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Emma Barker

@bitsnbirds

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Birds etc
Wildlife enthusiast photographing my finds
© @emmalouiseb2
📍 Surrey/LDN

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🚨 WATER VOLE ALERT 🚨

What an absolute pleasure to see this lil fella pop out the reeds at RSPB Fowlmere last week. I've never had the privilege of seeing a water vole, which sadly isn't surprising seeing as they are the UKs most endangered mammal.

Since reading Elegy for a River last year, about how the rivers in the UK have drastically changed in recent years and the conservation efforts around this, I have been fascinated by the humble but so very important water vole, so I can't tell you how amazing it was to get the chance to see one. taken in Fowlmere RSPB reserve by @bitsnbirds

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4 months ago

🐍 ADDER 🐍

I was absolutely over the moon to get up close and not too personal with this magnificent adder at Pulborough Brooks a couple of weeks ago.

I've never been lucky enough to spot one in the wild, so thank you so much to the kind gentleman who waved me down and pointed it out to me whilst I was too distracted by a pigeon. It was just in the undergrowth right next to the path basking in the sun (the adder, not the man). taken in Pulborough by @bitsnbirds

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6 months ago

Me going into the new year like 😱

Continuing my new tradition of posting once a year, I thought I'd start early for 2026.

Edited a few more photos from my wonderful trip to the Isle of May in July and this wee kittiwake summed up the *screaming* vibes as we head into a new year.

I'm still out there rolling around in the mud and hiding behind trees looking for birdies but it's rare that I take my camera now and even more rare that I post about it but I couldn't resist when something is so CUTE AND FLUFFY.

But who knows new year, new me maybe? 🐤 taken in Isle of May National Nature Reserve by @bitsnbirds

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9 months ago

Puffin on the Isle of May 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Well well well, it's been over a year and a half since I posted anything on this account LOL. I've had so many adventures in that time, but I completely fell out of love with lugging my camera around.

A couple of days before I went to Scotland last month to visit my 1st puffin colony, my work pals convinced me that I'd be totally bonkers not to take my camera and they were completely right.

Anstruther and the boat trip over to the Isle of May were a dream come true and we had the most beautiful time.

I don't even know how to use Instagram anymore and I'm pretty sure just hashtagging #puffin won't help me.

I certainly won't be doing any dances for engagement but I'll use this to keep a little photo album from my wildlife adventures.

It's nice to be back. by @bitsnbirds

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a year ago

Dartford Warbler warbling 🌼

I know what you're thinking, yes I'm still alive and yes I still like birds. Last year was a bit less nature-y than I had planned. Wild in all sorts of other crazy ways, but a distinct lack of birds. There were lots of adventures, but I didn't even really bring my camera and sometimes I kinda liked it.

But this year I'm going to try and get back out there exploring and I really want to dust off that camera.

Watch this space! I don't even know what's cool on Instagram anymore, send help 👵

(Hopefully I'll not just see you next year when I'm writing the same post 👀) taken in Thursley Common by @bitsnbirds

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3 years ago

Lesser Whitethroat 🌿

What do you mean you waited for this lesser whitethroat to come out of hiding for a ridiculously long amount of time, crouched in the mud, repeatedly saying 'just five more minutes', whilst you slowing dehydrated to the point of shrivelling up because you'd left your water in the car, only to not post it for 6 months.

Yeah, that sounds about right. Soz about me. taken in Staines Moor SSSI by @bitsnbirds

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3 years ago

Reed Warbler 🌾

Spent a lovely afternoon at my local tiny wetlands yesterday and discovered a wee family of reed warblers flitting amongst the reeds (obvs).

I haven't been there for a while and was chuffed to find them so went back in the early hours in the hope of them deciding to actually pop up above the reeds and say hi.

Eventually they obliged and I've finally landed some decent photos that aren't a bit of grass with a blurred warbler arse just going out of the frame.

They are bloody difficult to photograph though. They are QUICK and as soon as you've managed to locate them in the view finder they are back hiding in the reeds again.

I felt like I was in Jurassic Park hunting for the raptors, immediately looking at any rustling in the long grass. by @bitsnbirds

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3 years ago

Jackdaw in Tintagel

Staring directly into your soul, he knows all your secrets 👀

Whipping out this little vintage number from a delightful trip to Cornwall earlier this year. taken in Tintagel, Cornwall by @bitsnbirds

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3 years ago

The Sedge Warblers of Staines 🌾🌼

Did my first wee birding adventure in a VERY long time this past weekend and it was so good for the soul. I always forget how great you feel after you've got outdoors until I actually do it and I'm like 'why am I not doing this every day?!' The sun is shining and Spring is hereeeee 🌞

I got gifted new binos for my birthday from my absolutely marvellous pals so watch this space.. I may be back baby! (OR I might just be a really bad Instagrammer and disappear into the abyss again but rest assured I'm definitely out frolicking in a field somewhere) taken in Staines Moor SSSI by @bitsnbirds

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3 years ago

HELLO! I'M BACK! 🌞

I've been MIA for a little while, life got a bit wild and I popped to Malaysia & Borneo for a couple of weeks with my bestie. We were backpacking so I didn't manage to take my camera (as I didn't even have enough room for pants) but here's a few snippets of what went on.

Hope everyone is doing good, sending lots of love to all my naturey pals xo taken in Malaysia by @bitsnbirds

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3 years ago

New love unlocked 🔓💘

When I was in Cornwall last month I developed a wee bit of an obsession with the magnificent Fulmar, spending way too long watching them glide around the cliffs when I could have been safe in the warm with a pint of Doombar.

They had already got their nesting spots locked down, snuggled up in pairs and shouting at any rogue birds that tried to sneak into their territory.

Fulmars actually cough up a gross smelling oil from their stomachs as a defence mechanism to keep predator birds away. It creates a gummy substance on their wings that prevents them from flying so they plunge to their deaths.

Cute facts from Emma on a Sunday x taken in Lizard Point, Cornwall by @bitsnbirds

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4 years ago

Baby's 1st Short Eared Owl 🙌

Took a cheeky trip to see the famous SEOs yesterday. It was beautiful, I love them, tears were shed, biscuits were eaten, what a great day.

Honestly watching these birds fly around so majestically, with arguably one of the cutest faces in the owl world, is so special. taken in Farlington Marshes by @bitsnbirds

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4 years ago