Andy Stockhausen

On this day in 2025 - a memorable encounter with this stunning Lesser-spotted Woodpecker at a site in Devon. February and March are the best months in which to connect with this secretive and increasingly scarce breeder. Still gives me a buzz whenever I see one . . . #ukbirding

Wandered off the Severnside patch towards Oldbury Power Station today in search of Bar-tailed Godwit. Found 8 in all, keeping company with Curlew on the tideline. An overdue addition to my Avon year list (125). Possible Merlin seen too briefly/distantly to nail ID #ukbirding

Two lifers in one day. Travelled down with Chris Heard and Derek Barker. I recall us dipping Bonaparte's Gull at Drift later on the same day and a frozen Belgian birder being carted off in an ambulance suffering from exposure! Happy days 🤣

An old black and white shot of the Least Sand, lifted from British Birds, taken by a *very* old skool Corn, Stuart Hutchings. There was a bit of consternation when the news of a winter Least Sandpiper went out, a lot of folks didn't quite believe it. A few well known Cornish birders arrived soon afterwards, all mumbling that it couldn't be right (I still know the names 😂) but they all began to come around to my way of thinking (one or two were banging on about it being a Little Stint with green legs...ignoring the herbert teenager explaining it was tiny and brown and not a Little Stint!). More folks arrived from Drift (twitching Bonaparte's Gull) and the bird moved out of the harbour and around the bay. Amazingly, it dropped onto a small clifftop puddle and showed brilliantly. Stuck around to late April too. Lovely job 😊

A photo from the BBRC Report of 1987, with the Least Sandpiper starting to drop some summer feathers in April 1986. So good it hung around, many birdwatcher (me included) had only seen the wretched Dungeness bird a couple of years beforehand, so a fit, healthy, very smart Least Sand was a welcome part of a winter trip to the southwest (that was a good winter at home) & it's stay was long enough to coincide with the Berry Head Gyrfalcon too. Many happy memories with this one.

Happy 40th anniversary to me! 09/02/86 & today is the day I reminisce about one of my favourite finds, the Portscatho Least Sandpiper. I'll never forget seeing a tiny wader land on the harbour wall, just above the female King Eider & then BOOM! Olive legs! Disbelief all round!
#oldrares
#ukbirding

A flock of 7 Tundras flying over my fellow patcher Paul's head in December last year the only previous occurrence on Severnside. Would be a patch lifer for me if another turned up!

I'm sure it'll happen mate. Still snowing in Germany and White fronts continuing to arrive in UK. Our little flock has departed. I'd love a Bean Goose on patch next!

Wandered off the Severnside patch towards Oldbury Power Station today in search of Bar-tailed Godwit. Found 8 in all, keeping company with Curlew on the tideline. An overdue addition to my Avon year list (125). Possible Merlin seen too briefly/distantly to nail ID #ukbirding

I LOVE GULLS!!!

Eastville Park, Bristol.

As weekends go . . . Added this returning Pink-footed Goose to the Avon year list and then enjoyed watching little old Brentford winning at Newcastle for the first time since 1934! Pic: @reuben-veal.bsky.social #ukbirding

Dawn Erskine said it hovered like a Kestrel. You should check out her amazing video.

I used to bird Wraysbury regularly once I was old enough to cycle there in my teenage years. Great for Smew, grebes and low-flying aircraft!

Of Time and Place, and People... In my head I am 25 years old, sometimes younger. A delusion, I am sure, that is common to most my age. However, life has a way of bring...

Rolling back the years...
#UKBirding

Brilliant read, Gavin! I remember my Dad showing me my first ever drake Smew at a freezing cold Staines Res in 1971. I was 7 years old and totally hooked on birds from that day onwards. I love re-reading your 'Best Days' piece - evokes so many great memories of birding in a different era.

Top winter birding, mate. Reminds me, I should go for the GG Shrike in Hants.

My attempt on the Avon county year list record (208, set in 2006) began modestly with 123 species seen in January. But there was some quality in the form of Penduline Tit, RN Duck, LEO, Whooper, Bk Redstart, Gtr White-front, DB Brent, RB Merg, Firecrest, Scaup, Woodcock & Brambling #ukbirding

As regards winter birds, could do with Slav and Black-necked Grebe. 3 species of owl still to see, but weather a problem right now. Easiest gaps = Bar-t Godwit, Med Gull. No Merlin, Grey Partridge, Mandarin yet. GND, Little Gull would be nice. No sea birds yet owing to weather patterns!

My attempt on the Avon county year list record (208, set in 2006) began modestly with 123 species seen in January. But there was some quality in the form of Penduline Tit, RN Duck, LEO, Whooper, Bk Redstart, Gtr White-front, DB Brent, RB Merg, Firecrest, Scaup, Woodcock & Brambling #ukbirding

Sounds similar to the Hampshire bird, Jack.

A world away from the Jack Walker days . . .

It always seems to be the right weather at the wrong time of year these days, Reuben!

This obliging juvenile Black-throated Diver at Brixham marina helped brighten what has been another dull and damp week in the West Country. Back home in Bristol now and praying for the rain and eternal south easterlies to abate ahead of a return to the Severnside patch #ukbirding

Saw one from the vismig spot at the services in late January this year. Not as early as the Jan 4 individual I encountered at Aust warth in 2024!

Examples of wintering Curlew Sandpiper may be scarce in the UK, but the West Country is as good a place as anywhere to find one. This juvenile has been present on the Hayle estuary since the Autumn, spending much of its time in company with Dunlin. Pic: @runnelstone.bsky.social #ukbirding

Examples of wintering Curlew Sandpiper may be scarce in the UK, but the West Country is as good a place as anywhere to find one. This juvenile has been present on the Hayle estuary since the Autumn, spending much of its time in company with Dunlin. Pic: @runnelstone.bsky.social #ukbirding

I've seen the Hayle Ring-billed Gull on numerous occasions across several years, but never so well or for so prolonged a period of time as today. I settled on the edge of the saltings at Lelant and enjoyed this scarce American larid for a couple of hours. Pic: @yeovilbirder.bsky.social #ukbirding

Funny you should say that, Leon. It spent quite a bit of time standing on one leg! 😉

Fashionably "Green" The owl at the top of this post has nothing to do with what I've written. It's only there to encourage you to click the link, because people...

A bit ranty in this one. Thanks for reading, should you choose to... the Long-eared Owl has nothing to do with the content, it's just a thinly disguised way of encouraging you to click the link to my blog. It was this or a Kingfisher. At least I'm honest. #ukbirding #birds #naturewriting

Amen to all of this. I couldn't have put it better myself (and I write for a living). Pushing my 'things that drive me crazy' buttons, Carl. Outstanding read!

Is that what's meant by 'perk of the job'? Nice find, Rob.