting only a few minutes from our doorstep. Lovely to see, had it to ourselves and left it alone after just a couple of minutes with the camera at a respectable distance. #tawnyowl #Berkshire

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Gary Watton @garywatton.bsky.social · 01/02/2026

Two Tundra Bean Goose at Ufton Green, Berkshire this afternoon. Sharing a flooded field with Lapwings, Greylag and Canada Geese. No surprise that they were the most distant. @berksbirdclub.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social @rarebirder.bsky.social

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Gary Watton @garywatton.bsky.social · 01/02/2026

Black Redstart at Green Park Lake, Reading this rainy afternoon. Often flies over to the other side of the lake if a pedestrian walks by so patience is key. @berksbirdclub.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social @rarebirder.bsky.social

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Gary Watton @garywatton.bsky.social · 25/01/2026

Richardson's Cackling Goose at Clifton, Worcs today with a flock of Canada Geese. Apparently unringed and flew in this morning. Nice to see the differences in this picture I took today. @birdguides.bsky.social

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Gary Watton @garywatton.bsky.social · 23/01/2026

Siberian Chiffchaff at PC World Drain, Poole this afternoon. Very active and stood out so pale amongst the other Chiffchaffs present. @birdguides.bsky.social @rarebirder.bsky.social @harbourbirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social

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Gary Watton @garywatton.bsky.social · 23/01/2026

Killdeer at Ripley, Hants this morning. Last county record Sept 1980 makes this a 46 year gap. What a mega and there were a lot of happy birders today! @birdguides.bsky.social @rarebirder.bsky.social @hosbirding.bsky.social

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