iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Tom Bedford

Ben Sheldon @sheldonbirds.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Little bit of video of the juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper at the Oxfordshire Golf Course this morning, foraging among lost golf balls... The same small lake hosted the juv Red-necked Phalarope only a month ago, an excellent double

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Tom Bedford @tombedford.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Sunrise on Warneford Meadow, Oxford this morning, all mist and spiderwebs. A Linnet overhead was my 63rd species this month, equalling my best ever monthly total on my local patch @friendlyevalley.bsky.social #ukbirding #oxford #urbanbirding

A misty September sunrise over Warneford Meadow, Oxford

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Reposted by Tom Bedford

Geoff Birdy @geoffbirdy.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Really chuffed with this Wryneck, a very welcome patch tick at Bishop's Court Farm, Oxon this morning. #UKBirding #PWC2026 #patchgold

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Conor MacKenzie @conormackenzie.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

A round-up of Oxon Birding from August. Yet more proof that in 2026, there is no safe time to leave the county. A White-winged Tern, a wader fest at Farmoor and the LT Shrike still delighting birders from near and far the main highlights. oxonbirding.blogspot.com/2026/09/augu... #UKBirding

oxonbirding.blogspot.com

August Review

The Highlights It’s official, there is no longer a “safe” time to leave the county. The previous two months proved that and then some, whi...

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Tom Bedford @tombedford.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Great to see Oxfordshire’s first ever Baird’s Sandpiper at Ardley today, found by Gareth Casburn this morning #ukbirding #Oxonbirding #Baird’sSandpiper

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Ben Sheldon @sheldonbirds.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Oxfordshire's excellent run of good birds in 2026 continuing with a 1st winter Grey Phalarope found by Steve Sansom along the north shore of Dix Pit this morning. Mostly rather distant while I was there - watched it walking around on floating weed picking insects

First winter Grey Phalarope at Dix Pit, Oxfordshire, 19 Sept 2026. Grey and white bird, with black mask, crown and nape, and blackish wing coverts and tertials, bobbing over a small wavelet

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Tom Bedford @tombedford.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

It might be mid-September, but still the Hummingbird Hawk Moths keep coming! In our Headington, Oxford, garden just now 😍 #HummingbirdHawkMoth #oxford

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Reposted by Tom Bedford

Oxford Clarion @oxfordclarion.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

The Friends of Warneford Meadow today unveiled a signboard mapping the public footpaths which connect Headington and Cowley through the meadow and the neighbouring golf course. The map was drawn by a local student and installed on upcycled materials. www.friendsofwarnefordmeadow.org.uk

Sietske Boeles of Friends of Warneford Meadow unveiling the new map (photo submitted by Owen Massey, Oxford Pedestrians Association)

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Tom Bedford @tombedford.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Astonishing to see an OSPREY over the Lye Valley, Oxford, this morning! The second patch record, after the first back in March; I never expected another over the city! It has a distinctive notch in its left wing, so it may be identifiable elsewhere #patchgold #UKbirding @friendlyevalley.bsky.social

Osprey over Oxford. Note the distinctive notch in its left wing, so it may be identifiable elsewhere.

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Reposted by Tom Bedford

Patrick Lewin @plewin.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Excited to share my second published PhD chapter out now in Current Biology! @cellpress.bsky.social 🧵 below but tldr: birds are known to use the magnetic field to navigate. But is magnetism the whole story? We find that an amazing avian navigator doesn’t seem to rely on magnetic cues at all.

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Tom Bedford @tombedford.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Finally some migrant birds in the Lye Valley, Oxford. A brief male Redstart, plus two Spotted Flycatchers this morning, the second and third of the autumn, all decent birds in the city. #ukbirding #migration #oxford @friendlyevalley.bsky.social

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Howard Vaughan - blueeyedbirder.com @howardvaughanbeb.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

This obliging juvenile Red-footed Falcon was eyeing up its next meal in the middle of Lowestoft this evening. @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social @rarebirder.bsky.social

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Tom Bedford @tombedford.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

@astroroyalscot.bsky.social Is it a coincidence that the recent solar eclipse and this morning’s lunar eclipse both achieved a maximum of 93% totality? #astronomy #lunareclipse #solareclipse

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Tom Bedford @tombedford.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Amazing lunar eclipse, viewed from Headington, Oxford. A truly red moon! #lunareclipse #oxford @headingtonnews.bsky.social

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Tom Bedford @tombedford.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

The first Spotted Flycatcher of autumn was in the Lye Valley area of Oxford this morning. Hopefully not the last! @friendlyevalley.bsky.social #ukbirding

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Tom Bedford @tombedford.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Great to see my eldest help out the @friendlyevalley.bsky.social volunteers this morning. Seed collecting, raking and scything under the expert eye of @judywebb.bsky.social, accompanied by a magnificent Grass of Parnassus display (and a Wasp Spider!) #LyeValley #Oxford #conservation

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Martin Collinson @docmartin2mc.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Also, given this bird, I think there's a significant possibility that Britain's only Cat A Egyptian Nightjar (Dorset, June 1984), a single (brilliant) observer record supported only by field sketches, could have been a plumipes European Nightjar. @alexanderlees.bsky.social @britishbirds.bsky.social

Photo of page from British Birds vol 92: 157 with field notes of Egyptian Nightjar seen at Portland, Dorset.

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Reposted by Tom Bedford

Tom Lowe @saloplarus.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Looks like it has finally happened, British breeding #CaspianGull! #takingovertheworld #gulls #ukbirding

Screenshot of a many forwarded whatsapp announcement

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Tom Bedford @tombedford.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

A great atmosphere in South Park, Oxford for the eclipse, with a huge turnout and a round of applause at maximum totality. A fabulously British experience! #Oxford #eclipse #SouthPark

We used my birding ‘scope to project an image of the sun’s disc.

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Tom Bedford @tombedford.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

One of the most remarkable summaries of notable birds in Oxfordshire in summer that we will ever see! Superbly written by @conormackenzie.bsky.social as always. #Oxonbirding #ukbirding #AreYouShetlandInDisguise?

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Tom Bedford @tombedford.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Great to talk about the “Birds of the Lye Valley” at the Friends of Lye Valley AGM this evening. Their work is critical in maintaining this important SSSI urban site, more details here: www.friendsoflyevalley.org.uk @friendlyevalley.bsky.social #ukbirding #patchbirding #oxford

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Tom Bedford @tombedford.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

New guidelines advise that you should not use AI tools to edit bird photos if you intend to upload them onto eBird #ukbirding #eBird

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Tom Bedford @tombedford.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

A flyover Cuckoo this morning is only the fifth patch record and the first ever in autumn. This species was not recorded between 2020 and 2026 and is an exceptionally rare bird in the city. Also the first Yellow Wagtail of the year overhead 👌🏻 @friendlyevalley.bsky.social #ukbirding #Oxford

The tiny reedbed in Churchill Meadow, currently holding a Reed Warbler.

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Tom Bedford @tombedford.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

Fantastic views of at least three Hummingbird Hawkmoths feeding at Rousham in Oxfordshire today #moths #HummingbirdHawkMoth #Oxford

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Tom Bedford @tombedford.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

Never mind the issue of cheating, the real story here is why do Saltburn CC have a White-bellied Sea Eagle as their club logo? An Australian species no less! #ukbirding #cricket #clickyponting www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/j...

theguardian.com

Saltburn suspend fielder accused of cheating in ‘Clicky Ponting’ incident

Saltburn have said the player from viral video ‘will not play again in foreseeable future’

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Reposted by Tom Bedford

Jared Wilson @wilsonjaredm.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

I can hear a collective sigh of relief from eBird Reviewers 🤣

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Reposted by Tom Bedford

Patchwork Challenge @patchbirding.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

We have received a brilliant guest blog post from @tombedford.bsky.social on his Lye Valley #patchbirding escapades, deep into Oxford. Why not head over to the blog now and have a read? patchworkchallenge.blogspot.com/2026/07/tom-...

patchworkchallenge.blogspot.com

Tom Bedford's local patch - Lye Valley, Oxford

This guest blog post is written by diligent patch birder Tom Bedford about his Lye Valley patch. A huge thank you to him for writing this ex...

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Tom Bedford @tombedford.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

A rare journey to the Oxfordshire/Gloucestershire border to see Britain's third-ever Long-tailed Shrike, and what a bird for my 250th species for Oxfordshire! An incredible inland record enjoyed with @tmbirding.bsky.social, Mark and Jason. #OxonBirding #RareBirdsUK #Long-tailedShrike #UKbirding

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Tom Bedford @tombedford.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

I always enjoy reading these write-ups of great local patch finds. This year I enjoyed writing one too! Have a read of them all and then vote for your favourite.

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Reposted by Tom Bedford

Mike Carr @mike-carr.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

Basking in the 24hr sunshine at Barrow, Alaska, a familiar bird in less familiar plumage

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Reposted by Tom Bedford

BirdGuides @birdguides.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

For many birders, keeping a patch list is a personal pursuit. However, a new study from Australia demonstrates how decades of carefully recorded observations can provide valuable insights into changing bird populations and habitats:

f.mtr.cool

Long-term patch records reveal dramatic changes in urban birdlife

Patch birding can make a real scientific difference. A 40-year study of urban birdlife in Australia reveals how long-term bird records help track population changes, habitat restoration and wider conservation trends.

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Tom Bedford @tombedford.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

An early start for my Waterways Breeding Bird survey for @btobirds.bsky.social along the River Thame from Cuddesdon. Great to hear 12 singing Reed Warbler, a site record due to habitat improvement by @riverthamect.bsky.social. 2 Hobby were also notable 👌🏻 #ukbirding

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Tom Bedford @tombedford.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

If you’re in the Oxford area next Friday, 12th June, I’m talking about the “Birds of the Lye Valley Area” at 1:45pm, with lots of pictures and sound recordings. Lunch is also available (but is not compulsory!): www.bullingdoncommunityassociation.co.uk/articles/com... @friendlyevalley.bsky.social

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Ben hall @benhall41.bsky.social · 31/05/2026

Lovely to find this 1st-summer female red-footed falcon at rushy common this morning. Thank you to all who helped with the ID. Hope it will stay around for others to enjoy.

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Henry Cook @hcbirding.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

Incredible views of a migrating Common Quail as it flew past the ship in the English Channel! @sophieshrike.bsky.social

Common Quail flies over the sea with wings outstretched. It is a small brown streaky gamebird.

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Tom Bedford @tombedford.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

This is turning out to be an incredibly year for Painted Lady butterflies, they were everywhere in the Lye Valley area, Oxford, today. These pictures were taken in the Churchill Hospital car park! @friendlyevalley.bsky.social @ouhospitals.bsky.social #paintedlady #butterfly

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Damien Farine @damienfarine.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

Craziest bird during field work, a Wilson's storm-petrel far from its natural habitat. At first I thought "weird how that swallow is behaving like a storm-petrel!" 🤯

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Tom Bedford @tombedford.bsky.social · 17/05/2026

Greater Flamingos at Cervia, on the Adriatic coast of Italy, on the TV coverage of today’s stage of the Giro d’Italia #giro #ukbirding #birdingbybike #BirdsOfTheGirod’Italia

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Tom Bedford @tombedford.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

Could be a game changer on the next Big Day by Bike, @sheldonbirds.bsky.social?

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Patchwork Challenge @patchbirding.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

We have now published the April #PWC2026 review on our blog! Click this link to head over and see where you ended up in the league tables, as well as all the interesting patch birds over the month: patchworkchallenge.blogspot.com/2026/05/apri... Thanks to everyone who has taken part so far!

Little Gulls at Stanford Reservoir taken by Chris Hubbard.

Black Terns in the Dearne Valley, taken by Mark Langston

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Reposted by Tom Bedford

Peter Stronach @macstronach.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

The Great Glen skua portal opened up today, amazing to see Long-tailed Skuas thermalling over Loch Linnhe like giant Bee-eaters up to 1000m before whizzing northeast towards Inverness! 🪶 #ornithology #highlandbirds

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Tom Bedford @tombedford.bsky.social · 10/05/2026

A write-up of an excellent find on Otmoor last week: one of the very few Oxfordshire Black Kite records.

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Tom Bedford @tombedford.bsky.social · 10/05/2026

Another excellent monthly round up from @conormackenzie.bsky.social 👌🏻

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Tom Bedford @tombedford.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

A Gadwall, the first I’ve recorded in the 12 years that I’ve surveyed the River Thame at Cuddesdon, was an intriguing record on the river this morning for the Waterways Breeding Bird Survey. ebird.org/checklist/S3... #WBBS @riverthamect.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social

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Thomas Miller @tmbirding.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

In addition to my own blog, I've been tasked with rejuvenating Adam's original Port Meadow Birding blog. Have now done a few patch updates, quite an impressive list of sightings last month - want it to be more like a log book than my blog #ukbirding portmeadowbirding.blogspot.com/2026/05/apri...

portmeadowbirding.blogspot.com

April 22nd-May 5th

Male Sparrowhawk What an exciting period of birding on the Meadow! Despite the continued anticyclonic conditions and northeasterlies, the fl...

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Tom Bedford @tombedford.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

A singing Lesser Whitethroat was the first spring record in four years in the Lye Valley area of Oxford: macaulaylibrary.org/asset/656178... Whilst more common in rural areas, this is a rare bird in the city in spring. Species #79 for the year. @friendlyevalley.bsky.social #PWC2026 #ukbirding

Warneford Meadow, Oxford on a late April early morning.

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Tom Bedford @tombedford.bsky.social · 26/04/2026

1/ A fantastic Oxon Big Day by Bike yesterday, with @sheldonbirds.bsky.social @tmbirding.bsky.social & Max Buckley. 115 species is 3 short of our record, weather was too good this year! Covered 175km by bike, 15km on foot: www.outofthebluesky.co/oxon-big-day... #UKbirding #BirdingByBike #BigDay

Oxon Big Day by Bike 2026: Farmoor Reservoir

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