It's been a good spring locally, with Hoopoe last weekend & todays BC Night Heron....I hope it continues! 🤞

Thanks @geoffsteph.bsky.social 😊

Male Wheatear perched in sallow

My first Wheatear on the Dorset patch this morning, a species that is getting scarce on migration here, as are several spring migrants these days! Willow Warbler seems to be in good numbers though, with several birds lingering for days. #PWC2026 @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social

Adult BC Night Heron

Adult BC Night Heron

The rather confiding Black-crowned Night Heron at #SeatonWetlands this morning. #DevonBirds

Likewise in Chard Gavin, just one Nut-tree Tussock this morning! It's been pretty windy here, which never helps in my garden.

Pair (?) GBB Gull at Chard Reservoir, Somerset

My first Sedge Warbler of the year at the Dorset patch, also 2 Common Sandpiper, 3 Reed Warbler, 2 Teal lingering. These GBB Gull were at #ChardRes , Somerset this evening. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @somersetbirds.bsky.social

Male Orangetip underwing

Male Orangetip nectaring on Cuckoo Flower at my Dorset patch today. @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social #inverts

Over-the-counter pet flea treatments could be banned under new UK rules Exclusive: ministers consider restricting pesticide-based treatments, which can get into waterways and harm wildlife

“One monthly flea treatment for a large dog contains enough imidacloprid to kill 25 million bees” - & whenever a treated dog has a dip it pollutes the river

So it’s great news for nature that the Govt is planning to ban over-the-counter flea treatments:

www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Little Ringed Plover & one of three Common Sandpiper on Dorset patch today

Two Egyptian Geese on Dorset patch on 11th April

Wheatear near Chard, Somerset today (1 of 3)

Wheatear in fields near Chard, Somerset today (the 2nd of 3)

#Localpatchbirding LRP & 3 Common Sandpiper today on Dorset patch; 2 Egyptian Geese there on 11th; 3 Wheatear on fields nr Chard & 6 Common Sandpiper at #ChardRes today. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @somersetbirds.bsky.social #PWC2026

Hoopoe feeding in paddock at Waggs Plot, Devon

Marsh Harrier over Dorset patch & after seeing the same bird at Chard Res earlier!!

I was fortunate to refind this Hoopoe at Waggs Plot after bumping into the local farmer who found it yesterday! A nice 10km #PWC2026 Tick! The Marsh Harrier was 1st seen at #ChardRes (thx for text Gary Andrews) & later over my Dorset patch! #DevonBirds @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social #Somersetbirding

White Wagtail

One of four Wheatear

I wasn't expecting much in a strengthening NW wind, but newly sown fields near Chard held at least 3 White Wagtail with Pieds & 4 Wheatear, so worth the effort. At #ChardRes this evening 2 House Martin with 4+ Swallow & c.30 Sand Martin @somersetbirds.bsky.social

Shoulder Stripe

Lunar Marbled Brown

poor photo of Diamond-back Moth

Brindled Pug

2 Shoulder Stripe were NFM in last nights trap. Another Diamond-back Moth, 3 Lunar Marbled Brown, Brindled Pug, Common Brindled Brown (NFG) 12/19 Chard, South Somerset VC5 #teammoth

Brindled Beauty

Muslin Moth

Brindled Beauty & Muslin Moth on post

The best trap of the year last night with 14 species/31 including Brindled Beauty (NFM) & Muslin Moth (NFG). Also Diamond-back Moth, Brindled Pug, Nut-tree Tussock, Water Carpet, Frosted Green, Early Grey, Brimstone.
Chard, South Somerset VC5 #teammoth

Illegal hunting escalates as spring migration picks up, exposing serious enforcement gaps BirdLife Malta is raising serious concerns over a surge in illegal hunting incidents in recent days, as spring migration begins to intensify and enforcement shortcomings become increasingly evident, w...

Illegal hunting is escalating as spring migration intensifies. Protected birds are already being targeted on arrival, including a rare flock of four Common Cranes on 2 April.

Recent incidents expose serious enforcement gaps ahead of the spring hunting season.

birdlifemalta.org/2026/04/ille...

Green Hairstreak

Large Red Damselfly

Green Hairstreak on the wing at my Dorset patch, also Large Red Damselfly, both are the earliest dates I've seen them here. @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @britishdragonflies.bsky.social #inverts

Holly Blue

My first Holly Blue at the Dorset patch, also singing Reed Warbler, still 3 Willow Warbler & 8 Sand Martin back on territory. @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social

One of three or four fledged Robins

Little Ringed Plover

Common Sandpiper

Two Red Kite

A brood of 3 or 4 Robins fledged from their old kettle nest in my garden today. Else where on my local patches, LRP, Common Sandpiper, two Red Kite & several singing Willow Warbler. #PWC2026 @somersetbirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social

Nut-tree Tussock

Abysmal trap last night with just 3 species, but this Nut-tree Tussock was NFG so still worth the effort! Chard, South Somerset VC5 #teammoth

Streamer (NFM)

March Moth

Spindle Moth (Smudge) (NFM)

Singles of Streamer, March Moth & Spindle Moth in last nights trap. 5/5 Chard, South Somerset VC5 #teammoth

Streamer

I had just the one Streamer in mine last night & yes, it too was head down. VC5

Male Orangetip nectaring on Cuckoo flower (Lady's Smock)

Speckled Wood nectaring on conifer flower

Small White settled on nettles

My first Orangetip at the Dorset patch this am, also managed to get a photo of yesterdays Speckled Wood. Small White settled too. @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social #inverts

😡😡😡😡

Illustrated artwork by Will Rose features a greenspace scene with a pathway, pond, trees, grass, bench, and birds in the trees including Blackbird, House Sparrows and Great Spotted Woodpecker. Wording alongside reads: The Birds in Greenspaces Survey starts 1 April. Tell us what birds use your local greenspace.

Whether it’s a park, sports field or cemetery we want you to tell us what #birds use your local greenspace!🐦🌳 Sign up to our Birds in Greenspaces survey at www.bto.org/greenspaces Just download the app, select your greenspace and log bird records!

#UKBirding #BirdingScotland #BirdingWales

Hawthorn flower (May)

Hawthorn just starting to flower at the Dorset patch today, also my first Grass Snake, a large female slithered into cover & Speckled Wood NFY. 🌿🐍🦋 #Dorset #herps #inverts

They need to ban them permanently nationwide!

Newly fledged Song Thrush, one of four seen.

Long-tailed Tit nest in gorse, covered in lichen & held together with spider webs

At least 4 newly fledged Song Thrush greeted me at the Dorset patch today. My first Green Sandpiper flew before I could take a photo. Willow Warbler still, also 3 Swallow, 1 Sand Martin (+ House Martin seen by Liz & Clive) 2 LT Tit nests found so far. #PWC2026 @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social

Marsh Tit, one of a pair present. The male singing.

Slow worm

Pair Marsh Tit feeding in the shelter of the bitter NW wind on the Dorset patch & my first Slow worm of the spring. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social #reptiles

You're welcome Martine. A new species for me, so very nice to see a pristine one!

A cold overcast day at my Dorset #PWC2026 was brightened massively by my first singing Willow Warbler. Also 5 Sand Martin present & an adult GBB Gull briefly. At #ChardRes Somerset, a Swallow had joined the 6 Sand Martins, but otherwise quiet. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @somersetbirds.bsky.social

Red Chestnut

Almost didn't bother with the trap last night, but this Red Chestnut (NFM) made it worth while. 6/13 Chard, South Somerset VC5 #teammoth