Sign in

Oxonbirder

@oxonbirder.bsky.social
93 followers 64 following 96 posts

Birder with a camera, ex RN. Cholsey, Oxfordshire, UK. cholseywildlife.blogspot.com

PostsRepliesMedia
Oxonbirder @oxonbirder.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Went all the way to Wales to see my first Red Kites. Now we get them in the garden.
100
Oxonbirder @oxonbirder.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
cholseywildlife.blogspot.com/2026/09/the-...
cholseywildlife.blogspot.com
The Lees, Long ditch and Cholsey Hill
Sunny spells at first the clouding up, 22°, ESE. The Lees, Long ditch and Cholsey Hill: A Wheatear by the barns near the Lees and 2 Stonech...
000
Oxonbirder @oxonbirder.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Is this in Cholsey Richard?
100
Oxonbirder @oxonbirder.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
cholseywildlife.blogspot.com/2026/09/hiru...
cholseywildlife.blogspot.com
000
Oxonbirder @oxonbirder.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Hummer in garden early evening.
010
Oxonbirder @oxonbirder.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Yet another power outage in Cholsey!
010
Oxonbirder @oxonbirder.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Made the same comment earlier.
010
Oxonbirder @oxonbirder.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
Another Clouded Yellow but have not identified the Bee sp in the top right of the pic?
000
Oxonbirder @oxonbirder.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
Ruddy Darter, one of two noted.
000
Oxonbirder @oxonbirder.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
One of seven Clouded Yellow seen today in a field of Lucerne. Along with 8 Painted Lady and numerous Common Blue. And a Hummingbird Hawkmoth.
000
Oxonbirder @oxonbirder.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
cholseywildlife.blogspot.com/2026/07/a-bi...
cholseywildlife.blogspot.com
000
Oxonbirder @oxonbirder.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
Lesser Emperor a good patch find.
000
Oxonbirder @oxonbirder.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
Hummingbird Hawkmoth, another good garden find.
110
Oxonbirder @oxonbirder.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
Another find in the garden. Tentatively identified as an imm female White-legged Damsel?
000
Oxonbirder @oxonbirder.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
Jersey Tiger in the garden.
000
Oxonbirder @oxonbirder.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
cholseywildlife.blogspot.com/2026/07/a-dr...
cholseywildlife.blogspot.com
A Dragon, a Bird and a Fire
Sunny, 31°, breezy SW. A quietish day birdwise but a large fire and a new Dragonfly for Cholsey. Just after 14:00, I was just leaving the h...
000
Oxonbirder @oxonbirder.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
cholseywildlife.blogspot.com/2026/07/bunk...
cholseywildlife.blogspot.com
Bunk
Sunny, 24°, light WSW. A quietish walk along the Bunk area today. only a few Yellowhammer frequently in song with the occasional Chiffchaff ...
000
Oxonbirder @oxonbirder.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
cholseywildlife.blogspot.com/2026/07/reds...
cholseywildlife.blogspot.com
Redstarts & Buntings
Sunny spells, 25°, light SW. The big loop to the Lees, skirting Aston and then to Lollingdon and back. Highlight of the day was 3 Common Red...
020
Reposted by Oxonbirder
Julian Hughes @penrhynbirder.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
"Wales' Bermuda Triangle’ - the most notorious bird of prey persecution hotspot in the country" #BirdingWales www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-w...
dailypost.co.uk
'Wales' Bermuda Triangle’ where bird killings have made it notorious
RSPB and police appeal for information to stop the illegal acts
02211
Reposted by Oxonbirder
RSPB Science @rspbscience.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
New research by the RSPB shows Swifts are highly loyal to the same nest sites each year Read on for a summary Full paper: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.... @uniexecec.bsky.social
Caption: Common Swift poking its head out of a specially created nesting brick on the side of a new build house. 

Alt text: A red brick wall with a square sand coloured brick on it. The square brick has a horizontal opening with the head of a Swift looking out of it.  

Credit: Ben Andrew / RSPB
14215
Reposted by Oxonbirder
RSPB Science @rspbscience.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
Swifts are one of the UK’s most threatened species, declining by 70% over the last 30 years, so this research reinforces why protecting their nesting sites and providing suitable new ones is a vital part of helping the species’ recovery.
Caption: Common Swift adult in flight over new build rooftop 

Alt text:  A single Swift flying in the foreground with a blurred background of a rooftop.  

Credit: Ben Andrew / RSPB
02211
Reposted by Oxonbirder
UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) @ukceh.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
New data on insect pollinators show a dramatic decline in hoverflies across Great Britain between 2017–2024. 📉 Around one third reduction in abundance & number of hoverfly species recorded as part of @pomscheme.bsky.social www.ceh.ac.uk/press/new-da... 1/ @jncc.bsky.social 🧪
Epistrophe grossulariae hoverfly and pollen beetles on hogweed, and text headline New data show dramatic decline in hoverflies across Great BritainMeliscaeva cinctella hoverfly, and text about hoverflies and UK Pollinator Monitoring Scheme results
37161
Reposted by Oxonbirder
Raptor Persecution UK @raptorpersuk.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
149 Hen Harriers confirmed 'missing' or illegally killed in UK since 2018 - most of them on or close to grouse moors. New blog ⬇️ #RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime 🌍 raptorpersecutionuk.org/2026/06/24/1...
raptorpersecutionuk.org
149 Hen Harriers confirmed ‘missing’ or illegally killed in UK since 2018, most of them on or close to grouse moors
For anyone who still wants to pretend that the grouse shooting industry isn’t responsible for the systematic extermination of Hen Harriers on grouse moors across the UK, here’s the latest catalogue…
15352
Oxonbirder @oxonbirder.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
It's called football not soccer!
030
Oxonbirder @oxonbirder.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
BBC News - RSPB buys Bass Rock after 300 years in private hands www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
RSPB buys Bass Rock after 300 years in private hands
The charity says the purchase is an important step in halting declining seabird numbers in the Firth of Forth.
010
Reposted by Oxonbirder
Alick Simmons @parliamentarygoose.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
From hedgehogs and bats to butterflies and newts, the UK’s wildlife is disappearing fast – and our government is letting it happen. I’ve just signed @friends-earth.bsky.social’s petition calling for urgent action. Add your name: action.friendsoftheearth.uk/petition/tel...
action.friendsoftheearth.uk
Tell the government: act for nature before it’s too late
Add my name Did you know the UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world? There’s less wildlife today than in living memory − and it’s still disappearing before our eyes. From hedgeho...
0106
Oxonbirder @oxonbirder.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
theguardian.com
Noted Surrey colony of at-risk swifts destroyed during nesting season
Campaigners say builders’ demolition of nest site highlights weak protection of wildlife from development
000
Reposted by Oxonbirder
Portland Bird Observatory @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
Fascinating example of the workings of modern social media, togging and AI 'editing': the same photo of a Turtle Dove that's clearly been run through AI in some way before being posted on two different Facebook groups three days apart by two apparently different people (we've blanked out the names)
74915
Oxonbirder @oxonbirder.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
Just been to see a guy called Billy Watman at Cornerstones in Didcot. A rock/flamenco fusion guitarist. Pretty damn good 👍
010
Reposted by Oxonbirder
Richard K Broughton @richardkbroughton.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
The same Woodcocks get legally shot at when wintering in Britain/Ireland, when breeding breeding in Eastern Europe (spring & late summer/autumn = 'open seasons'), and all along their migration route. There's no respite in their lifecycle, except midsummer. What a way to treat a species. #ornithology
24118
Reposted by Oxonbirder
Friends of Lye Valley @friendlyevalley.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
Oxford museum sees 47% decline in swift numbers www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Oxford Natural History museum sees 47% decline in swift numbers
For 80 years swifts have returned to the tower of Oxford Museum of Natural History.
64028
Oxonbirder @oxonbirder.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
cholseywildlife.blogspot.com/2026/04/wind...
cholseywildlife.blogspot.com
Wind! No problem
Mainly sunny with a cloudy spell, 14°, fresh NE. Not much hope at first light, a fresh north‑easterly cutting across the bill, but as the ho...
000
Oxonbirder @oxonbirder.bsky.social · 16/04/2026
cholseywildlife.blogspot.com/2026/04/bunk...
cholseywildlife.blogspot.com
Bunk, Gravel pit and a Cuckoo
Sunny spells, 16°, light to breezy SSE. Bunk and Gravel pit: A Greenshank appeared briefly and called, only to fly and disappear into one o...
000
Reposted by Oxonbirder
Adrian Littlejohn @yorksfella59.bsky.social · 16/04/2026
So... #Farage thinks it's fine for his car to park in a disabled space. Because, after all, he's far more important than a mere disabled pensioner trying to drop his wife off. And allowing his thugs to manhandle the gentleman is fine, too. Are we happy with this? * www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
mirror.co.uk
Moment Nigel Farage henchmen manhandle disabled OAP in parking row
Henchmen working for the divisive Reform leader were seen on camera manhandling a retired engineer who was trying to park in a disabled spot to drop off his wife in Shetland
16228159
Oxonbirder @oxonbirder.bsky.social · 11/04/2026
Cholsey or Lollingdon?
100
Oxonbirder @oxonbirder.bsky.social · 11/04/2026
Nice one.
000
Oxonbirder @oxonbirder.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
cholseywildlife.blogspot.com/2026/04/a-wa...
cholseywildlife.blogspot.com
A warm one
Sunny, 23°, light W. A couple of hours well spent up by the gravel pit today: 3 Shelduck , an Egyptian Goose , 2 Gadwall , 2 pair of Mallard...
110
Oxonbirder @oxonbirder.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
I have heard them also. 👍
010
Oxonbirder @oxonbirder.bsky.social · 30/03/2026
cholseywildlife.blogspot.com/2026/03/swal...
cholseywildlife.blogspot.com
Swallows
Sunny spells, 11°, brisk NW. Bunk and Gravel pit: 7 Swallow today, initially 2 then an hour later a small flock of 5. All spent around 5 mi...
021
Oxonbirder @oxonbirder.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
cholseywildlife.blogspot.com/2026/03/duck...
cholseywildlife.blogspot.com
Ducks etc
Hazy sunshine, 12°, light ENE. A few hours put in at the gravel pit today. 2 Little Grebe , a Great-crested Grebe , 2 Shelduck , 32 Shoveler...
001
Oxonbirder @oxonbirder.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
cholseywildlife.blogspot.com/2026/03/wait...
cholseywildlife.blogspot.com
Waiting for Spring
Sunny, 18°, light ESE. Not a lot about at Lollingdon today and spring not far away. A Raven on the hill sat on a distant fence post and then...
010
Oxonbirder @oxonbirder.bsky.social · 11/03/2026
Very early Hummingbird Hawkmoth in the garden this morning. South Oxfordshire
020
Oxonbirder @oxonbirder.bsky.social · 25/02/2026
cholseywildlife.blogspot.com/2026/02/loll...
cholseywildlife.blogspot.com
Lollingdon
Sunny, 16°, light S. Lollingdon flood fairly quiet today: a Little Egret and c50 Lapwing present. Nearby, a Chiffchaff , Meadow Pipit , 2 Y...
010
Oxonbirder @oxonbirder.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
A pair used to breed back in the 70's at Bow bridge along with Tree Sparrow and Lesser Spot. How times change.
100
Oxonbirder @oxonbirder.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
Both Tony W and I have seen Marsh Tit at Lollingdon over the last 10 years. Only about 4 records though
110
Oxonbirder @oxonbirder.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
West side of flooded fields, Lollingdon.
100
Oxonbirder @oxonbirder.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
cholseywildlife.blogspot.com/2026/02/loll...
cholseywildlife.blogspot.com
Lollingdon
Overcast and rain, 10°, light SE. A walk out to the flooded area at Lollingdon today proved rather wet. Having said that the birds were not ...
120
Oxonbirder @oxonbirder.bsky.social · 31/01/2026
I had a Starling in Wallingford that perfectly mimicked a Corn Bunting.
020
Oxonbirder @oxonbirder.bsky.social · 21/01/2026
cholseywildlife.blogspot.com/2026/01/gosh...
cholseywildlife.blogspot.com
Goshawk
Overcast with some light rain, 10°, light SSE. Bird of the day has to be a female Goshawk that passed briefly through Cholsey airspace this...
010
Oxonbirder @oxonbirder.bsky.social · 05/01/2026
cholseywildlife.blogspot.com/2026/01/loll...
cholseywildlife.blogspot.com
Lollingdon and The Lees
Sunny, 0°, light NNW. Lollingdon and The Lees area: 9 Teal , and 8 Common Snipe all flushed from ditches as the flood was frozen over, 5+ C...
000