Simon @simonwood42.bsky.social · 23/09/2026Rather pleased to find a European Paper Wasp at the southern end of Heybridge Gravel Pit, Maldon, Essex VC19 this morning. 010 1
Simon @simonwood42.bsky.social · 30/08/2026Maldon, Essex to Mundon Sluice this am - Osprey flew west, a Wheatear (difficult to see locally these days) and c40 Yellow Wag still hanging about. Also single Green and Common Sandpiper and largest numbers of Common Blue I’ve seen locally for years. And Firebugs apparently feeding on (Sea) Beet??? 021 2
Simon @simonwood42.bsky.social · 24/08/2026Heybridge GP, Maldon, Essex - August 2026 highlights so far - Little Stint on 7th to 9th and juvenile Little Gull today. Supporting cast including Ruff, LRP, Whinchat #essexbirding #birds #birding #ukbirding 0141 14
Simon @simonwood42.bsky.social · 12/04/2026Abberton today with Carla produced distant views of the Bonaparte’s Gull early pm. Later, at Layer Breton causeway, the Bonaparte’s dropped in, in front of us, before quickly heading off high west. Also 2 Arctic Tern & 20+ Yellow Wagtail @essexbirdnews.bsky.social #birds #essexbirds #ukbirds 4251 25
Reposted by SimonAndy Field @merseabirder.bsky.social · 30/03/2026Thanks to whoever reported the Gargany pair on the pond at Cudmore Grove CP this morning. Last record here was April 2022. ##Essexbirding #UKbirding 0232 23
Simon @simonwood42.bsky.social · 09/03/2026Great to find this 2CY Little Gull today at Heybridge Pit, Maldon - arrived in classic weather conditions- clearing fog and a very light SE breeze #birds #essexbirds #ukbirds #Maldon 1241 24
Simon @simonwood42.bsky.social · 08/03/2026This Common Lizard was found sunning itself out on saltmarsh at Mundon Essex on 2nd March. To reach where it was (an area submerged at high tide) it had to move perhaps 2m across sticky mud and vegetation - not something I’d immediately think a lizard would do in the UK. @arc-trust.bsky.social 031 3
Simon @simonwood42.bsky.social · 08/03/2026A quiet week on the #Maldon patch with a Goosander at Chigborough on Monday the best I could manage…smartly coloured Common Buzzard over Heybridge Pit on 2nd and a single Corn Bunting, Southey Creek the same day. Butterflies & other insects appeared on the warmer days #birds #essexbirds 0151 15
Simon @simonwood42.bsky.social · 08/03/2026Last #IronworksMeadow Maldon, work party until autumn today under misty, leaden skies but blossom everywhere and a few flowers emerging and much bird song. Plenty done thanks to c20 volunteers - mere clearance, bramble & blackthorn removal, litter picking, construction of sow-thistle enclosure etc. 010 1
Reposted by SimonTony Kennelly @tonykennelly508.bsky.social · 08/03/2026@essexbirdnews.bsky.social @birdtrack.bsky.social Essex Wildlife trust (very misty) Abberton Reservoir: 3 spoonbill, red kite, j sparrowhawk & f smew - LBC; m smew - LdlHC; returning m Canvasback & m ring-necked duck (both in same pochard flock) - Billets farm; singing chiffchaffs in all locations. 2131 13
Reposted by SimonAndy Field @merseabirder.bsky.social · 08/03/2026Red-necked Grebe for 2nd day off Kingsland Rd, West Mersea then an adult Spoonbill on Ray Island care of Dougal Urquhart. Also first singing Chiffchaff of the year and 40+ Fieldfares #Essexbirding ##UKbirding 0162 16
Reposted by SimonSimon Patient @simonpatient1.bsky.social · 03/03/2026That was a great morning at Abberton church watching the White tailed Eagle. Always distant but nice to see it hunting (unsuccessfully) for Coot and it even caught a Herring gull which somehow got away. Last seen flying N around midday #essexbirding 1384 38
Reposted by SimonSimon Patient @simonpatient1.bsky.social · 03/03/2026The Abberton WTE from this morning unsuccessfully hunting a Herring gull, it caught it twice but it still got away #essexbirding 1436135 361
Simon @simonwood42.bsky.social · 01/03/2026Incredible show of Red Dead Nettle at Hazeleigh Wood on 24th February had Buff-tailed Bumblebee, Honeybee and at least one Hairy-footed Flower Bee feeding on it. Several rosettes of Lizard orchid on the Heybridge sea wall. #bee @bsbibotany.bsky.social 060 6
Simon @simonwood42.bsky.social · 01/03/2026Moths! The home trap in my Heybridge garden produced 11 species on 24th whilst some 1,500+ moths in the Hazeleigh Wood traps (mostly Small Quaker) on 25th represented 27 species. Brimstone butterfly seen on 25th in Maldon #moths #ukmoths #butterflies @savebutterflies.bsky.social 050 5
Simon @simonwood42.bsky.social · 01/03/2026Still Black Brant and Light-bellied Brent on the Maldon patch, off Heybridge Pit this week. A male Goldeneye dropped as well as couple of Red-breasted Mergies with three Mediterranean Gull by the end of the week. #essexbirding #birding #ukbirds @britishnatureguide.bsky.social 0141 14
Reposted by SimonSwallow Birding & Wildlife @swallowbirding.bsky.social · 01/03/2026Great morning at Abberton Res with @esbr-essex.bsky.social Highlights inc 2 SMEW, 25+ WF GEESE, 2 GT EGRET, BN GREBE & stunning male MERLIN having a bath! Good to bump into @tonykennelly508.bsky.social #essexbirding #BirdsSeenIn2026 #ukbirds #birds #birding #nature @britishnatureguide.bsky.social 1307 30
Reposted by SimonSwallow Birding & Wildlife @swallowbirding.bsky.social · 01/03/2026This cracking BLACK-NECKED GREBE was close to the causeway at Abberton Reservoir this morning #essexbirding #BirdsSeenIn2026 #ukbirds #birds #birding #nature @britishnatureguide.bsky.social 0374 37
Reposted by SimonSwallow Birding & Wildlife @swallowbirding.bsky.social · 24/02/2026I headed into central Essex yday for my annual search for LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKERS and was thrilled to find a pair! Very mobile in the trees but managed to grab this shot. #essexbirding #BirdsSeenIn2026 #ukbirds #birds #birding #nature @lesserspotnet.bsky.social @britishnatureguide.bsky.social 2536 53
Simon @simonwood42.bsky.social · 22/02/2026Heybridge GP, Maldon over the last week has been more of the same: Black Brant on three visits with the Pale-bellied Brent twice, a Goosander on 19th, 18 Pintail on 20th, and up to 20 Barwit. Moth trap - 6 species last night. #essexbirding #birds #birding #nature @britishnatureguide.bsky.social 0141 14
Reposted by SimonSwallow Birding & Wildlife @swallowbirding.bsky.social · 21/02/2026Fantastic day guiding on the Suffolk coast last weekend. Lots to see inc this stunning FIRECREST plus a supporting cast of XBILL, DARTFORD W, WOODLARK, WATER PIPIT, WHOOPER SWAN, BEARDED TIT, WATER RAIL + more. #suffolkbirding #BirdsSeenIn2026 #ukbirds #birds #birding @britishnatureguide.bsky.social 0302 30
Reposted by SimonSwallow Birding & Wildlife @swallowbirding.bsky.social · 21/02/2026DARTFORD WARBLER, GREATER SCAUP, CROSSBILL & WATER PIPIT from our guided day trip to the Suffolk coast last weekend. #suffolkbirding #BirdsSeenIn2026 #ukbirds #birds #birding @britishnatureguide.bsky.social @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social 0263 26
Reposted by SimonSwallow Birding & Wildlife @swallowbirding.bsky.social · 21/02/2026Final 2 farms surveyed in N Essex for the @gwct.org.uk BIG FARMLAND BIRD COUNT. Huge no's of FIELDFARE + YHAMMERS, singing NUTHATCHES, TREECREEPERS, RED KITES, SISKIN #birdsseenin2026 #essexbirding #birding #farmlandbirds #ukbirds #bfbc26 @britishnatureguide.bsky.social @stuttonsparrows.bsky.social 0328 32
Reposted by SimonTony Kennelly @tonykennelly508.bsky.social · 21/02/2026@essexbirdnews.bsky.social @birdtrack.bsky.social #Maldon wick & fields south of limebrook way: 10 song thrushes singing, 12 yellowhammers, 10 corn buntings, 3 kestrels, 1 red kite, 15 fieldfares, 12 stock doves, 100+ black-headed & 30+ common gulls, c20 skylarks, cetti's warbler & 18 fallow deer 051 5
Reposted by SimonTony Kennelly @tonykennelly508.bsky.social · 22/02/2026@essexbirdnews.bsky.social @birdtrack.bsky.social @nationaltrust.org.uk Blake's Wood, Little Baddow: song thrushes, siskins, Nuthatch & treecreeper & goldcrest. Green, great spotted & lesser spotted woodpeckers present, seen about 200m north of the carpark & several calls heard but no drumming. 071 7
Reposted by SimonSimon Patient @simonpatient1.bsky.social · 18/02/2026Up in Suffolk and Just had these 2 Common Cranes interrupt my breakfast. They flew East over Wenhaston appearing to drop towards Blythburgh at 07:05 this morning @birdguides.bsky.social @rarebirder.bsky.social #Ukbirding 0152 15
Reposted by SimonSwallow Birding & Wildlife @swallowbirding.bsky.social · 16/02/2026Enjoyed a few hours at Abberton Reservoir last week and still lots to see incl 20+ WHITE-FRONTED GEESE, 2 SMEW, 7 MEDITERRANEAN GULLS, SCAUP, GT EGRETS & a MARSH HARRIER that specialises in hunting TEAL! #essexbirding #BirdsSeenIn2026 #ukbirds #birds #birding #nature @britishnatureguide.bsky.social 1264 26
Reposted by SimonSwallow Birding & Wildlife @swallowbirding.bsky.social · 16/02/2026Surveyed two farms last week as part of the @gwct.org.uk BIG FARMLAND BIRD COUNT. Great numbers and variety to be seen incl YELLOWHAMMERS, REED BUNTINGS, FIELDFARES LINNETS etc plus MARSH HARRIER, STONECHAT & GREAT EGRET! #essexbirding #birding #farmlandbirds #ukbirds #bfbc26 1275 27
Reposted by SimonPaul Baker @bakerboybirding.bsky.social · 15/02/20261 of 2 Barn Owl came out again during the brief lull in the rain this evening. Phonescoped from indoors. #EssexBirding 0152 15
Reposted by SimonPaul Baker @bakerboybirding.bsky.social · 15/02/20262 of 2 Espied 4 White-fronted Geese on Blue House Farm this evening from my house. No sign of 'my' Short-eared Owl this evening in poor weather but...friend and birder Matt got this cracking photo of it yesterday evening with the Brent in the background - just so evocative 😍 #EssexBirding 0141 14
Reposted by SimonCoopbirder @coopbirder.bsky.social · 15/02/2026/02/26- A good day out with @SwallowBirding.bsky.social in Suffolk. Excellent views of species that included, Woodlark, Dartford Warbler, Red Crossbill, Common Firecrest, Marsh Tit, Bearded Reedling, Water Pipit, Caspian Gull & Greater Scaup + Western Marsh Harriers, were sky dancing. 052 5
Reposted by SimonAndy Goodey @andygoodey.bsky.social · 15/02/2026The 4 Shore Lark showed well in a rare day’s sun at Kessingland, Suffolk on Saturday @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social #birds 0626 62
Reposted by SimonAdrian Kettle @akettle.bsky.social · 14/02/2026Nice cold and calm day here on Yell. The sea had frozen and the tide gone out to leave some nice patterns. Bullfinch was new for the year along our road and with Ravens gathering nest material last week and Hoodies defending their empty nests, spring must be close, joke! 😂 #birdingshetland 1411 41
Simon @simonwood42.bsky.social · 15/02/2026Atrocious weather for penultimate work party at Ironworks Meadow, Heybridge this morning with rain and sleet and a cold SE. 13 tough souls carried on regardless and removed scrub from reedbed, nest box maintenance, bramble removal and litter picking. A Kingfisher was heard. 071 7
Reposted by SimonMatt Turner @esbr-essex.bsky.social · 14/02/2026Really pleased to connect with Bullfinch and Marsh Tit in Essex today - always find them tricky to get in the county each year. Bonus male Hen Harrier on the way home was nice...😃 #essexbirding 0331 33
Simon @simonwood42.bsky.social · 14/02/2026A few photos from around the Maldon patch this week. #Mundon #ironworksmeadow 060 6
Simon @simonwood42.bsky.social · 14/02/2026Maldon patch highlights this week: a Short-eared Owl & 2 Barnacle Geese @ Heybridge Pit on 10th, first moths of 2026 on 10th, 15 Corn Bunting @ Mundon on 12th. Pair of displaying Marsh Harrier yesterday. #essexbirding #BirdsSeenIn2026 #birds #birding #moths @britishnatureguide.bsky.social 1262 26
Reposted by SimonSimon Patient @simonpatient1.bsky.social · 11/02/2026We have now got 8 Redpolls coming to our Colchester garden. Here they are still feeding on Stinging Nettle seeds. #essexbirding 01244 124
Reposted by SimonSimon Patient @simonpatient1.bsky.social · 08/02/2026Our Redpoll count has gone up to 3 now in our Colchester garden. With the addition of a female today. Here she was pecking around the buds of our Elder tree. Also the males were feeding on Stinging Nettle seeds that I hadn’t cut back yet. #essexbirding 448920 489
Reposted by SimonAdrian Kettle @akettle.bsky.social · 07/02/2026Weather back to normal today, although wind was calmer than the last 3 weeks! A 3rd w/4th cy Glaucous Gull and a flock of 9 wintering Jackdaws in Burravoe, Yell. Tried to get a photo of the Coot but it had done a bunk! 2 of the 34 TD’s showed some signs of Ring necked Duck. #birdingshetland 0212 21
Simon @simonwood42.bsky.social · 07/02/2026A wet week on the Maldon patch, - Barnacle Goose (4th), Black Brant (7th - bird seen here previously)and a male Blackcap in the garden the highlights. Also plenty of Kingfisher activity in the rain. #essexbirding #BirdsSeenIn2026 #ukbirds #birds #birding #nature @britishnatureguide.bsky.social 0262 26
Reposted by SimonSwallow Birding & Wildlife @swallowbirding.bsky.social · 05/02/2026This 'white-headed' GOLDFINCH brightened up a very dreary morning here in Colchester. Noticed it had been ringed, can't be many Goldfinches like this around? @btobirds.bsky.social #essexbirding #BirdsSeenIn2026 #ukbirds #birds #birding #nature @britishnatureguide.bsky.social #ringing 1323 32
Reposted by SimonSimon Patient @simonpatient1.bsky.social · 05/02/2026 2 Lesser Redpolls enjoying the rain in our Colchester garden again this morning. Plus Blackcap still singing away #essexbirding 2403 40
Reposted by SimonSimon Patient @simonpatient1.bsky.social · 05/02/2026I’m enjoying sticking my head out of the bathroom window for the Lesser Redpolls. They are feeding on the new buds on our Elder tree #essexbirding 242015 420
Reposted by SimonPaul Baker @bakerboybirding.bsky.social · 05/02/2026Well that was unexpected. A first-winter Little Gull seen from my house this afternoon in the murk, feeding on the River Crouch. #EssexBirding 0233 23
Reposted by SimonSwallow Birding & Wildlife @swallowbirding.bsky.social · 05/02/2026Stunning weather yday for our guided day trip to Tollesbury Wick EWT reserve. Highlights inc 2 GN DIVER, 2 SLAV GREBE, 3 BARN OWL, GT EGRET, RB MERG, MARSH HARRIERS and large no's of wildfowl & waders. #essexbirding #BirdsSeenIn2026 #ukbirds #birds #birding #nature @britishnatureguide.bsky.social 0265 26
Reposted by SimonAndy Field @merseabirder.bsky.social · 02/02/2026A Purple Sandpiper among the high tide roost at Mersea Island Boating Lake this morning was a good bird here. Also in the area, 32 Med Gulls, Stonechat and 200+ Great Crested Grebes offshore. #EssexBirding 0171 17
Reposted by SimonSwallow Birding & Wildlife @swallowbirding.bsky.social · 02/02/2026BARNACLE GOOSE, GOLDENEYE, GOOSANDER & WHITE-FRONTED GEESE from Abberton Reservoir on Saturday 31st January 2026. #essexbirding #BirdsSeenIn2026 #ukbirds #birds #birding #nature @britishnatureguide.bsky.social #WorldWetlandsDay2026 0314 31
Reposted by SimonSwallow Birding & Wildlife @swallowbirding.bsky.social · 02/02/2026Thanks to everyone who attended the joint Winter Birding Day at Fingringhoe Wick with @essexbirdnews.bsky.social Grotty weather but we saw 2 BARN OWLS, HEN HARRIER, waders galore, RB MERGANSERS + lots more! Group pic by @stuttonsparrows.bsky.social #essexbirding #ukbirds #birds #birding #nature 1233 23