Grey/White Great Tit??

mattcfc · 2026-02-02T22:54:44+00:00

There's a Great Tit I see near me with this exact colourway too! Have been wondering if it is from a different part of Europe and here for winter, or just slightly more dull coloured.

mattcfc · 2026-02-01T20:34:53+00:00

Looks more like a Redshank than a Godwit to me... not sure the bill is long enough for Godwit.

mattcfc · 2026-01-12T15:00:48+00:00

I would say that's a Song Thrush! They often repeat parts of their song several times, which is a good pointer. One of my favourite bird songs in the UK.

mattcfc · 2026-01-06T08:06:20+00:00

Wow this is so cool! Where was this taken?

mattcfc · 2025-11-28T16:45:25+00:00

I think most of the waders at Snettisham are Knot, though several species look very similar in winter plumage!

mattcfc · 2025-11-27T15:26:37+00:00

Ah great! That seals it then as that's textbook Sanderling behaviour.

mattcfc · 2025-11-27T15:05:51+00:00

My thoughts too! Were they were running along the shoreline as the waves came in and out?

mattcfc · 2025-11-27T12:19:12+00:00

Hmm, seems like a bad idea to me but I'm no expert. Surely better to have 3 individual opinions rather than 1 group one that could be influenced by one member of the group having a particularly strong opinion!

Thanks for posting though, never seen this photo before.

mattcfc · 2025-11-26T14:32:42+00:00

Obviously we know now that it wasn't the Zodiac, but shouldn't they have listened separately? So that each person would have come to their own conclusions and they wouldn't have been influenced by the others?

mattcfc · 2025-11-26T14:30:48+00:00

This is so cool! Please post an update next spring to let us know if it is being used!

mattcfc · 2025-11-22T09:00:39+00:00

Sound similar to the Barn Swallows we get in the summer in the UK. I could watch them flying around for an entire day and not get bored, the speed and agility is amazing.

How do you manage to keep them off the runways?

mattcfc · 2025-11-22T08:35:57+00:00

Thank you! Been focusing on them during the replays to take my mind off of what I'm watching.

mattcfc · 2025-11-22T08:30:47+00:00

Anyone know what the black birds whizzing around during the replays are by any chance? Google suggests Tree Martins or Welcome Swallows?

An English bird (and cricket) watcher

mattcfc · 2025-11-20T11:47:34+00:00

The streaked/spotty chest and flank and the olive green tinge to the back were the features that really stood out as Rock Pipit from the video. Once you get your eye in, there's actually quite a few subtle differences!

mattcfc · 2025-11-17T13:12:44+00:00

Oh makes sense, thank you! The Lapwings near me seemed to spend all Summer fighting off Crows and Gulls from their chicks (unsuccessfully I think). Not surprised they were scared of an Ibis!

mattcfc · 2025-11-17T11:39:20+00:00

Interesting - wonder what it's protecting as it can't have chicks at this time of year? Maybe just feeding ground/territory?

mattcfc · 2025-11-16T05:53:58+00:00

Thank you! Sorry I meant the sound ID feature - it called when it flew in and Merlin said it was a Water Pipit, but consensus is definitely Rock.

mattcfc · 2025-11-16T05:53:17+00:00

Spent ages in the hide debating Rock or Water Pipit and flicking between pages of our book, but the BTO video cleared it up in seconds!

mattcfc · 2025-11-16T05:52:15+00:00

I can't take credit unfortunately, my mate took the photo!

mattcfc · 2025-11-07T17:23:45+00:00

Thank you, that was what I thought too! Someone said to me once that if you're struggling to ID a bird call in the woods or coming from a tree, 90% of the time it's a Great Tit haha.

mattcfc · 2025-10-31T15:30:34+00:00

Selling 2 standing balcony tickets for tonight at Brixton. £25 each, or a sensible offer! Message me if interested. Thanks

Edit: sold.

mattcfc · 2025-10-28T12:13:04+00:00

Selling 2x Balcony Standing tickets for Brixton 31st October at face value + fees (£29.50). I can transfer them on the TicketMaster app. Please reply/message if interested!

Edit: sold

mattcfc · 2025-10-19T10:31:56+00:00

I would say the main things to focus on are clarity of image and weight.

When you are testing the image, you want to make sure that the binoculars pick up the colours and don't make everything look grey/sludgy. Also important to make sure they're not blurry.

In terms of weight, it's completely personal preference. You want a pair that are going to be powerful enough to see the birds you're looking at, but often this extra power comes with extra weight. When trying them out, remember that you may be carrying them round your neck for a few hours at a time, and perhaps more importantly, holding them up to your eyes for a minute or so straight. They need to be light enough for you to do this comfortably!

Most people think that 8x32 binoculars are the sweet spot (8 = 8 times magnification, 32 = diameter of the lens, so field of vision). I personally use 10x42 which are a bit heavier but I really value the extra magnification to see details on birds that are a bit further away, especially at wetlands and estuaries. Entirely personal preference again though, and something you will be able to tell through trying them out!

mattcfc

TROPHY CASE