Colin Brooks

[Pam Parsons @pammiep7]

Young Blackbird in my garden today.

[Jeff’s Wildlife Photography @sykesjeff]

Male Chaffinch, little stunner what do you think?

[Carl Bovis @CarlBovisNature]

Know the difference... 😀
Here are 4 similar birds that spend most of their time in the sky, which I've photographed recently. 🐦

1. Swift - All brown, but can appear black against the sky. Short forked tail, long scythe-like wings. 🐦
2. House Martin - All white stomach and throat, appears black on the back, but with blue tinge. short wings, short forked tail. 🐦
3. Swallow - Red throat, white stomach up to a dark band below the throat. Long forked tail with streamers. 🐦
4. Sand Martin. Similar to House Martin but even shorter, slightly forked tail, white stomach with dark chest band and white throat. Brown on the back. 🐦

Other information to help with identification;

If your bird is on a wire or post, it's definitely NOT a Swift.😊 (Swifts only land to nest, everything else they do in flight, including eat, drink and sleep!)
If your bird is nesting under eaves, it's definitely NOT a Sand Martin.😊 Sand Martins nest in holes in sandy cliffs.
If your bird is screeching, it's a Swift. 😊

Next time you go out, look up and see if you can identify these birds. They're all summer visitors to the UK. ♥️

[Robin Morrison @robinmmorrison]

#Kingfisher showing aggression towards another #Kingfisher hidden in the same bush.

#Somerset

[Carl Bovis @CarlBovisNature]

As it's Friday, I'm asking all my followers to please retweet (and comment) on this post if you see it, to help my bird account be seen! 🙏😀
To make it worth sharing, here's a tiny Goldcrest saying 'Hi' 😁😍
Thank you very much! ♥️

[Colin Brooks @ColinBrooks11]

@CarlBovisNature Lovely photo Carl, yesterday evening there were a large number of these birds on Otterham Marshes.

[Colin Brooks @ColinBrooks11]

A few of the Shelducks and many more at Otterhampton Marshes yesterday evening, some Avocets chased off a grey heron, Cuckoo, Reed Bunting, Goldfinch.

[Colin Brooks @ColinBrooks11]

Sunset reflected in the water a couple of evenings ago at RSPB Ham Wall. Saw Blackcaps singing and other varieties in the background.

[Colin Brooks @ColinBrooks11]

Great Crested Grebes singing and lots of activity, heard them first but not seen this before so I’m very pleased. Also heard a Bearded Reedling in the same location but still haven’t seen them, yesterday evening at RSPB Ham Wall.

[Andrew Kirby @AndrewKirby18]

RSPB HamWall this afternoon.
Nice to had 17 Ruff out on VP1, a couple of Male Ruff in Summer plumaged.
@RSPBHamWall
@bto_somerset1
@AvalonMarshes

[Colin Brooks @ColinBrooks11]

Two Cuckoos yesterday evening, flew from behind the hide very close together just a couple of metres away and to the side, flew into the marshes and singing loudly. Two Curlews on river bank and one Oystercatcher.

[Colin Brooks @ColinBrooks11]

Pochards yesterday evening at RSPB Ham Wall, also saw a Barn Owl quartering with a catch and heard first Cuckoo.

[Rob Murphy @rob_murphy66]

Unbelievable views of the Red Spotted Bluethroat at Swineham in Dorset. A great start to our 3 days here. Thanks to Leon for extra info.
@RareBirdAlertUK
@BirdGuides
@DorsetBirdClub

[Carl Bovis @CarlBovisNature]

Great White Egret on the river. 😍
Taken at the weekend at Tealham Moor in Somerset. 😊🐦

[Ruben Giron @RubenGi02391602]

American Bittern - This rarely seen marsh heron is an expert in camouflage. They will stretch their necks upwards, pointing their bills up to the sky to mimic reeds or branches which is called "Bittern Freezing". Seen at Duck Island in CP 4/22 #birdcpp @BirdCentralPark

[Birds Colour 🕊️ @birdscolour56]

This woodpecker is definitely a Rocker 😂

[Colin Brooks @ColinBrooks11]

Two Common Cranes yesterday evening at RSPB Greylake, awesome birds and well chuffed with my first video of this species.

[Colin Brooks @ColinBrooks11]

Greylag Geese and 5 goslings getting closer, also 1 Glossy Ibis at the end of sunset view yesterday evening at RSPB Ham Wall.

[Colin Brooks @ColinBrooks11]

Two Common Cranes, my first photo of these super birds (there were 3 and was told the third was last years juvenile) yesterday evening at RSPB Greylake. Two flew even closer over the hide, what a wonderful experience, so exciting!!

[Colin Brooks @ColinBrooks11]

Glossy Ibis Monday evening, watched this lovely bird land in the margins in front of VP1, still there went I walked around, closest I’ve been and admired for 15 minutes, at RSPB Ham Wall.