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Derek C @derekfc1960.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Saw a Red Kite in flight coming out of Keinton Mandeville towards Somerton this afternoon @btosomerset.bsky.social @somersetbirds.bsky.social

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Derek C @derekfc1960.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

My patch walk near Somerton this afternoon was uneventful but did snap a Stonechat and Heron at the Fisheries @btosomerset.bsky.social @somersetbirds.bsky.social

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Reposted by Derek C

BTO Garden BirdWatch @bto-gbw.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

🐦Sparrowhawks tend to hunt for small birds, many of which are now associated with gardens. Often, the only sign of their visit is a scattering of feathers.🪶🪶 Share your Sparrowhawk visits with us to help us monitor their populations around the country. www.bto.org/GBW/Join 📸 Liz Cutting /BTO

A Sparrowhawk stands on top of a dead small bird. The Sparrowhawk has grey-brown upper plumage, buffy and barred underparts, yellow eyes and bill. The small bird's feathers are scattered on the green grass of a garden.

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Derek C @derekfc1960.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Another quiet patch walk ( Etsome Somerton) either side of sunset. Herring Gulls on Field with odd LBBHs were the most vocal. Merlin picked up Garden and Cettis Warber &Firecrest but not seen. Concerned about Rv Cary- an important part of my Walk. Heard a distant Tawney Owl @btosomerset.bsky.social

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Derek C @derekfc1960.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Did my Etsome (Somerton) patch walk as it got dark. Generally quiet but Kestrel hunting. Heard distant Tawney nr Rv Cary. Merlin recorded a dubious Ring Ouzel @btosomerset.bsky.social @somersetbirds.bsky.social . Any thoughts on the Ring Ouzel?

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Derek C @derekfc1960.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

3 Spoonbill at Bowling Green Marsh this morning. Plus first Pintail of the autumn. Osprey reported. 2 Ruff later in pm.

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Derek C @derekfc1960.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Missed the Grey Phalarope at Burnham on Sea this morning. Did see a porpoise between the Sea Wall and Stert Island. Also impressed by at least 100 Redshanks on the mud beside the River towards Apex Park @btosomerset.bsky.social @somersetbirds.bsky.social

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Derek C @derekfc1960.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

My wife took this photo of a sparrowhawk in our garden with her mobile phone yesterday. She thought it was too small to be a fm but could see no male markings. Perhaps it was a juvenile? @btosomerset.bsky.social @somersetbirds.bsky.social

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Derek C @derekfc1960.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

A wader fest from the Avalon hide this am. Including 5 Curlew Sandpers. Green Sandpipers Greenshank @btosomerset.bsky.social @somersetbirds.bsky.social

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Derek C @derekfc1960.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Called into see the RN Phalarope at Seaton Wetlands this am. Viewed from Tower Hide. Island Hide was jammed!! Lifer for my wife. Missed the Osprey.

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Derek C @derekfc1960.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

As we drove from Yeovil to Ilchester on the A37 this evening a Barn Owl flew across the Road near the Buffalo farm. @btosomerset.bsky.social @somersetbirds.bsky.social

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Derek C @derekfc1960.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

RSPB Ham Wall Tuesday 18 August

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Derek C @derekfc1960.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

Really good hour this am at Avalon Hide RSPB Ham wall. 4 Glossy Ibis Spotshank Green SP and Water Rail. @btosomerset.bsky.social @somersetbirds.bsky.social +Kingfisher on the way

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Reposted by Derek C

Protect the Wild @protectthewild.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

The shooting industry kills on an industrial scale to keep grouse numbers high enough for a day's "sport" to be worthwhile. Foxes, stoats, weasels and corvids are trapped and snared in their thousands. Birds of prey are illegally trapped, poisoned or shot to protect the “stock.”

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Derek C @derekfc1960.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

Thought I would share this notice on the Lows Hide at Catcott SWT. @btosomerset.bsky.social @somersetbirds.bsky.social . I was also told the scrape will be extended- so looking forward to a winter visit.

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Derek C @derekfc1960.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Am visit to catcotts lows / heath. Main hide v quiet but had hobby and family of kestels overhead. Soon the hide will be closed for rebuilding. Family of S-hawks calling from edge of heath. Surprised at how rundown this part of reserve is @btosomerset.bsky.social @somersetwt.bsky.social

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Derek C @derekfc1960.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Had an evening walk @rspb greylake last night. V quiet but found 2 Cranes from the screen odd marsh harrier L Egret and these cygnets v close to the path

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Derek C @derekfc1960.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

At 6am this morning I went out to check our Hedgehog feeding Station and noticed this behaviour. Possible mating.Lots of grunting. I was concerned this was during daylight but they now seem to have retreated into the undergrowth.

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Derek C @derekfc1960.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

Not much on my patch walk out of Somerton. A young Buzzard calling for food (imv). Patroling Kestrel. Raven flew over Barpool Lane. Hse Martins & Woodpigeons the most numerous @btosomerset.bsky.social @somersetbirds.bsky.social

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Reposted by Derek C

St Aldhelms Birder @staldhelmsbirder.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

It does make me wonder whether poisoning of Sea-eagles and Birds of Prey would have been reduced in Dorset, had the Wildlife Crime part of Dorset Police been allowed to raid the estate where the first Sea-eagle was poisoned, esp. if it resulted in charges by the Police. But the raid was blocked

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Derek C @derekfc1960.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

Found this attached to the side of our house in Somerton this morning. A Jersey Tiger moth. I will be keeping an eye out for any more.

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Derek C @derekfc1960.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

Quite pleased with this image taken from the Tower Hide at Shapwick this morning. @btosomerset.bsky.social @somersetbirds.bsky.social

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Derek C @derekfc1960.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

Some aggro in our garden last night!!

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Derek C @derekfc1960.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

This Goldfinch in our garden this evening seems a bit stressed. Let me get unusually close as it sat by the lip of our pond. It does have plenty of water here. Hoping its not unwell.Going to keep an eye on it. @btosomerset.bsky.social @somersetbirds.bsky.social . Do they adapt to hot weather?

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Reposted by Derek C

Carl Bovis @carlbovisnature.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

Hi everyone.👋 Just to inform you that @hannahbournetaylor.bsky.social is currently suspended from her account.😔 You might have seen her talking about birds recently on Clarkson's Farm. Please share, hopefully someone at @bsky.app will notice & reinstate this champion of our feathered friends!🙏

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Reposted by Derek C

Garry Hayman @purbeckpilgrim.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

Looks like we were very close to losing the Brand's Bay hide, Studland. Idiots with a BBQ going by the mark on the boards.

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Derek C @derekfc1960.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

This morning we noticed loads of Dragonflies but no Hobbies. Just the odd swallow but no other hirundines @btosomerset.bsky.social @somersetbirds.bsky.social

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Derek C @derekfc1960.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

Had a late morning visit to Catcott Lows. Did not hear the Savi's W. Did hear Water Rail from the Lows hide . +Cuckoo heard. Various Warblers heard. WW CC Blackcap Sedge. Usual Marsh H and GWE. @btosomerset.bsky.social @somersetbirds.bsky.social More prob hidden in vegetation.

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Derek C @derekfc1960.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

Highlights of my overdue patch walk (Etsome area Somerton) were group of busy Hse Martins/ Buzzrd x1, Mis Thrsh (h) and a GSW in garden nr Town @btosomerset.bsky.social @somersetbirds.bsky.social +joined the BTO today.

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Derek C @derekfc1960.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

This morning I was pleased to hear Cettis W between Somerton Door drove and River Cary. More Reed Ws than anything else. Strangely Merlin recorded a SEO. @btosomerset.bsky.social @somersetbirds.bsky.social

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Derek C @derekfc1960.bsky.social · 31/05/2026

The BW Teal at Ham Wall was elusive this afternoon.Was informed it was seen for about 3 seconds. I only spent about half an hour looking as it was crowded on VP1. Noticed a Lapwing dive bombing a GWE and the Egret stabbed out its beak each time. @btosomerset.bsky.social @somersetbirds.bsky.social

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Derek C @derekfc1960.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

Found this at our depot this morning. A Cinnabar Moth

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Derek C @derekfc1960.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

At RSPB Greylake I was intrigued by a young hooded man going onto to Reserve at 9pm. No binoculars ...I said "good evening" but he ignored me. @rspb.bsky.social There is a camper van in the car park ...probably here for the night

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Derek C @derekfc1960.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

Had a perfect chill out at RSPB Greylake this evening. Loads of Reed Warblers. 6 Different Warblers. Photogenic Common Cranes (4 in total). Bitterns Booming. Yellow Wagtails heard not seen

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Derek C @derekfc1960.bsky.social · 09/05/2026

Had a quick visit to VP1 at RSPB Ham Wall this afternoon. A single Whimbrel was with 4 Blackwits but disappeared before I could capture a decent imagel. This was the best I could manage @btosomerset.bsky.social @somersetbirds.bsky.social

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Reposted by Derek C

Adam Gale @adamgale.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

Honeybuzard circling high over West Coker just now before drifting off NE towards Yeovil, i'll have that as a Coker tick, wonderful bird!!

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Derek C @derekfc1960.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

Had a recount and actually had a list of 61 species at RSPB Ham Wall today. Highlight was the Wood Sandpiper and 2 Bitterns in a tandem flight. The Sandpiper was a lifer for the others in a group of 4.

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Derek C @derekfc1960.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

Visited Ham Wall 7am -11.15am. 50 species. Highlight a Wood Sandpiper at VP1 (lifer for birders I went with). First Hobbies of year(distant) and nice views of 2 Bitterns together in flight (pleased a 13 year old in our small group). Surprised to see 6 Shelduck overhead at VP1 Cuckoo heard/Shapwick

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Derek C @derekfc1960.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

Wood Sandpiper still at VP1 at RSPB Ham Wall at 9am this morning. @btosomerset.bsky.social @somersetbirds.bsky.social

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Derek C @derekfc1960.bsky.social · 03/05/2026

And some more here / from Pembrokeshire

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Derek C @derekfc1960.bsky.social · 03/05/2026

Finished a weeks holiday in Trefin Pembrokeshire yesterday. Took lots of photos with new Nikon Coolpix P950. Lots of bad ones but thought these were ok.

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Derek C @derekfc1960.bsky.social · 02/05/2026

Dropped into Goldcliffe Pools this afternoon after a week in Pembrokeshire. Pleased to find some new birds for our holiday list.

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Derek C @derekfc1960.bsky.social · 02/05/2026

Joined Blue Sky today after so many other birders have switched from X. The BTO Somerset announcing they had quit X for Blue Sky finally made me change.

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