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Reposted by Old Caley

Justin Taylor @jtbirder323.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Birds eh!! How often are they found when you are bound by family commitments?? A pre booked family visit to RNLI Poole to see family names on a memory boat. A stressful few hours but finally get to my patch and superb views for 5 minutes then a Sparrowhawk flushed it. Pic by @oldcaley.bsky.social

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Old Caley @oldcaley.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

We’ve had a good run of scarce waders in Oxon recently. The latest is this Pectoral Sandpiper at the Oxfordshire Golf Club near Thame. Neat little bird that can be very close in if there are less than competent golfers around that keep mis-hitting balls at it! #ukbirding

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Old Caley @oldcaley.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

In typical fashion for the species, the Red-necked Phalarope was a willing subject for the lenses at Bodymoor Heath Lake yesterday. Such lovely and interesting little birds. #UKbirding

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Old Caley @oldcaley.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

Just couldn’t resist one more look at the Long-tailed Shrike hanging on at the Oxon/Gloucs border. Very smart bird now its moult is pretty much complete. #UKbirding

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Old Caley @oldcaley.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Headed back the 30 miles or so to see one of Oxon’s best ever birds yesterday afternoon. In stark contrast to the frantic initial twitch when we the first to arrive once the bird had been re-found, it was just us and the bird for an hour this time. We were rewarded with fine close views! #UKbirding

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Old Caley @oldcaley.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

The Western Reef Heron was discovered on the day I arrived in the Highlands of Scotland. For 2 weeks I’ve watched reports of its progress along the N Wales coast. Detoured on way home to catch up with it at RSPB Conwy today @rspbcymru.bsky.social #ukbirding #ukrarebirds

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Old Caley @oldcaley.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

Red-breasted Flycatcher was singing and showing well in Culloden Woods this afternoon. Such delightful little birds. #ukbirding

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Old Caley @oldcaley.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

Made my annual pilgrimage to Long Nanny Tern Colony yesterday. “Nigella”, the American Black Tern was in fine form this year. Long may she continue to wow us all. #UKbirding

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Old Caley @oldcaley.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

No point blank views of the White-winged Scoter at Kirkcaldy for us today but still a massive upgrade on my first view of the species at Largo two years ago. #UKbirding

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Old Caley @oldcaley.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

After failing to find it on Wed evening, it was good to see the Rosy Starling this morning at Low Newton. Beautiful bird. Thanks to @gary-woodburn.bsky.social for the local info. #UKbirding

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Old Caley @oldcaley.bsky.social · 17/05/2026

The local celebrity female Cuckoo finally obliged this morning. She is a beauty! #UKbirding

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Old Caley @oldcaley.bsky.social · 18/04/2026

Got on the Bluethroat wagon in Dorset today and so glad I did. The little stunner gave me, easily my best views of the species. The best things are blue! #UKbirding

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Old Caley @oldcaley.bsky.social · 12/04/2026

Stone Curlews showing fabulously well yesterday at Weeting Heath and allowing me to finally get some decent images of the species. They truly are one of most weird & wonderful birds. The male seen displaying and calling to his potential mate. #ukbirding #norfolkbirds

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Old Caley @oldcaley.bsky.social · 24/03/2026

Dipper met a fly (snack). North Wales on 24/03 #UKbirding

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Old Caley @oldcaley.bsky.social · 03/01/2026

Old Caley's 2025 Year Review is now blogged at oldcaley.blogspot.com/2026/01/the-... A bumper edition this time with birds from Lesvos as well as at home included. Best get a coffee, or beer, and enjoy it with that. Thanks for looking!

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Old Caley @oldcaley.bsky.social · 02/01/2026

The Yellow-browed Warbler at Hurley, Warks showed incredibly well and extended my record of seeing one in the first week of January to each of the last 9 years! The first I’ve seen feeding exclusively in a ditch as well. Love these little wonders #UKbirding

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Old Caley @oldcaley.bsky.social · 29/12/2025

Enjoyed watching this Penduline Tit tweezing out grubs from the reed mace at Aust Wetlands this morning. #UKbirding #UKrarebirds

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Old Caley @oldcaley.bsky.social · 21/10/2025

Just a single, and elusive Yellow-browed Warbler to show for our Kenidjack efforts so far plus a smattering of Firecrests and Goldcrests. Difficult going in pretty poor weather. #UKbirding #CBWPS

Poorly Goldcrest took refuge on the deck of a boat at the engine shed. 😢

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Old Caley @oldcaley.bsky.social · 21/10/2025

On Saturday on route to a week’s holiday in West Cornwall, we stopped off at Colliford Lake for the Baird’s Sandpiper. After taking a while to locate, the dapper little bird showed very well indeed! #UKbirding #cornwallbirding

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Old Caley @oldcaley.bsky.social · 25/08/2025

The latest addition to my “leucistic” collection is this Pied Wagtail seen at Farmoor Reservoir yesterday. That’s about 15 on the list now. 😊 #UKbirding

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Old Caley @oldcaley.bsky.social · 16/08/2025

Got on the Oxon Hawfinch bandwagon again today. A full set of male, female & juvenile seen this afternoon at our local hotspot where the birds are attracted to a small pond to drink & bathe. #UKbirding #hawfinch

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Old Caley @oldcaley.bsky.social · 10/08/2025

I’d seen both already this year, on Lesvos in April, but the Zitting Cisticola was a UK life tick for me at Walberswick yesterday. Then on to ridiculous views of the juvenile Black Stork at Boyton. #UKbirding #rarebirdsUK (*Cisticola pic taken on Lesvos)

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Old Caley @oldcaley.bsky.social · 09/08/2025

It was back in March but I’ve written an account of my trip to North Wales featuring Kumlien’s Gull, Black Grouse, Twite and lots more. It’s at www.oldcaley.blogspot.co.uk Thanks for looking. #UKbirding #Walesbirds

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Old Caley @oldcaley.bsky.social · 04/08/2025

Staying on the leucistic theme, saw this young Oystercatcher at Snettisham on Saturday. Attending adults were normally plumaged. #UKbirding #leucism

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Old Caley @oldcaley.bsky.social · 03/08/2025

This leucistic Sand Martin ghosted past me as I walked along the causeway at Farmoor Reservoir this morning. Smart looking bird! #UKbirding

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Old Caley @oldcaley.bsky.social · 01/08/2025

Very, very lucky this morning when a Quail flushed from almost under our feet in North Oxon. Lucky I was ready with the camera, and very lucky when the bird turned and flew around us rather than flying straight off. Very happy! #UKbirding

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Old Caley @oldcaley.bsky.social · 29/07/2025

Terrific views of the large flock of Crossbills at Great Hampden, Bucks recently as the birds made use of a small pool. Several family groups amongst them. #UKbirding

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Old Caley @oldcaley.bsky.social · 03/05/2025

After taking in the superb Dotterel, I made my annual excursion to #rspb Gwenffrwd-Dinas reserve to see the woodland specials. Quiet by usual standards but still had great views of a fantastic singing Wood Warbler. #UKbirding

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Old Caley @oldcaley.bsky.social · 03/05/2025

Nothing much beats a Dotterel in my book, so I took the trip to Cam Cadlan near Merthyr Tydfil where these four were wowing all comers today. Absolutely stunning! I love 'em! #UKbirding #Walesbirds

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Old Caley @oldcaley.bsky.social · 02/05/2025

The Spotted Sandpiper was showing a bit nicely at Grafham Water this lunchtime. Nice bird to get back into the Blighty groove. #UKbirding

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Old Caley @oldcaley.bsky.social · 29/04/2025

My first ever few hours on Lesvos last Sunday (20/04) yielded 3 lifers. Zitting Cisticola was the star with great support from Red-throated Pipit & Crested Lark. #birds #lesvos

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Old Caley @oldcaley.bsky.social · 10/03/2025

Finally saw Brambling & Redpoll this winter with a few mixing in with other finches at Sydlings Copse near Beckley, Oxford yesterday afternoon. Great find by Jacek. #UKbirding

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Old Caley @oldcaley.bsky.social · 10/03/2025

Absolute privilege to watch this female Lesser Spotted Woodpecker at an undisclosed location in the Home Counties this weekend. At least 3 birds seen altogether. #UKbirding

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Old Caley @oldcaley.bsky.social · 23/02/2025

Had to work hard for our target birds at Carsington Water yesterday. Distant views of the female Lesser Scaup and further still of the two young male Greater Scaups. The dependable Willow Tits played hard to get too. #UKbirding

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Old Caley @oldcaley.bsky.social · 21/02/2025

Was 15 mins too late this morning and then had to wait almost 3 hours for the Richard's Pipit at Newport Pagnall to reappear. Glad I stuck it out. Splash of colour provided by a Ring-necked Parakeet. #UKbirding

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Old Caley @oldcaley.bsky.social · 11/01/2025

The Red-necked Grebe at Denham Quarry showed well this morning. The best views I’ve had of one for a few years. #UKbirding #RareBirdsUK

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Old Caley @oldcaley.bsky.social · 06/01/2025

Some of my better efforts of the Least Sandpiper @wwtworldwide.bsky.social Start Marshes, taken on Friday. Very happy to have seen the bird and especially pleased to grab a flight shot. #UKbirding #RareBirdUK

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Old Caley @oldcaley.bsky.social · 04/01/2025

Pleasant stroll around Draycote Water today. Flat calm conditions, dead flat light, nice views of Red-throated Diver, Ferruginous Duck, Goosanders plus others. #UKbirding

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Old Caley @oldcaley.bsky.social · 03/01/2025

I've now seen a Yellow-browed Warbler in the 1st week of the last 7 years! The ground-hugging little beauty at Frampton-on-Severn was well worth the diversion on way back from seeing the Least Sandpiper. #UKbirding

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Old Caley @oldcaley.bsky.social · 03/01/2025

After dropping a clanger yesterday, I went back to WWT Steart Marshes today and successfully added the Least Sandpiper to my UK life list #436. Very distant at first, it flew in a bit closer with its Little Stint mate. Worth the return trip. #UKbirding

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Old Caley @oldcaley.bsky.social · 03/01/2025

I should have left Greylake yesterday and gone to Steart Marshes when news broke of the mega there. Inexplicably I didn't, a decision that doesn't augur well for the rest of my year. At least (see what I did there) I saw the beautiful female Merlin that I wanted! #UKbirding

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Old Caley @oldcaley.bsky.social · 01/01/2025

My annual review of my birding memories is at oldcaley.blogspot.com/2025/01/the-... Packed with my best birds of last year and loads of photos! My thanks to all who have looked at the blog. Your interest is very much appreciated! I wish you all a Happy New Year! #UKbirding

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Old Caley @oldcaley.bsky.social · 28/12/2024

A proper bird for Christmas. This female Blackcap appeared in my garden on Christmas Eve and stayed through Christmas Day & Boxing Day. Didn't see it on Friday because I was in Kent twitching! #birdingUK

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Old Caley @oldcaley.bsky.social · 28/12/2024

Delighted to have seen the Yellow Warbler in Kent yesterday. Beautiful little bird which brightened up a dull weather day. #birdingUK

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Old Caley @oldcaley.bsky.social · 14/12/2024

The ultra impressive juvenile Glaucous Gull on Old Hunstanton beach this afternoon. It kept a good check on its prized seal carcass, offering superb views to all. A good tonic that was gratefully received. #UKbirding #gullsUK

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Old Caley @oldcaley.bsky.social · 08/12/2024

After a weekend mostly spent securing my garden fence to prevent it being blown away by storm Darragh, it was sweet reward to see this female Blackcap in the garden later. #UKbirding

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Old Caley @oldcaley.bsky.social · 06/12/2024

My best views yet of the North Oxon Hawfinches that I've been watching over the past month. Seven seen this morning, with some feeding in a Yew tree, that gave themselves up for some recognisable photos at last. #UKbirding #birds

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Old Caley @oldcaley.bsky.social · 06/12/2024

My latest (late) blog is up at oldcaley.blogspot.com/2024/12/nort... featuring this beauty plus a lot more. A write up of a trip to North Wales last spring. Thank you for looking. #UKbirding #Walesbirding

oldcaley.blogspot.com

North Wales March 2024

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Reposted by Old Caley

Conor MacKenzie @conormackenzie.bsky.social · 05/12/2024

A round up of Novembers birding in Oxon. A surprisingly busy month for the county bookended by county megas - albeit of differing scales of national rarity. Booted Eagle, Velvet Scoter, Snow Bunting and Bearded Tit the major highlights. #UKbirding oxonbirding.blogspot.com/2024/12/nove...

oxonbirding.blogspot.com

November Review

Highlights Well well well! Which of us had Booted Eagle on our radars for the Oxon list?! And in November no less?! Oxfordshire has ofte...

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