Phil Andrews
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Phil Andrews
@pmandrews1973.bsky.social
780 followers 690 following 820 posts
Self-confessed twitcher & West Midlands birder, thwarted by work, 2 kids + a wife. With a few moths, butterflies + dragonflies thrown in for good measure.
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Any thoughts on this very worn moth in the morning's trap? I was thinking initially Yellow-line Quaker but I have received some more interesting suggestions
#TeamMoth
@mothiduk.bsky.social
November 13, 2025 at 11:31 AM
Reposted by Phil Andrews
fakehistoryhunter.net
The finale of the great TV comedy show Blackadder goes Forth.
Back then I didn't expect one of the funniest programmes ever to end with a scene that makes me cry every time I see it.
Every single time.
November 11, 2025 at 12:33 PM
31 species around Hill Hook NR this morning - in addition to the below WeBS count I also had Skylark, Nuthatch, Siskin, Grey Wagtail, Redpoll and Raven
@ecorecord.bsky.social @ruthnewby.bsky.social
November 9, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Reposted by Phil Andrews
rayscally.bsky.social
WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER, Blithfield, Staffs – From a couple of weeks back, stayed asleep for the first half hour in low sun and semi concealed which made picking out the ID features difficult but educational, showed well as morning progressed. @westmidbirdclub.bsky.social
November 7, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Was bemoaning the lack of variety in this mornings trap (9 Ruddy Streak, 2 Red-green Carpet, 1 Juniper Carpet) when out popped this micro, Phyllonorycter messaniella, new for me + the VC38 portion of the SK10 square #TeamMoth
@ruthnewby.bsky.social @bcwarwickshire.bsky.social @ecorecord.bsky.social
November 6, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Recent nights have brought December Moth and Satellite as NFY, together with Feathered Thorn and Acleris notana/ferrugana.
B74 SK10 VC38
@ruthnewby.bsky.social @bcwarwickshire.bsky.social @ecorecord.bsky.social
November 4, 2025 at 3:07 PM
7 redhead Goosander yesterday in Sutton Park on Keeper's Pool. Today a drake Shoveler at Hill Hook NR on Mill Pool found earlier by @ruthnewby.bsky.social. My first ever in this location was also 2nd Nov (2023) - wonder if they are displaced off another body of water by fireworks? 🤔
November 2, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Below is chronological rundown of the additions to the West Mids regional list since 1990 (hopefully no mistakes although I can't guarantee it!). Some impressive sightings in that list - I wonder what the next new species for the West Midlands will be? @westmidbirdclub.bsky.social
November 1, 2025 at 10:57 AM
Monday afternoon found me at Spurn catching up with my first Black-faced Bunting after dips at Rimac and this year on Shetland; bird showed well with patience. First time I had been down to the Point in years; fascinating to see the reprofiling of the peninsular
October 22, 2025 at 7:42 AM
Good views of the White-rumped Sandpiper at Blithfield Reservoir along Admaston Reach this afternoon; also Black-necked Grebe south of the causeway but no sign of the Spoonbill. Pair of glasses left on the gate to Blithe Bay
@staffsbirdnews.bsky.social @westmidbirdclub.bsky.social
October 18, 2025 at 4:22 PM
A further 2 Merveille du Jour in this morning's trap along with Feathered Thorn, Barred Sallow and 2 NFY - Mottled Umber and Red-line Quaker
B74 VC38 SK10
@ruthnewby.bsky.social @bcwarwickshire.bsky.social @ecorecord.bsky.social
October 18, 2025 at 9:14 AM
Reposted by Phil Andrews
stephbirdart.bsky.social
Needletail sketchbook pages. I made the decision to draw up afterwards as I just wanted to watch the bird. I also struggled to climb the castle paths😞 #UKbirding #birds #birding #birdart #sciart #art
Sketches of a White throated Needletail, a species of large swift. They are in graphite and watercolour. The swift is large bodied with scythe shaped wings and a small stubby square tail. The body is brown with a pale throat, large white horseshoe shape under the tail area. The upper parts have a white patch on the back. The wings are black with areas of blue green iridescence. The bird even looks fast! Sketches of a White throated Needletail, a species of large swift. They are in graphite and watercolour. The swift is large bodied with scythe shaped wings and a small stubby square tail. The body is brown with a pale throat, large white horseshoe shape under the tail area. The upper parts have a white patch on the back. The wings are black with areas of blue green iridescence. The bird even looks fast! Sketches of a White throated Needletail, a species of large swift. They are in graphite and watercolour. The swift is large bodied with scythe shaped wings and a small stubby square tail. The body is brown with a pale throat, large white horseshoe shape under the tail area. The upper parts have a white patch on the back. The wings are black with areas of blue green iridescence. The bird even looks fast! Sketches of a White throated Needletail, a species of large swift. They are in graphite and watercolour. The swift is large bodied with scythe shaped wings and a small stubby square tail. The body is brown with a pale throat, large white horseshoe shape under the tail area. The upper parts have a white patch on the back. The wings are black with areas of blue green iridescence. The bird even looks fast!
October 13, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Reposted by Phil Andrews
philj61.bsky.social
After being underwhelmed by the female Siberian Thrush I saw in Fife this was like seeing a new bird🙂 The male at Loch of Asta, Shetland this month. Can do prints - please dm me if required.
October 18, 2025 at 6:22 AM
The moth trap continues to produce - Beaded Chestnut and Feathered Thorn were NFY this morning with my 2nd and 3rd Green-brindled Crescent. But all usurped by this Gem, new for me and the SK10 square.
VC38 B74
@ruthnewby.bsky.social @bcwarwickshire.bsky.social @ecorecord.bsky.social
October 16, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Ripple Pits for sale - I hope @westmidbirdclub.bsky.social and @worcswt.bsky.social can give the acquisition of this important site with huge potential serious consideration
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/1...
Check out this Land for sale on Rightmove
Land for sale in Ripple, Tewkesbury, Worcestershire, GL20 for £700,000. Marketed by Fisher German, Worcester
www.rightmove.co.uk
October 14, 2025 at 6:55 PM
A painful dip on a sodden Rhum back in 2013 was finally put to bed y'day with a successful day twitch to St Agnes for the Mourning Dove. A decent supporting cast with Buff-bellied Pipt, Spotted Sand, Lapland Bunt on the island + c70 Great Shearwater, Sooty Shears and Stormies from the Scillonian.
October 14, 2025 at 6:18 PM
A warm mizzly night produced 35/13 in trap - Green-brindled Cresent was new for me. Also my 2nd+3rd Merveille du Jour whilst 5 November Moth agg were NFY. Also Yellow-line Quaker + Blairs Shoulder-knot of note
B74 VC38 SK10
@ruthnewby.bsky.social @bcwarwickshire.bsky.social @ecorecord.bsky.social
October 14, 2025 at 11:49 AM
A definate change of seasons in Sutton Park this weekend - just a single Chiffchaff encountered with far more Coal Tit, Goldcrest + Jay; Ring-necked Parakeet & 7 Cormorant on Keepers Pool. Also this Ruby Tiger caterpillar on the path
@ecorecord.bsky.social
October 12, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Reposted by Phil Andrews
belvidebirding.bsky.social
One of the most incredible WTF!! moments I have witnessed in 41 years birding Belvide. 8 White-rumped Sandpiper on the north shore between 4pm-5.30pm. Just short of a British Record of 11 on the outer Hebrides. Thought I'd lost the plot when I saw them. Still pinching myself. #UKbirding
October 11, 2025 at 8:06 PM
After painfully dipping Needletail in Yorkshire yesterday afternoon + then the Leach's Petrel this morning at Blithfield, it was a relief to catch up with the astonishing flock of 8 White-rumped Sandpiper at Belvide Reservoir late afternoon before they flew east - hope they are relocated elsewhere
October 11, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Behold! Purest green!
Atlantis has fallen - Merveille du Jour finally on my list with one perched precariously on the edge of the trap in the dark. Also Yellow-line Quaker new for the current garden.
B74 VC38 SK10
@ruthnewby.bsky.social @bcwarwickshire.bsky.social @ecorecord.bsky.social
October 10, 2025 at 8:51 AM
Wednesday was spent travelling from Aberdeen to the West Midlands via the Western Sandpiper at Maidens. Not a classic year with the weather against us most of the time but a showy lifer with Siberian Thrush. Just a case of what might have been if we'd gone to look at the 'Little Bunting'
October 10, 2025 at 7:11 AM
Final day on Shetland + the last day mega didnt happen. Worked a variety of sites on south Mainland for more Yellow-browed Warbler, seconds of the Western Subalp, much better views of Blue-winged Teal + wader selection on Virkie. Even reduced to looking at fungi (Stinkhorn + Lawyers Cap I believe)
October 10, 2025 at 6:57 AM
Reposted by Phil Andrews
andyhood75.bsky.social
White-throated Needletail @rspbbemptoncliffs.bsky.social scored gold again when the Tophill Low bird was relocated there late this afternoon. Still can't believe i've seen this chonky mega Asian Swift a few miles from home. @flamboroughbird.bsky.social @rarebirder.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social
October 8, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Day 10 on Shetland - frustrating day with dips on the Clickimin Barred Warbler first and last thing, bare supermarket shelves, a broken down car on the dockside + kicking around a couple of sites with no reward. Between this though stunning views of the Siberian Thrush as shown below in Hugh's photo
hughharrop.bsky.social Hugh Harrop @hughharrop.bsky.social · Oct 6
Absolutely mind-blowing views of the male Siberian Thrush at Loch of Asta, Shetland this afternoon...

#BirdingScotland #UKbirding #RareBirdsUK #Birds #UKWildlife
October 6, 2025 at 7:35 PM