Luke Phillips
@lukephillips.bsky.social
Nature stuff!! Mainly birds, bird ringing and moths but never far away from a bit of campaigning. Based in west Dorset.
Reposted by Luke Phillips
For months, ministers have been pushing a false choice between nature and growth.
Now, new research shows just how out of touch they are.
With data from More In Common, it's time to set the record straight. 👇
Now, new research shows just how out of touch they are.
With data from More In Common, it's time to set the record straight. 👇
November 12, 2025 at 9:33 AM
For months, ministers have been pushing a false choice between nature and growth.
Now, new research shows just how out of touch they are.
With data from More In Common, it's time to set the record straight. 👇
Now, new research shows just how out of touch they are.
With data from More In Common, it's time to set the record straight. 👇
Reposted by Luke Phillips
I bought these old RSPB magazines for their CF Tunnicliffe cover pictures. They look so good together (with that delicious typeface!)
November 7, 2025 at 7:50 PM
I bought these old RSPB magazines for their CF Tunnicliffe cover pictures. They look so good together (with that delicious typeface!)
Reposted by Luke Phillips
Worrying reports of bird flu (avian influenza) are coming in, including an outbreak in Whooper Swans in the Fens. Other waterbirds are also being affected, and cases are rising.
📷 Sick Whooper Swan by Kane Brides
#UKBirding #BirdingWales #BirdingScotland
📷 Sick Whooper Swan by Kane Brides
#UKBirding #BirdingWales #BirdingScotland
November 6, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Worrying reports of bird flu (avian influenza) are coming in, including an outbreak in Whooper Swans in the Fens. Other waterbirds are also being affected, and cases are rising.
📷 Sick Whooper Swan by Kane Brides
#UKBirding #BirdingWales #BirdingScotland
📷 Sick Whooper Swan by Kane Brides
#UKBirding #BirdingWales #BirdingScotland
Reposted by Luke Phillips
Last night, Peers voted against Swift bricks: rejecting a simple, proven way to help one of our fastest declining birds recover. ❌
We share @hannahbournetaylor.bsky.social's disappointment & frustration.
The vote came late, but with government refusing to back it, its fate was already sealed.
We share @hannahbournetaylor.bsky.social's disappointment & frustration.
The vote came late, but with government refusing to back it, its fate was already sealed.
November 4, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Last night, Peers voted against Swift bricks: rejecting a simple, proven way to help one of our fastest declining birds recover. ❌
We share @hannahbournetaylor.bsky.social's disappointment & frustration.
The vote came late, but with government refusing to back it, its fate was already sealed.
We share @hannahbournetaylor.bsky.social's disappointment & frustration.
The vote came late, but with government refusing to back it, its fate was already sealed.
Reposted by Luke Phillips
This is VERY good news - the massive loophole that allows grouse moor owners & their gamekeepers to avoid sanction for killing birds of prey is about to be closed.
#RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime
Discussion at @revivecoalition.bsky.social conf this w/e
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/11/03/b...
#RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime
Discussion at @revivecoalition.bsky.social conf this w/e
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/11/03/b...
BREAKING NEWS: Scottish Government commits to closing loophole on sabotaged grouse moor licences
BREAKING NEWS: The Scottish Government has committed to closing the loophole on the grouse moor licences that were sabotaged last year by the powerful grouse shooting lobby. If you recall, grouse m…
raptorpersecutionuk.org
November 3, 2025 at 3:12 PM
This is VERY good news - the massive loophole that allows grouse moor owners & their gamekeepers to avoid sanction for killing birds of prey is about to be closed.
#RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime
Discussion at @revivecoalition.bsky.social conf this w/e
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/11/03/b...
#RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime
Discussion at @revivecoalition.bsky.social conf this w/e
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/11/03/b...
Reposted by Luke Phillips
Our November e-Bulletin should be arriving in Member's inboxes this evening. Lots to enjoy and discover. Nature's Recovery, news of 3 firsts for Dorset and more. Not a member yet? Join here dorsetbirds.co.uk/membership/ Tx @joestockwell.bsky.social for the pic
November 1, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Our November e-Bulletin should be arriving in Member's inboxes this evening. Lots to enjoy and discover. Nature's Recovery, news of 3 firsts for Dorset and more. Not a member yet? Join here dorsetbirds.co.uk/membership/ Tx @joestockwell.bsky.social for the pic
Reposted by Luke Phillips
Our colour ringing season at Lytchett Bay is off to a great start with 5 Water Pipit & 5 Rock Pipit marked (under license) already. Please look out for yellow (Water) and white (Rock) marked birds and report all sightings 🙏 #Dorsetbirds
October 30, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Our colour ringing season at Lytchett Bay is off to a great start with 5 Water Pipit & 5 Rock Pipit marked (under license) already. Please look out for yellow (Water) and white (Rock) marked birds and report all sightings 🙏 #Dorsetbirds
Reposted by Luke Phillips
Yesterday we trapped a Norwegian ringed Goldfinch, which was originally ringed on 6th August this year at Jomfruland Fuglestajion by a young girl, pictured with the bird. The map shows Fair Isle in blue & Jomfruland in red, a movement of over 600km!
📸 Alex Penn & Ola Nordsteien
📸 Alex Penn & Ola Nordsteien
October 28, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Yesterday we trapped a Norwegian ringed Goldfinch, which was originally ringed on 6th August this year at Jomfruland Fuglestajion by a young girl, pictured with the bird. The map shows Fair Isle in blue & Jomfruland in red, a movement of over 600km!
📸 Alex Penn & Ola Nordsteien
📸 Alex Penn & Ola Nordsteien
Reposted by Luke Phillips
Brilliant piece debunking the nonsense claim in the Daily Telegraph. But it’s dangerous nonsense, polarising attitudes & whipping up prejudice.
The DTelegraph is such a shit newspaper. Oh, and the photo? Staged - captive eagle, already-dead lamb.
The DTelegraph is such a shit newspaper. Oh, and the photo? Staged - captive eagle, already-dead lamb.
Victorian attitudes towards birds of prey in the UK are fueled by sensationalist fear-mongering like this, published routinely by mainstream media.
#RaptorResearch
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/10/28/a...
#RaptorResearch
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/10/28/a...
Absurd claim that White-tailed Eagles ‘snatched’ five Shetland ponies leads to inevitable call to ‘shoot eagles’
The absurd claim that White-tailed Eagles had ‘snatched’ five Shetland pony foals on South Uist hit the headlines at the end of August. A crofter / farmer named Donald Cameron said that…
raptorpersecutionuk.org
October 28, 2025 at 7:04 AM
Brilliant piece debunking the nonsense claim in the Daily Telegraph. But it’s dangerous nonsense, polarising attitudes & whipping up prejudice.
The DTelegraph is such a shit newspaper. Oh, and the photo? Staged - captive eagle, already-dead lamb.
The DTelegraph is such a shit newspaper. Oh, and the photo? Staged - captive eagle, already-dead lamb.
Reposted by Luke Phillips
Take Swifts. Their numbers have plummeted by 68% in just 28 years.
We're proud to stand with @hannahbournetaylor.bsky.social in calling for Swift bricks. Nesting spaces built into new homes would give these remarkable birds a future.
Amendment 245: simple fix, huge impact. Surely a no-brainer?
We're proud to stand with @hannahbournetaylor.bsky.social in calling for Swift bricks. Nesting spaces built into new homes would give these remarkable birds a future.
Amendment 245: simple fix, huge impact. Surely a no-brainer?
October 27, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Take Swifts. Their numbers have plummeted by 68% in just 28 years.
We're proud to stand with @hannahbournetaylor.bsky.social in calling for Swift bricks. Nesting spaces built into new homes would give these remarkable birds a future.
Amendment 245: simple fix, huge impact. Surely a no-brainer?
We're proud to stand with @hannahbournetaylor.bsky.social in calling for Swift bricks. Nesting spaces built into new homes would give these remarkable birds a future.
Amendment 245: simple fix, huge impact. Surely a no-brainer?
Reposted by Luke Phillips
Good news on Dorset Cirl Buntings continues to arrive. Early data from the breeding season confirms they are continuing to re-establish a population in the county. Please submit any outstanding records now. 🙏 In winter our focus switches to feeding flocks - please send us all sightings. 🙏
October 24, 2025 at 11:37 AM
Good news on Dorset Cirl Buntings continues to arrive. Early data from the breeding season confirms they are continuing to re-establish a population in the county. Please submit any outstanding records now. 🙏 In winter our focus switches to feeding flocks - please send us all sightings. 🙏
Thrilled to have the first Cirl Bunting colour ringed on Portland as part of a Dorset wide project to understand more about the species spread across the county. Please keep a look out and report any sightings. And huge thanks to all the ringers involved 💚.
@dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
@dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
October 24, 2025 at 7:32 AM
Thrilled to have the first Cirl Bunting colour ringed on Portland as part of a Dorset wide project to understand more about the species spread across the county. Please keep a look out and report any sightings. And huge thanks to all the ringers involved 💚.
@dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
@dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
Reposted by Luke Phillips
We'd like to say a huge thank you to everyone who took part in the Heathland Birds Survey! 🙌
All remaining survey returns are urgently required, before 30th November, to inform future conservation action. If you need any help submitting your records please email heathlandbirds@bto.org. Thank you!
All remaining survey returns are urgently required, before 30th November, to inform future conservation action. If you need any help submitting your records please email heathlandbirds@bto.org. Thank you!
October 21, 2025 at 10:00 AM
We'd like to say a huge thank you to everyone who took part in the Heathland Birds Survey! 🙌
All remaining survey returns are urgently required, before 30th November, to inform future conservation action. If you need any help submitting your records please email heathlandbirds@bto.org. Thank you!
All remaining survey returns are urgently required, before 30th November, to inform future conservation action. If you need any help submitting your records please email heathlandbirds@bto.org. Thank you!
Reposted by Luke Phillips
Exasperated. Gutted. Furious. Terrified. Sometimes swear words are the only ones that fit.
Our delightful government - who we put our trust in - is u-turning on THE easiest Nature action *ever*.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Our delightful government - who we put our trust in - is u-turning on THE easiest Nature action *ever*.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Government U-turns on support for bird-friendly swift bricks in new homes
Housing minister Steve Reed refuses to back mandating measure, despite giving support while in environment job
www.theguardian.com
October 18, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Exasperated. Gutted. Furious. Terrified. Sometimes swear words are the only ones that fit.
Our delightful government - who we put our trust in - is u-turning on THE easiest Nature action *ever*.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Our delightful government - who we put our trust in - is u-turning on THE easiest Nature action *ever*.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
A quiet morning for ringing on the farm (nr Bridport) with grounded migrants starting to dwindle as the autumn goes on. But a few Goldcrest always brighten up a morning though. All 5 grammes of them!
October 18, 2025 at 2:41 PM
A quiet morning for ringing on the farm (nr Bridport) with grounded migrants starting to dwindle as the autumn goes on. But a few Goldcrest always brighten up a morning though. All 5 grammes of them!
Reposted by Luke Phillips
Baikal Teal at Abbotsbury Swannery this afternoon with 500+ Teal. Flock very mobile. Swannery open 10am tomorrow. No entry before 10am. Doubtfully viewable from rights of way other than grounds. There is no right of way SE of tank traps on beach. If you walk beyond fence there everything will flush!
October 14, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Baikal Teal at Abbotsbury Swannery this afternoon with 500+ Teal. Flock very mobile. Swannery open 10am tomorrow. No entry before 10am. Doubtfully viewable from rights of way other than grounds. There is no right of way SE of tank traps on beach. If you walk beyond fence there everything will flush!
Reposted by Luke Phillips
Announcing an exciting new event 🤩
🌿 Be the Future of Nature’s Recovery in Dorset & Beyond
📍 Bournemouth Uni
🗓️ Sat 22 Nov 1–6pm
A free @btobirds.bsky.social x @bournemouthuni.bsky.social conference with Megan McCubbin, Paul Morton, Katiana Saleiko & more! 🙌🏻
More info👉🏻 www.bto.org/our-work/eve...
🌿 Be the Future of Nature’s Recovery in Dorset & Beyond
📍 Bournemouth Uni
🗓️ Sat 22 Nov 1–6pm
A free @btobirds.bsky.social x @bournemouthuni.bsky.social conference with Megan McCubbin, Paul Morton, Katiana Saleiko & more! 🙌🏻
More info👉🏻 www.bto.org/our-work/eve...
October 12, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Announcing an exciting new event 🤩
🌿 Be the Future of Nature’s Recovery in Dorset & Beyond
📍 Bournemouth Uni
🗓️ Sat 22 Nov 1–6pm
A free @btobirds.bsky.social x @bournemouthuni.bsky.social conference with Megan McCubbin, Paul Morton, Katiana Saleiko & more! 🙌🏻
More info👉🏻 www.bto.org/our-work/eve...
🌿 Be the Future of Nature’s Recovery in Dorset & Beyond
📍 Bournemouth Uni
🗓️ Sat 22 Nov 1–6pm
A free @btobirds.bsky.social x @bournemouthuni.bsky.social conference with Megan McCubbin, Paul Morton, Katiana Saleiko & more! 🙌🏻
More info👉🏻 www.bto.org/our-work/eve...
Reposted by Luke Phillips
Confused by gulls? 🤔 Join our online Gull ID training sessions in November ➡️ www.bto.org/training
Our two-part, online Gull ID course run by our expert team helps you build knowledge and confidence to make gull ID easier! #UKBirding #Ornithology
Our two-part, online Gull ID course run by our expert team helps you build knowledge and confidence to make gull ID easier! #UKBirding #Ornithology
October 12, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Confused by gulls? 🤔 Join our online Gull ID training sessions in November ➡️ www.bto.org/training
Our two-part, online Gull ID course run by our expert team helps you build knowledge and confidence to make gull ID easier! #UKBirding #Ornithology
Our two-part, online Gull ID course run by our expert team helps you build knowledge and confidence to make gull ID easier! #UKBirding #Ornithology
Reposted by Luke Phillips
A week on from #StormAmy 🌬️ data from our tagged Whooper Swans show both storm assistance & storm displacement. Some birds made rapid migrations, others battled the elements – some out at sea for 55 hrs! As North Atlantic storms grow more frequent, understanding their impact is vital. 🦢 #Ornithology
October 11, 2025 at 3:30 PM
A week on from #StormAmy 🌬️ data from our tagged Whooper Swans show both storm assistance & storm displacement. Some birds made rapid migrations, others battled the elements – some out at sea for 55 hrs! As North Atlantic storms grow more frequent, understanding their impact is vital. 🦢 #Ornithology
Had to get out ringing this morning to celebrate #WorldMigratoryBirdDay. However, it turned out to be one of the quietest mornings for a while. Chiffchaff numbers dropped off but did ring the first Redpoll of the autumn. Made up for the lack of numbers.
October 11, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Had to get out ringing this morning to celebrate #WorldMigratoryBirdDay. However, it turned out to be one of the quietest mornings for a while. Chiffchaff numbers dropped off but did ring the first Redpoll of the autumn. Made up for the lack of numbers.
Reposted by Luke Phillips
Well, it's official. After our paper last year (onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....), the Slender-billed Curlew is officially declared Extinct today.
Scientists dream of describing new species, not writing their obituary and epitaph, knowing that they are gone forever #ornithology
Scientists dream of describing new species, not writing their obituary and epitaph, knowing that they are gone forever #ornithology
October 10, 2025 at 8:54 AM
Well, it's official. After our paper last year (onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....), the Slender-billed Curlew is officially declared Extinct today.
Scientists dream of describing new species, not writing their obituary and epitaph, knowing that they are gone forever #ornithology
Scientists dream of describing new species, not writing their obituary and epitaph, knowing that they are gone forever #ornithology
Back #birdringing on the farm this morning and Chiffchaff still on the move in numbers. All were birds hatched this year and this bird showed a nice clear moult limit in the greater coverts. Inner greener ones are adult and paler outer ones juv feathers.
Ringed under licence @btobirds.bsky.social
Ringed under licence @btobirds.bsky.social
October 8, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Back #birdringing on the farm this morning and Chiffchaff still on the move in numbers. All were birds hatched this year and this bird showed a nice clear moult limit in the greater coverts. Inner greener ones are adult and paler outer ones juv feathers.
Ringed under licence @btobirds.bsky.social
Ringed under licence @btobirds.bsky.social
Reposted by Luke Phillips
...also on the ringing front: we've received notification of a fantastic recovery of a Firecrest ringed here last October that was controlled a few days ago by a ringer in the Czech Republic - the first movement of a UK-ringed Firecrest to the Czech Republic or indeed to anywhere in central Europe
October 7, 2025 at 9:55 PM
...also on the ringing front: we've received notification of a fantastic recovery of a Firecrest ringed here last October that was controlled a few days ago by a ringer in the Czech Republic - the first movement of a UK-ringed Firecrest to the Czech Republic or indeed to anywhere in central Europe
This should be a good morning! Bird ringing, bird migration, hot drinks and a chance to see some amazing work being done by farmers in Dorset - fb.me/e/3AEE8B5qq
Redirecting...
fb.me
October 7, 2025 at 9:32 AM
This should be a good morning! Bird ringing, bird migration, hot drinks and a chance to see some amazing work being done by farmers in Dorset - fb.me/e/3AEE8B5qq
Quick hour up on Allington Hill, Bridport this morning for a bit of vismig. Woodlark was a goody and a Golden Plover took 2nd place. Also 221 Meadow Pipit, 44 Linnet, 35 Chaffinch, 22 Goldfinch, 12 Pied Wag, 14 Swallow, 15 H Martin, 9 Siskin, 2 Bullfinch and a Grt Spot Woodpecker high over S.
October 7, 2025 at 8:46 AM
Quick hour up on Allington Hill, Bridport this morning for a bit of vismig. Woodlark was a goody and a Golden Plover took 2nd place. Also 221 Meadow Pipit, 44 Linnet, 35 Chaffinch, 22 Goldfinch, 12 Pied Wag, 14 Swallow, 15 H Martin, 9 Siskin, 2 Bullfinch and a Grt Spot Woodpecker high over S.