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Howard Vaughan - blueeyedbirder.com @howardvaughanbeb.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

1w m Caspian Stonechat (Saxicola maurus hehemprichii) Lesvos 10-10-26. How many Greek records of this form? I know S maura maura is a description bird having seen three on Lesvos over the years.

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Howard Vaughan - blueeyedbirder.com @howardvaughanbeb.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

A fine final evening on Lesvos. I found this 1w m Caspian Stonechat (Saxicola maurus hemprichii) but it took an age to convince myself that this Siberian Stonechat (very rare here) did indeed have the requisite white upper sections to the outer tail feathers. @lesvosbirdnews.bsky.social

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Howard Vaughan - blueeyedbirder.com @howardvaughanbeb.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

#mallorca for @oriolebirding.bsky.social 17th - 24th September 2026 A week in the sun bookended by Vultures. blueeyedbirding.blogspot.com/2026/09/mall...

Blaps gigas - a very large Darkling Beetle

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Howard Vaughan - blueeyedbirder.com @howardvaughanbeb.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Lowestoft Life - Churchyard Grubbing - 16th September 2026 A pleasant afternoon spent working my way towards Stansted whilst exploring some rural Norfolk churchyards for wildlife. blueeyedbirding.blogspot.com/2026/09/lowe... @norfolkmoths.bsky.social

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Howard Vaughan - blueeyedbirder.com @howardvaughanbeb.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

The @oriolebirding.bsky.social tour of Mallorca is going well & up in the Tramuntana mountains, Vultures & Bonelli's Eagles ruled but my favourite find was an Orange-winged Dropwing on a puddle from grape must dumped by a vineyard. It shared its fruity home with Lesser Emps, Red-veined & Cm Darters!

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Howard Vaughan - blueeyedbirder.com @howardvaughanbeb.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

I found a load in Ditchingham churchyard, Norfolk while 'mining' yesterday

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Howard Vaughan - blueeyedbirder.com @howardvaughanbeb.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Lowestoft Life 3rd - 14th September 2026 A final post before I start on my travels again. I seem to have been spending a lot of time in graveyards. blueeyedbirding.blogspot.com/2026/09/lowe... @suffolkmoths.bsky.social @suffolk-nats1929.bsky.social @norfolkmoths.bsky.social

A cherub with lichen eye makeup but in need of a tissue - Wissett

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Howard Vaughan - blueeyedbirder.com @howardvaughanbeb.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

This evening 15 adult Pale-bellied Brent Geese touched down at Ness Point, Lowestoft. They could not be any further east & were completely un-phased as they fed as the tide pushed them ever closer to us. A memorable encounter for East Anglia. @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social #ukbirding #suffolkbirding

Pale-bellied Brent Geese looking out at Ness Point

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Howard Vaughan - blueeyedbirder.com @howardvaughanbeb.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Sorry, yes of course although I have missed the boat!

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Howard Vaughan - blueeyedbirder.com @howardvaughanbeb.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Lowestoft Life - 29th August - 2nd September 2026 Some churchyard lurking and a crowd pleasing little urban falcon. blueeyedbirding.blogspot.com/2026/09/lowe...

the famous Worlingham Caucasian Elm - Zelkova carpinifolia

Dahlica triquetrella - a scarce Bagworm that uses insect 'parts' as a house disguise

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Howard Vaughan - blueeyedbirder.com @howardvaughanbeb.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

The Red-footed Falcon showed rather well and came to within just a few feet of us to snatch grasshoppers from the verge alongside the busy road junction. A magical encounter

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Howard Vaughan - blueeyedbirder.com @howardvaughanbeb.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

This obliging juvenile Red-footed Falcon was eyeing up its next meal in the middle of Lowestoft this evening. @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social @rarebirder.bsky.social

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Howard Vaughan - blueeyedbirder.com @howardvaughanbeb.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Lowestoft Life - 22nd-28th August 2026 blueeyedbirding.blogspot.com/2026/08/lowe... More local plodding. Moths, mines, galls, gastropods, flies and a hint of autumn birdlife.

Tachina magnicornis I reckon with those dark front tarsi

Poplar spiral gall aphid - Pemphigus spyrothecae

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Howard Vaughan - blueeyedbirder.com @howardvaughanbeb.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Lowestoft Life - 25th July - 7th August 2026 blueeyedbirding.blogspot.com/2026/08/lowe... Of moths, icons and a never ending drought. @suffolk-nats1929.bsky.social @suffolkmoths.bsky.social

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Howard Vaughan - blueeyedbirder.com @howardvaughanbeb.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

Thirty Years Ago - July 1996 blueeyedbirding.blogspot.com/2026/08/thir... A hot summer and one of those twitches that made me wonder why I did it?

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Howard Vaughan - blueeyedbirder.com @howardvaughanbeb.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

New Forest (ish) for @oriolebirding.bsky.social - 14th-18th July 2026 It was a magnificent few days down on the south coast heaths, downlands and forest. blueeyedbirding.blogspot.com/2026/07/new-... @dipteristsforum.bsky.social @britishdragonflies.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social

Bombylius minor - the very localised Heath Bee-fly

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Howard Vaughan - blueeyedbirder.com @howardvaughanbeb.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

Mull, Iona and the Treshnish Isles for @oriolebirding.bsky.social Birding- 27th June - 4th July 2026 blueeyedbirding.blogspot.com/2026/07/mull... As seems to be the norm the weather tried to scupper our efforts but our perseverance paid off with Eagles, Otters, Puffins & Corncrakes

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Howard Vaughan - blueeyedbirder.com @howardvaughanbeb.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Lowestoft Life - 21st June to 12th June 2026 Time for a bit of a random catch up of non-work related stuff. Nightjars, yet more auks and quite a lot of moths! blueeyedbirding.blogspot.com/2026/07/lowe...

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Howard Vaughan - blueeyedbirder.com @howardvaughanbeb.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

Day 8 - 19th June 2026 - Svalbard - Spitzbergen & the pack ice with @bwntours.bsky.social & Oceanwide Expeditions blueeyedbirding.blogspot.com/2026/07/day-... The final run into Longyearbyen & a send off by a large pod of mini Moby Dicks! What a way to round up this most astonishing of adventures

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Howard Vaughan - blueeyedbirder.com @howardvaughanbeb.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Day 7 - 18th June 2026 - Svalbard - Spitzbergen & the pack ice with @bwntours.bsky.social & @oceanwide-expeditions.com It was not just about Walruses though

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Howard Vaughan - blueeyedbirder.com @howardvaughanbeb.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Day 7 - 18th June 2026 - Svalbard - Spitzbergen & the pack ice with @bwntours.bsky.social & @oceanwide-expeditions.com blueeyedbirding.blogspot.com/2026/07/day-... A final full day spent with giant blubbery Walruses and the towering Toblerone triangle of the Alkhornet.

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Howard Vaughan - blueeyedbirder.com @howardvaughanbeb.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

Day 6 - 17th June 2026 - Svalbard - Spitzbergen & the pack ice with @bwntours.bsky.social & @oceanwide-expeditions.com blueeyedbirding.blogspot.com/2026/07/day-... We headed south out of the pack ice on a glorious fog bow filled morning and back into open water where Blue Whales awaited.

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Howard Vaughan - blueeyedbirder.com @howardvaughanbeb.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

Day 5 - 16th June 2026 - Svalbard - Spitzbergen & the pack ice with @bwntours.bsky.social & @oceanwide-expeditions.com blueeyedbirding.blogspot.com/2026/07/day-... Anyone for Blue Whales before breakfast, loved up Polar Bears & a bbq on board while drifting in the pack ice at 80.6 ° north?

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Howard Vaughan - blueeyedbirder.com @howardvaughanbeb.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Day 4 - 15th June 2026 - Svalbard - Spitzbergen & the pack ice with Bird's Wildlife & Nature & Oceanwide Expeditions. A day exploring the Hinlopenstretet sound between with flocks of portly Polar Bears, puppy eyed and hirsute seals and a zillion auks... blueeyedbirding.blogspot.com/2026/07/day-...

Fat Boy Polar Bear... oh my word - who ate all the pies? - pic by Anne Bielamowicz

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Howard Vaughan - blueeyedbirder.com @howardvaughanbeb.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

Day 3 - 14th June 2026 - Svalbard - Spitzbergen & the pack ice with @bwntours.bsky.social & @oceanwide-expeditions.com A day within the living ice of the Liefdefjorden. blueeyedbirding.blogspot.com/2026/07/day-...

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Howard Vaughan - blueeyedbirder.com @howardvaughanbeb.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

Thirty Years Ago - June 1996 blueeyedbirding.blogspot.com/2026/07/thir... Summertime birding...

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Howard Vaughan - blueeyedbirder.com @howardvaughanbeb.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

@oceanwide-expeditions.com Of interest the female Polar Bear that showed incredibly well on the 13th June at Fuglefjorden has an ear tag button. It is just about visible on the inside of the ear but clearly on the back.

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Howard Vaughan - blueeyedbirder.com @howardvaughanbeb.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

Day 2 - 13th June 2026 - Svalbard - Spitzbergen & the pack ice with @bwntours.bsky.social @oceanwide-expeditions.com Our first full day at sea and in the zodiacs. A day never to be forgotten... blueeyedbirding.blogspot.com/2026/07/day-...

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Howard Vaughan - blueeyedbirder.com @howardvaughanbeb.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

Day 1 - 12th June 2026 - Svalbard - Spitzbergen & the pack ice with @bwntours.bsky.social Out to sea at last and northwards into a true Arctic adventure upon the MV Ortelius with @oceanwide-expeditions.com blueeyedbirding.blogspot.com/2026/07/day-...

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Howard Vaughan - blueeyedbirder.com @howardvaughanbeb.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

Lake Kerkini for @oriolebirding.bsky.social - Part 2 - 14th-17th May 2026 blueeyedbirding.blogspot.com/2026/07/lake... My final few days of a long month in Greece.

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Howard Vaughan - blueeyedbirder.com @howardvaughanbeb.bsky.social · 05/07/2026

The catch up continues: Back to Greece. Lake Kerkini for @oriolebirding.bsky.social - Part 1 - 11th-13th May 2026 blueeyedbirding.blogspot.com/2026/07/lake...

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Howard Vaughan - blueeyedbirder.com @howardvaughanbeb.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

Since being back from Svalbard for @bwntours.bsky.social I have been amongst the seabirds of Bempton and Nightjars of the Yorkshire moors and I am now on Mull for @oriolebirding.bsky.social where White-tailed Eagles were the stars of another grey and dreich day.

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Howard Vaughan - blueeyedbirder.com @howardvaughanbeb.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

Lesvos - The Family Week - 3rd -10th May 2026 A somewhat more chilled and chilly week but still bursting with wildlife. blueeyedbirding.blogspot.com/2026/06/lesv...

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Howard Vaughan - blueeyedbirder.com @howardvaughanbeb.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

25th April 2026 - Day 9 Northern Greece for @bwntours.bsky.social A final morning in the Nestos in search of that pesky Partridge before heading briefly homewards after a magnificent tour. blueeyedbirding.blogspot.com/2026/06/25th... A Queen of Spain Fritillary

Four Spotted Orchid - Orchis quadripunctata

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Howard Vaughan - blueeyedbirder.com @howardvaughanbeb.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

And it was not just big flying things we saw! 24th April 2026 - Day 8 Northern Greece for @bwntours.bsky.social

Long-headed Poppy - Papaver dubium and Orange Tip

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Howard Vaughan - blueeyedbirder.com @howardvaughanbeb.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

24th April 2026 - Day 8 Northern Greece for @bwntours.bsky.social blueeyedbirding.blogspot.com/2026/06/24th... Exploring the Dadia Forest #BirdsSeenIn2026

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Howard Vaughan - blueeyedbirder.com @howardvaughanbeb.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

23rd April 2026 - Day 7 Northern Greece for @bwntours.bsky.social The extensive marshes of the Evros Delta beckoned and our inability to get where we wanted to led us to where the birding Gods actually needed us to be... blueeyedbirding.blogspot.com/2026/06/23rd... #BirdsSeenIn2026

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Howard Vaughan - blueeyedbirder.com @howardvaughanbeb.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

22nd April 2026 - Day 6 Northern Greece for @bwntours.bsky.social It was a bit damp but we persevered with the coastal marshes. blueeyedbirding.blogspot.com/2026/06/22nd... #BirdsSeenIn2026

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Howard Vaughan - blueeyedbirder.com @howardvaughanbeb.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

21st April 2026 - Day 5 Northern Greece for @bwntours.bsky.social Working the coastal pools east of Fanari. A day of Tribbles, kestrels, harriers, waders and terns. blueeyedbirding.blogspot.com/2026/06/21st...

Large Venus's Looking Glass - Legousia speculum-veneris

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Howard Vaughan - blueeyedbirder.com @howardvaughanbeb.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

20th April 2026 - Day 4 Northern Greece for Bird's Wildlife & Nature Tours Up into the Vrontous & Rhodope mountains in search of elusive Partridges but a Rock Thrush and botany won the day. blueeyedbirding.blogspot.com/2026/06/20th...

Haberlea rhodopensis is monotypic and confined to the Nestos valley as we headed east into Thrace.

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Howard Vaughan - blueeyedbirder.com @howardvaughanbeb.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

Back on the keyboard again... I will eventually get back on track! 19th April 2026 - Day 3 Northern Greece for @bwntours.bsky.social A magical morning on Lake Kerkini followed by a walk in the woods. blueeyedbirding.blogspot.com/2026/06/19th... #BirdsSeenIn2026

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Howard Vaughan - blueeyedbirder.com @howardvaughanbeb.bsky.social · 13/06/2026

Not quite sure how to sum up the first full day on the MV Ortelius on our @bwntours.bsky.social Svalbard tour. We got very lucky indeed with two Polar Bear encounters. The second from the zodiac was unexpected and beyond anyone's expectations. We are still lost for words.

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Howard Vaughan - blueeyedbirder.com @howardvaughanbeb.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

Brain won't turn off at the moment so I have been writing. Svalbard for @bwntours.bsky.social - pre-tour day 11th June 2026 Up close and personal with the urban bird life of Longyearbyen. The real adventure starts tomorrow afternoon... blueeyedbirding.blogspot.com/2026/06/sval...

colour ringed Purple Sandpiper
green flag C21 on the right leg and Orange above the joined metal below on the left. Any help tracking it down much appreciated

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