Mark Cutts

Finally some good birds after horrendous weather for my first month here on #gibraltar. Two Hoopoes, an Iberian Chiffchaff and a gorgeous “paradoxus” first year male Black Redstart #gonhs #birdringing

After the storms it was great to just open some nets. We were rewarded with this adult female Serin, one of the earliest ever ringed at the obs. #birdringing #gonhs #gibraltar

Controlled by yours truly, great stuff 👍

A brilliant recovery of a Dungeness ringed Blackcap. It was ringed as a young male on 20th September last year, it has been caught again at Jew's Gate, Gibraltar on the 19th January 2026. Travelling 1720km SSW during its autumn migration, to where it is now presumably wintering.

Commentary on the conviction of gamekeeper Thomas Munday (bludgeoned Buzzard to death on Hovingham Estate, North Yorkshire) On Monday this week, former gamekeeper Thomas Munday appeared at Scarborough Magistrates’ Court where he was convicted of killing a Buzzard in March 2024 on land owned by the Hovingham Estate…

Commentary on conviction of gamekeeper Thomas Munday who bludgeoned a Buzzard to death on the Hovingham Estate in North Yorkshire.

My commentary on 3 aspects of this case: the charge, the sentence, & the location of the crime.

#RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime

raptorpersecutionuk.org/2026/01/16/c...

Top bird, well done shippers 👍

Congrats Max, amazing recovery 🥳

After a long flight we are now back from #Kenya. The last two weeks of birding were an amazing mixture of habitats, birds and some of the worst driving I have ever seen. A nice total of 363 species this year with our last bird this surprise Red-throated Wryneck.

Were to the North of Mount #Kenya now and after exhaustive searching we failed to find Masked and William’s Lark. It was not for the want of trying !
Some consolation in good views of breeding Donaldson-Smith’s sparrow-weaver.

My 500th Kenyan bird species today at Nanyuki Sewage Works west of Mount Kenya was this secretive Highland Rush Warbler. Now onto 600, lots of good birding to be had on the way. #kenya

Having finished two weeks at #nguliaringing we are now birding around Lake Naivasha, north of Nairobi. Lots of new birds to see including this Golden-winged Sunbird. Mount #Kenya area next..

Ngulia 2025 comes to an end with a final total of 7288 migrants and 730 afrotropical birds ringed. Many thanks to all involved, CJ, KWS, Ngulia Safari Lodge staff and top ringing company x #nguliaringing #kenya #birdringing

The mist produced some good results for 23rd despite heavy rain and dim lights. Total caught at #nguliaringing was 1,186 w Whitethroat yet again dominating at c.50% of catch. Highlight was 3rd Euro Red-rumped Swallow for Kenya caught randomly in swallow nets late a.m.! #birdringing #birds #TsavoWest

The team were astounded to see the first two Violet Wood Hoopoes ever ringed at the #nguliaringing project
#kenya #

This year is the 57th consecutive year that autumn migrants have been surveyed at #nguliaringing. in addition to the cake we ringed 1049 birds of 21 species including an amazing 19 Rufous-tailed scrub robin (Rufous Bush Chat to most of us 😁) #kenya #birdringing

Thirty Olive-tree Warblers ringed today at #nguliaringing out of an amazing 1706 birds trapped. Today’s 1017 Common Whitethroat were the highest day total ever for the site. #kenya #birdringing

Little Sparrowhawk is by no means a regular here at #nguliaringing. With four in the previous twenty years, strangely this is the third already this season. #kenya #birdringing

One of the smartest looking birds found locally at #nguliaringing This Grey-headed Bush-shrike was surprisingly calm as it was ringed and released.
#kenya #birdringing

Today at #nguliaringing, thanks to Matt Prior’s ingenuity, we retrapped this Rock Martin. It was first ringed by my good self on the 12th December 2023.
#kenya #birdtinging

Back in Kenya for two weeks of #nguliaringing No mist tonight so only a few Eastern Palearctic migrants. Four species of #nightjar ringed with the first Slender-tailed since 2022. #ngulia #birdringing

Autumn session finished with 1279 birds trapped & ringed here on #Gibraltar. Best birds - Red-breasted Flycatcher 4th ringed ever and Ring Ouzel 29th. Thanks to all the other ringers for their superb effort and great company. #Gonhs #birdringing

Ring Ouzel move through Gib in small numbers this time of year. Only 28 previously ringed in the last 35 years
#gonhs #gibraltar #birdringing

The second one of the year but only the 4th ever Red-breasted Flycatcher ringed on #gibraltar, all in the autumn.
#gonhs #birdringing

Juvenile male Dartford Warbler held in the hand, taken by Richard Dann

What a day! Perfect conditions with low cloud and light easterlies brought 322 new birds. Chiff (135) Robin (65) Blaca (58) the top three with the best bird, this young male Dartford Warbler #gonhs #gibraltar #birdringing

Out on the rock with some first time visitors, getting excited about Serin, Crag Martins and Black Reds.
A Pied Fly was a late find.
#gonhs #gibraltar #birdringing

A Wheatear in the half light this morning whilst opening the nets at #culverwell @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social

The warden and assistant-warden, Martin and Jodie, in the act of ringing this afternoon’s Booted Warbler at @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social #birdringing

The most enigmatic of birds and another first for #culverwell, an amazing Wryneck #birdringing @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social

Unfortunately a bird that’s on the increase, at least locally. We ring around 5 a year but my first trapped in #culverwell #birdringing @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social

@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social #birdringing