Mark Simmonds
@markbirdingpinoso.bsky.social
Now living in Pinoso Spain. Birdwatching and wildlife are one of my passions in life.
Pinned
I think this is probably the best photo I have ever taken? Chiffchaff looking at its reflection at the local spring. What do you all think? Hopefully I might get a re-post or two? View full screen. #birds #birdphotography
Another butterfly from my trip to France - Clouded Yellow. Loads seen as in the UK this year. Common early on here but none seen for a few months now. #butterfly #butterflyphotography #butterflies #naturephotography #insects
September 16, 2026 at 4:09 PM
Another butterfly from my trip to France - Clouded Yellow. Loads seen as in the UK this year. Common early on here but none seen for a few months now. #butterfly #butterflyphotography #butterflies #naturephotography #insects
My first decent photo of a Blue Tit taken on my recent trip to France. A scarce and elusive bird in the Alicante region but a common garden bird elsewhere. Such beautiful birds that I think we take for granted. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #France
September 16, 2026 at 6:08 AM
My first decent photo of a Blue Tit taken on my recent trip to France. A scarce and elusive bird in the Alicante region but a common garden bird elsewhere. Such beautiful birds that I think we take for granted. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #France
Whilst in France I was lucky to find a new species that I had not seen before - the Sooty Copper. Very distinctive. The area I was staying north of Bordeaux was great for butterflies. #butterfly #butterflyphotography #butterflies #insects #naturephotography
September 15, 2026 at 2:46 PM
Whilst in France I was lucky to find a new species that I had not seen before - the Sooty Copper. Very distinctive. The area I was staying north of Bordeaux was great for butterflies. #butterfly #butterflyphotography #butterflies #insects #naturephotography
I have just driven back from a friends wedding in France. A long 6 days round trip. However I was pleased to see so many European Pied Flycatchers breeding in my friends garden north of Bordeaux. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #France
September 15, 2026 at 7:36 AM
I have just driven back from a friends wedding in France. A long 6 days round trip. However I was pleased to see so many European Pied Flycatchers breeding in my friends garden north of Bordeaux. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #France
Another super juvenile European Bee-eater near Pinoso. This one was trying to stay cool whilst watching for insects to catch. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #Alicante
September 14, 2026 at 6:00 AM
Another super juvenile European Bee-eater near Pinoso. This one was trying to stay cool whilst watching for insects to catch. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #Alicante
I do wonder what the Mallard and Coot were discussing at Clot Del Galvany last week? Any thoughts? I do love the blue on the Mallards wing even though it is eclipse plumage. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #Alicante
September 13, 2026 at 5:14 PM
I do wonder what the Mallard and Coot were discussing at Clot Del Galvany last week? Any thoughts? I do love the blue on the Mallards wing even though it is eclipse plumage. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #Alicante
This Western Cattle Egret seemed to be checking itself out at Clot Del Galvany!! #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #Alicante
September 12, 2026 at 6:27 AM
This Western Cattle Egret seemed to be checking itself out at Clot Del Galvany!! #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #Alicante
What a great shot from Lyndy👍🏽👍🏽
September 11, 2026 at 2:27 PM
What a great shot from Lyndy👍🏽👍🏽
Never an easy one to catch in flight but nice to have a fly over European Bee-eater with wasp near Pinoso. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #Alicante
September 11, 2026 at 11:26 AM
Never an easy one to catch in flight but nice to have a fly over European Bee-eater with wasp near Pinoso. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #Alicante
Another view of one of the Western Red-rumped Swallows from the other day. I love their chestnut napes and rumps. Safe journey. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #Alicante
September 10, 2026 at 6:47 AM
Another view of one of the Western Red-rumped Swallows from the other day. I love their chestnut napes and rumps. Safe journey. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #Alicante
European Bee-eaters are passing through in good numbers now. This adult was one of 45 on my local patch. This small group stopped off to feed for a while and performed amazingly. #birdoftheday #ABCD birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #Alicante
September 9, 2026 at 6:26 AM
European Bee-eaters are passing through in good numbers now. This adult was one of 45 on my local patch. This small group stopped off to feed for a while and performed amazingly. #birdoftheday #ABCD birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #Alicante
This morning it was the Western Red-rumped Swallows gathering on the wires at Monte Coto. Such beautiful birds - resting in the early morning light before heading south. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #Alicante
September 8, 2026 at 9:30 AM
This morning it was the Western Red-rumped Swallows gathering on the wires at Monte Coto. Such beautiful birds - resting in the early morning light before heading south. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #Alicante
I was definitely getting a stern look from this Barn Swallow on my local patch this morning. Good migration today with Garden Warbler and Common Whitethroat (both very scarce migrants in Alicante region) in the same bush. 143 species in September so far👍🏽 #birds #birdphotography #birding
September 7, 2026 at 11:09 AM
I was definitely getting a stern look from this Barn Swallow on my local patch this morning. Good migration today with Garden Warbler and Common Whitethroat (both very scarce migrants in Alicante region) in the same bush. 143 species in September so far👍🏽 #birds #birdphotography #birding
European Bee-eaters are starting to pass through the area in good numbers now. Even get groups over my garden everyday here in Pinoso. This young bird was busy feeding on wasps. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #Alicante
September 6, 2026 at 6:52 AM
European Bee-eaters are starting to pass through the area in good numbers now. Even get groups over my garden everyday here in Pinoso. This young bird was busy feeding on wasps. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #Alicante
Some nice Red-veined Darters at my local spring this afternoon. Also saw Emperor and Lesser Emperor and Orange-winged Dropwing. #dragonfly #dragonflyphotography #dragonflies #naturephotography #insects
September 5, 2026 at 2:46 PM
Some nice Red-veined Darters at my local spring this afternoon. Also saw Emperor and Lesser Emperor and Orange-winged Dropwing. #dragonfly #dragonflyphotography #dragonflies #naturephotography #insects
Well this was a first for me - a juvenile Pin-tailed Sandgrouse on my local steppe. I saw 3 pairs with fully grown young - so they have obviously bred nearby. Quite different from the adult plumage. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #Alicante
September 5, 2026 at 6:38 AM
Well this was a first for me - a juvenile Pin-tailed Sandgrouse on my local steppe. I saw 3 pairs with fully grown young - so they have obviously bred nearby. Quite different from the adult plumage. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #Alicante
Another shot of the Pallid Swift from the other day at the local spring. Just the odd one about now. Will miss them. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #swifts #Alicante
September 4, 2026 at 6:27 AM
Another shot of the Pallid Swift from the other day at the local spring. Just the odd one about now. Will miss them. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #swifts #Alicante
Starting to see signs of migration down here now. This Pied Flycatcher was one of 3 at my local patch as well as a Common Redstart. Today I had 3 Northern Wheatear and a Whinchat on the local steppe. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #Alicante
September 3, 2026 at 2:23 PM
Starting to see signs of migration down here now. This Pied Flycatcher was one of 3 at my local patch as well as a Common Redstart. Today I had 3 Northern Wheatear and a Whinchat on the local steppe. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #Alicante
This winter plumaged White-headed Duck was certainly keeping an eye on me at Clot Del Galvany. Interesting how they loose the blue bill. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #Alicante
September 3, 2026 at 7:07 AM
This winter plumaged White-headed Duck was certainly keeping an eye on me at Clot Del Galvany. Interesting how they loose the blue bill. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #Alicante
Another stunning butterfly this time from Malaysia - the Tawny Coster. Truly a beautiful species. #butterfly #butterflyphotography #naturephotography #butterflies #insects
September 2, 2026 at 2:02 PM
Another stunning butterfly this time from Malaysia - the Tawny Coster. Truly a beautiful species. #butterfly #butterflyphotography #naturephotography #butterflies #insects
My #birdoftheday #itsallwhite is the Western Cattle Egret taken at Clot Del Galvany yesterday. #birds #birdphotography #birding
September 2, 2026 at 7:30 AM
My #birdoftheday #itsallwhite is the Western Cattle Egret taken at Clot Del Galvany yesterday. #birds #birdphotography #birding
I see or hear Crested Tit on my local patch (Monte Coto) all the time but they are notorious difficult to photograph. This one popped out briefly giving me time to grab a shot. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #Alicante
September 2, 2026 at 6:58 AM
I see or hear Crested Tit on my local patch (Monte Coto) all the time but they are notorious difficult to photograph. This one popped out briefly giving me time to grab a shot. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #Alicante
The 1st September and a free day - so down to El Hondo and Santa Pola. I had a great session with the Little Terns again. The sky was very dark but the sun was out giving amazing lighting. Such characterful terns. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #Alicante
September 1, 2026 at 3:32 PM
The 1st September and a free day - so down to El Hondo and Santa Pola. I had a great session with the Little Terns again. The sky was very dark but the sun was out giving amazing lighting. Such characterful terns. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #Alicante
Spot the Short-toed Treecreeper. I often see or hear them on my local patch (Monte Coto) but I actually got a couple of shots yesterday. Amazingly camouflaged against the pine bark. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #Alicante
August 31, 2026 at 6:29 AM
Spot the Short-toed Treecreeper. I often see or hear them on my local patch (Monte Coto) but I actually got a couple of shots yesterday. Amazingly camouflaged against the pine bark. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #Alicante
Another butterfly from Kaeng Krachan in Thailand - The Rustic. A forest dwelling species. Another stunner. #butterfly #butterflyphotography #butterflies #naturephotography #insects
August 30, 2026 at 4:32 PM
Another butterfly from Kaeng Krachan in Thailand - The Rustic. A forest dwelling species. Another stunner. #butterfly #butterflyphotography #butterflies #naturephotography #insects