The cover of "The Return of the Oystercatcher: Saving Birds to Save the Planet" by ornithologist and naturalist Scott Weidensaul, author of the New York Times best-selling "A World on the Wing." The image shows an adult oystercatcher and a chick on a beach.

Happy Earth Day! The Return of the Oystercatcher by Scott Weidensaul discusses what is/isn’t working in bird conservation around the world. I appreciate that the book left me feeling hopeful, although it didn’t gloss over the many challenges we face. #Books #BookSky 💙📚 #Birds #Ecology #Conservation

A color, macrophoto of a Robin perched on a branch in Virginia, during late April, 2026. The capture was taken during rain and the photographer snapped the photo at the split second a raindrop fell on the top of the bird's head, making it appear like a "natural" crown. 📸 Dawn Denise Boyer of Gloucester, Virginia

#WonderfulBirdWednesday

Right in the middle of rain, the photo was captured the split second a droplet of water landed on the #Robins head like a crown! 👑
04/2026

#Birds #Nature
#FlawlessTiming 🌟
#FMSPAD
#SomethingThatFlies
#Birdsky #Wildlife
#Photography
#BirdPhotography
#Macrophotography

"Pet 2"!
Shame on you!
😉 #TopDadJoke

Via @robcrank68.bsky.social :
Today's #BirdOfTheDay theme is #SplashingAround, any bird making a splash. The Alt Theme is #Green, any bird with green included in its plumage.

A Mute Swan, causing a few ripples, and a Green Woodhoopoe.

Nigel & Norman Northern Shoveler were having a little dispute over who would be dating Nicki Northern Shoveler, but it was taking a long time due to chasing each other in circles. But that meant they didn't see Nicki head off 'wing in wing' with Nicolas, and i'm sure both Nigel & Norman would laugh about it in the end. Captured at WWT London Wetlands.

Lisa Lesser Black-backed Gull was having a dip and splash before visiting the pamper parlour before heading out on a blind date, and No it wasn't set up by Cilla Black-backed Gull's Tv Show 'Blind Feathers'. Captured at WWT London Wetlands.

This was Lilly Little Egret before her appearance on the hit tv show 'Come Eat With Me, and just so you all know Lilly's version of 'Ratatouille' won the show. But it didn't end well because Julie Jay sued her in court over using meat in the Ratatouille dish because Julie was a vegetarian and didn't get told about the meat. Captured at WWT Martin Mere.

Here's Roger Rose-ringed Parakeet checking on his neighbour Rita because he hadn't seen her for a few days, what Roger didn't know was that Rita had gone on holiday to visit her family in Africa. She booked the trip on 'Pet 2' airways and was really looking forward to catching up with her family after being apart for several years. Captured at WWT London Wetlands.

Good Morning Everyone.

Today's #BirdOfTheDay theme is #SplashingAround, any bird making a splash. The Alt Theme is #Green, any bird with green included in its plumage.

#birds #photography #ECK #birdphotography #CanonR5mkii #ukbirding @wwtworldwide.bsky.social #BirdLife #naturephotography #wildlife

Alan @alan678.bsky.social has spoken:
"Today’s #BirdOfTheDay theme is #Petals&Perches any bird with flowers in capture. The alt is #WhatTheFlock any capture of three or more of the same bird."

A Dark-capped Bulbul on an aloe, and Yellow-billed storks for the Alt.

A male stonechat with a black head, white neck patch, and warm orange chest perches upright on a curved stem of bright yellow rapeseed flowers. It stands above a dense, softly blurred field of matching yellow blooms, creating a glowing golden backdrop. The bird faces slightly to the right, sharply in focus against the hazy sea of colour.

Good morning. Today’s #BirdOfTheDay theme is #Petals&Perches any bird with flowers in capture. The alt is #WhatTheFlock any capture of three or more of the same bird. Good luck. #birds #photography #ECK

From @robcrank68.bsky.social :

"Today's #BirdOfTheDay theme is #ComeEatWithMe, birds who have food in their beaks. The Alt Theme is #Turdidae, any of the bird species in this group."

A Siskin enjoying a sunflower heart.

Here is Lilly Little Egret who was out collecting food to cook for her guests on 'Come Eat With Me', for her main course Lilly had decided to cook her own version of 'Ratatouille' with a blended rat juice with the left over vegetables. Captured at WWT Martin Mere, Lancashire.

For his turn on 'Come Eat With Me' Gladwin Glossy Ibis was doing a Worn Stew, so he was busy out collecting as many worms as possible to make his dish stand out. Which he told me was his signature dish and could be a program winner, and get him a job as a chef somewhere. Although i did tell him it didn't sound too good, so i hope it tastes much better than it sounds. Captured at Summer Leys Nature Reserve, Northamptonshire.

Next up to cook her main course was Julie Jay, and she was out collecting Nuts when she came across Jordan Jay's Nuts he had lost from Alan's #FeederFriends theme. Julie's dish was going to be a Nut Roast made with monkey nuts instead of walnuts & pecans, although i let her know she would need more that one type of nut for it she told me to go find some other bird to pester. Captured at Forest Farm Nature Reserve, Cardiff.

For the final episode of 'Come Eat With Me' it is Ricky Robin and he was going to be making his signature Bug Burgers for everyone to enjoy, he did give me a piece to try and i said it could do with a bit of beef in there. On hearing this Ricky shook his head and said some words i can't repeat before the 'birdshed' (the airtime before the little birds go to bed), so i left him to it. Captured at Forest Farm Nature Reserve, Cardiff.

Good morning all.

Today's #BirdOfTheDay theme is #ComeEatWithMe, birds who have food in their beaks. The Alt Theme is #Turdidae, any of the bird species in this group.

#birds #photography #ECK #CanonR5mkii #birdphotography #ukbirding @rspb.bsky.social #ForJanet @wwtworldwide.bsky.social #wildlife

For the #BirdOfTheDay alt theme #CaptionThis , the Knob-billed Duck had so many possibilities, all of which would get me banned from Bluesky.
So, I've gone with this African Pied Kingfisher, (which I may have posted before in the past)

"I'm telling you, it was this big!"

From @alan678.bsky.social
The #BirdOfTheDay theme is #ABCD, let’s do this, any bird beginning any part of their name with these letters. Extra points for a set using all. 🤓 The alt is #CaptionThis a funny caption with any bird capture.

Arrow-marked babbler, Brimstone Canary & Knob-billed Duck. ✅

A Dunnock (hedge sparrow) stands on a moss-covered rock, facing directly toward the camera. Its plumage shows soft brown tones on the back and wings, with a slate-grey head and chest. The bird’s fine, pointed bill and pinkish legs are visible as it grips the stone, while its slightly puffed feathers give it a round, alert appearance against a smooth green blurred background.

Good morning. The #BirdOfTheDay theme is #ABCD, let’s do this, any bird beginning any part of their name with these letters. Extra points for a set using all. 🤓 The alt is #CaptionThis a funny caption with any bird capture. Twofer.

“ Call that a lens? I’ve seen bigger” 😀

#Dunnock #birds #ECK

A Comma Butterfly on Verbena Bonariensis flowers against a red background. The Butterfly is centre of frame and turned slightly to face the right. It has stumpier wings than most butterfly’s, coloured orange-brown and dotted with black spots. The verbena has a cluster of lilac/purple flowers at the end of a long stem. A second verbena head is partly visible in the bottom right hand corner. The background is an out focus Red

🦋
It’s the final day of #ButterflyWeek, I hope you’ve enjoyed it as much as I have.
For my final entry I have a Comma Butterfly on Verbena bonariensis against a red background.

#photography #BugSky #bloomscrolling #nature #thelittlethings #ECK #Butterflies #ColorADay #OrangeSun #Stunday

A Green-backed Camaroptera for @javajanegallery.co.uk on #SmallBirdSaturday.

Rob @robcrank68.bsky.social says:
"Today's #BirdOfTheDay theme is #DucksOutOfWater, any Duck that is out of the water but NOT FLYING. The Alt Theme is #Finches, any Finch will do."

This odd looking chap is a Mallard/Runner Duck hybrid at one of the local ponds. The result of a domesticated escapee!

Close-up of a European goldfinch perched on a slender branch, its vivid red face mask and black-and-white head sharply lit against a dark, blurred background. Warm golden light highlights its buff chest and delicate feathers, while its feet grip the twig as it looks alertly to the side.

Good morning, my cohost Rob @robcrank68.bsky.social has said “ today's #BirdOfTheDay theme is #DucksOutOfWater, any Duck that is out of the water but NOT FLYING. The Alt Theme is #Finches, any Finch will do.” I’m going with the alt for now. #birds #photography #ECK

Saturday means
#SmallBirdSaturday
#LittleBirds
#birds
#naturephotography
#ECK

Monty & Melissa Mallard out for an evening stroll, only to be confronted by the paparazzi. On seeing the cameras Monty led Melissa into the bushes.... Not for what you're thinking though, it was just to hide away. Captured at Summer Leys Nature Reserve.

Gabby Gadwall was standing on the log after taking a bath, she had a shake off then started her arduous preening routine... Yes even female ducks take their time getting ready for a night out. Captured at Tophill Low Nature Reserve.

Ruby Ruddy Shelduck had just got out of the water, and was heading for shelter behind the mound of weeds. She needed some alone time after a night out with Gabby Gadwall, she said never again after that session but we all know she doesn't mean it. Captured at Tophill Low Nature Reserve.

Tina Tufted Ducks was sat all alone pondering as to why Gabby Gadwall & Ruby Ruddy Shelduck didn't invite her out the night before. So she was feeling sorry for herself so I told her to get a grip, before she waddled off muttering to herself. Captured at Summer Leys Nature Reserve.

Today's #BirdOfTheDay theme is #DucksOutOfWater, any Duck that is out of the water but NOT FLYING. The Alt Theme is #Finches, any Finch will do.

#birds #ECK #CanonR5mkii #ukbirding #photography @rspb.bsky.social #birdphotography #BirdLife #naturephotography #DuckLife #wildlife

"The #BirdOfTheDay theme today is #FeederFriends birds you might see at your feeder. They do not have to be on a feeder. The alt is #Waders. Any wading bird."
- via @alan678.bsky.social

Black-winged Stilts for the #Waders alt

Close-up of a European greenfinch perched sideways on a wire seed feeder, its olive-green body and yellow-edged wings softly lit against a dark, blurred background. The bird grips the feeder with one pink foot while the other hangs slightly, its pale, conical beak and dark eye sharply in focus as it pauses between feeding.

The #BirdOfTheDay theme today is #FeederFriends birds you might see at your feeder. They do not have to be on a feeder. The alt is #Waders. Any wading bird. Good luck friends. #birds #photography #ECK

Good to know it's not just me. 👍
Thanks

Is Bluesky being weird?
Or is it just me?

From ‪@robcrank68.bsky.social‬

Today's #BirdOfTheDay theme is #HeadShots, any head shot will do, the Alt Theme is #Gulls.

A Southern red-billed Hornbill.

Good morning.

Today's #BirdOfTheDay theme is #HeadShots, any head shot will do, the Alt Theme is #Gulls.

Here's a Goldeneye, Northern Gannets, Mistle Thrush & Black-necked Grebes from various venues in 2026.

#birds #ECK #CanonR5mkii #ukbirding #BirdLife #birdphotography #portraits #naturetherapy

A headshot of a male Mallard on the water. The bird is visible from the neck up and its neck and head take up the bottom, right side of the frame. The left side of its neck, head and bill are visible in the bright sunshine and its iridescent green plumage is very prominent. Drops of water can be seen on its head and neck. The background is still water with a bright, almost milky sheen from the sunshine

🪶 @robcrank68.bsky.social has chosen #headshots for today’s #birdoftheday theme.
Alternative is #gulls

Here’s a close up shot of a male Mallard in the sunshine.

#birds #birdsofbluesky #birdphotography #ECK #irishbirding #naturephotography #duck #sunshine #coloraday #yellowthu #iridescent

Close-up portrait of a Great Cormorant against a clear blue sky, showing its dark, textured feathers, striking turquoise eye, and long hooked bill with a bright yellow patch at the base of the throat. Expert diver: Great cormorants can dive to impressive depths (often 10–20 metres) to chase fish underwater using powerful feet rather than wings. • No waterproofing (on purpose): Unlike many waterbirds, their feathers aren’t fully waterproof. This reduces buoyancy, helping them dive more efficiently—hence that classic wing-spreading pose to dry off. • Hooked bill advantage: That sharp, hooked tip is perfect for gripping slippery fish—like built-in fishing gear. • Widespread species: Found across the UK, Europe, Asia, and beyond—they’re just as at home on inland lakes as coastal cliffs.

My cohost Rob @robcrank68.bsky.social has said today’s

#BirdOfTheDay theme is #HeadShots, any head shot will do, the Alt Theme is #Gulls.

I’ve went with a Great Cormorant again, it came and sat beside me. Had to slide my butt backwards to take a shot.

Info in Alt.

#birds #photography #ECK

Good morning. The #BirdOfTheDay theme today is #LeafandLight any bird captured in sunlight with leaves in frame.

A Sedge Warbler sitting high in the reeds on cracking sunny day.

#birding #birds #birdsuk #ECK #birdphotography #wildlifephotography #naturephotography @alan678.bsky.social

Beautiful image.

The #BirdOfTheDay alt theme is #CourtshiporConflict birds courting or squabbling.
So here are some Mute Swans, in romantic mode.

The #BirdOfTheDay theme today from
@alan678.bsky.social
is #LeafandLight any bird captured in sunlight with leaves in frame. The alt is #CourtshiporConflict birds courting or squabbling.

A White-fronted Bee-eater