Matt Hull
@hull24matt.bsky.social
24//Consultant Ecologist for RSK Biocensus// Life-long birder with particular interest in bird migration and impact of climate change on long-distance migrants
Bonaparte's Gull off Newlyn Lawn was a welcome addition to my life list this weekend. Now on 448! #CornwallBirding #ukbirding
February 1, 2026 at 9:27 PM
Bonaparte's Gull off Newlyn Lawn was a welcome addition to my life list this weekend. Now on 448! #CornwallBirding #ukbirding
Red-necked Grebe showed well late afternoon at Cheddar Reservoir, spending most of its time just south of the Axbridge Tower. Another one for the Somerset list! #ukbirding
January 25, 2026 at 9:48 PM
Red-necked Grebe showed well late afternoon at Cheddar Reservoir, spending most of its time just south of the Axbridge Tower. Another one for the Somerset list! #ukbirding
Reposted by Matt Hull
BTO Ringing Report also shows historic lows for Willow Tits & Wood Warblers. 2024 saw just 132 Willow Tits and 109 Wood Warblers ringed in UK, lowest for ~65 years since introduction of mist-nets. Not a single Willow Tit chick ringed since 2022. Number of Marsh Tits ringed also declining.
1/2 How old? 😮 Discover bird longevity records up to 2024 in our newly released BTO Ringing and Nest Recording Report! ⬇️ #Ornithology 🪶
📖 www.bto.org/ringing-...
📖 www.bto.org/ringing-...
January 4, 2026 at 6:25 PM
BTO Ringing Report also shows historic lows for Willow Tits & Wood Warblers. 2024 saw just 132 Willow Tits and 109 Wood Warblers ringed in UK, lowest for ~65 years since introduction of mist-nets. Not a single Willow Tit chick ringed since 2022. Number of Marsh Tits ringed also declining.
Three Penduline Tits at Aust made for great start to birding year this morning. Later trip to Slimbridge produced 55 Bewick's Swan, 80+ Russian WF Goose, 15 Tundra Bean Goose, Water Rail, 500 Golden Plover, 300 Dunlin, surprise Bittern & good views of Cetti's Warbler. @bristolbirding.bsky.social
January 3, 2026 at 9:54 PM
Three Penduline Tits at Aust made for great start to birding year this morning. Later trip to Slimbridge produced 55 Bewick's Swan, 80+ Russian WF Goose, 15 Tundra Bean Goose, Water Rail, 500 Golden Plover, 300 Dunlin, surprise Bittern & good views of Cetti's Warbler. @bristolbirding.bsky.social
Here are some of my highlights from what has been an action-packed 2025. Ended on a Sand Point patch list of 138 and a world list of 447! Hope everyone has a great 2026😃 #ukbirding
December 31, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Here are some of my highlights from what has been an action-packed 2025. Ended on a Sand Point patch list of 138 and a world list of 447! Hope everyone has a great 2026😃 #ukbirding
Great results from a study on migratory heather moorland breeding birds on Dartmoor. Heather moorland has long been overrun by Purple Moor Grass (Molinia caerulea) at sites across Dartmoor and the Welsh uplands so it’s encouraging to see small-scale actions to reverse this trend.
A new survey has revealed that conservation grazing by heritage Dartmoor ponies is delivering strong results, with several rare and vulnerable bird species now breeding on restored heathland:
Conservation grazing brings rare breeding birds back to Dartmoor
Grazing by Dartmoor ponies at Bellever Moor and Meadows reserve in Devon has helped revive rare heathland birds, with new breeding records of Tree Pipit, Whinchat, Eurasian Skylark and other Red- and Amber-listed species following habitat restoration.
bit.ly
December 25, 2025 at 11:33 AM
Great results from a study on migratory heather moorland breeding birds on Dartmoor. Heather moorland has long been overrun by Purple Moor Grass (Molinia caerulea) at sites across Dartmoor and the Welsh uplands so it’s encouraging to see small-scale actions to reverse this trend.
Decent day birding with life tick in the form of Lesser Crested Tern on the Exe Estuary at Cockwood and patch tick in the form of Red-throated Diver down channel off Sand Point. @bristolbirding.bsky.social #ukbirding
December 6, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Decent day birding with life tick in the form of Lesser Crested Tern on the Exe Estuary at Cockwood and patch tick in the form of Red-throated Diver down channel off Sand Point. @bristolbirding.bsky.social #ukbirding
Reposted by Matt Hull
Excellent thread from @btobirds.bsky.social on this game changing development for studying Lesser Spots
1/ A new study from @lesserspotnet.bsky.social & BTO in @britishbirds.bsky.social looks at how passive acoustic monitoring is an effective way of surveying Lesser Spotted Woodpecker ➡️ www.bto.org/LSWBioacoust...
#bioacoustics #ornithology @simongillings.bsky.social @hosbirding.bsky.social
#bioacoustics #ornithology @simongillings.bsky.social @hosbirding.bsky.social
December 5, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Excellent thread from @btobirds.bsky.social on this game changing development for studying Lesser Spots
Sand Point AM vismig: 1 Golden Plover, 1 GBB Gull, 1900 Starling, 12 Redwing, 1550 Chaffinch, 12 Brambling, 3 Greenfinch, 7 Redpoll & 28 Siskin.
Grounded: 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Firecrest & 5 Goldcrest. @bristolbirding.bsky.social #ukbirding
Grounded: 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Firecrest & 5 Goldcrest. @bristolbirding.bsky.social #ukbirding
November 5, 2025 at 9:19 PM
Sand Point AM vismig: 1 Golden Plover, 1 GBB Gull, 1900 Starling, 12 Redwing, 1550 Chaffinch, 12 Brambling, 3 Greenfinch, 7 Redpoll & 28 Siskin.
Grounded: 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Firecrest & 5 Goldcrest. @bristolbirding.bsky.social #ukbirding
Grounded: 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Firecrest & 5 Goldcrest. @bristolbirding.bsky.social #ukbirding
Patch year tick Snow Bunting in Sand Bay this evening. The bird was extremely showy, down to at least 5m! First one I have heard of locally this year. @bristolbirding.bsky.social #ukbirding
October 29, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Patch year tick Snow Bunting in Sand Bay this evening. The bird was extremely showy, down to at least 5m! First one I have heard of locally this year. @bristolbirding.bsky.social #ukbirding
Reposted by Matt Hull
A video is now available of the lecture I gave last week to the Linnean Society & British Ornithologists' Club in London, on woodland birds, Marsh Tits & Willow Tits (~45 mins): www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7HF... #ornithology #ukbirding @ukceh.bsky.social
A Quietening of the Woods | The Decline of Woodland Birds
YouTube video by Linnean Society
www.youtube.com
October 29, 2025 at 6:18 PM
A video is now available of the lecture I gave last week to the Linnean Society & British Ornithologists' Club in London, on woodland birds, Marsh Tits & Willow Tits (~45 mins): www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7HF... #ornithology #ukbirding @ukceh.bsky.social
Sand Point vismig: 2 Pintail, 162 Woodies, 1 Common/2 GBB Gull, 900 Starling, 18 Redwing, 14 Fieldfare, 1 Grey Wag, 1863 Chaffinch, 4 Brambling, 7 Redpoll, 1 Crossbill & 39 Siskin. Grounded: 1 Chiffchaff, 8 Goldcrest, 1 Treecreeper, 1 Redwing & 1 Fieldfare. @bristolbirding.bsky.social #ukbirding
October 26, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Sand Point vismig: 2 Pintail, 162 Woodies, 1 Common/2 GBB Gull, 900 Starling, 18 Redwing, 14 Fieldfare, 1 Grey Wag, 1863 Chaffinch, 4 Brambling, 7 Redpoll, 1 Crossbill & 39 Siskin. Grounded: 1 Chiffchaff, 8 Goldcrest, 1 Treecreeper, 1 Redwing & 1 Fieldfare. @bristolbirding.bsky.social #ukbirding
Sand Point/Middle Hope: 210 Shelduck, 1 GBB Gull, 10 Common Gull, 1 Merlin, 40 Skylark, 2 Chiffchaff, 22 Goldcrest, 1 Treecreeper (3rd patch record!), 854 Starling, 2 Redwing, 583 Chaffinch, 3 Brambling, 44 Greenfinch, 4 Redpoll, 34 Siskin & 1 Reed Bunting. @bristolbirding.bsky.social #ukbirding
October 25, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Sand Point/Middle Hope: 210 Shelduck, 1 GBB Gull, 10 Common Gull, 1 Merlin, 40 Skylark, 2 Chiffchaff, 22 Goldcrest, 1 Treecreeper (3rd patch record!), 854 Starling, 2 Redwing, 583 Chaffinch, 3 Brambling, 44 Greenfinch, 4 Redpoll, 34 Siskin & 1 Reed Bunting. @bristolbirding.bsky.social #ukbirding
Middle Hope vismig AM: 2 Snipe, 148 Starling, 2 Redwing, 2 Fieldfare, 39 alba Wag, 61 Mipit, 233 Chaffinch, 8 Greenfinch, 23 Linnet, 13 Siskin & 5 Reed Bunting. Grounded: 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Firecrest, 7 Goldcrest, 2 Song Thrush & a patch tick male Black Redstart! @bristolbirding.bsky.social #ukbirding
October 13, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Middle Hope vismig AM: 2 Snipe, 148 Starling, 2 Redwing, 2 Fieldfare, 39 alba Wag, 61 Mipit, 233 Chaffinch, 8 Greenfinch, 23 Linnet, 13 Siskin & 5 Reed Bunting. Grounded: 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Firecrest, 7 Goldcrest, 2 Song Thrush & a patch tick male Black Redstart! @bristolbirding.bsky.social #ukbirding
Reposted by Matt Hull
Every new building in Wales could be a home for Swifts – if we make Swift bricks mandatory.
‼️The debate is in the Senedd is tomorrow. ‼️
Contact your local MS today and tell them how important it is to protect Swifts. Every voice counts!
‼️The debate is in the Senedd is tomorrow. ‼️
Contact your local MS today and tell them how important it is to protect Swifts. Every voice counts!
September 30, 2025 at 11:07 AM
Every new building in Wales could be a home for Swifts – if we make Swift bricks mandatory.
‼️The debate is in the Senedd is tomorrow. ‼️
Contact your local MS today and tell them how important it is to protect Swifts. Every voice counts!
‼️The debate is in the Senedd is tomorrow. ‼️
Contact your local MS today and tell them how important it is to protect Swifts. Every voice counts!
First definitive signs of autumn on Sand Point this morning: 1 Whimbrel, 1 Barn Owl, 20 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 1 Firecrest, 7 Goldcrest, 1 Redwing, 1 Wheatear, 16 alba Wagtail, 44 Meadow Pipit, 10 Chaffinch, 22 Greenfinch, 37 Linnet, 1 Redpoll, 7 Siskin & 9 Reed Bunting. @bristolbirding.bsky.social
September 30, 2025 at 7:24 PM
First definitive signs of autumn on Sand Point this morning: 1 Whimbrel, 1 Barn Owl, 20 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 1 Firecrest, 7 Goldcrest, 1 Redwing, 1 Wheatear, 16 alba Wagtail, 44 Meadow Pipit, 10 Chaffinch, 22 Greenfinch, 37 Linnet, 1 Redpoll, 7 Siskin & 9 Reed Bunting. @bristolbirding.bsky.social
CVL (Herriot's Bridge): 2 Pectoral Sandpipers present (albeit distant), w/ 1 Wood Sand, 2 Snipe, 1 Greenshank & an Osprey sat in a tree. Brief views of Temminck's Stint at Cheddar on way back w/ 2 Little Stint, 1 Grey Plover, 2 Ruff & another Wood Sand also present. @bristolbirding.bsky.social
September 28, 2025 at 6:00 PM
CVL (Herriot's Bridge): 2 Pectoral Sandpipers present (albeit distant), w/ 1 Wood Sand, 2 Snipe, 1 Greenshank & an Osprey sat in a tree. Brief views of Temminck's Stint at Cheddar on way back w/ 2 Little Stint, 1 Grey Plover, 2 Ruff & another Wood Sand also present. @bristolbirding.bsky.social
Moth trapping at Watercress Farm last night w/ Paul Chapman. Very pleased to have both been able to find only the U.K.’s 30th record of Shining Marbled! Other spp. incl The Brick, White Point, Gold Spot, Dusky Thorn, Spiny/Oak Hook-tip, Red Green Carpet, Brindled Green & Copper Underwing. #ukmoths
September 27, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Moth trapping at Watercress Farm last night w/ Paul Chapman. Very pleased to have both been able to find only the U.K.’s 30th record of Shining Marbled! Other spp. incl The Brick, White Point, Gold Spot, Dusky Thorn, Spiny/Oak Hook-tip, Red Green Carpet, Brindled Green & Copper Underwing. #ukmoths
Late evening dash down to Budleigh Salterton gave very decent views of the Baird's Sandpiper on the LORP reserve with added bonus of Osprey over heading south. #ukbirding
September 21, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Late evening dash down to Budleigh Salterton gave very decent views of the Baird's Sandpiper on the LORP reserve with added bonus of Osprey over heading south. #ukbirding
Nice birding back in Avon over past 2 days. Red-backed Shrike showed nicely at Portbury early evening w/ 1 Willow Warbler, 18 Chiffs, 10 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler & 2 Spotted Flycatcher at Sand Point earlier. Balearic Shearwater was a Sand Point patch tick yday evening! @bristolbirding.bsky.social
September 16, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Nice birding back in Avon over past 2 days. Red-backed Shrike showed nicely at Portbury early evening w/ 1 Willow Warbler, 18 Chiffs, 10 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler & 2 Spotted Flycatcher at Sand Point earlier. Balearic Shearwater was a Sand Point patch tick yday evening! @bristolbirding.bsky.social
Pendeen (07:00-11:00): 7 Common Scoter, 4 Grey Phalarope, 8 Sabine’s Gull, 5 Sandwich Tern, 10 Arctic Tern, 4 Great Skua, 2 Arctic Skua & 4 Great Shearwater. @runnelstone.bsky.social @marshallpaul.bsky.social
September 13, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Pendeen (07:00-11:00): 7 Common Scoter, 4 Grey Phalarope, 8 Sabine’s Gull, 5 Sandwich Tern, 10 Arctic Tern, 4 Great Skua, 2 Arctic Skua & 4 Great Shearwater. @runnelstone.bsky.social @marshallpaul.bsky.social
Cheddar Reservoir this evening: c.15 Ringed Plover, 6 Curlew Sandpiper, c.25 Dunlin, 2 Little Stint, 4 Common Sandpiper, 2 Little Tern, 1 Arctic Tern, 4 Black Tern, 2 Glossy Ibis, 80 House Martin & 1 Yellow Wagtail. #somersetbirds #ukbirding
September 11, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Cheddar Reservoir this evening: c.15 Ringed Plover, 6 Curlew Sandpiper, c.25 Dunlin, 2 Little Stint, 4 Common Sandpiper, 2 Little Tern, 1 Arctic Tern, 4 Black Tern, 2 Glossy Ibis, 80 House Martin & 1 Yellow Wagtail. #somersetbirds #ukbirding
Few pics from my recent tour of the highlands & coasts of northern Scotland (24-29/08): Black Grouse, Red Grouse, Grey Partridge, Red-throated Diver and Golden Eagle were all life ticks, w/ supporting cast of Black Guillemot, Black-throated Diver, White-tailed Eagle & Barred Warbler. #ukbirding
September 7, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Few pics from my recent tour of the highlands & coasts of northern Scotland (24-29/08): Black Grouse, Red Grouse, Grey Partridge, Red-throated Diver and Golden Eagle were all life ticks, w/ supporting cast of Black Guillemot, Black-throated Diver, White-tailed Eagle & Barred Warbler. #ukbirding
Sand Point/Middle Hope: 1 Swift, 205 Ringed Plover, 3 Knot, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, 7 Sanderling, 1 GBB Gull, 6 S. Martin, 520 Swallow, 210 H. Martin, 1 Firecrest, 2 Spotted Fly, 2 Whinchat, 6 Wheatear, 2 Yellow Wag, 3 Grey Wag, 11 Tree Pipit & 1 Clouded Yellow. @bristolbirding.bsky.social #ukbirding
September 6, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Sand Point/Middle Hope: 1 Swift, 205 Ringed Plover, 3 Knot, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, 7 Sanderling, 1 GBB Gull, 6 S. Martin, 520 Swallow, 210 H. Martin, 1 Firecrest, 2 Spotted Fly, 2 Whinchat, 6 Wheatear, 2 Yellow Wag, 3 Grey Wag, 11 Tree Pipit & 1 Clouded Yellow. @bristolbirding.bsky.social #ukbirding
Sand Point/Middle Hope AM: 1 Greenshank, 7 Swallow, 1 Willow Warbler, 14 Chiffchaff, 6 Blackcap, 8 Lesser Whitethroat, 9 Whitethroat, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Redstart, 2 Whinchat, 1 Yellow Wag and a patch tick Corn Bunting! Hobby over my house later. @bristolbirding.bsky.social #ukbirding
August 18, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Sand Point/Middle Hope AM: 1 Greenshank, 7 Swallow, 1 Willow Warbler, 14 Chiffchaff, 6 Blackcap, 8 Lesser Whitethroat, 9 Whitethroat, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Redstart, 2 Whinchat, 1 Yellow Wag and a patch tick Corn Bunting! Hobby over my house later. @bristolbirding.bsky.social #ukbirding