Sign in

Phil Bentley

@bikingbirder.bsky.social
158 followers 45 following 207 posts

Bikes. Birds. Coffee. Cake. Not always in that order!

PostsRepliesMedia
Phil Bentley @bikingbirder.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
The sole highlight of a brief stop at Silverlake was a flock of 10 Goosanders - all ‘brownheads’. Disappointingly, nothing of note in the now-sizeable gull flock. Even more disappointing were the crazy numbers of non-native geese (>1000?). An unwelcome trend, IMHO. #DorsetBirds
031
Phil Bentley @bikingbirder.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
#BirdingGear
251
Phil Bentley @bikingbirder.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Nice to pick out this presumed 1cy Caspian Gull from among the regular flock of loafing gulls at Culverwell, Portland earlier today. As befits the time of year, it appears - to these eyes at least - to be in something of a transitional plumage state on the way to 'classic' 1st winter. #DorsetBirds
1193
Phil Bentley @bikingbirder.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Osprey drifted south over Silverlake at c 13:50. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
030
Phil Bentley @bikingbirder.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Having previously seen several hundred, mostly distant Cory's Shearwaters from various headlands over the years, it was nice to obtain reasonably close views of this bird alongside the Scillonian a couple of days ago. Not pelagic trip 'crazy close', but I'll take it!
080
Phil Bentley @bikingbirder.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
I never imagined that I'd ever see a Queen of Spain Fritillary in Britain. So I was super-chuffed to see 3 on the Isle of Wight yesterday. They were amazingly confiding, often showing down to a couple of feet as these photos 👇 attest. A stunning butterfly. @savebutterflies.bsky.social
A Queen Of Spain Fritillary nectaring on a flower head. It's orange-brown in colour, with black spots on the upper wings and pearl-coloured 'lunettes' on the under wings.A Queen Of Spain Fritillary perched on a flower head. It's orange-brown in colour, with black spots on the upper wings.
1222
Phil Bentley @bikingbirder.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
The gravel pits at Silverlake are looking nicely primed to attract a rare wader, tern or gull in the coming weeks. Only noteworthy birds this morning, however, were singles of Common Sand, GWE, and a dark-mantled LBB Gull, presumably of the 'intermedius' race. #DorsetBirds
Gravel pits at Silverlake, mid Dorset.
191
Phil Bentley @bikingbirder.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
Bittern flew over the eastern footpath at Lodmoor at 11:45. It flew towards the western corner of the reserve, calling most of the way. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social #DorsetBirds
130
Phil Bentley @bikingbirder.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
When one of Meta's evil miniaturised cyber-flies photobombs your picture of a Dark Green Fritillary. Sinister or what?! (Photo taken at Durlston C.P., Dorset) #ukbutterflies
A fritillary butterfly showing pearl marks on its green-brown underwing. Being watched by a flying insect.
051
Phil Bentley @bikingbirder.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
Identification of this upside-down moth has eluded me. Seen on stream-side vegetation in the New Forest y'day. Approx 1-1.5 cm in length. A species of Carpet or Coronet, perhaps? Any suggestions from you expert moth-botherers would be most welcome. (2nd 📷 has been rotated 180 deg). #TeamMoth
140
Phil Bentley @bikingbirder.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
Having made several unsuccessful attempts to find Southern Damselfly in the Purbeck area I threw in the towel and decided to head to foreign lands (i.e. Hampshire 😅) to try my luck at a traditional site. Favourable conditions this AM produced c10 males and 3 females, some of which posed nicely 👇
A male Southern Damselfly. Blue eyes and a long blue abdomen with black markings.A male Southern Damselfly. Blue eyes and a long blue abdomen with black markings.A female Southern Damselfly. It has a dark abdomen and a yellow-and-black thorax.A mating pair of Southern Damselflies.
010
Phil Bentley @bikingbirder.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
Bittern just flew over the east footpath at Lodmoor heading in Overcombe direction. Half an hour late 😄 #DorsetBirds
191
Phil Bentley @bikingbirder.bsky.social · 25/05/2026
Lesvos - Day 10 (8.5.2026) And so we reach the final stop on this mini photo-journey around Lesvos. What an amazing place! The below 📷 of an Olivaceous Warbler is my trip favourite in terms of composition, if not for technical proficiency, being nicely framed by tamarisk sprays. #lesvosbirds
An Olivaceous Warbler singing from the top of a Tamarisk bush.
120
Phil Bentley @bikingbirder.bsky.social · 24/05/2026
Lesvos - Day 9 (7.5.2026) Several wetland areas are within easy walking distance of Skala Kallonis ('birding central'). All of them are good for heron sp incl Purple, Grey & Night Heron, both Bittern sp, and 3 Egret sp. Squacco Herons were often photogenic 👇. Little Bitterns less so! #lesvosbirds
A Squacco Heron perched on a dead branch.A male Little Bittern hunting for a meal on the edge of a reed bed.
050
Phil Bentley @bikingbirder.bsky.social · 23/05/2026
Lesvos - Day 8 (6.5.2026) The sound of Scops & Long-eared Owls bleeping and hooting in the grounds of the main tourist hotels in Skala Kallonis was a regular feature of the evenings/nights. The Nikon P950, which usually struggles in these situations, didn't fare too badly for once 👏 #lesvosbirds
A Scops Owl roosting in a Eucalyptus tree.A Long-eared Owl roosting at the top of a pine tree.
040
Phil Bentley @bikingbirder.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
Lesvos - Day 7 (5.5.2026) There are plenty of Collared Doves on Lesvos. But also small numbers of Laughing Doves, a more recent coloniser. While they might not get the pulse racing in quite the same way as, say, the shrikes or warblers, they do have a certain pastel-hued charm 😊 #lesvosbirds
A Laughing Dove perched on a telephone cable.A pair of Laughing Doves perched in a tree.
020
Phil Bentley @bikingbirder.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
Lesvos - Day 6 (4.5.2026) As a young birder I used to dream of seeing the exotic Near Eastern buntings that invariably appeared together across 2 plates near the back of my field guides. I finally caught up with the last two on Lesvos - Cretzschmar's (📷) and Cinereous (camera shy!) #lesvosbirds
A male Cretzschmar's Bunting perched on barbed wire.A male Black-headed Bunting singing from a power cable.
050
Phil Bentley @bikingbirder.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
Lesvos - Day 5 (3.5.2026) Shrike-fest! Shrikes are one of my favourite bird families, and Lesvos has them in absolute spades. On most days a tally of 10+ Red-backed & Masked Shrikes wasn't unusual, with slightly lower numbers of Woodchats and the odd Lesser Grey. Fantastic stuff. #lesvosbirds
A male Red-backed Shrike perched on a bush.A female Red-backed Shrike perched on bare branches.A Woodchat Shrike perched on the top of a tree.A male Masked Shrike singing from the top of an olive tree.
060
Phil Bentley @bikingbirder.bsky.social · 17/05/2026
Lesvos - Day 4 (2.5.2026) The Kalloni Salt Pans constitute one of the premier bird sites on Lesvos. Greater Flamingos are an unmissable feature of the pans. They were joined by a much rarer Lesser Flamingo on 1st May; the latter species being smaller, pinker & having an all dark bill. #lesvosbirds
A Lesser Flamingo (middle bird) with 5 Greater Flamingos.A Lesser Flamingo (2nd from right) with 2 Greater Flamingos.
250
Phil Bentley @bikingbirder.bsky.social · 16/05/2026
Lesvos - Day 3 (1.5.2026) Day three produced one of my most-wanted trip species in the form of a trio of Spur-winged Lapwings (or Plovers, if you prefer its former moniker). These ones have somewhat better credentials than the bird I saw at Dungeness in June 1997 😂 #lesvosbirds
2 Spur-winged Lapwings on a sandy river bank.A Spur-winged Lapwing on a sandy river bank.
050
Phil Bentley @bikingbirder.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
Lesvos - Day 2 of 10 (30.4.2026) Crested Larks (AKA the 'Lesvos Roadrunner' 😄) were a frequent sight, usually scuttling a few metres in front of you along the island's many sandy tracks. This one - in somewhat less typical habitat! - posed nicely for a photo opportunity. #lesvosbirds
A Crested Lark perched on a power cable.
030
Phil Bentley @bikingbirder.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
Lesvos - Day 1 of 10 (29.4.2026) So, I came very late to the Lesvos party...about 25 years late! But I'm very pleased I finally made it. Eastern Olivaceous Warblers (📷) seemed to exhibit one of two display modes: fiendishly skulking or, as in this case, absurdly showy. #lesvosbirds
An Eastern Olivaceous Warbler singing on top of a bush. Lesvos, Greece, April 2026.
051
Phil Bentley @bikingbirder.bsky.social · 16/04/2026
Increasing fractions of a 1st-winter Bonaparte's Gull 😄 showing under/upper-wing markings & coloration, plus structural diffs compared to Black-headed Gull. Lynch Cove (Dorset), April 2026. Nice find by @luvaducksbutt.bsky.social
Image of a partially submerged Bonaparte's Gull.Image of a partially submerged Bonaparte's Gull.Image of a Bonaparte's Gull in flight.Image of a Bonaparte's Gull (below) alongside a Black-headed Gull (above).
0150
Reposted by Phil Bentley
Liz Woodford @woodfordliz.bsky.social · 16/04/2026
Bonapartes still at Lynch cove 11.29 this morning , lesser whitethroat singing @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social
0111
Phil Bentley @bikingbirder.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
1w Bonaparte’s Gull still present at Lynch Cove / Littlesea. Also 1 Whimbrel east, 1 Whinchat & 1 L W’throat. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social
0103
Reposted by Phil Bentley
Domestique @domestiquecycling.com · 12/04/2026
OMGGGGGGGGGGG 🇧🇪 Wout van Aert wins 🇫🇷 Paris Roubaix!!!!!!!
727341
Phil Bentley @bikingbirder.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
Superb find, Paul. And an overdue Dorset tick for me. 👏👏👏
061
Reposted by Phil Bentley
Shaun Robson @narwhalsh.bsky.social · 16/03/2026
Just dropped through my Dorset letterbox this morning. Great work by all involved, plenty of art to add to the excellent photos. If the web has drawn you away from County bird reports & bird clubs, have a rethink. They are an essential part of our birding communities culture 🙏
1195
Reposted by Phil Bentley
Wildlife Trust BCN @wildlifebcn.org · 05/03/2026
Later this month new Government legislation comes into force clamping down on harm caused by dogs in the countryside. The SSSI and Ancient Woodland is home to a range of rare wildflowers, birds, butterflies and other species.
1386
Phil Bentley @bikingbirder.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
After a couple of blank years (for me) it was nice to bump into this returning individual again on #BrownseaIsland whilst carrying out a bird survey with @studlandbirds.bsky.social. I imagine there aren't too many places in the UK where you can see Forster's Tern & WT Eagle on the same day 😃
Digiscoped record shot of a Forster's Tern on Brownsea Island lagoon, 4 March 2026.
0211
Phil Bentley @bikingbirder.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
Trying to 📷 today's agile, overhead Red-rumped Swallow at Radipole, Weymouth was always going to be something of a fool's errand. The autofocus on my Nikon P950 never seems to be quite up to the task (user blames tools 🙄). Cracker of a bird tho. Shout out to finder @remblax.bsky.social #DorsetBirds
Red-rumped Swallow at Radipole, Weymouth, 2 Mar 2026.Red-rumped Swallow at Radipole, Weymouth, 2 Mar 2026.
0120
Phil Bentley @bikingbirder.bsky.social · 24/02/2026
A distant shot of today's lonesome Pale-bellied Brent Goose enjoying the sun (remember that?) + a snack on the Long Island, Poole Harbour sand spit. Nearby, 3 or 4 Firecrests were seen around the Middlebere cottages. Ace to hear lots of resident birds in full voice today. @harbourbirds.bsky.social
Pale-bellied Brent Goose on Long Island, Poole Harbour, 24 Feb 2026.
0203
Phil Bentley @bikingbirder.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
A smart adult Little Gull at Holes Bay, Poole this morning. One of my all-time favourite gulls, despite the dank and dreary weather. Again 🤨 @harbourbirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
Little Gull, Holes Bay, Poole. 10 Feb 2026Little Gull, Holes Bay, Poole. 10 Feb 2026Little Gull, Holes Bay, Poole. 10 Feb 2026Little Gull, Holes Bay, Poole. 10 Feb 2026
0203
Phil Bentley @bikingbirder.bsky.social · 31/01/2026
How it started 👍 How it ended 🤦‍♂️ White-tailed Eagle (adult) coming in to land at Arne Moors, Dorset. Also in the wider area: Goshawk, Merlin, Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Kestrel. All told, a pretty decent morning for raptors. @harbourbirds.bsky.social #DorsetBirds
White-tailed Eagle landing on a gravel track at Arne Moors, Dorset. 31 January 2026.White-tailed Eagle landing on a gravel track at Arne Moors, Dorset. 31 January 2026.
0283
Phil Bentley @bikingbirder.bsky.social · 23/01/2026
So, getting myself goretex'd up to the eyeballs for a 2nd look at the 'Ripley' Killdeer guaranteed not a single drop of the wet stuff. Hurrah! But, ever the whingeing birder, the direct sunlight conspired to thwart the hoped-for frame-filling photos 🙄😅 These were the best I could manage. #HantsBirds
Killdeer at Ripley Farm Reservoir, Hampshire, 23 Jan 2026Killdeer at Ripley Farm Reservoir, Hampshire, 23 Jan 2026Killdeer at Ripley Farm Reservoir, Hampshire, 23 Jan 2026
0261
Phil Bentley @bikingbirder.bsky.social · 14/01/2026
It was an atmospheric scene from the Avocet Hide, #BrownseaIsland early this AM as I joined @studlandbirds.bsky.social for a wildfowl & wader counting session. Plenty of the usual suspects on the lagoon, plus a bonus Red-necked Grebe off south shore later. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social #DorsetBirds
Brownsea Island lagoon, Poole Harbour
1171
Phil Bentley @bikingbirder.bsky.social · 03/01/2026
At least 2 Bramblings in with the large mixed finch flock around stubble fields just N of West Morden Farm. Quite hard to pick out, plus they were fairly camera shy, as these record shots attest. Bitingly cold so I wasn't hanging around for better pics! 🥶. #DorsetBirds @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
Brambling at West Morden, Dorset. 3 Jan 2026Brambling at West Morden, Dorset. 3 Jan 2026Brambling at West Morden, Dorset. 3 Jan 2026
0112
Phil Bentley @bikingbirder.bsky.social · 31/12/2025
@dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social #DorsetBirds
050
Phil Bentley @bikingbirder.bsky.social · 31/12/2025
Pretty chuffed to find a drake Smew at Brand's Bay, Poole Harbour this morning. c 30 secs later @moorebirdsbybike.bsky.social picked up its redhead mate nearby! First drake in Dorset since one on this exact date in 2008, apparently 😯. Enjoyed/ticked by many local birders. @harbourbirds.bsky.social
A pair of Smew with 2 Wigeon, Poole Harbour, 31 Dec 2025.A pair of Smew with a Goldeneye (left), Poole Harbour, 31 Dec 2025.A pair of Smew with a Red-breasted Merganser (left), Poole Harbour, 31 Dec 2025.A drake Greater Scaup (right) with a Red-breasted Merganser, Poole Harbour, 31 Dec 2025.
3405
Phil Bentley @bikingbirder.bsky.social · 26/12/2025
There will be many better photos of the Tundra Bean Geese (at Arne Moors, Dorset) than these mediocre efforts. Nonetheless, having had my county list so rudely truncated a couple of days before Xmas due to the lumping of Teal & GW Teal, it was sweet to claw it back almost immediately 🖕😛 #DorsetBirds
5 Tundra Bean Geese (back row) and 5 Russian White-fronted Geese (front row) at Arne Moors, Dorset.2 Tundra Bean Geese (back row) with a few Russian White-fronted Geese at Arne Moors, Dorset.
0172
Phil Bentley @bikingbirder.bsky.social · 14/12/2025
A couple of pics of the WTE which overflew Lodmoor at around 12:20-12:25 today. No ring visible on either leg so I'm guessing that what I initially assumed to be ruffled feathers on the back is in fact a GPS/SAT transmitter, right? #DorsetBirds
White-tailed Eagle at Lodmoor RSPB reserve, 14 Dec 2025.White-tailed Eagle at Lodmoor RSPB reserve, 14 Dec 2025.
2102
Phil Bentley @bikingbirder.bsky.social · 14/12/2025
Adult White-tailed Eagle just flew NE over #LodmoorRSPB reserve. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
061
Phil Bentley @bikingbirder.bsky.social · 10/12/2025
@harbourbirds.bsky.social
062
Phil Bentley @bikingbirder.bsky.social · 10/12/2025
A flat-out gorgeous visit to #BrownseaIsland this AM to survey the waders and wildfowl on the lagoon. Highlights: 980+ Black-tailed Godwits, 550+ Avocet, 300+ Euro Teal, 50+ Gadwall, plus loads more. Called into Poole Park on the way home to see some #plasticfantastic 😄 @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social
The lagoon on Brownsea Island, Poole Harbour.The lagoon on Brownsea Island, Poole Harbour.A Mandarin Duck on Poole Park lagoon.
0244
Phil Bentley @bikingbirder.bsky.social · 02/12/2025
Just goes to show that decoy ducks can be handy at times 🤣 (Picture taken at Swineham GPs, Dorset back in Sept '25. Came across it again whilst tidying up my photo library this avo) #DorsetBirds
Black-headed Gull perched on the back of a decoy duck!
091
Phil Bentley @bikingbirder.bsky.social · 28/11/2025
Initial vibe from this distant & fairly tatty Larid at #LonghamLakes this AM was of poss Caspian Gull. Pros: clean whitish head, dark 'beady' eye with little or no mask, neck shawl, pale underside to hand. Cons: stubby bill looks all wrong, barring on rump (tail shredded). Probs a pale HG or hybrid.
330
Phil Bentley @bikingbirder.bsky.social · 17/11/2025
A still-fresh Comma butterfly was braving the chilly conditions at #Middlebere Nat Trust this AM. Later on at #ArneRSPB this Great Tit was drying off in the sun after a wash and scrub-up. Annoyingly my camera battery died shortly after finding a/the smart Brambling around the feeders there 🤦‍♂️
A Comma butterfly sunbathing on green leaves.A Great Tit drying off on a tree trunk.
050
Reposted by Phil Bentley
Paul Harris @paulupwey.bsky.social · 17/11/2025
I've just been to the shoreline copse at Moonfleet. There is a Yellow-browed sp in there, flitting around in the canopy with 2 Goldcrest. Completely silent though, so I cannot be sure it's the Hume's. Seems likely though! Absolutely no phone signal down there.
0171
Phil Bentley @bikingbirder.bsky.social · 06/11/2025
Bittern seen in flight at 16:09h over #LodmoorRSPB. Dropped down into the reeds c50 m out from the western footpath and about halfway along. Plus the usual supporting cast of GWEs, Beardies, Cetti’s, Water Rails, Marsh Harrier, etc etc. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
0112
Phil Bentley @bikingbirder.bsky.social · 28/10/2025
The prospect of adding Goosander to my non-motorised list (+ some much-needed exercise!) lured me to undertake the 38mi round trip to Silverlake. 5 juv Goosander duly ✅. Several 100 large gulls would have merited close scrutiny, only I was w/o ‘scope 🙄. ☕️🍰 on the way home 😋🚴🏼‍♂️ #lowcarbonbirding
West Lake at Silverlake near Dorchester.Pallington Sculpture Park. My regular coffee + cake stop on the ride home 😋
180