John Qzak

Me, My Life, & I - formerly a teenage dirtbag, currently a lecturer, birder, & conservationist. My views are...usually through a scope & largely irrelevant!

[John Qzak @Johnq_zak]

Sometimes you just get lucky! A juvenile Long-eared Owl in North Co. Monaghan (the good part 😉) #blessed #birding #owls

[BMcCloskey @BMcCloskey_98]

Caspian Plovers 6km SW of Zhaltyr, west Kazakhstan last week. These took over six hours to find. I was sure we were about to dip them, until I picked up a distant adult. We ended up having a total of six, including two fully fledged stunning juveniles!

[BMcCloskey @BMcCloskey_98]

Just when I thought this trip couldn’t get any better, a flock of eight PALLAS’S SANDGROUSE flew over me on the western shore of the Ural River, west Kazakhstan!!! An absolute mega in the Western Palearctic! Still shaking… @BirdGuides @zootherabirding

[BMcCloskey @BMcCloskey_98]

Just found STEPPE WHIMBREL at Lake Sorkol, Zhanaqala, west Kazakhstan!!!! One of two with a flock of orientalis Eurasian Curlews. Declared extinct in 1994, but now with an estimated world population of fewer than 100 on earth! @zootherabirding @BirdGuides

[BMcCloskey @BMcCloskey_98]

At last!!! After three full days searching, and untickable views of two males and a female yesterday, I have now finally seen Great Rosefinch in Georgia. They are extremely difficult, but to see them on the breeding grounds is a dream. Look at the Caucasian Snowcock views too!

[LouthBirdNews @LouthBirdNews]

Worth revisiting for Dundalk bay?

[John Qzak @Johnq_zak]

@dunbar44 You never know you might get another shot!

[Jim Dowdall @JimDowdall]

What appeared to be a very quiet day on Great Saltee Island last Friday suddenly turned chaotic when Ireland’s first Trumpeter Finch landed in front of me. 🤯

[BMcCloskey @BMcCloskey_98]

We tried in vain to find Plain Leaf Warbler in junipers near Yukarınarlıca today. It has been 21 years since they were last seen here, but they must still occur. Great fun searching though . Levant Sparrowhawk, Grey-necked Bunting, Lammergeier, and Sibe Stonechat the highlights.

[BMcCloskey @BMcCloskey_98]

After dipping Mongolian Finch in Azerbaijan in 2024, it was a species that I really wanted to see. This morning, I flew to Van, Türkiye with Joe Proudfoot, and after several hours of searching near Güzelsu, we found a few of them. A very difficult species! @BirdGuides

[Stephen dunbar @dunbar44]

A few images from the last few weeks. Spring in N.Ireland @bbcniweather @UlsterWildlife

[Holly Grogan @hollygroganart]

I’ll be selling some of my bird art prints & a couple of originals at this month’s BWI Tolka branch talk by Caroline McDonald this Wednesday at the Botanic Gardens.

[John Qzak @Johnq_zak]

@Bkeogh7 I feckin hope not Brendan! I can't take another one lol

[John Qzak @Johnq_zak]

Traded the lakes for my local uplands over the weekend, the decision paid off well! We had great views of Hen Harrier and Cuckoo, but this Red Grouse stole the show. Easily my best views of the species!

[Ian Young @bonsaieejit]

Common Whitethroat at Barrhall Portaferry yesterday. Love the angry song. Hard to mistake.

[Luke Geraty @LGeraty9]

Delighted to find this turtle dove near tacumshin wexford today

[Jim Dowdall @JimDowdall]

A few pics from an excellent weekend’s birding in Wexford including Ireland’s first spring record of Olive-backed Pipit, Woodchat Shrike and Pied Flycatcher.

[Luke Geraty @LGeraty9]

White eyed vireo from a recent trip to Texas 🇨🇱. More pics to follow

[Stephen dunbar @dunbar44]

Some great wildlife encounters from the last week! Basking sharks( Donegal Bay ) hen harrier, badger ! And a long eared owl on my camera trap!

[Holly Grogan @hollygroganart]

Limited edition prints of my Black-tailed Godwit drawing are available:
https://t.co/RAuFbA44Fh