Paul Anderson @oldtimebirder59.bsky.social · 02/10/2026Think have been a few birds since but don’t know how twitchable they were. The Stoke game wandered about a grassy area oblivious to the circle of birders then jumped into small tree put head under wing and went to kip Mental! 120
Paul Anderson @oldtimebirder59.bsky.social · 02/10/2026We got the Stoke one at dawn then Desert Warbler later same day on way back from Scilly in 1991. Canny day even though l was loaded with cold and went to bed when got home. 130
Paul Anderson @oldtimebirder59.bsky.social · 19/09/2026Could name two recognised sometimes vaguely another 7 but not heard of the other 6. 010
Paul Anderson @oldtimebirder59.bsky.social · 19/09/2026Inevitable as back at work after nearly 3 weeks off🙄 but on a more positive note these days l only have 2 day weeks and 5 day weekends 😃 010
Paul Anderson @oldtimebirder59.bsky.social · 19/09/2026Hint of something a bit more benign with a very brief NW on Wed then some S to SSW Thursday onwards into the following week but still a long way off. Should be enough for a few YBWs to make it to the east coast but other than that🤷♂️ 240
Paul Anderson @oldtimebirder59.bsky.social · 16/09/2026Just noticed a Baillon’s Crake was at Saltholme Pools on this date in 1882! Got me thinking how interesting it would be to be able to go back in time armed with modern optics, cameras etc to record what was present all those years ago. 000
Paul Anderson @oldtimebirder59.bsky.social · 15/09/2026Bit like bouncing Jacks or walking Woodcock. The latter look so obvious and rather comical doing it crossing a bare forest track🤣 000
Paul Anderson @oldtimebirder59.bsky.social · 15/09/2026It’s absolutely desperate here on NE coast. All the common migrants of my youth Pied and Spotted Fly Redstarts Garden Warblers Wheatears Whinchats Yellow Wagtails reduced to a handful of individuals at best most years and it’s just getting worse year on year. Pesticides to blame imho. 040
Paul Anderson @oldtimebirder59.bsky.social · 06/09/2026Looking good at present Jason (still 2-1 after being 0-1 down) 210
Paul Anderson @oldtimebirder59.bsky.social · 06/09/2026Bet it wasn’t 1910 prices for that pint Fred! Nice to see it served in a proper glass though. 110
Paul Anderson @oldtimebirder59.bsky.social · 29/08/2026Looks like your old friend is back for 9 months. 000
Paul Anderson @oldtimebirder59.bsky.social · 26/08/2026Nice little selection there and hopefully lots more to come tomorrow and Friday although conditions for searching might be a bit on the damp side 110
Paul Anderson @oldtimebirder59.bsky.social · 26/08/2026Found a nest 12 foot up in a dead stump in Majorca but fragile tree and in garden of finca so didn’t inspect but judging by flies buzzing around nearby didn’t look the most salubrious of accommodations 000
Paul Anderson @oldtimebirder59.bsky.social · 23/08/2026Might get one this week Stew. Few days of E or ESE bit of rain. Last week of August. They would be all but guaranteed in our youth but nowadays🤷♂️ 120
Paul Anderson @oldtimebirder59.bsky.social · 06/08/2026Great shots Tom (as ever). Shame it didn’t hang about a bit longer but l suppose it’s still out there somewhere so all hope not yet lost. 🤷♂️ 000
Paul Anderson @oldtimebirder59.bsky.social · 24/07/2026Later nests often limited to c3 l find with c4 (occasionally c5) the norm earlier in season. 010
Paul Anderson @oldtimebirder59.bsky.social · 23/07/2026Yellowhammers very common Corn Buntings fairly common Willow Warblers also very common. Chiffchaffs and Magpies were rarely encountered. Nuthatches never and GSWoods few and far between. First three now much reduced or gone (CBs) the last four now very common and widespread. How things change? 020
Paul Anderson @oldtimebirder59.bsky.social · 23/07/2026Yes Tree Spugs were the farmland spuggies mostly nesting in tree holes which restricted them a bit but still commonish - on farmland only got House Spugs near farms or other buildings but roving bands left the suburbs in August to feast on ripening cereals. Flocks 200-300 strong were regular. 120
Paul Anderson @oldtimebirder59.bsky.social · 23/07/2026Used to be “clouds” of them in ripe cereal crops, & so many nests on top of the drainpipe bend just under eaves. Regularly nested in hawthorn hedgerows too sometimes alongside Tree Spuggies both building domed oval shaped nests of grasses lined with feathers. Used to have to check eggs to be sure. 120
Paul Anderson @oldtimebirder59.bsky.social · 23/07/2026Change from the usual horse hair lining. Guess it’s what’s readily available on barbed wire fences or thorny bushes. Thick cover so not as obvious to predators as a more open nest site. 100
Paul Anderson @oldtimebirder59.bsky.social · 22/07/2026Nice and cosy that. Maybe a bit too cosy this summer! 110
Paul Anderson @oldtimebirder59.bsky.social · 15/07/2026That seems exceptionally early for this year’s juvenile. Typically they don’t fledge until August🤷♂️ 000
Paul Anderson @oldtimebirder59.bsky.social · 11/07/2026Nice cool breeze off the sea too. Bloody lovely isn’t it? Looking forward to a comfortable night’s sleep for a change 💤 030
Paul Anderson @oldtimebirder59.bsky.social · 09/07/2026Seen them on Scilly before. Impressive beasts. Presumably pretty rare this far north encouraged by hot weather? 000
Paul Anderson @oldtimebirder59.bsky.social · 01/07/2026First birds l saw on arrival and assumed they would be some sort of bats but looked very pale below so dug out my bins and got well surprised 😱 020
Paul Anderson @oldtimebirder59.bsky.social · 01/07/2026Wasn’t even on my radar but thinking about it later must regularly move through largely undetected. Watched the moths around the street lamps hoping might attract it as had previously seen many Alpine Swifts hunting moths at night in lights at Corfu Airport. 110
Paul Anderson @oldtimebirder59.bsky.social · 01/07/2026Might have booted another pair out? Well worth keeping an eye on. 010
