Ian
@dbirder.bsky.social
Birding around Purbeck and further afield
A few more pictures of this very obliging bird which remained in view for about 2 hours.
July 16, 2025 at 8:22 PM
A few more pictures of this very obliging bird which remained in view for about 2 hours.
Purple Heron from Rees Cox hide, seen on my third visit. Thanks to everyone who got the word out and kept the news updated
July 16, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Purple Heron from Rees Cox hide, seen on my third visit. Thanks to everyone who got the word out and kept the news updated
Another Purbeck Heath nightjar survey last night. I arrived early so had the benefit of the sunset.
It was a warm still evening so the nightjars were very active.
The combination of darkness and loud churring of several nightjar close by can make these heaths feel like very wild places.
It was a warm still evening so the nightjars were very active.
The combination of darkness and loud churring of several nightjar close by can make these heaths feel like very wild places.
June 18, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Another Purbeck Heath nightjar survey last night. I arrived early so had the benefit of the sunset.
It was a warm still evening so the nightjars were very active.
The combination of darkness and loud churring of several nightjar close by can make these heaths feel like very wild places.
It was a warm still evening so the nightjars were very active.
The combination of darkness and loud churring of several nightjar close by can make these heaths feel like very wild places.
Out early for a High Nature Stewardship Bird Survey...
...and back home 10 minutes later to pick up my glasses
Nice to see reasonable numbers of swallow, house martin and swift
Good things are often seen after the last transect - today it was a cuckoo accompanied by an entourage of unhappy mipits
...and back home 10 minutes later to pick up my glasses
Nice to see reasonable numbers of swallow, house martin and swift
Good things are often seen after the last transect - today it was a cuckoo accompanied by an entourage of unhappy mipits
June 15, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Out early for a High Nature Stewardship Bird Survey...
...and back home 10 minutes later to pick up my glasses
Nice to see reasonable numbers of swallow, house martin and swift
Good things are often seen after the last transect - today it was a cuckoo accompanied by an entourage of unhappy mipits
...and back home 10 minutes later to pick up my glasses
Nice to see reasonable numbers of swallow, house martin and swift
Good things are often seen after the last transect - today it was a cuckoo accompanied by an entourage of unhappy mipits
The Purbeck heathland after sunset is an amazing place. A nightjar survey for just over 2 hours after sunset yielded 10 territories, lots of churring, calling and wing clapping and a good number of sightings. Plus the added bonus of seeing glow-worms.
June 12, 2025 at 6:37 AM
The Purbeck heathland after sunset is an amazing place. A nightjar survey for just over 2 hours after sunset yielded 10 territories, lots of churring, calling and wing clapping and a good number of sightings. Plus the added bonus of seeing glow-worms.
Just a roof, with gaps in it.
In 2 hours yesterday evening there were 26 swift flights in/out of 8 different gaps.
There was a 20 minute period where swifts were landing on the roof anywhere there was a gap,staying for a short while. At one point there were 4 swifts on the roof at the same time.
In 2 hours yesterday evening there were 26 swift flights in/out of 8 different gaps.
There was a 20 minute period where swifts were landing on the roof anywhere there was a gap,staying for a short while. At one point there were 4 swifts on the roof at the same time.
June 11, 2025 at 8:32 AM
Just a roof, with gaps in it.
In 2 hours yesterday evening there were 26 swift flights in/out of 8 different gaps.
There was a 20 minute period where swifts were landing on the roof anywhere there was a gap,staying for a short while. At one point there were 4 swifts on the roof at the same time.
In 2 hours yesterday evening there were 26 swift flights in/out of 8 different gaps.
There was a 20 minute period where swifts were landing on the roof anywhere there was a gap,staying for a short while. At one point there were 4 swifts on the roof at the same time.
Nature book challenge
A book per day, in no particular order, until you've shared ALL of the best nature, environment & conservation books in your personal library
No explanations, no reviews, just covers! #Books #Nature #Naturewriting #naturebooks #naturebookchallenge
A book per day, in no particular order, until you've shared ALL of the best nature, environment & conservation books in your personal library
No explanations, no reviews, just covers! #Books #Nature #Naturewriting #naturebooks #naturebookchallenge
May 5, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Nature book challenge
A book per day, in no particular order, until you've shared ALL of the best nature, environment & conservation books in your personal library
No explanations, no reviews, just covers! #Books #Nature #Naturewriting #naturebooks #naturebookchallenge
A book per day, in no particular order, until you've shared ALL of the best nature, environment & conservation books in your personal library
No explanations, no reviews, just covers! #Books #Nature #Naturewriting #naturebooks #naturebookchallenge
A dawn chorus walk to Swineham. Plenty of blackcap and reed warbler and cettis.
May 4, 2025 at 7:20 AM
A dawn chorus walk to Swineham. Plenty of blackcap and reed warbler and cettis.
Up early for the challenge of learning a new @bbs-birds.bsky.social square with a wide mix of habitats. The best birds were cuckoo and tree pipit, both found after I had finished the last transect and was walking back to the car.
April 28, 2025 at 7:24 AM
Up early for the challenge of learning a new @bbs-birds.bsky.social square with a wide mix of habitats. The best birds were cuckoo and tree pipit, both found after I had finished the last transect and was walking back to the car.
Completed another heathland bird survey this morning. No dartford warbler were found but there was a peregrine on the castle, along with whitethroat, stonechat and linnet on West Hill, plus the usual Purbeck views.
Full list
app.bto.org/birdtrack/pu...
Full list
app.bto.org/birdtrack/pu...
April 24, 2025 at 10:10 PM
Completed another heathland bird survey this morning. No dartford warbler were found but there was a peregrine on the castle, along with whitethroat, stonechat and linnet on West Hill, plus the usual Purbeck views.
Full list
app.bto.org/birdtrack/pu...
Full list
app.bto.org/birdtrack/pu...
A busy morning with a NT BBS survey followed by a BTO heathland survey but the early start had its good points.
April 9, 2025 at 12:29 PM
A busy morning with a NT BBS survey followed by a BTO heathland survey but the early start had its good points.
Brands Bay on a rising tide. A large group of wigeon were flushed by a WTE as I approached the hide but there were still over 600 birds in the bay.
WTE 1
Wigeon 240
Teal 130
Curlew 13
Redshank 16
Blackwit 30
Dunlin 128
Grey Plover 3
And loads of Chiffchaff everywhere.
app.bto.org/birdtrack/pu...
WTE 1
Wigeon 240
Teal 130
Curlew 13
Redshank 16
Blackwit 30
Dunlin 128
Grey Plover 3
And loads of Chiffchaff everywhere.
app.bto.org/birdtrack/pu...
March 21, 2025 at 10:33 AM
Brands Bay on a rising tide. A large group of wigeon were flushed by a WTE as I approached the hide but there were still over 600 birds in the bay.
WTE 1
Wigeon 240
Teal 130
Curlew 13
Redshank 16
Blackwit 30
Dunlin 128
Grey Plover 3
And loads of Chiffchaff everywhere.
app.bto.org/birdtrack/pu...
WTE 1
Wigeon 240
Teal 130
Curlew 13
Redshank 16
Blackwit 30
Dunlin 128
Grey Plover 3
And loads of Chiffchaff everywhere.
app.bto.org/birdtrack/pu...
A morning walk in the Corfe River Valley. At least 8 chiffchaff at Norden STW, kingfisher flying along the river and 2 marsh tit in woodland near Purbeck Park. There were plenty of scarlet cap too.
February 23, 2025 at 11:43 AM
A morning walk in the Corfe River Valley. At least 8 chiffchaff at Norden STW, kingfisher flying along the river and 2 marsh tit in woodland near Purbeck Park. There were plenty of scarlet cap too.
St Aldhelms this morning was a bit quiet and wetter/windier/murkier than expected.
Good views of 2 WTE.
Others included 5 gannet, 4 chaffinch and 20+ goldfinch.
Good views of 2 WTE.
Others included 5 gannet, 4 chaffinch and 20+ goldfinch.
February 3, 2025 at 3:14 PM
St Aldhelms this morning was a bit quiet and wetter/windier/murkier than expected.
Good views of 2 WTE.
Others included 5 gannet, 4 chaffinch and 20+ goldfinch.
Good views of 2 WTE.
Others included 5 gannet, 4 chaffinch and 20+ goldfinch.
A late afternoon watch from Slepe Heath looking north to Gigger's Island.
2 fieldfare
1 buzzard
1 kestrel
1 SEO
2 hen harrier (male & ringtail)
2 WTE
5 marsh harrier
2 fieldfare
1 buzzard
1 kestrel
1 SEO
2 hen harrier (male & ringtail)
2 WTE
5 marsh harrier
February 2, 2025 at 8:05 PM
A late afternoon watch from Slepe Heath looking north to Gigger's Island.
2 fieldfare
1 buzzard
1 kestrel
1 SEO
2 hen harrier (male & ringtail)
2 WTE
5 marsh harrier
2 fieldfare
1 buzzard
1 kestrel
1 SEO
2 hen harrier (male & ringtail)
2 WTE
5 marsh harrier
A morning walk around DWT Wild Woodbury. The weather brought out a hint of spring with singing birds, drumming woodpecker etc. The highlight was 3 green sandpiper on the watercress beds.
February 2, 2025 at 12:23 PM
A morning walk around DWT Wild Woodbury. The weather brought out a hint of spring with singing birds, drumming woodpecker etc. The highlight was 3 green sandpiper on the watercress beds.
3 Slavs at Jerry's Point earlier this morning
January 19, 2025 at 10:29 AM
3 Slavs at Jerry's Point earlier this morning
A superb winter morning with sunshine and a hard frost. I walked along the Corfe River from Scotland to Middlebere.
Initially it was very quiet. There were 5 redwing in the woods near Sharford Bridge and a fieldfare near Middlebere Farm.
Full list on birdtrack.
app.bto.org/birdtrack/pu...
Initially it was very quiet. There were 5 redwing in the woods near Sharford Bridge and a fieldfare near Middlebere Farm.
Full list on birdtrack.
app.bto.org/birdtrack/pu...
January 3, 2025 at 2:05 PM
A superb winter morning with sunshine and a hard frost. I walked along the Corfe River from Scotland to Middlebere.
Initially it was very quiet. There were 5 redwing in the woods near Sharford Bridge and a fieldfare near Middlebere Farm.
Full list on birdtrack.
app.bto.org/birdtrack/pu...
Initially it was very quiet. There were 5 redwing in the woods near Sharford Bridge and a fieldfare near Middlebere Farm.
Full list on birdtrack.
app.bto.org/birdtrack/pu...
St Aldhelms this morning.
Low autumn sun, constant noise of skylarks and active raptors unsettling the woodpigs throughout the morning - whats not to like.
Ring ouzel - flying south below Emmetts Hill
Wheatear - near chapel
Merlin
Peregrine
Sparrowhawk
Kestrel
Buzzard
Low autumn sun, constant noise of skylarks and active raptors unsettling the woodpigs throughout the morning - whats not to like.
Ring ouzel - flying south below Emmetts Hill
Wheatear - near chapel
Merlin
Peregrine
Sparrowhawk
Kestrel
Buzzard
October 29, 2024 at 3:19 PM
St Aldhelms this morning.
Low autumn sun, constant noise of skylarks and active raptors unsettling the woodpigs throughout the morning - whats not to like.
Ring ouzel - flying south below Emmetts Hill
Wheatear - near chapel
Merlin
Peregrine
Sparrowhawk
Kestrel
Buzzard
Low autumn sun, constant noise of skylarks and active raptors unsettling the woodpigs throughout the morning - whats not to like.
Ring ouzel - flying south below Emmetts Hill
Wheatear - near chapel
Merlin
Peregrine
Sparrowhawk
Kestrel
Buzzard
Challow Hill was very quiet this morning apart from 2 cattle egret flying south through the gap. The views were exceptional, with a fogbow and temperature inversion.
October 18, 2024 at 9:53 AM
Challow Hill was very quiet this morning apart from 2 cattle egret flying south through the gap. The views were exceptional, with a fogbow and temperature inversion.
An afternoon walk round St Aldhelms. All the usual good stuff like 100s of linnet and regular groups of swallow working their way east. Good views of winchat in the field of seed heads west of the car park, third time I have seen one in this location. And of course this amazing landscape.
October 3, 2024 at 5:40 PM
An afternoon walk round St Aldhelms. All the usual good stuff like 100s of linnet and regular groups of swallow working their way east. Good views of winchat in the field of seed heads west of the car park, third time I have seen one in this location. And of course this amazing landscape.
A morning on Combe Heath is always time well spent.
There was a group of 30+ meadow pipits on the heath and plenty of house martins and swallows overhead. Highlight was a firecrest, in amongst the chiffchaffs in the holly/birch/oak.
There was a group of 30+ meadow pipits on the heath and plenty of house martins and swallows overhead. Highlight was a firecrest, in amongst the chiffchaffs in the holly/birch/oak.
October 3, 2024 at 12:48 PM
A morning on Combe Heath is always time well spent.
There was a group of 30+ meadow pipits on the heath and plenty of house martins and swallows overhead. Highlight was a firecrest, in amongst the chiffchaffs in the holly/birch/oak.
There was a group of 30+ meadow pipits on the heath and plenty of house martins and swallows overhead. Highlight was a firecrest, in amongst the chiffchaffs in the holly/birch/oak.
A lovely morning walk along the Purbeck Way from Corfe Castle to East Creech returning over Knowle Hill.
As ever the birding slowed progress. Usual woodland species, numerous chiffchaff, 2 spotted flycatcher and a firecrest.
As ever the birding slowed progress. Usual woodland species, numerous chiffchaff, 2 spotted flycatcher and a firecrest.
September 13, 2024 at 10:09 AM
A lovely morning walk along the Purbeck Way from Corfe Castle to East Creech returning over Knowle Hill.
As ever the birding slowed progress. Usual woodland species, numerous chiffchaff, 2 spotted flycatcher and a firecrest.
As ever the birding slowed progress. Usual woodland species, numerous chiffchaff, 2 spotted flycatcher and a firecrest.
Challow Hill this morning. It doesn't count as a VisMig if a wasp spider is the highlight.
1 swallow
30+ goldfinch feeding on the ragwort.
2 meadow pipit
2 skylark
1 Stonechat
1 buzzard
3 raven
4 herring gull
21 woodpigeon
1 swallow
30+ goldfinch feeding on the ragwort.
2 meadow pipit
2 skylark
1 Stonechat
1 buzzard
3 raven
4 herring gull
21 woodpigeon
September 7, 2024 at 8:36 AM
Challow Hill this morning. It doesn't count as a VisMig if a wasp spider is the highlight.
1 swallow
30+ goldfinch feeding on the ragwort.
2 meadow pipit
2 skylark
1 Stonechat
1 buzzard
3 raven
4 herring gull
21 woodpigeon
1 swallow
30+ goldfinch feeding on the ragwort.
2 meadow pipit
2 skylark
1 Stonechat
1 buzzard
3 raven
4 herring gull
21 woodpigeon
Large green bush cricket (clue in the name) at Durlston this morning.
August 21, 2024 at 1:11 PM
Large green bush cricket (clue in the name) at Durlston this morning.