Bird of the Day, theme 'Lifer'

natureJul 8, 20261323,561

Bird of the Day is a daily community event and today's theme is #Lifer, asking participants to share the last new-to-you bird they saw, with an alternate theme of #BirdsILove. The gallery centers on recent lifer encounters and birds participants cherish, including travel lifers like a glossy ibis and a Red-footed Falcon and backyard finds such as a Rose-breasted Grosbeak and an Indigo Bunting. Other standout posts feature a male Satin Bowerbird, a Willow Tit photographed in the New Forest, and a Great Blue Heron sleeping at sunrise. Browse the feed under #Lifer or #BirdsILove to see these captures and contribute your own lifer.

Alan H

@alan678.bsky.social

Good morning. The #BirdOfTheDay theme: #Lifer Capture/ captures of the last new to you bird you’ve seen. Alt #BirdsILove Birds you love to see. Heard often but never seen, Eurasian Skylark. In serious decline and UK classified red, endangered. Lots of Info in alt #birds #photography #ECK

A Eurasian Skylark stands upright on the flat top of a weathered wooden fence post, surrounded by a strand of barbed wire and a few delicate meadow grasses. Its warm brown, intricately streaked plumage blends beautifully with the muted countryside, while its small crest is slightly raised, giving the bird an alert expression. The skylark gazes to the right against a beautifully smooth green background that isolates the subject, highlighting the fine feather detail and the subtle buff tones of its face and underparts. The simple rural setting reflects the open farmland and grassland habitat where this iconic songbird thrives.

Facts about the Eurasian Skylark (Alauda arvensis)

* One of Britain’s greatest songsters: The male is famous for its prolonged song flight, rising almost vertically hundreds of metres into the sky before hovering and singing continuously for several minutes—sometimes over 20 minutes.
* Distinctive crest: Although small, the skylark can raise the feathers on its crown into a short crest when alert or displaying.
* Ground nester: Unlike many songbirds, skylarks build their nests directly on the ground, concealed amongst grasses and crops.
* Diet: They feed mainly on seeds and young shoots during autumn and winter, switching to insects, spiders and other invertebrates during the breeding season to feed growing chicks.
* Habitat: Prefers open landscapes such as farmland, meadows, heathland and coastal grasslands, avoiding woodland and dense hedgerows.
* Camouflage: Their beautifully streaked brown plumage provides excellent camouflage against soil and dry grasses, making them surprisingly difficult to spot when not singing.
* Lifespan: Most live only around 2–3 years in the wild

UK conservation status

The Eurasian Skylark is Red-listed on the UK’s Birds of Conservation Concern list, meaning it is considered a species of highest conservation concern in the UK.

2649h ago

alisonwillis1.bsky.social3

Beautiful photo. There have been a lot of Skylarks nesting up on the North York Moors this year Alan. Noticeably more than previous years.

Glynis R3

How wonderful Alan to capture this, and so beautifully. A poignant shot under the circumstances.

Helen Woolston3

That could also qualify as a cutie!

Den 🇮🇪2

Morning Alan, you must be chuffed to get that one. A real shame about their numbers. Ground dwelling get it the worst I think.

Atlantic Birding1

Nice shot Alan; and great to see Skylarks. I saw a few recently myself; very scarce compared to a few decades ago

Marjo Slingerland-Boks1

Gorgeous bird and wonderful photo🧡 and themes Alan. So sorry to read they are a red flag bird😢

Rina

@rina2012.bsky.social

The #BirdOfTheDay theme: #Lifer, Alt #BirdsILove I'm going with a glossy ibis for both themes. I saw many lifers in spring during my travels and I think they are all lovely. 🥰 #birds #birding #BirdsSeenIn2026 #Spain #wildlife #photography #nature #thelittlethings #ECK #ColorADay #RedWed

2117h ago

spider76.bsky.social1

Great photo Rina well done 👍

TripUpStairs1

Those deep colors, I've never seen this bird! Wow

Neil Cameron1

Exactly! I've refused the disgustingly discriminatory alt theme and substituted it with #BirdsGlaringAtAlan Those birds are determined to show their displeasure at such blatant avian discrimination! Lovely shot of the Glossy, Rina. Have a wonderful day, my friend.

Graham Jones

@oldmanrambling.bsky.social

I suspect my marra Alan @alan678.bsky.social knew what I'd do for today's #BirdOfTheDay alt theme of #BirdsILove. I'm so predictable. Here he is, then, the much missed but never forgotten Roberto. #Robin #ForJanet on her special day. #Birds #iPhonePhotography #EastCoastKin #Nature

1215h ago

Jason2

My dear Graham l hope this beautiful day of remembrance for Janet is blessed with smiles and happy times as you share her life today. My thoughts are with you my friend ❤️

Alan H1

Out my walk but here for you marra. I’ll be posting one to Graham #ForJanet Beautiful shot of Roberto.

Yvonne Redknap1

Roberto is so beautiful. Thinking of you today. 🫂

Rosemarie

@roabrams.bsky.social

Rose-breasted Grosbeak was a #lifer for me a couple of months ago in my yard #BirdoftheDay challenge has made me much more aware of the birds around us. Truly enjoyable Thanks @robcrank68.bsky.social and @alan678.bsky.social

Rose-breasted Grosbeak on a purple bird feeder with seed in its mouth

1303h ago

Frank Hogan4

Once in an early spring snowstorm we had 2 on the feeder never saw one again We had an Indigo bunting stop by yesterday ran for my phone and as usual it had flown off

anton-symeth.bsky.social2

We've got lots of the evening grosbeaks here in Western Oregon. Great crop of fledglings!

SeaLevelOslo1

I second that! Great shot! ✨🌧️ I didn't know so many birds existed. 😊

Atlantic Birding

@atlanticbirding.bsky.social

🪶 Alan has chosen #Lifer as today’s #BirdOfTheDay. Alt. is #BirdsILove Haven’t had any lifers lately & the list of birds I love is long; I’m going with the Barn Swallow. A bird I love to (try to) photograph #birds #birdsofbluesky #birdphotography #ECK #irishbirding #naturephotography #RedWed

A Barn Swallow perched on a thin branch in the light rain. The bird is centre of frame on a branch that runs from the bottom left of frame to the centre.
It is looking to the right with its right side showing it the camera. The background is uniform green of forest vegetation with small drops of rain visible.

1127h ago

Alan H1

Ah that’s a lovely capture AB. Beautiful bokeh background too. Artistic.

norfolkm1

Excellent. So good to get a good shot of a swallow. It’s one that has eluded me so I feel it for you. 👏👏👏

SeaLevelOslo

@sealeveloslo.bsky.social

Willow warbler Me: "Never seen that before, must be rare!" Looking it up: "This is the most common bird in Norway." #photography #birds #BirdOfTheDay #lifer

A tiny bird, a willow warbler, in a young birch tree. The bird is smaller than the leaves in a birch tree that was shorter than me.

1064h ago

Rosemarie1

I know that feeling! Great photo 💚💙

Gray

@grays.art

Glossy ibis flying (Plegadis falcinellus) Never seen this bird before this week, this one yesterday. Alan & Rob’s #BirdOfTheDay theme: #Lifer Capture/ captures of the last new to you bird you’ve seen. Alt #BirdsILove Birds you love to see. #colorADay #redWeds #eck #birds #birding #threewordgenre

Curved long orange beak, medium length maroon neck, black wings with a prismatic shine on top, trailing light orange legs through a powder blue sky.

CREW flint one strand trails & lakes
Bonita Springs, Florida , USA
7-7-26

1058h ago

Alan H1

Fantastic Gray and to get a flying lifer, well that’s just showing off. 😂😂

Amy Gann1

Beautiful. I am constantly trying to figure out how to easily distinguish white faced and glossy. I have never seen glossy in person so I struggle with it. They are too much alike!

LaffingKat1

Great shot! Congrats on the new lifer!🎉

Neil Cameron

@neilcam57.bsky.social

‪Alan‬ @alan678.bsky.social 's #BirdOfTheDay theme is #Lifer First saw them a month ago, but this morning was the 1st time getting pics I'm happy with of the male Satin Bowerbird #ECK #birds #birdphotography #birdsofbluesky #wildlife #Photography #Nikon #PhotographersUnited #PhotographersOfBlueSky

The quite shy male Satin Bowerbird (Ptilonorhynchus violaceus)
A brilliantly bright blue-black bird with purple-blue eye and a whitish beak is perched on a clothesline with shrubbery in the background.

967h ago

𝒥𝒶𝓃𝑒1

Lovely photo, what an amazing colour 🥰

A-Girl-Called-Ronnie 🇳🇱1

How lucky you are, having such beauties in your backyard. Beautiful pic, Neil.

Marjo Slingerland-Boks1

What a wonderful bird and beautiful photo Neil💙

Glynis R1

Beautiful Neil. Are you seeing these in the ACT? This is the most beautiful capture I’ve seen of this bird 😍

Heike W (she/her)1

Ahwww. A very nice shot.

Kort Duce

@kortduce.bsky.social

I love seeing great blue herons - especially when they're bathed in beautiful light! A great blue heron sleeps during a spectacular sunrise at a nature area in Longmont, Colorado. #BirdOfTheDay #BirdsILove #ECK #bird #birds #birdphotography #nature #wildlife #wetland #wetlands #wildlifephotography

$Photo by Kort Duce A great blue heron sleeps during a spectacular sunrise at a nature area in Longmont, Colorado. In this vertical color photograph, a great blue heron stands on one leg atop a partially submerged log, facing the camera with its head turned to its left and its eyes peacefully closed. The weathered log is surrounded by countless upright branches, each draped in delicate spider webs that glow as they are backlit by the rising sun. The entire scene is bathed in warm golden and orange hues from the sunrise. Cottonwood seeds, feathers, and other organic debris drift across the water's surface, catching and refracting the light to create delicate circular bokeh highlights. The heron's reflection extends out of the bottom of the frame, joined by the reflections of the surrounding branches. Gentle ripples spread across the pond, gradually widening toward the foreground. The lower half of the image glows with the most intense golden light as the sun's rays illuminate the water. A peaceful portrait of a great blue heron resting in the heart of a thriving wetland, highlighting the beauty of these fragile habitats that are essential to the survival of this remarkable species.$

1002h ago

MLVisionnaire-Animals2

Wow, this is truly a top-rated work. Fire feel, bokeh, and serene, and magical feel.

Clinty11

Same here! Beautiful image Kort!

tenslady1939.bsky.social1

This bird has ultimate balance. I am in awe and totally envious as I have to hold on to something to get one leg into a pair of pants...haha

Adirondack Nature

@adirondacknature.bsky.social

For the alt #BIrdOfTheDay theme #BirdsILove: a handsome Magnolia Warbler, perched on a Tamarack branch. wildadirondacks.org/adirondack-b... #birds #ECK #ADK #Adirondacks

The image shows a bird with a bright yellow belly and a striking black necklace perched on the branch of a Tamarack. This is a Magnolia Warbler, one of our summer residents. This warbler winters south of the continental United States and migrates to North American temperate zones to breed in the spring and summer. The winter range of Magnolia Warblers includes Mexico, Central America, and the West Indies. Magnolia Warblers, like the Blackburnian Warbler and the Chestnut-sided Warbler, are trans-Gulf migrants, meaning that they migrate across the Gulf of Mexico rather than around it.

738h ago

Amy Gann

@amygann.bsky.social

Although sandhill crane are often spotted by me, it is only recently that I have able to see their colts. For the #birdoftheday themes of #lifer and #birdsilove. #birds #crane #sandhillcrane #colt #babybird #protectnature #EastCoastKin

A sandhill crane colt stands behind its parent. The colt has some mud hanging from its beak

695h ago

John1

Wonderful picture in nature ❤️

The Garden Jungle

@thegardenjungle.bsky.social

For #Lifer in #BirdOfTheDay today it has to be this unexpected encounter with a Red Footed Falcon in The Isles of Scilly, fantastic bird and a very rare visitor to this area #birds #thegardenjungle #wildlifephotography #birdwatching #shropshire #UKwildlife #birdphotography #canon #photography

666h ago

SaraG

@hardlikearmour.bsky.social

Not the best photo, but thrilled to see this Indigo Bunting a couple of weeks ago. It's a bird that rarely visits my neck of the woods. 🪶 #BirdOfTheDay #Lifer

An Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) is perched on a small bare branch. It is facing the camera with its beak turned toward the right frame and wide open in song. Behind it is a tapestry of green leaves.

599h ago

Alan H1

It is a great capture and it’s singing. Congratulations Sara. 👌🏼👌🏼

jriegs

@jriegs.bsky.social

The Northern Cardinal Bird Royalty #BirdOfTheDay #BirdsLove #Birds #ECK #photography #BirdPhotography #Nature #NaturePhotography #Wildlife #Cardinal #art #painting

Three photos of a male Northern Cardinal and one photo of a female, taken in my back yard. The background in the photo of the female bird was changed to black.

606h ago

Fraggs Photography 📸🦊🦉🦋🦔 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

@fraggenstein.bsky.social

Today's #BirdOfTheDay theme is #Lifer ✅ capture/captures of the last new to you bird you’ve seen set by @alan678.bsky.social ~ a Willow Tit, captured at The New Forest June 29th 😍🪶🦉 #ukbirding #birdphotography #ECK #ukwildlife #naturephotography #naturetherapy #titmouse

618h ago

Bird of the Day, theme 'Lifer'nature

Bird of the Day, theme 'Lifer'

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