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Ray Scally

@rayscally.bsky.social
796 followers 132 following 137 posts

Ornithological Illustrator, Birding Frontiers Illustrator, eBIRD reviewer for Cheshire County.

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Ray Scally @rayscally.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
BLACK STORK - Watercolour on block, lovely summers day in August was very lucky to get to Parkgate on the Wirral on time, as I arrived the birds had taken flight from the marsh and circled in the heat of the day, it was very hazy as these birds circled above and flew in land. #ukbirding
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Ray Scally @rayscally.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
DOVE HOLES QUARRY, Derbys. - 1 WHINCHAT, 1 Barnacle Goose, 65 Teal, 20 Tufted Duck, 35 Meadow Pipit, 1 Wheatear @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social
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Ray Scally @rayscally.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
MIDDLETON MOOR, Derbys. - Very quiet with very little movement, only bird of note was a GREAT EGRET, scarce here dropping in briefly, 3 Cormorant over, 1 Water Rail, 2 Wigeon, 27 Shoveler, 1 Gadwall @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social
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Ray Scally @rayscally.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
MIDDLETON MOOR, Derbys. - Not a bad morning 1 MARSH HARRIER, 1 Dunlin briefly thru, 1 Red Kite, 1 Hobby, 2 Swift, 1 Snipe, 15 Mpipits, 20 Mistle Thrush, 1 Grey Wagtail being highlights #ukbirding @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social @shefbirdstudy.bsky.social
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Ray Scally @rayscally.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
We now have a MIDDLETON MOOR Birding Blog and BIRD REPORT thanks to @jonlowes.bsky.social in setting up / editing and @andysbutler.bsky.social for the systematic list, cover by me! Blog spot and report can be found here middletonmoorbirds.blogspot.com #ukbirding @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social
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Ray Scally @rayscally.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
MIDDLETON MOOR, Derbys. - Excellent morning, 1 Wood Sand, 1 Greenshank, 1 Osprey, 1 Wigeon, 12 Shoveler, 1 Great Egret, 3 Yellow Wag, bird of the day was 14 PINTAIL going high NW that went straight thru @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social #ukbirding
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Ray Scally @rayscally.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
MIDDLETON MOOR, Derbys. - 3 Pintail, 7 Shoveler new in, full details on the new Middleton Moor Blog middletonmoorbirds.blogspot.com @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social #ukbirding
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Ray Scally @rayscally.bsky.social · 12/07/2026
COMBS RES, Derbys. – 3 Spotted Fly this morning actively calling in the tree canopy, also 6 Teal, 17 Swift over, 1 Oyc, 2 Common Sand, 6 G C Grebe NEW MILLS – 1 Little Egret flew into Derbyshire air space over the Goyt this morning and lost to view. @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social #ukbirding
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Ray Scally @rayscally.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
MIDDLETON MOOR, Derbys. – Return wader migration started with a couple of Green Sand last week and adult Com Sand, the adult birds didn’t stick and only stayed the day but this Green Sandpiper has been around a couple of days now favouring a spot by the reeds. #ukbirding
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Ray Scally @rayscally.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
WRYNECK – Burton Point, Cheshire back in April, a nicely confiding bird for most of the day and a rare west coast occurence The painting is watercolour and gouache on arches smooth paper @rspbburtonmere.bsky.social #ukbirding
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Ray Scally @rayscally.bsky.social · 17/05/2026
MIDDLETON MOOR, Derbys. - Brilliant morning with this WOODLARK !!!!, very scarce in county also 2 Caspian Gulls, 8 Ringed Plover, 2 Shelduck with @andysbutler.bsky.social @jonlowes.bsky.social @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social #ukbirding
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Ray Scally @rayscally.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
BELVIDE, Staffs - Great reed Warbler, great find by @belvidebirding.bsky.social very lucky to be in the right place at right time, bird not seen for last hour or so @rarebirder.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social
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Ray Scally @rayscally.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
AUDENSHAW RESER., Gtr Man - Slower today, 6 WHIMBREL, 12 Ringed Plover, 6 LRP, 9 Dunlin, 5 Com Sand, 1 Yellow Wag, 2 Wheatear, 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Sedge Warbler. #ukbirding #birds @waderquest.bsky.social @waderstudy.bsky.social
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Ray Scally @rayscally.bsky.social · 03/05/2026
AUDENSHAW RESER., Gtr Man - Brilliant wader passage this morning, 9 Sanderling, 37 Ringed Plover (possibly 42, 1 single flock of 22 birds), 4 L R Plover, 4 Common Sandpiper, 4 Lapwing, 1 Greenshank, 4 Dunlin, 40 Swift, 1 Wheatear being the highlights #ukbirding @waderquest.bsky.social
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Ray Scally @rayscally.bsky.social · 18/04/2026
AUDENSHAW RES, Gtr Man - 3 KITTIWAKE this morning, 1 WHIMBREL, 4 LRP, 3 Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin, 4 Com Sand, 2 Wheatear, 1 H Martin with @simonghilks.bsky.social @merlintag.bsky.social
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Ray Scally @rayscally.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
AUDENSHAW RES, Gtr Man - 3 KITTIWAKE this afternoon, 3 Shelduck, 26 Goldeneye, 1 SMEW, 1 Ringed Plover, 3 LRP, 1 Sand Martin, 2 Oystercatcher, a good afternoon @rarebirder.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social #ukbirding #birds
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Ray Scally @rayscally.bsky.social · 16/03/2026
GOLDEN ORIOLE - Hopefully there will be a few of these gracing the UK over the next couple of months, this is watercolour on block using Fuumuui brushart brushes, a brilliant recent find of quality brushes, for the cover of a publication due out next year. #birds #birdart #ukbirding
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Ray Scally @rayscally.bsky.social · 24/02/2026
COMBS RESERVOIR, Derbyshire - Adult MEDITERRANEAN GULL, rare in these parts was a surprise find this morning but expected. @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social #ukbirding
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Ray Scally @rayscally.bsky.social · 08/02/2026
SHORELARK, Mow Cop, Cheshire - Probably bird of the moment in Cheshire, an over wintering bird staying loyal to the same muddy field over the winter months, interesting to see how long it stays before it moves on. Watercolour on ARCHES paper #ukbirding
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Sheffield Bird Study Group @shefbirdstudy.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
'The New Birds of the Sheffield Area' Indoor Meeting: Weds 11th Feb 7.15pm Join us to celebrate the launch of our fabulous new 440 page book detailing all 300 species ever sighted in our area. Editors Richard & David will talk us through the project. Copies for sale + complimentary fizz!
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Ray Scally @rayscally.bsky.social · 30/01/2026
SALE WATER PARK, Manchester - Great to have WILLOW TIT in the area and so close to the city, a bird practically extinct in some counties, watercolour sketch on a new glossy paper I'm trying, currently at least 2 birds visiting the feeders. #ukbirding #birds #sketching
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Ray Scally @rayscally.bsky.social · 06/01/2026
AUDENSHAW RESERVOIR, Greater Manchester - SMEW sketches from earlier in the week. #ukbirding
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Ray Scally @rayscally.bsky.social · 04/01/2026
AUDENSHAW RES, Gtr Manchester. - Great morning, 1 SMEW, 1 Green Sand, 1 Redshank, 1 Jack Snipe, 1 Chiffchaff, 4 Goldeneye, 2 Pochard, 2 Snipe, 25 Shoveler, 22 Gadwall, 10 Wigeon, 46 Teal, 4 Redpoll #ukbirding
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Ray Scally @rayscally.bsky.social · 27/12/2025
WATERSWALLOWS QUARRY, Buxton, Derbys. - 1 Jack Snipe, 2 Common Snipe, 2 Greylag Goose, 1 Yellow legged Gull which stayed briefly and towards Dove Holes, 1 Herring Gull, 1 Teal, 5 Tufted Duck, 3 Stock Dove, 2 Raven, 1 Cormorant, 4 Buzzard the highlights @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social #ukbirding
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Ray Scally @rayscally.bsky.social · 25/12/2025
BUFFLEHEAD, Foryd Bay, Gwynedd, Wales - 21.12.25 - Sketches done on site and watercolour added on return home. #birdart #birds #ukbirding on @DalerRowney Langton Cold Pressed Block
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Robert Vaughan @robertvaughani.bsky.social · 14/11/2025
Two new Christmas card designs are still available on my website. A huge thank you to everyone who has bought them, and for the kind feedback, it is really appreciated! Please check out www.robertvaughanillustrations.com for more.
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Ray Scally @rayscally.bsky.social · 11/11/2025
RED-BACKED SHRIKE - An adult from the spring, watercolour on Arches paper for the cover of a publication. #birds #ukbirding #birdart
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Ray Scally @rayscally.bsky.social · 07/11/2025
WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER, Blithfield, Staffs – From a couple of weeks back, stayed asleep for the first half hour in low sun and semi concealed which made picking out the ID features difficult but educational, showed well as morning progressed. @westmidbirdclub.bsky.social
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Ray Scally @rayscally.bsky.social · 02/11/2025
HEN HARRIER – Watercolour on daler Rowney watercolour block for publication #ukbirding #birdart #birds
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Ray Scally @rayscally.bsky.social · 19/10/2025
GLOSSY IBIS – Watercolour on Arches HP, lucky to catch up with a few of these birds consisting of over 600 birds recorded in the UK and a good number in Ireland, a very rare breeder in UK, most birds being juveniles with a small proportion of adults also amongst the frenzy. #ukbirding #birds
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Jon Lowes @jonlowes.bsky.social · 07/10/2025
Grey Phalarope (Phalaropus fulicarius), Waterswallows Quarry, Buxton, Derbyshire, UK, 07/10/2025 ebird.org/checklist/S2... This arctic-breeding wader, no doubt blown inland by Storm Amy, was found by @rayscally.bsky.social this afternoon #ukbirding #birding #birds #rarebirdsuk #ukrarebirds
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Ray Scally @rayscally.bsky.social · 07/10/2025
WATERSWALLOWS Reservoir, Buxton, Derbyshire - Started slowly with 2 Teal which was a site tick, 4 Tufted Duck, 35 Lapwing, 1 Little Grebe and on the main quarry pool was gobsmacked to find a GREY PHALAROPE spinning in the distance. @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social #ukbirding
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Ray Scally @rayscally.bsky.social · 06/10/2025
AUDENSHAW RES, G Man - Start of the WHOOOPER SWAN arrival in Manchester, 12 arriving first thing and departing, another 6 dropped in at 2pm when I was there with a banded bird 53F that was recently ringed in Iceland on 11.08.25 @kanebrides.bsky.social @dan-gornall.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social
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Colin Bushell @colinbushell.bsky.social · 05/10/2025
Birthday present from Mrs B. a @rayscally.bsky.social - American and Pacific Golden Plover, Kentish Plover on the Humber off the Warren, Spurn autumn 2023.
Painting by Ray Scally of 3 plovers - American & Pacific Goldies and Kentish, Spurn 2023.
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Ray Scally @rayscally.bsky.social · 05/10/2025
HALE HEAD, Cheshire - Excellent few hours from the lighthouse this morning 1 LEACH'S PETREL blogged for 5 mins or so, 2 Kittiwake, 1 Common Scoter, 2 Pintail, 2 Gadwall, 10 Wigeon, 20 Teal, 29 Golden Plover, 5 Sanderling, 3 Swallow #UKbirding
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Ray Scally @rayscally.bsky.social · 14/09/2025
MIDDLETON MOOR, Derbys. - Good movement this morning, 7 RING OUZEL, 2 WHINCHAT, 1 LITTLE EGRET, 30 skylark, 57 Mistle thrush, 120 Swallow, 100 House Martin, 10 Siskin, 120 Meadow Pipit, 1 Stonechat, 29 Shoveler, 3 Gadwall, 5 Wigeon, 140 Teal @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social #ukbirding
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Ray Scally @rayscally.bsky.social · 25/08/2025
MIDDLETON MOOR Derbys. - 126 Glag Goose, 1 Shoveler, 1 Gadwall, 55 Teal, 1 Tufted Duck, 5 SWIFT, 1 W Rail, 1 GOL PLOVER over, 2 RED KITE, 4 Skylark, 3 Reed Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 1 Gar Warbler, 4 Redstart, 5 WHINCHAT, 4 Stonechat, 4 TREE PIPIT over, 5 Reed Bunt @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social #ukbirding
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Spurn Bird Observatory @spurnbirdobs.bsky.social · 20/08/2025
Start your journey into birding and wildlife watching on our new Spurn Residential Retreats! Last chance to book upcoming dates - 29th to 31st Aug and 5th to 7th Sept inclusive. Booking and more info here: spurnbirdobservatory.co.uk/news/spurn-r...
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Martin Standley @martin-standley1.bsky.social · 20/08/2025
Migfest migration festival at Spurn is the hottest nature event of the year & tickets were sold out weeks ago, such is the demand for this prestigious event. For anyone with a ticket, I will be doing my usual two hr workshop on both days between 9am and 11am. martin-standley.squarespace.com/blog
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Ray Scally @rayscally.bsky.social · 16/08/2025
MIDDLETON MOOR, Nth Derbys. - A steady passage today ended this evening with 1 GREENSHANK, 1 Redshank, 3 Ringed Plover, 2 Lapwing, 1 Water Rail, the first to be seen in many years, 2 Shoveler, 30 Teal, 42 L B B Gull, 3 Raven being the highlights. @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social #ukbirding #birdinguk
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Ray Scally @rayscally.bsky.social · 16/08/2025
AUDENSHAW RES, Gtr Manchester - A bit of passage this morning, 1 RUFF, 1 B t Godwit, 1 Common Sand, 1 LRP, 1 Green Sand, 2 Little Egret, 22 R N Parakeet, 1 Yellow Wagtail, LESSER SCAUP still present with @simonghilks.bsky.social @alexanderlees.bsky.social #ukbirding
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Ray Scally @rayscally.bsky.social · 15/08/2025
RUDYARD LAKE, Staffordshire - 1 MARSH HARRIER thru, 3 Teal, 9 Ringed Plover, 6 LR Plover, 1 Snipe, 3 Common Sand, 1 Green Sand, Peregrine, 2 Spotted Fly, 3 Yellow Wagtail this morning, full list on ebird. @staffsbirdnews.bsky.social #ukbirding
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Ray Scally @rayscally.bsky.social · 12/08/2025
WATERSWALLOWS RES, Buxton - 11.08.25 - Migrants starting to go through, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 YELLOW WAGTAIL, a scarce bird north county, fledging Redstart, 1 Mandarin, 4 Tufted Duck, 11 Lapwing, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Willow Warbler, 6 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social
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Ray Scally @rayscally.bsky.social · 22/07/2025
SVALBARD – a Chapter header painting for ISLAND EXPEDITIONS by Nigel Winn, the latest book I am working on, 18 Chapter header paintings for far flung birding destinations around the world, Falklands, Lena Delta, South Georgia to name a few, watercolour on Daler Rowney Langton Prestige Block. #birds
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Ray Scally @rayscally.bsky.social · 13/07/2025
MIDDLETON MOOR, Derbys. - 2 RINGED PLOVER & 1 LRP juv this morning which gave good comparisons side by side for biro sketches, 1 Sedge Warbler, 3-4 Reed Warbler, 1 Shoveler, 1 Gadwall, 23 P Wagtail, 7 Teal being the highlights @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social #ukbirding
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Ray Scally @rayscally.bsky.social · 30/06/2025
TRAFFORD INDUSTRIAL PARK, G Manchester - Nice to see some hope in urban decay on an old warehouse site, 1 RINGED PLOVER, 5 LITTLE RINGED PLOVER, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Med Gull this morning #ukbirding
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Ray Scally @rayscally.bsky.social · 20/06/2025
AUDENSHAW RES, Gtr Manchester - MEGA!! SURF SCOTER found by Rob Adderley this morning! first for GM apparently @birdguides.bsky.social @rarebirdalertuk.bsky.social #ukbirding
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Ray Scally @rayscally.bsky.social · 15/06/2025
WOOLSTON EYES – Cover for the latest Woolston Eyes 2024 Annual Report, should be hitting members ‘in boxes’ in the near future, watercolour on Arches paper, a prolific year for Yellow-browed Warblers at the site, prompted me to use this species as its one that may not turn up in the future. #birds
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Alexander Lees @alexanderlees.bsky.social · 05/06/2025
I'll be in London next week discussing misinformation and the #biodiversity crisis with @amydickman.bsky.social and @clarecarlile.bsky.social at an event organised by the ‪@linneansociety.bsky.social ‬https://members.linnean.org/events/67fd2addd5f1de00084dd431/description 🌍
screen grab of the event Misinformation and the Threat to Conservation from https://members.linnean.org/events/67fd2addd5f1de00084dd431/description
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Ray Scally @rayscally.bsky.social · 03/06/2025
MIDDLETON MOOR, Derbys. - OSPREY was surprise thru this afternoon, 6 Gadwall new in and no wader movement today. @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social #UKBirding
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