Professional bird botherer & bug chaser (not like that), based in Dorset. Freelance Ecologist / leader for Wildlife Travel #LGBTQinSTEM. All views my own
UK
Joined May 2015
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New Year, new start & no longer posting on here (although I'll still check in on occasion). Come find me on BlueSky at @beardybirder.bsky.social
Dr Phil Saunders 🇬🇧 🇪🇺 🌈 retweeted
Recovering from a bad cold which kept me off the bike this week felt like the worst of times so I treated @beardybirder to a trip to his native Kent where we had the best of times: a Yellow Warbler at New Hythe and a Scops Owl at Broadstairs shone at us through a Dickensian smog
I was very pleased to find this drake GW Teal in Brands Bay this afternoon whilst surveying. There looked to be some juv/eclipse feathering on the RHS (with the white stripe much stronger on that side too), which should help confirm whether it's the Cowards Marsh bird relocating
Green-winged Teal in Brands Bay from Brands Bay hide currently @DorsetBirdClub
It felt very much like winter at St Aldhelm's Head this morning, with little of note to report amongst the usual suspects settling down for the season ebird.org/checklist/S2044347… @DorsetBirdClub
ALT Old Barn Hedge at St Aldhelm's Head
Footprint Ecology are carrying out a survey on the management of access in Ancient Woodlands in England for the Forestry Commission: online1.snapsurveys.com/Inte…. Please take a look if you're involved in such mngt & feel free to circulate to other relevant ind/orgs (deadline 31/12/24)
ALT Woodland in winter
Back to earth with a bump at the Cold Harbour office this morning, with 14/9 in the trap, altho' still incl'g 2 S.M.Willow, a Diamondback, & RDP. Scarce Umber was however the highlight - a sp. that lives up to its name in Dorset & the first I've caught in the county @DorsetMoths
ALT Small Mottled Willow
ALT Scarce Umber
ALT The greenest Red-green Carpet I've ever seen
ALT December Moth
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Again not a sniff of a migrant pre-deluge in the Upton garden trap last night, although Caloptilia azaleella was a welcome new species for me. Last chance tonight for some Levantine action... #TeamMoth @DorsetMoths
ALT Caloptilia azaleella
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The (unrealised at the time) highlight from the Cold Harbour office moth trap this morning was what appears to be a Pale Damsel Bug (Nabis capsiformis) - a very rare migrant that has been appearing on the back of the Saharan winds this week
ALT Pale Damsel Bug
Having only been available to the differently employed on Thursday, & with no sign during an extensive search y'day morning, it was great to see the Studland Bay Surf Scoter refound this morning. The 1st twitchable in Dorset for over a decade & a new county bird for me.
Sadly nothing Levantine in either the Upton Garden or Cold Harbour office trap this morning, but the latter did have an amazing 81/21, incl'g a (camera shy) Gem, 3 Small Mottled Willow, a Rush Veneer, 2 Diamondback, & 4 RDP, alongside 27(!) December Moths #TeamMoth @DorsetMoths
ALT Small Mottled Willow & friend
ALT Mottled Umber
ALT December Moths
ALT Chestnut
Dr Phil Saunders 🇬🇧 🇪🇺 🌈 retweeted
It's still looking good for the end of the week. The far west and Ireland may see the first arrivals on Thursday night (although it will be windy), however it's Friday and Saturday that look the most promising days/nights. Saharan dust may also arrive on Saturday.
ALT Sunday 3am
Dr Phil Saunders 🇬🇧 🇪🇺 🌈 retweeted
Join us next spring for a relaxed birding break
visit Estonia with @BirdingDad in search of sea duck & owls, travel to Lesvos with @beardybirder as north-bound migrants mingle with Aegean specialities, or join Laurie cruising the Danube Delta
Why not pack your bins & #GoBirding – at Derby, England
Four hours at Durlston from first light this morning failed to produce anything of note on the back of the crazily windy Storm Bert, aside from the usual Gannets, Kitt's & Fulmars. Is tomorrow gonna be the day instead?.. #Leachs
ALT View from the Dolphin Hut at Durlston NNR
Dr Phil Saunders 🇬🇧 🇪🇺 🌈 retweeted
For those who prefer their holidays flight-free and devoid of airport queues, consider joining us on the rails next spring, from the Dordogne in mid May to the Bavarian Alps in mid June.
Places are booking fast: don't miss your connection!
wildlife-travel.co.uk/flight…
A wander around Sugar Hill & Hyde Bog this afternoon failed to produce the hoped for returning GG Shrike, but several small flocks of Crossbill were nice to see @DorsetBirdClub
ALT Hyde Bog - Wareham Forest
Already had enough of the cold & mizzle? Then check out this spring trip to the wonderful island of Lesvos that I'll be leading with @travel_wildlife. Taking in amazing wildflowers & spring migration, with all profit donated directly to nature conservation wildlife-travel.co.uk/europe…
Sadly no sign of the Pied Wheatear at Seaford this morning, during an out of county away-day, but several Black Redstarts, a brace of flyby Goosander, & a later flowering Clustered Bellflower were nice to see, whilst Sea Heath was an unexpected new plant sp along the cliff top.
ALT Sea Heath
ALT Clustered Bellflower
ALT The Seven Sisters
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A long awaited patch tick @ St Aldhelm's Head this morning, with a furtive pair of Cirl Bunting amongst the flighty Yellowhammer flock @ the paddocks (found earlier in the week by @StAldhelmsBirds & my 1st on Purbeck). Otherwise quiet, with 2 M.Thrush & a Redpoll of note locally
ALT Dawn along the Old Barn Hedge, St Aldhelm's Head
ALT Male Cirl Bunting
A soggy 108/24 in the Cold Harbour office trap this morning with a few FFY spp, incl'g a December Moth in full shamen mode & a beautifully marked Green-brindled Crescent, plus Grey Shoulder-knot & a decidedly dewy Merveille du Jour #TeamMoth @DorsetMoths
ALT December Moth
ALT Green-brindled Crescent
ALT Grey Shoulder-knot
ALT A dew laden Merveille du Jour
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