Chris Jones
@millstonegrit.bsky.social
Birds, moths and other wildlife in north Wales and sometimes beyond. Also partial to The Clash, Fishermen’s Friends and cups of tea. FPL and PNE FC, for my sins!
Enjoyed great views of the Malltraeth White-rumped Sandpiper this afternoon, feeding along a channel close to the path. My first one in Wales - the last one I saw was in Texas, 2016! #ukbirding #birdingwales
October 18, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Enjoyed great views of the Malltraeth White-rumped Sandpiper this afternoon, feeding along a channel close to the path. My first one in Wales - the last one I saw was in Texas, 2016! #ukbirding #birdingwales
A nice selection of moths last night despite the cold temperatures included Figure of Eight, Pine Carpet and a fresh Satellite (VC50). #teammoth
October 17, 2025 at 6:12 PM
A nice selection of moths last night despite the cold temperatures included Figure of Eight, Pine Carpet and a fresh Satellite (VC50). #teammoth
Sure I’d heard a Brambling in the garden yesterday, so it was great that the pond cam confirmed it with these two taking a drink later in the afternoon. Several Skylark moving east too, and Redwings have arrived this morning. #ukbirding
October 14, 2025 at 7:56 AM
Sure I’d heard a Brambling in the garden yesterday, so it was great that the pond cam confirmed it with these two taking a drink later in the afternoon. Several Skylark moving east too, and Redwings have arrived this morning. #ukbirding
No needletail for me today, but it was good to see this Caspian gull in Scarborough harbour as we don’t get many in north Wales. Snow bunting showed well on the outer harbour wall too, and a skein of pinkfeet went south. #ukbirding
October 11, 2025 at 7:51 PM
No needletail for me today, but it was good to see this Caspian gull in Scarborough harbour as we don’t get many in north Wales. Snow bunting showed well on the outer harbour wall too, and a skein of pinkfeet went south. #ukbirding
Quick visit to Llanfairfechan this morning yielded 6 Brent geese, a late Sandwich tern and this juvenile Peregrine trying to blend in on the sandflats, perhaps eyeing up its next meal. #ukbirding
October 7, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Quick visit to Llanfairfechan this morning yielded 6 Brent geese, a late Sandwich tern and this juvenile Peregrine trying to blend in on the sandflats, perhaps eyeing up its next meal. #ukbirding
Nice chilly seawatch off Rhos Point this morning included Leach’s and European Storm-petrel, 3 Sabine’s Gulls, 2 Pomarine Skuas, Arctic Skua, 2 Manxie plus Whooper Swan and Golden Plover. Sandwich Terns still on the move too and plenty of Kittiwakes and Gannets. #ukbirding
October 5, 2025 at 10:29 AM
Nice chilly seawatch off Rhos Point this morning included Leach’s and European Storm-petrel, 3 Sabine’s Gulls, 2 Pomarine Skuas, Arctic Skua, 2 Manxie plus Whooper Swan and Golden Plover. Sandwich Terns still on the move too and plenty of Kittiwakes and Gannets. #ukbirding
After hearing one calling close outside the other night it was exciting to capture this Tawny Owl on the pond cam in the early hours of the morning. The bird hung around for about 40 minutes on and off, even sitting in the pond for a bathe.🦉
August 31, 2025 at 5:38 PM
After hearing one calling close outside the other night it was exciting to capture this Tawny Owl on the pond cam in the early hours of the morning. The bird hung around for about 40 minutes on and off, even sitting in the pond for a bathe.🦉
After missing my chance there last summer it was great to see my first Small Red-eyed Damselflies today, with a few on the wing at Parc Menai - including an egg-laying female. Still rare in north Wales I think, but presumably overlooked. #ukodonata @cofnod.org.uk
August 12, 2025 at 5:39 PM
After missing my chance there last summer it was great to see my first Small Red-eyed Damselflies today, with a few on the wing at Parc Menai - including an egg-laying female. Still rare in north Wales I think, but presumably overlooked. #ukodonata @cofnod.org.uk
After a quiet few weeks on the moth front it was nice to catch a couple of interesting geometers last night - Barred Rivulet (NFG) and the nationally scarce Cloaked Carpet. Also a new micro for me - Acrobasis Advenella. Plenty of Setaceous Hebrew Characters appearing too. #teammoth #vc50
August 6, 2025 at 5:56 PM
This juvenile Green Woodpecker was sharing the bath with a Blackbird in our garden this morning. Blackbird wasn’t too impressed but Green Wood are pretty scarce here in north Wales. Great to see what’s going on while I’m working!
July 9, 2025 at 7:24 PM
This juvenile Green Woodpecker was sharing the bath with a Blackbird in our garden this morning. Blackbird wasn’t too impressed but Green Wood are pretty scarce here in north Wales. Great to see what’s going on while I’m working!
Nice to see a juvenile Green Woodpecker outside our house today. Still scarce in north Wales, I presume they bred somewhere nearby but no sign until now.
July 7, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Nice to see a juvenile Green Woodpecker outside our house today. Still scarce in north Wales, I presume they bred somewhere nearby but no sign until now.
Nice fresh juvenile Redstart in the garden this morning. Didn’t notice any adults here this spring but presume they bred somewhere nearby (bird is on the left in video) #birding
July 3, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Nice fresh juvenile Redstart in the garden this morning. Didn’t notice any adults here this spring but presume they bred somewhere nearby (bird is on the left in video) #birding
No scarce migrant moths for me last night but Middle-barred Minor was nfg. Beautiful Hook-tip, July Belle and Mullein Wave among the other highlights (Colwyn Bay, VC50) #teammoth
June 20, 2025 at 8:00 PM
No scarce migrant moths for me last night but Middle-barred Minor was nfg. Beautiful Hook-tip, July Belle and Mullein Wave among the other highlights (Colwyn Bay, VC50) #teammoth
Great to see some Common Spotted Orchids growing in our little meadow today. Plenty of Selfheal too and the first Ringlet of the year.
June 19, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Great to see some Common Spotted Orchids growing in our little meadow today. Plenty of Selfheal too and the first Ringlet of the year.
Some stunning Knot justifying the red in their full name at #rspbburtonmerewetlands today, including a couple with leg flags that I managed to read. A lone Curlew Sandpiper showed pretty well too, as did Spoonbill and Great Egret. #ukbirding
June 9, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Some stunning Knot justifying the red in their full name at #rspbburtonmerewetlands today, including a couple with leg flags that I managed to read. A lone Curlew Sandpiper showed pretty well too, as did Spoonbill and Great Egret. #ukbirding
A decent catch last night resulted in my first Poplar and Elephant Hawkmoths of the year, plus Buff-tip, True Lovers Knot and Vine’s Rustic among the highlights (VC50) #teammoth
May 31, 2025 at 4:30 PM
A decent catch last night resulted in my first Poplar and Elephant Hawkmoths of the year, plus Buff-tip, True Lovers Knot and Vine’s Rustic among the highlights (VC50) #teammoth
The Ceanothus bush in our back garden has been quite literally buzzing with insects in the fine weather recently - even drawing in a Painted Lady for a couple of days. #gardeningforwildlife
May 22, 2025 at 4:56 PM
The Ceanothus bush in our back garden has been quite literally buzzing with insects in the fine weather recently - even drawing in a Painted Lady for a couple of days. #gardeningforwildlife
Nice visit to RSPB Cors Ddyga after work this evening. The Pectoral Sandpiper was elusive but eventually gave itself up and the Spoonbill was the opposite, showing well throughout. #birding
May 20, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Nice visit to RSPB Cors Ddyga after work this evening. The Pectoral Sandpiper was elusive but eventually gave itself up and the Spoonbill was the opposite, showing well throughout. #birding