Limited trap last night but 5 new for the year Nut-tree Tussock, Lunar marbled Brown, Frosted Green, Twenty/Many-plumed Moth and my earliest Oak Nycteoline plus usual quakers, drab etc.

Stopped at Ibsley Bridge for a snack and a drink and first thing I heard was a Sedge Warbler singing.

Just had my first Willow Warbler of the year singing off FP12 #LytchettBay @ianballam.bsky.social @narwhalsh.bsky.social

No sign of the Snow Bunting this morning but a nice pair of Med Gull out in the bay, looking very smart. Though not in the best light and a heavy crop.

The sun in this last week has been pretty good on the local patch with my first Common Lizard for the year and first patch Adder. both taken using a long lens not to disturb them soaking up th warm UV,

This just arrived and I’ve used it already excellent addition for my reference book shelf. I can see it being used a ca lot.

Had a visit to our old Hants patch today and found lots of Scarlet Elf cups at Blashford, Marsh Tit at Eyeworth and a calling Red Kite near Breamore made a nice day out.

First blog for 2026, January birding @lytchettbirder.bsky.social twoowlsbirding.blogspot.com/2026/02/

A couple of shots of flyby Greylag Geese taken last week at Slimbridge.

Delighted to share the Lytchett Bay Bird and Wildlife Report for 2025. Thanks to @lytchettbirder.bsky.social for non-bird taxa, @harbourbirds.bsky.social for hosting & @markwright12002.bsky.social for cover pic. www.birdsofpooleharbour.co.uk/wp-content/u...

@dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social Apologies for contacting this way. I am trying to contact about membership renewal and the email address I am using keeps bouncing back saying unable to deliver. My PayPal subscription used to be on active renewal and is not now Do I need to just pay for new membership?

Not had the camera out much of late mainly due to the weather. Had a walk at Keyhaven a couple of day ago and only found Redshank and a 1st/w Rock Pipit who wanted to be photographed.

I've recently completed a first draft of a book about birding, a Big Year and mental health. I've approached a number of publishers (with no acknowledgement from any so far) but am wondering about self-publishing. Anyone got any experience with either form? #naturewriting #birds

Don't often see both Roe and Sika Deer together grazing in the same field. Bestwall, Wareham. @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social

Tundra Bean Geese and a few Russian White-fronts at Ridge today just after they flew in to the field from Arne Moors.

Jackie and I took a trip down Wyke Regis today and caught up with the very obliging Desert Wheatear. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social

@axebirder.bsky.social Hi Steve I was down at Seaton Wetlands on the 19thcame across a CR Black-tailed Godwit. I seem to recollect that you were colour ringing godwit a while back. You are probably already aware of this individual but thought I would report it just in case you hadn't. Nick

Visit to Shapwick Heath and Decoy Hide was fairly quiet but 2 drake Ring-necked duck showed very nicely & very actively feeding @somersetwildlands.bsky.social

Received a very sinister look from the Boat-tailed Grackle today at Calshot. It walked right up to me before going off and sitting on another birder. Great bird to see just needs to find another ship to get back home.😀

Last night a Brick, was a new for the Upton garden and the December Moth and Red-line Quaker were new for the year.

September birding @lytchettbirder.bsky.social twoowlsbirding.blogspot.com/2025/10/patc...

Birders should be concerned as without as many Insects, we lose our pollinators, food for Birds and a good reason to get out during the quieter Summer months

Last nights moth trap not great but 45 moths of 21 species. Highlight a garden lifer, in not one but 2 Blair's Mocha (Cyclophora puppillaria) a 3rd record of Cherry-bark Moth (Enarmonia formosana) + European Corn Borer, Rush Veneer & White Point were the supporting highlights.

August moths & birding catch-up twoowlsbirding.blogspot.com/2025/09/ @lytchettbirder.bsky.social

Out watering a few plants in the garden and saw movement, My first thought that's a big spider and then getting a closer look you could have knocked me over with a feather. It was only a Raft Spider (Dolomedes fimbriatus) what a species to add to a garden list.

Phone Scoped pic of Black-winged kite at Frampton on seven this Am ✔️👍 #birds

A couple of shots from todays harbour birdboat a jug Sparrowhawk one of two that flew over the boat and a Sandwich Tern checking us out. Plus fishing Osprey and a distant White-tailed Eagle powering away to chase an Osprey with a fish.

Out on the local patch this morning looking for migrants with very little luck in the bird front though an Osprey over the bay was certainly nice to see. Though the highlight of the morning was this Clouded Yellow and my first this year.

Not a big trap this morning but a handful of migrants Vestal(1) Palpita vistrealis (2), Rush Veneer(4), Rusty-dot Pearl(9) White Point(2),Jersey Tiger(4). @dorsetmoths.bsky.social @migrantmothuk.bsky.social

Our friends at the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation and Forestry England have some exciting info to share: www.birdsofpooleharbour.co.uk/first-wild-w... @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social

Jackie was out water the garden and found this female Wasp Spider our second record for this species in the garden.

2 Wood Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper & 1 Common Sandpiper plus 2 Great White Egret. Lodmoor RSPB. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social

First Hummer in the garden today and it was little Bug--- to get a shot of but just managed a passable shot.

New in the house tick with Jersey Tiger also three in the trap this morning.

First Hornets in the moth trap this morning. Much prefer them to the Common Wasps which I also had many and one of the little blighters stung me.

Spotted Flycatcher from my walk a couple of days ago.

Well after three blank visits without success we did the triple today with Red-veined Darter, Broad Scarlet (Scarlet Darter) and Lesser Emperor though the emperor isn't the best shot but at least you can see it is one.

Mt latest Blog Post - Starting the day with an Otter birdingpooleharbourandbeyond.blogspot.com/2025/07/19-j...

We always have a few ragwort grow in the wildlife garden which as many of you will know are great for insect Hoverflies and bees. Though it's our first time we have recorded Cinnabar caterpillars on any of the plants, even though I've caught the odd adult in the moth trap.

No more Beewashing please! Why beekeeping doesn't help conserve bees. Pls RT if you agree. youtu.be/fiBYBmlKSYU

As with other who moth trap I get bycatch and I like to identify what I can some are easier than others. Here are a few of the easy ones. Dolichovespula media_Median Wasp Vespula vulgaris_Common Wasp Amphimallon solstitiale_Summer Chafer Melolontha melolontha_Cockchafer

over the last week or so we've been hearing Peregrine calling & when we get outside & scan nothing not a bird in sight. Yesterday was different, we caught this juvenile soaring over the house. Quick dash back in change lens from macro to 500mm and back out just in time to take a few quick shots.

A new odonata species for the garden well the first I've seen visiting, a very green female Emperor Dragonfly.

Went out in search of Quail last evening and failed but this Corn Bunting sang nicely for us in the evening sun. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social

Moth blog for June @lytchettbirder.bsky.social twoowlsbirding.blogspot.com/2025/07/new-...

Wildlife birding in June blog twoowlsbirding.blogspot.com/2025/07/june... @lytchettbirder.bsky.social

The wildlife garden is doing good proved that we have 2 male and a single female Common Blue and added our 14th butterfly species with Essex Skipper.

Best trap ever for my Upton garden with 272 moths 104 species. Of note for me were Vestal, Dark Sword-grass, Rusty Dot-pearl, 2 Diamond-back and 2 Purple Marblerd. @migrantmothuk.bsky.social @dorsetmoths.bsky.social

Best trap of the year so far 189 moth of 75 species. Best moth in the trap were Small Marbled and Diasemiopsis ramburialis the latter a first for me.

Well after seeing Phil @beardybirder.bsky.social success yesterday I thought I'd try my garden today. No luck with Yellow-legged but success with a single Currant Clearwing. to pheromone.