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Steve Waite @axebirder.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Adult (or near adult) Yellow-legged Gull on Axe Estuary just now. A nice hefty beast.

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Steve Waite @axebirder.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Wonderful waders, wagtails, Ospreys and a Wryneck... stevesbirdingblog.blogspot.com/2026/09/back...

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Steve Waite @axebirder.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

My 4th Cory's Shearwater for the patch; full details (including a hurried video) here: stevesbirdingblog.blogspot.com/2026/09/seaw...

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Steve Waite @axebirder.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Gulls of the Axe; Autumm '26. The blog post you've all been longing for... stevesbirdingblog.blogspot.com/2026/09/gull...

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Steve Waite @axebirder.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

The Tower Hide at Black Hole Marsh must be one of the best photography site in UK for waders during autumn. I'm not even a photographer but with Spotted Redshank and Ruff down to 10m from the hide even I couldn't go wrong! Curlew Sand, 3 Spot Red and 6 Ruff present this morning

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Steve Waite @axebirder.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Half an hour seawatch off Seaton from 7am produced 11 Balearic Shearwaters, 4 Kittiwake and 2 Commom Scoter west, plus a Hobby that flew out to sea but five mins later flew back in/off again!

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Steve Waite @axebirder.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Purple Heron looking the business on Black Hole Marsh back in July... Thank you Clive! stevesbirdingblog.blogspot.com/2026/09/purp...

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Steve Waite @axebirder.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

If it wasn't for the Phalarope this would have been my bird of the autumn... stevesbirdingblog.blogspot.com/2026/09/ston...

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Steve Waite @axebirder.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Bird number 271 on my Axe patch list, the fantastic Red-necked Phalarope from August... stevesbirdingblog.blogspot.com/2026/09/red-...

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Steve Waite @axebirder.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Wasn't expecting this through the front window this morning as I was eating my toast. Common Whitethroat - a surprising garden tick!

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Steve Waite @axebirder.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

A taste of proper autumn this morning at Axe Cliff with vismig consisting of Mipits, Yellow, Grey & alba Wagtails and 2 Tree Pipits. Grounded migrants present included Whinchat, 3 Wheatear, 3 Whitethroat and numerous Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps plus a few more Yellow Wags.

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Steve Waite @axebirder.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Black Hole Marsh looking fantastic this evening. The fresh as-they-come juv Pec Sand showing really close to Island Hide, also two Spotted Reds and singles of Ruff, Wood Sand, Curlew Sand and LRP. Also singles of Hobby and Osprey over. #ukbirding

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Steve Waite @axebirder.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

110+ Yellow Wagtails roosted on Black Hole Marsh this evening. Also Spotted Redshank and Curlew Sandpiper still

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Steve Waite @axebirder.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Two Caspian Gulls on the Axe Estuary side by side this afternoon! Yesterdays juv/1w with a new 1s

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Steve Waite @axebirder.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Wasnt expecting that for a speculative mid morning seawatch! Cory's Shearwater west past Seaton 10:08-10:12. Also few Balearics and an Arctic Skua.

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Steve Waite @axebirder.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

The 'smoothest' juv Caspian Gull I've ever seen on the Axe just now. What a soft and silky beauty. Also 2 1w YLG, 3 Wigeon and off Seaton Beach 10+ Balearic Shearwater

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Steve Waite @axebirder.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Despite my dislike of gulling in the sun, the blustery wind convinced me to take a look. Glad i did. On the Axe two juv Casps (one a little more advanced than the other) and three 1w Yellow-legged Gull. Osprey flushed most gulls 4.45pm but both Casps remained #ukbirding

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Steve Waite @axebirder.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Didnt get round to posting this yesterday, but noticed a large yet quiet gull flush on the lower Axe Estuary mid pm yesterday. Went out, looked up and saw a Peregrine mobbing something and thought I'd found the source of the flush... until I realised it was mobbing an Osprey! First juv of the year

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Steve Waite @axebirder.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

Still a few migrants about, with several Rush Veneer, Rusty-dot Pearl and Small Mottled Willows in my trap last night along with singles of European Corn-borer, Dark Sword Grass, Scarce Bordered Straw, Turnip Moth and Silver Y #teammoth

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Steve Waite @axebirder.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Beer Head was a bit too blown out this morning, however there were birds although most seemed to be moving through rapidly. In 2.5 hours: 1 Pied Fly, 1 Spot Fly, 1 Yellow Wag, 2 Wheatear, 4 Whitethroat and 30+ Willow Warbler

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Steve Waite @axebirder.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Far fewer migrants in the trap last night, no doubt due to the blustery NW wind that picked up at dusk yesterday. However a new moth for me (and the garden of course!) with this cracking Dark-bordered Pearl. Also a single Vestal #teammoth

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Steve Waite @axebirder.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

A great night for migrant moths in the garden, only thing missing was the cherry on top! My totals were: 23 Small Mottled Willow, 19 Rush Veneer, 18 Rusty-dot Pearl, 9 Portland Ribbon Wave, 4 Dark Sword Grass, 4 European Corn-borer and singles of Bordered Straw and Scarce Bordered Straw #teammoth

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Steve Waite @axebirder.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Anyone who owns a moth trap and hasn't got it out. Go put it out. So many moths coming in right now #teammoth

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Steve Waite @axebirder.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Felt colder than I expected at dawn, but still a light splattering of migrants in the trap. Best being two Small Marbled and a Turnip Moth #TeamMoth

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Steve Waite @axebirder.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Singles of Dark Sword Grass and Scarce Bordered Straw in the garden trap last night, with a modest number of the usual migrant species like Small Mottled Willow, Silver Y, Rush Veneer, Rusty-dot Pearl, Olive-tree Pearl, European Corn-borer, etc. Hopefully a sign of things to come? #teammoth

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Steve Waite @axebirder.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

Beer Head was quiet this morning considering the date and conditions, but persistance paid off with this lovely male Redstart. Otherwise just 7 Whitethroat, a handful of Willow Warbler and a Wheatear.

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Steve Waite @axebirder.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Didn't trap last night but still managed to pot a migrant in the garden last night. Dark Sword Grass #teammoth

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Steve Waite @axebirder.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Nice pulse of migrants in the trap last night, including Striped Hawkmoth, Gem (a nice maroon one), Cream-bordered Green Pea, Small Rufous and several of the usual Small Mottled Willow, Silver Y, Rusty-dot Pearl and Rush Veneer #TeamMoth

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Steve Waite @axebirder.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

Cracking Stone Curlew on Black Hole Marsh this evening, courtesy of @timnobby. First one on patch since 2012!

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Steve Waite @axebirder.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

Decent views of a smart juv Yellow-legged Gull on the Axe

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Steve Waite @axebirder.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

Wood Sandpiper and reintroduced White Stork on the Axe this evening, also LRP, 2 Whimbrel, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Cattle Egret and a Hobby

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Steve Waite @axebirder.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

Less windy last night so trapped again. Still migrants/wanderers about with Scarce Bordered Straw (a well marked one!), Cream-bordered Green Pea, 2 Small Rufous, 2 Silver Y and 10 each of Rush Veneer and Rusty-dot Pearl. Also a Southern Wainscot #teammoth

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Steve Waite @axebirder.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

Nice to see my first 2 juv Yellow-legged Gulls of the summer on the Axe this evening. No doubt there thanks to the much needed increase in wind and cloud cover

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Steve Waite @axebirder.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

I know they've become a bit common this year, but always a wonderful sight upon opening the trap - Striped Hawkmoth. Other migrants last night: Scarce Bordered Straw, Turnip Moth, Small Rufous, 3 Silver Y and 12 Rusty-dot Pearl #teammoth

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Steve Waite @axebirder.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

Purple Heron still showing well on Black Hole Marsh, having been found by Clive at 07:20 this morning.

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Steve Waite @axebirder.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Amazing how often this happens! Finding a decent moth somewhere obvious (on a wall, or in my case in the conservatory) later on during the day after a nights mothing. What's been your best 'later in the day' moth? My first Bulrush Wainscot for the garden was mine late afternoon yesterday! #teammoth

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Steve Waite @axebirder.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

Osprey on the Axe. Just flown south east from Estuary towards Axe Cliff Golfcourse.

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Steve Waite @axebirder.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

Nice selection in the trap last night, with singles of Small Rufous, Ni Moth, Dog's Tooth, Cream-bordered Green Pea and Crescent Dart to name but a few. Unusual to see so many Silver Y in the trap (14), usually only catch the odd one even when there's loads about! #teammoth

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Steve Waite @axebirder.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

Another great moth night last night. Highlights were two more Ni Moth, another Twin-spotted Wainscot, Maple Pug, Least Carpet, with 250+ micros including several Rusty-dot Pearl, Rush Veneer and a Madder Pearl #teammoth

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Steve Waite @axebirder.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

This cracking Dewick's Plusia was my first for the garden and probably my favourite moth from a nice varied catch last night. Webb's and Twin-spotted Wainscot were also notable #teammoth

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Steve Waite @axebirder.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Spoonbill on the Axe Estuary just now, but has been flushed by canoes and has landed on Black Hole Marsh

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Steve Waite @axebirder.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

My third Ni Moth of the year last night, with another light dusting of migrant species (mostly micros). 3 Least Carpet also notable. #teammoth

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Steve Waite @axebirder.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

Nice to get an Emerald that's not a Common or Light! What a monster. Have been catching Small Mottled Willows nightly recently, but was pleased to see an increase in other immigrant species last night including a Small Marbled #teammoth

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Steve Waite @axebirder.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

Still surprisingly few migrants in the busy moth trap last night, however I'm overjoyed by catching a species I've been wanting/expecting for what seems like a lifetime! 18 years I've been mothing in Seaton off and on and have caught 10 species of Hawkmoth, well, now 11. Pine Hawk falls... #teammoth

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Steve Waite @axebirder.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

470 Moths this morning, although almost half of them were Garden Grass-veneers! Not much migration evident, just a Small Marbled and Silver Y. Still some nice highlights though with the likes of Leopard Moth, True Lovers Knot, Ruddy Carpet, etc #TeamMoth

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Steve Waite @axebirder.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

The highlight of the 170 moths in my trap this morning, as I haven't seen that many Scarce Silver-lines in ten plus years of trapping in Seaton. Migrants were represented by singles of Silver Y, European Corn-borer, Box Moth and Rusty-dor Pearl. Forecast is looking promising for next week! #teammoth

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Steve Waite @axebirder.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

'EXTREME BIRDING' Something a bit different! This is basically how I've been spending most of my recent spare time, and it was great to have the legendary Dartmoor Podcast* join us on this particular (and very warm!) outing. youtube.com/watch?v=Q3ho... *not a podcast

youtube.com

Dartmoor's Dunlin - The Dartmoor Podcast Episode Sixty Eight

YouTube video by The Dartmoor Podcast

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Steve Waite @axebirder.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

Storm Petrel west past Seaton at 07:20 this morning. Also 2 GND, 3 Sanderling and 14 Sandwich Tern west this morning, with small numbers of Manx, Gannet and Kittiwake. All before 8am. #ukbirding

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Steve Waite @axebirder.bsky.social · 31/05/2026

Another fairly decent catch in the garden last night, and another Ni Moth! Also my first Pearly Underwing of this current migrant moth influx, plus 17 Small Mottled Willow and single figures of Rush Veneer, Rusty-dot Pearly and Diamond-backed Moth #teammoth

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Steve Waite @axebirder.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

Reduced moth numbers last night in lower temps, and still no Eastern B S for me. However migrant quality came in the form of a stunning Ni Moth (nfg) and 2 Small Marbled. Also 6 Small Mottled Willow (amazingly my lowest count of the week!), 7 Diamond-backed and 2 Rush Veneer #TeamMoth

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