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Mike Holley @mikeholley.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Hi Rob, yes i posted it on the Worcs WhatsApp group. I saw it twice, 1st time was a really good view as it flew across that "bowl" where you reported it. 2nd was a glimpse as it moved between cover on the edge of the gorse. Sadly I didn't get a photo. I'm not aware anyone else managed to see it.

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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

2/2 After the feed posted above, the parent and juvenile separated. The parent headed further upstream and the juvenile began foraging on its own. #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 · 09/06/2026

All good here thank you, hope the same with you. I decided to have a break from social media, I deleted a few accounts but decided to keep BlueSky so I will be posting again now.

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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 · 26/11/2025

Visibity at the Sailing Pool was poor when I popped in. I could just about make out a GWE and 5 or 6 LE. Obviously a lot more birds were hiding in the mist!

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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

No, these dropped into Grimley at 10.30 and were still there at 14:00. According to a post on the Worcs Rare Bird WhatsApp group, the Belvide birds were reported around 12.30.

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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 · 27/09/2025

In Worcestershire there’s been one at Grimley for four weeks now, it joins the Egret roost. These juvs at Croome seem settled, despite it being a popular NT site. The low water is providing access to plenty of food, with little or no competition. It will be interesting to see how long they stay.

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

Thanks Suzanne, they made surprisingly willing subjects. Hope all is well with you.

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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

If you’re not familiar with Croome, they are on the lake circled in red in the attached map. When you get through the visitor centre and enter the park by the historic church (no 5 in the map), take the path that goes off to the right, this will take you straight to the lake. Good luck if you go.

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

Thanks. Luckily the Glossy Ibis were on the closest pool to Zeiss, hunkered up against the reeds though so still a fair distance away for pictures. The BlackWits were on Rushy and reasonably close to the hide, which made getting photos a lot easier.

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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

Steve Ferguson reported them as still present this afternoon, on the lake island (north end of the river). I spent an hour there earlier in the day but didn't see them.

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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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