Luke Phillips
@lukephillips.bsky.social
Nature stuff!! Mainly birds, bird ringing and moths but never far away from a bit of campaigning. Based in west Dorset.
A quiet morning for ringing on the farm (nr Bridport) with grounded migrants starting to dwindle as the autumn goes on. But a few Goldcrest always brighten up a morning though. All 5 grammes of them!
October 18, 2025 at 2:41 PM
A quiet morning for ringing on the farm (nr Bridport) with grounded migrants starting to dwindle as the autumn goes on. But a few Goldcrest always brighten up a morning though. All 5 grammes of them!
Had to get out ringing this morning to celebrate #WorldMigratoryBirdDay. However, it turned out to be one of the quietest mornings for a while. Chiffchaff numbers dropped off but did ring the first Redpoll of the autumn. Made up for the lack of numbers.
October 11, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Had to get out ringing this morning to celebrate #WorldMigratoryBirdDay. However, it turned out to be one of the quietest mornings for a while. Chiffchaff numbers dropped off but did ring the first Redpoll of the autumn. Made up for the lack of numbers.
Bird numbers are growing across the farm now, as are predators! Several Sparrowhawks around this morning and this juv Kestrel went away with new shiny ring and was escorted off by a few hundred finches! Quite a sight!
October 8, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Bird numbers are growing across the farm now, as are predators! Several Sparrowhawks around this morning and this juv Kestrel went away with new shiny ring and was escorted off by a few hundred finches! Quite a sight!
Back #birdringing on the farm this morning and Chiffchaff still on the move in numbers. All were birds hatched this year and this bird showed a nice clear moult limit in the greater coverts. Inner greener ones are adult and paler outer ones juv feathers.
Ringed under licence @btobirds.bsky.social
Ringed under licence @btobirds.bsky.social
October 8, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Back #birdringing on the farm this morning and Chiffchaff still on the move in numbers. All were birds hatched this year and this bird showed a nice clear moult limit in the greater coverts. Inner greener ones are adult and paler outer ones juv feathers.
Ringed under licence @btobirds.bsky.social
Ringed under licence @btobirds.bsky.social
Quick hour up on Allington Hill, Bridport this morning for a bit of vismig. Woodlark was a goody and a Golden Plover took 2nd place. Also 221 Meadow Pipit, 44 Linnet, 35 Chaffinch, 22 Goldfinch, 12 Pied Wag, 14 Swallow, 15 H Martin, 9 Siskin, 2 Bullfinch and a Grt Spot Woodpecker high over S.
October 7, 2025 at 8:46 AM
Quick hour up on Allington Hill, Bridport this morning for a bit of vismig. Woodlark was a goody and a Golden Plover took 2nd place. Also 221 Meadow Pipit, 44 Linnet, 35 Chaffinch, 22 Goldfinch, 12 Pied Wag, 14 Swallow, 15 H Martin, 9 Siskin, 2 Bullfinch and a Grt Spot Woodpecker high over S.
It's been a great autumn for Chiffchaff!
Last few days has seen a shift towards slightly larger & more greyish birds, likely from NE Europe but this gorgeous Siberian Chiffchaff popped up this morning nr Bridport.
Ringed under BTO License @btobirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
Last few days has seen a shift towards slightly larger & more greyish birds, likely from NE Europe but this gorgeous Siberian Chiffchaff popped up this morning nr Bridport.
Ringed under BTO License @btobirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
October 1, 2025 at 9:22 AM
It's been a great autumn for Chiffchaff!
Last few days has seen a shift towards slightly larger & more greyish birds, likely from NE Europe but this gorgeous Siberian Chiffchaff popped up this morning nr Bridport.
Ringed under BTO License @btobirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
Last few days has seen a shift towards slightly larger & more greyish birds, likely from NE Europe but this gorgeous Siberian Chiffchaff popped up this morning nr Bridport.
Ringed under BTO License @btobirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
And where there are migrant passerines, raptors follow! This young male Sparrowhawk was no doubt attracted to the farm by the big flocks of finches currently in the crops. Several others around this mornings so might not be the last one I'll ring this autumn.
September 23, 2025 at 6:33 PM
And where there are migrant passerines, raptors follow! This young male Sparrowhawk was no doubt attracted to the farm by the big flocks of finches currently in the crops. Several others around this mornings so might not be the last one I'll ring this autumn.
Calmer weather has meant more ringing on a local farm this week. Plenty of migrants about, mostly Blackcap and Chiffchaff but also starting to see more crests and some new Robins showing up. Feeling very autumnal now!
All ringed under @btobirds.bsky.social licence.
All ringed under @btobirds.bsky.social licence.
September 23, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Calmer weather has meant more ringing on a local farm this week. Plenty of migrants about, mostly Blackcap and Chiffchaff but also starting to see more crests and some new Robins showing up. Feeling very autumnal now!
All ringed under @btobirds.bsky.social licence.
All ringed under @btobirds.bsky.social licence.
This was highly unexpected this morning whilst ringing on a farm near Bridport! If you'd asked me what unusual warbler might show up today, I wouldn't have said Dartford...
@dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social #birdringing
@dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social #birdringing
August 24, 2025 at 9:47 AM
This was highly unexpected this morning whilst ringing on a farm near Bridport! If you'd asked me what unusual warbler might show up today, I wouldn't have said Dartford...
@dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social #birdringing
@dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social #birdringing
Rather quiet on the moth front last night at home in Bridport. Nice to see 7 Blair's Mocha though! Also L-album Wainscot was the first of the year (pictured). Migrants were just 1 Palpita vitrealis, 1 Rush Veneer, 2 Silver Y and 1 Rusty-dot Pearl. @migrantmothuk.bsky.social
August 14, 2025 at 6:55 AM
Rather quiet on the moth front last night at home in Bridport. Nice to see 7 Blair's Mocha though! Also L-album Wainscot was the first of the year (pictured). Migrants were just 1 Palpita vitrealis, 1 Rush Veneer, 2 Silver Y and 1 Rusty-dot Pearl. @migrantmothuk.bsky.social
Who needs sleep at this time of year! Started yesterday day ringing warblers on a local farm at 5am and finished the day helping a group catch and ring Nightjars until 11pm. Sleep just gets in the way... 😅
August 7, 2025 at 5:27 AM
Who needs sleep at this time of year! Started yesterday day ringing warblers on a local farm at 5am and finished the day helping a group catch and ring Nightjars until 11pm. Sleep just gets in the way... 😅
Interesting to also see Twin-spot Wainscot and Southern Wainscot (pictured) considering no real wetland habitat nearby.
July 26, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Interesting to also see Twin-spot Wainscot and Southern Wainscot (pictured) considering no real wetland habitat nearby.
Decent haul of moths last might in Bridport. 116 species in total. Surprising number of migrants! Old World Webworm, 28 Rush Veneer, 8 xylostella, 9 ferrugalis, 1 Silver Y and White Point that could be resident but felt it probably wasn't.
@migrantmothuk.bsky.social @dorsetmoths.bsky.social
@migrantmothuk.bsky.social @dorsetmoths.bsky.social
July 26, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Decent haul of moths last might in Bridport. 116 species in total. Surprising number of migrants! Old World Webworm, 28 Rush Veneer, 8 xylostella, 9 ferrugalis, 1 Silver Y and White Point that could be resident but felt it probably wasn't.
@migrantmothuk.bsky.social @dorsetmoths.bsky.social
@migrantmothuk.bsky.social @dorsetmoths.bsky.social
Early start for a first go at ringing in a small reedbed on a lovely inland farm in West Dorset. Promising result with 2 Sedge Warbler and 1 Reed Warbler ringed. Amazing what even a small bit of habitat attracts during migration.
#birdringing
@btobirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
#birdringing
@btobirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
July 22, 2025 at 6:39 AM
Early start for a first go at ringing in a small reedbed on a lovely inland farm in West Dorset. Promising result with 2 Sedge Warbler and 1 Reed Warbler ringed. Amazing what even a small bit of habitat attracts during migration.
#birdringing
@btobirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
#birdringing
@btobirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
Excellent to finally see some Barn Owl chicks this summer in West Dorset! Most pairs seem to have simply not bothered so this was a very pleasant sight ☺️.
All ringed (under license)and safely returned to their nest box.
All ringed (under license)and safely returned to their nest box.
July 11, 2025 at 6:03 AM
Excellent to finally see some Barn Owl chicks this summer in West Dorset! Most pairs seem to have simply not bothered so this was a very pleasant sight ☺️.
All ringed (under license)and safely returned to their nest box.
All ringed (under license)and safely returned to their nest box.
Set a few traps for a local event near Bridport and turned up a few migrants last night. Delicate was a surprise as they seem to have been scarce during the recent migration events. 3 Dark Sword-grass, Rush Veneer, 2 Rusty-dot Pearl and a few Silver Y made up the rest. @migrantmothuk.bsky.social
July 5, 2025 at 9:23 AM
Set a few traps for a local event near Bridport and turned up a few migrants last night. Delicate was a surprise as they seem to have been scarce during the recent migration events. 3 Dark Sword-grass, Rush Veneer, 2 Rusty-dot Pearl and a few Silver Y made up the rest. @migrantmothuk.bsky.social
Excellent species tally from a West Dorset wood last night. 133 species (over 600 moths) with 6 more still to figure out. Few new species for site including a Palpita vitrealis which was amongst a few other migrants. Great to record Waved Carpet which seem to be doing well here! Got 5 in total.
June 19, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Excellent species tally from a West Dorset wood last night. 133 species (over 600 moths) with 6 more still to figure out. Few new species for site including a Palpita vitrealis which was amongst a few other migrants. Great to record Waved Carpet which seem to be doing well here! Got 5 in total.
How times change... have to admit to not doing as much mothing in the last few years and remember when this species, Argolamprotes micella, was a good catch. Just a few years later and got 33 this morning in West Dorset!
Sorry for the dodgy phone pic...
@dorsetmoths.bsky.social
Sorry for the dodgy phone pic...
@dorsetmoths.bsky.social
June 19, 2025 at 10:11 AM
How times change... have to admit to not doing as much mothing in the last few years and remember when this species, Argolamprotes micella, was a good catch. Just a few years later and got 33 this morning in West Dorset!
Sorry for the dodgy phone pic...
@dorsetmoths.bsky.social
Sorry for the dodgy phone pic...
@dorsetmoths.bsky.social
How times change... have to admit to not doing as much mothing in the last few years and remember when this species, Argolamprotes micella, was a good catch. Just a few years later and got 33 this morning in West Dorset!
Sorry for the dodgy phone pic...
@dorsetmoths.bsky.social
Sorry for the dodgy phone pic...
@dorsetmoths.bsky.social
June 19, 2025 at 10:03 AM
How times change... have to admit to not doing as much mothing in the last few years and remember when this species, Argolamprotes micella, was a good catch. Just a few years later and got 33 this morning in West Dorset!
Sorry for the dodgy phone pic...
@dorsetmoths.bsky.social
Sorry for the dodgy phone pic...
@dorsetmoths.bsky.social
Nice selection of moths from Abbotsbury last night. Clearly some migration as Small Mottled Willow, 26 Diamond-backed Moth and a Silver Y showed up. Also a tatty Radford's Flame Shoulder. Grey coloured residents stole the show though. Grey Arches and a Shark pictured.
@migrantmothuk.bsky.social
@migrantmothuk.bsky.social
June 13, 2025 at 6:46 AM
Nice selection of moths from Abbotsbury last night. Clearly some migration as Small Mottled Willow, 26 Diamond-backed Moth and a Silver Y showed up. Also a tatty Radford's Flame Shoulder. Grey coloured residents stole the show though. Grey Arches and a Shark pictured.
@migrantmothuk.bsky.social
@migrantmothuk.bsky.social
Wasn't a bad night at Hooke! 70 species including plenty to keep everyone happy but also some scarcer species for aficionados amongst the group.
Also breakfast and on demand coffee...
@dorsetmoths.bsky.social
Also breakfast and on demand coffee...
@dorsetmoths.bsky.social
May 17, 2025 at 11:09 AM
Wasn't a bad night at Hooke! 70 species including plenty to keep everyone happy but also some scarcer species for aficionados amongst the group.
Also breakfast and on demand coffee...
@dorsetmoths.bsky.social
Also breakfast and on demand coffee...
@dorsetmoths.bsky.social
Traps all set! Fingers crossed 🤞
May 16, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Traps all set! Fingers crossed 🤞
Reckon you need an upgrade 😉.
May 9, 2025 at 6:11 AM
Reckon you need an upgrade 😉.
No finer way to start the day than by checking a Dipper nest box and finding and pretty much complete nest ready for eggs!
No nest here 4 weeks ago so this is second attempt after presumably failing elsewhere. Fingers crossed there's eggs on the next visit 🤞🤞.
No nest here 4 weeks ago so this is second attempt after presumably failing elsewhere. Fingers crossed there's eggs on the next visit 🤞🤞.
May 7, 2025 at 6:30 AM
No finer way to start the day than by checking a Dipper nest box and finding and pretty much complete nest ready for eggs!
No nest here 4 weeks ago so this is second attempt after presumably failing elsewhere. Fingers crossed there's eggs on the next visit 🤞🤞.
No nest here 4 weeks ago so this is second attempt after presumably failing elsewhere. Fingers crossed there's eggs on the next visit 🤞🤞.
Much reduced catch correlating with a much reduced temperature overnight but first hawk-moths of the year made up for that!
Eyed and Poplar Hawk-moth. Good start to the day!
@dorsetmoths.bsky.social
Eyed and Poplar Hawk-moth. Good start to the day!
@dorsetmoths.bsky.social
May 4, 2025 at 6:20 AM
Much reduced catch correlating with a much reduced temperature overnight but first hawk-moths of the year made up for that!
Eyed and Poplar Hawk-moth. Good start to the day!
@dorsetmoths.bsky.social
Eyed and Poplar Hawk-moth. Good start to the day!
@dorsetmoths.bsky.social