Gavin Haig
@notquitescilly.bsky.social
Mainly birds, moths, other nat. hist.
Mainly W Dorset & E Devon, UK
https://notquitescilly2.blogspot.com
Mainly W Dorset & E Devon, UK
https://notquitescilly2.blogspot.com
High ISO fuzziness in the late pm gloom, but even so, this leucistic 1w BHG looks pretty amazing.
River Axe at Axmouth.
#DevonBirds
River Axe at Axmouth.
#DevonBirds
January 30, 2026 at 9:33 PM
High ISO fuzziness in the late pm gloom, but even so, this leucistic 1w BHG looks pretty amazing.
River Axe at Axmouth.
#DevonBirds
River Axe at Axmouth.
#DevonBirds
Just got home from evening out to find 20W actinic porch light has pulled in two moths! Varied Tortrix best, plus Winter Moth. So, naturally the trap deployed immediately.
Suspect I know how that's going to go, but you've got to try...
#TeamMoth
Suspect I know how that's going to go, but you've got to try...
#TeamMoth
January 19, 2026 at 11:08 PM
Just got home from evening out to find 20W actinic porch light has pulled in two moths! Varied Tortrix best, plus Winter Moth. So, naturally the trap deployed immediately.
Suspect I know how that's going to go, but you've got to try...
#TeamMoth
Suspect I know how that's going to go, but you've got to try...
#TeamMoth
9 miles today (Axminster/Kilmington) brought the #FootIt list to 54. GBBG was unexpected, but other highlights were 2 Song Thrushes in full song within 100m of home, and at least one uncooperative Sibe Chiff at Kilmington WTW with a conservative estimate of 60+ collybita. 😎
#DevonBirds
#DevonBirds
January 13, 2026 at 8:11 PM
9 miles today (Axminster/Kilmington) brought the #FootIt list to 54. GBBG was unexpected, but other highlights were 2 Song Thrushes in full song within 100m of home, and at least one uncooperative Sibe Chiff at Kilmington WTW with a conservative estimate of 60+ collybita. 😎
#DevonBirds
#DevonBirds
A 5-mile walk around the Axmouth lanes produced my first Fieldfares of 2026 plus 4 lovely Bramblings, including this smart male. Satisfying stuff...😎
#DevonBirds
#DevonBirds
January 12, 2026 at 5:28 PM
A 5-mile walk around the Axmouth lanes produced my first Fieldfares of 2026 plus 4 lovely Bramblings, including this smart male. Satisfying stuff...😎
#DevonBirds
#DevonBirds
Last light Larids, and other stories...
#DevonBirds
#DevonBirds
Last Light Larids...etc
The recent chill surrendered its icy grip in spectacular fashion today. The mercury rose several degrees as a SSE hoolie delivered a lo...
notquitescilly2.blogspot.com
January 11, 2026 at 11:31 PM
Last light Larids, and other stories...
#DevonBirds
#DevonBirds
Amazing number of gulls coming down the Axe valley in the last half hour or so before dark. Main prize was this 1w Caspian Gull which flew past the Seaton Wetlands Tower Hide around 16:30 and conveniently landed across the river. 😎
Barely enough light for the P950 to focus!
Also 10 Meds.
#DevonBirds
Barely enough light for the P950 to focus!
Also 10 Meds.
#DevonBirds
January 11, 2026 at 6:33 PM
Amazing number of gulls coming down the Axe valley in the last half hour or so before dark. Main prize was this 1w Caspian Gull which flew past the Seaton Wetlands Tower Hide around 16:30 and conveniently landed across the river. 😎
Barely enough light for the P950 to focus!
Also 10 Meds.
#DevonBirds
Barely enough light for the P950 to focus!
Also 10 Meds.
#DevonBirds
Added a couple more to my 'Naff Pics of Firecrest 2026' list this afternoon, when this little beauty popped up for a few seconds at Branscombe late this afternoon.
Photos of 10+ distant Common Dolphins W were even worse.
#DevonBirds
Photos of 10+ distant Common Dolphins W were even worse.
#DevonBirds
January 10, 2026 at 9:13 PM
Added a couple more to my 'Naff Pics of Firecrest 2026' list this afternoon, when this little beauty popped up for a few seconds at Branscombe late this afternoon.
Photos of 10+ distant Common Dolphins W were even worse.
#DevonBirds
Photos of 10+ distant Common Dolphins W were even worse.
#DevonBirds
Despite unfulfilled expectations, a lovely local day out...
#DevonBirds
#DevonBirds
Over-egging the Optimism...Again
It was a day of unfulfilled expectations. As frequently happens, there was a big gap between yesterday evening's mental picture and thi...
notquitescilly2.blogspot.com
January 6, 2026 at 9:27 PM
Despite unfulfilled expectations, a lovely local day out...
#DevonBirds
#DevonBirds
A long, circuitous walk from Seaton seafront to Colyford and back today. Rewards included this lovely Sibe Chiff at Colyton WTW. I never tire of these subtle gems. 😎
#DevonBirds
#DevonBirds
January 6, 2026 at 7:33 PM
A long, circuitous walk from Seaton seafront to Colyford and back today. Rewards included this lovely Sibe Chiff at Colyton WTW. I never tire of these subtle gems. 😎
#DevonBirds
#DevonBirds
There are plans afoot...
#DevonBirding
#DevonBirding
Plans Afoot
Although I find this hard to believe - and rather sobering - I've been publishing online birdy stuff for more than two decades now. In ...
notquitescilly2.blogspot.com
January 5, 2026 at 9:31 PM
There are plans afoot...
#DevonBirding
#DevonBirding
And so it begins...
#DevonBirds
#DevonBirds
And So It Begins...
A new year is upon us, and with it, new lists. Birdy folk do love a list. Especially a list that can be wiped clean and started afresh ...
notquitescilly2.blogspot.com
January 3, 2026 at 8:12 PM
And so it begins...
#DevonBirds
#DevonBirds
Out the front door, then almost 5 hrs investigating footpaths and habitat mainly on W side of Axminster. Pleasantly surprised at potential. Among 42 spp recorded were a few not particularly expected, like Green Sandpiper, Kingfisher, Stock Dove, Treecreeper, etc...
It's a start.
#FootIt
#DevonBirds
It's a start.
#FootIt
#DevonBirds
January 3, 2026 at 5:17 PM
Out the front door, then almost 5 hrs investigating footpaths and habitat mainly on W side of Axminster. Pleasantly surprised at potential. Among 42 spp recorded were a few not particularly expected, like Green Sandpiper, Kingfisher, Stock Dove, Treecreeper, etc...
It's a start.
#FootIt
#DevonBirds
It's a start.
#FootIt
#DevonBirds
Always look at gulls! 😄
What a way to start the year on my local patch. Landed on the beach for a few minutes then flew off west.
January 1, 2026 at 6:02 PM
Always look at gulls! 😄
Studies in greige...
#DevonBirds
#DevonBirds
Studies in Greige
Picking through a lively bunch of sewage works Chiffchaffs for the Siberian version is nearly as much fun as gulls. All birders know th...
notquitescilly2.blogspot.com
December 30, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Studies in greige...
#DevonBirds
#DevonBirds
One of two Siberian Chiffchaffs at Colyton WTW this afternoon. Impossible to count in any meaningful way, but wouldn't surprise me if there were 100+ Chiffs present here. Quite a captivating sight. 😎
#DevonBirds
#DevonBirds
December 29, 2025 at 6:55 PM
One of two Siberian Chiffchaffs at Colyton WTW this afternoon. Impossible to count in any meaningful way, but wouldn't surprise me if there were 100+ Chiffs present here. Quite a captivating sight. 😎
#DevonBirds
#DevonBirds
Keeping it simple...
#DevonBirds
#DevonBirds
Keeping It Simple
With a couple of hours spare yesterday afternoon, the question was where to spend them. The dry, sunny weather almost certainly meant t...
notquitescilly2.blogspot.com
December 25, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Keeping it simple...
#DevonBirds
#DevonBirds
A rare sight in the Axe valley: 13 Barnacle Geese and 5 Brents. Don't mean to seem ungrateful, but Whitefronts and Beans would be very welcome too. 😄
#DevonBirds
#DevonBirds
December 25, 2025 at 12:29 PM
A rare sight in the Axe valley: 13 Barnacle Geese and 5 Brents. Don't mean to seem ungrateful, but Whitefronts and Beans would be very welcome too. 😄
#DevonBirds
#DevonBirds
A pleasant but frustrating walk along the lower Axe Estuary trying to read gull colour-rings that were either too far away or too glaringly lit was massively enhanced at last knockings by the appearance of this lovely 1w Caspian Gull...😎
#DevonBirds
#DevonBirds
December 24, 2025 at 6:06 PM
A pleasant but frustrating walk along the lower Axe Estuary trying to read gull colour-rings that were either too far away or too glaringly lit was massively enhanced at last knockings by the appearance of this lovely 1w Caspian Gull...😎
#DevonBirds
#DevonBirds
The glittery distraction...
#TeamMoth
#TeamMoth
2025 in Moth
Unless there are any mild, calm nights forecast between now and 2026, my little trap is done for the year. So it's time for the 2025 Mo...
notquitescilly2.blogspot.com
December 15, 2025 at 7:52 PM
The glittery distraction...
#TeamMoth
#TeamMoth
ObsID to the rescue...
#TeamMoth
#TeamMoth
31
I cannot think of a good reason why the moth trap should be out tonight, but it is. I shall curtail this folly before bed because heavy...
notquitescilly2.blogspot.com
December 15, 2025 at 12:17 AM
ObsID to the rescue...
#TeamMoth
#TeamMoth
There have been a few mothy blanks lately, but I've been holding out in the hope of one of these for the new garden. Well worth it. Last night brought two, along with a very worn Brick, which was NFG *and* for me!
#TeamMoth
#TeamMoth
December 14, 2025 at 11:17 AM
There have been a few mothy blanks lately, but I've been holding out in the hope of one of these for the new garden. Well worth it. Last night brought two, along with a very worn Brick, which was NFG *and* for me!
#TeamMoth
#TeamMoth
Unfortunately I'm still waiting for my binoculars to be repaired under warranty at Swarovski Austria, after they got lost for a while in the Brexit Triangle. Might have to buy a British pair next time 🤣.
December 12, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Gulls & Terns...
#DevonBirds
#DevonBirds
Gulls & Terns
A midday visit to the Axe Estuary today produced one of the smartest Caspian Gulls I've seen for a while. Initially almost completely ...
notquitescilly2.blogspot.com
December 11, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Gulls & Terns...
#DevonBirds
#DevonBirds
A very pleasing 1w Caspian Gull on the Axe Estuary at midday. More than happy if they keep coming like this for the rest of the winter. 😎
#DevonBirds
#DevonBirds
December 11, 2025 at 1:35 PM
A very pleasing 1w Caspian Gull on the Axe Estuary at midday. More than happy if they keep coming like this for the rest of the winter. 😎
#DevonBirds
#DevonBirds