Sam Goddard

Ecologist.
Gibraltar Point Shorebird Warden 2024. Keen Birder and Moth-er. Usually found in Derbyshire.

[Sam Goddard @samgod96]

3 weeks of monitoring the local Woodcock at Gib Point finally paid off. Mesmerised.
@LWTWildNews @BBCSpringwatch @InstaBirders @BirdGuides @PatchBirding @Lincsbirding

[Toby Carter @_TCartz]

The full trip report from our time in Estonia is now available on Cloud Birders.
If you're planning a visit, hopefully this will be useful.

https://t.co/Z23xX7kjCN

[The New Forest - Forestry England @EngNewForest]

We had a surprise visit to a #NewForest stream recently. This #Razorbill was recorded on a trail camera probably resting after some weather pushed it off course.

The Razorbill is a coastal seabird and would usually be found in marine or intertidal water.

#WildlifeWednesday

[Sam Goddard @samgod96]

@JoshFusiara

[Miles Cluff @miles_cluff]

Home from a sensational trip to Estonia with friends. Hard to grasp how lucky we were, catching up with 18 Ural Owls (mostly seen in daylight!) and 18 Pygmy Owls, amongst stacks of some of NE Europe’s finest forest species. And yes there is a Ural Owl in the last photo!

[Sam Goddard @samgod96]

A walk through Dovedale to Ilam Rock and back yesterday provided 8 Dippers, 6 each of Grey Wag, Goosander and Mandarin, a Merlin (female type) around Thorpe Cloud, a yaffling Green Woodpecker and a singing Stock Dove.

@Derbyshirebirds

[Sam Goddard @samgod96]

Spectacular views of the now resident Eastern Black Redstart at Sheringham on Thursday, very confiding, I had it to myself for around an hour although gave others a much harder time. A ‘regular’ Black Redstart on the beach provided good opportunities for comparison, too.

[Sam Goddard @samgod96]

Nice views of the first winter Drake Scaup at Kingsmill Res, Notts at midday, fortunate after doing a loop of the res it had hauled out and was preening close to the footpath, most others oblivious to its presence.

[Miles Cluff @miles_cluff]

Thought I’d make a website so I could arrange all my photos a bit easier, feel free to check it out! Better viewed on desktop of course, but seems to work okay on phone too. Lots of photos still to be added.

https://t.co/cwR9ahBdXc

[Sam Goddard @samgod96]

The local Ring-necked Duck had moved back to Shipley Lake- perhaps now moved on completely, so making the most of the views at Straw’s Bridge was imperative. A selection of images from early Jan, when it showed well in wintery conditions.

[Sam Goddard @samgod96]

Ring-necked Duck at Straw’s Bridge yesterday afternoon. Heading back this afternoon, what a bird and what an experience. Bird of the year contender… 👀

@Derbyshirebirds @ToursNatural

[Toby Carter @_TCartz]

Happy Christmas everyone, not everyday an elf is watching a festive Pectoral Sandpiper 🎄
#Christmas

[Sam Goddard @samgod96]

A nice birthday weekend in North Norfolk as has become the annual norm now, with new birds for me being Hume’s Warbler and White-rumped Sandpiper, but the highlight perhaps the Firecrests which showed down to metres at times. Cracking little birds.

[Sam Goddard @samgod96]

@BeidaiheBirder @_TCartz @pseudoliam @InstaBirders Many thanks Mark, tricky subject but glad to get a few shots off that came out well!

[Sam Goddard @samgod96]

A pit stop at the Lesser Scaup yesterday before continuing to Aylestone Meadows, where we were rewarded with a Yellow-Browed Warbler and split second views of the Dusky Warbler there. A cracking bird and proved a fun target to try and get photos of. Patience required.

[Sam Goddard @samgod96]

Cracking views of the Snow Bunting at Beacon Hill CP around lunchtime, especially when it wasn’t being flushed or chased by loose dogs 😬

[Toby Carter @_TCartz]

Another day, another bold wader. This juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper was quite content feeding on the excess of invertebrates along the shoreline around us.

https://t.co/HnTKUkJ96T

[Sam Goddard @samgod96]

My first Pectoral Sandpiper and can’t think any scarce bird has ever shown better for me. Never need to see another now. Spent its time feeding through foliage on worms. Really smart bird.

[Sam Goddard @samgod96]

Eurasian Dotterel, Burbage Moor, South Yorkshire. 16/09/25. What a cracker!

[Miles Cluff @miles_cluff]

I’ve been very lucky to have some amazing birding experiences in the UK this year, but I think this pristine juvenile Dotterel weaving between us on Burbage Moor late last night takes the crown.

[Sam Goddard @samgod96]

@Brians_birds Thank you, quite a moment and quite the bird! That fresh plumage was stunning.

[Sam Goddard @samgod96]

The juvenile Dotterel at Houndkirk showed ludicrously well yesterday evening, taking a particular liking to my camera lens… What a bird!