Sign in

Mark James Pearson

@markthebirder.bsky.social
1.7K followers 100 following 491 posts

Yorkshire-based birder, ecologist, guide, writer, speaker, educator, comms for conservation orgs. #ZeissBirding. He/Him. Birding - Northernrustic.blogspot.com / Music - morningbride.bandcamp.com

PostsRepliesMedia
Mark James Pearson @markthebirder.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Back on home turf at Flamborough for a few days guiding - checked the gulls at dusk, which included Caspian and Mediterranean - but it was the North Sea that really stole the show..... @flamboroughbird.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social
0371
Mark James Pearson @markthebirder.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
Spurn, you were a joy as ever... full summary of last week's guiding: northernrustic.blogspot.com/2026/10/spur... @nybirdnews.bsky.social @rarebirder.bsky.social @yorkscoastnature.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social (pic - Eyebrowed Thrush)
0161
Mark James Pearson @markthebirder.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
So, the day after the inbound Song Thrush invasion, I got to witness the outbound exodus, in a very different location: northernrustic.blogspot.com/2026/10/a-we... (pics - Golden Plovers, Song Thrush) @nybirdnews.bsky.social @yorkscoastnature.bsky.social
0101
Mark James Pearson @markthebirder.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
A huge influx of continental Song Thrushes at Filey the other day (plus Yellow-browed Warblers, Ring Ouzel, Lapland Buntings and more): northernrustic.blogspot.com/2026/10/a-we... @nybirdnews.bsky.social @yorkscoastnature.bsky.social
0241
Mark James Pearson @markthebirder.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
The joy of migration - six seconds, six Song Thrushes, arriving in off at Filey yesterday... There were plenty more, too - full details here: northernrustic.blogspot.com/2026/10/a-we... @nybirdnews.bsky.social
1332
Mark James Pearson @markthebirder.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
A day of wildfowl and passerines on the move along the mighty Humber: northernrustic.blogspot.com/2026/09/nort...
1151
Mark James Pearson @markthebirder.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Lovely seawatch at Eyemouth this morning with highlights including two Pomarine, one Great and eight Arctic Skuas, nine Little Gulls, Sooty and Manx Shearwaters, Ruff south, plenty of noisy, high Pink-footed Geese south, and a constant stream of Meadow Pipits coasting south. Now, to the Highlands!
0130
Mark James Pearson @markthebirder.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
A busy, birdy work day on the industrial south bank of the mighty Humber - migrants were very welcome (as always): northernrustic.blogspot.com/2026/09/migr... Pics - Cetti's Warbler, Reed Warbler, Common Buzzard, Black-tailed Godwits @lincsbirding.bsky.social @lincswildlife.bsky.social
0100
Mark James Pearson @markthebirder.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
A fabulous day on the boat out of Staithes, North Yorks, with Minke Whales stealing the show: northernrustic.blogspot.com/2026/09/back...
0141
Mark James Pearson @markthebirder.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
It wasn't just whales - plenty of tubenoses to enjoy on our boat trip out of Gloucester, Mass, including 325 (!) Wilson's Sorm-petrels... more here: northernrustic.blogspot.com/2026/09/tube... #seabirds #petrels #whalewatch #pelagic #massachusetts
090
Mark James Pearson @markthebirder.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
🙏
010
Mark James Pearson @markthebirder.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
The weather scuppered my planned pelagics off Yorkshire today, so I'm consoling us with more of the Humpbacks off Massachusetts a couple of weeks ago: northernrustic.blogspot.com/2026/09/hump...
150
Mark James Pearson @markthebirder.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Photos and videos of an insanely entertaining whale-watching trip out of Gloucester, Massachusetts a couple of weeks back: northernrustic.blogspot.com/2026/09/hump... Thanks Neddy for great pics! #whalewatching #humpback #masswildlife #cetaceans #stellwagenbank
070
Mark James Pearson @markthebirder.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
A quick one from Sharon, Connecticut, where - not unusually, most of the wildlife highlights were a) non-avian and b) during local runs... more here: northernrustic.blogspot.com/2026/08/shar...
northernrustic.blogspot.com
Sharon, Connecticut - mid-August '26
Another entertaining encounter with wildlife while on a run  A few days on the western edge of Connecticut with another part of the fam -...
020
Mark James Pearson @markthebirder.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
More from the shore: an Osprey nest at ground level on the rocks and more, here: northernrustic.blogspot.com/2026/08/on-r...
080
Mark James Pearson @markthebirder.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
More from the shore - migrating shorebirds offshore from Maine, plus other goodies: northernrustic.blogspot.com/2026/08/on-r... (Pics - Least and Semipalmated Sandpipers)
0100
Mark James Pearson @markthebirder.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
From our time in Maine: a trip out to Damariscove Island with Bob and co, with Wilson's Storm-petrels and more on the way there and back: northernrustic.blogspot.com/2026/08/dama...
080
Mark James Pearson @markthebirder.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
More from Maine - Common Loons and sparring Bald Eagles at our local swimming hole: northernrustic.blogspot.com/2026/08/loon...
030
Mark James Pearson @markthebirder.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Recent taxonomic revisions have shown Ospreys are actually more closely related to Muppets than they are to other raptors, a revelation not hard to accept on morphological evidence such as the photo below. More here: northernrustic.blogspot.com/2026/08/dama...
080
Mark James Pearson @markthebirder.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
Osprey Code, rule one - don't shit on your own doorstep. This well-grown young 'un is taking one of its last dookies under the folk's roof before migrating to Central / South America for the first time. More here: northernrustic.blogspot.com/2026/08/dama...
060
Mark James Pearson @markthebirder.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
A fine week in Maine with great people, birds, animals and landscapes: northernrustic.blogspot.com/2026/08/main... (Pics: Eastern Bluebird, Broad-winged Hawk, Monarch)
050
Reposted by Mark James Pearson
Radio Lento @radiolento.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
Night all. 😴 Episode 170 - Night murmuring in Tenby (60 mins) This is an hour-long, *sleep safe* episode. Let the sound of the wind in the trees lull you to sleep. > radiolento.podbean.com/e/170-night-... <
a dark purple / grey night sky over tall trees in summer
1366
Mark James Pearson @markthebirder.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
Thanks!
000
Mark James Pearson @markthebirder.bsky.social · 26/07/2026
Just back from our family trip to Vermont, where a few birding sessions were inevitably sneaked in: northernrustic.blogspot.com/2026/07/jama... (Pics: Northern Yellow Warbler, Hermit Thrush, Chestnut-sidedc Warbler, American Red Squirrel)
1100
Mark James Pearson @markthebirder.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
Oh what a lovely #BirdFair! Good times repping @yorkscoastnature.bsky.social and #Zeissbirding and catching up with lots of lovely people... @globalbirdfair.bsky.social
0112
Mark James Pearson @markthebirder.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
Thanks mate!
010
Mark James Pearson @markthebirder.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
A huge thank you to everone who donated - three and a half grand for Leeds Swifts! That's more than three years worth of rescue and rehab costs, plus leftovers for boxes at local schools and more. No more half-marathons for the foreseeable 🚑🐢
3110
Mark James Pearson @markthebirder.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
More breeding wader drama on my industrial survey site on the south bank of the Humber - against all odds, Ringed Plovers have again nested in an area where it seemed all suitable habitat was lost. Also the first returning flocks of Avocets & Black-tailed Godwits as autumn migration begins....
0230
Mark James Pearson @markthebirder.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
This is genuinely fabulous, Pete 😍
110
Mark James Pearson @markthebirder.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
Very happy to have cashed in on the Quail influx on my #York #nocmig - two the night before last, and another two last night! Full counts at trektellen.org/count/view/3... @xeno-canto.bsky.social @trektellen.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social
0112
Mark James Pearson @markthebirder.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
Thanks mate, really appreciate it 🙏
010
Mark James Pearson @markthebirder.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
Ok, one last push... with less than 48 hrs til the race, I'm just a few 100 quid shy of 3K - that's THREE YEARS of funds covering all Leeds Swifts rescue, rehab & release costs with enough left for Swift boxes at local Schools! It takes less than a minute: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding...
192
Mark James Pearson @markthebirder.bsky.social · 14/06/2026
Swift fundraising update! With less than a week to go, we've revised the target up to £2500 - and we're not far off! Any chance you could help me get there? Donate here: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding... For a full update have a look here: northernrustic.blogspot.com/.../running-....
062
Mark James Pearson @markthebirder.bsky.social · 14/06/2026
A flurry of Common Quails have been picked up by my Flamborough recorder this week - three (!) in the early hours of 10th, and one on 6th - a joy to hear those distinctive rasps and whips recorded as they migrated overhead in the dead of night. More here: trektellen.org/count/view/2...
080
Mark James Pearson @markthebirder.bsky.social · 13/06/2026
A long but enjoyable day on the South bank of the Humber: northernrustic.blogspot.com/2026/06/nort... @lincsbirding.bsky.social @lincswildlife.bsky.social
070
Mark James Pearson @markthebirder.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
Big dramas with small fluffballs - more here: northernrustic.blogspot.com/2026/06/indu... #Lapwings #Springwatch #Lincsbirds
Lapwing chick
080
Mark James Pearson @markthebirder.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
A real highlight of our last School of Birding was making it to the near-summit of Cairn Gorm, where we were hoping for Dotterel, Ptarmigan, Ring Ouzel and more.... how did we fare? Find out here: northernrustic.blogspot.com/2026/06/cair... #highlands #scotsbirding #cairngorm #birdingscotland
0141
Reposted by Mark James Pearson
Yorkshire Coast Nature @yorkscoastnature.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
Our new blog on Yorkshire Coast Nature is a wonderfully written feature by @markthebirder.bsky.social on his personal challenge to help Swifts. Please use this link below to read his blog and help him reach his goal: www.yorkshirecoastnature.co.uk/blog/567/swi...
053
Mark James Pearson @markthebirder.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
Catch-up time... a summary of a memorable and hugely enjoyable School of Birding last month, with a great many highlights and memories! northernrustic.blogspot.com/2026/06/scho... We're all sold out for 2026, but our 2027 dates are now available and selling fast: www.schoolofbirding.com
northernrustic.blogspot.com
School of Birding, Module Two, Class Three - May '26
Alright, catching up time.... May was, as ever, super busy (not entirely sure where it went, to be honest) but after guiding at Spurn and ...
020
Reposted by Mark James Pearson
Mark James Pearson @markthebirder.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Up in Northumberland on a family break but the training continues... A few runs including this hilly 15km. Nothing hurts and nothing fell off - so far, so good. I'm doing it for the fantastic volunteer team at Leeds Swifts - can you spare a few quid? Click here: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding...
092
Mark James Pearson @markthebirder.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Up in Northumberland on a family break but the training continues... A few runs including this hilly 15km. Nothing hurts and nothing fell off - so far, so good. I'm doing it for the fantastic volunteer team at Leeds Swifts - can you spare a few quid? Click here: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding...
092
Reposted by Mark James Pearson
Mark James Pearson @markthebirder.bsky.social · 25/05/2026
Please share! I've left it late, but I've decided to run the East Yorks Half-marathon in 4 weeks' time to raise money for Leeds Swifts. Can you get my lazy arse over the line, and help them save the quintessential sight, sound and spectacle of the summer? THANK YOU! Donate here: tinyurl.com/36akubft
0124
Mark James Pearson @markthebirder.bsky.social · 25/05/2026
Please share! I've left it late, but I've decided to run the East Yorks Half-marathon in 4 weeks' time to raise money for Leeds Swifts. Can you get my lazy arse over the line, and help them save the quintessential sight, sound and spectacle of the summer? THANK YOU! Donate here: tinyurl.com/36akubft
0124
Mark James Pearson @markthebirder.bsky.social · 24/05/2026
Plenty more to enjoy at Eyemouth yesterday morning (not just the Honey-buzzard): northernrustic.blogspot.com/2026/05/eyem... (photos - Peregrine, female Stonechat)
030
Mark James Pearson @markthebirder.bsky.social · 23/05/2026
A little more on this morning's Honey-buzzard, in off the sea and low over my head at Eyemouth: northernrustic.blogspot.com/2026/05/eyem... @scottishbirding.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social @rarebirder.bsky.social
0430
Mark James Pearson @markthebirder.bsky.social · 23/05/2026
Honey-buzzard just arrived in off the sea here at Eyemouth in the Scottish Borders - right over my head! @birdguides.bsky.social @rarebirder.bsky.social @scottishbirding.bsky.social
0791
Mark James Pearson @markthebirder.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
A fine few days guiding back on my home turf of @flamboroughbird.bsky.social and RSPB Bempton Cliffs - northernrustic.blogspot.com/2026/05/guid... (Pics - Black Redstart, Grey Seals) @yorkscoastnature.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social
0132
Reposted by Mark James Pearson
Yorkshire Coast Nature @yorkscoastnature.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
It was a cracking birding week for Mark Pearson @markthebirder.bsky.social leading our five day YCN Spurn holiday in April with many great birds such as this Wryneck (photo by Mark). Read all about their week in his blog here: www.yorkshirecoastnature.co.uk/blog/565/spu...
081
Mark James Pearson @markthebirder.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
Halfway through a working week guiding at @flamboroughbird.bsky.social and RSPB Bempton Cliffs for @yorkscoastnature.bsky.social . Lots of migration to enjoy, sunny skies, and countless thousands of breeding seabirds - including these little 'uns.
0235
Reposted by Mark James Pearson
diddlydog.bsky.social @diddlydog.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
Very enjoyable visit to #Flamborough and #RSPBBempton yesterday with @markthebirder.bsky.social of @yorkscoastnature.bsky.social . Great guiding, friendly group and some unexpected birds, inc Hooded Crow and Greenland Wheatear. All the Auks were on show and 2 Razorbills at war. #UKBirding #ECK
181