Reposted by Phil SaundersPortland Bird Observatory @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social · 26/09/2026Barred Warbler trapped at the Obs 014215
Reposted by Phil SaundersMika Rantanen @mikarantane.bsky.social · 24/09/2026Radar image of Tuesday's mass crane migration. A 100 km long line of migrating cranes was clearly visible on weather radar. It is estimated that around 10,000 (?) cranes were involved in that formation. The highest count observed was 26,000 migrating cranes on that day in Kangasala (near Tampere). 619859
Phil Saunders @beardybirder.bsky.social · 23/09/2026Durwyn and I ran 6 traps at Durlston CP last night, record'g 50 spp, incl'g Sombre Brocade, Beautiful Gothic, Hoary Footman, Jersey Mocha, & many Mecyna asinalis, plus Bordered & SB Straw, Pearly U'wing, & P.vitrealis on the migrant front #TeamMoth @dorsetmoths.bsky.social @migrantmothuk.bsky.social 0222
Phil Saunders @beardybirder.bsky.social · 22/09/2026My 1st ever Many-lined in the Upton garden trap last night was much appreciated, after several other local records recently, with 2 Golden Twin-spot, Dewick's Plusia, Deep-brown Dart, 3 Blair's Mocha, & 10 Vestal the best of the rest #TeamMoth @dorsetmoths.bsky.social @migrantmothuk.bsky.social 0312
Reposted by Phil SaundersTom Lowe @saloplarus.bsky.social · 20/09/2026Magical morning on the Wirral with 36 Leach's Storm-petrels heading west into the wind, some more offshore than others 😍 #seawatching #superseabirdSunday 115517
Reposted by Phil SaundersWildlife Travel @wildlifetraveller.bsky.social · 20/09/2026Brazil, where even the small cats are big our group are now headed back along the Transpantaneira, having spent three amazing days with the Jaguars of Porto Jofre but the trip is far from over, as this Ocelot (our 2nd of the trip!) would like to point out #WildlifeTravelling in the #Pantanal 0144
Phil Saunders @beardybirder.bsky.social · 20/09/2026Some interesting bycatch from the Upton garden moth traps this morning in the form of the bugs Eremocoris fenestratus & Kleidocerys resedae, & the parasitic wasp Diplazon laetatorius. 050
Phil Saunders @beardybirder.bsky.social · 20/09/2026104/30 in the Upton garden traps this morning, albeit 1/2 of which were LYU. Notables incl'd another Golden Twin-spot, plus Pediasia contaminella & Acrobasis suavella, whilst Autumnal Rustic & Brindled Green were NFY. A box fresh SM Willow was my 1st in a while too #TeamMoth @dorsetmoths.bsky.social 0112
Phil Saunders @beardybirder.bsky.social · 20/09/2026I can't wait to lead this @wildlifetraveller.bsky.social holiday to the amazing #Pantanal in September 2027 - check out wildlife-travel.co.uk/our-holidays... if you fancy joining us in exploring one of the world's most amazing wild places. 063
Phil Saunders @beardybirder.bsky.social · 19/09/2026Another 3hr seawatch from Durlston CP this morning, in the company of several of the Purbeck great & good, produced 3 Balearic Shearwater, an Arctic Skua, 4 apiece of Common Scoter & Sandwich Tern, & a dribble of auks, Kittiwakes, & Gannet @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social 0112
Reposted by Phil SaundersPatrick Barkham @patrickbarkham.bsky.social · 18/09/2026Rest in peace, Joe Harkness. I was shocked and gutted when I heard the news. He was a generous, inspirational teacher and such an important writer. He was brutally honest, inclusive and funny too. When I interviewed him last summer (below) he was so full of life. www.theguardian.com/environment/...theguardian.com‘Intrinsically connected’: how human neurodiversity could help save natureBiodiversity is linked to people’s diversity, and nature lends itself to people who are different, says author Joe Harkness 916047
Reposted by Phil SaundersGarry Hayman @purbeckpilgrim.bsky.social · 18/09/2026Highlights from Middlebere watch with @beardybirder.bsky.social @jolmitchell.bsky.social @moorebirdsbybike.bsky.social 2 Osprey, 4 poss 5 Spotted Redshank, 22 Knot, 10 Greenshank, 4 Great White Egret, 296 Blackwit, 29 Dunlin and a Yellow-legged Gull. @harbourbirds.bsky.social 0124
Reposted by Phil SaundersWildlife Travel @wildlifetraveller.bsky.social · 17/09/2026The Pantanal is living up to the hype... #WildlifeTravelling in #Brazil 0102
Reposted by Phil SaundersOwen Leyshon @dungenessowen.bsky.social · 18/09/2026A wonderful spectacle of the thousands of House Martins gathering on wires and on the Power Station at Dungeness early this morning I reckon 8,000+ #KentBirding 715323
Phil Saunders @beardybirder.bsky.social · 18/09/2026This Wall butterfly was living up to its name when I found it resting alongside the actinic trap in the Upton garden this morning. Always a lovely species to encounter and a (perhaps overdue) first for the site. 0160
Phil Saunders @beardybirder.bsky.social · 18/09/2026A nice array of migrants amongst 45/19 in the Upton garden this morning incl'd an apparent Tuta absoluta (NFM), Palpita vitrealis, R.Veneer, & RDP. Plusiids were also well represented, with 2 Golden Twin-spot, Dewick's Plusia, & Silver Y #TeamMoth @dorsetmoths.bsky.social @migrantmothuk.bsky.social 0242
Reposted by Phil SaundersBen Sheldon @sheldonbirds.bsky.social · 17/09/2026Such an impressive compilation of data from tracked birds across (most of) the global range and diversity of Whimbrel in this new collaborative paper in Ibis: look at the map - so many major transoceanic movements onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/... 28025
Phil Saunders @beardybirder.bsky.social · 17/09/2026A tasty little seawatch from Durlston CP this morning (0642 - 1035hrs), with some excellent westerly tern passage: Balearic Shear' 1, A.Skua 3, Arctic Tern 107, Common Tern 11, Commic Tern 98, C.Scoter 14, Razorbill 14, Auk sp 44, Swallow 385, & a close breaching Tuna @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social 0245
Phil Saunders @beardybirder.bsky.social · 16/09/2026A "helice" Clouded Yellow bombing through the Upton garden just now was only my second record for the site. 150
Phil Saunders @beardybirder.bsky.social · 16/09/2026A not unexpected 53/19 this morning in the Upton garden, after the first really clear & chilly night of the autumn, with a couple of Vestal and decidely tatty examples of Centre-barred Sallow & Small China-mark the only species of any note #TeamMoth @dorsetmoths.bsky.social 0161
Phil Saunders @beardybirder.bsky.social · 14/09/2026A brace of Whinchat, plus singles of Wheatear, Garden Warbler, & Golden Plover, the best from a few stubbornly foggy hours at St Aldhelm's Head this morning @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social 1233
Reposted by Phil SaundersNige Jarman @nigej.bsky.social · 13/09/2026A short video of a few of the 10000+ House Martins #Bockhill this morning, gathering on the Monument. 49816
Reposted by Phil SaundersBritish Arachnological Society @britishspiders.bsky.social · 12/09/2026Turned out to be the pink day of our members' weekend, with fantastic numbers of Heather Crab Spider Thomisus onustus and towering Dorset Heath Erica ciliaris among other epic species in the wonderful Morden Bog. 17011
Phil Saunders @beardybirder.bsky.social · 13/09/2026104/35 in the Upton garden traps this morning after a damp night, incl'g a record count of 4 Golden Twin-spot (certainly est'd locally now), a probable Langmaid's Yellow U'wing, 2 Blair's Mocha, & a Vestal, with a hint of autumn courtesy of my 1st Sallow of the yr #TeamMoth @dorsetmoths.bsky.social 0161
Phil Saunders @beardybirder.bsky.social · 11/09/2026Still ticking over at St Aldhelm's Head this morning with 2 Whinchat, 14 Wheatear, 11 Blackcap, 20 Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 10+ flava Wag', & 113 Mipit the pick of the migrants, plus another presumed migrant Lesser Emperor hawking the cliffs east of Coastguards @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social 0122
Reposted by Phil SaundersRichard K Broughton @richardkbroughton.bsky.social · 10/09/2026Mainstream conservation headed by Operation Turtle Dove (partners RSPB, Natural England, Pensthorpe Conservation Trust & Fair to Nature) is clear that such releases are reckless, unhelpful, not supported. Yet a National Park Authority is doing it anyway. #ornithology www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...bbc.co.ukTurtle doves released in South Downs in bid to stop extinctionConservationists release more than two dozen turtle doves in the South Downs National Park. 63014
Phil Saunders @beardybirder.bsky.social · 10/09/202667/26 after a cool night in the Upton garden incl'd my 1st ever beautifully pavonine (& absolutely tiny) Tebenna micalis - a much wanted micro, plus the 11th(!) Ni Moth of the yr, 2 Vestal & RDP, Silver Y, Turnip, & Centre-barred Sallow #TeamMoth @dorsetmoths.bsky.social @migrantmothuk.bsky.social 0262
Phil Saunders @beardybirder.bsky.social · 09/09/2026www.theguardian.com/environment/...theguardian.comCountry diary: Wetland plants have prospered this year – and I love this understated beauty | Sarah LambertAilsworth, Cambridgeshire: Trifid bur-marigold is struggling nationally, but thanks to a little ‘Goldilocks’ land management, it has the perfect conditions here 020
Reposted by Phil SaundersAndrew Connolly @andrewmc2401.bsky.social · 09/09/2026450,000. That's the estimated number of tree swallows we observed this past weekend migrating down the Connecticut River. The radar picking up a flock over 1/2 mile long, and the sky was filled for over 40 minutes. it was a sight to be seen and a reminder to go lights out at night this fall! 🌎(1/2) 12212
Phil Saunders @beardybirder.bsky.social · 07/09/2026Fig-leaf Skeletoniser in the Upton garden this afternoon. It's been a good year locally for these funky little adventives #TeamMoth @dorsetmoths.bsky.social 0151
Reposted by Phil SaundersGraham Appleton @wadertales.bsky.social · 05/09/2026Great Snipe migration. High at night and VERY high by day. wadertales.wordpress.com/2021/06/30/f... @waderstudy.bsky.social conference update: Changes in altitude are very slow. Energy costs of up/down are very low. journals.biologists.com/jeb/article/... #ornithology 03310
Phil Saunders @beardybirder.bsky.social · 07/09/2026A few nice bits & bobs amongst 150/45 in the Upton garden traps this morning, incl'd 2 (box fresh) Golden Twin-spot, 2 Vestal, 3 Blair's Mocha, Yellow Belle, Palpita vitrealis, Beet Moth, & what looks to be a very worn Ancylosis oblitella #TeamMoth @dorsetmoths.bsky.social @migrantmothuk.bsky.social 0172
Phil Saunders @beardybirder.bsky.social · 05/09/2026At least 6 Lesser Emperor hawking coastal fields at St Aldhelm's Head (Dorset) this morning, with several also noted by others east along the coast at Durlston CP. Given the distance from likely breeding habitat, perhaps immigrants rather than local dispersers? @migrantmothuk.bsky.social 1212
Phil Saunders @beardybirder.bsky.social · 05/09/2026One of those rare, magic, mornings at St Aldhelm's Head, with a typically furtive Ortolan seen/heard several times in flight first thing, followed by a pale juv Honey Buzzard north at 1030hrs, & capped off by 6+ Lesser Emperor (new for the site) hawking over the paddocks @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social 1323
Phil Saunders @beardybirder.bsky.social · 05/09/2026The nationally scarce Selania leplastriana (Coast Piercer) - flushed from underfoot at St Aldhelm's Head earlier today #TeamMoth @dorsetmoths.bsky.social 0261
Phil Saunders @beardybirder.bsky.social · 05/09/2026Extremely elusive/wide ranging Ortolan Bunting at St Aldhelm's Head this morning, seen/heard twice in flight between 0752 & 0847hrs, with no further sign by 1008hrs since last sighting in Pier Bottom @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social 0172
Phil Saunders @beardybirder.bsky.social · 04/09/2026It says a lot when the highlights of your 4hr Durlston CP seawatch are a brace of Wall Lizard & a Grayling... Single Manx & Fulmar west, plus a smattering of Sarnies & Gannet, were all that could be eeked out during what felt like pretty favourable conditions @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social 0160
Reposted by Phil SaundersPortland Bird Observatory @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social · 02/09/2026The Northern Bottle-nosed Whales off East Cliffs this morning: youtu.be/bw2dzcI1IUE?...youtu.beNorthern Bottle-nosed Whales, Portland Bill, 2nd September 2026YouTube video by Martin Cade 513828
Phil Saunders @beardybirder.bsky.social · 02/09/2026Old World Webworm was a welcome new species for me today (courtesy of @dunccrip.bsky.social's trap, via @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) and made up somewhat for totally failing to connect with either RC Starling or Northern Bottlenose Whale in some pretty testy weather #TeamMoth 090
Phil Saunders @beardybirder.bsky.social · 02/09/2026A 2hr seawatch from Durlston this morning was decidedly underwhelming, with a lone dark morph Arctic Skua west, with a handful of terns, gulls, & Gannet the best of the rest @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social 042
Phil Saunders @beardybirder.bsky.social · 02/09/2026137/50 in the two Upton garden traps last night incl'd a gorgeous Golden Twin-spot & my 1st "in trap" Convolvulus Hawkmoth, both of which annoyingly did a bunk as I opened up, alongside 4 Vestal & a handful of other common migrants #TeamMoth @dorsetmoths.bsky.social @migrantmothuk.bsky.social 0222
Phil Saunders @beardybirder.bsky.social · 02/09/2026A White Stork (presumably from one of the various ongoing, non-Natural England sanctioned, releases) overflew the Wareham Bypass roundabout and appeared to land in one of the fields to the west at 1140hrs @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @harbourbirds.bsky.social 0194
Phil Saunders @beardybirder.bsky.social · 01/09/2026Another highlight from y'day's Wembury Point rockpooling session, this fabulously blue (& decidedly feisty) Lobster was an ace discovery by @jacob-wood.bsky.social in one of the deeper pools. 0120
Reposted by Phil SaundersJacob Wood @jacob-wood.bsky.social · 31/08/2026Calma glaucoides and Gargamella rosi nudibranchs at Wembury Point today with @beardybirder.bsky.social 1345
Phil Saunders @beardybirder.bsky.social · 01/09/2026The uncommon & somewhat range-restricted Trumpet Anemone was new for us at Wembury Pt y'day, with many seen alongside the impressive Dahlia & Strawberry Anemones, & the more widespread Snakelocks. 091
Phil Saunders @beardybirder.bsky.social · 01/09/2026A couple of new fish species for us from the Wembury Point rockpools y'day: the beautifully patterned & bizarrely shaped Shorthorn Sculpin, & the surprisingly eel-like Five-bearded Rockling. 0110
Phil Saunders @beardybirder.bsky.social · 01/09/2026We enjoyed some fabulous rockpooling at Wembury Pt y'day, with 4 species of nudibranch encountered (courtesy of @jacob-wood.bsky.social & family), incl'g the tiny Favorinus branchialis; the sponge-like Doris berghi; the vibrantly hefty Gargamella (Discodoris) rosi; & the sublime Calma glaucoides. 0173
Phil Saunders @beardybirder.bsky.social · 31/08/2026A blink and you'll miss it Clouded Yellow, whizzing past just now, was a new butterfly species for the Upton garden. 060