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Mike Holley @mikeholley.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

A decent week’s birding, the Wryneck at Bredon on Wednesday being the highlight. A Common Ringed Plover on CLP was new in at Grimley this morning. Best of the rest 5.45-8.45: 9 Little Egret, 2 GWE, 3 Green Sand, Common Sand, 3 Yellow Wag, Snipe, Tawny Owl, eclipse Wigeon (1st of season) #WorcsBirds

A Common Ringed Plover foraging on the west shore of the main pool at Camp Lane Pits, Grimley, Worcestershire.

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Mike Holley @mikeholley.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Decent day at WWT Slimbridge yesterday, star bird Grey Phal on the estuary. Other highlights: Spoonbill, 2 Garganey, 10 Spot Shank including 4 juvs, 3 Greenshank, 4 Redshank, 15+ Ruff, c175 BlackWits, 28 Curlew, 2 Green Sand, 2 GBB Gull, showy male Kingfisher from Martin Smith Hide. #GlosBirds

Spotted Redshank on Rusty pool at WWT Slimbridge.

Greenshank foraging on Rushy Pool at WWT Slimbridge.

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Mike Holley @mikeholley.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Dodgy video of the Black Tern at Upper Bittell this morning. #WorcsBirds

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Mike Holley @mikeholley.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

Smart looking juv Med Gull back at Camp Lane Pits was the highlight from 6 hours at Grimley & Clifton. Also CLP: 4 ad & 2 juv LRP, GWE, 6 Little Egret, 4 Common Tern. Clifton: Redshank thru, 9 Oystercatcher, 1 ad & 3 juv LRP, Common Sand, 3 Little Egret, 9 Common Tern, 4 Yellow Wag. #WorcsBirds

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Mike Holley @mikeholley.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

Kicked 2nd half of 2026 off yesterday with a decent afternoon at #uptonwarren. 6 wader species, including 3 smart summer plumage Black-tailed Godwits, and the “N9” ringed Curlew. Redstart calling from hedge to right of the Avocet Hide. Record photos (incl. Little Egret). #worcsbirds

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Mike Holley @mikeholley.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

Decent morning at the Wyre Forest, some good birds, including male Redstarts, the highlight though was watching a Dipper feeding a juvenile on Dowles Brook. Possibly one of the last feeds by the parent, see below 1/2. #WorcsBirds

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Mike Holley @mikeholley.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

Good views of adult female and juv Bittern, plus Barn Owl chick activity in nest box were the highlights of an otherwise quietish morning at Slimbridge. Good numbers of Avocet chicks. Closure of the Summer Walkway and being in a period of the lowest tides didn’t help wader numbers.

Black-tailed Godwits on the South Lake at Slimbridge Wetland Centre, Gloucestershire.

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Mike Holley @mikeholley.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

A 5am start at #Earlswood before the rain was rewarded with cracking views of the Spoonbill just a few feet away off the causeway. #WarksBirds

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Mike Holley @mikeholley.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

Worth an evening visit in the rain to #Earlswood for the Spoonbill, after a fruitless visit earlier in the afternoon. Record shots in fading light and poor conditions. Saw breeding birds last week in Yorkshire but good to get locally. #WarksBirds

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Mike Holley @mikeholley.bsky.social · 08/11/2025

Foggy start to a decent morning at #uptonwarren. Notables Moors: fem Goldeneye, 13 Snipe, 5 Curlew (all unringed), mobile GWE, Stonechat pair, Sailing Pool: 5 Little Egret, GWE. Hen Brook: Kingfisher and 2 Water Rail showing well. Flashes: 119 Lapwing, 3 Snipe, 2 Stonchat. #WorcsBirds

Cropped photo of a female Goldeneye at Upton Warren Moors Pool, Worcestershire.

2 of 5 Curlew at Upton Warren Moors Pool, Worcestershire.

A Kingfisher with a catch at Upton Warren Hen Brook Pool, Worcestershire.

A Water Rail at Upton Warren Hen Brook Pool, Worcestershire.

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Mike Holley @mikeholley.bsky.social · 25/10/2025

6 juv and 4 adult Whooper Swans at #Grimley rounded off a decent week’s birding. Other notables from this morning: 4 Stonechat on north causeway, 11+ Common Snipe, 2 GWE, 4 Little Egret, Goosander over north, plus the usuals. #WorcsBirds

9 of the 10 Whooper Swans at Camp Lane Pits, Grimley, Worcestershire, on 25th October 2025. Four adults and five of the juveniles are shown in the photo, viewed from the south causeway.

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Mike Holley @mikeholley.bsky.social · 17/10/2025

A Dunlin, 5 Curlew, 6 Snipe and 3 Otters were among the highlights at #uptonwarren Moors today 7.30 to 11.00. Other notables: 48 Lapwing, Water Rail, Stonechat, Buzzard thru low, Green Woodpecker. 5 Little Egret was the best at the Sailing Pool. Dipped on the Rock Pipit at the Flashes. #WorcsBirds

Two of the five Curlew today at the Moors, Upton Warren Nature Reserve, Worcestershire. The Curlew are shown with three male Teal.

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Mike Holley @mikeholley.bsky.social · 15/10/2025

Best of Grimley 08:30-11:30. CLP: 3 Stonechat, 11 House Martin thru, 3 Snipe, 71 Lapwing, Sparrowhawk on west shore. CF: 2 Green Sand, 100+ mixed Finch flock including Redpoll. Wildgoose: Marsh Tit, GWE, Treecreeper, Green & Great Spot Woodpeckers. GWE was the only Egret seen anywhere. #WorcsBirds

A female Stonechat on the north causeway at Camp Lane Pits, Grimley, Worcestershire, on 15th October 2025. An adult male and immature male were also present.

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Mike Holley @mikeholley.bsky.social · 13/10/2025

2nd WeBS count at Bittell this morning. Good variety of waterfowl across the reservoirs and pools, albeit most of which were on the south section of the Lower reservoir. The main Upper reservoir was quiet, with no waders present during the count, and two GWE as the only notable. #WorcsBirds

View looking north across a pool adjacent to the main Upper Bittell reservoir, Worcestershire, on 13th October 2025. Two Kingfishers are a regular sight on this pool.

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Mike Holley @mikeholley.bsky.social · 10/10/2025

Finished the morning at #Grimley, where the highlights 10:00 to 12:00 were CLP: Green Sand, 2 Kingfisher, 2 Little Egret, 78 Lapwing. CF: 20+ Mipits. Wildgoose: GWE, 4 Little Egret. Wigeon count across CLP and CF up to 89. Species seen on CLP and CF was affected by separate disturbances. #WorcsBirds

A Great White Egret and two of the four Little Egret on the pool at Wildgoose Nature Reserve, Worcestershire, on 10th October, 2025. Note: A permit or WMBC membership is required to access part of the reserve.

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Mike Holley @mikeholley.bsky.social · 10/10/2025

Started a morning’s birding at Clifton. Notables from 6:30 to 09:30: GWE, 8 Little Egret, and a large, mobile finch flock in the southern sunflower fields, including Redpoll. An 800+ flock of (mostly) Greylag and Canada Geese dominated the pits. Photo: 3 of 23+ Egyptian Geese present. #WorcsBirds

Three Egyptian Geese on the main pit at Clifton on 10th October 2025.

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Mike Holley @mikeholley.bsky.social · 06/10/2025

A dawn start at #Grimley CLP paid off with 2 Cattle Egret on the west shore, and the Glossy Ibis and 2 GWE over north as they left the roost. A BlackWit dropped onto the west shore. Marsh Tit and a late Spotfly were the star birds at Wildgoose to round off a decent 6 hours birding. #WorcsBirds

Sunrise over the main pool at Camp Lane Pits, Grimley, Worcestershire, on 6th October 2025.

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Mike Holley @mikeholley.bsky.social · 04/10/2025

A Pink-footed Goose and a GWE were the highlights at #uptonwarren Moors from this morning’s wind and early rain. c75 Lapwing was the best from the usual others. At the Flashes, 4 Curlew still and cracking views this Green Woodpecker foraging in front of the Avocet hide. #WorcsBirds

A Green Woodpecker foraging in the grass in front of the Avocet Hide at The Flashes, Upton Warren Nature Reserve, Worcestershire, on 4th October 2025.

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Mike Holley @mikeholley.bsky.social · 03/10/2025

2 Ringed Plover on the east shore of CLP were the highlight at #Grimley from 06:30 to 09:15. Best of the rest at CLP / CF - Common Sand, 3 Little Egret over, 78 Lapwing, 2 Stonechat, Sparrowhawk thru, 2 Egyptian. CF: Wigeon numbers building with 28 on north pit. Also later, GWE at WG #WorcsBirds

5 of the 28 Wigeon on the north pit at Church Farm, Grimley, Worcestershire on 3rd October 2025.

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Mike Holley @mikeholley.bsky.social · 29/09/2025

Decent morning at #Grimley. Best of 8.30 to 12.30. CLP: Ringed Plover, Common Sand, 5 Snipe, 2 GWE, 6 Little Egret, Water Rail, 75+ Lapwing, Stonechat, Kingfisher, 2 Goldcrest. Church Farm: Common Sand, 15+ Swallow, Mipits. Wildgoose: Green Sand. Island Pool: Stonechat, 3 Little Egret. #WorcsBirds

A female Stonechat perched on a bush on the north causeway at Camp Lane Pits, Grimley, Worcestershire on 29th September 2025.

A Great White Egret feeding on the main pool at Camp Lane Pits, Grimley, Worcestershire on 29th September 2025.

A Common Snipe on the west shore of the Hippo Pool at Camp Lane Pits, Grimley, Worcestershire on 29th September 2025.

View looking north-east across the north end of the main pool at Camp Lane Pits, Grimley, Worcestershire on 29th September 2025.

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Mike Holley @mikeholley.bsky.social · 27/09/2025

One of two Roe Deer on the North Moors at #uptonwarren this morning.

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Mike Holley @mikeholley.bsky.social · 26/09/2025

No apologies for another photo of one of the Glossy Ibis at Croome. The low water level in the lake is providing plenty of feeding opportunities for them. #WorcsBirds

A juvenile Glossy Ibis feeding in the shallow water of the lake at Croome Park, Worcestershire, on 25th September 2025.

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Mike Holley @mikeholley.bsky.social · 25/09/2025

Cracking views of the four juvenile Glossy Ibis as they foraged at Croome today, this one just a few feet away on the edge of the lake. #WorcsBirds

A juvenile Glossy Ibis on the edge of the lake at Croome Park, Worcestershire, on 25th September 2025.

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Mike Holley @mikeholley.bsky.social · 25/09/2025

Went back to Croome this afternoon where the four juvenile Glossy Ibis showed really well, foraging in the channel off the lake. #WorcsBirds

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Mike Holley @mikeholley.bsky.social · 24/09/2025

Dropped into Grimley late morning where I was amazed to see a group of NINE GWEs on CLP, a personal record in the UK. Other notables at CLP: Ringed Plover (photo), Common Sand, 4 Little Egret, 70+ flighty Lapwing, Kestrel, close encounter with a Green Woodpecker on the causeway. #WorcsBirds

A Ringed Plover on the west shore of the main pool at Camp Lane Pits, Grimley, Worcestershire, on 24th September 2025.

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Mike Holley @mikeholley.bsky.social · 24/09/2025

Started the day at Clifton Pits where the Long-tailed Duck eventually showed well. 2 Green Sand were the only wader, 28+ adult and juv Greenfinch in the sunflower field was an encouraging sight for this Red list bird. Dropped into Coombe, where I somehow dipped on the 4 Glossy Ibis 😟. #WorcsBirds

A drake Long-tailed Duck on the north pit at Clifton, Worcestershire, on 24th September 2025.

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Mike Holley @mikeholley.bsky.social · 22/09/2025

Decent day at WWT Slimbridge: 2 Glossy Ibis, Curlew Sand with 11 Ruff, 3+ Spotshank, 3+ BarWit, Greenshank through on South Lake, 8 Curlew, 20+ BlackWit, 10+ Redshank, 3 Snipe, 30+ Ringed Plover, Dunlin through on estuary and 10 over Rushy, 2 Crane through, 4 Spoonbill over on M5. #GlosBirds

Two Black-tailed Godwits preening on the Rushy lake at WWT Slimbridge on 22nd September 2025.

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Mike Holley @mikeholley.bsky.social · 20/09/2025

2 Whinchat on Church Farm were the highlight at Grimley this morning. Other notables 6.00 to 11.30 - CLP: 2 Stonechat (photo), GWE, 15 Little Egret first thing, usual Common Sand, Kingfisher, Kestrel. Also at CF: Redshank heard but couldn’t locate on any pool, GWE over. #WorcsBirds

A Stonechat perched on a reed at Camp Lane Pits, Grimley, Worcestershire, on 20th September 2025.

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Mike Holley @mikeholley.bsky.social · 17/09/2025

Today’s forecasted morning of rain sadly failed to materialise. Started the day at #uptonwarren where the best was 2 Snipe, Common Sand, 71 Lapwing, Kingfisher, 2 eclipse Wigeon. Moved to Grimley CLP / CF for Dunlin through, GWE, Common Sand, 2 Little Egret, 2 Common Tern, Yellow Wag. #WorcsBirds

View looking south across western part of the main pit at Camp Lane Pits, Grimley, Worcestershire.

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Mike Holley @mikeholley.bsky.social · 15/09/2025

2 eclipse Wigeon were new in at #uptonwarren Moors this morning. Water levels up across the reserve, quiet despite the promising conditions. Best of the rest 6.45 to 10.15 - Moors: Snipe, Little Egret briefly, Kingfisher, hirundines through including 40+ House Martin. Flashes: 2 Curlew. #WorcsBirds

View looking west across the southern end of the Moors Pool at Upton Warren Nature Reserve, Worcestershire, on 15th September 2025.

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Mike Holley @mikeholley.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

Popped into the western pools at Throckmorton on the way back from Grimley, for a last view of the Temminck’s. Not present when I arrived, it dropped in briefly but spent most of the time hard up against the south bank, partly obscured. It then flew, climbed high and departed south. #WorcsBirds

One of the outer lagoons on the western side of Throckmorton landfill site, Worcestershire, on 13th September 2025. The water levels have risen with the overnight rain.

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Mike Holley @mikeholley.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

Oversleeping meant a late start at Grimley - and missing the Ibis again. Another candidate for the 2025 “Should’ve, Would’ve, Could’ve” list. Nothing new from the overnight rain: GWE, 7 Little Egret, Snipe, Kestrel, Green WP were best of a couple of hours around a quietish CLP and CF. #WorcsBirds

A Great White Egret (left) and a Little Egret in the shallows on the west shore of Church Farm north pit, Grimley, Worcestershire, on 13th September 2025.

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Mike Holley @mikeholley.bsky.social · 12/09/2025

Dropped into Throckmorton while passing on a domestic. No sign of the Temminck’s on neither of the western pools. Nothing new showing on the main lagoon: Ruff, 3 Green Sand, Common Sand all at the west end. #WorcsBirds

View of the west end of the main outer lagoon at Throckmorton, Worcestershire, on 12th September 2025.

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Mike Holley @mikeholley.bsky.social · 10/09/2025

Raptors were the other star birds from today. At Hill Court Farm & The Blacklands, a Marsh Harrier pair quartering over the marsh, 3 Red Kite, Buzzard and a Kestrel were all on show. Throckmorton tip again provided cracking views of 9 Red Kite circling low over the western field. #WorcsBirds.

A Red Kite perched in a tree at Throckmorton landfill site, Worcestershire, on 10th September 2025.

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Mike Holley @mikeholley.bsky.social · 10/09/2025

A Temminck’s Stint at Throckmorton was the star bird from 8 hours birding today, also taking in Clifton Pits and Hill Court Farm & The Blacklands. Highlights at Clifton included a Golden Plover, 3 Yellowhammer, Stonechat, and a large mixed finch flock in the southern sunflower fields. #WorcsBirds

A Temminck’s Stint standing in the shallow water of a pool next to Throckmorton landfill site, Worcestershire, on 10th September 2025.

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Mike Holley @mikeholley.bsky.social · 09/09/2025

A juv Curlew Sandpiper at #uptonwarren Moors provided a cracking start to a decent morning’s birding. Also at the Moors: Little Stint, Garganey, 6 Snipe, Green Sand, Water Rail, Kingfisher through. Then dropped into Grimley CLP/ CF: 2 GWE, 20+ Little Egret, Common & Green Sand, 2 Snipe. #WorcsBirds

A juvenile Curlew Sandpiper foraging on an island at the Moors, Upton Warren Nature Reserve, Worcestershire, on 9th September 2025.

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Mike Holley @mikeholley.bsky.social · 07/09/2025

First #WeBS at Bittell Reservoirs since taking over the site. Highlights: Greenshank, GWE, Little Egret, 14 Grey Heron, 3 Kingfisher, 55 BHG, 17 LBBG, 7 Cormorant, 157 Canada. Also: c35 Sand Martin and c25 House Martin on the Upper reservoir. @webs-gsmp.bsky.social #WorcsBirds

View of the south west corner of Upper Bittell Reservoir, looking south from the dam, 30 minutes after sunrise.

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Mike Holley @mikeholley.bsky.social · 05/09/2025

A “non-birding” visit to the Wyre Forest with Mrs H produced some decent birds with Dipper, 2 m Spotfly, m & f Pied Fly, Redstart - and a Lesser Spot through for Mrs H while I was taking the picture of the Dipper 🙄😬😩, one bird I’m destined to not get this year. #WorcsBirds

A Dipper perched on a fallen tree trunk beside Dowles Brook at the Wyre Forest, Worcestershire, on 5th September 2025.

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Mike Holley @mikeholley.bsky.social · 03/09/2025

A few hours at Grimley in between the rain. Best of CLP: 2 Green Sand, 2 Common Sand, 2 Snipe, Little Egret, Kestrel, Grey Wag, a few Sand and House Martin. At Church Farm: GWE, 6 Little Egret. c80 Lapwing across CLP/CF. Retreat Farm: Female type Redstart. #WorcsBirds

The view looking west across the north end of Camp Lane Pits towards Tinkers Coppice at Grimley, Worcestershire. On the left is the north end of the large main pit. Just visible on the right is the Frog Pool.

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Mike Holley @mikeholley.bsky.social · 01/09/2025

Short visit to Grimley this morning 06:45 to 8:45, just covering CLP and Church Farm. CLP: GWE and 2 Common Sand on Frog Pool, Green Sand through, 50+ Sand Martin. Church Farm: 2nd GWE, 5 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, no Chats or Wheatear. Usuals across both areas, including 70+ Lapwing. #WorcsBirds

A Great White Egret in the shallows of the north pit at Church Farm, Grimley, Worcestershire, on 1st September 2025.

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Mike Holley @mikeholley.bsky.social · 31/08/2025

A return to Throckmorton early afternoon for a second attempt at finding the Spotted Redshank paid off. It showed well albeit distant in the north east corner of the main outer lagoon. Some dodgy video as a record. Also, 2 Ruff, 3 Green Sand, 1 Common Sand, Red Kite over lagoon. #WorcsBirds

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Mike Holley @mikeholley.bsky.social · 30/08/2025

Spent the morning at Throckmorton tip for the Spotshank, no luck despite a 3 hour search of the whole site. Waders were mobile across the pools, 2 Ruff, 5-7 Green Sandpiper, Common Sand and Snipe. 5+ Red Kite on the west side of the tip was some consolation for dipping on the Spotshank. #WorcsBirds

One of at least five Red Kite circling above the edge of Throckmorton tip, Worcestershire, on 30th August 2025.

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Mike Holley @mikeholley.bsky.social · 29/08/2025

Best of a few hours around the Moors at #uptonwarren this morning - 2 Common Snipe, 3 Green Sand, Common Sand, 2 Little Egret, Kingfisher through (with fish). Plus usuals across the reserve. #WorcsBirds

A Green Sandpiper (bottom / left) and a Common Snipe taking advantage of the low water level at the Moors, Upton Warren, to forage.

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Mike Holley @mikeholley.bsky.social · 27/08/2025

4 Yellow Wag, male Yellowhammer, 2 Green Sand, 2 Oystercatcher, Common Sand, 40+ Sand Martin and a Kestrel hunting were the best from a couple of hours around a blustery Clifton this morning. #WorcsBirds

The view across the main pool at Clifton, looking south from the north east shore.

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Mike Holley @mikeholley.bsky.social · 26/08/2025

4 Wheatear and a Whinchat on Church Farm were the highlights from a shorter than usual visit to Grimley this morning. Also, Male and juv Redstart (Retreat Farm), Common Sand, 2 GWE, 7+ Little Egret, 7 Grey Heron, Treecreeper, 2 Raven over. #WorcsBirds

A photo of one of the four Northern Wheatear today at Church Farm, Grimley, Worcestershire.

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Mike Holley @mikeholley.bsky.social · 16/08/2025

Laid up at the moment, did manage a short visit to #LadywalkNR late afternoon. Notables: Ringed Plover, 3 Common Sand, 10+ Lapwing, Garden Warbler (all from Riverwalk Hide), Kingfisher through on river, Peregrine. #WarksBirds

View south from the Riverwalk Hide of what remains of the main pool at Ladywalk Nature Reserve, Warwickshire, on 16th August 2025. The New Bay area that leads off to the right is completely dry and becoming overgrown.

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Mike Holley @mikeholley.bsky.social · 06/08/2025

Cattle, 2 Great White and 2 Little Egrets at CLP, plus an adult male and 2 juv Restarts at Retreat Farm, were the best at an otherwise quiet Grimley between 6.30 and 10.15. #WorcsBirds

View looking south-east across the north- east end of Camp Lane Pits, Grimley, Worcestershire, on 6th August 2025. The Frog Pool is in the foreground, with the north-east corner of the main pit in the background.

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Mike Holley @mikeholley.bsky.social · 02/08/2025

Few hours at #uptonwarren this morning. Dunlin, 4 Green Sand (photo), Common Sand, 5 Little Egret, Water Rail, 2 Common Tern briefly, Green Woodpecker, and a Sparrowhawk through were the best at the Moors from 06:15 to 09:30. #WorcsBirds

Photo of a Green Sandpiper foraging in shallow water on the Moors pool at Upton Warren Nature Reserve, Worcestershire, on 2nd August 2025.

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Mike Holley @mikeholley.bsky.social · 01/08/2025

14 Little Egret, GWE and 4 Grey Heron on the north shore at Wildgoose was the surprise of an otherwise quietish morning at Grimley. Best of CLP & CF 6.30 to 9.30: Single LRP showing, Common Sand (photo), Little Egret, peak of 29 Lapwing, large hirundine flock briefly mostly Sand Martin. #WorcsBirds

Photo of a Common Sandpiper on the shoreline of the north pit at Church Farm, Grimley, Worcestershire, on 1st August 2025.

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Mike Holley @mikeholley.bsky.social · 30/07/2025

Highlights from a decent morning around the Wyre Forest, Railway track > Eric’s bench > Dowels Brook: Tree Pipits, Marsh & Coal Tits, juv Redstart, Pied & Spot Flys, Green & Great Spot Woodpeckers, Siskins, Nuthatch, Treecreeper. #WorcsBirds

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