Craig Thomas

Chair Flamborough Bird Observatory, conservationist, Huddersfield Town FC, cricket loving nut, trying to be 'rounded'...

[Craig Thomas @CraigCThomas1]

Just migrated back from Kruger, South Africa. However, on the move again - this time to Bluesky. Can be found @craigcthomas1.bsky.social
In the meantime, here's a trip highlight ...

[Craig Thomas @CraigCThomas1]

A great group on today's @FlamboroughBird guided walk. Rewarded with a showy Radde's Warbler, Pallas's Warbler, 3 Yellow-browed Warblers, 2 Black Redstarts, 3500+ Pink-footed Geese & Woodcock in off the sea #Migweek

[Flamborough Bird Observatory @FlamboroughBird]

The first in person talk for this years #Migweek starts with Richard Baines from @YCNature

[Craig Thomas @CraigCThomas1]

When is a Cattle Egret not just another Cattle Egret ... when its @FlamboroughBird's second ever, drawing level with the number of records of Brown Flycatcher, Taiga Flycatcher & Eastern Olivaceous Warbler on the headland. So well behaved, it even flew past the bedroom window.

[Craig Thomas @CraigCThomas1]

Having taken flexi on medical grounds - told my boss if I couldn't get out birding I'd probably spontaneously combust - the afternoon highlight @FlamboroughBird was bumping into this Eastern Olivaceous Warbler. Sorted that search image, just need to work on Sykes's now!

[Craig Thomas @CraigCThomas1]

Birds continuing to arrive @FlamboroughBird. Pre-work Great Grey Shrike, this Olive-backed Pipit delighting courtesy of @johnnymacbirder over lunch. What next ....

[Craig Thomas @CraigCThomas1]

Busy Seawatch Obs @FlamboroughBird this morning - enjoying 519 Sooty Shearwaters, 1 Balearic Shearwater, 2 Roseate Terns, Caspian Gull, 14 Barnacle Geese, 4 pb Brent Geese & 1 Velvet Scoter all north; 5 Long-tailed Skuas south.

[Craig Thomas @CraigCThomas1]

My contributions from over 40km stumbling about in the fog @FlamboroughBird this weekend ... 3 Red-breasted Flycatchers (see image) & 8 Yellow-browed Warblers. The Eastern Olivaceous a highlight, but so was continued learning about where/when birds arrive on the headland.

[Dan Howe @camoucarper]

Pleased to get the first mega of the autumn with this nice lifer in the form of this cracking Eastern olivaceous warbler @FlamboroughBird @RSPBbirders @RareBirdAlertUK @BirdGuides

[Craig Thomas @CraigCThomas1]

Passerine migrants at last @FlamboroughBird headlined by this Greenish Warbler thx to @LeeLj337. The vast majority of 19 Pied Flys, 20 Whinchat, 32 Wheatears & 17 Redstarts arrived after 1500hrs. A Red-necked Grebe & Roseate Tern on the seawatch rounded off a cracking day.

[Craig Thomas @CraigCThomas1]

This year's Seawatch Festival closed with a Balearic Shearwater, six Roseate Terns, 25 Little Gulls & six Caspian Gulls. Sincere thanks to all the @FlamboroughBird volunteers & visitors who helped ensure it was such a blast!

[Craig Thomas @CraigCThomas1]

A photo-bombing juvenile Herring Gull ruins the aesthetic but adds to the instruction ... 1st calendar-year Caspian Gull @FlamboroughBird. One of at least 12 different individuals currently lingering around the headland - a record number by a distance.

[Natural England @NaturalEngland]

Our #NutrientMitigation Scheme means new homes can be built while creating more space for wildlife.🦋

Read our blog to learn about our work with partners @teesriverstrust and @durhamwildlife to deliver benefits for people and nature in the #Tees. ⬇️

https://t.co/aZZv7hVsD3

[Flamborough Bird Observatory @FlamboroughBird]

Less than 2 weeks to the Seawatch Festival, get your gull id sorted with our seawatchers.
No need to book for this free event just turn up between 7am-11am or 4pm-7pm for expert advice on seabirds

[Craig Thomas @CraigCThomas1]

Juvenile Merlin catching dragonflies at North Marsh the morning highlight @FlamboroughBird. Waders also on the move including seven Black-tailed Godwits & two Ruff; passerine interest limited to increased numbers of Willow Warblers.

[Craig Thomas @CraigCThomas1]

So it begins - this Grasshopper Warbler has bred @FlamboroughBird, but over the last week Willow Warbler numbers have increased, my first 'return passage' Pied Flycatcher yesterday & Common Redstart today. Three different Caspian Gulls over the last 24hrs have also entertained.

[Craig Thomas @CraigCThomas1]

Contrasting emotions over last 24 hours. Headed west for my uncle’s funeral & assumed a non-birding weekend awaited. But popped into @RSPB_BurtonMere this morning & found a Pectoral Sandpiper within 30 seconds of arriving.

[Craig Thomas @CraigCThomas1]

Cracking start to my @FlamboroughBird seawatch season. Humpback Whale feeding off the Observatory for 80 minutes & a Minke Whale further offshore. Also Storm Petrel flew north, the first juvenile Caspian Gull of the 'autumn', four Arctic Skuas & a Hobby in off.

[Craig Thomas @CraigCThomas1]

Dropping below the cliff top seeking shelter from the wind @FlamboroughBird brought instant reward ... immediately greeted by the manic song of this Marsh Warbler. Spring 2024 just keeps giving.

[Craig Thomas @CraigCThomas1]

An @FlamboroughBird seawatch the obvious choice, but my back needed the walk. So sought sheltering migrants along South Cliffs. Result - this male Red-backed Shrike was the 5th I've found this spring, followed by best ever flight views of Quail anywhere. Gotta be in it to win it!