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Peter Howlett @cardiffbirder.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Meep-meep - Wheatear coming through. Northern Wheatear on the barrage this morning showing a good turn of pace across the grass #BirdingWales #Birds

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Peter Howlett @cardiffbirder.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Some lovely clear skies here in Cardiff around dawn yesterday and the 84% waning gibbous moon looked lovely

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Peter Howlett @cardiffbirder.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Lots of Chiffchaff around the Bay at the moment, easily the commonest migrant species (actually almost the only!). This one played ball near the Cardiff wetland boardwalk the other day #BirdingWales #Birds

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Peter Howlett @cardiffbirder.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Rather like this water level photo of a Black-headed Gull taken in Cardiff Bay a few days ago. They really are very smart birds #SuperSeabirdSunday #BirdingWales

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Peter Howlett @cardiffbirder.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Cetti's Warblers are generally secretive beasts but I a little patience on the Cardiff wetland reserve boardwalk (there are several in the area) was rewarded with it popping onto a bramble branch for a very brief but lovely view in some soft early morning sunshine #SmallBirdSaturday #BirdingWales

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Peter Howlett @cardiffbirder.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

A Moorhen had set up a nest on top of a bramble bush in the open 3m from the Cardiff wetland reserve boardwalk. She now has 3 young, just a few days old by the look of it, some funky colours going on around the head. #birds #birdingWales

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Peter Howlett @cardiffbirder.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

I don't see Common Whitethroat in Britannia Park, Cardiff Bay very often. So a lovely adult on Sunday 20 Sept, which was relatively confiding was a nice find

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Peter Howlett @cardiffbirder.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Any morning when you can watch an Otter on your patch has got to be a good one #mammals

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Peter Howlett @cardiffbirder.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Adult male Guillemot with its youngster in the Minch a few days ago, saw and heard a large number of these during the 11 day cruise #superseabirdsunday #birds

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Peter Howlett @cardiffbirder.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Lovely close Manx Shearwater in the Irish Sea on the 5th September #SuperSeabirdSunday #birds

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Peter Howlett @cardiffbirder.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

After the excitement of the Black Tern at Lisvane last week it was nice to find a juv on patch in Cardiff Bay, tho sadly too distant for photos. Then @garethstamp77.bsky.social found an adult on the Taff. Caught it during a brief shower with some sun #SuperSeabirdSunday #BirdingWales

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Peter Howlett @cardiffbirder.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Amazingly, given that it's not exactly prime wader habitat, the Black-tailed Godwit has stuck it out at the Cardiff wetland reserve for a week now. It's now been joined by Snipe too, don't get to watch these in the open here normally #BirdingWales #Birds

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Peter Howlett @cardiffbirder.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

I felt this week's juvenile Black Tern was worth a second visit, so returned the morning of the 25th when the light was much better for some flight shots #BirdingWales #Birds

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Peter Howlett @cardiffbirder.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

A short train ride to north Cardiff yesterday afternoon to have a look at a lovely juvenile Black Tern that had been found at Lisvane reservoir in the morning #BirdsSeenIn2026 #BirdingWales

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Peter Howlett @cardiffbirder.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

They've taken a while to show up but finally saw my first Wheatear of the autumn on the barrage this morning - always a very welcome sight #BirdingWales

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Peter Howlett @cardiffbirder.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Great to watch a handful of Tufted Duck feeding just off the endof the cardiff wetland reserve boardwalk yesterday morning #BirdingWales #Birds

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Peter Howlett @cardiffbirder.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Black-tailed Godwit is a bit of a rarity in Cardiff Bay, so great to catch up with one at Cardiff wetland reserve this morning #BirdsSeenIn2026 #BirdingWales

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Peter Howlett @cardiffbirder.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Spotted Flycatcher, one of my favourite autumn migrants in Silurian Park, Cardiff Bay this morning and just a couple of minutes walk from the house #birdsseenin2026 #BirdingWales

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Reposted by Peter Howlett

Dr Alex Bond @thelabandfield.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Big new @adriftlab.bsky.social paper - we show for the first time that plastics affects seabirds at the POPULATION level. Plastic ingested as a chick reduces recruitment of birds to the breeding population. And the story is pretty grim. 🧵 www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...

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Peter Howlett @cardiffbirder.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Autumn sedge Warblers are beautiful birds, especially when you get really good close views of one creeping around the bottom of reeds and other vegetation at Cardiff wetland reserve #birds #birdingWales

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Peter Howlett @cardiffbirder.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Been seeing loads of reports of Hummingbird Hawk Moths turning up in people's gardens. Finally had one in mine yesterday - just a shame the light had gone a bit

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Peter Howlett @cardiffbirder.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

It may 'only' have been 93% here in Cardiff but the eclipse was still impressive. The change in the quality of the light was amazing and yet equally amazing how light it still was given how much of the sun was covered. 1 18:14 pre-contact 2 18:52 3 19:13 4 19:27 with a wisp of cloud

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Peter Howlett @cardiffbirder.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

A visit to Lerwick last week allowed for some lovely close views of Fulmar on the Knab #SuperSeabirdSunday #birds

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Peter Howlett @cardiffbirder.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Plenty of Emperor Dragonflies around at the moment, can be a challenge to get a decent shot of them as they scoot around looking for prey but quite pleased with this one taken on the River Taff a couple of days ago #wildlifephotography #wildlife

A male Emperor Dragonfly caught in flight against a blue backdrop

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Peter Howlett @cardiffbirder.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

A Blackbird with a beak full of food for it youngsters, in a nest just off the boardwalk at Cardiff wetland reserve, couldn't hear them calling when it dived into cover so perhaps still small #birdingwales #birds

A male blackbird perches on a branch with a beak full of slugs and caterpillars for its nestlings

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Reposted by Peter Howlett

Paul Bowerman @severnsidebirds.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

A speedy response from the BTO. It was ringed as a chick at RAF Honington, Suffolk 29.5.19 It was first reported here at Northwick Warth, South Glouceserdhire 3.9.23 Then Rutland Water 10.3.24 So 7 years old and well traveled.

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Peter Howlett @cardiffbirder.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

Some beautiful light on the water surface shows how this River Skater (Aquarius najas) manages to take advantage of the surface tension and move over the surface #wildlife #insects

A River Skater (Aquarius najas) sits on the surface of some water. The light has made the water look like liquid bronze and the dimple made where each foot makes contact with the water surface stands out

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Peter Howlett @cardiffbirder.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

Lovely juv Med Gull in Cardiff Bay on 17/07 and, as it turns out, a fast mover. Ringed as chick in colony near Leipzig 16/06, seen in colony on 07/07 then the 1059km to Cardiff in 11 days #BirdingWales #SuperSeabirdSunday

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Reposted by Peter Howlett

Bird Observatories Council GB&I @birdobscouncil.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

Our team are at Global Bird Fair this weekend. Call in to say hi and learn about Bird Observatories in the Swallow Marquee (S15&16). Thanks to Limosa/Wildwings for their sponsorship and the £250 prize off any holiday for our quiz.

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Peter Howlett @cardiffbirder.bsky.social · 05/07/2026

I think another look back to my visit to New Zealand in 2024 for this week's #SuperSeabirdSunday with this lovely White-capped Albatross gliding overhead on outstretched wings against a clear blue sky

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Reposted by Peter Howlett

Ann @stellarpics.net · 30/06/2026

You head to Costa Rica with a bird bucket list. Then along comes a little bird you didn't even know existed and it takes your breath away. Meet the Sungrebe. It's not a grebe and it dislikes the sun. What's in a name anyway! #birds #birdsseenin2026 #CostaRica #wildlife #nikon #z8

A small, duck-sized female Sungrebe swims on calm water. It has a striking blue/black cap, bright white stripes down its neck, and vibrant orangish-brown cheeks. Its stout bill is pointed, and its fanned tail rests on the water's surface.

Female Sungrebe identified by its orange cheeks. The male has white cheek patch.

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Peter Howlett @cardiffbirder.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

Not much better than a magnificent Wandering Albatross gliding low over the waves for #WorldAlbatrossDay and #SuperSeabirdSunday

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Peter Howlett @cardiffbirder.bsky.social · 14/06/2026

A beautiful Black Guillemot in Hammerfest harbour, Norway back in April #SuperSeabirdSunday

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Peter Howlett @cardiffbirder.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

A little look back to October 2024 for #SuperSeabirdSunday and my annual visit to the Channel and Celtic Sea with CEFAS. This Cory's Shearwater was living up to its name in the Channel

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Peter Howlett @cardiffbirder.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

Got excited about seeing 2 Cory's Shearwaters out in the Porcupine Seabight yesterday, seen more than 70 today between 150-200 miles SSW of Ireland. Likely females from Portuguese colonies on pre-laying exodus #UKbirding #seabirds

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Reposted by Peter Howlett

tombrereton.bsky.social @tombrereton.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

Exciting MARINElife survey ahead covering Biscay and the shelf-edge of south west Ireland. Survey dates 25 May - 2 June. Surveyors Robin and @cardiffbirder.bsky.social Follow the action on the blog that will be here, once the survey is live marine-life.org.uk/survey-repor...

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Reposted by Peter Howlett

Paul Dufour @pauldufour80.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

Some migration info from 7 Whinchats (Saxicola rubetra) tagged with multi-sensor loggers: kind of loop migration, spring Sahara crossing up to ~5,000 m despite their tiny size (~16g), and unusually prolonged flights both at autumn and spring. 🪶🏔️ Full paper here: doi.org/10.1007/s10336-026-02409-1

migration tracks and info of seven Whinchats tagged in the Alps

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Peter Howlett @cardiffbirder.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

A visit to Caerffili common this morning and a little taken aback that the first bird I saw on getting out of the car was an Osprey, drifting over to the north #BirdingWales #BirdsSeenIn2026

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Antonia Klöcker @cakloecker.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

📢 New IMR study on movement patterns of #BaskingSharks shows that sharks tagged above the #ArcticCircle in #Norway perform repeated large-scale movements to subtropical waters and actively use the water column across habitats.🧵 1/5 👉 doi.org/10.3354/meps... @whoi.edu @thembauk.bsky.social

Map of the showing seasonal shark migration routes in the Northeast Atlantic. Sharks move to the Norwegian and Barents Seas in summer (May–July), the Icelandic Basin in autumn (September–December), and the Western European Basin in winter (January–March). Colored arrows indicate migration paths of the sharks illustrated as black silhouettes.

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Marine Ecology Progress Series @meps-ir.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

🦤🌐🧪 Year-long satellite tracking of basking sharks revealed ~14,000 km migrations spanning 30° latitude. This includes a transatlantic journey from Norway to the Caribbean highlighting the need for pan-latitudinal research. #FeatureArticle bit.ly/meps15153 @cakloecker.bsky.social

A basking shark is filter-feeding in surface waters. The shark is shown from the bird-perspective with its tail movement and the spread gills being visible.

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Peter Howlett @cardiffbirder.bsky.social · 17/05/2026

5 species of storm petrel in one shot and there's potential for even more in this particular neck of the woods - the eastern Pacific off the coast of Peru #SuperSeabirdSunday #Birds Elliot's Storm Petrel Wedge-rumped Storm Petrel Ringed Storm Petrel Markham's Storm Petrel Least Storm Petrel

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Peter Howlett @cardiffbirder.bsky.social · 17/05/2026

A westerly breeze in Cardiff means the Swifts feed over the bushes along the barrage - a better place to try and get photographs than by the ice rink on the west side of the bay #birds #BirdingWales

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Peter Howlett @cardiffbirder.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

Lovely adult Peregrine gliding up and down along the cliffs of the Glamorgan coast yesterday #BirdingWales #Birds

Adult Peregrine banking away from the photographer showing the finely barred underparts and the black mask either side of the face

Adult Peregrine banking away from the photographer showing the finely barred underparts and the black mask either side of the face. Something has caught the bird's attention as it is looking around behind it

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Reposted by Peter Howlett

Copernicus ECMWF @copernicusecmwf.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

Read our summary of April 2026 #C3S Climate Bulletin. Discover the data behind the joint 3rd-warmest April globally, with the 2nd-highest average sea surface temperature on record. Arctic sea ice extent was 2nd-lowest for April & Europe saw marked contrasts in precipitation. Read more ⬇️

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Bradley Kane @winobradny.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

These warblers were most cooperative, giving terrific views in Central Park today. L to R, American Redstart, Magnolia, Black-throated Blue and Prairie. #birdcpp #NaturePhotography #BirdsOfblueskyr #CentralPark #wildlife #centralparkbirds #birds #birdsseenin2026 #springmigration #urbanbirds

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Peter Howlett @cardiffbirder.bsky.social · 10/05/2026

Also on board Borealis as we approached Puerto Limon, Costa Rica was this this superb Lesser Nighthawk - almost as amazing the Chuck-Will's-Widow which we saw at the same time - but beaten by the fact I'd never seen the latter before #Birds #BirdsSeenIn2026

Amazingly we had two species of nocturnal bird onboard the Borealis at the same time. While the Chuck-Will's-Widow was flying around a Lesser Nighthawk also circled the ship a few times. Another cryptically plumaged bird but this one has very obvious white flashes across the wing and a white chevron on the underside of the throat.

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Peter Howlett @cardiffbirder.bsky.social · 10/05/2026

Chuck-Will's-Widow ranks as one of the most amazing, and least expected, terrestrial birds I've ever seen on board a vessel. This one was on board the Borealis as we approached Puerto Limon, Costa Rica #Birds #BirdsSeenIn2026

Chuck-Will's-Widows are nocturnal birds so to see one in daylight - and at sea - was a really unexpected thrill. This photo shows off the cryptically patterned plumage of various shades of brown which makes them so difficult to spot when they're sitting on the ground in their forest homes

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Peter Howlett @cardiffbirder.bsky.social · 09/05/2026

Some beautiful light on this Great Crested Grebe off the Mermaid Quay boardwalk the other morning. That and the diffuse background and calm water really makes the bird stand out #BirdingWales #Birds

A Great Crested Grebe faces the camera, showing off its crest and the beautiful neck ruff

A Great Crested Grebe sat in still water with a lovely reflection and showing off the tawwny-orange cheeks and neck feathers

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