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Les Cater

@lesjwc.bsky.social
535 followers 338 following 215 posts

My passion for wildlife and photography has come together in a professional form after many years of using cameras and learning field craft skills. RSPB volunteer and RSPB photo contributer. Web site mywildlifeimages.com

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Reposted by Les Cater
East Anglia Bylines @eastangliabylines.co.uk · 18/08/2026
Dunwich Heath has survived decades of nurturing wildlife, inspiring visitors & providing refuge for rare species. A single wildfire has changed that. The loss - heartbreaking. But it strengthens the case for protecting precious habitats writes Les Cater. #Birds
eastangliabylines.co.uk
A warning written in ash – a threat to our world
A Suffolk heathland is reduced to ashes – a personal reflection on loss, wildlife, and the urgent need for conservation
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Les Cater @lesjwc.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
While in Devon I had the chance to see the Cirl Buntings, a first for me, and after three attempts, only a couple of hours on each day to find them, I got what I hoped for in poor weather conditions. Beautiful birds with a stunning plumage and song. This was RSPB Labrador Bay 😊
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Reposted by Les Cater
Scruffy Terrier @scruffyterriers.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
@lesjwc.bsky.social Great to see your Dartford warbler image used in this piece www.theguardian.com/environment/...
theguardian.com
Dartford warbler stages a comeback 60 years after almost vanishing
Survey shows 44% increase on RSPB reserves of bird that almost became extinct in England in the 60s
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Les Cater @lesjwc.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
Thank you for showing me this, sorry not been on here for a while, it's much appreciated. 👍
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Les Cater @lesjwc.bsky.social · 17/05/2026
Thank you Will 👍
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Les Cater @lesjwc.bsky.social · 17/05/2026
May thanks Chris 😀👍
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Les Cater @lesjwc.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
A quick collection from my trip to Mull for the White Tailed Sea Eagles aboard the Lady Jane @mullcharters in April 2026. I was very fortunate to have had my trip out as the weather was bad most days before and after, but my day was perfect and weather eased enough to get out for the day 😊
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Les Cater @lesjwc.bsky.social · 04/04/2026
With a late start and arriving later than 7am this morning to meet Stephen Harper at 6.30am at Island mere hide, Minsmere. I was pleased to see one of the male Bitterns already in front of the hide, the light was lovely and it was wind still. 😊Pleased to have had a good morning and the company👍
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Les Cater @lesjwc.bsky.social · 09/03/2026
Thank you tom, much appreciated, sorry for late reply 🙂👍
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Les Cater @lesjwc.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
Finally got around to more photos from my trip to Spain a few weeks ago. This time Ravens on our first day out, you can see just how bad the weahter was with non stop raining and no sunshine nearly all day. We did get more birds and fox's later in the afternoon thank goodness.😉
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Les Cater @lesjwc.bsky.social · 26/02/2026
Thank you Sarah 😀
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Les Cater @lesjwc.bsky.social · 26/02/2026
Out of bed at 4.30am, a quick breakfast then an 1.5 hour drive to Great Yarmouth at first light for the SEO's some good views but no photos. So, had some quality time with these lovely little Ringed Plovers. They were a joy to watch, photograph and the weather was brilliant. 😊
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Les Cater @lesjwc.bsky.social · 17/02/2026
Had a trip over to Great Yarmouth today, unexpected and pleased I went. Weather was very cold and windy, the SEO's were sitting all day in the dunes grasses trying to stay warm and out of the wind. It was only at the end of the day, they started to move about if only for a while.
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Les Cater @lesjwc.bsky.social · 15/02/2026
After a four hour session for the Bitterns at Island mere hide with again a no show day, I am for the first time thinking this a very slow start this year. So, a quick up the road to the heath, was a nice few hours watching Dartford warbler males feeding up nicely for the spring.
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Les Cater @lesjwc.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
Thank you for sharing this, as I am in my 8th year with my Bittern surveys and studies. The question most ask is, how far do the migrate and which countries. Just how many more have gone further without us knowing it ??
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Les Cater @lesjwc.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
Here is proof that more and more Bitterns are moving further out into northern and southern areas. I had evidense sent to me that a dutch bittern was tracked all the way to Ghana, that is an epic journey for any bird.
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Reposted by Les Cater
RSPB Scotland @rspbscotland.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
We’re relieved to hear that Hamlet, a 4-year-old Golden Eagle, has recovered from his injuries and been released back into the wild after being shot in the Borders. It comes after the suspicious disappearance of two other Golden Eagles, Tarras and Wren, in the south of Scotland in August. 🧵
Hamlet the Golden Eagle being released into the wild after recovering from being shot
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Les Cater @lesjwc.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
Thanks Pete, I really enjoyed seeing so many other species while in Spain, especially the Goshawks 😊
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Les Cater @lesjwc.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
Thank you that is kind of you, yes I will soon 👍
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Les Cater @lesjwc.bsky.social · 08/02/2026
Many thanks 😉👍
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Les Cater @lesjwc.bsky.social · 07/02/2026
One of the most unusual and beautiful sights we had were the Buzzards, some of them had this amazing plumage and markings. Although we saw the most common type we have here in the UK, this one was in my eyes something special. It could be a young Buzzard but I am not sure. 😉😊 @rspb.bsky.social
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Les Cater @lesjwc.bsky.social · 07/02/2026
Another nice surprise while in Spain was to see Fox's not far from where the Imperial Eagles came to their perching area high up in the hills. Sat in a small hide gave us a chance to see them up close as they came over the ridge. Poor light and rain was heavy at times but useful and atmospheric 😉
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Les Cater @lesjwc.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
🙂👍👍
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Les Cater @lesjwc.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
Photographing Goshawks in Spain was no1 on my list. Having never seen one before in the wild, was an experience never to be forgotten. Their behaviour when eating prey was amazing to witness, especially when other raptors came close they would encompass the prey with their wings to protect it.
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Les Cater @lesjwc.bsky.social · 03/02/2026
A quick introduction to my trip of Spain which I got home on Saturday evening. I am now now downloading around 5000 images of many species of raptors like these Imperial Eagles, Goshawks and many more like the Iberian Lynk. I will post other images once I have oprocessed them including more raptors.
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Les Cater @lesjwc.bsky.social · 03/02/2026
One of the lovely smaller birds we encountered in Spain was the Azure magpies (Iberian Magpies) by a reflection pool. They are beautifully coloured and their calls/song is sweet, cheerful and totally different from our common Magpies here in the UK. They can be feisty as well when together 😂
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Les Cater @lesjwc.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
Thanks Rob, yes it was and my pleasure to share the experience. 😉👍
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Les Cater @lesjwc.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
Thanks Rob 👍
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Les Cater @lesjwc.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
The third day in spain for the Iberian Lynx was a perfect start in the morning when a stunning male appeared out of the forest. Then a female arrived, he promptly followed her about and was interested in her as they are mates. She climbed a tree with the male below scent marking.
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Les Cater @lesjwc.bsky.social · 01/02/2026
Goshawk. I Spent the day downloading and filing the images with still more to do. I can say the trip was brilliant and many new species/lifers for me. Weather in Spain was the worst winter they had seen for years with storms and flooding and only the one afternoon of sunshine.😊
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Les Cater @lesjwc.bsky.social · 22/01/2026
Thank you Lori 😊
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Les Cater @lesjwc.bsky.social · 22/01/2026
Two White Tailed Sea Eagles in a dispute over territory on Mull july 2023. Something that was a wonderful experience to see, witness and full of excitement. @rspbscotland.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social @ailiswatt.bsky.social
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Reposted by Les Cater
East Anglia Bylines @eastangliabylines.co.uk · 22/01/2026
As the Big Garden Birdwatch returns tomorrow, the grim reality of our "nature-depleted" country hits home. Citizen science provides vital data, but is it ignored by a government prioritising concrete over conservation? David Jobbins with a personal plea.
eastangliabylines.co.uk
From green to grey: why ‘growth at all costs’ is threatening British wildlife
This weekend amateur naturalists will spend an hour logging the birds that visit their gardens to contribute to national data
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Les Cater @lesjwc.bsky.social · 22/01/2026
One of our visitors a couple of years ago, a Sparrowhawk used an old baking tray full of water as a bath we put out for the birds to drink, he did this on most days for a few weeks. We do get them most years, so hopefully not on our RSPB garden bird watch. Still something to see and enjoy 😊👍
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Reposted by Les Cater
RSPB @rspb.bsky.social · 22/01/2026
The countdown is on and our final ‘10 birds’ guide is here... Spotting these on your patch? Now that’s lucky! 😍 Don't forget to sign up: www.rspb.org.uk/whats-happen... #BigGardenBirdwatch
"10 Birds You’d Be Lucky to Spot on Your Big Garden Birdwatch" features ten bird species. Top row: Hawfinch with a large bill and chestnut plumage, Corn Bunting with streaked brown feathers, and Skylark with a crest and buff colouring. Middle row: Linnet with a red breast and brown wings, Lesser Redpoll hanging upside down with a red cap, and Brambling with a striking orange chest. Bottom row: Marsh Tit with a black cap and pale underparts, a male Yellowhammer with bright yellow plumage and a female with streaked brown, a Green Woodpecker with a red crown and green body, and a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker with black and white markings and a red patch on the male’s head.
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Les Cater @lesjwc.bsky.social · 21/01/2026
This is very good news.
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Les Cater @lesjwc.bsky.social · 20/01/2026
I finally finished my Crested tit Blog and it is ready for viewing on my website, mywildlifeimages.com @rspb.bsky.social
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Les Cater @lesjwc.bsky.social · 19/01/2026
Thank you it's much appreciated. 😊
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Les Cater @lesjwc.bsky.social · 19/01/2026
Just an introduction to myself and my love of wildlife thats supported by my photography skills. With the two combined, I enjoy spending many hours out in nature surrounded by it's wonderful wildlife. I respect wildlife and because I do, over the years learnt good field craft skills to work safely.
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Les Cater @lesjwc.bsky.social · 18/01/2026
One hour for birds: The power of Big Garden Birdwatch eastangliabylines.co.uk/environment/...
eastangliabylines.co.uk
One hour for birds: The power of Big Garden Birdwatch
One hour in a local green space during the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch helps build vital data that safeguards birds and habitats across the UK
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Les Cater @lesjwc.bsky.social · 15/01/2026
It's been a quiet year so far with the Bearded Tits at Minsmere. Normally they would be showing well on the board walk Island mere hide, or south path, but that has been flooded a lot. Hopefully they will put on a show like they do most years pre breeding season. Old photos 2024
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Les Cater @lesjwc.bsky.social · 14/01/2026
With good weather a trip to @rspbminsmere.bsky.social Minsmere this morning for another Bittern observation resulted in three Bittern flights. The best part of this morning, was this lovely Kingfisher dropped into the reed beds to fish in a flooded area, only to find out it was frozen. Bless it 😄😊
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Les Cater @lesjwc.bsky.social · 07/01/2026
I returned to @RSPBMinsmere today for another Bittern watch after the freezing weather to find the Mere still frozen and no snow. During a five hour session, I noticed in the corner a Common Snipe in a hollow in the reed beds preening it's self revealing their stunning plumage.
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Les Cater @lesjwc.bsky.social · 04/01/2026
Wishing everyone a happy New Year. This photo of a Bittern was taken several years ago, I was under island mere hide, laying with my head on the ground and the camera lens elevated up under the boards and is slightly cropped to centre the image. The Bittern was that close to me.
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Les Cater @lesjwc.bsky.social · 30/12/2025
Thank you, that's very kind of you to say so 😊👍
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Les Cater @lesjwc.bsky.social · 29/12/2025
As we come to an end of another year, I have taken the time to reflect on this years photography adventures which have taken me to all four corners of England. I asked myself, could I have another good year like last year, the answer is simple, they just keep getting better, a few of those moments 😊
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Les Cater @lesjwc.bsky.social · 23/12/2025
You too Mike, and your good wife as well. have a good start to 2026, see you soon 😊👍
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Les Cater @lesjwc.bsky.social · 23/12/2025
Many thanks and to you as well, have a good one 😊
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Les Cater @lesjwc.bsky.social · 23/12/2025
😂😊👍👍
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Les Cater @lesjwc.bsky.social · 23/12/2025
WISHING One and All a Very Merry Christmas and a Wonderful, Healthy Happy New Year. I would like to thank everyone who has commented, liked and for your positive words of appreciation for my photography. Enjoy the Christmas spirit which we all share at this time of year 😊☃️🎄☃️
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