Alex Masterman

25 | Zookeeper and Wildlife Rehabilitator | Birder | BSc Zoo Biology | Trainee Bird Ringer

[Alex Masterman @AlexMasterman0]

Nothing more rewarding than this! Releasing a young Gannet that we’ve been rehabilitating for the past 9 months! Even better when an Albatross flies past seconds later!

[Owen Beaumont @OwenBeaumont1]

Looking for recommendations for a good travel tripod - small enough to go into luggage/large backpacks, can support a 65mm scope rather than a tiny travel scope and doesn't cost a fortune. Thanks in advance!

[Alex Masterman @AlexMasterman0]

@01000011S It certainly has been! ☺️

[Alex Masterman @AlexMasterman0]

Just a day after I saw my 299th bird for the UK, I managed today to catch up today with the Woodchat Shrike at Anderby Creek! Making this my big 300th species for the UK!! Please excuse the awful record shot as it was what felt like 100mph winds!

[Alex Masterman @AlexMasterman0]

@GuywithASD Thank you! ☺️

[Alex Masterman @AlexMasterman0]

@JamesHinley Thank you!!

[Owen Beaumont @OwenBeaumont1]

Getting properly twitchy for the first time in a little while with a trip North this afternoon with @AlexMasterman0 for the Dark-eyed Junco @RareBirdAlertUK

[Alex Masterman @AlexMasterman0]

Took a trip up to Hartlepool today to see the Dark-Eyed Junco. This has to be one of my favourite birds I’ve seen in ages!

Today brings me to 299 for my UK life list, very excited to see what number 300 will be!

[Alex Masterman @AlexMasterman0]

😍😍😍

[Owen Beaumont @OwenBeaumont1]

Amazing to see 14+ Bottlenose Dolphin close inshore from Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR early evening. Thanks to @Nighthawk013 for the message! @LWTWildNews

[Alex Masterman @AlexMasterman0]

It’s our last night in Estonia and we were treated to beautiful views of this Ural Owl, who was sat singing to a nearby partner! Potentially my favourite bird of the trip ❤️

[Alex Masterman @AlexMasterman0]

@bacondust @OwenBeaumont1 @pseudoliam @miles_cluff @JoshFusiara @NathanielDargue They don’t do they! 😂 the way they fly absolutely captures it though, I never would’ve guessed it was an owl in flight!

[Alex Masterman @AlexMasterman0]

On Friday morning we flew out to Estonia for a spot of birding and wildlife watching! Today we ticked off a lot of our dream list including Hawk Owl, Middle Spotted Woodpecker and Pygmy Owl! Here’s to hoping we’ll see more in the coming days ❤️

[Alex Masterman @AlexMasterman0]

@rhbirding @OwenBeaumont1 @pseudoliam @miles_cluff @JoshFusiara @NathanielDargue Thank you Roy!

[Alex Masterman @AlexMasterman0]

@SuperNels71 @OwenBeaumont1 @pseudoliam @miles_cluff @JoshFusiara @NathanielDargue I am thank you!! Oh he’s very cool! Where abouts are you??

[Alex Masterman @AlexMasterman0]

@01000011S @OwenBeaumont1 @pseudoliam @miles_cluff @JoshFusiara @NathanielDargue They were both awesome!! Still got to try and see Ural Owl over the next couple of days but I’m hopeful 🥰

[Nathaniel Dargue @NathanielDargue]

A brilliant start to our week in Estonia yesterday, with these Steller’s Eider showing magnificently on Saaremaa. An absolute dream to see these beauties with the gang

Plenty more photos to come! 🇪🇪

[Alex Masterman @AlexMasterman0]

Thank you so much again for your help @philespin !! 🥰

[Alex Masterman @AlexMasterman0]

I’m pleased to announce the twine tangled Great Northern Diver has been released back onto Covenham Reservoir! A huge thanks to Chloe at Mablethorpe Seal Sanctuary for looking after him this weekend and sending me this video ❤️

[Alex Masterman @AlexMasterman0]

@lizardschwartz @pseudoliam @philespin Not as skinny as I expected! I think we got to it before it deteriorated too much, which is lucky considering it’s beak was forced closed with the twine

[Alex Masterman @AlexMasterman0]

This afternoon I was alerted that the long staying Great Northern Diver at Covenham Reservoir had become tangled in some sort of twine or wire. With help from @philespin we caught the bird and removed the twine, and it has now been dropped off to an experienced rehabilitator

[Alex Masterman @AlexMasterman0]

@pmandrews1973 @philespin It is! And it’s unfortunately far too common 😞

[Phil Espin @philespin]

Was called out today to help rescue the Great Northern Diver wintering at Covenham Res. On Weds it appeared to have its bill trapped in netting and yesterday it was looking distressed but too strong to catch. Today Keith Robinson saw it out of water on the bank and called me.