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simonjohnno.bsky.social @simonjohnno.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

16 Ringed Plover west at Elton this morning in blustery conditions also a golden plover NE and a black tern dropped in at lunch time

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simonjohnno.bsky.social @simonjohnno.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

When the dog clocks you from a mile away! 🫣 800 Swallows south at Elton this evening plus 2 snipe & 5 wigeon

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simonjohnno.bsky.social @simonjohnno.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Brilliant morning at Elton. Glossy ibis found by S Warford (2nd records) plus 5 pintail west. 400+ Mpipits south , 180 house Martin and 300 Pinkfeet NW

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simonjohnno.bsky.social @simonjohnno.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Cracking morning at Elton res with an Osprey SW, 1800 swallow, 6 sand Martin, 166 sand Martin and 300 Meadow pipit south. 14 snipe west and 616 Pinkfeet east and 75 NW

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simonjohnno.bsky.social @simonjohnno.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Pinkfooted geese battling in off the sea at Inverallochy today. 241 in small flocks. 3 Brent Geese west (PB) 19 sooty shearwater, 2 GN diver, 89 Manx shearwater and 19 snipe west. Flock of 230 swallow also came in off the sea. Cracking place

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simonjohnno.bsky.social @simonjohnno.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

4 Great White Egret flew north at Elton res this morning and 2 Oystercatcher SW. otherwise a jolly good soaking (photo S Warford)

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simonjohnno.bsky.social @simonjohnno.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Great day at Elton res. 75 species. Migrants included 2 Whinchat, 2 tree pipit, yellow wag, Green Sand, 15 swift, 1000+ Hirundines (photos by S Warford)

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simonjohnno.bsky.social @simonjohnno.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Kingfisher has been putting on a good show at Elton res the last few days. Green sand and Ringed plover flew through this morning, With Black-wit and 2 Redstart yesterday

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simonjohnno.bsky.social @simonjohnno.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

Decent at Elton res this morning with whimbrel, 2 Dunlin and 4 snipe flying through. 10 lapwing and oystercatcher still hanging around YLG on the res and 5 Yellow Wags SE

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simonjohnno.bsky.social @simonjohnno.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Nice morning at Elton res (MCR) with Green Sand and Greenshank flying through SW, 40 swallow, 16 swift, 79 sand Martin and 8 house Martin south. A fresh juv Stonechat was in the Goyt. Shoveler, 2 Gadwall, 2 little and 10 GCG on the res

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simonjohnno.bsky.social @simonjohnno.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Purple Heron flown NE at Elton res this morning

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simonjohnno.bsky.social @simonjohnno.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

Nice bit of wader passage at Elton res this morning with single Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Snipe, 4 Dunlin and 2 Ringed plover all west in squally conditions

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simonjohnno.bsky.social @simonjohnno.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

Elton res this morning ad Hobby, Ad Black-necked Grebe, 2 little grebe, common Tern, 26 lapwing, Barn & Little owl. also this superb sunflower 🌻

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simonjohnno.bsky.social @simonjohnno.bsky.social · 11/07/2026

Sunset dog walks with my little best bud! #dogs

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simonjohnno.bsky.social @simonjohnno.bsky.social · 11/07/2026

Barn owl putting on a show at Elton this morning

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simonjohnno.bsky.social @simonjohnno.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

3 common sandpiper on the river at Spring water park (Whitefield) this evening. A new one for here. Plus kingfishers and Goosander with 11 young

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simonjohnno.bsky.social @simonjohnno.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

Early morning works with this one this week #dogs

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simonjohnno.bsky.social @simonjohnno.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

Big increase of Med Gulls at Elton res today with up to 10 adults enjoying the big insect hatch (mainly horseflies ) hawking over the fields with other gulls and dropping into the res for a preen

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simonjohnno.bsky.social @simonjohnno.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

Elton res this morning was pretty decent for mid June. Pair of barn owls. 4 Ad Med Gulls, 2 shoveler, Hobby, Peregrine, 224 Swift SW in small parties and a family party of 4 lesser Whitethroats

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simonjohnno.bsky.social @simonjohnno.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

Someone has had a fun filled day on the coast today #dogs

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simonjohnno.bsky.social @simonjohnno.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

Visit to flamborough this afternoon. Bonxie off the golf course cliffs along with a singing lesser Whitethroat in the brambles around 2pm the highlight. Plus all the usual sea birds in good numbers @flamboroughbird.bsky.social

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simonjohnno.bsky.social @simonjohnno.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

2 visits to Elton res (Grt Mcr) today. This morning was full of Hirundines 700+ swallow, 60 House Martin, 500 sand Martin and 130 swift. Lots moving off as the weather improved. Also yellow wagtail, common sand, Lesser Whitethroat, hobby, 4 gadwall and little egret. #birds

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simonjohnno.bsky.social @simonjohnno.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

17 Arctic Tern dropped into Elton res (Grt Mcr) this evening. Also Black-necked Grebe, 60 swift, 8 Sedge warbler, 350 Sand Martin, 200 Swallow and 2 House Martin

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simonjohnno.bsky.social @simonjohnno.bsky.social · 25/04/2026

5 Black Tern on Elton res (Grt Mcr) this am. Common sand, Greylag, 20+ swift, 3 house Martin, 4 sedge warbler and a light movement of swallows heading north best of the rest

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simonjohnno.bsky.social @simonjohnno.bsky.social · 24/04/2026

30 Swifts and 3 common Sand at Elton res this morning. Not much else and no hoped for Terns or little gulls.

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simonjohnno.bsky.social @simonjohnno.bsky.social · 18/04/2026

Elton res this am. First Swift & Whitethroat back. Common Tern NE. 3 House Martin amongst the 300+ sand martins. Plus my first hare of the year

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simonjohnno.bsky.social @simonjohnno.bsky.social · 06/04/2026

Early start at Elton today. Slow going but patch tick with 2 male Crossbill flying north also common scoter, black-necked grebe, 2 willow warbler, displaying curlew, Barn owl and a distant flock of 30+ golden plover north

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simonjohnno.bsky.social @simonjohnno.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

Patch Gold this morning with 2 White-fronted Geese flying through Elton res NW. also some spring migrants with 2 willow warbler, LRP, 4 swallow & 160+ sand Martin. Very little vis mig 5 Siskin, redpoll, 3 linnet & a curlew the best. 6 goldeneye remain on the res

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simonjohnno.bsky.social @simonjohnno.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

Good couple of days at Elton res with our first 2 LRP back today. Yesterday Black-necked Grebe. Plus Sand Martins, Chiffchaffs, skylarks mpipits, redpolls siskins and linnet & woodpigeons passing over on vis mig

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simonjohnno.bsky.social @simonjohnno.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

My first sand Martin of the year at Elton res this morning. Slavonian Grebe still present with 18 goldeneye & a shelduck. 356 Pinkfeet over along with small numbers of skylark, mpipits & alba wags. Spring is here!

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simonjohnno.bsky.social @simonjohnno.bsky.social · 14/02/2026

Frosty morning at Elton res. Slav grebe still showing plus 2 barn owls, 37 Goosander, 14 goldeneye, 180 Pinkfeet NW, 3 skylark, 3 oystercatcher and increase of 115 lapwing

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simonjohnno.bsky.social @simonjohnno.bsky.social · 13/02/2026

The Slavonian grebe was showing nicely at Elton this morning.

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simonjohnno.bsky.social @simonjohnno.bsky.social · 25/01/2026

Trip down to Norfolk today to see the Black winged Kite which showed distantly. Supporting cast of cranes, cattle egrets, whooper & Bewick swans, Iceland and Caspian gulls, snow buntings, Geese & SEO made for a great day out

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simonjohnno.bsky.social @simonjohnno.bsky.social · 09/01/2026

Still Baltic conditions at Elton res. 480 Pinkfeet, 96 Fieldfare, 167 redwing NW and 131 lapwing sw possible signs of cold weather movement. On the small patch of unfrozen water 12 gadwall, 9 goldeneye, 2 GCG & 9 little egret.

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simonjohnno.bsky.social @simonjohnno.bsky.social · 06/01/2026

Another freezing morning at Elton res with even parts of the river Irwell freezing over! Jack snipe in the feeding station stream the best. 5 snipe, 6 gadwall, 90 tufted, 30 teal, 2 goldeneye and 2 Cettis best of the rest #birds

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simonjohnno.bsky.social @simonjohnno.bsky.social · 04/01/2026

Ended the day with 72 species on the local Bury patch. Highlights being Curlew, Dipper, 30+ Siskin, Barn Owl, increase in wildfowl (Elton, springwater & Heston park) walked 11.5 miles #birds

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simonjohnno.bsky.social @simonjohnno.bsky.social · 04/01/2026

A very cold Elton res this morning! Increase in waterfowl with wigeon, 101 Teal, 6 shoveler, 5 Gadwall, 86 Tufted Duck, 12 Goldeneye, 18 Goosander, Little Grebe, 10 snipe, Woodcock, 48 Lapwing & 20 mute swan. The GWE & Cettis remain

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simonjohnno.bsky.social @simonjohnno.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

This one has been the best family support dog the last few weeks 💔 ❤️ #dogs

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simonjohnno.bsky.social @simonjohnno.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

Last bit of 2025 birding for me at Elton this am with a respectable 64 species !! Woodcock, 2 snipe, 500+ lapwing Barn owl, buzzard, spahawk and kestrel, 6 gadwall, 2 shoveler, 30+ teal, GWE, 8 little egret, 2 Cetti’s warbler, water rail, 100+ Fieldfare, 200+ redwing good birding for 2026

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simonjohnno.bsky.social @simonjohnno.bsky.social · 27/12/2025

They say that a man’s best friend is a dog! Well this one bucks the trend the best family support system after loosing our dad just before Xmas 😢

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simonjohnno.bsky.social @simonjohnno.bsky.social · 24/12/2025

16 Swans flew west over heaton park this morning. 15 where Whooper swans The flock split into 3. The straggling 2 birds had a significantly smaller swan tagging along with them. Too distant to get positive ID but did wonder if it could be Bewicks 🫣

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simonjohnno.bsky.social @simonjohnno.bsky.social · 23/11/2025

Snoring her little socks off 💤 my little best buddy ❤️ #dogs

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simonjohnno.bsky.social @simonjohnno.bsky.social · 10/10/2025

Staying near Mossyard in Dumfries on a non birding break but had 600 skylark, 200 linnet, 77 swallow, 70 alba wags, 3 crossbill, 80 chaffinch, 30 Siskin, 178 mpipit and 180 Pinkfeet all heading west in an hour over the caravan

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simonjohnno.bsky.social @simonjohnno.bsky.social · 05/10/2025

Whooper Swans at heaton park res today.

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simonjohnno.bsky.social @simonjohnno.bsky.social · 22/09/2025

My first Pinkfeet of the autumn with 1000+ east over heaton park. Also Juv Arctic Tern, GWE, 400+ mpipits, 5 skylark, 24 Siskin, 100+ swallow all heading south

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simonjohnno.bsky.social @simonjohnno.bsky.social · 07/09/2025

The patch finally delivered today. 3 black tern, 2 Greenshank, 2 little stint ringed and little ringed plover. 6 little egret, 4 wigeon, 16 shoveler, 500+!swallow and 10 Siskin south

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