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Dave Helliar

@dhelliar.bsky.social
814 followers 293 following 901 posts

Local patch birding in Somerset, Devon & Dorset & anything to do with natural history. Retired & now trying to do my little bit to help the natural world.

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Dave Helliar @dhelliar.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
New for garden L-album Wainscot in last nights feeble 16/6 Also a Rusty Dot Pearl. Chard, South Somerset VC5 #teammoth
L-album Wainscot photo taken under artificial light & beginning to warm up.L-album Wainscot on bramble leaf, photo taken in natural light.
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Dave Helliar @dhelliar.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
An amazing 10 Vestal in last nights trap, bringing the total to 35 for the year! Chard, South Somerset VC5 Also 2 Small Mottled Willow & Small Fan-footed Wave 82/11 #teammoth
Gorgeous pink VestalA duller brown VestalSmall Mottled Willow or Beet Armyworm
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Dave Helliar @dhelliar.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
An hour stroll around set-a-side fields nr Chard gave 3 Whinchat, 6 Stonechat, 16 Skylark, 8 Stock Dove & c.100 Linnet in murky, windy weather. Earlier at #ChardRes the Kingfisher brightened the morning. 12 Mandarin are gaining colour too, 4 Lt Egret & the 'resident' Cetti's Warbler #Somerestbirding
One of three Whinchat hunkering down in set-a-side fieldsKingfisher posing at Chard Reservoir
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Dave Helliar @dhelliar.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
A couple new insects for me today: A Stonefly (Leuctra fusca) & I think Knapweed Rhopalid (Stictopleurus abutilon)? #inverts
Leuctra fuscaKnapweed Rhopalid (Stictopleurus abutilon)?
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Dave Helliar @dhelliar.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
The second Dunlin this autumn at my inland Dorset patch, I was hoping for something American when I spied it on the far side of the lake! Still 2 Green Sandpiper present & a unwelcome 96 Canada Geese! @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
Juvenile Dunlin in shallow waterJuvenile Dunlin on muddy shore
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Dave Helliar @dhelliar.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Old Lady was NFM in last nights' busy trap. 2 more Vestal (23rd & 24th of year) singles of Silver Y & Cypress Pug, 2 Rosy-striped Knot-horn ('Rhubarb & Custard'). 83 LYU! made up 110/17 Chard, South Somerset VC5 #teammoth
Old Lady on bramble leafRosy-striped Knot-horn ('Rhubarb & Custard')VestalCypress Pug on concrete step
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Dave Helliar @dhelliar.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Clifden Nonpareil literally flew into the trap as I was inspecting it tonight! New for garden & only the 2nd I've seen. Chard, South Somerset VC5 #teammoth @migrantmothuk.bsky.social
Clifden Nonpareil in very large glass jar!
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Dave Helliar @dhelliar.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Rewarding 2 hours on The Blackdowns this pm: Whinchat, 5 Wheatear, Redstart, 8 Stonechat, 7 Meadow Pipit, 6 Skylark, 11+ Pied Wagtail, 2 Linnet & 1 Hare @somersetbirds.bsky.social
Whinchat on fenceWheatear on fence postWheatear on discarded fleeceRecord shot of Redstart in willow.
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Dave Helliar @dhelliar.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
6 Yellow Wagtail feeding around cattle this evening at the Dorset patch. Linnet this am was 1st of year here & getting scarce on patch. Meadow Pipits heard. 3 Green Sandpiper still. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social 3km #PWC2026
Yellow Wagtail on muddy shoreYellow Wagtail feeding around cattleTwo (of six present) Yellow Wagtail feeding around cattle
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Dave Helliar @dhelliar.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
2 more Vestal in last nights trap (19th/20th of year!), also singles of Small Mottled Willow & Silver Y. Centre-barred Sallow was NFM. Total included 39 LYUW! 74/21 Chard, South Somerset VC5 #teammoth
Vestal (2 caught)Centre-barred Sallow
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Dave Helliar @dhelliar.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Juvenile Hobby at the Dorset patch this morning, otherwise quiet with singles of Green Sandpiper, Spotted Flycatcher & Kingfisher. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
Juvenile Hobby perched in Ash treeJuvenile Hobby perched in Ash tree
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Dave Helliar @dhelliar.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
Olive-tree Pearl, 2 Vestal (17th & 18th of year!), 1 Silver Y & 1 Rusty Dot Pearl were last nights' migrants. Feathered Gothic was NFG. 85/26. Chard, South Somerset VC5 #teammoth
Olive-tree Pearl on bramble leafVery bright VestalSecond VestalNFG Feathered Gothic
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Dave Helliar @dhelliar.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Now 4 Whinchat on set-a-side fields near Chard. Stonechat still. On the dwarf Sunflower field, at least one Yellow Wagtail. Red Kite high over my garden later. @somersetbirds.bsky.social
One of four WhinchatDwarf Sunflower field held at least one Yellow Wagtail, plus small flocks of Linnet, Goldfinch & Greenfinch
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Dave Helliar @dhelliar.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Two (of three found) Brown Hairstreak eggs in a casual look at Blackthorn at the Dorset patch today. @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social
Two Brown Hairstreak eggs on twig of Blackthorn.
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Dave Helliar @dhelliar.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
2 Yellow Wagtail, 7 White Wagtail & c.15 Pied Wagtail feeding at the Dorset patch this am. 2 Spot Fly & 2 Green Sand still. Meadow Pipit heard & flock c.30 Greenfinch over recently cut maize fields @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
One of two Yellow Wagtail feeding around lake & cattle.
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Dave Helliar @dhelliar.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
My 15th Vestal this year in the trap last night, also 6 Silver Y, my second Dark Sword-grass & my first Cypress Pug. 66/15 Chard, South Somerset VC5 #teammoth
Vestal (15th of the year!)Dark Sword-grass (only my second)Cypress Pug (New for me)
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Dave Helliar @dhelliar.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Seaton Wetlands was a wader fest today. Pectoral Sandpiper dropped in at around noon (great find by visiting birders) Singles of Curlew & Wood Sandpipers, Ruff, plus 2 Spotted Redshank made a very special visit! #DevonBirds
Juvenile Pectoral SandpiperJuvenile Curlew SandpiperWood Sandpiper
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Dave Helliar @dhelliar.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Set-a-side fields near Chard providing good habitat for 3 Whinchat, 1 Stonechat, 2 Whitethroat, 3 Chiffchaff, c.200 Linnet, 2 Yellowhammer & a Kestrel @somersetbirds.bsky.social
Whinchat on Dock seedheadsWhinchat on Dock seedheadsLinnets in Hawthorn hedge (c.200 present)View across one of three set-a-side fields near Chard
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Dave Helliar @dhelliar.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
GBB Gull with carp supper! Kingfisher with slightly smaller fry! #ChardRes this evening @somersetbirds.bsky.social
Adult GBB Gull eating the remains of a dead carp!GBB Gull managed to shake off the bones eventually!Kingfisher with small fishKingfisher chilling
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Dave Helliar @dhelliar.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Dunlin present for its' 3rd day at my inland Dorset patch. 2 Green Sand, 5 Teal, 7 Tufties, 1 Grey & 8 Pied Wagtail, 2 Spot Fly. 25 adult/imm Lt Grebe + 2 juv. 10 Coot @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
Dunlin & Green Sandpiper on muddy shoreline
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Dave Helliar @dhelliar.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
First Dunlin of the year at the Dorset patch this evening, 3 Green Sandpiper, 16 Teal & at least 5 Spotted Flycatcher still. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social #PWC2026
Dunlin in bright evening sunshine
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Reposted by Dave Helliar
Sarah Finch @sarahfinch.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
The Isles of Scilly is home to amazing marine life, but South West Water plans to pump untreated sewage straight into these protected waters. Scilly deserves the best sewage treatment, not a cheap fix. Help protect this beautiful ecosystem and add your name: you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/gi...
you.38degrees.org.uk
Stop untreated sewage polluting the Isles of Scilly
South West Water plans to pump untreated sewage into one of the UK's most protected marine environments. Add your name to demand the highest standard of sewage treatment for the Isles of Scilly and he...
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Dave Helliar @dhelliar.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
The second Black Tern to grace #ChardRes this month! It dropped in during heavy rain at 11 am, but seems to have moved on by this evening. At the Dorset patch now 7 Spotted Flycatcher feeding along fence line & a Green Sandpiper still. @somersetbirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
Record shot of Black Tern in awful weather at Chard Res.Record shot of Black Tern in awful weather at Chard Res.4 of 7, Spotted Flycatcher perched on wire fence where they did sorties catching insects in pretty awful weather!
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Dave Helliar @dhelliar.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
Almost didn't bother with moth trap due to heavy rain forecast, but glad I did with my 11th Vestal of the year, European Corn Borer, Flounced Rustic & (NFM) Fleabane Pearl. just 22/10. Chard, South Somerset VC5 #teammoth
Vestal on plastic potEuropean Corn BorerFlounced RusticFleabane Pearl, a NFM species, unfortunately it escaped before I could pot it!
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Dave Helliar @dhelliar.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
Black Tern at #ChardRes, dropped in during torrential rain 11:00 @somersetbirds.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social
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Dave Helliar @dhelliar.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
3 Green & 1 Common Sandpiper at #ChardRes this morning. Adult Reed Warbler feeding 2 fledged young. 3 Teal @somersetbirds.bsky.social
Green SandpiperCommon Sandpiper
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Dave Helliar @dhelliar.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Just 3 Spot Flies at my Dorset patch today. Then 1st autumn visit to The Blackdowns, Somerset to find acres of awful maize fields replacing the usual wheat crops! Only found 1 Whinchat, 8 Stonechat & Whitethroat in the much deteriorated habitat I've birded since 2011 @somersetbirds.bsky.social
Two of three Spotted Flycatchers on fence line at Dorset patchRecord shot of Whinchat before it disappeared! The Blackdown Hills, Somerset
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Dave Helliar @dhelliar.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Veronica Moody Blues Dark Pink isn't sure what colour to be! Half pink, half purple! 🤔All the other flowers are pink. #hardyperennials #flowers
Veronica Moody Blues Dark Pink flower showing exactly half in pink & the other half purple!Veronica Moody Blues Dark Pink
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Dave Helliar @dhelliar.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Deserted my local patches to pop down to #SeatonWetlands for this Red-necked Phalarope this am. Didn't realise at the time it was a Devon tick! 2 Spotted Redshank were my first of the year. Good to meet lots of local birders too. #DevonBirds
Red-necked Phalarope always into the sun while I was there!Red-necked Phalarope always into the sun while I was there!One of two Spotted Redshank present
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Reposted by Dave Helliar
David @daverino.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
“The South Australian premier, Peter Malinauskas, has declared a “significant escalation” in H5 bird flu in the state after the detection of three mass mortality events involving more than 1,000 greater crested terns” www.theguardian.com/world/2026/a...
theguardian.com
More than 1,000 birds found dead in three mass mortality events amid ‘significant’ H5 escalation in Australia
South Australian premier Peter Malinauskas says there have still been no detections in poultry or livestock and no mass deaths involving mammals
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Dave Helliar @dhelliar.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Black Tern still present at #ChardRes this morning, also a Greenshank briefly & Green Sandpiper @somersetbirds.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social
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Dave Helliar @dhelliar.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
The much needed heavy showers worked their magic & dropped this Greenshank on to the Dorset patch this morning. Also present, the long staying 3 Green Sandpiper & a single Common Sand. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social #PWC2026 In south Somerset, the Black Tern is still at #ChardRes (for its' 4th day)
Greenshank on muddy shoreline at my inland Dorset patchGreenshank wading in shallow water
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Dave Helliar @dhelliar.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Black Tern still present at ##ChardRes 08:45 @somersetbirds.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social
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Dave Helliar @dhelliar.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Black Tern still present at #ChardRes this morning @somersetbirds.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social
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Dave Helliar @dhelliar.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
A change in the weather brought a nice movement of migrants to my local patches with Whinchat yesterday & Tree Pipit today in Dorset & a Black Tern at #ChardRes Somerset present for its' second day. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @somersetbirds.bsky.social #PWC2026
Black Tern settled on rocky shore with BH Gulls & MallardsBlack Tern inflight over Chard Reservoir....record shot!
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Dave Helliar @dhelliar.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Black Tern still present this morning ##SomersetBirding @birdguides.bsky.social
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Dave Helliar @dhelliar.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
Black Tern at #ChardRes this evening #SomersetBirding
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Dave Helliar @dhelliar.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
There are times when I wonder how many waders would be feeding on this near perfect scrape if it were located closer to the south coast! 7 miles is just too far inland unfortunately! Just 3 long staying Green Sandpiper today. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social #PWC2026
Rapidly drying silt-bedRapidly drying silt-bedTwo Green SandpiperOne Green Sandpiper & Pied Wagtail
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Reposted by Dave Helliar
Guardian Environment @environment.theguardian.com · 15/08/2026
First Australian death of little penguin with H5 bird flu confirmed on Phillip Island
theguardian.com
First Australian death of little penguin with H5 bird flu confirmed on Phillip Island
Authorities confirm first Australian death of species found with virus near where it attracts crowds to a ‘penguin parade’
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Dave Helliar @dhelliar.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Busier trap last night here in Chard, South Somerset VC5, with 104/32 Migrants: Vestal, European Corn-borer, 5 Small Mottled Willow, 4 Rush Veneer & a Diamond-back. The bulk was made up with 22 Vine's Rustic & 14 Shuttle-shaped Dart! #teammoth
Vestal in trapEuropean Corn-borer in trap.
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Dave Helliar @dhelliar.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
#PartialSolarEclipse over Chard, Somerset at maximum cover (about 94%) I was lucky to see the 1999 Total Solar Eclipse at Start Point, Devon, so good to compare the two.
Partial Solar Eclipse 12th August 2026 at 19:14
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Dave Helliar @dhelliar.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Pleased to find a Brown Hairstreak at the Dorset patch today that was nectaring on Water Mint & Hemp Agrimony giving good prolonged views. A worn individual though! @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social #inverts
Male? Brown Hairstreak nectaring on Hemp AgrimonyMale? Brown Hairstreak nectaring on Hemp Agrimony, missing part of its' hind wing!
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Reposted by Dave Helliar
Robin Parker @thegreatskua.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
I was fortunate to see two Brown Hairstreak butterflies at Longrun Meadow in Taunton today, with a female laying eggs on young Blackthorn, and a male seemingly nectaring at Bindweed. Only the second occasion that I’ve seen them. #bugsky #butterflies
Side view of a female Brown Hairstreak butterfly perched on a sunlit leaf.Side view of a female Brown Hairstreak butterfly laying an egg at the base of a Blakthorn leaf-stem.Side view of a male Brown Hairstreak butterfly at a Bindweed flower.Another view of the male Brown Hairstreak butterfly at a Bindweed flower.
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Dave Helliar @dhelliar.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
Small Ranunculus NFM in last nights trap. Also 3 Small Mottled Willow & a Silver-Y amongst 53/23 Chard, South Somerset VC5 #teammoth
Small Ranunculus when first foundSmall Ranunculus warming up!
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Dave Helliar @dhelliar.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
A new insect for me that I almost missed on the house wall near the moth trap this am - Spectacled Berry Fly (Anomoia purmunda), not good photos unfortunately & it flew before I could pot it! #inverts
Spectacled Berry Fly (Anomoia purmunda) Over all length 5 – 6.5mm. This small fly has a grey thorax and abdomen and a brown head and scutellum. It has pale green eyes with two brown bars across them. The wings are elaborately marked with black, the black curving lines towards the wing-tips are reminiscent of spectacles, hence the name.Spectacled Berry Fly (Anomoia purmunda)Spectacled Berry Fly (Anomoia purmunda)
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Dave Helliar @dhelliar.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
Brown Argus seen on the Dorset patch this morning. Also Brown Hairstreak photographed on 28th July by visitor after I'd seen one flying in crown of Ash tree the same morning. @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
Brown Argus settled on dry grass stems.
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Reposted by Dave Helliar
Simon 📹 🎸📷 @therockinbirder.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
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Reposted by Dave Helliar
Alison Stenning @alisonstenning.bsky.social · 26/07/2026
25 tonnes of nurdles, more than 1 billion nurdles, were spilled into the Tyne last week and are washing up on our beaches, north and south of the Tyne. Likely one of the largest ever plastic pollution events in the UK. There is remarkably little mention of this on here.
Guardian headline from Weds 22nd July reading:

“One billion plastic pellets spilled into River Tyne after two ships collide
Up to 25 tonnes of nurdles, the raw material for plastic manutacturing, have spread further than initially feared”

With an image of a beach covered in nurdles.
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Dave Helliar @dhelliar.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
Been suffering severe Sciatica for 10 days now & obviously it's restricting any activities! Can't even use the Moth trap, because I can't check & release! A couple brief visits to the Dorset patch gave my first Hobby & another Green Sandpiper. Hopefully the Osteopath sessions will soon cure it! 🤞
Green Sandpiper on siltbed
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Reposted by Dave Helliar
Craig Jones @craig63jones.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
Male and female Clouded Yellow. Grafton Wood, Worcs 20/7/26. @westmbms-99.bsky.social @worcswt.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social
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