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Mark Simmonds @markbirdingpinoso.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

This very focused Squacco Heron was at El Hondo the other day. All the other summer herons had departed for Africa. I love the stealth of herons and egrets. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #Alicante

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Mark Simmonds @markbirdingpinoso.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

My first Grayling of the year was in the amazing Enchanted City near Cuenca. Some amazing rock formations in the middle of pine forests- part of a limestone pavement. #butterfly #butterflyphotography #butterflies #naturephotography #insects

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Mark Simmonds @markbirdingpinoso.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

After dropping my daughter off at the airport just had to pop into El Hondo. Most summer visitors have gone and just a few winter birds arriving. Always good to see the numbers of Eurasian Spoonbills building up including lots of young birds. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography

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Mark Simmonds @markbirdingpinoso.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

I think this is my favourite photo of a Griffon Vulture from my trip to Cuenca. Masters of the air. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #birdsofprey

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Mark Simmonds @markbirdingpinoso.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Great video from Chris of this Bee-eater that kept coming back to the same branch👍🏽👍🏽

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Mark Simmonds @markbirdingpinoso.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

My #birdoftheday #pairs is this pair of Great Crested Grebes displaying at El Hondo earlier this year. Such elegant birds. #birds #birdphotography

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Mark Simmonds @markbirdingpinoso.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

There are still a few European Bee-eaters passing through and this one did the right thing and sat up on a natural post rather than a wire. Such beautiful birds. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #Alicante

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Mark Simmonds @markbirdingpinoso.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

My #birdoftheday #borbs has to be this stunning Western Black-eared Wheatear taken in the spring near Pinoso. #birds #birdphotography

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Mark Simmonds @markbirdingpinoso.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

A super trip with our daughter to the fabulous city of Cuenca (UNESCO World Heritage site). The nearby cliff held a colony of Griffon Vultures. Amazing to watch soaring overhead. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #birdsofprey

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Mark Simmonds @markbirdingpinoso.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Amazingly this is my first photo of a Western House Martin even though they are still a common breeding bird in Pinoso. This was one of about 200 gathered on wires before heading south. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #Alicante

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Mark Simmonds @markbirdingpinoso.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

My #birdoftheday #raptors is this magnificent juvenile Spanish Eagle that was sat in a field near the road. Such a success story in Spain. #birdphotography #birds

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Mark Simmonds @markbirdingpinoso.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Whilst there are still summer birds and migrants passing through it is nice to have the odd Bluethroat back at the spring near Pinoso. Fabulous birds to have about. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #Alicante

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Mark Simmonds @markbirdingpinoso.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

My #birdoftheday #Redheads has to be this wild Red Junglefowl taken in Singapore earlier this year. The origin of all domestic chickens. Absolutely stunning birds. #birdphotography #birds

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Mark Simmonds @markbirdingpinoso.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

After 4 days of guiding the final tally was 142 species. One of the surprise birds was this juvenile Goshawk - a very scarce bird in the region (I’m lucky if I see one a year). #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #birdsofprey

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Mark Simmonds @markbirdingpinoso.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

I only see Northern Wheatear in the spring and autumn here. This smart bird was on the local steppe and is my #birdoftheday #fallbirds. #birdphotography

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Mark Simmonds @markbirdingpinoso.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

My 4 days of guiding have come to an end but what great company and birds. Both Sandgrouse species seen as well as 14 species of raptor including Spanish Eagle and 5 Golden Eagles on our last day. These are Pin-tailed Sandgrouse near Pinoso. #birds #birdphotography #birding #Alicante

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Mark Simmonds @markbirdingpinoso.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

After 3 days guiding with a guest at our B&B we have achieved all the target birds and have seen 133 species including amazing views of Little Bittern at Clot Del Galvany. What will our final day bring? #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #Alicante

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Mark Simmonds @markbirdingpinoso.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

I came across this absolutely stunning Western Black-eared Wheatear near Pinoso the other day. What a beautiful bird. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #Alicante

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Mark Simmonds @markbirdingpinoso.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Super capture from Chris 👍🏽👍🏽

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Mark Simmonds @markbirdingpinoso.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Good numbers of migrants moving through the area around Pinoso now. One stop at some small bushes produced 10 Western Subalpine Warblers - which I managed one photo! Such skulkers. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #Alicante

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Mark Simmonds @markbirdingpinoso.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

I was very pleased to find this beautiful juvenile Montagu’s Harrier hunting near Pinoso in the company of a Marsh Harrier. Good migration happening with lots of Pied Flycatchers including one in the garden. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #Alicante

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Mark Simmonds @markbirdingpinoso.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Another butterfly from my trip to France - Clouded Yellow. Loads seen as in the UK this year. Common early on here but none seen for a few months now. #butterfly #butterflyphotography #butterflies #naturephotography #insects

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Mark Simmonds @markbirdingpinoso.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

My first decent photo of a Blue Tit taken on my recent trip to France. A scarce and elusive bird in the Alicante region but a common garden bird elsewhere. Such beautiful birds that I think we take for granted. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #France

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Mark Simmonds @markbirdingpinoso.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Whilst in France I was lucky to find a new species that I had not seen before - the Sooty Copper. Very distinctive. The area I was staying north of Bordeaux was great for butterflies. #butterfly #butterflyphotography #butterflies #insects #naturephotography

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Mark Simmonds @markbirdingpinoso.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

I have just driven back from a friends wedding in France. A long 6 days round trip. However I was pleased to see so many European Pied Flycatchers breeding in my friends garden north of Bordeaux. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #France

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Mark Simmonds @markbirdingpinoso.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Another super juvenile European Bee-eater near Pinoso. This one was trying to stay cool whilst watching for insects to catch. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #Alicante

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Mark Simmonds @markbirdingpinoso.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

I do wonder what the Mallard and Coot were discussing at Clot Del Galvany last week? Any thoughts? I do love the blue on the Mallards wing even though it is eclipse plumage. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #Alicante

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Mark Simmonds @markbirdingpinoso.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

This Western Cattle Egret seemed to be checking itself out at Clot Del Galvany!! #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #Alicante

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Mark Simmonds @markbirdingpinoso.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

What a great shot from Lyndy👍🏽👍🏽

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Mark Simmonds @markbirdingpinoso.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Never an easy one to catch in flight but nice to have a fly over European Bee-eater with wasp near Pinoso. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #Alicante

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Mark Simmonds @markbirdingpinoso.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Another view of one of the Western Red-rumped Swallows from the other day. I love their chestnut napes and rumps. Safe journey. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #Alicante

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Mark Simmonds @markbirdingpinoso.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

European Bee-eaters are passing through in good numbers now. This adult was one of 45 on my local patch. This small group stopped off to feed for a while and performed amazingly. #birdoftheday #ABCD birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #Alicante

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Mark Simmonds @markbirdingpinoso.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

This morning it was the Western Red-rumped Swallows gathering on the wires at Monte Coto. Such beautiful birds - resting in the early morning light before heading south. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #Alicante

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Mark Simmonds @markbirdingpinoso.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

I was definitely getting a stern look from this Barn Swallow on my local patch this morning. Good migration today with Garden Warbler and Common Whitethroat (both very scarce migrants in Alicante region) in the same bush. 143 species in September so far👍🏽 #birds #birdphotography #birding

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Mark Simmonds @markbirdingpinoso.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

European Bee-eaters are starting to pass through the area in good numbers now. Even get groups over my garden everyday here in Pinoso. This young bird was busy feeding on wasps. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #Alicante

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Mark Simmonds @markbirdingpinoso.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Some nice Red-veined Darters at my local spring this afternoon. Also saw Emperor and Lesser Emperor and Orange-winged Dropwing. #dragonfly #dragonflyphotography #dragonflies #naturephotography #insects

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Mark Simmonds @markbirdingpinoso.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Well this was a first for me - a juvenile Pin-tailed Sandgrouse on my local steppe. I saw 3 pairs with fully grown young - so they have obviously bred nearby. Quite different from the adult plumage. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #Alicante

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Mark Simmonds @markbirdingpinoso.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Another shot of the Pallid Swift from the other day at the local spring. Just the odd one about now. Will miss them. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #swifts #Alicante

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Mark Simmonds @markbirdingpinoso.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Starting to see signs of migration down here now. This Pied Flycatcher was one of 3 at my local patch as well as a Common Redstart. Today I had 3 Northern Wheatear and a Whinchat on the local steppe. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #Alicante

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Mark Simmonds @markbirdingpinoso.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

This winter plumaged White-headed Duck was certainly keeping an eye on me at Clot Del Galvany. Interesting how they loose the blue bill. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #Alicante

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Mark Simmonds @markbirdingpinoso.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Another stunning butterfly this time from Malaysia - the Tawny Coster. Truly a beautiful species. #butterfly #butterflyphotography #naturephotography #butterflies #insects

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Mark Simmonds @markbirdingpinoso.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

I see or hear Crested Tit on my local patch (Monte Coto) all the time but they are notorious difficult to photograph. This one popped out briefly giving me time to grab a shot. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #Alicante

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Mark Simmonds @markbirdingpinoso.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

The 1st September and a free day - so down to El Hondo and Santa Pola. I had a great session with the Little Terns again. The sky was very dark but the sun was out giving amazing lighting. Such characterful terns. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #Alicante

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Mark Simmonds @markbirdingpinoso.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Spot the Short-toed Treecreeper. I often see or hear them on my local patch (Monte Coto) but I actually got a couple of shots yesterday. Amazingly camouflaged against the pine bark. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #Alicante

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Mark Simmonds @markbirdingpinoso.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Another butterfly from Kaeng Krachan in Thailand - The Rustic. A forest dwelling species. Another stunner. #butterfly #butterflyphotography #butterflies #naturephotography #insects

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Mark Simmonds @markbirdingpinoso.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

I did not see many Grey-headed Lapwings on my trip to Malaysia and Thailand but this pair in an open area of the forest in Kaeng Krachan showed amazingly well. Very smart waders. #birds #birdphotography #birding #waders #natrurephotography #Thailand

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Mark Simmonds @markbirdingpinoso.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Another stunning looking butterfly from Kaeng Krachan National Park in Thailand. This is the Common Lascar. #butterfly #butterflyphotography #butterflies #naturephotography #insects

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Mark Simmonds @markbirdingpinoso.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

I had a fun session with a couple of late Pallid Swifts at my local spring. Always tricky subjects but managed to get a couple of decent shots. Have a great weekend everyone. #birds #birdphotography #saveourswifts #birding #naturephotography #Alicante

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