Kate Fox
@birdingfox.bsky.social
Nature addict from Dorset 🦊 Calf of Man Estate Warden 2025 🐦 A Permit Ringer | Former BTO Training Officer, Bardsey Bird Obs AW & LTV at WWT Slimbridge & Spurn Bird Obs 🦆 (She/Her)
Readjusting to civilisation after saying farewell to @calfofmanbirdobs.bsky.social last week! A brilliant season with a lovely team, learning so many skills and making great memories 🐦💚🛠️
Now onto the next adventure, back to my Dorset roots!
Now onto the next adventure, back to my Dorset roots!
Last weekend we closed down the observatory and said goodbye to the Calf for the winter. It's been a great season - thanks to all who have helped to make this year a success!
📸 @birdingfox.bsky.social
@manxheritage.bsky.social @manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social
📸 @birdingfox.bsky.social
@manxheritage.bsky.social @manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social
November 16, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Readjusting to civilisation after saying farewell to @calfofmanbirdobs.bsky.social last week! A brilliant season with a lovely team, learning so many skills and making great memories 🐦💚🛠️
Now onto the next adventure, back to my Dorset roots!
Now onto the next adventure, back to my Dorset roots!
Reposted by Kate Fox
Last weekend we closed down the observatory and said goodbye to the Calf for the winter. It's been a great season - thanks to all who have helped to make this year a success!
📸 @birdingfox.bsky.social
@manxheritage.bsky.social @manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social
📸 @birdingfox.bsky.social
@manxheritage.bsky.social @manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social
November 16, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Last weekend we closed down the observatory and said goodbye to the Calf for the winter. It's been a great season - thanks to all who have helped to make this year a success!
📸 @birdingfox.bsky.social
@manxheritage.bsky.social @manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social
📸 @birdingfox.bsky.social
@manxheritage.bsky.social @manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social
Reposted by Kate Fox
It’s always exciting getting a first for the Calf in the moth trap… but even more special when they are as stunning as this OLEANDER HAWKMOTH! 🤩
@calfofmanbirdobs.bsky.social @manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social @mothiduk.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social
@calfofmanbirdobs.bsky.social @manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social @mothiduk.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social
October 14, 2025 at 12:42 PM
It’s always exciting getting a first for the Calf in the moth trap… but even more special when they are as stunning as this OLEANDER HAWKMOTH! 🤩
@calfofmanbirdobs.bsky.social @manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social @mothiduk.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social
@calfofmanbirdobs.bsky.social @manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social @mothiduk.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social
Reposted by Kate Fox
A great bird boat around Poole Harbour yesterday morning with @harbourbirds.bsky.social, highlighted with great views of WT Eagle, 7 Curlew Sand (12 species of wader), Honey Buzzard, Bearded Tit, 62 Spoonbills, Kingfisher etc with great views of more WT Eagles over Carey today #ukbirding
September 19, 2025 at 6:15 PM
A great bird boat around Poole Harbour yesterday morning with @harbourbirds.bsky.social, highlighted with great views of WT Eagle, 7 Curlew Sand (12 species of wader), Honey Buzzard, Bearded Tit, 62 Spoonbills, Kingfisher etc with great views of more WT Eagles over Carey today #ukbirding
Reposted by Kate Fox
A young COMMON ROSEFINCH ringed at the Observatory today!
A nice addition to the arrival of migrants, with a notable increase in Robins and Swallow passage, a family of 4 Pink-Footed Geese, 13 Golden Plover and 13 Redshank also.
www.trektellen.org/count/view/2...
📸 Matt Livsey
#ukbirding
A nice addition to the arrival of migrants, with a notable increase in Robins and Swallow passage, a family of 4 Pink-Footed Geese, 13 Golden Plover and 13 Redshank also.
www.trektellen.org/count/view/2...
📸 Matt Livsey
#ukbirding
September 19, 2025 at 7:37 PM
A young COMMON ROSEFINCH ringed at the Observatory today!
A nice addition to the arrival of migrants, with a notable increase in Robins and Swallow passage, a family of 4 Pink-Footed Geese, 13 Golden Plover and 13 Redshank also.
www.trektellen.org/count/view/2...
📸 Matt Livsey
#ukbirding
A nice addition to the arrival of migrants, with a notable increase in Robins and Swallow passage, a family of 4 Pink-Footed Geese, 13 Golden Plover and 13 Redshank also.
www.trektellen.org/count/view/2...
📸 Matt Livsey
#ukbirding
Reposted by Kate Fox
Second autumn vagrant in a week: RED-BREASTED FLYCATCHER above Gibdale this morning, the first August record and 1st since 2020!
Also a more showy Pied Flycatcher present (pictured) for a handy comparison.
📸 Matthew Livsey
#ukbirding
@manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social
Also a more showy Pied Flycatcher present (pictured) for a handy comparison.
📸 Matthew Livsey
#ukbirding
@manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social
August 25, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Second autumn vagrant in a week: RED-BREASTED FLYCATCHER above Gibdale this morning, the first August record and 1st since 2020!
Also a more showy Pied Flycatcher present (pictured) for a handy comparison.
📸 Matthew Livsey
#ukbirding
@manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social
Also a more showy Pied Flycatcher present (pictured) for a handy comparison.
📸 Matthew Livsey
#ukbirding
@manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social
Reposted by Kate Fox
Birders check yer bramble bushes… immature BARRED WARBLER ringed at the Observatory this morning!
Autumn migration is well underway with birds continuing to trickle through the Calf, and this beauty was an exciting addition to the net round.
📸 @birdingfox.bsky.social
#ukbirding
Autumn migration is well underway with birds continuing to trickle through the Calf, and this beauty was an exciting addition to the net round.
📸 @birdingfox.bsky.social
#ukbirding
August 22, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Birders check yer bramble bushes… immature BARRED WARBLER ringed at the Observatory this morning!
Autumn migration is well underway with birds continuing to trickle through the Calf, and this beauty was an exciting addition to the net round.
📸 @birdingfox.bsky.social
#ukbirding
Autumn migration is well underway with birds continuing to trickle through the Calf, and this beauty was an exciting addition to the net round.
📸 @birdingfox.bsky.social
#ukbirding
Highlight of the morning, a bird I’ve always wanted to see up close. What a chonker! 🤩
With autumn migration picking up, hopefully a sign of more good things to come 🤞
@birdguides.bsky.social
With autumn migration picking up, hopefully a sign of more good things to come 🤞
@birdguides.bsky.social
Birders check yer bramble bushes… immature BARRED WARBLER ringed at the Observatory this morning!
Autumn migration is well underway with birds continuing to trickle through the Calf, and this beauty was an exciting addition to the net round.
📸 @birdingfox.bsky.social
#ukbirding
Autumn migration is well underway with birds continuing to trickle through the Calf, and this beauty was an exciting addition to the net round.
📸 @birdingfox.bsky.social
#ukbirding
August 22, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Highlight of the morning, a bird I’ve always wanted to see up close. What a chonker! 🤩
With autumn migration picking up, hopefully a sign of more good things to come 🤞
@birdguides.bsky.social
With autumn migration picking up, hopefully a sign of more good things to come 🤞
@birdguides.bsky.social
Reposted by Kate Fox
🗺️🐦 Our Wheatears are on the move!
One of this year’s Wheatear chicks colour-ringed on the Calf was seen at the Lower Otter Restoration Project in Budleigh Salterton, Devon!
One of over 100 pulli we ringed this year, with over 30 nests monitored.
@manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social
#ukbirding
One of this year’s Wheatear chicks colour-ringed on the Calf was seen at the Lower Otter Restoration Project in Budleigh Salterton, Devon!
One of over 100 pulli we ringed this year, with over 30 nests monitored.
@manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social
#ukbirding
August 7, 2025 at 7:46 PM
🗺️🐦 Our Wheatears are on the move!
One of this year’s Wheatear chicks colour-ringed on the Calf was seen at the Lower Otter Restoration Project in Budleigh Salterton, Devon!
One of over 100 pulli we ringed this year, with over 30 nests monitored.
@manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social
#ukbirding
One of this year’s Wheatear chicks colour-ringed on the Calf was seen at the Lower Otter Restoration Project in Budleigh Salterton, Devon!
One of over 100 pulli we ringed this year, with over 30 nests monitored.
@manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social
#ukbirding
Reposted by Kate Fox
Early career researcher who'd love a mentor? Or mid-career (onwards) looking to give back AS a mentor?
Sign up below for the new round of Guillemates 🥰🐧
Mentees👉 forms.gle/cdktNREkhUDb...
Mentors👉 forms.gle/uwA9X9giUPnA...
Such a great learning (or supporting!) opportunity 👩👩👦👦
Pls share! #seabirds
Sign up below for the new round of Guillemates 🥰🐧
Mentees👉 forms.gle/cdktNREkhUDb...
Mentors👉 forms.gle/uwA9X9giUPnA...
Such a great learning (or supporting!) opportunity 👩👩👦👦
Pls share! #seabirds
August 6, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Early career researcher who'd love a mentor? Or mid-career (onwards) looking to give back AS a mentor?
Sign up below for the new round of Guillemates 🥰🐧
Mentees👉 forms.gle/cdktNREkhUDb...
Mentors👉 forms.gle/uwA9X9giUPnA...
Such a great learning (or supporting!) opportunity 👩👩👦👦
Pls share! #seabirds
Sign up below for the new round of Guillemates 🥰🐧
Mentees👉 forms.gle/cdktNREkhUDb...
Mentors👉 forms.gle/uwA9X9giUPnA...
Such a great learning (or supporting!) opportunity 👩👩👦👦
Pls share! #seabirds
Reposted by Kate Fox
3/3 The majority of chicks were colour ringed, allowing them to be identified in the field. We also had success catching adults in the breeding colonies, so we’re excited to see where they spend their winters.
Keep an eye out for the Calf Class of 2025!
@manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social
#seabirds
Keep an eye out for the Calf Class of 2025!
@manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social
#seabirds
August 6, 2025 at 2:56 PM
3/3 The majority of chicks were colour ringed, allowing them to be identified in the field. We also had success catching adults in the breeding colonies, so we’re excited to see where they spend their winters.
Keep an eye out for the Calf Class of 2025!
@manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social
#seabirds
Keep an eye out for the Calf Class of 2025!
@manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social
#seabirds
Reposted by Kate Fox
2/ Herring Gulls did well with 277 chicks ringed (2x the highest total from the last 3 years and highest since 2019). LBB Gulls did poorly, with only 3 chicks ringed and stronghold colonies devoid of chicks. GBB Gull chick numbers were on par with the last 5/6 years, with 39 ringed.
#seabirds
#seabirds
August 6, 2025 at 2:53 PM
2/ Herring Gulls did well with 277 chicks ringed (2x the highest total from the last 3 years and highest since 2019). LBB Gulls did poorly, with only 3 chicks ringed and stronghold colonies devoid of chicks. GBB Gull chick numbers were on par with the last 5/6 years, with 39 ringed.
#seabirds
#seabirds
Reposted by Kate Fox
🐣 With the breeding season coming to an end, let’s look back at how our seabird colonies have done this year!
The Bird Team have been busy counting nests, monitoring productivity and ringing chicks and adults to help us understand how they’re doing. 1/
@manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social
#seabirds
The Bird Team have been busy counting nests, monitoring productivity and ringing chicks and adults to help us understand how they’re doing. 1/
@manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social
#seabirds
August 6, 2025 at 2:46 PM
🐣 With the breeding season coming to an end, let’s look back at how our seabird colonies have done this year!
The Bird Team have been busy counting nests, monitoring productivity and ringing chicks and adults to help us understand how they’re doing. 1/
@manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social
#seabirds
The Bird Team have been busy counting nests, monitoring productivity and ringing chicks and adults to help us understand how they’re doing. 1/
@manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social
#seabirds
Reposted by Kate Fox
Coming to the end of my first week working in Dorset. Not a bad start with over 350 birds ringed including 71 Groppers! And last night got lucky with great flight views of the Purple Heron! #ukbirding
@birdingfox.bsky.social @harbourbirds.bsky.social
@birdingfox.bsky.social @harbourbirds.bsky.social
July 20, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Coming to the end of my first week working in Dorset. Not a bad start with over 350 birds ringed including 71 Groppers! And last night got lucky with great flight views of the Purple Heron! #ukbirding
@birdingfox.bsky.social @harbourbirds.bsky.social
@birdingfox.bsky.social @harbourbirds.bsky.social
Reposted by Kate Fox
At the end of July our next free Young Birders event for 13-18s is an exciting Raptor and Osprey Watch with bird book giveaway 🦅
Find out more and sign up below ⬇️
www.birdsofpooleharbourbookings.co.uk/young-birders
📸Osprey CJ7 by Mark Wright
Find out more and sign up below ⬇️
www.birdsofpooleharbourbookings.co.uk/young-birders
📸Osprey CJ7 by Mark Wright
July 13, 2025 at 6:42 PM
At the end of July our next free Young Birders event for 13-18s is an exciting Raptor and Osprey Watch with bird book giveaway 🦅
Find out more and sign up below ⬇️
www.birdsofpooleharbourbookings.co.uk/young-birders
📸Osprey CJ7 by Mark Wright
Find out more and sign up below ⬇️
www.birdsofpooleharbourbookings.co.uk/young-birders
📸Osprey CJ7 by Mark Wright
🌌 Always special seeing Storm Petrels up close ✨
A session at @calfofmanbirdobs.bsky.social on Wednesday night under a bright moon produced 7 new birds plus a retrap from last year.
One bird had some funky leucism on its foot, giving the Manxie look a go!
@manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social
A session at @calfofmanbirdobs.bsky.social on Wednesday night under a bright moon produced 7 new birds plus a retrap from last year.
One bird had some funky leucism on its foot, giving the Manxie look a go!
@manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social
July 11, 2025 at 6:00 AM
🌌 Always special seeing Storm Petrels up close ✨
A session at @calfofmanbirdobs.bsky.social on Wednesday night under a bright moon produced 7 new birds plus a retrap from last year.
One bird had some funky leucism on its foot, giving the Manxie look a go!
@manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social
A session at @calfofmanbirdobs.bsky.social on Wednesday night under a bright moon produced 7 new birds plus a retrap from last year.
One bird had some funky leucism on its foot, giving the Manxie look a go!
@manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social
Reposted by Kate Fox
LAUGHING GULL found by @edjbetteridge.bsky.social this afternoon!
Smart summer-plumage adult, very vocal circling with other gulls for 15mins before heading towards the Isle of Man.
@manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social
@britishbirds.bsky.social
@rarebirder.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social
Smart summer-plumage adult, very vocal circling with other gulls for 15mins before heading towards the Isle of Man.
@manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social
@britishbirds.bsky.social
@rarebirder.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social
July 2, 2025 at 8:04 PM
LAUGHING GULL found by @edjbetteridge.bsky.social this afternoon!
Smart summer-plumage adult, very vocal circling with other gulls for 15mins before heading towards the Isle of Man.
@manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social
@britishbirds.bsky.social
@rarebirder.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social
Smart summer-plumage adult, very vocal circling with other gulls for 15mins before heading towards the Isle of Man.
@manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social
@britishbirds.bsky.social
@rarebirder.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social
Reposted by Kate Fox
4/4 After the females have left the nest, we return to check if they were successful. If so, we can estimate the number of chicks from the fragments of hatched shells around left the nest 🐣 This feeds into the @btobirds.bsky.social Nest Record Scheme, informing about Eider productivity!
June 27, 2025 at 5:18 PM
4/4 After the females have left the nest, we return to check if they were successful. If so, we can estimate the number of chicks from the fragments of hatched shells around left the nest 🐣 This feeds into the @btobirds.bsky.social Nest Record Scheme, informing about Eider productivity!
Reposted by Kate Fox
3/4 Once their chicks hatch, they walk them down to the sea and work their way round to the north of the island. There they wait for the tide to be just right so that they can paddle their family across the Sound to the Isle of Man to raise them!
June 27, 2025 at 4:58 PM
3/4 Once their chicks hatch, they walk them down to the sea and work their way round to the north of the island. There they wait for the tide to be just right so that they can paddle their family across the Sound to the Isle of Man to raise them!
Reposted by Kate Fox
2/4 Catching the females informs us about our breeding population and their habits. One female retrapped this year was ringed on the Calf in 2009, a new Calf longevity record!
We also find some females consistently nesting earlier or later, and many returning to the same areas year on year
We also find some females consistently nesting earlier or later, and many returning to the same areas year on year
June 27, 2025 at 4:25 PM
2/4 Catching the females informs us about our breeding population and their habits. One female retrapped this year was ringed on the Calf in 2009, a new Calf longevity record!
We also find some females consistently nesting earlier or later, and many returning to the same areas year on year
We also find some females consistently nesting earlier or later, and many returning to the same areas year on year
Reposted by Kate Fox
🦆 Eider Update! 🐣
The Bird Team have been busy over the past 2 months monitoring our breeding Eiders. They’ve been mapping nests, recording clutch size and catching the females as part of a long-term project.
So far this season they’ve found 76 nests, predominantly in bracken and heather… 1/4
The Bird Team have been busy over the past 2 months monitoring our breeding Eiders. They’ve been mapping nests, recording clutch size and catching the females as part of a long-term project.
So far this season they’ve found 76 nests, predominantly in bracken and heather… 1/4
June 27, 2025 at 4:18 PM
🦆 Eider Update! 🐣
The Bird Team have been busy over the past 2 months monitoring our breeding Eiders. They’ve been mapping nests, recording clutch size and catching the females as part of a long-term project.
So far this season they’ve found 76 nests, predominantly in bracken and heather… 1/4
The Bird Team have been busy over the past 2 months monitoring our breeding Eiders. They’ve been mapping nests, recording clutch size and catching the females as part of a long-term project.
So far this season they’ve found 76 nests, predominantly in bracken and heather… 1/4
Reposted by Kate Fox
🦆🔭 Join our Team!
We’re looking for a passionate ringer & birder to join our friendly team as Assistant Bird Warden! The role will involve monitoring autumn migration through daily census and bird ringing.
To find out more 👇
www.mwt.im/jobs/calf-ma...
🗓️ Applications close Friday 18th July
We’re looking for a passionate ringer & birder to join our friendly team as Assistant Bird Warden! The role will involve monitoring autumn migration through daily census and bird ringing.
To find out more 👇
www.mwt.im/jobs/calf-ma...
🗓️ Applications close Friday 18th July
June 26, 2025 at 12:25 PM
🦆🔭 Join our Team!
We’re looking for a passionate ringer & birder to join our friendly team as Assistant Bird Warden! The role will involve monitoring autumn migration through daily census and bird ringing.
To find out more 👇
www.mwt.im/jobs/calf-ma...
🗓️ Applications close Friday 18th July
We’re looking for a passionate ringer & birder to join our friendly team as Assistant Bird Warden! The role will involve monitoring autumn migration through daily census and bird ringing.
To find out more 👇
www.mwt.im/jobs/calf-ma...
🗓️ Applications close Friday 18th July
Reposted by Kate Fox
A bit of excitement this afternoon when Ed found TWO Quails!
The seventh Calf record and first since 1990. It’s also the first involving more than one individual!
@manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social
#calfbirdobs #ukbirding #ManxNature
The seventh Calf record and first since 1990. It’s also the first involving more than one individual!
@manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social
#calfbirdobs #ukbirding #ManxNature
I did not expect to flush not 1 but 2 Quails, metres apart from the cliffs on the Calf of Man this afternoon!! Not typical Quail habitat right next to a Herring Gull colony! #ukbirding
June 22, 2025 at 7:25 PM
A bit of excitement this afternoon when Ed found TWO Quails!
The seventh Calf record and first since 1990. It’s also the first involving more than one individual!
@manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social
#calfbirdobs #ukbirding #ManxNature
The seventh Calf record and first since 1990. It’s also the first involving more than one individual!
@manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social
#calfbirdobs #ukbirding #ManxNature
Reposted by Kate Fox
🚨 Peak Swift season is here!
Thousands of swifts blast past Spurn at breakneck speed 🐦💨
Stay at the Obs & catch the action from your doorstep!
🌱 Green travel discounts available
📍 Check rates: spurnbirdobservatory.co.uk/accommodation/
Thousands of swifts blast past Spurn at breakneck speed 🐦💨
Stay at the Obs & catch the action from your doorstep!
🌱 Green travel discounts available
📍 Check rates: spurnbirdobservatory.co.uk/accommodation/
June 27, 2025 at 4:01 PM
🚨 Peak Swift season is here!
Thousands of swifts blast past Spurn at breakneck speed 🐦💨
Stay at the Obs & catch the action from your doorstep!
🌱 Green travel discounts available
📍 Check rates: spurnbirdobservatory.co.uk/accommodation/
Thousands of swifts blast past Spurn at breakneck speed 🐦💨
Stay at the Obs & catch the action from your doorstep!
🌱 Green travel discounts available
📍 Check rates: spurnbirdobservatory.co.uk/accommodation/