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Matt Hall @matthall95.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

What a day on Scilly🤯. Feeding frenzy of Fin Whale, Minke + 100 C Dolphin. Then 180(!) Grey Phalarope, 600 Cory's Shear, 2 Bonxie, ringtail Harrier sp, Glossy Ibis, Red-backed Shrike, 2 YBW + point blank Sora at dusk @oscardewhurst.bsky.social @aravindramesh19.bsky.social @migrationmatt.bsky.social

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Matt Hobbs @migrationmatt.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

An amazing start to our now annual week on Scilly. Sora at Porthellick right in front of the hide 😍 with @matthall95.bsky.social @aravindramesh19.bsky.social and @oscardewhurst.bsky.social #Scilly #ukbirding #birds @birdguides.bsky.social

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Matt Hall @matthall95.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Excellent variety at New Passage yesterday morning - 3 Spoonbill SW, Merlin, Hobby, Spotted Redshank, 3 Golden Plover, 10 Barwit, 47 Blackwit, 2 Great White Egret, Pochard, Kingfisher and Siskin @oscardewhurst.bsky.social #ukbirding

3 Spoonbill originally picked up by Pete Hazelwood at Oldbury Power Station and tracked down past New Passage

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Matt Hall @matthall95.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Strange morning at New Passage - patch mega Nuthatch and escaped Greater Flamingo punctuated an otherwise extremely quiet visit. The joys of patch birding! @bristolbirding.bsky.social

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Matt Hall @matthall95.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Cracking views of Leach's Petrel today at Severn Beach. Plus juv Arctic Tern, at least 2 Manx Shearwater and 2 frustrating Skua sp #ukbirding

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Matt Hall @matthall95.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Oh dear. Do we know if they have they been released though?

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Matt Hall @matthall95.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

Some more footage of the Boney's from before high tide, nicely illustrating the structural differences from the surrounding Black-headed Gulls

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Matt Hall @matthall95.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

Thanks! And that is extraordinary

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Matt Hall @matthall95.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

After a rather nervy 24 hours, it was a huge relief when @severnsidebirds.bsky.social's Bonaparte's Gull plonked itself in front of us this morning at New Passage. Much anticipated patch first! Also drake Common Scoter, redhead Goosander, Green Sandpiper and 2 Yellow Wag @oscardewhurst.bsky.social

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Paul Bowerman @severnsidebirds.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

Well I wasn't expecting this on my front lawn/driveway tonight. A juvenile Puffin. Number 171 for my house list. Will be released at Weston super Mare at midnight.

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Jamie Dunning @j-dunning.net · 23/07/2026

Given puffins fledge at night to avoid predators, and given the extreme tides, we released this one down the channel at high tide in the hope it will be encouraged back towards Lundy.

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Matt Hall @matthall95.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

The 2 gorgeous adult Curlew Sandpiper still present on Pilning Wetland this evening, plus Whimbrel, 165 Curlew, 3 Common Sandpiper, 9 Common Gull and an impressive pre roost gathering of 500+ hirundines #ukbirding

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Matt Hall @matthall95.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

They're all over the whole area - but Rushmead Lane probably your best best. Park at the big layby at: 51.4744034, -2.3169622

maps.app.goo.gl

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Matt Hall @matthall95.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

They seem to be moving around a fair bit - pretty much all different locations to earlier in the week - so bit tricky. But the slurry tank at the highest point of Shire Hill not a bad bet. And there's more regularly been 2 singing on the Marshfield side of Down Road (west of 51.4704998, -2.2971997)

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Matt Hall @matthall95.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

7 singing Quail this morning at Marshfield. Wonderful place with Hobby, Spotted Flycatchers, presumed returning f-type Redstart plus stacks of farmland birds I don't see enough such as Corn Bunting, Yellowhammer and Yellow Wag @reuben-veal.bsky.social @jackwylson.bsky.social @hull24matt.bsky.social

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Matt Hall @matthall95.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

Was quite the shock when 2 Great Shearwater appeared in my scope this morning at Severn Beach. Briefly came in towards Chittening then lingered distantly left of Denny Island. Presumably one of the duo currently being tracked down the estuary past Sand Point, Anchor Head and now Burnham #ukbirding

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Matt Hall @matthall95.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

I wish! Enormously rare this far up the estuary - has only ever been one record on Severnside (1988)

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Matt Hall @matthall95.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

Hey, we had the Bonxie quite briefly at 08:57 around the yellow marker heading SW. We lost it going towards your way in the murk so that could well fit in with your sighting!

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Matt Hall @matthall95.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

Seabirds galore at Severn Beach! 250+ Manx Shearwater, Great Northern Diver, Bonxie, Arctic Skua, Fulmar, 2 Storm Petrel, 2 Common Scoter and 4 Kittiwake this morning. Dark phase Arctic Skua, 2 Guillemot, 5 Common Tern and 2 Kitts last night @andy-1963.bsky.social @severnsidebirds.bsky.social

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Matt Hall @matthall95.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

Surprisingly good estuary watch at Severn Beach with @severnsidebirds.bsky.social, with prolonged views of Storm Petrel, Spoonbill crossing NW to Wales, 5 Guillemot, Gannet, 9 Sanderling and 3 Whimbrel. Med Gull, Siskin and 2 late Tree Pipit also at New Passage

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Matt Hall @matthall95.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

Pics of the Temminck's duo and classic Severnside view of the arse end of a departing Spoonbill @severnsidebirds.bsky.social

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Matt Hall @matthall95.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

The excellent run of patch birds continued this morning with these 2 dinky Temminck's Stint picked up by @oscardewhurst.bsky.social that spent just over an hour on Pilning Wetland before flying strongly NE. An adult Spoonbill made an even briefer appearance #ukbirding

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Matt Hall @matthall95.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

Point-blank views of Nightjar less than a mile from home - not what I expected this evening on the mean streets of Easton, Bristol! Enormous thank you to the homeowner for news and access #ukbirding

Nightjar on a post, less than a metre from the kitchen window!

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Matt Hall @matthall95.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

Rather splendid pair of Black-winged Stilt still at Pilning Wetland this morning with @andy-1963.bsky.social @oscardewhurst.bsky.social @aravindramesh19.bsky.social

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Matt Hall @matthall95.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

Patch record flock of 12 Cattle Egret briefly joined the cattle on Northwick Warth in a rain shower before heading NE. Not quite the fabled May 1st patch mega I was hoping for, but v smart in their summer finery! Highlights at Severn Beach first thing were single Common Tern and Hobby #ukbirding

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Matt Hobbs @migrationmatt.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

Double #vismig sessions at Severn Beach today. @severnsidebirds.bsky.social @matthall95.bsky.social @oscardewhurst.bsky.social 54 Yellow Wagtail* 3 Whinchat 100 Bar-tailed Godwit* 38 Swift* 6 Arctic Tern 260 Swallow 44 Sand Martin 10 Sanderling 21 Whimbrel* Etc. www.trektellen.org/count/view/5...

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Matt Hall @matthall95.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

Been great fun trying to pick them out of flocks of Commons/Arctics. Spot the single Black Tern in this shot by @jonperkins.bsky.social from Saturday evening

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Matt Hall @matthall95.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

It has been a wonderful spring for all 5 of the 'regular' terns at Severn Beach - but in particular Black Tern. These 10 dip feeding amongst a flock of 80 Little Gull and 30 Commic Tern on Friday were a particular highlight, as were a mega flock of 65 on Saturday evening that went high NE #ukbirding

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Matt Hobbs @migrationmatt.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

Another good #vismig at Severn Beach yesterday. A bit quiet generally but some nice flocks of terns in the morning inc. 63 Arctic (16, 47)*, 2 Arctic Skua, 2 Hobby, 2 Gannet and Brent Goose @severnsidebirds.bsky.social @matthall95.bsky.social @oscardewhurst.bsky.social @andy-1963.bsky.social

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Matt Hall @matthall95.bsky.social · 24/04/2026

Best time of year on the Severn! Vismig highlights at Severn Beach: 10 Black Tern, 1 Little Tern, 1 Arctic Tern, 79 Common Tern, 30 Commics, 192 (!) Little Gull, 7 Grey Plover, 70 Whimbrel, 61 Bar-tailed Godwit, 4 Greenshank, 22 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Tree Pipit, 3 Redpoll and 3 Siskin #ukbirding

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Matt Hobbs @migrationmatt.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

An epic #vismig day on Severnside w/ @matthall95.bsky.social @aravindramesh19.bsky.social @severnsidebirds.bsky.social 8 Little Tern 24 Common Tern 74 Little Gull* Arctic Skua Hobby* Blue-headed Wag* (prob) 36 Yellow Wag 92 Sand Mart 605 Swallow* 159 House Mart www.trektellen.org/count/view/5...

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Matt Hall @matthall95.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

Not much better than flocks of terns on migration, glinting in the sunshine! This flock of 10 (last individual just out of shot) headed NE over the Prince of Wales bridge

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Matt Hall @matthall95.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

Patch mega Red-legged Partridge ✅, 11 Sandwich Tern, 3 Grey Plover, LRP, Ringed Plover, Great White Egret, Marsh Harrier, Red Kite, 2 Wheatear, 2 Willow Warbler, 20+ Blackcap, 92 Sand Martin and 28 Swallow the highlights at Severn Beach this morning with @oscardewhurst.bsky.social #ukbirding

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Matt Hall @matthall95.bsky.social · 30/03/2026

I think last year we had combined totals of 1200+ on 23rd March and 1400+ on 24th March in claggy NEs!

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Matt Hall @matthall95.bsky.social · 30/03/2026

I think it's the second highest total - there was a day with 1400 in claggy NEs last March!

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Matt Hall @matthall95.bsky.social · 29/03/2026

Bluesky has obviously compressed the video to oblivion - @oscardewhurst.bsky.social probably has better clips

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Matt Hall @matthall95.bsky.social · 29/03/2026

Seemingly neverending stream of Kittiwake at Severn Beach this afternoon. This initial group was joined by a number of additional flocks giving a conservative estimate of 1200+ total. Wonderful to watch one large group tower up above the bridge and go NE, overland. Nice dark Arctic Skua also seen

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Andy Stockhausen @andy-1963.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

Severnside's joint earliest record of Osprey seen from Severn Beach today with @oscardewhurst.bsky.social @matthall95.bsky.social & @aravindramesh19.bsky.social. Kettled up to find a thermal and then zoomed out over the estuary towards Wales. Patch magic. Boc pic: Matt Hall. #avonbirding #ukbirding

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Matt Hobbs @migrationmatt.bsky.social · 22/03/2026

A beautiful morning of #vismig at Severn Beach yesterday. RB Merganser, 11 Gannet*, Avocet, House Martin, 19 Sand Martin* and 463 Meadow Pipit* the highlights with Jack Snipe, Ruff, 7 LRP and 90 Curlew* at Pilning Wetland later www.trektellen.org/count/view/5... @severnsidebirds.bsky.social

11 gannet and 2 herring gull at Severn Beach

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Matt Hall @matthall95.bsky.social · 21/03/2026

Really nice vismig at Severn Beach with highlights drake Red-breasted Merganser becoming my 3rd patch sawbill of the year (just need Smew to complete the set!), Avocet, 11 Gannet appearing out the murk, 19 Sand Martin and 447 Mipit. Plus first House Martin of the year, Jack Snipe and Ruff at Pilning

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Matt Hall @matthall95.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

Spring is here and birds are moving! Sunny morning with easterly wind on Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland produced 2 gorgeous dip feeding Little Gull, male Wheatear, 14 Sand Martin NE, 5 LRP, Jack Snipe and 60 Knot @oscardewhurst.bsky.social @andy-1963.bsky.social #ukbirding

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Matt Hall @matthall95.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

The Hooded Merganser that turned up on Pilning Wetland on Monday was not on anyone's radar - @andy-1963.bsky.social caused a panicked scramble from Severnside patchers to get to it before the light faded. Did the right thing for its credibility by summarily disappearing after a day of feeding!

Hooded Merganser - first view of its unringed legs!

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Matt Hall @matthall95.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

I can do Merlin and hirundines 😂

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Matt Hall @matthall95.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

Other highlights included Barbary Partridge, Plain Swift, Cream-coloured Courser, Stone Curlew, Audouin's Gull, Egyptian Vulture, Merlin, African Blue Tit, migrating hirundines, Spectacled Warbler, Trumpeter Finch, Berthelot's Pipit, Canary... and filthily twitched AGP and Spotted Sandpiper (3/3)

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Matt Hall @matthall95.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

A special encounter with this Barbary Falcon. Strikingly different to our familiar Peregrines (2/3)

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Matt Hall @matthall95.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

A much appreciated sunny (non-birding 😉) week in Lanzarote produced some excellent birds in beautiful surrounds. I spent two early mornings watching this incredible Houbara - although I unfortunately never managed to capture the bonkers fluffed up running aspect of his display! (1/3)

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Andy Stockhausen @andy-1963.bsky.social · 23/02/2026

Was thinking of knocking it on the head for the day, when I decided to take one more look at Pilning Wetland. Glad I did, as this Hooded Merganser had just arrived ahead of a bank of low cloud and drizzle. Needless to say, a patch lifer! Pic: @matthall95.bsky.social #ukbirding

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