Bitterly cold NE wind on the Chesil this morning but a good watch nonetheless. Little Ringed Plover, Merlin, 64 Whimbrel, 23 Barwit, Arctic Skua, Mute Swan on the sea, Swift + Hirundines arriving, lots of WW and some Wheatear in off. Too cold to continue past 9:15, more clothes needed tomorrow!
7 Wheatear, 3 Barwit and a White Wag at Martleves. Would have been decent this morning, probably!
2026 Flock (terrible photo!)
2025 flock (marginally better photo!)
Suddenly remembered I'd seen a big flock of Pale-bellied Brent Geese last year from the Chesil. I nearly spat my tea out when I saw they were on exactly the same date! More than a coincidence perhaps?!
25 Pale-bellied Brent West over the beach road and Ferrybridge as I was driving home!
Serin in off the Chesil @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social
Anyone ever seen a pair of Victory SF do this? They got a little bit warm in the car, haven't got them wet in months?!
Nice to walk out from home today while I had a bit of free time. The two Bonaparte's Gulls were showing really well at Lynch Cove. The 3cy bird was a new plumage for me. Very instructive in flight too.
Both Bonaparte's Gulls still present Lynch Cove
My biggest self-found blocker has fallen! Hoopoe just flown NE through Radipole RSPB. Picked it up over houses at Westham! Has just kept on going, true active migrant!
I'm not one for much sharing, but I'm very proud to announce that Birdie Autumn Stockwell entered this world at 10:36 on Saturday morning. Both baby and Frances are doing great and we are of course, absolutely made up 🥰
Moth traps ticking over at the Swannery, most of the expected early season species encountered so far with just a couple of exceptions. This morning saw quite an increase in Common Quaker, also the years first Pine Beauty which somehow already looks a little dishevelled!
Small Mottled Willow to light at Abbotsbury last night, part of a whopping 95 of 15 including another Red Sword-grass, 2nd Oak Nycteoline of the week and a Brimstone @migrantmothuk.bsky.social
A bit chilly last night but that didn't deter two Red Sword-grass! A new species for the Swannery, also Oak Beauty and Small Quaker added for the year amongst another 45 of 13
2 Cranes flew west at 12:13 @swannerysteve.bsky.social
60 of 17 at Abbotsbury last night, no migrants to speak of but a whole host of lovely fresh moths new for the year including this Early Thron
Stood at Pinhoe station waiting for a train into Exeter and there's a huge Bat flying around above the station. Very nearly brunch for a large female Sparrowhawk!
Maybe, just maybe a hint of Spring migration at the Swannery this morning with 5 Adult Lesser Blacl-backed Gulls in off the sea. 2 of which continued north with purpose. The first northbound Meadow Pipits cant be to far behind either if the weather ever clears up!
A few edited images of the Little Gulls - Maybe some of the best views of an adult I have ever had.
Usual Sunday wander around The Nothe, nice to see 4 Little Gulls at the Stone Pier, point blank range, had no idea they were there so glad I bothered with the camera!
Black-throated and 4 Great Northern Diver, 12+ Black-necked Grebe, 3 Razorbill Portland Harbour
@swannerysteve.bsky.social Green-winged Teal from this lunchtime.
1w Drake Scaup in with the Pochard flock this morning @swannerysteve.bsky.social
Sometimes you find rare birds because you're on the lookout for them, other times they pop up when you least expect them! Todays Dusky Warbler suddenly started calling from a bush behind me while on a routine yeartick expedition. I could only manage a few record shots before it seemingly evaporated!
Dusky Warbler Herbury. Currently lost in one of the three(!) bushes along the stone wall maps.app.goo.gl/NFZnDmxM3uNL...
Frustrating Goose sighting this morning, 7 or 8 flew east over the coast road at Langton Herring, low enough to see they were grey geese but far too rapid to be sure of their identity!
Don't know where the last 2 posts went! Finally found some Tundra Bean Geese, 9 Between Holmebridge and Stokeford south of the railway line maps.app.goo.gl/P9sPEFH6srgB...
Nice way to start the year, Tundra Beans still at Winterbourne Monkton, pre-sunrise!
Poor route choice on my part - Searched all the valley from Maiden Newton, ended up at Monkeys Jump and completely forgot about that bit, few more days to find my own yet 👍
Very pleased to find 7 Russian White-fronts along the came road this morning. The quest for a self-found Bean continues!
Bit of a Fleet Mooch today, Common Scoter ad drake Swannery, Brambling Langton Herring, 1cy Scaup (looks to have some drake type scaps) Long-tailed Duck, 3 Slav, 2 GN Diver Tidmoor, 2 Grey Plover + lots of Dunlin Ringed Plover Ferrybridge.