Sam Goddard

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

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!

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

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.

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.

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. milescluffphotography.com

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.

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

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

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.

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

@samgod96 @_TCartz @pseudoliam @InstaBirders Well caught Sam, best images so far of a not easy bird to photograph. 👏

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.

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

Another day, another bold wader. This juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper was quite content feeding on the excess of invertebrates along the shoreline around us. macaulaylibrary.org/asset/643444040

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.

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

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.

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

@samgod96 Awesome, the juveniles always give you a bit more don't they. Lovely video.

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

One of two 1W Caspian Gulls at Derby River Gardens this morning. Quite amusing to meet Neil who found the first, then finding another nearby. Very smart birds and not what you’d necessarily expect in the city centre! @Derbyshirebirds

Nice to find 2 Garganey this afternoon at Willington Wetlands, an adult female and a juvenile bird. One eventually showed fairly well. A long awaited county tick and 194 in my Derbys list, edging closer to the magical 200… @Derbyshirebirds