Mark Hipkin

Find me @markhipkin.bsky.social

@bri66thomp @CraigerUK500 @bristolbirding Well done Bri I’m glad all The hard work is being rewards. I absolutely love waders and Buff-breasted Sandpipers are right up there with the best ones 😎

Chuffed to find a Buff Breasted Sandpiper at Chew Valley Lake today, with ID from @CraigerUK500 took us a while in the blustery conditions😊 @bristolbirding @CVLbirding

@neild1962 @dean_bolt @rhosvw @KenfigWarden Very nice find Neil. It’s a Glamorgan tick for me too so I’m doubly pleased

Delighted to have found this first winter male American Wigeon at Kenfig Pool this morning - the first on the reserve since 1985 & first for Glamorgan since 2000. Much better pics to come from big lens boys I'm sure!! @dean_bolt @rhosvw @KenfigWarden

Having spent the whole of 2024 not seeing any Black Redstarts I managed to connect with two today. The one in the photos was at Rhossili this morning, then later a second one at Overton around midday. A Firecrest at the sewage works also my first this year

A typically showy Snow Bunting (1st W male) was dodging the visitors in the NT car park at Rhossili today. It was a shining light on an otherwise gloomy day and lifted my spirits considerably to watch it feed at close range

Thank you to everyone who stood up for butterflies and signed our open letter 🦋🙌 Our work is not done yet. We will hand in your signatures to the Government on the 24th October. Sign up to receive campaign updates 👉 butrfli.es/4f9hAM5 #ButterflyEmergency

@bernieatpwll I think it’s probably ok Bernie. There is variation in how strong the ‘mask’ markings appear on Barnacle. The rest of the plumage looks spot on

Does the right hand bird have a little Canada influence?

@westcoastbw Thanks Dave. I hope it stick for your return home. In the meantime best of luck on North Ronaldsay

Few shots of the juv Little Crake that was still present at Bosherston Lily Ponds this afternoon. Elusive at times but occasionally venturing out into the open to show off its subtly cryptic markings and long-primary projection. A very smart bird that that I’ve dipped in the past

@MartinWoo66 Thanks Martin. I parked in the NT car park (because I have membership) which is at NW end of ponds but the council car park at Broad Haven is also handy. They are both about the same distance from where the bird is showing. Good luck for your visit

@markhipkin1 Great shots Mark. Any advice on parking in the area - not been to the site before and there appears to be a few car parks to chose from. Cheers. Martin

A real treat to see the North(west)ern Lights from the back garden in Neath tonight

Yesterday, I spent a 2nd day birding around Overton and was lucky enough to get views of the Red-breasted Flycatcher on three occasions. Contrary to expectations it showed best in heavy rain when it fed at low level. This shot captures what was probably my best view of it

@blodwyn50 Thanks both

@markhipkin1 Excellent find, well deserved Mark!!💚

I was stunned to find this 1stW R-b Flycatcher at Overton this PM. A very scarce bird locally with 8 previous accepted records in Glamorgan (5 of those in West Glam). The most recent record being 4/12/1983 from Whiteford. Luckily I managed a record photo of it. What a stunner!

@MikeCram5 Thanks Mike, no sadly it wasn’t seen again after I reported it around 2pm. About a dozen birders came to look for it with a few of us still there at 6pm.

@dm3ssag3 Thanks Paul. I hope it’s relocated tomorrow

@MikeCram5 Thanks Mike

Few photos of the stunning Hoopoe that graced the grassy area near Swansea Cenotaph this PM. A practically fearless bird was enjoyed by several local birders. Congrats & thanks to finder for putting news out so promptly after their find. This bird is ✅ 205 on my Glam year list

@sevans1032 Thanks Shaun. I’m hopeful that a relatively quiet Autumn so far will pick up in October and November. So far so good🤞

@markhipkin1 Nice shots Mark, nice easy one for you. Your Glam ✅ list is going well could do with a few more like this.

@neild1962 Thanks Neil

@markhipkin1 Cracking pics Mark 👍

@dm3ssag3 @StruthJones Nice one Paul. Those Magpies get way too close for my liking