Yesterday's Wolf Moon

Upped this list to 64 this afternoon with the best birds being Bullfinch and a wonderful Firecrest. Could not get out much this weekend, just short trips as I had to be at home. I'm back to work on Monday, so hopefully, be out on Saturday. The weather looks like it's not going to be good, though.

Another short update of the blog at wessexbirding.blogspot.com

Post 3 of my recent return trip to Argentina & Antarctic There was also this gorgeous Chimango Caracara in the National Park, but this White-throated Caracara was really letting the family down eating scraps at the rubbish tip I ended at birdingpooleharbourandbeyond.blogspot.com/2026/01/29-n...

We're recruiting! BoPH are looking for a part-time Engagement Assistant to join our team. This role would be well-suited to an enthusiastic ornithologist with great communication skills & good knowledge of British birds. Full details: environmentjob.co.uk/posts/108499... Closes: 30th Jan 2026

Part-time, permanent position. Rare opportunity to work at one of the UK's premier wildlife/ecotourism sites (Ospreys, White-tailed Eagles, Peregrine, Marsh Harriers) with a fabulous team @harbourbirds.bsky.social Closing date: 30 Jan. #RaptorResearch raptorpersecutionuk.org/2026/01/03/j...

Saddle up for a long read: a post about birding by bike in 2025 (219 species, 2,054 miles cycled) petermooreblog.blogspot.com/2026/01/2025... - many thanks to all the great birders who found the birds or otherwise helped out last year @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @harbourbirds.bsky.social

Wonderful news that Poole fledged female 019 has been seen on the coast in the Gambia! The second photo was taken in Wales last July, where she bred for the 5th consecutive year @harbourbirds.bsky.social

A top visit to Druridge Pools this morning - 2 Little Auks scooted north offshore, Green-winged Teal, Long-tailed Duck, 4 White-fronted Geese, Ruff, 30-40 Twite. But pride of place goes to this pair of Smew - any day with a male Smew is a good day. #NEbirding

@harbourbirds.bsky.social Thought this might interest you www.facebook.com/share/p/1Hbe...

My 1st blog of the year is up now at wessexbirding.blogspot.com Any bloggers know how to create an automatic running total in the side bar. I thought I had it but I have to input the numbers myself.

My 50th bird in the garden with one of my favourites a Blackcap male

A couple of the Russian White fronted Geese from Ridge. What is the difference between this race and the ones from Greenland?

@dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social Had a good day in Search of birds around Dorset there will be more information on my blog wessexbirding.blogspot.com later. Nice to see White fronted Goose at Ridge and Bean Goose at Winterbourne Monkton and a White tailed Eagle from Red Horn Quay.

@dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social Black-necked Grebe still at Longham Lakes at 14:42

Looking out into the bay for the Smew from Red Horn Quay

Slavonian Grebe Redhorn, Studland, Dorset @harbourbirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social

Well here goes the worst photos you will ever see of a drake and red head Smew. But who cares they were my 1st and and what a great bird the drake is.

Drake and Redhead Smews (V. Distant) Goathorn, Studland, Dorset @harbourbirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social

@dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social Lifer with my 1st Drake Smew of Red Horn Quay. Bird of the year.

@birdguides.bsky.social On your Bird Pro News can you only select birds to a county? As I am only interested in what bird will be about in Dorset 2026. And would the phone app be useful?

wessexbirding.blogspot.com/2025/12/rese... Have a read and please tell me what you think good or bad as long as it is polite.

The sunsetting after a beautiful day.

@dorsetraptors.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social A wonderful female Merlin seen this late afternoon.

@dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social The Dorset Bird Report just arrived. Thank you, everyone involved in putting it together.

Longham Lakes Goldcrest 26/12/25

@notquitescilly.bsky.social I had an enjoyable afternoon looking through the gulls a my local patch Longham Lakes. I used your id technique of looking for a white head and plain coverts wit not luck. Is the Hgull a 2nd/W it was very nice to see 3 Common Gull, a Great Black backed gull plus BH gulls

Photos from the 2 White Tailed Eagles over Studland earlier today,unfortunately poor light and shooting into the sun meant some rather creative editing, maybe after the festive break someone can confirm the rings @harbourbirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @dorsetraptors.bsky.social

Today's Blog Post - Happy Christmas 25 to all the readers of the Blog and thanks for all the retweets A Chinstrap Penguin from Deception Island at the start of the month

#birdinggear No more cold and wet hand this winter. As santa brought me some Sealskinz gloves. Nice and warm cosy fit. They say they are waterproof, though not sure how the sherpper fleece on the outside will stand up to wet weather. Look forward to trying these out in the coming days

Happy Christmas to you all here! Wild Bird Acoustics will launch its third season on New Year’s Day, with the first three episodes available for listeners to enjoy over the holidays! I’m quietly editing the last few episodes over the next few days. Please share and spread the word…

Blast from the past, Prickly Stick Insect (I think) Isles of Scilly #wildlife

Bean Goose Middlebere Channel, Arne, Dorset @harbourbirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social

A classic twitch, with a beautiful duck, a redemption arc, reaching 310 species, a *lot* of mud and an audible pop. The day we saw a Bufflehead but almost didn't make it back for Christmas... thanks for reading! #ukbirding #birds

Well it seems the Boat-tailed now identifies as a Great-tailed Grackle #Tipp-Ex #GripBack

Ringed Osprey fishing at Tanji beach, The Gambia, on Friday 12th December. Unfortunately it's not possible to read all the characters on the ring, but it's probably from Germany. Seen during an excellent birding trip with @ingloriousbustards.bsky.social. @ukoi.bsky.social

𝗪𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗹𝘆𝗻𝘅 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗶𝗳 𝗿𝗲𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝗰𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱? This question was closely examined during Scotland’s National Lynx Discussion 📖 Read report here scotlandbigpicture.pulse.ly/zczrc2bbmf

Seen on fb posted by Dorchester bird club

@narwhalsh.bsky.social @ianballam.bsky.social I came across this tide site, Do you think it is any good for Lytchett Fields/ bay areas.https://www.tideschart.com/United-Kingdom/England/Dorset/Lytchett-Matravers/Weekly/ @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social #dorsetbirds

Three satellite-tagged White-tailed Eagles disappear in suspicious circumstances in England, Wales & Scotland - two tags had been cut off raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/12/17/t...

Three satellite-tagged White-tailed Eagles disappear in suspicious circumstances in England, Wales & Scotland - two tags had been cut off raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/12/17/t...

One of four Common Gull seen at Longham Lakes, plus an interesting almost all white Black headed gull among 40 BHGs

Sun Rise on over a Dorset heath and the start to a beautiful day.

Derbyshire Constabulary appeals for information 3 months later. #RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/12/07/p...

This morning I've had several text messages stating I have PCNs parking charge notice. All from different mobile numbers. I believe it to be a scam. So hopefully no one is getting the same from my contacts. Please check and be aware.

Day eight of #ArtAdventCalendar. Tonight’s offering is this coloured pencil drawing of a kestrel I drew for my mum.

New @birdtrack.bsky.social migration blog ➡️ www.bto.org/our-work/new... We take a look back at bird migration in November and what species you should look out for in December, including the Hume’s Warbler! #Ornithology

Exciting to catch up with the drake Bufflehead that graced Point of Ayr #RSPB over high tide today. No sign of rings & behaving like a wild bird. @rspbcymru.bsky.social @britishbirds.bsky.social #birdingWales @birdsinwales.bsky.social @rspbburtonmere.bsky.social @penrhynbirder.bsky.social