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Mark Hawkes @grafhamwbirder.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

A Rock Pipit on the dam at Grafham Water this AM brings me up to 160 for the patch this year. Also a 1CY Caspian Gull @birdguides.bsky.social @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social #ukbirding

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Mark Hawkes @grafhamwbirder.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

The Buff-breasted Sandpiper (my 4th in the county) took my Grafham Water list to 237 species, and with 3 Grey Plovers thru yesterday too, I’ve now seen 29 species of waders here this year. Will there be a 30th? Pec. Lesser Legs. Grey Phal….

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Mark Hawkes @grafhamwbirder.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Buff-b Sand at Grafham Water (found by Nigel Butler). First site record since 1975 (which he also saw!). It was last seen to land on point at Plummer, but no sign currently (it has been very flighty) @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social #ukbirding

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Mark Hawkes @grafhamwbirder.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

3 Barwits new-in at Grafham Water today (rare here in autumn), plus Spotshank dropped in from high and a Knot too. Wheatear on dam, amongst the 82 species I recorded there today @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social #ukbirding

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Mark Hawkes @grafhamwbirder.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

I’ve now added a number of screenshots of the Bridges Barolo to my eBird entry, all taken from Duncan Poyser’s video. ebird.org/checklist/S3... #irishrarebirds @birdguides.bsky.social

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Mark Hawkes @grafhamwbirder.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Back from Co Clare and back on the patch today. Multiple people reporting a juv Dunlin as a Curlew Sand at Grafham 🤦🏻‍♂️ (the CS wasn’t present yday evening either, according to others) 2 Whinchats & Hobby the highlights this AM @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social #ukbirding #stringing

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Mark Hawkes @grafhamwbirder.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

A quick 90 mins this evening at Bridges of Ross produced, Leach’s Petrel, adult Pomarine, 3 Corys, 40 Sooty Shears, 3 Arctic Skuas and 10 Euro Storm Petrel @birdguides.bsky.social #irishbirding

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Mark Hawkes @grafhamwbirder.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Glossy Ibis at Plummer point, Grafham Water briefly before flying off. Just the third site record (found by Richard Patient). Wood Sandpiper still here @birdguides.bsky.social @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social #ukbirding

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Mark Hawkes @grafhamwbirder.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Adult Osprey straight through Grafham Water this morning was the highlight of almost 7 hours. Wood Sand, Turnstone, 4cy Caspian Gull, Little Stint and my first autumn Meadow Pipit were other notables @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social #ukbirding

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Mark Hawkes @grafhamwbirder.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

My 14th species of wader for the day at Grafham Water was this smashing Red-necked Phal (found by Matthew Rodgers this evening). My 4th here but first since 2019 @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social #ukbirding

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Mark Hawkes @grafhamwbirder.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

6 hrs at Grafham Water this AM. 87 species (inc 13 wader sp). Highlights; flock of 8 Spotted Redshanks (my largest count ever here - excuse the photo quality!), Wood Sand, Redstart, Whinchat, Caspian Gull, Little Stimt, 14 Greenshank @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social #ukbirding

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Mark Hawkes @grafhamwbirder.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Turnstones on the move through Grafham Water today. 26 in/out early AM (found by Richard Patient, smashing the site record count of 17); then 7 more this evening (seen by myself), plus the juv which has been present a few days @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social @wadertales.bsky.social #ukbirding

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Mark Hawkes @grafhamwbirder.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Curlew Sand + Little Stint new-in at Grafham Water today. Supporting cast of Whinchat, Wheatear, 2 Barnacle Geese, Turnstone, 14 Ruff and other common waders @birdguides.bsky.social @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social #ukbirding

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Mark Hawkes @grafhamwbirder.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Nice selection of common waders at Grafham Water this evening (at least 11 species, inc a juv Turnstone). Smart 4cy Caspian Gull at Marlow shoreline. Peregrine over. New site record count of Egyptian Geese (17) @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social #ukbirding

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Mark Hawkes @grafhamwbirder.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

Yesterday a 1CY Knot was the FOY for Grafham Water. Early this morning, I had my 2nd Tree Pipit of the month, heading east with Yellow Wags @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social #ukbirding

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Mark Hawkes @grafhamwbirder.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

A juvenile Garganey at Grafham Water yesterday evening was my FOY here. Also, a notable count of 10 Snipe @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social #ukbirding

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Mark Hawkes @grafhamwbirder.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

Adult Black-tailed Godwit at Grafham Water today. Presumed an islandica, but has a lot of grey on coverts @markgolley.bsky.social @wadertales.bsky.social any thoughts? Also, aWheatear was my FOY here @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social #ukbirding

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Mark Hawkes @grafhamwbirder.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Anyone know where to source a genuine #swarovskioptics 10x42 EL rainguard. Mine has snapped in two and imported options are £50-60!! #birdinggear #ukbirding #optics @swarovski.bsky.social

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Mark Hawkes @grafhamwbirder.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

A few waders on the move at Grafham Water early AM, with 3 Turnstones thru, 13 Redshank, 8 Greenshank and most pleasing a single Goldie (rare on the deck here). Tree Pipit and 3 Hobbies over @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social #ukbirding

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Mark Hawkes @grafhamwbirder.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

7+ Balearic Shearwaters off east side of Devon Cliffs resort, Exmouth this AM, plus 30 distant rafting Shearwaters likely to be this species too @birdguides.bsky.social @rarebirder.bsky.social #ukbirding

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Mark Hawkes @grafhamwbirder.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

9 Black Terns At Grafham Water this evening were a surprise. Only the third record of the year here. A 3CY Caspian Gull with very dark legs was an oddity - aberrant or stained - too distant to be sure @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social #ukbirding

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Mark Hawkes @grafhamwbirder.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

My first visit to Grafham today for a week. 2 Black-necked Grebes were a nice surprise. At lest 10 Yellow-l Gulls and a 4cy Caspian, plus juv Med Gull and Greenshank @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social #ukbirding

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Mark Hawkes @grafhamwbirder.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

1CY Med Gull at Grafham Water this evening. Appears to be the earliest ever date for a 1CY (by one day!) The best British breeding gull it’s it’s best plumage? @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social #ukbirding @birdguides.bsky.social

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Mark Hawkes @grafhamwbirder.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

Slow birding in the afternoon heat at Grafham Water today. Clouded Yellow was a nice surprise. Also 2 Marbled Whites and a few Red-veined Darters still #ukbirding #ukbutterflies @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social

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Mark Hawkes @grafhamwbirder.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

Having finally got round to checking the Grafham records database, the Blk-n Grebe at the weekend was the first ever to be seen at Grafham in the month of June.

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Mark Hawkes @grafhamwbirder.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

Pleasantly productive morning at Grafham Water, given the heat; finding this super Sandwich Tern and a summer plumaged Black-n Grebe @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social #ukbirding

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Mark Hawkes @grafhamwbirder.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

Estimated 250,000+ #Ladybirds on Grafham Water dam this evening (at least 150 per metre all the way along top of dam wall). Probably more. @birdguides.bsky.social @the-wildlifetrusts.bsky.social @rarebirder.bsky.social @bbcspringwatch.bsky.social #ukbirding

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Mark Hawkes @grafhamwbirder.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

Cetti’s Warbler still singing at Zbiornik Pogoria II this morning #poland @birdguides.bsky.social #birding (I don’t know any # for rare birds in Poland!)

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Mark Hawkes @grafhamwbirder.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

At least one of the Grafham Water Great n Divers (an adult in almost full summer plumage) has remained into June. Making it the latest ever site record. Also a Red-belted Clearwing was new for me this PM @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social #ukbirding #moths #clearwings

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Mark Hawkes @grafhamwbirder.bsky.social · 31/05/2026

Quiet on the birding front at Grafham Water, but Matthew Rodgers pulled out some nice #Odonata records, with Norfolk Hawker (site 1st?), sev. Red-veined Darters (plus several Lesser Emperors y’day) @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social #ukdragonflies

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Mark Hawkes @grafhamwbirder.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

The disappointingly quiet spring continues at Grafham Water. A Sanderling the only bird of note this evening, plus 3 GnDivers still left over from the winter @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social #ukbirding

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Mark Hawkes @grafhamwbirder.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

Drk Scoter, 2 Sanderling & Dunlin at Grafham Water this evening. 5+ Divers still and the reliable Grey Partridge pair still along dam @birdguides.bsky.social @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social #ukbirding

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Mark Hawkes @grafhamwbirder.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

Six GN Divers this AM at Grafham Water. Otherwise disappointing quiet; a Dunlin and Marsh Harrier being the only notables during 5 hours @birdguides.bsky.social @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social #ukbirding

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Mark Hawkes @grafhamwbirder.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

At least 5 of the Grafham Water Great Northern Diver have made it in to May; 3 from dam this afternoon and 2 at Dudney creek - only one is attaining full summer plumage, the others appear to be 2cy/3cy birds @birdguides.bsky.social @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social #ukbirding

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Mark Hawkes @grafhamwbirder.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

Last nights count of 12 Common Sands smashes the previous highest site count for April, which was 5 birds!! @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social

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Mark Hawkes @grafhamwbirder.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

Arctic Tern thru Grafham Water this evening, then away high north. 12 Common Sands on dam. 2 Divers still at east end @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social #ukbirding

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Mark Hawkes @grafhamwbirder.bsky.social · 26/04/2026

Having twitched the Wood Sand at Tanholt, it was pleasing to find 3 Wood Sands on the pool south of Dog in a Doublet sluice on the way home!!Super birds in their spangly spring attire @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social #ukbirding

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Mark Hawkes @grafhamwbirder.bsky.social · 26/04/2026

Smashing Wood Sand at Tanholt Pits until mid-evening the departed high NE. Male Barwit and Greenshank still here @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social #ukbirding

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Mark Hawkes @grafhamwbirder.bsky.social · 25/04/2026

From 7-12 this morning at Grafham Water; 2 Black Terns, 2 Greenshank, Whimbrel, 6 GN Divers, Nightingale & Marsh Harrier @birdguides.bsky.social @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social #ukbirding

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Mark Hawkes @grafhamwbirder.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

At Grafham Water this AM; 3 Whimbrel thru, 5 Sanderling, Greenshank, Dunlin, GN Diver all from the dam @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social #ukbirding

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Mark Hawkes @grafhamwbirder.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

Very low cloud over the reservoir yesterday AM!! Five Swifts at Grafham Water yesterday PM were my second earliest ever there (my earliest ever being on April 19th, 2008). The latter is also probably the earliest ever site record @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social #ukbirding

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Mark Hawkes @grafhamwbirder.bsky.social · 11/04/2026

From 0645-1115. >500 hirundines at Grafham Water, Inc 50+ House Martins. Ad Little Gull and 6 Common Terns through. 5-6 Divers still @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social #ukbirding

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Mark Hawkes @grafhamwbirder.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

Still 5+ Divers at Grafham Water this PM, also 200 Sand Martins, notable arrivals of Willow Warblers & Blackcaps, plus 2cy Caspian Gull @cambird.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social #ukbirding

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Mark Hawkes @grafhamwbirder.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

Summery this evening at Grafham Water. Early Gropper reeling by Mander car park, adult Lt. Gull, House Martins, Whitethroat, 3 White & 10+ Yellow Wags. At least 6 Divers still @birdguides.bsky.social @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social #ukbirding

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