Richard Dobbins
@rdobbins.bsky.social
Based in West Wales and ring with the Teifi Ringing Group, Chair of Skokholm Bird Obs, and a regular at Kartong Bird Obs 🇬🇲 The Gambia.
Reposted by Richard Dobbins
New Teifi Ringing Group blog including Storm Petrels at Strumble Head, first signs of breeding success at our CES site and a Reed Warbler on the Teifi Marshes that had been ringed in Belfast #BirdRinging @btobirds.bsky.social teifimarshbirds.blogspot.com/2025/06/stor...
Storm Petrels and early breeding results
Mid June saw the start of our Storm Petrel ringing at Strumble. Over two nights we handled 18 birds, one of which had been ringed on Skokho...
teifimarshbirds.blogspot.com
June 28, 2025 at 7:15 AM
New Teifi Ringing Group blog including Storm Petrels at Strumble Head, first signs of breeding success at our CES site and a Reed Warbler on the Teifi Marshes that had been ringed in Belfast #BirdRinging @btobirds.bsky.social teifimarshbirds.blogspot.com/2025/06/stor...
Reposted by Richard Dobbins
Teifi Ringing Group latest blog with news from the Teifi Marshes reed beds and movements of our birds including a Woodcock to Russia, Sedge Warblers from France and Jersey and a wandering Bullfinch from Llangorse Lake #birdringing #birdingwales teifimarshbirds.blogspot.com/2025/05/reco...
Recoveries and Reedbed arrivals
Sedge Warblers, are mostly on migration not local breeders, and numbers peaked in the third week of April. Because of the good weather, fre...
teifimarshbirds.blogspot.com
May 29, 2025 at 8:50 AM
Teifi Ringing Group latest blog with news from the Teifi Marshes reed beds and movements of our birds including a Woodcock to Russia, Sedge Warblers from France and Jersey and a wandering Bullfinch from Llangorse Lake #birdringing #birdingwales teifimarshbirds.blogspot.com/2025/05/reco...
Reposted by Richard Dobbins
Spring migration so far through the Teifi Marshes and other news... teifimarshbirds.blogspot.com/2025/04/mid-... 62 White Wagtails, over 150 Sedge Warblers including one ringed in Wiltshire and one with a French ring and the first six returning Reed Warblers from previous years. #birdringing #wales
April 28, 2025 at 8:27 PM
Spring migration so far through the Teifi Marshes and other news... teifimarshbirds.blogspot.com/2025/04/mid-... 62 White Wagtails, over 150 Sedge Warblers including one ringed in Wiltshire and one with a French ring and the first six returning Reed Warblers from previous years. #birdringing #wales
Reposted by Richard Dobbins
Male F22 was the first Wheatear back this year @skokholmisland.bsky.social
He was singing around the Obs on 4 March! He had the entire island to choose from but he chose to set up his territory at the same place as last year. (He’s also not shy of people).
#ukbirding
#birds
#birdingWales
He was singing around the Obs on 4 March! He had the entire island to choose from but he chose to set up his territory at the same place as last year. (He’s also not shy of people).
#ukbirding
#birds
#birdingWales
April 24, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Male F22 was the first Wheatear back this year @skokholmisland.bsky.social
He was singing around the Obs on 4 March! He had the entire island to choose from but he chose to set up his territory at the same place as last year. (He’s also not shy of people).
#ukbirding
#birds
#birdingWales
He was singing around the Obs on 4 March! He had the entire island to choose from but he chose to set up his territory at the same place as last year. (He’s also not shy of people).
#ukbirding
#birds
#birdingWales
Reposted by Richard Dobbins
Despite another windy day our nest-building female is now onto white feathers @skokholmisland.bsky.social
This is usually the final stage of construction so laying in the next day or so (5/6 eggs). Incubation of c12 days so feeding young around 8 May.
#birds
#birdingWales
#ukbirding
This is usually the final stage of construction so laying in the next day or so (5/6 eggs). Incubation of c12 days so feeding young around 8 May.
#birds
#birdingWales
#ukbirding
April 19, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Despite another windy day our nest-building female is now onto white feathers @skokholmisland.bsky.social
This is usually the final stage of construction so laying in the next day or so (5/6 eggs). Incubation of c12 days so feeding young around 8 May.
#birds
#birdingWales
#ukbirding
This is usually the final stage of construction so laying in the next day or so (5/6 eggs). Incubation of c12 days so feeding young around 8 May.
#birds
#birdingWales
#ukbirding
Reposted by Richard Dobbins
Now the Wheatears @skokholmisland.bsky.social are paired, the males are on constant vigil. Flying round their territorial boundaries to protect their patch, they are quick to challenge any encroaching males with eyes on their female! Here C54 is on sentry duty on North Plain.
April 13, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Now the Wheatears @skokholmisland.bsky.social are paired, the males are on constant vigil. Flying round their territorial boundaries to protect their patch, they are quick to challenge any encroaching males with eyes on their female! Here C54 is on sentry duty on North Plain.
Reposted by Richard Dobbins
Most Wheatears @skokholmisland.bsky.social are now paired and are starting to explore potential nest sites together. Male C39 and female H09 are roaming their territory in the general North Plain area where both have bred with different partners for the last few years.
#ukbirding
#BirdingWales
#ukbirding
#BirdingWales
April 12, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Most Wheatears @skokholmisland.bsky.social are now paired and are starting to explore potential nest sites together. Male C39 and female H09 are roaming their territory in the general North Plain area where both have bred with different partners for the last few years.
#ukbirding
#BirdingWales
#ukbirding
#BirdingWales
Reposted by Richard Dobbins
Female C48 & male C91 are paired at Frank’s Point @skokholmisland.bsky.social. Both four years old they returned early to the same territory where they bred in 2024 and paired again.
#BirdingWales
#ukbirding
#BirdingWales
#ukbirding
April 11, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Female C48 & male C91 are paired at Frank’s Point @skokholmisland.bsky.social. Both four years old they returned early to the same territory where they bred in 2024 and paired again.
#BirdingWales
#ukbirding
#BirdingWales
#ukbirding
Reposted by Richard Dobbins
There are 42 Wheatear nestboxes @skokholmisland.bsky.social.
Each year they are checked and made good for the season.
There are usually one or two used each year. Bespoke cameras are used if there is an active nest to monitor the nestling behaviour.
#ukbirding
#BirdingWales
Each year they are checked and made good for the season.
There are usually one or two used each year. Bespoke cameras are used if there is an active nest to monitor the nestling behaviour.
#ukbirding
#BirdingWales
April 10, 2025 at 8:05 PM
There are 42 Wheatear nestboxes @skokholmisland.bsky.social.
Each year they are checked and made good for the season.
There are usually one or two used each year. Bespoke cameras are used if there is an active nest to monitor the nestling behaviour.
#ukbirding
#BirdingWales
Each year they are checked and made good for the season.
There are usually one or two used each year. Bespoke cameras are used if there is an active nest to monitor the nestling behaviour.
#ukbirding
#BirdingWales
Reposted by Richard Dobbins
Enjoyable 1st day on @skomerisland.bsky.social, amongst the highlights 2 successful Wheatear colour-ring reads from @skokholmisland.bsky.social, part of @fatsnipe.bsky.social long term study there
April 10, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Enjoyable 1st day on @skomerisland.bsky.social, amongst the highlights 2 successful Wheatear colour-ring reads from @skokholmisland.bsky.social, part of @fatsnipe.bsky.social long term study there
Reposted by Richard Dobbins
More female Wheatears ‘clocked in’ today @skokholmisland.bsky.social
4 birds with colour rings were sighted and photographed and a further 4 were ringed. Female F99 was paired with an unringed male at Winter Pond where she raised 2 broods in 2024 with a different partner.
#ukbirding
#BirdingWales
4 birds with colour rings were sighted and photographed and a further 4 were ringed. Female F99 was paired with an unringed male at Winter Pond where she raised 2 broods in 2024 with a different partner.
#ukbirding
#BirdingWales
April 9, 2025 at 8:18 PM
More female Wheatears ‘clocked in’ today @skokholmisland.bsky.social
4 birds with colour rings were sighted and photographed and a further 4 were ringed. Female F99 was paired with an unringed male at Winter Pond where she raised 2 broods in 2024 with a different partner.
#ukbirding
#BirdingWales
4 birds with colour rings were sighted and photographed and a further 4 were ringed. Female F99 was paired with an unringed male at Winter Pond where she raised 2 broods in 2024 with a different partner.
#ukbirding
#BirdingWales
Reposted by Richard Dobbins
The Wheatear study @skokholmisland.bsky.social uses colour ringing which allow birds to be identified in the field. Male F22 (pic) has bred in the same area for the last two years. Analysis of these data helps understand survival and spacial aspects of the species’ ecology.
#ukbirding
#BirdingWales
#ukbirding
#BirdingWales
April 8, 2025 at 7:30 PM
The Wheatear study @skokholmisland.bsky.social uses colour ringing which allow birds to be identified in the field. Male F22 (pic) has bred in the same area for the last two years. Analysis of these data helps understand survival and spacial aspects of the species’ ecology.
#ukbirding
#BirdingWales
#ukbirding
#BirdingWales
Reposted by Richard Dobbins
With more female Wheatears arriving daily the number of pairs is increasing #skokholmisland. As are the territorial disputes. After it all settles down in a couple of weeks the birds will end up occupying the same areas as previous years regardless of the individuals.
#ukbirding
#BirdingWales
#ukbirding
#BirdingWales
April 7, 2025 at 8:07 PM
With more female Wheatears arriving daily the number of pairs is increasing #skokholmisland. As are the territorial disputes. After it all settles down in a couple of weeks the birds will end up occupying the same areas as previous years regardless of the individuals.
#ukbirding
#BirdingWales
#ukbirding
#BirdingWales
Reposted by Richard Dobbins
Wheatears are starting to pair up @skokholmisland.bsky.social
Here male H42 and female H32 are keeping close near North Gully. On The Neck, female H92 is the first of last year’s juveniles to return from her winter quarters.
#BirdingWales
#ukbirding
#WheatearTales
Here male H42 and female H32 are keeping close near North Gully. On The Neck, female H92 is the first of last year’s juveniles to return from her winter quarters.
#BirdingWales
#ukbirding
#WheatearTales
April 6, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Wheatears are starting to pair up @skokholmisland.bsky.social
Here male H42 and female H32 are keeping close near North Gully. On The Neck, female H92 is the first of last year’s juveniles to return from her winter quarters.
#BirdingWales
#ukbirding
#WheatearTales
Here male H42 and female H32 are keeping close near North Gully. On The Neck, female H92 is the first of last year’s juveniles to return from her winter quarters.
#BirdingWales
#ukbirding
#WheatearTales
Reposted by Richard Dobbins
Welcome to the 9th year of ‘Wheatear Tales’; a diary of the Wheatear colour ringing research project on #skokholmisland via daily posts (previously posted elsewhere). One of our first pairs back are female C56 & male D63 - both 5 years old, exploring their 2025 territory. #ukbirding
April 5, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Welcome to the 9th year of ‘Wheatear Tales’; a diary of the Wheatear colour ringing research project on #skokholmisland via daily posts (previously posted elsewhere). One of our first pairs back are female C56 & male D63 - both 5 years old, exploring their 2025 territory. #ukbirding
Reposted by Richard Dobbins
New Teifi Ringing Group blog teifimarshbirds.blogspot.com/2025/04/wade...
Some wader ringing, spring arrivals and news of a movement of a nestling Grey Wagtail in a Dipper box from Carmarthenshire to N Devon #birdringing @btobirds.bsky.social
Some wader ringing, spring arrivals and news of a movement of a nestling Grey Wagtail in a Dipper box from Carmarthenshire to N Devon #birdringing @btobirds.bsky.social
April 1, 2025 at 3:37 PM
New Teifi Ringing Group blog teifimarshbirds.blogspot.com/2025/04/wade...
Some wader ringing, spring arrivals and news of a movement of a nestling Grey Wagtail in a Dipper box from Carmarthenshire to N Devon #birdringing @btobirds.bsky.social
Some wader ringing, spring arrivals and news of a movement of a nestling Grey Wagtail in a Dipper box from Carmarthenshire to N Devon #birdringing @btobirds.bsky.social
Reposted by Richard Dobbins
New Teifi Ringing Group blog with an update of our early spring ringing and plans for the season ahead at our sites in West Wales teifimarshbirds.blogspot.com/2025/03/spri... #BirdRinging #BTO
March 13, 2025 at 4:46 PM
New Teifi Ringing Group blog with an update of our early spring ringing and plans for the season ahead at our sites in West Wales teifimarshbirds.blogspot.com/2025/03/spri... #BirdRinging #BTO
Reposted by Richard Dobbins
This LBBG was photographed by John Jarju / Kartong Bird Observatory in the Gambia on 4/2/25. It was ringed on Bardsey on 8/7/24. Distance between the two sites was 4534Km.
February 9, 2025 at 10:31 AM
This LBBG was photographed by John Jarju / Kartong Bird Observatory in the Gambia on 4/2/25. It was ringed on Bardsey on 8/7/24. Distance between the two sites was 4534Km.
More great work in Kartong by KBOstaff...
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www.facebook.com/share/18kbc7...
February 6, 2025 at 9:23 AM
More great work in Kartong by KBOstaff...
www.facebook.com/share/18kbc7...
www.facebook.com/share/18kbc7...
Reposted by Richard Dobbins
Our first post here.
A great weekend for the BOC AGM hosted by @btobirds.bsky.social
Superb turnout with 16 Obs represented from Fair Isle in the north to @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social in the south. Thanks to the BTO Staff, the Theford Bell Inn & the Thetford Raj. Excellent service all round
A great weekend for the BOC AGM hosted by @btobirds.bsky.social
Superb turnout with 16 Obs represented from Fair Isle in the north to @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social in the south. Thanks to the BTO Staff, the Theford Bell Inn & the Thetford Raj. Excellent service all round
February 2, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Our first post here.
A great weekend for the BOC AGM hosted by @btobirds.bsky.social
Superb turnout with 16 Obs represented from Fair Isle in the north to @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social in the south. Thanks to the BTO Staff, the Theford Bell Inn & the Thetford Raj. Excellent service all round
A great weekend for the BOC AGM hosted by @btobirds.bsky.social
Superb turnout with 16 Obs represented from Fair Isle in the north to @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social in the south. Thanks to the BTO Staff, the Theford Bell Inn & the Thetford Raj. Excellent service all round
Reposted by Richard Dobbins
New Teifi Ringing Group blog with 2024 totals and movements teifimarshbirds.blogspot.com 29 of the 162 Storm Petrels encountered at Strumble Head were either re-encountered elsewhere during the season or had already been ringed at other coastal locations #birdringing #seabirds #ornithology
January 20, 2025 at 9:51 PM
New Teifi Ringing Group blog with 2024 totals and movements teifimarshbirds.blogspot.com 29 of the 162 Storm Petrels encountered at Strumble Head were either re-encountered elsewhere during the season or had already been ringed at other coastal locations #birdringing #seabirds #ornithology
Reposted by Richard Dobbins
The Teifi Ringing Group have several records of wintering Starlings ringed in Lithuania but this month an interesting movement was a bird caught near Lampeter. It had been ringed in a nest in Finland 2004 km away in May 2023 #birdringing teifimarshbirds.blogspot.com/2024/12/earl...
December 11, 2024 at 7:12 AM
The Teifi Ringing Group have several records of wintering Starlings ringed in Lithuania but this month an interesting movement was a bird caught near Lampeter. It had been ringed in a nest in Finland 2004 km away in May 2023 #birdringing teifimarshbirds.blogspot.com/2024/12/earl...
A near final post of the season with a nice birding summary of 2024..
skokholm.blogspot.com?m=1
skokholm.blogspot.com?m=1
The Skokholm Blog
Skokholm Island is an internationally important seabird haven, was Britain's first Bird Observatory and is an amazing place to experience migration.
skokholm.blogspot.com
December 2, 2024 at 4:37 AM
A near final post of the season with a nice birding summary of 2024..
skokholm.blogspot.com?m=1
skokholm.blogspot.com?m=1
We left The Gambia yesterday after another highly successfull visit, back on the Teifi tomorrow.....
November 30, 2024 at 9:44 AM
We left The Gambia yesterday after another highly successfull visit, back on the Teifi tomorrow.....