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Ray Scally @rayscally.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

TRAFFORD INDUSTRIAL PARK, Gtr Man. - Wasn't expecting this JACK SNIPE this morning on a demolished warehouse site amongst all the rubbish, amazing the places birds pick to roost @alexanderlees.bsky.social #ukbirding

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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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Ray Scally @rayscally.bsky.social · 31/05/2025

MIDDLETON MOOR, Derbys. - Wader morning but all fly thru's, 4 SANDERLING, 13 RINGED PLOVER, 3 LR Plover, 1 Curlew, 1 Cuckoo, 1 HOBBY, 2 Shelduck, 2 Shoveler, 1 Garden Warbler, 8 Linnet #UKBirding @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social

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Ray Scally @rayscally.bsky.social · 26/05/2025

HOOPOE - A rare visitor to the UK, this bird frequented an oak tree on Sandy Lane, Cheshire for a number of days, easily located by its prominent call as it perched high in the tree top, watercolour on @DalerRowney Langton block. #BIRDS #UKBirding

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Ray Scally @rayscally.bsky.social · 26/05/2025

MIDDLETON MOOR, Derbys. - No new birds today, 10 Ringed Plover still from yesterday, 1 Cuckoo, 2 LRP, 2 Curlew, 15 Lapwing, 2 Reed Warbler, 1 Redstart being the highlights @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social #ukbirding

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Ray Scally @rayscally.bsky.social · 16/05/2025

MIDDLETON MOOR, Derbys. - Finally after years caught up with a site tick of KNOT courtesy of @andysbutler.bsky.social bird stayed into its second day allowing some sketches today. also 2 Oysterc, 5 LRP, 1 Shelduck, 2 Curlew, 20 Lapwing @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social @waderquest.bsky.social

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Ray Scally @rayscally.bsky.social · 13/05/2025

MANCHESTER CITY CENTRE - Pair of SAND MARTIN nesting on a canal basin in the northern quarter, COAL TIT also feeding young, SWALLOW early morning, a rare bird within the ring road, Jay and Goldcrest in St John's Gardens and a R N Parakeet right in Piccadilly Gardens #ukbirding #urbanbirding

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Ray Scally @rayscally.bsky.social · 05/05/2025

PIED FLYCATCHER - Watercolour. One of my favourite birds and pleased to say I have a few breeding areas close to my house in Cheshire & Derbyshire so great to see annually. A lot of birds now back on the breeding grounds and paired up. This illustration will be published next year. #ukbirding #birds

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