Ecologist. Gibraltar Point Shorebird Warden 2024. Keen Birder and Moth-er. Usually found in Derbyshire.
Derby, England
Joined September 2015
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3 weeks of monitoring the local Woodcock at Gib Point finally paid off. Mesmerised.
@LWTWildNews @BBCSpringwatch @InstaBirders @BirdGuides @PatchBirding @Lincsbirding
Sam Goddard retweeted
Brief shower at Armash Fishponds grounded these Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters, which gave for breathtaking views. Has to be one of the most colourful birds in the Western Pal.
ebird.org/checklist/S3452071… (more photos on eBird).
Sam Goddard retweeted
The full trip report from our time in Estonia is now available on Cloud Birders.
If you're planning a visit, hopefully this will be useful.
cloudbirders.com/tripreport?…
Sam Goddard retweeted
We had a surprise visit to a #NewForest stream recently. This #Razorbill was recorded on a trail camera probably resting after some weather pushed it off course.
The Razorbill is a coastal seabird and would usually be found in marine or intertidal water.
#WildlifeWednesday
Sam Goddard retweeted
Home from a sensational trip to Estonia with friends. Hard to grasp how lucky we were, catching up with 18 Ural Owls (mostly seen in daylight!) and 18 Pygmy Owls, amongst stacks of some of NE Europe’s finest forest species. And yes there is a Ural Owl in the last photo!
ALT Pygmy Owl
ALT Ural Owl in the top right
A walk through Dovedale to Ilam Rock and back yesterday provided 8 Dippers, 6 each of Grey Wag, Goosander and Mandarin, a Merlin (female type) around Thorpe Cloud, a yaffling Green Woodpecker and a singing Stock Dove.
@Derbyshirebirds
Spectacular views of the now resident Eastern Black Redstart at Sheringham on Thursday, very confiding, I had it to myself for around an hour although gave others a much harder time. A ‘regular’ Black Redstart on the beach provided good opportunities for comparison, too.
Nice views of the first winter Drake Scaup at Kingsmill Res, Notts at midday, fortunate after doing a loop of the res it had hauled out and was preening close to the footpath, most others oblivious to its presence.
Sam Goddard retweeted
Thought I’d make a website so I could arrange all my photos a bit easier, feel free to check it out! Better viewed on desktop of course, but seems to work okay on phone too. Lots of photos still to be added.
milescluffphotography.com/
The local Ring-necked Duck had moved back to Shipley Lake- perhaps now moved on completely, so making the most of the views at Straw’s Bridge was imperative. A selection of images from early Jan, when it showed well in wintery conditions.
Ring-necked Duck at Straw’s Bridge yesterday afternoon. Heading back this afternoon, what a bird and what an experience. Bird of the year contender… 👀
@Derbyshirebirds @ToursNatural
Sam Goddard retweeted
Happy Christmas everyone, not everyday an elf is watching a festive Pectoral Sandpiper 🎄
#Christmas
A nice birthday weekend in North Norfolk as has become the annual norm now, with new birds for me being Hume’s Warbler and White-rumped Sandpiper, but the highlight perhaps the Firecrests which showed down to metres at times. Cracking little birds.
A pit stop at the Lesser Scaup yesterday before continuing to Aylestone Meadows, where we were rewarded with a Yellow-Browed Warbler and split second views of the Dusky Warbler there. A cracking bird and proved a fun target to try and get photos of. Patience required.
Cracking views of the Snow Bunting at Beacon Hill CP around lunchtime, especially when it wasn’t being flushed or chased by loose dogs 😬
Sam Goddard retweeted
Another day, another bold wader. This juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper was quite content feeding on the excess of invertebrates along the shoreline around us.
macaulaylibrary.org/asset/64…
My first Pectoral Sandpiper and can’t think any scarce bird has ever shown better for me. Never need to see another now. Spent its time feeding through foliage on worms. Really smart bird.
Sam Goddard retweeted
I’ve been very lucky to have some amazing birding experiences in the UK this year, but I think this pristine juvenile Dotterel weaving between us on Burbage Moor late last night takes the crown.
The juvenile Dotterel at Houndkirk showed ludicrously well yesterday evening, taking a particular liking to my camera lens… What a bird!
One of two 1W Caspian Gulls at Derby River Gardens this morning. Quite amusing to meet Neil who found the first, then finding another nearby. Very smart birds and not what you’d necessarily expect in the city centre! @Derbyshirebirds
