Tony Blake

Birdwatcher, historically at Hilfield Reservoir near Bushey in Hertfordshire, now discovering Surrey's birds. Bird and butterfly photographer and cricket fan.

[Tony Blake @TonyBlake9]

@ianbennell75 Top find. Great one for the at work list.

[Tony Blake @TonyBlake9]

@RupertEvershed @Hertsbirds Fantastic Rupert. What an early spring at Stanborough.

[Tony Blake @TonyBlake9]

Great views of this Water Pipit at Holmethorpe Sandpits in Surrey today.

[Tony Blake @TonyBlake9]

At this time of year trees with baubles start to appear. I rather like this Strawberry Tree that was glowing away in Southwark at lunchtime today.

[Tony Blake @TonyBlake9]

Headley Heath, Surrey, this morning. A relaxing hour and half sitting on a bench watching Hawfinches go back and forth and perching up. Thanks to @surreywallcreep for sketching out where to go.

[Tony Blake @TonyBlake9]

@lesserspotnet @blackdownbirder @kenandlindasmi2 Many congratulations Ken, Linda and collaborators. Such important work with so many challenges for Lesser Spots especially.

[Tony Blake @TonyBlake9]

Hoopoe - Tresco, Isles of Scilly with Hotentot Fig to give an even more exotic look.

[Tony Blake @TonyBlake9]

@ianbennell75 Good luck! I’m due there on 10th, but on Tresco, assuming travel ok.

[Tony Blake @TonyBlake9]

@grahamknight59 @StAlbansCouncil @WriterHannahBT @swifts_uk Excellent Graham. Let’s hope it translates into delivery.

[Tony Blake @TonyBlake9]

Holmethorpe Sandpits, Surrey – Whinchat busily flycatching from a hedgerow at lunchtime today. @SurreyBirdNews

[Tony Blake @TonyBlake9]

@RupertEvershed Beautifully written Rupert and emphasising the value and fun of local birding and wildlife watching. Garden shaping up well in Surrey - much potential.

[Tony Blake @TonyBlake9]

@dogwooddays_nic @GdnCountryDiary Really enjoyed this piece. I always read the Country Diary and it’s stronger than ever with your observations. Thank you.

[Tony Blake @TonyBlake9]

@RupertEvershed @birdinglothian Wow - some good views there!

[Tony Blake @TonyBlake9]

Very enjoyable trip to the Hampshire coast this morning - Common, Little and Roseate Terns in descending order of photo quality! Many years since I've seen a Roseate and they are beautiful.

[Tony Blake @TonyBlake9]

@andrewstoddart Hi Andy - sorry am late to the party here. I have a few images of this bird, which was in north west London three years ago. Could be quite an extreme coburni? I can't DM but let me know if you'd like to see more images.

[Tony Blake @TonyBlake9]

Female Scaup still at Hilfield Res today – looking almost chestnut in the sun. Present since mid Jan, but today was the first time I've seen it since mid March. #hertsbirds #londonbirds

[Tony Blake @TonyBlake9]

This male Sparrowhawk perched for around five minutes at Wood Farm in Stanmore this morning. From the first flap when it flew, Blue Tit alarm calls began to sound. It wasn't just me watching it. #londonbirds

[Tony Blake @TonyBlake9]

@NickPoole1 @biblioluke @ace_national @Sharedintel @BenYMLee Thanks Nick and colleagues. All of us in the @Sharedintel team found it a really stimulating and rewarding project. We'll be banging the drum for local teams to use the toolkit.

[Tony Blake @TonyBlake9]

A good duck morning at Hilfield Res. Female Scaup and this close drake Goldeneye. Also fem Goosander (no photo). #hertsbirds #londonbirds

[Tony Blake @TonyBlake9]

Couldn’t resist a trip out to the Northern Waterthrush in Essex. It showed remarkably well. Here it is looking rather pipity in flight (short tertials aside) and showing us the fruit of its probing in the vegetation.