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First Black Rustic of the autumn in last nights trap. Also my 39th Vestal of the year! & Barred Sallow 17/7 Chard, South Somerset VC5 #teammoth

Vestal on cardboard (my 39th of the year!)

Barred Sallow in plastic pot. 3 caught the night before.

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Dave Helliar @dhelliar.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

6 Grey Heron formation flying on 24/09, 2 Stonechat 2/10, upto 23 Teal, 2 Green Sandpiper still 2/10, 15 Lt Grebe, c.10 Mipit, Skylarks over daily, Water Rail, definitely feeling autumn like. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social

Unusual sight locally of 6 Grey Heron over west late evening on 24th Sept

One of two Stonechat dropped in on 26th Sept & are still present 2nd Oct

Up to 23 Teal now commuting between my Dorset patch & Chard Res just over the border in Somerset

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Dave Helliar @dhelliar.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Ditto Tim at both #ChardRes & the Dorset patch! The worst autumn for wader passage here for decades, no idea why.

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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

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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 fields

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

Two (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

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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

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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

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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

Dwarf 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

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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

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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

Linnets 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!

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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

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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.

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

Fleabane Pearl, a NFM species, unfortunately it escaped before I could pot it!

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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

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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 patch

Record 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!

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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!

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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 patch

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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 & Mallards

Black Tern inflight over Chard Reservoir....record shot!

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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

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Dave Helliar @dhelliar.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Certainly looks like it, Martin. Here's a photo of one I caught recently (Had 2 records this month)

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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

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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 Agrimony

Male? Brown Hairstreak nectaring on Hemp Agrimony, missing part of its' hind wing!

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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

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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.

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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

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Dave Helliar @dhelliar.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

Had one on 10th July, not sure why I didn't upload here, they're rather smart!

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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! 🤞

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Dave Helliar @dhelliar.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

Incredible numbers of Clouded Yellow seen at my inland Dorset patch this morning....at least 19 including this 'helice' form. 14 were counted on just one quarry bank! Also Ruddy Darter (my first here for 5 years) @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @britishdragonflies.bsky.social

Male Ruddy Darter perched on Dock seedheads

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Dave Helliar @dhelliar.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Is this species of Ear Moth identifiable please? Canary-shouldered Thorn (NFG) Knot Grass & Bird's-nest Moth (both NFM) Only migrants; 9 Small Mottled Willow & a Diamond-back. 13/07/26 (75/32) Chard, South Somerset VC5 #teammoth @thedetermin8or.bsky.social

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Dave Helliar @dhelliar.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Green Sandpiper at the Dorset patch this am & now 3 Teal. Just over the border in Somerset, 2 Egyptian Geese at #ChardRes at noon @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @somersetbirds.bsky.social #Somersetbirding

Green Sandpiper unusually, sitting down!

2 Egyptian Geese perched on tree trunk with 4 adult BH Gulls

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Dave Helliar @dhelliar.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

Marbled Green & Hawthorn Drab (NFM) in last nights trap. Rosy Footman (NFY) 9 Small Mottled Willow & a Silver Y the only migrants (75/34) Chard, South Somerset VC5 #teammoth

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Dave Helliar @dhelliar.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

I guess a 2nd brood Dingy Skipper on the Dorset patch this morning & at least 4 Clouded Yellow still belting around. @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social

2nd brood (?) Dingy Skipper resting on stones with wings partially closed.

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Dave Helliar @dhelliar.bsky.social · 11/07/2026

2 juvenile Lapwing on the Dorset patch this morning. Marsh Tit heard after a month or so of no sightings. Treecreeper singing & Raven over. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social

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Dave Helliar @dhelliar.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

First returning Shoveler on the Dorset patch this evening & another Green Sandpiper. #PWC2026 @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social

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Dave Helliar @dhelliar.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

3, possibly 4 Clouded Yellow at the Dorset patch in 32C! Even this Grass Snake seemed too hot to bother to move! 🐍🥵 @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social #herps

One of 3 or 4 Clouded Yellow seen today.

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