The Wildlife Oculus
@thewildlifeoculus.bsky.social
I am Blair Jones, birder, photographer, talk presenter, drone pilot and blogger. Gwent Ornithological Society Secretary. BTO Volunteer. Visit my blog at www.thewildlifeoculus.com
Nice to have sunshine at Goldcliff Lagoons. Nice to see a large flock of Black-Tailed Godwits on Priors Lagoons -300 +. Highlight was 25 Grey Plovers out on the Saltmarsh near the Pill. A Buzzard showed well for me. #birdingwales #gwentbirds
November 23, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Nice to have sunshine at Goldcliff Lagoons. Nice to see a large flock of Black-Tailed Godwits on Priors Lagoons -300 +. Highlight was 25 Grey Plovers out on the Saltmarsh near the Pill. A Buzzard showed well for me. #birdingwales #gwentbirds
Temminck's Stint, Rushy Hide WWT Slimbridge. Much better views.
October 25, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Temminck's Stint, Rushy Hide WWT Slimbridge. Much better views.
Lesser Flamingo at WWT Slimbridge
October 19, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Lesser Flamingo at WWT Slimbridge
Temminck's Stint on the South Lake this afternoon at WWT Slimbridge. The wader was pushing the limits of my lens on the far side of the lake. Lifer for me :) Tick.
October 18, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Temminck's Stint on the South Lake this afternoon at WWT Slimbridge. The wader was pushing the limits of my lens on the far side of the lake. Lifer for me :) Tick.
Storm Amy - Porthcawl Lighthouse
October 3, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Storm Amy - Porthcawl Lighthouse
Goldcliff Lagoons AM visit. Wryneck showing in bushes/trees in the field behind Snipe Platform.Cloudy sunrise. Wader flock - Little Stints, Dunlins and Curlew Sandpipers. #birdingwales #gwentbirders
September 28, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Goldcliff Lagoons AM visit. Wryneck showing in bushes/trees in the field behind Snipe Platform.Cloudy sunrise. Wader flock - Little Stints, Dunlins and Curlew Sandpipers. #birdingwales #gwentbirders
Nice views of a Wryneck today at Goldcliff Lagoons. A lifer for me, so well happy. #birdingwales #gwentbirds
September 26, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Nice views of a Wryneck today at Goldcliff Lagoons. A lifer for me, so well happy. #birdingwales #gwentbirds
A quick visit to Newton Point, Porthcawl, this morning. There is a lot of disturbance caused by dogs off the lead, which disrupts the roosting of waders. Ringed Plovers and Turnstones were the best I could manage. #birdingwales
September 21, 2025 at 6:50 PM
A quick visit to Newton Point, Porthcawl, this morning. There is a lot of disturbance caused by dogs off the lead, which disrupts the roosting of waders. Ringed Plovers and Turnstones were the best I could manage. #birdingwales
Llanhishen and Lisvane Reservoir this afternoon. Only one Grey Phalarope remains on Llanhishen. The Garganey was very accommodating, with numerous Little Grebes and a single Common Sandpiper. #birdingwales
September 21, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Llanhishen and Lisvane Reservoir this afternoon. Only one Grey Phalarope remains on Llanhishen. The Garganey was very accommodating, with numerous Little Grebes and a single Common Sandpiper. #birdingwales
No luck today at Aberafon Pier, Port Talbot, with the Sabine Gulls. There was one, apparently, but too far out in the bay. Lots of other birds, however. Turnstones, Starlings, Oystercatchers and various other gull species. #birdingwales
September 21, 2025 at 6:45 PM
No luck today at Aberafon Pier, Port Talbot, with the Sabine Gulls. There was one, apparently, but too far out in the bay. Lots of other birds, however. Turnstones, Starlings, Oystercatchers and various other gull species. #birdingwales
A visit to Newton Point yesterday. Nice flock of Sanderling, Dunlin, Turnstones and Ringed Plover on the rocky foreshore. #birdingwales
September 19, 2025 at 3:25 PM
A visit to Newton Point yesterday. Nice flock of Sanderling, Dunlin, Turnstones and Ringed Plover on the rocky foreshore. #birdingwales
One of the three Grey Phalaropes at Lisvane/Llanhishen reservoirs this morning. The Phalropes were seen to be occasionally taking to the air and picking off flying insects. #birdingwales
September 14, 2025 at 2:11 PM
One of the three Grey Phalaropes at Lisvane/Llanhishen reservoirs this morning. The Phalropes were seen to be occasionally taking to the air and picking off flying insects. #birdingwales
I have had a wonderful time in Norfolk Birdwatching. RSPB Snettisham was amazing. Very fortunate to have some lovely sunrises over the last three days and lots of waders. #norfolkbirding
September 13, 2025 at 6:49 AM
I have had a wonderful time in Norfolk Birdwatching. RSPB Snettisham was amazing. Very fortunate to have some lovely sunrises over the last three days and lots of waders. #norfolkbirding
The Blood Moon Eclipse seen from up the Pontypool Folly
September 7, 2025 at 10:26 PM
The Blood Moon Eclipse seen from up the Pontypool Folly
Today is World Shorebird Day – a celebration of the waders that connect continents through their epic migrations. Every mudflat, lagoon and estuary plays a vital role in their survival. Let’s protect these wild places so future generations can marvel at their journeys. #birdingwales
September 6, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Today is World Shorebird Day – a celebration of the waders that connect continents through their epic migrations. Every mudflat, lagoon and estuary plays a vital role in their survival. Let’s protect these wild places so future generations can marvel at their journeys. #birdingwales
Sunrise up at Pontypool Folly this morning. #drone #pontypoolfolly
September 5, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Sunrise up at Pontypool Folly this morning. #drone #pontypoolfolly
Goldcliff Lagoons morning visit/ Highlights - Glossy Ibis flyby, Whinchat, Yellow Wagtails and Wheatears. Lots of birds. #gwentbirds #birdingwales
September 5, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Goldcliff Lagoons morning visit/ Highlights - Glossy Ibis flyby, Whinchat, Yellow Wagtails and Wheatears. Lots of birds. #gwentbirds #birdingwales
No luck yesterday with the Marsh Sandpiper, but I enjoyed the bracing fresh air at Peterstone Gout. Highlights - friendly birders, Greenshanks x 2, lots of Redsshanks, Turnstones and 2 x Whimbrel, Big Flock of Black-Tailed Godwits. #gwentbirds #birdingwales
September 1, 2025 at 7:35 PM
No luck yesterday with the Marsh Sandpiper, but I enjoyed the bracing fresh air at Peterstone Gout. Highlights - friendly birders, Greenshanks x 2, lots of Redsshanks, Turnstones and 2 x Whimbrel, Big Flock of Black-Tailed Godwits. #gwentbirds #birdingwales
The fire damage at Goldcliff Lagoons. RIP the seawall hide.
More on my blog . www.thewildlifeoculus.com/2025/08/fire... #birdingwales #gwentbirds
More on my blog . www.thewildlifeoculus.com/2025/08/fire... #birdingwales #gwentbirds
August 29, 2025 at 5:00 PM
The fire damage at Goldcliff Lagoons. RIP the seawall hide.
More on my blog . www.thewildlifeoculus.com/2025/08/fire... #birdingwales #gwentbirds
More on my blog . www.thewildlifeoculus.com/2025/08/fire... #birdingwales #gwentbirds
I am presenting again at 7 pm on Tuesday, 2nd of September 2025 at Blaenafon Camera Club. Looking forward to seeing the club members again and Alan Gordon Parry. My roady, Paul Joy, will be helping me out. Expect pictures of Planes, Sunrises, Drones, Birds, Bridges and the Milky Way.
August 28, 2025 at 7:58 PM
I am presenting again at 7 pm on Tuesday, 2nd of September 2025 at Blaenafon Camera Club. Looking forward to seeing the club members again and Alan Gordon Parry. My roady, Paul Joy, will be helping me out. Expect pictures of Planes, Sunrises, Drones, Birds, Bridges and the Milky Way.
On Sunday night, I had a fantastic time photographing Nash Point Lighthouse and the Milky Way with my friend Paul Joy. More on my blog.
www.thewildlifeoculus.com/2025/08/shin...
www.thewildlifeoculus.com/2025/08/shin...
August 28, 2025 at 5:54 PM
On Sunday night, I had a fantastic time photographing Nash Point Lighthouse and the Milky Way with my friend Paul Joy. More on my blog.
www.thewildlifeoculus.com/2025/08/shin...
www.thewildlifeoculus.com/2025/08/shin...
Nash Point Lighthouse and the Milky Way.
August 25, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Nash Point Lighthouse and the Milky Way.
Green Sandpiper - Magor Marsh yesterday afternoon, foraging at the back of the pond opposite the hide. #birdingwales #magormarsh
August 23, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Green Sandpiper - Magor Marsh yesterday afternoon, foraging at the back of the pond opposite the hide. #birdingwales #magormarsh
The Goldcliff Desert #birdingwales #goldclifflagoons
August 22, 2025 at 9:12 PM
The Goldcliff Desert #birdingwales #goldclifflagoons
Goldcliff Lagoons is largely dry, but it's still home to a variety of birds. Highlights - Lots of Hirundines, Cettis, Whinchat, Yellow Wagtails and it was reported that a Little Stint was in with roosting Dunlins and R.Plover #birdingwales #goldclifflagoons
August 22, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Goldcliff Lagoons is largely dry, but it's still home to a variety of birds. Highlights - Lots of Hirundines, Cettis, Whinchat, Yellow Wagtails and it was reported that a Little Stint was in with roosting Dunlins and R.Plover #birdingwales #goldclifflagoons