Tweeted on ecology especially bird life (photos are mine unless RT); now mostly at ramblinbirder.bsky & https://teapaw.org/t.co/sRksbFa2cU & my blog
United Kingdom
Joined April 2010
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One of the highlights of 2024 was this trip to Estonia. I've now uploaded a few more images onto my Flickr account (see bio) and am looking to write up some more (plus my amazing Scilly trip) in my blog over the winter. – at South West, England
Simon retweeted
This Pallas's Warbler is possibly the most difficult little warbler I've ever tried to photograph. Pleased to get any shots at all as it's a 1st for me. Taken on Portland this afternoon.
All dressed in pink when @giroditalia comes to town. Fantastic local support for the riders in the shadow of Vesuvius today. #GirodItalia #Giro #Amoreinfinito
Promising first look for Brown Hairstreak eggs at Netherclay LNR, Taunton today. 6 eggs in 2 hours and plenty more of the reserve to survey. If you're reading this and find any there, please would you mind letting me know by DM so I can liaise with Somerset Wildlife Trust.
ALT BH eggs are laid on young blackthorn often near branching points.
ALT Patterned surface on the white spherical egg is better seen with microphotography (iPhone images here)
ALT Green areas surveyed first as coppicing due here imminently; eggs found have been moved away
Simon retweeted
This shot was taken yesterday at Kenfig Pool and depicts a Common Chiffchaff alongside what is a classic fulvesencs Siberian Chiffchaff - pale grey upper parts, white supercillium with a jet black bill & legs and the Bonelli's Warbler like green primary and outer tail fringing.
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D1, who was only born last Wednesday, starts big school this week. Here’s a poem by C Day Lewis for everyone who’s going through the same thing we are, and wondering how the hell that happened.
Love is proved in the letting go
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A fine goose survey morning at Silma NR, NW Estonia this a.m. I managed to find 2 adult Lesser Whitefronts, both unringed - so should proper wild birds (not Swedish). Finding a stunning Red-breasted Goose and female Ringed Ouzel made good morning even better.
Saw this in Estonia on polder near Tartu last year: unforgettable, especially awhen a single red-breasted goose was found amongst them by the brilliant guide Uku Paal. @Heatherleabirds
Grasshopper warbler again Roughmoor Taunton this morning 0845; now relocated to other end of pond nearer Silk mills park and ride. Plus sedge, reed, willow, whitethroat etc. @somersetbirds
(Heard on my way to free hearing test at Boots lol!)
2 Great Northern Divers fishing (successfully) this afternoon at Clatworthy reservoir. Arrived yesterday and seen by walkers, thanks to Roger Sedgbeer for passing it on. @somersetbirds @BirdTrack
Yesterday afternoon at @WWTSteart a juvenile black swan on the salt marsh and later at dusk a fly-through male hen harrier (going west) and a hunting barn owl. @BirdTrack – at Preston Bowyer, England
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I'm dying laughing. Scotland has a 3D gritter tracker and some of the names are hilarious.
Sir David Attenbrrrrr 🤣
Sled Zepplin 🤣
Promises to be an informative afternoon (tomorrow , Sat 16th Nov 24). SOS subs still only £18 yearly which includes the superb annual report, meetings sightings forum etc. – at Preston Bowyer, England
Somerset ornithological society AGM is this Sat afternoon, from 1.30 pm at Cheddon Fitzpaine hall. I’ll be talking about Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers on the Quantocks, tips to help find them and monitoring this declining species @lesserspotnet @somersetbirds @bto_somerset1
Closer look at the snow bunting pair (M and F) and the female type black redstart (with Brian Hill) at Stolford this afternoon. Stunning sunset looking out towards Exmoor on the way back. @somersetbirds – at Preston Bowyer, England
Great birding at Stolford this afternoon. Refound female type black redstart on boulders 1/4 mile toward Hinkley pt. High tide waders included 127 turnstone, 90 redshank. 24 Brents. 2 snow buntings flew from car park area east to shingle bank, refound later. @somersetbirds – at Preston Bowyer, England
2 Snow buntings on Catsford common. No camera sadly as point blank views. w3w ///resemble.situation.averts. @somersetbirds – at South West, England
Traps on 9/11, 10/11 gave 3 handsome newcomers : Sprawler, Brick and Mottled Umber. MV 9/11 25w actinic 10/11 Heathfield Somerset TA4 VC5. #migrantmothuk activity limited to U. ferrugalis 2/1. Back to the spreadsheet for CR, wish I'd done as I went along..🤯@MothsSomerset – at Preston Bowyer, England
ALT Sprawler NFG
ALT Brick NFG
ALT Mottled umber NFG
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Ok! Come on let's follow this lot to where they're sleeping tonight... A thread🧵 #Ornithology 1/7
They're heading home to roost & we're following them. Check back later to see what we find 👀
(oh and sound on!) #WhoopWhoop
YBW calling Berrow LNR 1340h walk south/left from car park. @somersetbirds @birdguides – at South West, England
