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Peter Driver @peterdriver.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

It's not an entry for a photographic competition but I saw my first Osprey in Berkshire this afternoon, at Moor Green Lakes. They have evaded me for a long time! I'm glad to finally get it off my County-bogey list (which is still quite long). #berksbirds

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Peter Driver @peterdriver.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

To one of my local gravel pits yesterday to see a young Pectoral Sandpiper and Little Stint. Both County firsts for me, bringing my Berkshire life list to 205. Now on 175 for this year. Not too bad for a non-twitcher. I should add several more on the Scilly Isles next month! #berksbirds

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Peter Driver @peterdriver.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

A juvenile Long-tailed Skua, on its 1st journey from the Arctic tundra to winter in the South Atlantic, stopped-off in Berkshire this Bank holiday weekend. A lifer for me and 203rd Berkshire species. I was with Andy Merrick when he took this photo. See the diagnostic undertail barring. #berksbirds

Image of a Long-tailed Skua in flight against a clear blue sky. Viewed from below, it appears mainly chocolate brown with long pointed wings. There is a small pale patch in the underwing at the base of the primary feathers. The central tail feathers appear rounded and extend beyond the rest of the tail.

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Peter Driver @peterdriver.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

My friend John Froy took me to see the Long-tailed Shrike in Gloucestershire. I wouldn't normally go to another County to see a rare bird found by someone else but I'm rather glad i connected with this smart central Asian vagrant. The third UK record. It's been here over a month now so no crowds...

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Peter Driver @peterdriver.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

In deepest, hottest, Berkshire watching Kestrels and Whitethroats with young gasping, in the third heatwave of this record-breaking summer. Yet more evidence of the accelerating #climatecrisis, which is demonstrably caused by human activity. We must act, individually and collectively. #berksbirds

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Peter Driver @peterdriver.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

Adult Grey Partridge with eight young scurried out of a wheatfield and across the farmyard outside my studio window. First I've seen here this year. #berksbirds

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Peter Driver @peterdriver.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

I'm at the end of three days in East Anglia visiting an old birding friend from our schooldays (we didn't call it birding in the Seventies). 97 species including Spotshank, Cattle Egret, Crane, Spoonbill and Hobby. We visited Fen Drayton Lakes, Welney WWT and Snettisham RSPB. #ukbirding

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Peter Driver @peterdriver.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

My first Hobby in the parish this year puts me on 84 species in this landlocked County parish with only a small brook and a couple of small ponds, mixed arable land and forestry. Best specialties include Nightjar, Woodcock, Lapwing. Still looking for a SpotFly for my parish year-list. #berksbirds

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Peter Driver @peterdriver.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

It's seven years today. I think of her every day and often think she would have something incisive to say about whatever noise is going on in the world. #bekind #bemorealice

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Peter Driver @peterdriver.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

One for the #birdinggear folks: I have a Leica Trima tripod on which the plastic shims have shattered on two of the legs, meaning they easily fall off, when unclipped. @leicacamera.bsky.social no longer support this model. Any suggestions on how to remedy?

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Peter Driver @peterdriver.bsky.social · 10/05/2026

The Red-headed Cardinal Beetle is a smart little critter.

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Peter Driver @peterdriver.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

Took the plunge and bought a PhoneSkope Lollipop from @cleyspy ready for when I change phones and join @ecotalk next week. First used it this evening at Main Pit and got these record shots of a Black-winged Stilt some 500m away. It was very easy to use/fit onto my Opticron scope. #birdinggear.

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Peter Driver @peterdriver.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

...and I did just do that for the Black-winged Stilt!

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Peter Driver @peterdriver.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

On my way back to the studio to carry on refining this LTT woodcut, I stopped off for this Wood Sandpiper and Whimbrel, bringing my 2026 list to 151 (113 in Berkshire, 78 in my home village) #berksbirds #lowcarbonbirding

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Peter Driver @peterdriver.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

You can park on the bend near the pretty little church and walk into the woods, which are right next to the road. I took my Mum there three weeks ago. What3words///bolts.took.amused

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Peter Driver @peterdriver.bsky.social · 18/04/2026

A 3 hour sea-watch at North Foreland this morning produced Black-throated Diver, 18 Common Scoter, Whimbrel, 2 Common Sandpiper, 2auk sp, lots of Gannets, Wheatear and hirundines. All in the company of very experienced local birders. #kentbirding

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Peter Driver @peterdriver.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

One of the two PurpleSands among the Turnstones at North Foreland this morning, thanks to @eastkentbirder.bsky.social for finding them. I risked my neck leaning over the railings but worth it for a year-tick. Several passing Gannets, Med Gulls and hirundines. A pleasant couple of hours. #kentbirding

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Peter Driver @peterdriver.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

It was an early bird. Three Wheatear on Kingsgate golf course, a busy Garden Warbler, singing Chiffchaff, and 3 Whitethroat on the walk to Foreness Point. Merlin suggested a Richard's Pipit but I could only hear a feisty House Sparrow. Not much out to sea. #kentbirding @kentishplover.bsky.social

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Peter Driver @peterdriver.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

A few days in Margate this weekend with time for some sea-watching off Foreness Point. Highlights so far include Fulmar, Sandwich Terns and 21 Little Gulls passing east at 7pm. Hoping some good passage birds will appear over the next 3 mornings. #kentbirding #ukbirding @kentishplover.bsky.social

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Peter Driver @peterdriver.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

A pair of Garganey yesterday at Welney @wwtworldwide.bsky.social Fortunately for her, the drake was pretty quick on the job. An elusive pair of Tree Sparrows finally showed up at 4.45 after the dominant House Sparrows had quietened down a bit. Cafe serves an excellent pastie too. #birdinguk

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Peter Driver @peterdriver.bsky.social · 12/04/2026

The village year total is creeping up with this week's addition of Swallow, Willow Warbler, Whitethroat and Woodlark bringing my to #76. #berksbirds #lowcarbonbirding

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Peter Driver @peterdriver.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

My 72nd bird in the village this year was Mandarin Duck. A pair flew along the hedgerow down the slope in this photo. I've been out daily looking for Wheatear or other migrants, without success so far. They're just down the road but I'm hoping they'll visit my patch. #ukbirding #lowcarbonbirding

An oak tree stands alone in a field where wheat has started to grow. There is a mainly clear blue sky with a few wispy clouds. Beyond the tree a hedgerow runs parallel with the horizon and a few oak trees stand on the horizon at the top of a slope. A footpath runs from the foreground, up the middle of the field passing the oak and vanishing over the brown of the hill. Stratfield Mortimer at its finest spring brightness.

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Peter Driver @peterdriver.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

A trip to the Fens today to collect Mum for her Easter hols was a good excuse to call in at Welney @wwtworldwide.bsky.social where I cut my birding teeth as a teenager. Highlights included 12 Common Crane, a Spoonbill, a couple of Ruff among the hundreds of Blackwits. #ukbirding

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Peter Driver @peterdriver.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

Caddis larvae from a pond-dip yesterday. #pondlife

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Peter Driver @peterdriver.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

Brown Hare, Yellowhammer (3 singing males) and a water louse from a pond dip in the village yesterday. A flock of c70 Fieldfare was a highlight of the day. #berksbirds #lowcarbonbirding

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Peter Driver @peterdriver.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

Fine day out at Stanpit Marsh and Hengistbury Head on Monday with friends from NDOC and @berksbirdclub.bsky.social I noted 52 species and added Shag and Wheatear to my year list (127, of which 71 in my home village). The Stonechats, Dartford Warblers and Greenfinches were delightful. #ukbirding

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Peter Driver @peterdriver.bsky.social · 15/03/2026

I led a @berksbirdclub.bsky.social trip to Titchfield Haven today. Highlights included a gorgeous huddle of 90+ Sanderling on the beach, lots of Mediterranean Gulls, Marsh Marigold and a drake Goosander. Avocets, Blackwits and 2 pairs of Marsh Harriers were around all day. #ukbirding #hantsbirds

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Peter Driver @peterdriver.bsky.social · 14/03/2026

Digging up invasive Skunk Cabbage from a wet woodland in the village this week. Lots of progress but there's more to do. Scarlet Cup and Blackthorn noticed during the morning. #conservation #invasivespecies

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Peter Driver @peterdriver.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

There were three Greylag in the mist this morning. The first I've seen in the parish this year (we don't have enough standing water to float a Goose).

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Peter Driver @peterdriver.bsky.social · 24/02/2026

A lovely afternoon to be out. This phone-scoped Treecreeper at Bottom Lane gravel pit sat motionless for a couple of minutes (perhaps hoping I hadn't spotted it). Lots of Siskin still around too. #berksbirds

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Peter Driver @peterdriver.bsky.social · 22/02/2026

Nothing new for the year but a few delightful sights in the village this week: 1. Brambling 2. Redpoll 3. Siskin 4. Firecrest 5. Bullfinch #berksbirds #mortimerbigyear

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Peter Driver @peterdriver.bsky.social · 18/02/2026

Anticipating Ken and Linda Smith's talk tonight at @berksbirdclub.bsky.social on Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers. Here's my 2020 woodcut monoprint on vintage wallpaper, about their decline since the wallpaper was made - from a series shown in So'ton and Reading. @lesserspotnet.bsky.social #berksbirds

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Peter Driver @peterdriver.bsky.social · 14/02/2026

Brambling still around in the village yesterday. With the addition of Redpoll on my morning walk today, I'm now on 64 species within Stratfield Mortimer parish. Not bad for the first six weeks of the year.

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Peter Driver @peterdriver.bsky.social · 11/02/2026

A couple of hours at Warsash yesterday before a meeting put me into a small group of Knot among the Dunlin. My 120th species of the year. There were several Little Grebes and GCG on the water but no divers or other grebes in evidence. #hantsbirds

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Peter Driver @peterdriver.bsky.social · 08/02/2026

Brent Goose (dark-bellied) in a neighbouring parish this morning. My 201st bird species in Berkshire, 88th Berkshire bird this year. Found, as usual, by Andy Merrick. #berksbirds

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Peter Driver @peterdriver.bsky.social · 06/02/2026

And this little video. This male and a female were among about 200 Chaffinches along with a Reed Bunting, five Yellowhammers and a smattering of Linnets. I spent an hour and half watching them in order to work out what they all were...great fun.

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Peter Driver @peterdriver.bsky.social · 06/02/2026

A long way off but it'll do. Brambling in the village this morning - patch gold. #mortimerbigyear

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Peter Driver @peterdriver.bsky.social · 05/02/2026

The village pond was looking wonderful in a rare spell of sunshine yesterday. My Mortimer parish boundary bird list for 2026 currently stands at 61. A lot more fieldwork to do to reach my 100 target for the year but it is just good to be out and exploring the woods, lanes and footpaths. #berksbirds

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Peter Driver @peterdriver.bsky.social · 03/02/2026

Great day out at Poole Harbour yeateday with @berksbirdclub.bsky.social This Little Gull was at Lytchett Fields RSPB. We saw a ringtail Hen Harrier there too, then a White-tailed Eagle from Jerry's Point. #dorsetbirds

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Peter Driver @peterdriver.bsky.social · 01/02/2026

This is not the best photo of Black-necked Grebes you're likely to see but they were over a kilometre away off Hurst spit, seen from Pennington today. #hantsbirds

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Peter Driver @peterdriver.bsky.social · 27/01/2026

And so it begins. First strokes of a new reduction woodcut for the proposed series of twelve red-listed birds from my home village. Part of an expansive year-long project of collaboration, fieldwork and writing about the natural history of Stratfield Mortimer. #mortimerbigyear, #woodcut #berksbirds

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Peter Driver @peterdriver.bsky.social · 25/01/2026

Record shot of two first-winter White-fronted geese among the Greylag flock just down the road from home. Found by Andy Merrick (as usual). Cattle Egret and Little Egret feeding the other side of the road. And a Great White Egret a few fields west. #berksbirds

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Peter Driver @peterdriver.bsky.social · 20/01/2026

Barwit playing 'where's Wally' among the Grey Plover and Dunlin at Hayling Oysterbeds today. And we stopped off for an amazing view of Slavonian Grebe on the small northern pond at Platinum Jubilee Country Lark, Chichester, on our way home. Great day out. #hantsbirds #westsussexbirds

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Peter Driver @peterdriver.bsky.social · 15/01/2026

A distant male Stonechat and three evenly-spaced Brown Hares, from yesterday's nine mile walk round the south east quarter of the parish. Four additions brought my #MortimerBigYear tally to 57 bird species. I have yet to find Sparrowhawk, Green Woodpecker and Redpoll. #ukbirding #lowcarbonbirding

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Peter Driver @peterdriver.bsky.social · 12/01/2026

White-fronted Goose from Hogarth Hide at Slimbridge on Sunday. Just one highlight of a great day out with @berksbirdclub.bsky.social and the Wokingham & Bracknell RSPB group. A very good trip, despite incurring a head injury. The blood... #ukbirding

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Peter Driver @peterdriver.bsky.social · 07/01/2026

First Crossbills of the year quarter of a mile from my front door. #berksbirds #lowcarbonbirding #birdsofmortimer

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Peter Driver @peterdriver.bsky.social · 03/01/2026

My New Year walk around the village yesterday morning produced some early Hazel catkins and 44 bird species, including Kingfisher, Yellowhammer, Redwing and a flock of 50 Linnet. I didn't see Coal Tit, Mistle Thrush, Sparrowhawk, Chiffchaff or Firecrest but they're all there to be seen. #berksbirds

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Peter Driver @peterdriver.bsky.social · 01/01/2026

My primary birding focus for 2026 is the civil parish of Stratfield Mortimer, Berkshire, where I live. I'll look at other flora and fauna too but hope to find birds nobody else is likely to notice. I have a side-bet with myself on finding 100 bird species in the parish. #lowcarbonbirding #ukbirding

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Peter Driver @peterdriver.bsky.social · 01/01/2026

I ended the year at Abberton Reservoir, Essex (a diversion on my route home from the Fens). Lesser Scaup, Scaup, Slavonian Grebe and Smew were highlights. A quick stop-off at Queen Mother Reservoir on my way back into Berks produced not much more than this fine M'ipit. #ukbirding

Dodgy mobile phone shot of a male Smew on the water west of the Layer Breton causeway, Abberton Reservoir, swimming right.

A Meadow Pipit facing left into sunlight, sat on the moss/kitchen covered concrete retaining wall if Queen Mother Reservoir, Berkshire.

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Peter Driver @peterdriver.bsky.social · 25/12/2025

My drawing for the June page of the Restless Beings calendar 2026, a project co-led by my friend Sophie T Lin. Each month features a pencil drawing by an independent artist. Funds will support projects in Bangladesh and Sudan. Get yours here: restlesscalendar2026.com #calendar #charitycalendar

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