iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Geoff & Steph @geoffsteph.bsky.social · 13/10/2026

Wonderful Woodsford #DorsetBirds along the River Frome 🇬🇧 🪶 Green Sandpiper, Grey Wagtail, 3 Grey Heron, c10 Chaffinch, 2 Cetti's, Stonechat, Kestrel, Buzzard. LT Tits! Nearby Silverlake; 9 redhead Goosander, 100+ Greylag, 100+ Canada, Lt Egret, a few Meadow Pipit, lots Coot, GBBG & Herring Gulls.

Low water despite the rain at East/South Lakes, Silverlake, Warmwell 🇬🇧

0211

Geoff & Steph @geoffsteph.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

A rare Twitch to @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social to find the seasonal Red-backed Shrike #DorsetBirds 🇬🇧 🪶 👌 That makes 250 European Birds for us for 2026! ✅️ Easier at Ferrybridge with 4 Bar-tailed Godwit, Knot, Sanderling, 3 Turnstone, 2 Oystercatcher, Little Egret, lots of Dunlin & Ringed Plover. Nice

Across the Crown Estate field to Portland Bird Observatory.

Portland Bill; seal, Gannet, Gulls, Auks!

Late afternoon & a rising tide at Ferrybridge, Dorset 🇬🇧

1221

Geoff & Steph @geoffsteph.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Marvellous Maiden Castle #DorsetBirds 🇬🇧 🪶 Red Kite bothered by Corvids, 2 Raven, Kestrel. 2 pair resident Stonechat. Chiffchaff, more Robin than usual. Large flocks of Linnet & Starling. Visible/audible migration; large numbers of Skylark & Meadow Pipit passing over. Sparrowhawk, Whitfield Farm ❤️

0261

Geoff & Steph @geoffsteph.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

🌞 & warm, Winfrith Heath DWT @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social #DorsetBirds 🪶 🇬🇧 Dartford Warbler, 7 Stonechat, Jay, 3 Chiffchaff, 6 Swallow, flocks Meadow Pipit. 3+ Buzzard, 3 sightings of Kestrel, Red Kite ♥️ 2 Raven, Sparrowhawk, 2 LtEgret, Grey Heron. Tits; Coal,LT,Blue. Chaffinch, Robin & Blackbird

Winfrith Heath, Dorset Wildlife Trust 🇬🇧

Winfrith Heath on a sunny & warm October day.

Steph having a good day in October sunshine 🌞

0161

Geoff & Steph @geoffsteph.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

In search of Barnacle Geese at Silverlake #DorsetBirds 🇬🇧 🪶 Found 5 Barnacle on Middle Lake. Water level very low! 100s of Canada, 40+ each of Egyptian & Greylag Geese. Buzzard, LtEgret, Grey Heron, a few Coot, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Swan, Cormorant. Plenty of Gulls; Mediterranean, Herring, GtBlkBk 😃

Very low water at Silverlake, Dorset 🇬🇧 but plenty of birds.

0120

Geoff & Steph @geoffsteph.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

50 minutes with a Spotted Crake at Lodmoor 🌞 Postbox Pool from 1130hr 🪶 #DorsetBirds 🇬🇧 Also, 3 Osprey sightings (fishing), Peregrine, Buzzard, Kestrel. 3 Great White Egret, 3 Snipe, 2 LtGrebe. 4 Shoveler, several Gadwall & Teal, Coot. Ferrybridge had 6 Barwit, Curlew, Sanderling, 3 Oyc, 5 Turnstone.

A blue sky 💙 ✨️ day at the Postbox Pool, Lodmoor, Weymouth 🇬🇧

0261

Geoff & Steph @geoffsteph.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Postbox Pool, Lodmoor 🪶 #DorsetBirds Curlew Sandpiper spooked by Marsh Harrier, 2 Snipe, 17 Blackwit, 25+ Lapwing, GreenSandpiper, GWE, Gadwall & Teal, LtEgret, GreyHeron. West Scrape, 4+ alba Wagtail, Wheatear. Ferrybridge, lots Swallow, R Plover, Dunlin, Linnet. GreyPlover, Sanderling, 5 Turnstone

The famous Postbox Pool at Lodmoor, Weymouth 🇬🇧 Curlew Sandpiper today 😀

Low tide but rising at Ferrybridge. Shame that the local fisherfolk take the shortcut across the reserve mud flats, often with dogs, disturbing hundreds of birds!

0111

Geoff & Steph @geoffsteph.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Alternate 🌞 & heavy cloud at Maiden Castle this morning #DorsetBirds 🪶 2 Yellowhammer & several Greenfinch in roaming flocks with Goldfinch & lots of Linnet. 2 resident Kestrel, resident Raven, 4 resident Stonechat ♥️ Fields of Rook, Jackdaw, Crow. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social Plenty Clouded Yellow ⛅️

A dark moment, Maiden Castle, view to South.

090

Geoff & Steph @geoffsteph.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Nordfjord, Norway 🇳🇴 to Southampton 🇬🇧 🪶 Day 1: Glaucous Gull, first winter. Sooty Shearwater, Red-breasted Merganser heading South. 120+ Fulmar, 20 Gannet, Black-backed Gulls. Day 2: 13 Fulmar, 26 Gannet, Kittiwake. Numerous Great & Lesser Black-backed Gulls. 4 hour sea watches. Up to Force 7.

A respite with Blue Skies. Looking due North. Otherwise, a lot of rain 🌧 & rough 🌊 seas!

The Borealis in Nordfjordeid Norway 🇳🇴 😍

090

Geoff & Steph @geoffsteph.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Norway 🇳🇴 in September 🪶 17 Gannet, 7 Arctic Skua, 3 Great Skua, Yellow Wagtail over the North Sea en route. Many House Martin & Swallow feeding in Stavanger. Eidfjord had a White-tailed Eagle, 2 Dipper, Grey Wag, 2 RBM. Hooded Crows & White Wagtail everywhere. 8 RBM, 2 Mandarin Duck, Nordfjordeid 😍

190

Geoff & Steph @geoffsteph.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Friday, a wander on Maiden Castle #DorsetBirds 🇬🇧 🪶 @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social Spotted Flycatcher, Whinchat male. 2 Northern Wheatear 1m1f in the car park. 3 Chiffchaff in a mixed flock of Tits. Flocks Linnet. 2 pairs Stonechat. Resident Kestrel & female Sparrowhawk doing her rounds, lovely 😍

0101

Geoff & Steph @geoffsteph.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Mizzle morning, Maiden Castle #DorsetBirds 🇬🇧 🪶 3 migrating Northern Wheatear passing through, with a Chiffchaff feeding from the hawthorns, en route for somewhere warmer. 2 pair resident Stonechat and a local Raven. Growing flocks Linnet. Surrounding fields covered with Rooks, Crows & Jackdaws.

Light but unpleasant precipitation at Maiden Castle fields 🇬🇧

0100

Geoff & Steph @geoffsteph.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Autumn, Lodmoor #Weymouth #DorsetBirds 🇬🇧 🪶 4 Great White Egret, Marsh Harrier, 10 Yellow Wagtail 💛 30+ Blackwit, 1 Barwit, 2 Common Sandpiper, Raven, Green Woodpecker, 2 Cetti's, Lt Grebe, several Lapwing, Swallow, Gadwall, Teal. 200+ Mediterranean Gull. 10 Bearded Reedling 😍 at overgrown Radipole.

Darkening sky, almost Autumn 🍂 Lodmoor RSPB

0172

Geoff & Steph @geoffsteph.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Grey skies, great birding, Seaton Wetlands #Devon #UKbirding 🪶 Sandpipers; Pectoral, 2 Wood, c5 Common, 2 Curlew Sandpiper. Ruff, at least 4 Spotted Redshank, many Redshank, Ringed Plover, Blackwit, Dunlin, Lapwing. Greenshank, Snipe, White Wagtail. 3+ Curlew. 3 Osprey sightings. 2 juv Shelduck. 🇬🇧

Black Hole Marsh from the Tower hide, on a grey weather day.

0191

Geoff & Steph @geoffsteph.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

RSPB ARNE on a rather grey day 🪶 #DorsetBirds 🇬🇧 @harbourbirds.bsky.social Nice group of migrants: 2 fem Redstart, 3 Pied Flycatcher 1m2f 1st winter, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, with Willow Warbler & 2 Chiffchaff. Treecreeper, flock tits & Chaffinches. Lots Curlew, Blackwit, Redshank, LtEgret. Swallows.

0162

Geoff & Steph @geoffsteph.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

a quiet check on Maiden Castle, midafternoon Thursday. 13kt wind from the SW. 🪶 #DorsetBirds #Dorchester 2 active Northern Wheatear & a Stonechat nearby. A single Swallow overhead. Flocks of Linnet & Starling. Masses of Crows & Rooks. 🇬🇧

0152

Geoff & Steph @geoffsteph.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Excellent shot of the Ruff, Kate🪶

1101

Geoff & Steph @geoffsteph.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

You're welcome 😊 Always happy to share...

000

Geoff & Steph @geoffsteph.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

the chores done, a late afternoon walk at Maiden Castle #Dorchester #DorsetBirds 🇬🇧 🪶 five Wheatear, 3 Whinchat, Willow Warbler, on migration South. 8+ Stonechat, including several juveniles, some just fledged. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social

1161

Geoff & Steph @geoffsteph.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

sojourn in the wonderful Thorncombe Wood #DorsetBirds 🇬🇧 🪶 Red Kite over Rushy Pond 1105hr. 4 or 5 Siskin enjoying the muddy water in the much diminished Pond. Resident Buzzard in the trees. Nuthatch, Green Woodpecker, Stock Doves & Woodpigeons. Some very bright Robins singing again.

A track through Thorncombe Wood, by Thomas Hardy's Cottage, Dorset 🇬🇧

0171

Geoff & Steph @geoffsteph.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Thursday, Lodmoor #Weymouth #DorsetBirds 🇬🇧 🪶 2 GWE 1 Wood Sandpiper 2 Common Sandpiper 3 Greenshank few Lapwing 1 Oyc 2 Barwit c20 Blackwit 1 Yellow Wagtail 💛 55 Lesser BBG c20 Mediterranean Gull 1 Little Tern 20+ Common Tern 2 GWE 1 Spoonbill flocks Starling 3 Cormorant 1 Knot ❤️ c10 Dunlin

091

Geoff & Steph @geoffsteph.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Red Kite over Hog Hill 1030hr in dispute with a Crow, headed off towards Martinstown.🪶 #DorsetBirds 🇬🇧 Also, 3 Kestrel flying together over Maiden Castle. Resident Raven. 3 Buzzard over Hog Hill. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social Hog Hill had a Stoat & 1+2 Hares, too...

0111

Geoff & Steph @geoffsteph.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Tuesday morning check on Maiden Castle #Dorchester #DorsetBirds 🇬🇧 🪶 5 Wheatear dropped in South of the car park as I walked back; swiftly headed on South. Whinchat still, corner of Hog Hill. 3 Whitethroat, 5 Stonechat, flocks Linnet. Hobby flew E to W at 0950hr. Sparrowhawk, Kestrel. 2 Swallows ❤️

0100

Geoff & Steph @geoffsteph.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

So, Monday morning in a 14kt Easterly wind, Maiden Castle 🪶 3 Wheatear, Whinchat, 15+ Stonechat braving the wind. Resident Raven & Kestrel. Flocks of Linnet. #DorsetBirds @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social

0122

Geoff & Steph @geoffsteph.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

Nice Pied Flycatcher, Alan 👍

010

Geoff & Steph @geoffsteph.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

Maiden Castle perambulation #DorsetBirds 🇬🇧 🪶 10 Stonechat (several juveniles), 7 Whitethroat, 2 Yellowhammer 💛 ✨️ One Whinchat, one Willow Warbler; both migrating South. 2 Raven, 2 Buzzard, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk having a hard time from Crows. Lots Rooks. Flocks Linnet growing larger, 2 Goldfinch!

A dry landscape. SE corner Maiden Castle looking South.

Parched still, despite the recent rain. From the Eastern entrance to Maiden Castle looking North...

080

Geoff & Steph @geoffsteph.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

Fluffy clouds, blue skies 💙 Maiden Castle #Dorchester #DorsetBirds 🇬🇧 🌞 Red Kite over Hog Hill, flock migrant Willow Warbler moving South. Several Chiffchaff, 1 Whitethroat, 12 Stonechat incl juv, 3 migrant Wheatear. 🪶 2 Raven, Kestrel. Small flocks Linnet & Corn Bunting. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social

View West, Maiden Castle. The set-aside regenerating.

Along the banks & ditches, Maiden Castle walk.

0201

Geoff & Steph @geoffsteph.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

Arne #RSPB #DorsetBirds 🇬🇧 🪶 heavy cloud, minimal precipitation at the Saline Lagoon. 3 Osprey together, Kingfisher, 2 LtGrebe, Curlew, Cormorant, GreyHeron, LtEgret, 2 Oyc, lots Stock Dove. Stonechat & Chiffy on the gorse. Female GOSHAWK & another Osprey by Wareham Channel. Raven, GSW in Big Wood.

The Saline Lagoon, under heavy clouds. ARNE RSPB

Heathland and view to the Wareham Channel, Arne, Dorset 🇬🇧

View to Long Island & Brownsea, as the weather brightened. Always good for Sandwich Terns, from Jim & Duncan's bench.

0343

Geoff & Steph @geoffsteph.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

Lovely Lodmoor #Weymouth #DorsetBirds 🇬🇧 🪶 6+10+4 Yellow Wagtail 💛, male Wheatear, Greenshank, Redshank, 20 Blackwit, 21 Dunlin, c10 Ringed Plover, 7 Sandwich Tern, 4 Cm Tern, several Lapwing & Oyc. One juv Shelduck, 2 CmSandpiper, 2 Green Sandpiper, 20+ Med Gull, 8 LtEgret, 7 GreyHeron, 10+ Gadwall.

Sunflowers at Dorchester, Dorset, today 💛

291

Geoff & Steph @geoffsteph.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Another 🌞 Maiden Castle day #DorsetBirds 🇬🇧 #Dorchester 🪶 migrant Whinchat, resident Raven, Kestrel, Wren. 7 Stonechat, including juveniles. 3 summer resident Whitethroat. Rushy Pond, now Rushy Puddle, had a hunting 1 metre long grass snake. Juvenile migrant Willow Warbler nearby. Nuthatch & Tits.

Thomas Hardy's heathland, already turning to Autumn 🍂 🇬🇧

1181

Geoff & Steph @geoffsteph.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

We could smell the smoke in Poundbury late this morning... Pleased to hear everything is under control!

010

Geoff & Steph @geoffsteph.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Walk by the River Frome, West of Dorchester #DorsetBirds 🇬🇧 🪶 Pied Flycatcher (first winter, stopping off on migration) ❤️ Spotted Flycatcher, pair Bullfinch, lots Chiffchaff (inc 3 juv on branch being fed by adult). 5 Kingfisher sightings (likely 1 or 2 birds. Hobby, Raven, 2 Buzzard, G Heron, Wrens.

Kingfisher country, Frome, Dorchester, Dorset ❤️

0253

Geoff & Steph @geoffsteph.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Badbury Rings in the 🌞 #DorsetBirds 🇬🇧 🪶 Plenty of evidence of successful breeding... 31 Stonechat, 21 Whitethroat. Bullfinch family. Probable migrants, 2 lovely Willow Warbler in car park. 2 Wheatear. Small flocks Linnet & Goldfinch. Raven, Kestrel, Buzzard. Green Woodpecker. Red Kite at Blandford.

Blue sky at Badbury Rings, National Trust 🇬🇧

0140

Geoff & Steph @geoffsteph.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Fair weather cloud, zero rain, fresher at Maiden Castle #DorsetBirds 🇬🇧 🪶Residents: Buzzard, 3 Raven, Kestrel. 4 Whitethroat at two sites, 2 Yellowhammer (a pair), 10+ Stonechat incl juveniles. 5 Meadow Pipit, Chiffchaff. Small flocks of Linnet, Goldfinch, Starling, House Sparrow. Blue Tit family 😍

Hog Hill, next to Maiden Castle. The crop harvested!

0181

Geoff & Steph @geoffsteph.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

🌞 Lodmoor, bit windy #DorsetBirds #Weymouth 🪶 2 Green Sandpiper, c10 Lapwing, 18 Dunlin, 10 Blackwit, 6 Ringed Plover, few Oystercatcher, lots Canada. 3 Cattle Egret, several LtEgret & Grey Heron. Peregrine hunting! 2 Sandwich Tern, 30+ Common Tern. Cetti's family. Sparrowhawk, South of Came Down.

1131

Geoff & Steph @geoffsteph.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

🌞 & jolly warm, #RSPB Arne. #DorsetBirds 🇬🇧 @harbourbirds.bsky.social 🪶 4+2 Raven, lots Curlew, Canada. c10 each of Blackwit, Oyc, Cormorant. c20 juv Shelduck, several LtEgret & Grey Heron. Cuckoo heard Shipstal, CmSandpiper on Long Island, 4 Sandwich Tern. Nuthatch, Stonechat, tits&finches. 4 seals!

From Shipstal Hill, Long Island & Brownsea beyond.

Coombe Heath; view to Middlebere. Arne RSPB, Dorset 🇬🇧

0192

Geoff & Steph @geoffsteph.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Wolfeton House #Dorchester #Dorset 🇬🇧 Grade 1 listed! Previous visitors, Kings, Queens & Sir Walter Raleigh... 🪶 flock of c200 Goldfinch on the thistles, a few House Martin overhead #DorsetBirds

0130

Geoff & Steph @geoffsteph.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

No Corn Bunting! The set-aside has been mown down to bare earth; that's their spot. It will be a while before that recovers...

110

Geoff & Steph @geoffsteph.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

Several Clouded Yellow on the rings of Maiden Castle today, too, Dave... butterflies galore

170

Geoff & Steph @geoffsteph.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

End of a 2 week heatwave, but Maiden Castle parched with no rain forecast #DorsetBirds 🪶 3 Stonechat (1 juvenile), lots Linnet & Goldfinch. 2 Common Whitethroat, 2 Kestrel. 🇬🇧

1161

Geoff & Steph @geoffsteph.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

🌞 24degC Lodmoor RSPB 🪶 #Weymouth #DorsetBirds 🇬🇧 4 Green Sandpiper at the Postbox Pool, 2 Great White Egret on the West scrape. c6 Lapwing, 2 Blackwit (one breeding plumage), Raven. Plenty Cm Tern & BH Gull with numerous juveniles. 20+ Med Gull. c10 Grey Heron, lot LtEgret. 40+Swift over Came Down

The Postbox Pool at Lodmoor RSPB. 4 Green Sandpiper today.

Sunny day at Lodmoor's West scrape, Weymouth, Dorset, 🇬🇧

0100

Geoff & Steph @geoffsteph.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

Last night, Monday, on Roman Road, Puddletown Forest for the Nightjars #DorsetBirds 🇬🇧 🪶 Up to 14 seen flying, including our favourite pair, who now appear to have two juveniles with them. So, breeding success! Multiple birds churring etc. Distant Tawny Owl heard. Strawberry Moon obscured by clouds.

Pitch dark; headtorch required! On Roman Road...

0160

Geoff & Steph @geoffsteph.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

There should be many more Waders here in September, Alan, but the breeding birds will have departed, of course. Sounds great in France 🇫🇷 👍

010

Geoff & Steph @geoffsteph.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

First #Northumberland Eider at Amble & 24 RBM. Coquet island, 100s Grey Seals, Roseate Terns, lots Puffin, Guillemot, Sandwich & Common Tern. Hauxley NWT, flock Tree Sparrow, numerous birds, plenty of hides. Seahouses, Farne islands, 1000s Guillemot, Puffin & Kittiwake, 100s Arctic Tern, +Razorbill.

Coquet island (colour & light as taken, no modifications!) Northumberland 🇬🇧

An Arctic Tern on Inner Farne, National Trust, Northumberland 🇬🇧

2026 list of 'breeding birds' on Inner Farne, compliments 🇬🇧 National Trust ✨️

Thousands of Puffin, Guillemot, Kittiwake on the Farne islands with 100s Arctic Tern & a few Razorbill 🇬🇧

1121

Geoff & Steph @geoffsteph.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

Nosterfield #Yorkshire 🇬🇧 🪶 Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Willow Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Reed Bunting, Chiffchaff. Little Ringed Plover, Avocet, Redshank, Curlew, Lapwing, Oyc, GCG, LtGrebe. Shoveler, Tuftie, Gadwall, Shelduck, Pochard. Med Gull! Marsh Harrier on Flasks.

The reedbed & Flasks, Nosterfield, Yorkshire

0110

Geoff & Steph @geoffsteph.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

Grandson, Charlie, just back from the World War 1 Battlefields on an organised school trip. He was able to visit a family grave and lay a wreath. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them... 🇬🇧

1120