Simon
@simonwood42.bsky.social
EBwS President. ID Panel member and author Birds of Essex. Essex Lepidoptera ID Panel - fascinated by anything that flies, crawls, hops, runs, wiggles, swims….
And my final Estonian offering @swallowbirding.bsky.social @birdinghaapsalu.bsky.social
June 6, 2025 at 7:31 PM
And my final Estonian offering @swallowbirding.bsky.social @birdinghaapsalu.bsky.social
A few of the birds from Rannapark in the middle of Parnu, Estonia @swallowbirding.bsky.social @birdinghaapsalu.bsky.social
June 5, 2025 at 5:59 PM
A few of the birds from Rannapark in the middle of Parnu, Estonia @swallowbirding.bsky.social @birdinghaapsalu.bsky.social
And a few more from Estonia @swallowbirding.bsky.social @birdinghaapsalu.bsky.social
June 5, 2025 at 5:36 PM
And a few more from Estonia @swallowbirding.bsky.social @birdinghaapsalu.bsky.social
A fantastic few days in Estonia with @swallowbirding.bsky.social and @birdinghaapsalu.bsky.social - over 180 species in a fantastic country which I would love to return to. So many highlights…
June 5, 2025 at 12:56 PM
A fantastic few days in Estonia with @swallowbirding.bsky.social and @birdinghaapsalu.bsky.social - over 180 species in a fantastic country which I would love to return to. So many highlights…
Unsurprisingly, fairly quiet around Maldon but Little Ringed Plover is still hanging about whilst Common Buzzards remain vocal. Good numbers of dragons including Scarce Chaser (needs a name change…) and good to see both Common Blue and Small Tortoiseshells as been almost absent in recent years.
June 5, 2025 at 11:21 AM
Unsurprisingly, fairly quiet around Maldon but Little Ringed Plover is still hanging about whilst Common Buzzards remain vocal. Good numbers of dragons including Scarce Chaser (needs a name change…) and good to see both Common Blue and Small Tortoiseshells as been almost absent in recent years.
A hybrid Salsify x Goats Beard at Heybridge GP, Maldon VC 19 today. Plenty of both species present nearby @bsbibotany.bsky.social
May 22, 2025 at 8:18 PM
A hybrid Salsify x Goats Beard at Heybridge GP, Maldon VC 19 today. Plenty of both species present nearby @bsbibotany.bsky.social
By Maldon Patch standards it’s been an excellent few days with Adrian Dally finding 2 Dotterel a km east of Mundon Hall on 18th which stayed just long enough for my 1st patch tick of 2025. Then today bought a Spotted Flycatcher at Lofts Farm. Plenty of dragonflies, also Wall and Painted Lady too.
May 20, 2025 at 7:21 PM
By Maldon Patch standards it’s been an excellent few days with Adrian Dally finding 2 Dotterel a km east of Mundon Hall on 18th which stayed just long enough for my 1st patch tick of 2025. Then today bought a Spotted Flycatcher at Lofts Farm. Plenty of dragonflies, also Wall and Painted Lady too.
Essex Field Club visit to Hazeleigh Wood yesterday. Tad chilly for insects but plenty found. Ironically, I found a long overdue NFS just 5 mins after arriving - Coleophora anatipennella. Other highlights were the bagworm Proutia betulina, the now rare locally Bullfinch, and Pogonocherus hispidulus.
May 16, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Essex Field Club visit to Hazeleigh Wood yesterday. Tad chilly for insects but plenty found. Ironically, I found a long overdue NFS just 5 mins after arriving - Coleophora anatipennella. Other highlights were the bagworm Proutia betulina, the now rare locally Bullfinch, and Pogonocherus hispidulus.
I’ve failed to find any Turtle Dove locally on Tuesday but I was encouraged by the number of House Martin still breeding west of Maldon. Three pairs of Yellowhammer, still hanging on in the area and my first Painted Lady of the year.
May 15, 2025 at 8:18 PM
I’ve failed to find any Turtle Dove locally on Tuesday but I was encouraged by the number of House Martin still breeding west of Maldon. Three pairs of Yellowhammer, still hanging on in the area and my first Painted Lady of the year.
Pleased to catch a stunning Aproaerema polychromella in Hazeleigh Wood, Maldon VC18 last night- New to Essex and the only migrant in the trap. The 917th species for the Wood since trapping began in 2018 @migrantmothuk.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social
@stevenash71.bsky.social
@stevenash71.bsky.social
May 12, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Pleased to catch a stunning Aproaerema polychromella in Hazeleigh Wood, Maldon VC18 last night- New to Essex and the only migrant in the trap. The 917th species for the Wood since trapping began in 2018 @migrantmothuk.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social
@stevenash71.bsky.social
@stevenash71.bsky.social
An eclectic mix of the avian, hemipteran and coleopteran - male Cuckoo, Hairy Shieldbug and Rhyncites aurata - all from around the Heybridge area during the last couple of days.
May 8, 2025 at 8:09 PM
An eclectic mix of the avian, hemipteran and coleopteran - male Cuckoo, Hairy Shieldbug and Rhyncites aurata - all from around the Heybridge area during the last couple of days.
5th May Heybridge GP. Hard going in a cold NE. About 30 Swift feeding low over the Pit,, 110 Brent were still on the estuary and this lone, big billed and long legged Black-tailed Godwit looked a good candidate for a limosa…
May 7, 2025 at 8:06 AM
5th May Heybridge GP. Hard going in a cold NE. About 30 Swift feeding low over the Pit,, 110 Brent were still on the estuary and this lone, big billed and long legged Black-tailed Godwit looked a good candidate for a limosa…
Managed a night’s mothing whilst in Holme-next-the-Sea, Norfolk - over 45 species (and counting) including Grass Rivulet and Cydia strobilella, Buttoned Snout and Grass Rivulet as well as more regular species such as Small Elephant Hawk
May 4, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Managed a night’s mothing whilst in Holme-next-the-Sea, Norfolk - over 45 species (and counting) including Grass Rivulet and Cydia strobilella, Buttoned Snout and Grass Rivulet as well as more regular species such as Small Elephant Hawk
NW Norfolk was lacking in birds but there were reasonable numbers of butterflies about, in particular Wall which outnumbered all other species around Holme Dunes which also produced our first Green Hairstreak of the year as well as Small Copper amongst others.
May 4, 2025 at 5:55 PM
NW Norfolk was lacking in birds but there were reasonable numbers of butterflies about, in particular Wall which outnumbered all other species around Holme Dunes which also produced our first Green Hairstreak of the year as well as Small Copper amongst others.
Just back from 3 days in Norfolk where weather was kind for a change. Birding was hard work with only find of note being a newly arrived, skittish flock of 4 (2m) Garganey on Broadwater, Holme Bird Obs on 2nd May which quickly moved on and 3 fledged Bearded Tit fresh out of the nest at Titchwell.
May 4, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Just back from 3 days in Norfolk where weather was kind for a change. Birding was hard work with only find of note being a newly arrived, skittish flock of 4 (2m) Garganey on Broadwater, Holme Bird Obs on 2nd May which quickly moved on and 3 fledged Bearded Tit fresh out of the nest at Titchwell.
Many thanks to @eswater.bsky.social for the fascinating tour of the new Langford eel and fish ladders on the River Blackwater. Let’s hope it gets lots of use. A pair of Grey Wagtail were present too, while some Hemlock Water Dropwort was growing just below the weir.
April 29, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Many thanks to @eswater.bsky.social for the fascinating tour of the new Langford eel and fish ladders on the River Blackwater. Let’s hope it gets lots of use. A pair of Grey Wagtail were present too, while some Hemlock Water Dropwort was growing just below the weir.
Wandered down to Beeleigh Falls and adjacent meadows today. This area used to be good for Willow Warbler and Spotted Flycatcher but alas no more. Instead wall to wall Chiffchaff and Blackcap . @btobirds.bsky.social First Small Heath and Small Copper of the year @savebutterflies.bsky.social
April 29, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Wandered down to Beeleigh Falls and adjacent meadows today. This area used to be good for Willow Warbler and Spotted Flycatcher but alas no more. Instead wall to wall Chiffchaff and Blackcap . @btobirds.bsky.social First Small Heath and Small Copper of the year @savebutterflies.bsky.social
Dire in Hazeleigh Wood Saturday night - perhaps our worst moth catch: c25 moths of just 13 species (would expect 100s of moths and 40+ sp.) but 3 NFY + lure attracted a Small Yellow Underwing during day - NFS. Also during day, Cauchas rufimitrella noted and Large Red Damsel emerging in good numbers
April 29, 2025 at 6:08 AM
Dire in Hazeleigh Wood Saturday night - perhaps our worst moth catch: c25 moths of just 13 species (would expect 100s of moths and 40+ sp.) but 3 NFY + lure attracted a Small Yellow Underwing during day - NFS. Also during day, Cauchas rufimitrella noted and Large Red Damsel emerging in good numbers
Heybridge GP yesterday came up with the goods in the form of a female Ring Ouzel, as well as good numbers of singing warblers again, 3 Whimbrel, 2 late (for here) Grey Plover and a couple of Swift, and 130 Brent - also a jumping Golden Carp!
April 26, 2025 at 7:09 AM
Heybridge GP yesterday came up with the goods in the form of a female Ring Ouzel, as well as good numbers of singing warblers again, 3 Whimbrel, 2 late (for here) Grey Plover and a couple of Swift, and 130 Brent - also a jumping Golden Carp!
Little to report from Heybridge GP this morning although warbler numbers are encouraging especially Whitethroat. Young Common (Harbour) Seal still present, feeding between Pit and Prom.
April 24, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Little to report from Heybridge GP this morning although warbler numbers are encouraging especially Whitethroat. Young Common (Harbour) Seal still present, feeding between Pit and Prom.
Yesterday wasn’t quite as lively as hoped on the patch but the first Swift of the year was over Lofts where there was also Gorse Shieldbug. A short walk later produced few birds but wherever there was mallow around Heybridge GP there were Firebugs and Common Vetch was growing through the grasses.
April 23, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Yesterday wasn’t quite as lively as hoped on the patch but the first Swift of the year was over Lofts where there was also Gorse Shieldbug. A short walk later produced few birds but wherever there was mallow around Heybridge GP there were Firebugs and Common Vetch was growing through the grasses.
A flock of 57 Bar-tailed Godwit flew from the west today over Maldon and landed on the north side of Northey Island. Such a number is unusual locally.
Interesting to note that one of the birds was not confident of its flying abilities as it seems to be pedalling hard…
Interesting to note that one of the birds was not confident of its flying abilities as it seems to be pedalling hard…
April 21, 2025 at 8:47 PM
A flock of 57 Bar-tailed Godwit flew from the west today over Maldon and landed on the north side of Northey Island. Such a number is unusual locally.
Interesting to note that one of the birds was not confident of its flying abilities as it seems to be pedalling hard…
Interesting to note that one of the birds was not confident of its flying abilities as it seems to be pedalling hard…
Very murky early this morning at Heybridge GP, but a few highlights - Grasshopper Warbler, 4 Arctic Tern, 3 Yellow Wag, 3 Cuckoo (2 male and a female), 57 Bar-tailed Godwit, c30 Dunlin, a Greenshank and a Green Sandpiper. Also, at least 240 Brent Geese still.
April 21, 2025 at 10:47 AM
Very murky early this morning at Heybridge GP, but a few highlights - Grasshopper Warbler, 4 Arctic Tern, 3 Yellow Wag, 3 Cuckoo (2 male and a female), 57 Bar-tailed Godwit, c30 Dunlin, a Greenshank and a Green Sandpiper. Also, at least 240 Brent Geese still.
All a bit quiet around Heybridge GP today, with the best I could manage being single Cuckoo, four Mediterranean Gull and a Lesser Whitethroat. On the moth front, Cydia ulicetana around the gorse was new for the tetrad.
April 20, 2025 at 7:25 PM
All a bit quiet around Heybridge GP today, with the best I could manage being single Cuckoo, four Mediterranean Gull and a Lesser Whitethroat. On the moth front, Cydia ulicetana around the gorse was new for the tetrad.
Last night Hazeleigh Wood, VC18 40 species (a few still to ID) inc. site’s 3rd Ypsolopha mucronella (after 2nd last week), & 2 Streamer and a Water Carpet - both uncommon in Wood. A total of 12 Sloe Carpet now this year. Also Hysterophora maculosana swept from bluebell. Migrants? - 3 Diamond-back
April 19, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Last night Hazeleigh Wood, VC18 40 species (a few still to ID) inc. site’s 3rd Ypsolopha mucronella (after 2nd last week), & 2 Streamer and a Water Carpet - both uncommon in Wood. A total of 12 Sloe Carpet now this year. Also Hysterophora maculosana swept from bluebell. Migrants? - 3 Diamond-back