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Mike Pollard

@mikepnature.bsky.social
460 followers 210 following 886 posts

Nature recovery, birding and photography. Curlew conservation. Bird Recorder for NE Wales. Most bird pics with OM-1 Mark II plus 150-400mm f4.5 lens 🏳️‍🌈Own views.

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Mike Pollard @mikepnature.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
An Adult Curlew Sandpiper with colour rings and yellow flag was a nice surprise at Flint Castle this afternoon. Awaiting info. Also at least 8 juveniles. #birdingWales @birdsinwales.bsky.social
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Mike Pollard @mikepnature.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
More excellent wader watching at Flint Castle on the rising tide. 11 Curlew Sandpipers and a Spotted Redshank today. 10 Great White Egrets feeding in the channel of the River Dee with many Little Egrets, Grey Herons & gulls. #birdingWales @birdsinwales.bsky.social
Spotted Redshank (lower left of centre) with Common Redshanks
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Mike Pollard @mikepnature.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Eight Curlew Sandpipers at Flint Castle this morning & better light for photos 😀. This juvenile landed a bit closer - just before the rising tide moved all the birds to their roost in the saltmarsh. #birdingWales @birdsinwales.bsky.social
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Mike Pollard @mikepnature.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Six Curlew Sandpipers were busy feeding as the tide rises this morning. Three in this clip with Knot, Dunlin, Redshank & Black-tailed Godwit. #birdingWales @birdsinwales.bsky.social
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Mike Pollard @mikepnature.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Cory’s Shearwaters, Tavira, Algarve. A treat to see them so close & in good numbers. @theseabirdgroup.bsky.social
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Mike Pollard @mikepnature.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Pomerine Skua gave a close fly past during a fab pelagic trip from Tavira, Algarve, yesterday morning. Dark phase, sub-adult. Also good numbers of Cory’s Shearwaters and Wilson’s Petrels 😀. #seabirds #skuas @theseabirdgroup.bsky.social
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Mike Pollard @mikepnature.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Excellent early morning at Point of Ayr. 150 Swallows, many resting on the beach, eventually chased off by a young Merlin. Plenty of waders including juvenile Curlew Sandpiper and Little Stint. Wheatear on the beach, 22 Pintail, one Red-throated Diver. #birdingWales @birdsinwales.bsky.social
MerlinWheatear
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Mike Pollard @mikepnature.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Nice surprise to find a snoozing juvenile Purple Sandpiper with Dunlin and Ringed Plover over high tide at Point of Ayr this PM. Right of centre. It wakes up briefly. Also a juvenile Little Stint and briefly a gathering of c150 House Martins. # birdingWales @birdsinwales
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Mike Pollard @mikepnature.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Caught up with this fabulous juvenile #Dotterel this morning - spending its seventh day on the Great Orme limestone. Mostly roosting out of the wind - with a short spell of feeding in between. #birdingWales @birdsinwales.bsky.social
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Mike Pollard @mikepnature.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Ortolan Bunting on Ynys Enlli/Bardsey today. Showed well at times, associating with the local Linnets. Rarity highlight of the week so far, with one day to go…. #birdingWales @bardseybirdobs.bsky.social @birdsinwales.bsky.social
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Mike Pollard @mikepnature.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Autumn Ladies’ Tresses are springing up from the parched turf on Ynys Enlli, making them easy to spot! @bardseybirdobs.bsky.social
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Mike Pollard @mikepnature.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Very smart-looking male Redstart was a highlight on day two of my stay @bardseybirdobs.bsky.social - an adult male with a full set of fresh feathers. #birdingWales @birdsinwales.bsky.social
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Mike Pollard @mikepnature.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Just booked onto the WOS conference. Excellent event - well worth the trip across to Aberystwyth.
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Mike Pollard @mikepnature.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
A drake #Pintail in eclipse plumage was a nice surprise at Flint Castle on the Dee Estuary today. Also a male Ruff, about 70 Knot and 1600 Redshank. #BirdingWales @birdsinwales.bsky.social
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Mike Pollard @mikepnature.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
Lovely sheen on the feathers of this juvenile Common Sandpiper on the Dee Estuary, yesterday. #birdingWales @birdsinwales.bsky.social
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Mike Pollard @mikepnature.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
Exciting trip out to the 'Celtic Deep' with @westcoastbirds.bsky.social yesterday. Great views of both Wilson's and European Storm-Petrels coming in close to the boat from time to time. #birdingWales @birdsinwales.bsky.social
Wilson'sEuropean
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Mike Pollard @mikepnature.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
Nice to catch up with the adult Pectoral Sandpiper at RSPB Conwy, found by @marcbuzzard.bsky.social a couple of days ago and attracting a steady trickle of admirers. #birdingWales @birdsinwales.bsky.social
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Mike Pollard @mikepnature.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
Little Terns have had a very good breeding season in NE Wales with about 200 young fledged at the Gronant and Point of Ayr colonies. Fantastic work by protection teams at both sites. Many birds gathered at Point of Ayr at high tide today, I estimated 450 of which ~ half were juvs. #birdingWales
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Mike Pollard @mikepnature.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
Big influx of waders into the Dee Estuary is past few days. Great views of Black-tailed Godwits and Redshanks (1700+) this morning at Flint Castle plus a few Knot and single Ruff and Whimbrel. 7 Great White Egrets too. #birdingWales
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Mike Pollard @mikepnature.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
Very nice to see a family of Shelduck on the Dee Estuary at high tide today. Young Oystercatchers close to fledging too. Sandwich Tern juveniles also arriving with their parents; nearest colonies are on Anglesey and in Cumbria.
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Mike Pollard @mikepnature.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
Brilliant to see a #Lapwing chick growing well - very likely a second brood after the parents fledged two earlier on. Both the adults keeping a close watch. Shows the value of shallow pools in the countryside, now a rare habitat. #birdingWales @birdsinwales.bsky.social @btocymru.bsky.social
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Mike Pollard @mikepnature.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
Exciting news! RSPB buys 'magical' 96-hectare landscape to reconnect habitats #birdingWales
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Mike Pollard @mikepnature.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
Black-tailed Godwits on the Dee Estuary at Flint Castle this afternoon. Many still in stunning breeding plumage. With Knots, Redshanks and a few Dunlins at high tide. Hobby chasing Swallows too. @birdsinwales.bsky.social #birdingWales @wadertales.bsky.social
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Mike Pollard @mikepnature.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
Little Terns busy feeding chicks at Gronant this morning. Substantial protein-rich meals being delivered at regular intervals. Great work by all involved 👏. @birdsinwales.bsky.social @btocymru.bsky.social @denbighshirecc.bsky.social @rspbcymru.bsky.social #birdingWales
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Mike Pollard @mikepnature.bsky.social · 28/06/2026
Four very dapper Spotted Redshanks on the Centenary Pool @rspbburtonmere.bsky.social this morning. @birdguides.bsky.social @waderstudy.bsky.social @wadertales.bsky.social
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Mike Pollard @mikepnature.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
'Grub up' #Starling feeding a hungry chick - one of a second brood raised in the box we put up last year. Must be very close the fledging. #birdingWales @birdsinwales.bsky.social @btocymru.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social
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Mike Pollard @mikepnature.bsky.social · 21/06/2026
#Hobby hunting over the Dee Estuary earlier in the week. Quite scarce locally and always a treat to see one. #birdingWales @birdsinwales.bsky.social
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Mike Pollard @mikepnature.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
I don't often see juvenile #Wheatears so it was great to see a couple in the limestone hills of Bannau Brycheiniog NP on Sunday morning. Male Wheatears were in close attendance & I didn't linger for long. @birdsinwales.bsky.social #birdingWales @nickydvs.bsky.social @bannaubrycheiniog.bsky.social
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Mike Pollard @mikepnature.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
Enjoyed a great view of a female #Goosander and her brood of ducklings this morning - some hitching a ride on her back! Clwyd Estuary. #birdingWales @birdsinwales.bsky.social #ducklings
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Mike Pollard @mikepnature.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
A very welcome visitor to the garden next door yesterday afternoon - a Juvenile Tawny Owl. Cilcain. The local Blackbirds were not at all happy though and eventually it was moved-on by a couple of Magpies. #birdingWales @birdsinwales.bsky.social #owls #gardenwildlife
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Mike Pollard @mikepnature.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
Caught up with the fab Western Reef Heron at Y Foryd today - showing well in the sunshine. Feeding, preening, even managing a few naps. #birdingWales @birdguides.bsky.social @birdsinwales.bsky.social
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Mike Pollard @mikepnature.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
Nice group of Bee Orchids at Point of Ayr today, with a good scattering of Early Marsh, Southern Marsh and Pyramidal. Beside the tarmac path south of the #RSPB hide. @cofnod.org.uk @ukorchids.bsky.social @plantlifeuk.bsky.social
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Mike Pollard @mikepnature.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
Nice surprise at Point of Ayr #RSPB this morning. While I was chatting with Little Tern volunteers, a first summer Arctic Tern joined a small group of Little Terns preening on the shore. I've rarely seen this plumage before so nice to get some pics too. #birdingWales @birdsinwales.bsky.social
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Mike Pollard @mikepnature.bsky.social · 30/05/2026
Fab #Sanderling in breeding plumage at Gronant this morning, one of about 100 feeding along the beach. Well over 200 Little Terns around the colony & wardening team have found the first nests. 🤞for a successful season. #birdingWales @birdsinwales.bsky.social
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Mike Pollard @mikepnature.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Eyarth Rocks @savebutterflies.bsky.social nature reserve, this morning. Patrolling a section of footpath and landing frequently. One of at least five on the wing. @cofnod.org.uk @northwaleswt.bsky.social
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Mike Pollard @mikepnature.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
A (sadly) rare sighting this morning - two Lapwing chicks just about fledged. Small patch of suitable habitat near Cilcain with a fab muddy pool. Great job by this tenacious pair! @birdsinwales.bsky.social @rspbcymru.bsky.social @btocymru.bsky.social #birdingWales
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Mike Pollard @mikepnature.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
A highlight of the week based in Strontian has been watching Great Northern Divers feeding close inshore, some in full breeding plumage 🤩. This one caught a crab and devoured it quickly and efficiently! #BirdingScotland
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Mike Pollard @mikepnature.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
#Greenshank feeding at high tide on the shore of Loch Sunart at #Strontian this morning. #BirdingScotland
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Mike Pollard @mikepnature.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
Fab visit to Cemlyn Bay today - lots of tern activity and chuffed to capture this shot of a Sandwich Tern returning to the colony with a very impressive offering! #birdingWales @northwaleswt.bsky.social @birdsinwales.bsky.social
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Mike Pollard @mikepnature.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
Family of Stonechats in the dunes just behind the beach at Point of Ayr this morning. #birdingWales
Juvenile Stonechat
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Mike Pollard @mikepnature.bsky.social · 10/05/2026
male Yellow Wagtail in a field beside tidal River Dee near Saltney yesterday. Female collecting nesting material nearby. They have adapted to nest in monocultures of wheat, barley & potatoes - nearby pastures used for feeding. #birdingWales @birdsinwales.bsky.social @btocymru.bsky.social
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Mike Pollard @mikepnature.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
Magical moment - watching a pair of #Yellowhammers land on the road and start a courtship dance! Never seen that before. #birdingWales @birdsinwales.bsky.social
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Mike Pollard @mikepnature.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
Out looking for Yellowhammers this morning and made a nice discovery - a singing hedge 😊 #birdingWales @birdsinwales.bsky.social
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Mike Pollard @mikepnature.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
Even more Sanderling at Point of Ayr today - I estimated about 1000! Very busy with dog walkers but the protective fences and brilliant RSPB folk made sure they had a safe place to roost. Also a big flock of Bar-tailed Godwits still, about 500. #birdingWales @rspbcymru.bsky.social
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Mike Pollard @mikepnature.bsky.social · 03/05/2026
Hundreds of Sanderling at Point of Ayr over high tide today, feeding & roosting with Dunlin & Ringed Plover. I helped the #RSPB volunteer warden engage with dog walkers & together we managed to prevent significant disturbance today☺️. #birdingWales @rspbcymru.bsky.social @birdsinwales.bsky.social
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Mike Pollard @mikepnature.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
#Re-wilding the lawn paid off this morning when a pair of #Bullfinches dropped by to feed on dandelion seeds. Cilcain. #birdingWales @birdsinwales.bsky.social @gardenwildlifeuk.bsky.social
Male Bullfinch
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Mike Pollard @mikepnature.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
Majestic pair of #Ravens high in the Carneddau yesterday. #birdingWales @birdsinwales.bsky.social @btocymru.bsky.social
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Mike Pollard @mikepnature.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
A long hike up into the Carneddau in search of #Dotterel was a great experience yesterday, with a flock of five in flight near Foel Fach spooked by raptors, followed by a single bird feeding on the summit of Foel Grach. Fab views of the North Wales coast too. #birdingWales @birdsinwales.bsky.social
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Mike Pollard @mikepnature.bsky.social · 25/04/2026
Fab morning at RSPB Cors Ddyga, especially when three Wood Sandpipers dropped into the scrapes near the car park, with much calling! Stayed until a pair of Lapwings with very small chicks decided to chase them off. A real treat to see them on spring passage. #birdingWales @birdsinwales.bsky.social
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