Andy Field

"Some enchanted evening, you may meet a stranger!"

We were proud to support our local police today on a wildlife crime warrant. The suspect was believed to be catching and selling wild finches. No birds were found, but illegal trapping equipment was seized inc lime sticks, a strong result in the fight against wildlife crime. 👏🕊️

Stork chicks hatch in UK for first time in 600 years – why that’s great news for British wildlife Storks – those harbingers of new life – are breeding in Britain again.

I have cheerlead this project before and seen the storks at the fantastic Knepp estate theconversation.com/stork-chicks... but it is difficult to see this as anything other than a publicity stunt - no evidence it will redress biodiversity loss 2/2

Wood Sand at Abberton Res this afternoon. #Essexbirding #UKbirding

More likely to find John West fish there I should think!

How can the National Gamekeepers Organisation be seen as a credible partner on the Hen Harrier Taskforce after it published this nonsense? The police-led Hen Harrier Taskforce was launched in 2024 to tackle the ongoing illegal persecution of Hen Harriers on UK grouse moors. The Taskforce was set up specifically in response to the &#82…

With so-called 'partners' like this, the Hen Harrier Taskforce might as well pack up now before it becomes a laughing stock.

#RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime #UKbirding

raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/07/25/h...

Pectoral Sandpiper, it was distant!!

Kestrel

Stock Dove

A very bright Ruddy Darter

Autumn slowly arriving for the birds at Abberton today - seen today Pec Sand, Crossbill, 2 Greenshank, 12 Common & 5 Green Sands, 10 Blackwit, LR Plover, Spoonbill, 11 GW Egret, 75 Teal & the first returning Common Gull #essexbirding

Nearly ready to go. Just the one this year. #Essexbirding #UKbirding

it's an uphill struggle but someone's got to do it...............

2 of Brightlingsea's Cattle Egrets did the decent thing and turned up on Mersea today for a year tick, also, fist 2 Common Sands of the year and a constantly calling Willow Warbler. ##Essexbirding

Splish splash I was taking a bath........... @drhedgehog.bsky.social

Donate to CHELMER BLACKWATER IRONWORKS MEADOW RESERVE FIRE RECOVERY, organized by Ian Harden Help Us Rebuild Chelmer Blackwater Nature Reserve On 14th Jul… Ian Harden needs your support for CHELMER BLACKWATER IRONWORKS MEADOW RESERVE FIRE RECOVERY

#essexbirding
gofund.me/5a423456

Where's the rest of the flock?

Opinion | What we’ll lose if bird banding ends Scientists have tagged birds for more than 100 years. That preservation program might be defunded.

Trump's 2026 budget plan to defund the North American Breeding Bird Survey and USGS Bird Banding Laboratory will be a continent-wide blow to bird conservation efforts. Undoubtedly, that's the point.
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/int...
#citizenscience #birdbanding #ornithology

Will do Darren👍

Blimey. I shall have speaks with Dougal then!!

Red-belted clearwing

Red-belted clearwing in my greenhouse! A first for me. #TeamMoth

It will surely take years for that sort evidence to become clear, so much lead already out there in the environment!

YouTube video by Andy Field 3 Hog night

3 Hog night! 3 of at least 4 Hedgehogs visiting our feeding station last night.

youtu.be/B1TQuwvG24Q

Willow Emerald - first of year for me

Pair of Lesser Emperor (if you squint)

Painted Lady

Tiger Marsh Fly

Hanningfield Res this pm - 4 Common Sands, 10 RC Pochard but little else as yet. However, a small pond there held 6 Lesser Emperor, Norfolk & Southern Migrant Hawker, Scarce Chaser, Willow Emerald, sev Small Red-Eyes & Marbled White - that would have been unthinkable even 10 years ago! #essexbirding

More reasons to ban driven grouse shooting – evidence from the Peak District National Park (guest blog by Bob Berzins) This is a guest blog written by conservation campaigner and author Bob Berzins who has written previously on this blog here, here, here, here, here, here and here. MPs are scheduled to debate the W…

Thanks, @bobberzins.bsky.social for writing this guest blog. Detailed observations and commentary about what goes on on Peak District grouse moors...

raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/06/18/m...

Nice shots Jon.......if only I'd got there 5 minutes earlier!!

Yes indeed, can't have House Martin poo on our BMW🤦‍♂️

The small colonies we have left here are dwindling! I've seen 4 together this year on Mersea, and they were just passing through.

YouTube video by Andy Field Hog feeding station

New Hedgehog feeding station is proving a hit with the Hogs but note the tactic of curling up in the food bowl to prevent sharing!😂 #Hedgehogs #nature

youtu.be/4tAQG8HLUiM

Green Hairstreak

Chiffchaff

Still 10+ Lapwing chicks at Cudmore Grove CP, a little bigger now. Finally had good views of a Cuckoo and my first 3 House Martins of the year. First Green Hairstreak as well. #Essexbirding

Best yet Sean!

Gave me nose bleed going all the way over there!😂

Red-footed Falcon showed well in Hide Bay (better than my photo effort!), at Abberton this morning then sat on the power lines below Layer Church. Also Garden and Willow Warbler. #Essexbirding

First Little Tern of the year in the Colne off Stone Point this morning, let's hope not the only one! Also my first 3 Sandwich Terns this year and 6+ Common Terns. #EssexBirding