The Birding Collective

The Birding Collective Hi, Im Austin and im padditonate about birding.

So here is a space whete I can connect with communities and unite people through a shared passion for observing and appreciating wild birds and wildlife. Welcome, I am Austin a photographer based in the North West of England, but will happily photograph weddings all over the UK. I look forward to hearing your story soon but in the meantime enjoy having a look around or find out more about what I o

ffer below. I love all types of photography and specialize in weddings, newborns and family portrait photography and I know everyone is different so I strive to tailor your wedding photography around you from start to finish.

18/06/2026

Ever looked up and wondered if that’s a Swallow or a House Martin darting through the sky?Here is your 5-second cheat sheet:Swallow: Long, deeply forked tail. All-dark back. Red throat. 🦅House Martin: Short, square tail. Bright white rump. Pure white belly. ☁️Pro tip: Swallows nest inside buildings. House Martins build mud cups outside under the eaves! 🏡

18/06/2026

Scarborough’s wildlife spectacle as their towns kittiwake population is officially shifting! 📈🪹

Local birders (Scarborough Birders) just released the official data for the 2026 breeding season. The town’s urban Kittiwake population didn't just grow—it exploded by 20% in a single year, reaching a record approximately 1,500 occupied nests right on our local buildings! 🐣

With North Yorkshire Council currently debating whether to construct dedicated artificial nesting structures to handle the guano and noise, the big question is: How do we balance saving an endangered species with keeping our town clean?Drop your thoughts below! 👇🌊

17/06/2026

Want to level up your birding game? 🪵🦅

Here are the 3 things you actually need to get started:

1️⃣ The Right Gear: Skip the massive zoom. Grab a pair of 8x42 binoculars. They give you a wider view and let in plenty of light for early mornings.
2️⃣ The Ethics: Put the birds first. Keep your distance from nests, stay on the marked trails, and use bird call playbacks sparingly so you don’t stress them out.
3️⃣ The Apps: Download Merlin Bird ID to identify songs in real-time, and use eBird to log your sightings for science.Drop your favorite birding spot or your go-to gear in the comments! 👇

16/06/2026

Stop scrolling! 🛑
Think all gulls look exactly the same? Let's fix that in 15 seconds. Here is your ultimate cheat sheet to spot the difference between a Black-headed Gull and a Mediterranean Gull! 🕊️✨

Save this for your next beach walk or twitching trip! ‼️

🖤 THE WINGTIP TRICK (Easiest way!)Black-headed: Look for distinct BLACK ink tips on the wings.Med Gull: Completely PURE WHITE wings—zero black markings!

🎭 THE HEADWEAR: Black-headed: Chocolate-brown summer hood 🟤 or winter "headphones" ear spot 🎧Med Gull: Deep jet-black summer hood ⚫ or a smudgy winter "black eye" mask 🐼

15/06/2026

Master the Collared Dove call in 60 seconds! 🕊️⏱️

Ever hear that repetitive, three-note bird call in your garden and wonder what it is? It is NOT a woodpigeon! It is the Eurasian Collared Dove, and learning their distinct "song" is incredibly easy once you know the rhythm.

14/06/2026

⚠️ OFFICIAL NATURAL HISTORY WARNING:

Side effects of birding may include spontaneous purchases of expensive glass, extreme opinions on gull wingtips, and an alarmingly healthy brain.
🧠🔬

We need to talk about the additive effect of birdwatching. It is a highly slippery, cumulative slope. Save this warning before you succumb to the addiction! 👇

14/06/2026

Imagine finding a bird so rare it sparks the biggest "twitch" in an island's history! 🏝️🦅

Back in June 2015, a stunning male Cretzschmar's Bunting was found by Elfyn Thomas up on Bardsey Island (Ynys Enlli) in North Wales. This was only the 6th time this southeastern European species had ever been recorded in Great Britain!For 11 days, this incredible vagrant hung out at the Bardsey Bird Observatory, drawing over 500 birdwatchers who rushed onto boats just to catch a glimpse. 🛥️✨

How to spot one:
🐦 Rusty-orange throat (unlike the yellow throat of an Ortolan Bunting)
👁️ Bold white eye-ring
🎨 Lead-grey head & uniform rusty-brown body

Drop a ❤️ if you love rare bird sightings!

14/06/2026

Get ready to level up your bird-watching game? 🦅✨ Before you grab your binoculars and head out, here are 3 essential tips to spot more wildlife today!

👇 Which tip are you trying first? Let me know in the comments!

13/06/2026

We’ve all been guilty of these, we’ve all been too excited, too loud and have taken that extra step towards a bird, only for it to flush. While the bird was feeding on the river opposite the castle a group gathered on the far western side of the banks. Between the boats. Here the bird was feeding and happily undisturbed before more birders joined the growing crowed. One or two people took a chances to get too close and many where very clicks, very loud. Just shut up. Be quiet around these situations.

13/06/2026

Are you struggling to tell the UK's dark-backed gulls apart? 🐦

Here is the ultimate trick to separating Lesser and Great Black-backed Gulls in seconds! 👇

They might look similar at first glance, but key differences in their legs, size, and back colour give them away every time:
🦵 Lesser Black-backed Gull:Legs: Bright yellow (your best clue!)Size: Similar to a Herring Gull, slim and elegant.Back: Dark slate-grey (noticeably lighter than the Great).
👹 Great Black-backed Gull:Legs: Pale pink or flesh-coloured.Size: Enormous! The world's largest gull with a massive, heavy bill.Back: Jet-black (darker coat than the Lesser).Save this video for your next trip to the coast or reservoir!

🌊Have you managed to spot the massive Great Black-backed Gull yet? Let me know in the comments! 👇

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