Phil Woollen
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philwoollen.bsky.social
Phil Woollen
@philwoollen.bsky.social
Birder, twitcher, ringer, biologist, devoted husband & granddad to four gorgeous grandchildren
The pond opposite our house is just beginning to fill up after being completely dry all summer. I can just see the water for 1st time since spring. These 2 Wigeon just dropped in! #ukbirding #patchbirding #pwc2025
November 14, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Just picked this up from the framers and hung it on my study wall. A beautiful drawing from an original photo of the Siberian Rubythroat I found on Fetlar in 2019. Thanks to @ruths-portraits.bsky.social for doing such a beautiful commission for me #ukbirding
November 14, 2025 at 12:20 PM
German colour ringed Curlew back @hilbrebirdobs.bsky.social for its 2nd winter & having a good preen. 1st seen in November 2024 #birdringing #birdbanding
November 13, 2025 at 6:37 PM
This young female Goldcrest was ringed on 15th Oct @hilbrebirdobs.bsky.social and recaptured a week or so ago. We recaptured it again today. Very unusual to have one staying almost a month. It’s put on 0.1g! #birdringing #birdbanding
November 13, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Female Kestrel drying off in the November sunshine @hilbrebirdobs.bsky.social this morning #ukbirding
November 13, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Merlin off the west side of @hilbrebirdobs.bsky.social this morning. We later found the remains of a Ringed Plover that had presumably killed
November 13, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Some vis Mig from the garden this morning. Fieldfare, Redwing, Skylark & Siskin so far. My 1st Redwing locally. They’re late here #ukbirding
November 6, 2025 at 10:42 AM
Oystercatcher numbers building up @hilbrebirdobs.bsky.social. High tide today meant many roosting on Hilbre as usual
spots on Middle Eye covered by the sea
November 5, 2025 at 6:29 PM
A Merlin flew past @hilbrebirdobs.bsky.social at high tide heading towards Point of Ayr. It spooked all the roosting waders as it flew west
November 5, 2025 at 5:16 PM
3 of the 5 Purple Sandpipers roosting on the east side of @hilbrebirdobs.bsky.social over the high tide today
November 5, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Six Purple Sandpipers @hilbrebirdobs.bsky.social this morning including this bird that flew in off the sea and landed on the old lifeboat slipway as I was sitting at the north end ! #ukbirding
November 5, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Again only 2 moths in the trap this morning. Pine Carpet & this new for garden / me Feathered Thorn #teammoth
November 4, 2025 at 9:59 AM
A great read for anyone with an interest in the UK bird observatory network
The long overdue 2024 BOC News is now published online at
tinyurl.com/BOC-News-2024
Some amazing images and stories from around the Observatory network and a memoriam for the late Steve Wing.
November 3, 2025 at 8:54 PM
Only two moths in the garden trap this morning. Pine Carpet and this Green-brindled Crescent (I hope!). New for me and the garden #teammoth #cheshiremoths
November 3, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Pleased to see our 1st Purple Sandpiper of the winter @hilbrebirdobs.bsky.social this morning. They seem to be late arriving here this year
November 1, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Stormy start to the morning @hilbrebirdobs.bsky.social and a F4 wsw. Unsurprisingly no new birds in but plenty of waders around the island
November 1, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Sad to hear of the death of Chris Thorne in latest copy of BTO Lifecycle magazine. He was ringer in charge of Wicken Fen ringing group when I started as a trainee ringer there in 1976 #birdringing #birdbanding
November 1, 2025 at 8:22 AM
There have been few gulls around locally so far this year but local farmer started ploughing maize stubble y’day. Heavy rain here and looking out bedroom window saw a few gulls congregating on field behind house. Checked them out & found this winter plumaged Med Gull! #ukbirding #cheshirebirding
November 1, 2025 at 8:11 AM
Back in Grovesnor Park, Chester this morning trying to add to Moorhen colour marking scheme. Forgot it was half term so to much disturbance. Did see H23 & H24 who’d left the pond but are now back! #birdringing
October 31, 2025 at 11:40 AM
Put the moth trap out last night more in hope than expectation. Surprised to catch a new species for me & the garden. Lobster Moth! #cheshiremoths #teammoth
October 31, 2025 at 11:07 AM
Kestrel drying out in the warmth of the early morning sunshine on the slate roof of one of the old buildings @hilbrebirdobs.bsky.social
October 30, 2025 at 1:22 PM
A quiet morning @hilbrebirdobs.bsky.social but 3 Brambling & a good number of Skylarks over were signs migration hasn’t stopped yet! 353 Pale-bellied Brent geese around the island today as well.

#ukbirding #birdobservatory
October 30, 2025 at 10:50 AM
Following on from my Little Owl heard from the garden last week there were a pair dueting as darkness fell this evening. Fantastic to hear them again after several blank years
October 29, 2025 at 5:36 PM