A lifer on my doorstep. Distant and cropped photo of the Killdeer which turned up at Ripley Reservoir, Hants. Never thought I would see one in January. 2nd record for Hants I believe but may have been an even earlier record I am informed.

Lucky to re-find a Clouded Yellow at Southbourne Undercliff on 2nd December. It was roughly in the same area as it was a few days ago on a seaside daisy. On my walk back it had gone. A nice present for my birthday today.

Saw 9 Clouded Yellows with @garyh-56.bsky.social and @andos13.bsky.social along with 3 larvae. Amazing day for late November. Also 2 Red Admirals.

Well it's 21st November and I saw 2 male Clouded Yellows today at Southbourne, Bournemouth. There were probably more looking at other photos. Beautiful sunny day on the coast.

Good sunny morning for butterflies at Southbourne, Dorset. 4 Clouded Yellows including this big male, 1 Small White seen by others, 1 Red Admiral and a Peacock in my Christchurch garden. Good numbers of Clouded Yellow eggs and larvae too so they may overwinter.

Visited Calshot, Hampshire to see the Boat-tailed Grackle which showed well for everyone. An added bonus was this white Starling which showed on and off nearby.

One of 27 Clouded Yellows heading west this afternoon, including 2 helice and 2 in off the sea and landing on the slopes.

A beautiful male Eros Blue from the Austrian Alps. A favourite of mine.

Another new Fritillary butterfly for me this year on my Scandinavian trip was this Frejya's Fritillary (Boloria freija). These fritillaries were few and far between especially on cloudy days. A stunning underside as well.

Small Red-eyed Damselfly at Silverlake in Dorset.

Frigga's Fritillary in northern Sweden. Seen in a boggy area of Abisko National Park.

A Pale Arctic Clouded Yellow from my recent trip to Northern Sweden. Resting on a cloudy day, they normally rarely stop flying when it is sunny.

Male Silver-washed Fritillary on bramble blossom. This was earlier in the season and it cannot have been out long.

A male Brown Hairstreak nectaring on Wild Parsnip at Shipton Bellinger, Hants.

An interesting female Gatekeeper aberration. Possibly caused by temperature variation as a chrysalis. A striking butterfly.

Great to see Wall Brown butterflies in number at Shipton Bellinger. This area is a stronghold for a butterfly that has become local in many areas. Seems to be doing well in parts of the south coast but there is a welcome improvement at inland areas as well.

Female Brown Hairstreak with open wings and male nectaring at Shipton Bellinger, Hampshire. Always a big climax to the summer butterfly season

A female White-faced Darter dragonfly seen in Northern Sweden in a boggy area. The only dragonfly I saw on the trip.

On 19th and 20th June I was at Alice Holt Forest in Hampshire searching in the heat for Purple Emperor. One male was seen down on the track on 19th, then 4 males were seen down on 20th, including 2 together later in the day. It did mean however getting close to dog mess for some photos!

A White-letter Hairstreak came down on bramble from elms at our local Christchurch recreation ground. Do not always get to see this secretive species this close, usually up high.

I saw up to 50 Black Hairstreak were seen in Ditchling Common, Sussex on Monday. They were very active until I left at 18.00. Some had recently emerged but there were a fair few that were faded or bits of wing missing. A stunning butterfly.

A Common Tern showing beautifully at Titchfield Haven. Wonderful view from the hide.

Visited Titchfield Haven this afternoon to see the Hudsonian Godwit. It spent a lot of time feeding and some time asleep. It then returned to feed closer to the hide before I left at 17.00. Managed to get this photo showing some key features in the plumage, especially the underwing.

Incredibly found a Glanville Fritillary at Southbourne Undercliff, Bournemouth,Dorset. Could well have flown in from the Isle of Wight in these warm, still conditions.Sunning itself on path to beach.My first coastal mainland record since the Hampshire coast colonies at Hordle Cliff and Hurst Spit.

Male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker in the New Forest today showing exceptionally well. Likely to have a nest nearby. Feeding low down in a small tree close to the track.

A very difficult butterfly to photograph because it never seems to stop flying, the Greenish Black-tip is ever active in the warm sunshine of Fuerteventura, on the Canaries. I managed this shot in the late part of the day when it was cooler. A beautiful delicate yellow. A first for me. #butterflies

Pairing of Small Whites at the local Christchurch Recreation Ground today. My earliest ever pairing I think. Seem to be having a good early season from local observations today.

Male Firecrest singing and displaying in the garden today. Very aggressive towards a Goldcrest which strayed in. Hoping a pair will nest again like last year.

Great to see a Long eared Owl yesterday after waiting many years since the last one. A long wait for it to open those big orange eyes. The location has been witheld on request.

A trip to Bordon, North Hampshire was rewarded by seeing the male Black-throated Thrush which was frequenting some local gardens. Special permission was obtained to see this first for the county.

Saw 3 Short-eared Owls flying around Wyke Down, Dorset this afternoon. First sunny day for a while, so pretty good views.

The Lesser Scaup at Longham Lakes, Dorset. It was not always easy to see because it spent a lot of time diving under water to feed.

Wishing all my followers on Bluesky a very Merry Christmas and a Happy 2025. A male Purple Emperor to brighten up the winter.

The late October Isabelline Shrike in Gillingham, north Dorset. An attractive shrike which was difficult to observe at first but later ventured closer to observers.

The lingering dark-phase Arctic Skua at Stanpit Marsh, Dorset yesterday. Most of the time distantly swimming in Christchurch Harbour but it did come in for a long afternoon rest on land whilst not harrassing the gulls. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social

Very unusual looking Yellow-browed Warbler I saw in Shetland on my autumn trip. I could not believe how stunning this bird was. Really beautiful, probably a one off.

Female Brown Hairstreak at Shipton Bellinger, Hampshire.

Saw 4 or 5 active Pearl-bordered Fritillaries in the New Forest today,

Bumper day for butterflies at Iford Golf Course, Bournemouth, 14 Peacock, 2 Small Tortoiseshell (in picture), 3 Comma, 1 Red Admiral, 1 Speckled Wood, 2 Small Whites, 4 Orange Tip (1 female), 1 Holly Blue. Also a report of a Green Hairstreak at nearby Hengistbury Head.

Yesterday was a fantastic day for singing Willow Warblers in the Holmsley area of the New Forest. Far outnumbering singing Chiffchaff. I imagine that many have moved on today.

Saw probably my earliest ever Wood Warbler today along with a couple of Redstarts in the New Forest at Holmsley. The Wood Warbler was in song but moved swiftly through. Managed these pictures of a Marsh Tit nearby.

A smart male Ring Ouzel at Hengistbury Head this afternoon. First seen this morning then re-found elsewhere later.

Dock Bug seen hiding and sunning itself deep in the garden today. Love the shape and 'armoured' appearance.

A fresh looking Speckled Wood in the garden today was my first of 2024. Posing on the lawn.

Brimstone butterflies all over my area of West Christchurch today. This one had an afternoon rest on a a leaf after flying around the garden. Also 2 towering Peacocks all afternoon while the sun shined.

One of 7 Northern Wheatear I saw at Stanpit Marsh today.

Distant view of First winter Little Gull at Cowards Marsh, Christchurch this afternoon.

Lesser Whitethroat on Unst, Shetland last October. Showed well with an Arctic Warbler on this fence. Nice to see this close.

Life on the garden feeders. Good numbers of Siskin in feeding drinking and singing in our Strawberry Tree. At least 7 counted recently.

Welcome to my Blue Sky feed. This Firecrest visited my West Christchurch garden on the 6th March both showing well and singing. A good bird to start with.