Terence Baker

@BigAlStrood There were Chalkhill blue in that second site in Fackenham Down, and also I saw one at that part where I met you. No Dark-green fritillary.

Narrow-lipped helleborine (Epipactis leptochila) ... just outside of London; July 21, 2024. I found ca. 15 Broad-leaved helleborine (Epipactis helleborine) before I found what for me is a new species of orchid.

Quite rightly the excitement at @Erith_Marshes this morning was the US gull Franklin's gull, but also notable was this leucisitc Black-headed gull found while scanning for the rarity at Crossness. @LondonBirdClub

My 30th U.K. orchid species today, mostly all in the country's south. My eyes suddenly stared at a Bog orchid (Hammarbya paludosa). If I'd searched, I doubt I'd have seen it. In squelchy turf, not surprisingly, and only the one. Maybe 8cms in height. @Hotel_News_Now @ukorchids

The singing Cirl bunting in Sussex did not fail to disappoint on a gloriously sunny Sunday morning at 6:45 a.m. Species no. 333 for the U.K. for me. And about a dozen Whithethroat. @Hotel_News_Now #SussexBirding

@RobsBirding Brilliant, you're getting the species! A little too far for me to get to after work.

Really great views of the Cliff Swallow at Joss Bay in Kent this afternoon 😊.

@RobsBirding Thanks immensely, Rob. Great to have a definite ID, and for a new U.K. species for me. I once saw a male adult in summer plumage in Svalbard, which remains one of my best birding memories. Hope to see you birding.

@Terence_Baker Hi Terence, i have DM you 😊

Small flock of Golden Plover over Oare Marshes from last week 😊

@CloughBarry @BDSdragonflies Good to hear from you, Barry. I went to Warnham last week on my way to getting my wife from Gatwick. Hope all is well, too.

@Terence_Baker @BDSdragonflies Hi Terence, hope you're well. Yep, male Southern Hawker I reckon.

I found this in Forest Hill, South London, today, July 30. It was on its own, perched still, maybe settling down before the rain came. Southern hawker? I read there is a blue form!? Any ID help and notes would be gratefully received. Thank you. @BDSdragonflies #dragonflies

When birds are hiding. Brown argus; Dainty damselfly (so said experts @Sandwichbirdobs; I personally am inexperienced in odonata); Wall lizard (thanks @BarryWright12) and, finally, a new orchid species for me, Marsh helleborine. How beautiful is this this! Took a long search.

After dipping at least 5 times, this w/e, Black-crowned night heron. Waited 30 mins, & suddenly there it was. When I lived in US, we'd not pay attention to them. Always showy, but here all they do is an evening flight, then disappear. Beautiful Roseate tern shots, @BarryWright12

@RockinBantam Probably our paths crossed. I used to do the lights at the Venue on Sat. nights, even some DJing when the residents were on holidays. Used to pretty much live in the Dewdrop on Fordham Park; lived in Sanford Close, New Cross. First went to the Harp Cub when it was Flim Flams

@Terence_Baker Likewise, great to meet you. Better than the Batz? Just about! Will maybe see one or two of the mid-80s crowd at Psychobilly Freakout at the New Cross Inn at the end of October. Safe to say I won't be doing much birding that weekend.

Crossness: Did not expect to find a Short-eared Owl perched yards from the path this morning. Having dropped out of sight it was then picked up by @Terence_Baker in flight, being mobbed before departing high south. Uncropped phone photos #londonbirds

@thameswater @zimmer_donna Short-eared owl found today ca. 9:30 a.m. by @RockinBantam at Crossness. Wow, I wish I'd been where Tim (iphone & bins) was crouched as I (600mm lens and bins) only saw it as it left its perch & flew towards Yarnton Way. Still needed cropping! @SeowlsUk

#hotels firm @Accor feeling confident enough to issue already RevPAR guidance for FY23. “Of between 5% to 9%. ... We feel strong enough to state this, and we usually do not do this until later in the financial year.” Hinting at higher, too! costar.com/article/567158… @Hotel_News_Now

@AlexCarlisle01 That darker ring around the neck! Brilliant.

Sabine's Gull in Hampshire

West Ham, definitely in need of a goal-scorer, sign Danny Ings from Aston VIlla. I do like both Miguel Antonio and Gianluca Scamacca,, so hopefully this new signing will bring out the best in both of them. Ings will instantly recognise the colours we play in.

In October, on Tresco, as I was watching a Cattle egret, Curlew sandpiper and Whinchat on The Great Pool, across the footpath lurched this @ftasticplastic Lady Amherst’s pheasant. Cool as you like. I had never seen one, though, so it was notable.