Gavin Haig
@notquitescilly.bsky.social
Mainly birds, moths, other nat. hist.
Mainly W Dorset & E Devon, UK
https://notquitescilly2.blogspot.com
Mainly W Dorset & E Devon, UK
https://notquitescilly2.blogspot.com
The actinic porch light scored nicely last night, pulling in this lovely little Vestal to shelter from the rain. 😎
Axminster VC3
#TeamMoth
Axminster VC3
#TeamMoth
November 14, 2025 at 8:35 AM
The actinic porch light scored nicely last night, pulling in this lovely little Vestal to shelter from the rain. 😎
Axminster VC3
#TeamMoth
Axminster VC3
#TeamMoth
A lunchtime check of the Axe Estuary gulls turned up a hefty 1w Caspian Gull. Half an hour later a 2w dropped in. First time I've had two at once here. Or anywhere! 😎
#DevonBirds
#DevonBirds
November 9, 2025 at 4:48 PM
A lunchtime check of the Axe Estuary gulls turned up a hefty 1w Caspian Gull. Half an hour later a 2w dropped in. First time I've had two at once here. Or anywhere! 😎
#DevonBirds
#DevonBirds
Pick of the trap migrant-wise, this Olive-tree Pearl accompanied by Vestal and Rusty-dot Pearl. But in some ways best of the 9/8 was Blair's Shoulder-knot on house wall, a new moth for me.
Axminster VC3
#TeamMoth
Axminster VC3
#TeamMoth
November 6, 2025 at 9:09 AM
Pick of the trap migrant-wise, this Olive-tree Pearl accompanied by Vestal and Rusty-dot Pearl. But in some ways best of the 9/8 was Blair's Shoulder-knot on house wall, a new moth for me.
Axminster VC3
#TeamMoth
Axminster VC3
#TeamMoth
Quick check inside the trap revealed this peering at me. Olive-tree Pearl? Would be a nice bit of quality for the new garden. Only ever caught a couple in Bridport.
Axminster VC3
#TeamMoth
Axminster VC3
#TeamMoth
November 5, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Quick check inside the trap revealed this peering at me. Olive-tree Pearl? Would be a nice bit of quality for the new garden. Only ever caught a couple in Bridport.
Axminster VC3
#TeamMoth
Axminster VC3
#TeamMoth
Very distant, awful light, etc... but this Cirl Bunting on clifftop brambles was highlight of the morning at Axe Cliff, Seaton. Nothing of particular note vis-mig wise, but some nice Woodpigeon flocks coasting.
#DevonBirds
#DevonBirds
November 2, 2025 at 11:05 AM
Very distant, awful light, etc... but this Cirl Bunting on clifftop brambles was highlight of the morning at Axe Cliff, Seaton. Nothing of particular note vis-mig wise, but some nice Woodpigeon flocks coasting.
#DevonBirds
#DevonBirds
Prior to my final outing as guide on Seaton Birdwatching Tram, a quick look at R Axe produced this 1w Caspian Gull, yet another in ridiculous series of records this year. Think this takes us to c31 in 2025 (mostly c/o @axebirder.bsky.social) compared with 38 birds in preceding 18 yrs!
#DevonBirds
#DevonBirds
November 1, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Prior to my final outing as guide on Seaton Birdwatching Tram, a quick look at R Axe produced this 1w Caspian Gull, yet another in ridiculous series of records this year. Think this takes us to c31 in 2025 (mostly c/o @axebirder.bsky.social) compared with 38 birds in preceding 18 yrs!
#DevonBirds
#DevonBirds
No trap tonight so but just popped out to find this lovely fresh Merveille du Jour on the wall next to the porch light. Sticking a 20W actinic bulb in it was so worth the modest investment! 😄
Axminster, Devon
#TeamMoth
Axminster, Devon
#TeamMoth
October 29, 2025 at 11:12 PM
No trap tonight so but just popped out to find this lovely fresh Merveille du Jour on the wall next to the porch light. Sticking a 20W actinic bulb in it was so worth the modest investment! 😄
Axminster, Devon
#TeamMoth
Axminster, Devon
#TeamMoth
Trap's first outing in Axminster produces just 8 moths, but one was this Green-brindled Crescent - dusted with green glitter, an absolute belter and one of my all-time favourite moths - and one a Merveille du Jour. In three Bridport autumns caught just 4 and 2 respectively.
A good start then. 😎
A good start then. 😎
October 29, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Trap's first outing in Axminster produces just 8 moths, but one was this Green-brindled Crescent - dusted with green glitter, an absolute belter and one of my all-time favourite moths - and one a Merveille du Jour. In three Bridport autumns caught just 4 and 2 respectively.
A good start then. 😎
A good start then. 😎
Breakfast with Merv.
Despite intentions to contrary, trap out for first time in new Axminster home. GB Crescent, RD Pearl, White Point, 2 Vine's Rustic and LYU added weight to argument that I should do it again before 2026.
Despite intentions to contrary, trap out for first time in new Axminster home. GB Crescent, RD Pearl, White Point, 2 Vine's Rustic and LYU added weight to argument that I should do it again before 2026.
October 29, 2025 at 7:49 AM
Breakfast with Merv.
Despite intentions to contrary, trap out for first time in new Axminster home. GB Crescent, RD Pearl, White Point, 2 Vine's Rustic and LYU added weight to argument that I should do it again before 2026.
Despite intentions to contrary, trap out for first time in new Axminster home. GB Crescent, RD Pearl, White Point, 2 Vine's Rustic and LYU added weight to argument that I should do it again before 2026.
Recent Axe Estuary Caspian Gull Green T|P hadn't come far really, as the ringing data shows. Always great to get the story on colour-ringed birds, and in my experience almost all projects respond very quickly to enquiries. Grateful thanks to RJ.
#DevonBirds
#DevonBirds
October 26, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Recent Axe Estuary Caspian Gull Green T|P hadn't come far really, as the ringing data shows. Always great to get the story on colour-ringed birds, and in my experience almost all projects respond very quickly to enquiries. Grateful thanks to RJ.
#DevonBirds
#DevonBirds
Only had time for 15-minute check of Axe gulls this morning, but roughly fourth bird I looked at was a Dutch-ringed 1w Caspian Gull. Astonishing run of these locally at the moment.
Think an afternoon visit essential! 😄
With thanks to @axebirder.bsky.social for the regular gen.
Think an afternoon visit essential! 😄
With thanks to @axebirder.bsky.social for the regular gen.
October 20, 2025 at 10:42 AM
Only had time for 15-minute check of Axe gulls this morning, but roughly fourth bird I looked at was a Dutch-ringed 1w Caspian Gull. Astonishing run of these locally at the moment.
Think an afternoon visit essential! 😄
With thanks to @axebirder.bsky.social for the regular gen.
Think an afternoon visit essential! 😄
With thanks to @axebirder.bsky.social for the regular gen.
With no plans to do any trapping until next year, nevertheless thought I'd try and get new home moth list underway by installing porch light plus 20W actinic bulb today. Quick check just now, and we're away: 2 spp. 😄
Axminster, Devon
Axminster, Devon
October 16, 2025 at 8:19 PM
With no plans to do any trapping until next year, nevertheless thought I'd try and get new home moth list underway by installing porch light plus 20W actinic bulb today. Quick check just now, and we're away: 2 spp. 😄
Axminster, Devon
Axminster, Devon
I have Firecrest photos with a lot more bird on show, but rather like this shot. One of two birds in the Black Hole Marsh car park, Seaton Wetlands early evening; this one ringed.
#DevonBirds
#DevonBirds
October 11, 2025 at 8:24 PM
I have Firecrest photos with a lot more bird on show, but rather like this shot. One of two birds in the Black Hole Marsh car park, Seaton Wetlands early evening; this one ringed.
#DevonBirds
#DevonBirds
A surprise Siberian Chiffchaff among 20+ Chiffs at Beer Head this morning. Attached ropey photo compares Sibe on the right with regular collybita job on the left.
#DevonBirds
#DevonBirds
October 10, 2025 at 12:07 PM
A surprise Siberian Chiffchaff among 20+ Chiffs at Beer Head this morning. Attached ropey photo compares Sibe on the right with regular collybita job on the left.
#DevonBirds
#DevonBirds
Very much a 'birder's photo' but at least it features one of West Bay's iconic 'red baskets' as @tombrereton.bsky.social would call it. Juv Sabine's Gull was well worth getting wet for in this evening's rain. Off the end of the West Pier. 😎 With thanks to Tom for the shout.
#DorsetBirds
#DorsetBirds
September 9, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Very much a 'birder's photo' but at least it features one of West Bay's iconic 'red baskets' as @tombrereton.bsky.social would call it. Juv Sabine's Gull was well worth getting wet for in this evening's rain. Off the end of the West Pier. 😎 With thanks to Tom for the shout.
#DorsetBirds
#DorsetBirds
Cogden bushes dead quiet this morning but plenty of birds offshore - mostly milling around it seemed - including double figures of Balearic Shearwater (25+ in one scan) and Med Gull; also 7 Ringed Plovers on the beach.
#DorsetBirds
#DorsetBirds
September 9, 2025 at 9:03 AM
Cogden bushes dead quiet this morning but plenty of birds offshore - mostly milling around it seemed - including double figures of Balearic Shearwater (25+ in one scan) and Med Gull; also 7 Ringed Plovers on the beach.
#DorsetBirds
#DorsetBirds
Thought I'd try your image in Google Lens too
All I can say is: DO NOT eat anything based on what an ID app tells you! 😂
All I can say is: DO NOT eat anything based on what an ID app tells you! 😂
September 7, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Thought I'd try your image in Google Lens too
All I can say is: DO NOT eat anything based on what an ID app tells you! 😂
All I can say is: DO NOT eat anything based on what an ID app tells you! 😂
Given recent events in and around Lyme Bay, thought there should be a decent chance of a Grey Phalarope at Cogden this afternoon. A bit of effort produced two, though strictly speaking one was too distant to ID to species. Lovely. 😎
#DorsetBirds
#DorsetBirds
September 4, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Given recent events in and around Lyme Bay, thought there should be a decent chance of a Grey Phalarope at Cogden this afternoon. A bit of effort produced two, though strictly speaking one was too distant to ID to species. Lovely. 😎
#DorsetBirds
#DorsetBirds
Admittedly on my 'outside chance' radar this morning, but this is still the first Lyme Bay Sabine's Gull I've found in 20-odd years living here. And very nice it was too. 😄
Cogden, #DorsetBirds
Cogden, #DorsetBirds
August 31, 2025 at 8:43 AM
Admittedly on my 'outside chance' radar this morning, but this is still the first Lyme Bay Sabine's Gull I've found in 20-odd years living here. And very nice it was too. 😄
Cogden, #DorsetBirds
Cogden, #DorsetBirds
Delighted to discover a juv/1w Yellow-legged Gull on the Axe Estuary while on pre-Birdwatching Tram recce this afternoon.
Thought, 'nice if that stays for later', convinced it wouldn't.
It did!
Needless to say, punters thrilled out of their boots by the brown thing.
#UKbirding
Thought, 'nice if that stays for later', convinced it wouldn't.
It did!
Needless to say, punters thrilled out of their boots by the brown thing.
#UKbirding
August 16, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Delighted to discover a juv/1w Yellow-legged Gull on the Axe Estuary while on pre-Birdwatching Tram recce this afternoon.
Thought, 'nice if that stays for later', convinced it wouldn't.
It did!
Needless to say, punters thrilled out of their boots by the brown thing.
#UKbirding
Thought, 'nice if that stays for later', convinced it wouldn't.
It did!
Needless to say, punters thrilled out of their boots by the brown thing.
#UKbirding
An early afternoon stroll around Cogden was very quiet bird-wise, but produced a really smart new moth for me: Rosy Knot-horn. I was pretty impressed by the first individual I saw, but a later one was in a different league! Also a stack of Rush Veneers and 4 Clouded Yellows. VC9.
#TeamMoth
#TeamMoth
August 1, 2025 at 2:25 PM
An early afternoon stroll around Cogden was very quiet bird-wise, but produced a really smart new moth for me: Rosy Knot-horn. I was pretty impressed by the first individual I saw, but a later one was in a different league! Also a stack of Rush Veneers and 4 Clouded Yellows. VC9.
#TeamMoth
#TeamMoth
Death's-head Hawk-moth cat on the coast path near Cogden, Dorset VC9 today. Photos taken by friends, and posted here with permission and massive envy! 😄
#TeamMoth
#TeamMoth
July 27, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Death's-head Hawk-moth cat on the coast path near Cogden, Dorset VC9 today. Photos taken by friends, and posted here with permission and massive envy! 😄
#TeamMoth
#TeamMoth
Garden's 2nd Tissue last night, following one in 2023. Seemingly a rare moth in Dorset. Unless there have been any others more recently than our last one, Dorset Moths website reckons these are the first in the county since 2015!
Bridport VC9
#TeamMoth
Bridport VC9
#TeamMoth
July 25, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Garden's 2nd Tissue last night, following one in 2023. Seemingly a rare moth in Dorset. Unless there have been any others more recently than our last one, Dorset Moths website reckons these are the first in the county since 2015!
Bridport VC9
#TeamMoth
Bridport VC9
#TeamMoth
