Spring in full-swing on the Quantocks today: 3+ Cuckoo, Goshawk, Hobby, 16 Wood Warbler, 19 Willow Warbler, 3 Garden Warbler, 2 Whitethroat, 3 Dartford Warbler, 10 Firecrest, 5 Spotted Flycatcher, 42 Pied Flycatcher, 13 Redstart, 3 Tree Pipit, 2 Crossbill & 1 Yellowhammer. #somersetbirding

Sand Point/Middle Hope: Big influx of Painted Lady today w/ 34 seen. Also 10 Whimbrel, 1 Little Tern, 4 Gannet, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 S. Martin, 40 Swallow, 1 Ww Warbler, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Wheatear, 2 Yellow Wag, 1 Grey Wag, 2 Tree Pipit, 7 Redpoll & 6 Siskin. @bristolbirding.bsky.social

Excellent weekend in northern France w/ @migrationmatt.bsky.social & @aravindramesh19.bsky.social. Turtle Dove, B-n-Grebe, Kentish Plover, 3 Temminck's, Pom Skua, Bonxie, ++ Common/Arctic/Little/Black Tern, Black & Red-throated Divers, 75+ Spoonbill, Hen Harrier, SE Owl, Bluethroat, Savi's & Serin.

Sand Point/Middle Hope: 11 Whimbrel, 33 Black Tern, c.20 Arctic Tern, 1,235 Commic Tern, 2,005 Common Tern, 1 skua sp., 1 Fulmar, 6 Yellow Wag, 3 Tree Pipit & 2 Redpoll. 2 Med Gulls of the end of the point were a real treat! @bristolbirding.bsky.social

Sand Point/Middle Hope: 2 Swift, 1 Cuckoo, 30 Barwit, 20 Arctic/Common Tern, 6 S. Martin, 39 Swallow, 7 H. Martin, 11 Ww Warbler, 4 Garden Warbler, 2 L. Whitethroat, 42 Whitethroat, 2 Spotted Fly, 2 Whinchat, 1 Wheatear, 12 Y. Wag, 1 Tripit, 11 Redpoll & 7 Siskin. @bristolbirding.bsky.social

Sand Point/Middle Hope AM: 7 Swift, 5 Whimbrel, 1 Osprey, 38 S. Martin, 282 Swallow, 177 H. Martin, 11 Ww Warbler, 2 Gropper, 4 Garden Warbler, 4 Lssr Whitethroat, 39 Whitethroat, 1 Mistle Thrush, 2 Redstart, 23 Yellow Wag, 12 Tree Pipit, 16 Redpoll & 21 Siskin. @bristolbirding.bsky.social

An interesting legal development, and an example of why nature protection legislation matters.

Sand Point/Middle Hope AM: 9 Whimbrel, 1 Sand Martin, 15 Swallow, 19 Willow Warbler, 22 Chiffchaff, 2 Grasshopper Warbler, 10 Blackcap, 6 Garden Warbler, 6 Lesser Whitethroat, 34 Whitethroat, 1 Redstart, 2 Whinchat, 7 Yellow Wagtail, 16 Tree Pipit, 4 Redpoll & 5 Siskin. @bristolbirding.bsky.social

Sand Point/Middle Hope w/ BOC & @reuben-veal.bsky.social: 8 Sandwich Tern, 2 GBB Gull, 1 skua sp., 1 Arctic Skua, 1 Shag, 1 Merlin, 156 Swallow, 24 House Martin, 4 Willow Warbler, 2 Grasshopper Warbler, 10 Blackcap, 2+ Ring Ouzel, 1 Redstart, 1 Wheatear & 60 Goldfinch. @bristolbirding.bsky.social

The first national-scale study of its kind, led by UKCEH, has found detectable microplastics in moss at 94% of UK rural sites surveyed. Lead author @richardkcross.bsky.social discusses the findings & importance of such surveys as production/use of plastics increases. 🔗 tinyurl.com/yc2acct4 🧪 1/

Nice to see all three black-and-white flycatcher species during the week w/ Semi-collared, Collared and Pied Flycatchers all seen (the latter being surprisingly the least common out of the three!) #WildTravelling #Cyprus #CyprusBirds

Sand Point/Middle Hope AM: 240 Woodpigeon, 1 Merlin, 55 Sand Martin, 25 Swallow, 47 Willow Warbler, 26 Chiffchaff, 37 Blackcap, 8 Whitethroat, 3 Redstart, 3 Wheatear, 1 Yellow Wag, 11 Tree Pipit, 4 Redpoll & 1 Siskin. Willow Warbler photographed from my garden yesterday. @bristolbirding.bsky.social

Sylvia warblers were conspicuous all over Cyprus w/ Ruppell's being a common passage migrant & Sardinian a very common breeder. Cyprus Warbler was very scarce but we did manage to see a couple in the Paphos area, whilst Spectacled was only seen around Larnarca. #WildTravelling #Cyprus #CyrpusBirds

Nice views of drake Lesser Scaup at Cheddar Reservoir this evening. Also 3 Greater Scaup (2m, 1f), 5 Common Sandpiper, 200 Sand Martin, & a singing Willow Warbler present. #somersetbirding

Most regular wheatear spp. in Cyprus were Northern, Isabelline and Black-eared, w/ many around Paphos Headland itself. The endemic Cyprus Wheatear was more regular inland and we managed a single encounter with a Desert Wheatear on the first day. #WildlifeTravelling #Cyprus #CyprusBirds

Just got back from Cyprus. Witnessed bird migration like I have never seen before w/ 36 lifers, 127 species and birds dropping out the sky wherever we went, incl a many herons, wheatears, flycatchers and a Roller that came in/off the sea! #WildlifeTravelling #Cyprus #CyprusBirds

Day 2 of Cyprus trip and already managed three Cyprus endemics (Cyprus Scops Owl, Cyprus Wheatear and Cyprus Warbler) as well as a vagrant Desert Finch. Phone pic of the Scops Owl. #cyprusbirding

First Wheatear of the year at Middle Hope in usual spot above the cove. Later trip to Cheddar produced Little Gull and Bonaparte's Gull (the latter being a great Somerset rarity!) @bristolbirding.bsky.social #somersetbirding

Work-related trip to north Wales last week proved very productive with Common Scoter, 8+ Red-breasted Merganser, 3+ Goosander, Red-necked Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, 3 Guillemot, Kittiwake, c.10 Red-throated Diver, 15+ Great Northern Diver, 2 Chough and my first Sand Martin of the year. #ukbirding

New paper! Bird nests (Wood Warblers) are hubs of invertebrate biodiversity on forest floor, hosting more species/individuals than leaf litter. Probably due to heat & food detritus. Losing Wood Warblers = ecological networks lost. #ornithology resjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...

Ross's Gull put on excellent show at Newlyn Harbor yesterday (28/02). Supporting cast of Ring-billed Gull, Little Gull and 2 Med Gulls at Hayle Estuary. @cbwps.org.uk #cornwallbirding #ukbirding

Late evening dash to see Hooded Merganser at Pilning Wetland. Not a bird I ever expected to see in Avon! @bristolbirding.bsky.social @severnsidebirds.bsky.social #ukbirding

Productive trip to Wales with @reuben-veal.bsky.social Pallid Harrier showed well late afternoon w/ supporting cast of Pale-bellied Brent Goose, Baikal Teal, Eider, Slavonian Grebe, Knot, Green Sandpiper, Greenshank, Great Northern Diver & Merlin. #ukbirding

Bonaparte's Gull off Newlyn Lawn was a welcome addition to my life list this weekend. Now on 448! #CornwallBirding #ukbirding

Red-necked Grebe showed well late afternoon at Cheddar Reservoir, spending most of its time just south of the Axbridge Tower. Another one for the Somerset list! #ukbirding

BTO Ringing Report also shows historic lows for Willow Tits & Wood Warblers. 2024 saw just 132 Willow Tits and 109 Wood Warblers ringed in UK, lowest for ~65 years since introduction of mist-nets. Not a single Willow Tit chick ringed since 2022. Number of Marsh Tits ringed also declining.

Three Penduline Tits at Aust made for great start to birding year this morning. Later trip to Slimbridge produced 55 Bewick's Swan, 80+ Russian WF Goose, 15 Tundra Bean Goose, Water Rail, 500 Golden Plover, 300 Dunlin, surprise Bittern & good views of Cetti's Warbler. @bristolbirding.bsky.social

Here are some of my highlights from what has been an action-packed 2025. Ended on a Sand Point patch list of 138 and a world list of 447! Hope everyone has a great 2026😃 #ukbirding

Great results from a study on migratory heather moorland breeding birds on Dartmoor. Heather moorland has long been overrun by Purple Moor Grass (Molinia caerulea) at sites across Dartmoor and the Welsh uplands so it’s encouraging to see small-scale actions to reverse this trend.

Decent day birding with life tick in the form of Lesser Crested Tern on the Exe Estuary at Cockwood and patch tick in the form of Red-throated Diver down channel off Sand Point. @bristolbirding.bsky.social #ukbirding

Excellent thread from @btobirds.bsky.social on this game changing development for studying Lesser Spots

Sand Point AM vismig: 1 Golden Plover, 1 GBB Gull, 1900 Starling, 12 Redwing, 1550 Chaffinch, 12 Brambling, 3 Greenfinch, 7 Redpoll & 28 Siskin. Grounded: 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Firecrest & 5 Goldcrest. @bristolbirding.bsky.social #ukbirding

Patch year tick Snow Bunting in Sand Bay this evening. The bird was extremely showy, down to at least 5m! First one I have heard of locally this year. @bristolbirding.bsky.social #ukbirding

A video is now available of the lecture I gave last week to the Linnean Society & British Ornithologists' Club in London, on woodland birds, Marsh Tits & Willow Tits (~45 mins): www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7HF... #ornithology #ukbirding @ukceh.bsky.social

Sand Point vismig: 2 Pintail, 162 Woodies, 1 Common/2 GBB Gull, 900 Starling, 18 Redwing, 14 Fieldfare, 1 Grey Wag, 1863 Chaffinch, 4 Brambling, 7 Redpoll, 1 Crossbill & 39 Siskin. Grounded: 1 Chiffchaff, 8 Goldcrest, 1 Treecreeper, 1 Redwing & 1 Fieldfare. @bristolbirding.bsky.social #ukbirding

Sand Point/Middle Hope: 210 Shelduck, 1 GBB Gull, 10 Common Gull, 1 Merlin, 40 Skylark, 2 Chiffchaff, 22 Goldcrest, 1 Treecreeper (3rd patch record!), 854 Starling, 2 Redwing, 583 Chaffinch, 3 Brambling, 44 Greenfinch, 4 Redpoll, 34 Siskin & 1 Reed Bunting. @bristolbirding.bsky.social #ukbirding

Middle Hope vismig AM: 2 Snipe, 148 Starling, 2 Redwing, 2 Fieldfare, 39 alba Wag, 61 Mipit, 233 Chaffinch, 8 Greenfinch, 23 Linnet, 13 Siskin & 5 Reed Bunting. Grounded: 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Firecrest, 7 Goldcrest, 2 Song Thrush & a patch tick male Black Redstart! @bristolbirding.bsky.social #ukbirding

Every new building in Wales could be a home for Swifts – if we make Swift bricks mandatory. ‼️The debate is in the Senedd is tomorrow. ‼️ Contact your local MS today and tell them how important it is to protect Swifts. Every voice counts!

First definitive signs of autumn on Sand Point this morning: 1 Whimbrel, 1 Barn Owl, 20 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 1 Firecrest, 7 Goldcrest, 1 Redwing, 1 Wheatear, 16 alba Wagtail, 44 Meadow Pipit, 10 Chaffinch, 22 Greenfinch, 37 Linnet, 1 Redpoll, 7 Siskin & 9 Reed Bunting. @bristolbirding.bsky.social

CVL (Herriot's Bridge): 2 Pectoral Sandpipers present (albeit distant), w/ 1 Wood Sand, 2 Snipe, 1 Greenshank & an Osprey sat in a tree. Brief views of Temminck's Stint at Cheddar on way back w/ 2 Little Stint, 1 Grey Plover, 2 Ruff & another Wood Sand also present. @bristolbirding.bsky.social

Moth trapping at Watercress Farm last night w/ Paul Chapman. Very pleased to have both been able to find only the U.K.’s 30th record of Shining Marbled! Other spp. incl The Brick, White Point, Gold Spot, Dusky Thorn, Spiny/Oak Hook-tip, Red Green Carpet, Brindled Green & Copper Underwing. #ukmoths

Late evening dash down to Budleigh Salterton gave very decent views of the Baird's Sandpiper on the LORP reserve with added bonus of Osprey over heading south. #ukbirding

Nice birding back in Avon over past 2 days. Red-backed Shrike showed nicely at Portbury early evening w/ 1 Willow Warbler, 18 Chiffs, 10 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler & 2 Spotted Flycatcher at Sand Point earlier. Balearic Shearwater was a Sand Point patch tick yday evening! @bristolbirding.bsky.social

Pendeen (07:00-11:00): 7 Common Scoter, 4 Grey Phalarope, 8 Sabine’s Gull, 5 Sandwich Tern, 10 Arctic Tern, 4 Great Skua, 2 Arctic Skua & 4 Great Shearwater. @runnelstone.bsky.social @marshallpaul.bsky.social

Cheddar Reservoir this evening: c.15 Ringed Plover, 6 Curlew Sandpiper, c.25 Dunlin, 2 Little Stint, 4 Common Sandpiper, 2 Little Tern, 1 Arctic Tern, 4 Black Tern, 2 Glossy Ibis, 80 House Martin & 1 Yellow Wagtail. #somersetbirds #ukbirding

Few pics from my recent tour of the highlands & coasts of northern Scotland (24-29/08): Black Grouse, Red Grouse, Grey Partridge, Red-throated Diver and Golden Eagle were all life ticks, w/ supporting cast of Black Guillemot, Black-throated Diver, White-tailed Eagle & Barred Warbler. #ukbirding

Sand Point/Middle Hope: 1 Swift, 205 Ringed Plover, 3 Knot, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, 7 Sanderling, 1 GBB Gull, 6 S. Martin, 520 Swallow, 210 H. Martin, 1 Firecrest, 2 Spotted Fly, 2 Whinchat, 6 Wheatear, 2 Yellow Wag, 3 Grey Wag, 11 Tree Pipit & 1 Clouded Yellow. @bristolbirding.bsky.social #ukbirding

Sand Point/Middle Hope AM: 1 Greenshank, 7 Swallow, 1 Willow Warbler, 14 Chiffchaff, 6 Blackcap, 8 Lesser Whitethroat, 9 Whitethroat, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Redstart, 2 Whinchat, 1 Yellow Wag and a patch tick Corn Bunting! Hobby over my house later. @bristolbirding.bsky.social #ukbirding

Rewarding weekend sea watching at Porthgwarra with @runnelstone.bsky.social. 1 Blackwit, 1 Ruff, 11 Sanderling, 2 Snipe, 1 distant Black Tern, 200+ Arctic Tern, 70 Common Tern, 1 Arctic Skua, 2 Great Skua, 1 Wilson's Petrel, 1 Euro Stormie, 1+ Great Shearwater & 1 Sooty Shearwater. #ukbirding

Willow Emerald showing very nicely earlier today at a local site near Puxton (W-s-M). Amazing how well this species has spread across the U.K. in the past 20 years! #damselflies