Mike Gaston
@impatientbirder
Casual and impatient 'photobirder'. I enjoy taking pictures of birds - if we happen to be in the same place at the same time. Devon, Norfolk and places vaguely in between.
Record shots from today’s (14/08/26) BOPH Osprey cruise. 5 or possibly 6 Osprey seen but none were particularly close to the boat and it was hot, so all the usual excuses for average photographs apply. I’m still optimistic that we will get some passage birds on R.Axe! @harbourbirds.bsky.social
Having missed them entirely at Yarner Wood earlier in the season, I was very pleased to catch up with numerous Spotted Flycatchers at Lambeth’s Castle near Bridport, today. Bunching up and feeding for the journey ahead of them. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social #DorsetBirds
A perfect day for a boat trip with boatsafari.co.uk, out of Brixham harbour this morning. Short beaked Common Dolphin, Guillemot, Manx Shearwater, and Gannet.
Grey Heron with Eel this morning on the Black Hole Marsh, Seaton Wetlands. #DevonBirds
Seemingly out of nowhere, a Stone Curlew has arrived on the Seaton Wetlands this evening! An awesome spot by Tim Clark. Probably resting up before a big overnight flight.
Cormorant on the River Axe this afternoon, tossing a small Eel in the air to get it unwrapped from its beak.
A White Stork on the River Axe this afternoon (01/08/26). A very rare visitor to the Axe and presumably part of the re-introduction program.
Short beaked Common Dolphins Bow-riding the boat trip on the ‘Spot On’ this morning, out of Brixham Harbour.
Enjoyed a 2hr trip with boatsafari.co.uk this morning from Brixham harbour. No sea birds, worth pointing out, but loads of short beaked Common Dolphin including several very young Dolphins with their mothers.
After prompting by my wife, I revisited the Long tailed Shrike near Holwell for better shots. Amazing to think that this is only the 3rd UK report of this bird and that the 2nd was also this month, in Fife, Scotland. These birds are a long way from Asia! My thanks to the farmer for the parking.
A Purple Heron was spotted early this morning on BHM, Seaton Wetlands. It flew off and up the river Axe but not before catching a rat. #SeatonWetlands
A final few shots from my Norfolk visit. Not the most exciting trip but it is always enjoyable. The Stilt at Frampton was the highlight. Sadly, the Black winged Kite was virtually invisible in the middle of Hempstead marshes, due to heat haze, and I managed to miss the Kelling Shorelark 3 times!
I can confidently claim to have taken the worst pictures of the amazing Long tailed Shrike in Gloucestershire this afternoon. Distance and heat haze are my excuses, as usual. I must have been looking at the right bird, as there were ~100 other birders!
Great to see the Manton Bay Osprey family, (Maya. 33(11), 8R5, 8R6 and 8R7, flying about this morning. Just a thought but I wonder if we could petition LRWT to put a couple of perching sites on the side of the water near the hide, for next year? #Osprey #MantonBay #LRWT
There is still at least one Black winged Stilt at Frampton Marsh this morning, and it was showing well in the sunshine. I have not noticed any others being reported recently (in the UK). #RSPBFramptonMarsh
Great views of Spoonbills at RSPB Frampton Marsh this morning. This is a young Spoonbill, about the same size as an adult bird, taking regurgitated food from its parent. #RSPBFramptonMarsh
Record shots of G463 from today's (07/07/26) cruise on Poole Harbour with BOPH. Excellent as usual, although you have to feel a bit sorry for the Great Crested Grebe (?) @harbourbirds.bsky.social
No sign of the ringed Osprey this morning on the Axe, but the unringed male is still in his usual spots on Bridge Marsh. It hunted successfully but lost the fish, thanks to the female Marsh Harrier's attention. #devonbirds #Seatonwetlands
Short video, from this morning, of the unringed Osprey that has been seen recently on the River Axe. Clearly I need to use a tripod next time! #devonbirds
Great to have an expert opinion! It could be 5H6, which would be a better fit.
Exciting few minutes on the Axe this morning (04/07/26). The ‘local’ unringed Osprey was present but a 2nd bird arrived. It didn’t get close to the hide but it was ringed. Hard to read but my guess would be 5H5(?), if so it is a returning Poole female! @harbourbirds.bsky.social
One of the Oystercatchers on Black Hole Marsh this week. #Seatonwetlands
Little Grebe and shrimp snack, on the Black Hole Marsh, Seaton this morning. #wildeastdevon #devonbirds
An Osprey is back on the Axe - in June! Local knowledge suggests that it may even be the same bird as last week.
A few birds from my pottering about in the Devon sunshine this morning, including my first juvenile Dartford Warbler.
Osprey fishing on the River Axe this morning. A successful catch but it was mugged by a Marsh Harrier on its way back to its perch. It managed to keep hold of the second catch. No obvious rings. Possibly a late returning 2yr old male? #Devonbirds @harbourbirds.bsky.social
Not to everyone's taste, but we were in Leeds this morning and managed to catch up with the Ring-necked Parakeets in Roundhay Park, near the bandstand.
Reed Warbler on the Seaton Wetlands this evening. Showing well, and the first I have managed to photograph this year. No sign of the Osprey reported earlier in the day. #wildeastdevon #seatonwetlands
As per today's #BirdOfTheDay Theme is #Preeners&Scratchers, birds preening plumage or scratching, the alt Theme is #Black&White, birds with Black & White in their plumage. Black faced cormorants, from our trip to Australia. Striking looking birds.