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Henry Cook @hcbirding.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

Always a highlight of the mothing year - Merveille du Jour at RSPB Lakenheath Fen this morning #TeamMoth

A Merveille du Jour sat on a piece of wood. It is a mint green moth with black and white intricate markings

Henry Cook @hcbirding.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

This juvenile Stock Dove showed nicely at #RSPBLakenheathFen this morning. Perched on the handrail behind the visitor centre!

A small dove with purple breast, orange bill and grey body perched on a wooden handrail

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Henry Cook @hcbirding.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Ruff landing at Minsmere 👀

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Henry Cook @hcbirding.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Glad it stayed for you Rachel, great bird!

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WePlanet @weplanetint.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

In this video, @georgemonbiot.bsky.social and @marklynas.bsky.social go an adventure to watch bluefin tuna. George explains how Atlantic bluefin tuna were fished to near-extinction — but now, are in recovery Tell the UK Government: Defend bluefin tuna! Sign the petition: shorturl.at/fTY80

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Henry Cook @hcbirding.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Birding in urban Nottingham whilst at a conference. Nice to see Nuthatches which are rare where I live. Ring-necked Parakeets also a strong feature here.

Highfield Park with a large stone building sat high above a park lake

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Henry Cook @hcbirding.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Our first Pink-footed Geese flew by whilst hiking in the Lake District this weekend. Autumn is here no doubt. @sophieshrike.bsky.social

Two birders standing on a hill looking at something through binoculars, with a blue sky and some clouds

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Field Studies Council @fieldstudiesc.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

There's lots to like about the proposed Natural History GCSE, but there's still time to make it even better. 🍃 The Department for Education's consultation is open until 4 September, and we'd encourage anyone with an interest to share their views. 👉 Have your say here: buff.ly/UbevxdQ

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East Anglia Bylines @eastangliabylines.co.uk · 26/08/2026

Some reserves are lusher than farms – and farmers are grateful. Conservation grazing is becoming a win–win for wildlife and struggling graziers. Read Kate Moore on how the wildlife trust reserves are saving the day.

eastangliabylines.co.uk

Wildlife trusts, grazing animals and the challenge of drought

Livestock play a vital role in managing conservation habitats. But prolonged heatwaves and drought create challenges for all grazing animals

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Henry Cook @hcbirding.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Deep partial lunar eclipse from the comfort of bed 😅 🛏️

Deep partial lunar eclipse - the moon is about 96% eclipsed and appears dark orange with a pale crescent at the top right hand side.

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Henry Cook @hcbirding.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

What a scene that must have been! Congrats

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Henry Cook @hcbirding.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Front on, this Common Quail looks like it has spines on its back from the pale triangular centres to the feathers. An intimidating feature for predators perhaps? 🪶

A Common Quail, a small gallinaceous bird, facing front on to the camera showing its back

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Henry Cook @hcbirding.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

It was a shock to get this close fly-by from a male Montagu's Harrier in Spain recently. That this scene is once again possible in the UK too with successful breeding this year is heartwarming. 🪶 @sophieshrike.bsky.social

A male Montagu's Harrier flies past. He has a large black wing tip, chestnut flecking to the underwing, a grey head and neck with a yellow eye and bill base.

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RSPB @rspb.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Wonderful news alert! 🎉 One of the UK’s rarest breeding birds has had a remarkable year. Montagu’s Harriers have successfully bred in the UK for the second year running, raising six youngsters from two nests at a secret farmland location. www.rspb.org.uk/whats-happen...

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Henry Cook @hcbirding.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

I'm proud to support the @worldlandtrust.org, who since their founding in 1989 have directly funded the protection of over 2 million hectares globally. An amazing achievement. If you want to make a difference to conservation globally, this is one of the best ways!

Infographic detailing that over 2 million hecatres of land has been directly funded by supporters of the World Land Trust and nearly 20 million hectares has been protected with corridors and extensions

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Henry Cook @hcbirding.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Last but not least in terms of vultures in Spain were the Griffons. They provide massive benefits in the landscape to clear up carcasses within minutes. Wonderful birds! 🪶 @sophieshrike.bsky.social

A group of Griffon Vultures facing various directions. They are very large brown birds with a pale neck and chunky black bill. They have white leg warmers.

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Henry Cook @hcbirding.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

The huge Cinereous Vulture - looking rather regal with these shoulder tufts. This was the hardest of the four species to see in the area of Spain we were in, with only a single pair around. 🪶 @sophieshrike.bsky.social

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Simlaco @simlaco.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Lightning over Morcuera, Spain (13/08/26)

Two cloud-to-ground lightning strikes fill the frame, illuminating the cloud in blueish-grey light. The foreground is dark, with the outline of trees visible.

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Henry Cook @hcbirding.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

An Egyptian Vulture taking off. The smallest of the vultures we saw but one of the most striking. 🪶 @sophieshrike.bsky.social

An adult female Egyptian Vulture takes off showing black flight feathers and white coverts. The bald yellow head is distinctive in this species.

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Simlaco @simlaco.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

Total solar eclipse from Morcuera, Spain (12th August 2026). Nikon D850 with Nikkor 70-200 mm f/2.8. Shot at 70mm, f/8, ISO 800. 9 EV bracketing (between 1/125" and 2"), and blended.

Total solar eclipse with the Spanish countryside included in the foreground. The grey disc of the moon obscures the sun, such that the sun's golden corona is visible.

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Henry Cook @hcbirding.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

I'm a Quail magnet, what can I say! 😅

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Henry Cook @hcbirding.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

Down in Spain we saw several Common Quail coming to a puddle to drink, quite the surprise. It really has been the year of the quail! 🪶 @sophieshrike.bsky.social

Three Common Quails stand by a puddle surrounded by grass. They are a small chunky gamebird with striped brown and buff plumage.

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Sophie Barrell @sophieshrike.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

I think this may be the greatest photo I have ever taken on my phone !! Griffin vulture flying directly above us during our trip to the Pyrenees 🪶 @hcbirding.bsky.social

Griffin vulture in flight with its wings fully outstretched, against the blue sky, above a mountain range, with two dozen vultures sitting on the ground below

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Henry Cook @hcbirding.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

I give to you the majestic Lammergeier, AKA Bearded Vulture, from the Pyrenees in Spain @sophieshrike.bsky.social

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Sophie Barrell @sophieshrike.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Obligatory record shots of the eclipse from Spain yesterday 😍 Incredible phenomenon! @hcbirding.bsky.social

Landscape shot showing the total eclipse of the sun looking across a valley

Zoomed in record shot of partial solar eclipse with a crescent shaped sun as the moon passes across it

Selfie of Henry and I at the eclipse viewing plateau

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Henry Cook @hcbirding.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Pin-tailed Sandgrouse up close and personal on the steppes of Spain. Stunning plumage makes it quite possibly one of the best birds in Europe @sophieshrike.bsky.social 🪶

A male Pin-tailed Sandgrouse drinking at a puddle

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Henry Cook @hcbirding.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Scouting mountain tops to see the eclipse, with Crag Martins making close passes @sophieshrike.bsky.social

Crag Martin flying right. It is a brown hirundine with longish wings and white spots in the tail

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Henry Cook @hcbirding.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

Over in Spain for the upcoming solar eclipse. Black Redstarts keeping us company from the rooftops in the mean time. @sophieshrike.bsky.social

A moulting male Black Redstart perches on a rooftop

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Henry Cook @hcbirding.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

Really useful review. Thanks for sharing Steve. I was toying with getting the image stabilised swaro for seawatching but will leave off for now.

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Julian Hughes @penrhynbirder.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

If you went down to the woods in May... A short 🧵about how @birdsandbikes.bsky.social and I spent our spare time this spring in Coed Gwydyr and adjacent woodlands in the Afon Conwy catchment, #NorthWales. #BirdingWales

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Henry Cook @hcbirding.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

A spritely Madeira Firecrest from our recent voyage to the Macaronesia islands. A millisecond later it was gone. @sophieshrike.bsky.social

A Madeira Firecrest perches on a twig. It is a tiny bird with contrasting patterns of black, yellow, orange, green and white feathers. It has a pollen horn on its forehead from consuming insects near nectar/sap

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David Roche @papaybirder.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

Roosting around Hundland this evening #BirdingScotland #RareBirdsUk

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Henry Cook @hcbirding.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

A cracking Hummingbird Hawkmoth has been regularly feeding by the visitor centre at #RSPBLakenheathFen lately on its preferred Viper's Bugloss flowers.

A Hummingbird Hawkmoth hovers by a blue and pink flower from a Viper's Bugloss plant

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Henry Cook @hcbirding.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

4 dorsal fins in a row from a pod of Bottlenose Dolphins seen recently off Madeira. Interesting to see tooth marks on some of the fins. @sophieshrike.bsky.social

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Henry Cook @hcbirding.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

Seeing the Western Reef Heron at Morfa Conwy over the weekend with a backdrop of the Great Orme, both places I grew up birding at, was a scene more likely in a dream than reality! @sophieshrike.bsky.social

A Western Reef Heron hunts with wings outstretched in a pool on the beach

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Marcbuzzard @marcbuzzard.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

After a week away finally added the Western Reef Heron to the Conwy list! Now to try and scope it from the Great Orme 😂Bird still present on the Conwy Morfa today (19/06). Good to see @hcbirding.bsky.social and Sophie - thanks for the Orme/WRH pic Henerz ☺️👍 #ukbirding #rarebirdsUK #BirdingWales

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Henry Cook @hcbirding.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

Good record, generally considered a Brecks slecialist

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Caroline Lucas @carolinelucas.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

Good news! Ministers have finally given green light to new #NaturalHistory GCSE. We’ve campaigned so long for this! Big hats off to tireless advocate Mary Colwell 🙌 Now our young people will have a chance to get to know & love the natural world, to feel awe & wonder, & gain skills to protect it 🌷🌳🦡

theguardian.com

Natural history GCSE to teach teenagers to plant wildflower-friendly gardens

Long-awaited course to examine human effects on natural world and explore everyday ways to aid biodiversity

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Nick Acheson @themarshtit.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

My lovely friend Mary Colwell has fought for a Natural History GCSE, supported by many, including Caroline. For it to be proper natural history, we need lots of naturalists to give their opinions on the proposed framework. Please consider visiting the public consultation www.gov.uk/government/c...

gov.uk

GCSE natural history proposed subject content

We are seeking views on the proposed subject content for a new GCSE in natural history.

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Spurn Bird Observatory @spurnbirdobs.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

📣 Applications are now open for the Martin Garner Spurn Young Birder Competition 2026! If you're aged 16 or under and passionate about birding, this is your chance to compete at #MigFest2026 and win some fantastic prizes. ⏰ Applications close 19 July 🔗 tinyurl.com/MGSYB2026 Please share!

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Henry Cook @hcbirding.bsky.social · 31/05/2026

Managed great looks at a Sperm Whale on the approach to the Azores, when it popped up close to our ship. Note the characteristic angled blow from the single blowhole on the left side of the head in this species. @sophieshrike.bsky.social

A Sperm Whale surfaces close by and is blowing at the same time

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