Phil Bentley
@bikingbirder.bsky.social
Bikes. Birds. Coffee. Cake. Not always in that order!
It was an atmospheric scene from the Avocet Hide, #BrownseaIsland early this AM as I joined @studlandbirds.bsky.social for a wildfowl & wader counting session. Plenty of the usual suspects on the lagoon, plus a bonus Red-necked Grebe off south shore later.
@dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
#DorsetBirds
@dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
#DorsetBirds
January 14, 2026 at 3:56 PM
It was an atmospheric scene from the Avocet Hide, #BrownseaIsland early this AM as I joined @studlandbirds.bsky.social for a wildfowl & wader counting session. Plenty of the usual suspects on the lagoon, plus a bonus Red-necked Grebe off south shore later.
@dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
#DorsetBirds
@dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
#DorsetBirds
At least 2 Bramblings in with the large mixed finch flock around stubble fields just N of West Morden Farm. Quite hard to pick out, plus they were fairly camera shy, as these record shots attest. Bitingly cold so I wasn't hanging around for better pics! 🥶.
#DorsetBirds @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
#DorsetBirds @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
January 3, 2026 at 3:56 PM
At least 2 Bramblings in with the large mixed finch flock around stubble fields just N of West Morden Farm. Quite hard to pick out, plus they were fairly camera shy, as these record shots attest. Bitingly cold so I wasn't hanging around for better pics! 🥶.
#DorsetBirds @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
#DorsetBirds @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
Pretty chuffed to find a drake Smew at Brand's Bay, Poole Harbour this morning. c 30 secs later @moorebirdsbybike.bsky.social picked up its redhead mate nearby! First drake in Dorset since one on this exact date in 2008, apparently 😯. Enjoyed/ticked by many local birders.
@harbourbirds.bsky.social
@harbourbirds.bsky.social
December 31, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Pretty chuffed to find a drake Smew at Brand's Bay, Poole Harbour this morning. c 30 secs later @moorebirdsbybike.bsky.social picked up its redhead mate nearby! First drake in Dorset since one on this exact date in 2008, apparently 😯. Enjoyed/ticked by many local birders.
@harbourbirds.bsky.social
@harbourbirds.bsky.social
December 31, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Pretty chuffed to find a drake Smew at Brand's Bay, Poole Harbour this morning. c 30 secs later @moorebirdsbybike.bsky.social picked up its redhead mate nearby! First drake in Dorset since one on this exact date in 2008, apparently 😯. Enjoyed/ticked by many local birders.
@harbourbirds.bsky.social
@harbourbirds.bsky.social
There will be many better photos of the Tundra Bean Geese (at Arne Moors, Dorset) than these mediocre efforts. Nonetheless, having had my county list so rudely truncated a couple of days before Xmas due to the lumping of Teal & GW Teal, it was sweet to claw it back almost immediately 🖕😛
#DorsetBirds
#DorsetBirds
December 26, 2025 at 2:32 PM
There will be many better photos of the Tundra Bean Geese (at Arne Moors, Dorset) than these mediocre efforts. Nonetheless, having had my county list so rudely truncated a couple of days before Xmas due to the lumping of Teal & GW Teal, it was sweet to claw it back almost immediately 🖕😛
#DorsetBirds
#DorsetBirds
A couple of pics of the WTE which overflew Lodmoor at around 12:20-12:25 today. No ring visible on either leg so I'm guessing that what I initially assumed to be ruffled feathers on the back is in fact a GPS/SAT transmitter, right?
#DorsetBirds
#DorsetBirds
December 14, 2025 at 5:04 PM
A couple of pics of the WTE which overflew Lodmoor at around 12:20-12:25 today. No ring visible on either leg so I'm guessing that what I initially assumed to be ruffled feathers on the back is in fact a GPS/SAT transmitter, right?
#DorsetBirds
#DorsetBirds
December 14, 2025 at 12:24 PM
A flat-out gorgeous visit to #BrownseaIsland this AM to survey the waders and wildfowl on the lagoon. Highlights: 980+ Black-tailed Godwits, 550+ Avocet, 300+ Euro Teal, 50+ Gadwall, plus loads more. Called into Poole Park on the way home to see some #plasticfantastic 😄
@dorsetwildlife.bsky.social
@dorsetwildlife.bsky.social
December 10, 2025 at 4:01 PM
A flat-out gorgeous visit to #BrownseaIsland this AM to survey the waders and wildfowl on the lagoon. Highlights: 980+ Black-tailed Godwits, 550+ Avocet, 300+ Euro Teal, 50+ Gadwall, plus loads more. Called into Poole Park on the way home to see some #plasticfantastic 😄
@dorsetwildlife.bsky.social
@dorsetwildlife.bsky.social
December 10, 2025 at 3:55 PM
A flat-out gorgeous visit to #BrownseaIsland this AM to survey the waders and wildfowl on the lagoon. Highlights: 980+ Black-tailed Godwits, 550+ Avocet, 300+ Euro Teal, 50+ Gadwall, plus loads more. Called into Poole Park on the way home to see some #plasticfantastic 😄
@dorsetwildlife.bsky.social
@dorsetwildlife.bsky.social
Just goes to show that decoy ducks can be handy at times 🤣
(Picture taken at Swineham GPs, Dorset back in Sept '25. Came across it again whilst tidying up my photo library this avo)
#DorsetBirds
(Picture taken at Swineham GPs, Dorset back in Sept '25. Came across it again whilst tidying up my photo library this avo)
#DorsetBirds
December 2, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Just goes to show that decoy ducks can be handy at times 🤣
(Picture taken at Swineham GPs, Dorset back in Sept '25. Came across it again whilst tidying up my photo library this avo)
#DorsetBirds
(Picture taken at Swineham GPs, Dorset back in Sept '25. Came across it again whilst tidying up my photo library this avo)
#DorsetBirds
Initial vibe from this distant & fairly tatty Larid at #LonghamLakes this AM was of poss Caspian Gull. Pros: clean whitish head, dark 'beady' eye with little or no mask, neck shawl, pale underside to hand. Cons: stubby bill looks all wrong, barring on rump (tail shredded). Probs a pale HG or hybrid.
November 28, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Initial vibe from this distant & fairly tatty Larid at #LonghamLakes this AM was of poss Caspian Gull. Pros: clean whitish head, dark 'beady' eye with little or no mask, neck shawl, pale underside to hand. Cons: stubby bill looks all wrong, barring on rump (tail shredded). Probs a pale HG or hybrid.
A still-fresh Comma butterfly was braving the chilly conditions at #Middlebere Nat Trust this AM. Later on at #ArneRSPB this Great Tit was drying off in the sun after a wash and scrub-up. Annoyingly my camera battery died shortly after finding a/the smart Brambling around the feeders there 🤦♂️
November 17, 2025 at 5:05 PM
A still-fresh Comma butterfly was braving the chilly conditions at #Middlebere Nat Trust this AM. Later on at #ArneRSPB this Great Tit was drying off in the sun after a wash and scrub-up. Annoyingly my camera battery died shortly after finding a/the smart Brambling around the feeders there 🤦♂️
Reposted by Phil Bentley
I've just been to the shoreline copse at Moonfleet. There is a Yellow-browed sp in there, flitting around in the canopy with 2 Goldcrest. Completely silent though, so I cannot be sure it's the Hume's. Seems likely though! Absolutely no phone signal down there.
November 17, 2025 at 1:33 PM
I've just been to the shoreline copse at Moonfleet. There is a Yellow-browed sp in there, flitting around in the canopy with 2 Goldcrest. Completely silent though, so I cannot be sure it's the Hume's. Seems likely though! Absolutely no phone signal down there.
Bittern seen in flight at 16:09h over #LodmoorRSPB. Dropped down into the reeds c50 m out from the western footpath and about halfway along. Plus the usual supporting cast of GWEs, Beardies, Cetti’s, Water Rails, Marsh Harrier, etc etc.
@dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
@dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
November 6, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Bittern seen in flight at 16:09h over #LodmoorRSPB. Dropped down into the reeds c50 m out from the western footpath and about halfway along. Plus the usual supporting cast of GWEs, Beardies, Cetti’s, Water Rails, Marsh Harrier, etc etc.
@dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
@dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
The prospect of adding Goosander to my non-motorised list (+ some much-needed exercise!) lured me to undertake the 38mi round trip to Silverlake. 5 juv Goosander duly ✅. Several 100 large gulls would have merited close scrutiny, only I was w/o ‘scope 🙄. ☕️🍰 on the way home 😋🚴🏼♂️
#lowcarbonbirding
#lowcarbonbirding
October 28, 2025 at 4:12 PM
The prospect of adding Goosander to my non-motorised list (+ some much-needed exercise!) lured me to undertake the 38mi round trip to Silverlake. 5 juv Goosander duly ✅. Several 100 large gulls would have merited close scrutiny, only I was w/o ‘scope 🙄. ☕️🍰 on the way home 😋🚴🏼♂️
#lowcarbonbirding
#lowcarbonbirding
Baikal Teal still present among Teal flock in western embayment.
@birdguides.bsky.social
@birdguides.bsky.social
I can’t find the Baikal Teal in the western embayment this morning, where the bulk (500+) of the Teal are. Eastern embayment completely burnt out by strong sun light currently. Our first Scaup of the autumn however. 1cy ♂. @joestockwell.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
October 21, 2025 at 9:46 AM
Baikal Teal still present among Teal flock in western embayment.
@birdguides.bsky.social
@birdguides.bsky.social
My ongoing quest to see a Bittern at Lodmoor drew a blank for the umpteenth time. Compensation came in the form of this Glossy Ibis which came in to roost just after 6 pm, 3 Great Egrets, 1 Curlew Sand, 2 Hobbys dining on dragons, Marsh Harrier, several Beardies & 3+ Kingfishers. Nice! #DorsetBirds
September 29, 2025 at 7:55 PM
My ongoing quest to see a Bittern at Lodmoor drew a blank for the umpteenth time. Compensation came in the form of this Glossy Ibis which came in to roost just after 6 pm, 3 Great Egrets, 1 Curlew Sand, 2 Hobbys dining on dragons, Marsh Harrier, several Beardies & 3+ Kingfishers. Nice! #DorsetBirds
Glossy Ibis dropped in to the Postbox Pool, Lodmoor at 18:04
@dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
@birdguides.bsky.social
@dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
@birdguides.bsky.social
September 29, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Glossy Ibis dropped in to the Postbox Pool, Lodmoor at 18:04
@dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
@birdguides.bsky.social
@dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
@birdguides.bsky.social
Managed to fire off a handful of pics of this Pale or Helice-form Clouded Yellow on Purbeck (Dorset) y’day, before it inevitably flew off at breakneck speed. Annoyingly, unable to discern extent of black markings on upperwing. Inseparable on underwing markings, me thinks?
@ukbutterflies.bsky.social
@ukbutterflies.bsky.social
September 24, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Managed to fire off a handful of pics of this Pale or Helice-form Clouded Yellow on Purbeck (Dorset) y’day, before it inevitably flew off at breakneck speed. Annoyingly, unable to discern extent of black markings on upperwing. Inseparable on underwing markings, me thinks?
@ukbutterflies.bsky.social
@ukbutterflies.bsky.social
As a relative neophyte to the moth-bothering business it was quite a thrill to be pointed in the direction of my first Convolvulus Hawk-moth y’day. This monster specimen - about the length of my little finger - was resting up on the patio wall of the Portland bird observatory.
#TeamMoth
#TeamMoth
September 22, 2025 at 4:56 PM
As a relative neophyte to the moth-bothering business it was quite a thrill to be pointed in the direction of my first Convolvulus Hawk-moth y’day. This monster specimen - about the length of my little finger - was resting up on the patio wall of the Portland bird observatory.
#TeamMoth
#TeamMoth
Cornwall - 17,000
Dorset - 0
😫
Dorset - 0
😫
Lizard Point 19th Sep ‘25.
I switched location as road closed to Porthgwarra. Incredible movement of 17000 Great Shearwater plus 46 Sooty, 59 Balearic, ad Long-tailed Skua and 300+ Gannet.
Video shows constant movement 1 mile offshore. Video quality has been dumbed down by platform prividers.
I switched location as road closed to Porthgwarra. Incredible movement of 17000 Great Shearwater plus 46 Sooty, 59 Balearic, ad Long-tailed Skua and 300+ Gannet.
Video shows constant movement 1 mile offshore. Video quality has been dumbed down by platform prividers.
September 19, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Cornwall - 17,000
Dorset - 0
😫
Dorset - 0
😫
Just had a v close Leach’s Petrel past Chesil Cove, viewed for at least 5 mins. Looks to be heading towards the bill. (3 Stormies this morning)
@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social
@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social
September 3, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Just had a v close Leach’s Petrel past Chesil Cove, viewed for at least 5 mins. Looks to be heading towards the bill. (3 Stormies this morning)
@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social
@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social
One of my target Odonata species on a recent trip to East Sussex was Willow Emerald Damselfly. Woods Mill nature reserve, home of @sussexwildlife.bsky.social, is reputed to be a good site for them. It took me over 2 hours to find a few individuals, but this male posed nicely on its favoured perch.
August 14, 2025 at 6:53 PM
One of my target Odonata species on a recent trip to East Sussex was Willow Emerald Damselfly. Woods Mill nature reserve, home of @sussexwildlife.bsky.social, is reputed to be a good site for them. It took me over 2 hours to find a few individuals, but this male posed nicely on its favoured perch.
Pleased to find 6+ Southern Migrant Hawkers along the R Ouse near Southease (E Sussex) during a recent visit. Having fired off dozens of pretty poor flight shots it was good to eventually stumble across a v smart perched male. Boots were duly filled!
@britishdragonflies.bsky.social
@britishdragonflies.bsky.social
August 12, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Pleased to find 6+ Southern Migrant Hawkers along the R Ouse near Southease (E Sussex) during a recent visit. Having fired off dozens of pretty poor flight shots it was good to eventually stumble across a v smart perched male. Boots were duly filled!
@britishdragonflies.bsky.social
@britishdragonflies.bsky.social
This odd-looking dark-ish juv tern (right hand bird) seen briefly & distantly on Brownsea today. Initial thoughts were of Black Tern, but lack of obvs dark patch on side of breast, head markings, + similar size to nearby juv Cmn Tern, all seem to suggest that species 🤔
@dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
@dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
July 23, 2025 at 7:21 PM
This odd-looking dark-ish juv tern (right hand bird) seen briefly & distantly on Brownsea today. Initial thoughts were of Black Tern, but lack of obvs dark patch on side of breast, head markings, + similar size to nearby juv Cmn Tern, all seem to suggest that species 🤔
@dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
@dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social