Sign in

Graham Deacon

@grahamd12.bsky.social
118 followers 128 following 66 posts

Easily distracted by birds & moths. Birder, bird-ringing trainer in UK & Norway. North Wilts Ringing Group around Swindon, Salisbury Plain & Marlborough Downs. Selsey exile

PostsRepliesMedia
Graham Deacon @grahamd12.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Salisbury Plain session this morning with 223 birds processed. Chiffchaff migration now in full effect with 116 caught inc 2 UK controls & 97 Blackcap inc an Arnheim Holland control. The only other warbler ringed was a tardy Grasshopper Warbler #birdringing #migration @wiltsbirdclub.bsky.social
0182
Graham Deacon @grahamd12.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Salisbury Plain again today with 192 birds ringed, 625 over the last 3 days. Another big 136 Blackcap with Chiffchaff now moving with 43. Also, 4 Sedge & singles of Whitethroat, Reed & Willow Warbler & Sparrowhawk. Star bird was another stunning Wryneck, the 3rd of the Autumn #birdringing #migration
1495
Graham Deacon @grahamd12.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
More Salisbury Plain action today with a smaller team. Another big 132 Blackcap's processed along with the autumn's 3rd Firecrest, singles of Sedge, Grasshopper & Garden Warbler's plus 4 Whitethroat #birdringing #migration @wiltsbirdclub.bsky.social
1143
Graham Deacon @grahamd12.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
A full on morning on Salisbury Plain saw us process 284 birds. You can kind of get fed up with Blackcap's when you catch 208 of them but we also managed 3 Stonechat, Redstart, 2 Grasshopper, 2 Reed, 10 Sedge, 1 Willow, 6 Whitethroat & 36 Chiffchaff #birdringing #migration @wiltsbirdclub.bsky.social
080
Graham Deacon @grahamd12.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Another productive day on Salisbury Plain with 226 birds processed. Blackcap season is well under way with 163 caught. We also ringed, 2 Redstart, 4 Whinchat, 3 Stonechat, 15 Sedge & 4 Reed Warbler's, 14 Chiffchaff & 11 Whitethroat which included 2 controls #birdringing @wiltsbirdclub.bsky.social
081
Graham Deacon @grahamd12.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Another small scale session on Salisbury Plain today. Warbler variety is beginning to drop off & it was quiet for migrants. Still managed 5 Whinchat, 3 Redstart, Stonechat, Spotted Flycatcher, 50 Blackcap, 11 Sedge, 2 Reed, Garden, 4 Willow, 8 Whitethroat #birdringing @wiltsbirdclub.bsky.social
0131
Graham Deacon @grahamd12.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
Salisbury Plain again today with just 2 of us but we still managed 125 birds ringed. Blackcap again with the highest no's with 71 plus, Tree Pipit, Redstart, 5 Whinchat, 9 Grasshopper, 21 Sedge, 2 Reed, 3 Garden Warbler's #birdringing #migration
1131
Graham Deacon @grahamd12.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
Salisbury Plain today saw us process 224 birds. A big change in species make up with Blackcap's having increased massively during the week to 131 birds. Also caught: 2 Whinchat, Stonechat, 12 Willow, 21 Sedge, 8 Grasshopper Warbler's, 24 Whitethroat & bonus Wood Pigeon
020
Graham Deacon @grahamd12.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Quiet migrant morning on Salisbury Plain due to heavy overnight rain but it didn't stop the quality birds. After catching Wryneck on Monday we caught the site 11th today as well as a Firecrest, 4 Whinchat, 2 Redstart & 6 Grasshopper Warbler #birdringing #migration @wiltsbirdclub.bsky.social
061
Graham Deacon @grahamd12.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Spectacular CES11 on Salisbury Plain with the site's 10th Wryneck plus Firecrest & Spot Fly new for the year. 250 birds processed inc 12 Grasshopper, 8 Reed, 30 Sedge, 16 Willow, 15 Garden, 55 Whitethroat, 5 Lesser, 52 Blackcap. Water even fell out of the sky for 30 mins! @wiltsbirdclub.bsky.social
0222
Graham Deacon @grahamd12.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
Limited Salisbury Plain session this morning. Still manged 105 new birds With 2 control Sedge, 1 a SEO Madrid & a Willow. 2nd passage Nightjar ringed with 3 Redstart, Stonechat, Whinchat, 9 Grasshopper 25 Sedge, 2 Reed, 6 Willow, 7 Garden, 23 Whitethroat #birdringing @wiltsbirdclub.bsky.social
061
Graham Deacon @grahamd12.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
North Wilts Ringing Group ringing control: Sedge Warbler ringed Cumrue Loch, Dumfries & Galloway on the 14th August 2022, controlled by us on Salisbury Plain on the 8th August 2026. 1455 days since ringed, 449km movement. So far this bird has made 8 journey's across the Sahara
1253
Graham Deacon @grahamd12.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
Another great morning on Salisbury Plain with 222 birds processed. 1st Nightjar of the migrant season plus Whinchat, 3 Stonechat, 2 Tree Pipit, 6 Grasshopper, 10 Reed, 64 Sedge, 12 Willow, 20 Garden, 53 Whitethroat & Lesser Whitethroat #birdirnging #migration @wiltsbirdclub.bsky.social
0242
Graham Deacon @grahamd12.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
Lots of migrants on Salisbury Plain this morning with 215 birds processed. 2 Redstart, Stonechat, 6 Whinchat, 3 Tree Pipit, 10 Grasshopper, 10 Reed, 40 Sedge 22 Garden, 16 Willow Warbler's. Also 54 Whitethroat & Lesser. #birdirnging #migration @wiltsbirdclub.bsky.social
050
Graham Deacon @grahamd12.bsky.social · 25/07/2026
Some fantastic birds from Salisbury Plain CES9 today. 230 birds processed: 3 Redstart, 3 Whinchat, 2 Stonechat, Tree Pipit plus 14 Grasshopper, 42 Sedge, 15 Reed, 17 Garden, 7 Willow Warbler's, 23 Blackcap, 51 Whitethroat & a single Lesser #birdringing #migration @wiltsbirdclub.bsky.social
1181
Graham Deacon @grahamd12.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
Salisbury Plain CES 8 today: 173 birds processed which included 3 Redstart's one of which was so young it must have fledged close by. We also ringed a massive 54 new Whitethroats which after having what seems a good winter have had a fantastic breeding season #birdringing @wiltsbirdclub.bsky.social
050
Graham Deacon @grahamd12.bsky.social · 21/06/2026
Salisbury Plain CES6 today. Very busy with 173 birds processed. Top bird was the site's 2nd Dartford Warbler, a fresh 3J so must be breeding close by. Also Stonechat, 4 Redstart, 42 Blackcap, 37 Whitethroat, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 12 Garden Warbler #birdringing @wiltsbirdclub.bsky.social
0110
Graham Deacon @grahamd12.bsky.social · 14/06/2026
A big Salisbury Plain CES5 session today with 137 birds processed. 3J warblers everywhere. Total include 30 Blackcap, 23 Whitethroat, 7 Lesser Whitethroat, 6 Garden Warbler, 8 Chiffchaff. Nightjar & Grasshopper Warbler making themselves known from the dark #birdirnging @wiltsbirdclub.bsky.social
081
Graham Deacon @grahamd12.bsky.social · 30/05/2026
Salisbury Plain this morning. Big increase in the no. of 3J's around. A 2nd breeding female Grasshopper Warbler caught along with a 2024 Lesser Whitethroat. Stunning male Green Woodpecker was a bonus #birdringing @wiltsbirdclub.bsky.social
0110
Graham Deacon @grahamd12.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
38 moth species from my Swindon garden today, the best of the bunch were a Large Nutmeg & a new for garden Small Mottled Willow. Meanwhile a mile away my Dad got an Eastern Bordered Straw #mothsmatter #teammoth
0181
Graham Deacon @grahamd12.bsky.social · 25/05/2026
50 moth species from my Swindon garden this morning. 2 Peppered Moths, 2 Pebble Prominent, Pale Tussock among the best. Also Cypress Carpet which is becoming more common here & who doesn't love a Buff-tip #teammoth #mothsmatter
1170
Graham Deacon @grahamd12.bsky.social · 24/05/2026
Busiest moth night of the year so far on my Swindon garden. 2 Light Brocade, only my 2nd Small Elephant Hawk-moth, Broken-barred Carpet & Iron Prominent among the best #teammoth #mothsmatter
090
Graham Deacon @grahamd12.bsky.social · 23/05/2026
Salisbury Plain CES3 today. 80 birds processed inc. 2 Swallow's coming out of roost, a 2025 ringed Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Garden, 3 Willow Warbler, 20 Whitethroat. Up to 6 Duke of Burgundy & Marsh Fritillary #birdringing @wiltsbirdclub.bsky.social
091
Graham Deacon @grahamd12.bsky.social · 16/05/2026
Salisbury Plain CES 2 today. 75 Birds processed inc. breeding female Grasshopper Warbler, another Lesser Whitethroat, 2 late migrant Sedge, single Willow & 8 Garden Warbler. Whitethroat's everywhere #birdringing #migration @wiltsbirdclub.bsky.social
0151
Graham Deacon @grahamd12.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
Dark dreary morning in Swindon but a few nice moths from last night. Swallow Prominent, Scorched Wing, Lime Hawk-moth, Knot Grass, Treble Lines all NFY #teammoth #mothsmatter
180
Graham Deacon @grahamd12.bsky.social · 02/05/2026
Salisbury Plain CES1 today. Not exactly busy with 58 birds processed but 3 Lesser Whitethroat plus single Sedge & 9 Garden Warbler's made up for it. 1st 3J of the year & Whitethroat's everywhere #birdringing #migration @wiltsbirdclub.bsky.social
0141
Graham Deacon @grahamd12.bsky.social · 25/04/2026
Fairly quiet morning on Salisbury Plain with just 58 birds processed. 1st Lesser Whitethroat, Garden (7) & Willow Warbler of the year. Also, Grasshopper Warbler, bonus Jay. Most caught species was Whitethroat with 15, must have had a good winter as lots around #birdringing @wiltsbirdclub.bsky.social
1101
Graham Deacon @grahamd12.bsky.social · 19/04/2026
1st Salisbury Plain visit of the year. The Nightingale was the star of the 76 birds processed morning but we also caught 2 Grasshopper, 2 Sedge Warbler's, 5 Whitethroat inc. a retrap from 2023 #birdringing #migration @wiltsbirdclub.bsky.social
190
Graham Deacon @grahamd12.bsky.social · 19/04/2026
When I 1st got my C permit in 2003 I started a Nightingale ringing project at a site on Salisbury Plain that held up to 15 singing males. No's declined with the last bird in 2018. Never thought we'd catch another. Quite an emotional experience #birdringing #migration @wiltsbirdclub.bsky.social
3220
Graham Deacon @grahamd12.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
Left my Dad to it at Sevenhampton on a lovely spring day. 50 birds processed inc. an impressive 32 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff with a rather nice male Redstart as a bonus. This is only the 4th spring Redstart caught at this site in 25 years. Also a retrap Chiff ringed in 2021 @wiltsbirdclub.bsky.social
081
Graham Deacon @grahamd12.bsky.social · 06/04/2026
Lovely spring morning full of birdsong at Sevenhampton. A big 22 Blackcap's ringed with un-ringed, singing birds passing us by at the ringing table all morning. Also ringed, 2 Chiffchaff plus a couple of stunning male Greenfinch #birdringing @wiltsbirdclub.bsky.social
0101
Graham Deacon @grahamd12.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
Another glorious spring day at Sevenhampton. Lots of Redpoll movement although we only caught 3. Also, 3 new Blackcap, a random Coal Tit, Reed Bunting & 5 Chiffchaff inc. a retrap from 2025. Also 2 bonus B-1's waking up the residents of Fairford nice & early #birdringing @wiltsbirdclub.bsky.social
0112
Graham Deacon @grahamd12.bsky.social · 21/03/2026
Early fog at Sevenhampton soon cleared into a warm sunny spring morning. 4 Chiffchaff ringed & plenty more around. We also caught a surprise new Marsh Tit along with a Jay that had the usual attitude problems #birdringing @wiltsbirdclub.bsky.social
070
Graham Deacon @grahamd12.bsky.social · 14/03/2026
Sevenhampton today. A chilly start turned into a glorious warm spring day. Probably the last Redwing of the winter ringed along with a passing Redpoll were the highlights. We also re-trapped a pair of Marsh Tit's originally trapped a year ago #birdrinigng #migration @wiltsbirdclub.bsky.social
030
Graham Deacon @grahamd12.bsky.social · 03/03/2026
Spring is certainly taking over as the 1st warbler's of the year at Sevenhampton were trapped this morning, a Chiffchaff & 2 Blackcap. Plenty of Redwing still around with another 5 ringed today @wiltsbirdclub.bsky.social
071
Graham Deacon @grahamd12.bsky.social · 14/02/2026
Chilly morning at Sevenhampton with the breeze coming from the north. A fine male Brambling was the pick of the bunch today along with another 5 new Redwing taking us to 173 for the year so far #birdringing #migration @wiltsbirdclub.bsky.social
0132
Graham Deacon @grahamd12.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
North Wiltshire Ringing Group ringing recovery: Grasshopper Warbler ringed by us on Salisbury Plain on the 28th August 2025, recovered Donges, Loire-Atlantique, France on the 18th September 2025. 21 days since ringed, 437km movement @wiltsbirdclub.bsky.social
000
Graham Deacon @grahamd12.bsky.social · 17/01/2026
Another big thrush morning at Sevenhampton with 700 Redwing & 250 Fieldfare moving through with 64 Redwing & a Fieldfare ringed. 2 retrap adult Marsh Tit's are 50% of the local population. The Blackbird had a massive 141mm wing so likely a continental bird #birdringing @wiltsbirdclub.bsky.social
040
Graham Deacon @grahamd12.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
North Wiltshire Ringing Group ringing recovery: Goldfinch ringed at Sevenhampton on the 22nd October 2025, recovered at Saint Mars-sur-la-Futaie, Mayenne, France on the 7th January 2026. 77 days since ringed, 357km movement #birdringing #migration @wiltsbirdclub.bsky.social
0100
Graham Deacon @grahamd12.bsky.social · 10/01/2026
Snow cover further north meant a massive cold weather movement of thrushes at Sevenhampton this morning involving c700 Redwing & c250 Fieldfare passing over the top of the ringing table. We ringed an impressive 72 Redwing, all but one were 1st winter's #birdringing @wiltsbirdclub.bsky.social
000
Graham Deacon @grahamd12.bsky.social · 04/01/2026
1st session of 2026 at Sevenhampton this morning. Big numbers of thrushes still around with 300 each of Fieldfare & Redwing resulting in 1 & 23 respectively ringed amongst the usual tit & finch fare #birdringing @wiltsbirdclub.bsky.social
030
Graham Deacon @grahamd12.bsky.social · 13/12/2025
Frosty start at Sevenhampton. Nice species selection ringed with Starling, 9 Redwing. 5 finch species inc. Redpoll & the 1st Brambling for 4 winters. The days of ringing 40 Greenfinch a session are long gone. Todays 4 birds are the 1st ringed here since 2021 #birdringing @wiltsbirdclub.bsky.social
050
Graham Deacon @grahamd12.bsky.social · 08/11/2025
Pleasant morning at Sevenhampton. 1st Autumn Fieldfare ringed with 15 Redwing's. Redpoll no's are slowly picking up & the 9 caught today is our best day total after a few meagre years #birdringing #migration #
0122
Graham Deacon @grahamd12.bsky.social · 24/10/2025
North Wiltshire Ringing Group ringing control: Chiffchaff ringed at Rutland Water on the 25th September 2025, controlled by us on Salisbury Plain on the 11th October 2025. 16 days since ringed, 181km movement #birdringing #migration @wiltsbirdclub.bsky.social
040
Graham Deacon @grahamd12.bsky.social · 24/10/2025
North Wiltshire Ringing Group ringing recovery: Reed Warbler ringed by us on Salisbury Plain on 26th August 2023, recovered at Much Markle, Herefordshire on 13th August 2025. 718 days since ringed, 93km movement #birdringing #migration
050
Graham Deacon @grahamd12.bsky.social · 18/10/2025
Too breezy for Salisbury Plain so it was a visit to Sevenhampton this morning. 1st morning of the Autumn going for Redwing's with 9 ringed along with 2 Song Thrush & a continental looking Blackbird. Lots of Tit's & even more leaves as the breeze picked up #birdringing #migration
090
Graham Deacon @grahamd12.bsky.social · 17/10/2025
Decent moth morning in Swindon VC7. 18 species inc. 3 Merveille de Jour for a 1st garden record, 3 Green-brindled Crescent, Red-line Quaker, November Moth, a late Light Emerald, Cypress Carper, 2 Red-green Carpet #mothsmatter #teammoth
0110
Graham Deacon @grahamd12.bsky.social · 11/10/2025
Salisbury Plain today. An impressive 164 birds processed given the lateness of the season inc. 2 Firecrest, 115 Chiffchaff, 26 Blackcap & just a single Meadow Pipit. 12 Redwing over, the 1st of the Autumn & the best ever views of Great Bustard on the way off down to 30m #birdringing #migration
040
Graham Deacon @grahamd12.bsky.social · 07/10/2025
North Wiltshire Ringing Group recovery: Redwing ringed at Sevenhampton on 12th November 2011, recovered at Farlington Marsh, Hants on 14th September 2025. Interesting one as leg only found so how long has it been dead? 5055 days since ringed, 96km movement #birdringing #migration
040
Reposted by Graham Deacon
Joe Stockwell @joestockwell.bsky.social · 29/09/2025
Yellow-browed Bunting trapped, ringed and released at the Swannery. It's flown to the hedge which runs alongside the Swannery grounds and the bird may be viewable from the permissive path heading west from Grove Lane.
1223432