Brian Stretch's Avatar

Brian Stretch

@brianstretch.bsky.social

Birder and founder of The Birder's Store - linktr.ee/birdersstore

223 Followers  |  48 Following  |  104 Posts  |  Joined: 06.08.2024  |  1.7338

Latest posts by brianstretch.bsky.social on Bluesky

Post image

Given the weather conditions, this morning had Rock Pipit written all over it.

A light north-easterly with persistent drizzle produced at least two birds at Grimley Camp Lane Pits.

Other birds of note included Golden Plover south-west, Common Gull briefly & Green Sandpiper.

#WorcsBirds #UKBirding

13.10.2025 11:40 β€” πŸ‘ 18    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Post image

This Wheatear was clinging to the summit of Worcestershire Beacon #MalvernHills in the strong winds early this morning.

#WorcsBirds

06.10.2025 16:37 β€” πŸ‘ 23    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Well done on getting pics. Saw it very briefly early doors but then disappeared. Also heard a few Crossbills but little else of note.

My last September visit. Been a poor month. Huge effort but very little to show for it!

29.09.2025 16:35 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Yes, Lee. That's a juvenile Little Bittern.

28.09.2025 21:26 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Juvenile Squacco Heron, Lee πŸ‘

28.09.2025 17:59 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 0
An image of the optical phenomenon known as 'Brocken Spectre' where a person's shadow is cast onto a mist or cloud layer, appearing as a giant figure with a rainbow halo.

An image of the optical phenomenon known as 'Brocken Spectre' where a person's shadow is cast onto a mist or cloud layer, appearing as a giant figure with a rainbow halo.

Challenging conditions on North Hill #MalvernsHills early morning.

With poor visibility, a couple of Crossbills calling in flight was the best of it.

On the plus side, perfect conditions for witnessing the optical phenomenon known as 'Brocken Spectre'.

#WorcsBirds

28.09.2025 10:09 β€” πŸ‘ 49    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
Post image

Thanks Paul.
One of the most amazing things on that trip was how @andywarr.bsky.social managed to find a Sainsbury's 4000m up a mountain between Tibet and Bhutan 🀣

28.09.2025 09:56 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 0

Thanks Ed. Makes it a whole lot easier, especially if you have multiple contributors.

28.09.2025 09:52 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Post image Bugun Liocichla at Eaglenest WS, Arunachal Pradesh.

Bugun Liocichla at Eaglenest WS, Arunachal Pradesh.

Post image Male Temminck's Tragopan at Mandala, Arunachal Pradesh.

Male Temminck's Tragopan at Mandala, Arunachal Pradesh.

Trip report now fully updated with pictures of the incredibly successful spring #birding tour of north-east India with @andywarr.bsky.social and @paulrhodes.bsky.social.

Many amazing memories and thanks for your great company, Andy and Paul.

ebird.org/tripreport/3...

#Assam #ArunachalPradesh

27.09.2025 18:35 β€” πŸ‘ 10    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 0
Post image

I wasn't the only one decidedly underwhelmed by the lack of birds on North Hill #MalvernHills this evening.

#WorcsFoxes

24.09.2025 18:18 β€” πŸ‘ 17    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Post image

Drake Long-tailed Duck still at Clifton GP on the north pit this morning for his third day.

Beginning to transition from summer to winter plumage, both of which are impressive in equal measure.

Possibly the same drake seen at this site last year.

#WorcsBirds #UKBirding

24.09.2025 12:23 β€” πŸ‘ 38    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Nice one, Dan. I was only saying to @siborder.bsky.social yesterday that Ring Ouzels will be in this week πŸ‘

23.09.2025 19:19 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
Post image Post image Post image Post image

A glorious day for my annual End Hill - Chase End Hill & return walk #MalvernHills.

4 Wheatear (North Hill, Summer Hill, Broad Down, Worcs Beacon), 6+ Crossbills (North Hill & Black Hill), 5+ migrant Song Thrushes top of Happy Valley, lots of Siskins & this Painted Lady the highlights.

#WorcsBirds

22.09.2025 19:16 β€” πŸ‘ 23    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Getting a little late now!

20.09.2025 18:20 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
Post image

A Spotted Flycatcher at Powick Wetland, seen very briely this evening, was a site first for me.

Otherwise, quiet with Little Egret and 4 Shoveler the best of the rest.

#WorcsBirds

20.09.2025 17:16 β€” πŸ‘ 22    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 0
Post image

The Glossy Ibis was again at Northwick, Worcester earlier this morning.

Due to the peculiarities of the boundary line this bird is just outside the city even though the built-up area continues further north.

#WorcsBirds

20.09.2025 12:11 β€” πŸ‘ 27    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Thanks Dan. Really appreciated.

19.09.2025 08:39 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Great find Dan.
Where exactly at Northwick was it feeding? May pop over later as that would be a new bird for my Worcester city list!

19.09.2025 07:05 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
Post image

Popped into Powick Wetland on the way back from seeing the Grey Phalarope and Curlew Sandpiper at Ripple.

Typically uneventful visit although this female Pintail was good to see. Probably the best bird I've seen here all year!

#WorcsBirds

15.09.2025 16:44 β€” πŸ‘ 18    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Post image Post image

A pair of Stonechats and 2 Great Egrets were about the best of it at Grimley this morning.

#WorcsBirds

15.09.2025 11:33 β€” πŸ‘ 15    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Post image

Single Tree Pipit, Swift, Crossbill, Redpoll, Siskin over the north #MalvernsHills earlier this morning.

Also large numbers of House Martins spread along the sheltered slopes. Difficult to count but easily 500+ along with a few Swallows.

#WorcsBirds

14.09.2025 10:51 β€” πŸ‘ 19    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Just looked it up - 5-9th September 2005!

12.09.2025 07:15 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Post image

The wonderful juvenile Temminck's Stint at Throckmorton on the western lagoons this evening.

Very rare to see this plumage in Worcestershire.

#WorcsBirds #UKBirding @waderquest.bsky.social

11.09.2025 17:59 β€” πŸ‘ 48    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
Post image

Three Wheatear on the north #MalvernHills early this morning including this one on the most northerly ridge of the most northerly hill, End Hill.

Also Tree Pipit over, Willow Warbler, plenty of Chiffchaffs (40+) and a steady southbound stream of Swallows and House Martins.

#WorcsBirds #UKBirding

08.09.2025 18:14 β€” πŸ‘ 25    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Post image

A Wheatear on North Hill #MalvernHills during a welcome break in the weather this afternoon.

#WorcsBirds #UKBirding

07.09.2025 16:51 β€” πŸ‘ 40    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Post image

No change around the north #MalvernHills yesterday evening.

The Wheatear and Redstart remain on North Hill.

#WorcsBirds #UKBirding

05.09.2025 07:14 β€” πŸ‘ 25    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

It's a funny old game. But that's one of the reasons we do it πŸ‘

02.09.2025 19:56 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

That's a very good return. I need to up my game!

02.09.2025 19:39 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Brilliant Dan. Lost track of how many you've seen on the hills now!

02.09.2025 18:49 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
Post image

Very quiet for migrants early morning around the north #MalvernHills. This single Wheatear was on North Hill.

Other than a Redstart in Chat Valley, that was it.

#WorcsBirds #UKBirding

01.09.2025 15:24 β€” πŸ‘ 30    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

@brianstretch is following 18 prominent accounts