Dawn Balmer
@debalmer.bsky.social
Birder, ringer, moth(er) and mother. Head of Surveys at BTO, BB Editorial Panel, BB Director, BBRC, Chair RBBP. EBCC Board. Views my own. She/her.
After a day indoors yesterday, a day out in the field was just what was needed. Beautiful weather, quality time with friends and some good birds. Three Arctic Terns, Slav Grebes, Shorelark, Dusky Warbler, Yellow-browed Warbler, American Golden Plover, Caspian Gull, Glossy Ibis.
#norfolkbirding
#norfolkbirding
November 9, 2025 at 8:45 PM
After a day indoors yesterday, a day out in the field was just what was needed. Beautiful weather, quality time with friends and some good birds. Three Arctic Terns, Slav Grebes, Shorelark, Dusky Warbler, Yellow-browed Warbler, American Golden Plover, Caspian Gull, Glossy Ibis.
#norfolkbirding
#norfolkbirding
Really enjoyed the @btobirds.bsky.social South West Conference at Duchy College in Cornwall today. Brilliant talks and great to catch up with so many people. Very well organised by Simon, Ocea and Eve. Thank you!
November 8, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Really enjoyed the @btobirds.bsky.social South West Conference at Duchy College in Cornwall today. Brilliant talks and great to catch up with so many people. Very well organised by Simon, Ocea and Eve. Thank you!
Pete and I spent the morning at Holme and counted 7065 Starlings fly west, most in the first two hours of daylight. Also 127 Redwing, 19 Fieldfare, 193 Chaffinch, 4 Brambling, 3 Bullfinch, 6 Song Thrush, 53 Lapwing, 17 Linnet, 17 Goldfinch, 4 Siskin, 2 Reed Bunting. Top vis-mig.
#NorfolkBirding
#NorfolkBirding
November 1, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Pete and I spent the morning at Holme and counted 7065 Starlings fly west, most in the first two hours of daylight. Also 127 Redwing, 19 Fieldfare, 193 Chaffinch, 4 Brambling, 3 Bullfinch, 6 Song Thrush, 53 Lapwing, 17 Linnet, 17 Goldfinch, 4 Siskin, 2 Reed Bunting. Top vis-mig.
#NorfolkBirding
#NorfolkBirding
We stayed till dusk at Titchwell to check out the gulls. A 2cy Caspian Gull, 6 Yellow-legged Gulls and a 1cy Caspian hybrid. Earlier 4 Firecrest and a Yellow-browed Warbler by the dragonfly pond (and Common Darter)
#NorfolkBirding
#NorfolkBirding
November 1, 2025 at 7:22 PM
We stayed till dusk at Titchwell to check out the gulls. A 2cy Caspian Gull, 6 Yellow-legged Gulls and a 1cy Caspian hybrid. Earlier 4 Firecrest and a Yellow-browed Warbler by the dragonfly pond (and Common Darter)
#NorfolkBirding
#NorfolkBirding
Enjoyable visit to @wwtworldwide.bsky.social Welney today with a good selection of birds (and a late Common Darter) but we really need some more rain. 40 Fieldfare through, my biggest flock this autumn so far
#norfolkbirding
#norfolkbirding
October 31, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Enjoyable visit to @wwtworldwide.bsky.social Welney today with a good selection of birds (and a late Common Darter) but we really need some more rain. 40 Fieldfare through, my biggest flock this autumn so far
#norfolkbirding
#norfolkbirding
Day off today and doing one of my favourite things - seeking out Whooper Swans in fields in the fens. Found over 2000 and managed a few ring-reads including, though many too distant to read colour-rings. Did some age ratios too. Great to see the swans back for winter.
#NorfolkBirding #Cambsbirding
#NorfolkBirding #Cambsbirding
October 31, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Day off today and doing one of my favourite things - seeking out Whooper Swans in fields in the fens. Found over 2000 and managed a few ring-reads including, though many too distant to read colour-rings. Did some age ratios too. Great to see the swans back for winter.
#NorfolkBirding #Cambsbirding
#NorfolkBirding #Cambsbirding
Seawatching was a real highlight of our week in Cornwall last week. The sheer number of seabirds passing was incredible to see. A Great Northern Diver whizzed through Pendeen too
#CornwallBirding
#CornwallBirding
October 27, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Seawatching was a real highlight of our week in Cornwall last week. The sheer number of seabirds passing was incredible to see. A Great Northern Diver whizzed through Pendeen too
#CornwallBirding
#CornwallBirding
Slavonian Grebe at Drift Reservoir on Saturday
#CornwallBirding
#CornwallBirding
October 27, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Slavonian Grebe at Drift Reservoir on Saturday
#CornwallBirding
#CornwallBirding
The very showy Common Sandpiper at Coronation Boating Lake at Helston last week. Best views ever.
#BirdingCornwall
#BirdingCornwall
October 27, 2025 at 9:31 PM
The very showy Common Sandpiper at Coronation Boating Lake at Helston last week. Best views ever.
#BirdingCornwall
#BirdingCornwall
The 1cy male Ring-necked Duck at the Coronation Boating Lake in Helston showed incredibly well last week
#BirdingCornwall
#BirdingCornwall
October 27, 2025 at 9:25 PM
The 1cy male Ring-necked Duck at the Coronation Boating Lake in Helston showed incredibly well last week
#BirdingCornwall
#BirdingCornwall
Not as busy as yesterday but great seabirds, spectacular sky and lively sea. At least 8000 auks and 1200 Kittiwakes through.
#BirdingCornwall
#BirdingCornwall
October 24, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Not as busy as yesterday but great seabirds, spectacular sky and lively sea. At least 8000 auks and 1200 Kittiwakes through.
#BirdingCornwall
#BirdingCornwall
Two superb Sabine's Gulls at Pendeen today, an adult and juvenile, both passed through inside the rocks. Stunning views and such a thrill to watch.
#CornwallBirding
#CornwallBirding
October 23, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Two superb Sabine's Gulls at Pendeen today, an adult and juvenile, both passed through inside the rocks. Stunning views and such a thrill to watch.
#CornwallBirding
#CornwallBirding
Another superb seawatch at Pendeen today. Thrilling to see so many seabirds - at least 29100 auks, 3000+ Kittiwakes through.
October 23, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Another superb seawatch at Pendeen today. Thrilling to see so many seabirds - at least 29100 auks, 3000+ Kittiwakes through.
This stunning Merlin was on the moor at Porthgwarra yesterday. What an absolute beaut.
#CornwallBirding
#CornwallBirding
October 22, 2025 at 7:39 PM
This stunning Merlin was on the moor at Porthgwarra yesterday. What an absolute beaut.
#CornwallBirding
#CornwallBirding
Not your usual garden bird table bird hey @bto-gbw.bsky.social
Enjoyed watching these in Sennen Cove in Cornwall
Enjoyed watching these in Sennen Cove in Cornwall
October 22, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Not your usual garden bird table bird hey @bto-gbw.bsky.social
Enjoyed watching these in Sennen Cove in Cornwall
Enjoyed watching these in Sennen Cove in Cornwall
Very wet afternoon.
Drift: 1 Common Sandpiper
Hayle: Dark-bellied Brent Goose
Marazion: Wheatear, White Wag on beach. 25 Cattle Egret, Jack Snipe.
Note leucistic Starling in with c1000 Starlings
@cbwps.org.uk
#CornwallBirding
Drift: 1 Common Sandpiper
Hayle: Dark-bellied Brent Goose
Marazion: Wheatear, White Wag on beach. 25 Cattle Egret, Jack Snipe.
Note leucistic Starling in with c1000 Starlings
@cbwps.org.uk
#CornwallBirding
October 22, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Very wet afternoon.
Drift: 1 Common Sandpiper
Hayle: Dark-bellied Brent Goose
Marazion: Wheatear, White Wag on beach. 25 Cattle Egret, Jack Snipe.
Note leucistic Starling in with c1000 Starlings
@cbwps.org.uk
#CornwallBirding
Drift: 1 Common Sandpiper
Hayle: Dark-bellied Brent Goose
Marazion: Wheatear, White Wag on beach. 25 Cattle Egret, Jack Snipe.
Note leucistic Starling in with c1000 Starlings
@cbwps.org.uk
#CornwallBirding
Porthgwarra 0815-1200
16 Woodlark, 1 Lapland Bunting, 746 Chaffinch, 295 Skylark, 52 Linnet, 50 Goldfinch, 31 Siskin, 2 Greenfinch, Bullfinch, 2 Snipe, 3 Reed Bunting.
Also 7 Firecrest around car park, Common Whitethroat
@cbwps.org.uk
#cornwallbirding
16 Woodlark, 1 Lapland Bunting, 746 Chaffinch, 295 Skylark, 52 Linnet, 50 Goldfinch, 31 Siskin, 2 Greenfinch, Bullfinch, 2 Snipe, 3 Reed Bunting.
Also 7 Firecrest around car park, Common Whitethroat
@cbwps.org.uk
#cornwallbirding
October 22, 2025 at 11:28 AM
Porthgwarra 0815-1200
16 Woodlark, 1 Lapland Bunting, 746 Chaffinch, 295 Skylark, 52 Linnet, 50 Goldfinch, 31 Siskin, 2 Greenfinch, Bullfinch, 2 Snipe, 3 Reed Bunting.
Also 7 Firecrest around car park, Common Whitethroat
@cbwps.org.uk
#cornwallbirding
16 Woodlark, 1 Lapland Bunting, 746 Chaffinch, 295 Skylark, 52 Linnet, 50 Goldfinch, 31 Siskin, 2 Greenfinch, Bullfinch, 2 Snipe, 3 Reed Bunting.
Also 7 Firecrest around car park, Common Whitethroat
@cbwps.org.uk
#cornwallbirding
Spent much of the day birding the valleys. Porthgwarra first thing had amazing views of Merlin, 3 Firecrest, 20 Chough. Trevilly, another Firecrest. Kenidjack held 4 Firecrest. Late pm dash to clifftop south of Mullion Cove where the Steppe Grey Shrike was showing.
@cbwps.org.uk
#Cornwallbirding
@cbwps.org.uk
#Cornwallbirding
October 21, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Spent much of the day birding the valleys. Porthgwarra first thing had amazing views of Merlin, 3 Firecrest, 20 Chough. Trevilly, another Firecrest. Kenidjack held 4 Firecrest. Late pm dash to clifftop south of Mullion Cove where the Steppe Grey Shrike was showing.
@cbwps.org.uk
#Cornwallbirding
@cbwps.org.uk
#Cornwallbirding
Top day seawatching at Pendeen! As well as these great seabirds, thousands of auks and Kittiwakes. Merlin dashing over the sea always great to see too.
October 20, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Top day seawatching at Pendeen! As well as these great seabirds, thousands of auks and Kittiwakes. Merlin dashing over the sea always great to see too.
Good start to our holiday in Cornwall with three species of nearctic waders today: Baird's Sandpiper at Colliford Lake, Lesser Yellowlegs in Truro and White-rumped Sandpiper on the Hayle. Smart 1cy Caspian Gull too
#CornwallBirding
#CornwallBirding
October 18, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Good start to our holiday in Cornwall with three species of nearctic waders today: Baird's Sandpiper at Colliford Lake, Lesser Yellowlegs in Truro and White-rumped Sandpiper on the Hayle. Smart 1cy Caspian Gull too
#CornwallBirding
#CornwallBirding
Decent morning at Holme with 72 species recorded. A Red-necked Grebe on the sea was my first of the year. Redwings, Fieldfare and 81 Brambling counted as they migrated overhead.
#NorfolkBirding
#NorfolkBirding
October 13, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Decent morning at Holme with 72 species recorded. A Red-necked Grebe on the sea was my first of the year. Redwings, Fieldfare and 81 Brambling counted as they migrated overhead.
#NorfolkBirding
#NorfolkBirding
Beautiful morning for a pre-work walk at East Wretham Heath. My first Redwing (21) and Pochard (2) of the autumn, also 10 Crossbill feeding in Larch and four Woodlark (one singing).
#NorfolkBirding
#NorfolkBirding
October 9, 2025 at 8:18 AM
Beautiful morning for a pre-work walk at East Wretham Heath. My first Redwing (21) and Pochard (2) of the autumn, also 10 Crossbill feeding in Larch and four Woodlark (one singing).
#NorfolkBirding
#NorfolkBirding
Afternoon at WWT Welney as planned. Missed the flock of Glossy Ibis but very impressed with 158 Ruff from the Main Obs. Also Garganey, 13 Pink-feet, 196 Wigeon, 675 Mallard, 17 Pintail, 7 Cattle Egret, 5 resident Whooper Swans
#NorfolkBirding
#NorfolkBirding
October 4, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Afternoon at WWT Welney as planned. Missed the flock of Glossy Ibis but very impressed with 158 Ruff from the Main Obs. Also Garganey, 13 Pink-feet, 196 Wigeon, 675 Mallard, 17 Pintail, 7 Cattle Egret, 5 resident Whooper Swans
#NorfolkBirding
#NorfolkBirding
Completed visit one of the Winter Bird Survey on my @bbs-birds.bsky.social square in Thetford Forest. 28 species, plus 2 extra on the walk in (Tawny Owl, Green Woodpecker). Highlight a singing Woodlark. Good to record a Bullfinch, only had 4 records in 32 years of BBS here!
#NorfolkBirding
#NorfolkBirding
September 30, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Completed visit one of the Winter Bird Survey on my @bbs-birds.bsky.social square in Thetford Forest. 28 species, plus 2 extra on the walk in (Tawny Owl, Green Woodpecker). Highlight a singing Woodlark. Good to record a Bullfinch, only had 4 records in 32 years of BBS here!
#NorfolkBirding
#NorfolkBirding
Ringmere still has water so I'll be checking this more regularly. Once found a Pec here so some hope!
September 29, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Ringmere still has water so I'll be checking this more regularly. Once found a Pec here so some hope!