iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Luke Phillips @lukephillips.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

I'll never look at Hedgehogs in the same way again.... Wasnt expecting to see this young Hedgehog scoffing down some roadkill Rabbit his morning! Anyone else seen this behaviour? Know they like a bit of protein but this was a surprise.

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Luke Phillips @lukephillips.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Had an interesting ask from @bexbirder.bsky.social to help with catching some juv Little Grebe that were living on a pool that is rapidly drying out. Drought it pretty serious when you can't fly, walk and need to be on water! Thankfully we got one thanks to lots of muddy helpers as well some luck.

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Luke Phillips @lukephillips.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Jersey Tigers are having a blast on the Hemp Agrimony in my Dorset garden. At least 7 just now during a quick look. They outnumbered the butterflies! @dorsetmoths.bsky.social

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Luke Phillips @lukephillips.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

Kicked off the Barn Owl ringing season yesterday with a brood of three but going by earlier checks, there are lots more bigger broods to do over the next few weeks. They seem to be having a bumper year after a very duff 2025! Also a brood of fiesty Kestrels ringed. Cute!

Barn Owl chick. Ringed under BTO licence.

Kestrel chick in the hand after being ringed. Ringed under BTO licence.

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Luke Phillips @lukephillips.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

Ongoing farmland bird monitoring this morning showed the importance of providing food during the hunger gap. All except one Yellohammer this were young birds. After a long winter, this period is critical for 1st year survival.

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Luke Phillips @lukephillips.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

Work took me to RSPB Arne today and got a very big dose of spring! Singing Dartford Warblers, Crossbills and Firecrest. A few Red Kites passing through overhead and a Sand Martin did the same. Best though was an Orange Underwing. Not a moth I see that often and usually in tops of birch!

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Luke Phillips @lukephillips.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

Initially just a flyover and disappeared NW, they came in eventually at West Bay on the River Brit.

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Luke Phillips @lukephillips.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

Tried my luck at various goose friendly fields around Bridport today in the hope of something other than the 13 Canada Goose that I saw... nothing ventured, nothing gained! 4 juv Mute Swan were a local bird though.

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Luke Phillips @lukephillips.bsky.social · 11/12/2025

It's great when farmers do something for birds and then it works! Saw at least 12 Woodcock tonight and mostly in a stubble field which was left specifically for birds. Probably my favourite bird and a privilege to see up close. All ringed and released under @btobirds.bsky.social license.

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Luke Phillips @lukephillips.bsky.social · 18/10/2025

A quiet morning for ringing on the farm (nr Bridport) with grounded migrants starting to dwindle as the autumn goes on. But a few Goldcrest always brighten up a morning though. All 5 grammes of them!

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Luke Phillips @lukephillips.bsky.social · 11/10/2025

Had to get out ringing this morning to celebrate #WorldMigratoryBirdDay. However, it turned out to be one of the quietest mornings for a while. Chiffchaff numbers dropped off but did ring the first Redpoll of the autumn. Made up for the lack of numbers.

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Luke Phillips @lukephillips.bsky.social · 08/10/2025

Bird numbers are growing across the farm now, as are predators! Several Sparrowhawks around this morning and this juv Kestrel went away with new shiny ring and was escorted off by a few hundred finches! Quite a sight!

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Luke Phillips @lukephillips.bsky.social · 08/10/2025

Back #birdringing on the farm this morning and Chiffchaff still on the move in numbers. All were birds hatched this year and this bird showed a nice clear moult limit in the greater coverts. Inner greener ones are adult and paler outer ones juv feathers. Ringed under licence @btobirds.bsky.social

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Luke Phillips @lukephillips.bsky.social · 07/10/2025

Quick hour up on Allington Hill, Bridport this morning for a bit of vismig. Woodlark was a goody and a Golden Plover took 2nd place. Also 221 Meadow Pipit, 44 Linnet, 35 Chaffinch, 22 Goldfinch, 12 Pied Wag, 14 Swallow, 15 H Martin, 9 Siskin, 2 Bullfinch and a Grt Spot Woodpecker high over S.

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Luke Phillips @lukephillips.bsky.social · 01/10/2025

It's been a great autumn for Chiffchaff! Last few days has seen a shift towards slightly larger & more greyish birds, likely from NE Europe but this gorgeous Siberian Chiffchaff popped up this morning nr Bridport. Ringed under BTO License @btobirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social

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Luke Phillips @lukephillips.bsky.social · 23/09/2025

And where there are migrant passerines, raptors follow! This young male Sparrowhawk was no doubt attracted to the farm by the big flocks of finches currently in the crops. Several others around this mornings so might not be the last one I'll ring this autumn.

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Luke Phillips @lukephillips.bsky.social · 23/09/2025

Calmer weather has meant more ringing on a local farm this week. Plenty of migrants about, mostly Blackcap and Chiffchaff but also starting to see more crests and some new Robins showing up. Feeling very autumnal now! All ringed under @btobirds.bsky.social licence.

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Luke Phillips @lukephillips.bsky.social · 24/08/2025

This was highly unexpected this morning whilst ringing on a farm near Bridport! If you'd asked me what unusual warbler might show up today, I wouldn't have said Dartford... @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social #birdringing

Dartford Warbler in the hand. Was ringed and released under BTO licence.

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Luke Phillips @lukephillips.bsky.social · 14/08/2025

Rather quiet on the moth front last night at home in Bridport. Nice to see 7 Blair's Mocha though! Also L-album Wainscot was the first of the year (pictured). Migrants were just 1 Palpita vitrealis, 1 Rush Veneer, 2 Silver Y and 1 Rusty-dot Pearl. @migrantmothuk.bsky.social

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Luke Phillips @lukephillips.bsky.social · 07/08/2025

Who needs sleep at this time of year! Started yesterday day ringing warblers on a local farm at 5am and finished the day helping a group catch and ring Nightjars until 11pm. Sleep just gets in the way... 😅

Willow Warbler in the hand just after it was ringed. Trapped and ringed under BTO license.

Nightjar in the hand after it was ringed and just before it was released safely.

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Luke Phillips @lukephillips.bsky.social · 26/07/2025

Interesting to also see Twin-spot Wainscot and Southern Wainscot (pictured) considering no real wetland habitat nearby.

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Luke Phillips @lukephillips.bsky.social · 26/07/2025

Decent haul of moths last might in Bridport. 116 species in total. Surprising number of migrants! Old World Webworm, 28 Rush Veneer, 8 xylostella, 9 ferrugalis, 1 Silver Y and White Point that could be resident but felt it probably wasn't. @migrantmothuk.bsky.social @dorsetmoths.bsky.social

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Luke Phillips @lukephillips.bsky.social · 22/07/2025

Early start for a first go at ringing in a small reedbed on a lovely inland farm in West Dorset. Promising result with 2 Sedge Warbler and 1 Reed Warbler ringed. Amazing what even a small bit of habitat attracts during migration. #birdringing @btobirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social

Juv Sedge Warbler in the hand after being ringed.

Adult Sedge Warbler (worn plumage) in the hand following being ringed.

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Luke Phillips @lukephillips.bsky.social · 11/07/2025

Excellent to finally see some Barn Owl chicks this summer in West Dorset! Most pairs seem to have simply not bothered so this was a very pleasant sight ☺️. All ringed (under license)and safely returned to their nest box.

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Luke Phillips @lukephillips.bsky.social · 05/07/2025

Set a few traps for a local event near Bridport and turned up a few migrants last night. Delicate was a surprise as they seem to have been scarce during the recent migration events. 3 Dark Sword-grass, Rush Veneer, 2 Rusty-dot Pearl and a few Silver Y made up the rest. @migrantmothuk.bsky.social

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Luke Phillips @lukephillips.bsky.social · 19/06/2025

Excellent species tally from a West Dorset wood last night. 133 species (over 600 moths) with 6 more still to figure out. Few new species for site including a Palpita vitrealis which was amongst a few other migrants. Great to record Waved Carpet which seem to be doing well here! Got 5 in total.

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Luke Phillips @lukephillips.bsky.social · 19/06/2025

How times change... have to admit to not doing as much mothing in the last few years and remember when this species, Argolamprotes micella, was a good catch. Just a few years later and got 33 this morning in West Dorset! Sorry for the dodgy phone pic... @dorsetmoths.bsky.social

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Luke Phillips @lukephillips.bsky.social · 19/06/2025

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Luke Phillips @lukephillips.bsky.social · 13/06/2025

Nice selection of moths from Abbotsbury last night. Clearly some migration as Small Mottled Willow, 26 Diamond-backed Moth and a Silver Y showed up. Also a tatty Radford's Flame Shoulder. Grey coloured residents stole the show though. Grey Arches and a Shark pictured. @migrantmothuk.bsky.social

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Luke Phillips @lukephillips.bsky.social · 17/05/2025

Wasn't a bad night at Hooke! 70 species including plenty to keep everyone happy but also some scarcer species for aficionados amongst the group. Also breakfast and on demand coffee... @dorsetmoths.bsky.social

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Luke Phillips @lukephillips.bsky.social · 16/05/2025

Traps all set! Fingers crossed 🤞

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Luke Phillips @lukephillips.bsky.social · 09/05/2025

Reckon you need an upgrade 😉.

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Luke Phillips @lukephillips.bsky.social · 07/05/2025

No finer way to start the day than by checking a Dipper nest box and finding and pretty much complete nest ready for eggs! No nest here 4 weeks ago so this is second attempt after presumably failing elsewhere. Fingers crossed there's eggs on the next visit 🤞🤞.

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Luke Phillips @lukephillips.bsky.social · 04/05/2025

Much reduced catch correlating with a much reduced temperature overnight but first hawk-moths of the year made up for that! Eyed and Poplar Hawk-moth. Good start to the day! @dorsetmoths.bsky.social

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Luke Phillips @lukephillips.bsky.social · 29/04/2025

Bit more variety in the moth traps now and this warm weather this week should keep it coming! Blair's Mocha and Buff-tip both new for the year last night and both real lookers!! Trapping in Bridport, Dorset. @dorsetmoths.bsky.social

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Luke Phillips @lukephillips.bsky.social · 19/04/2025

Prime example... found a Wryneck a few weeks ago and instead of watching an amazing bird, I spent half the time trying to get a pic with my phone through my bins. Not sure this picture is going on my wall!

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Luke Phillips @lukephillips.bsky.social · 01/04/2025

Brace yourselves... this post contains some amazing nature photography... Osprey right over my house a few minutes ago! 😀. Drifted north over Bridport. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social

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Luke Phillips @lukephillips.bsky.social · 30/03/2025

Had the pleasure of spending a few minutes in the company of a female Oil Beetle (Violet?!) this afternoon.

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Luke Phillips @lukephillips.bsky.social · 30/03/2025

Jammy or what... another Lesser Spotted Woodpecker today! Different location but similarly stunning woodland. Also a brief snippet of calling at a third spot. Need to pinch myself and remember these birds are blinking rare. And I'm not gonna see one for a while once I'm back home.

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Luke Phillips @lukephillips.bsky.social · 29/03/2025

Who knew that you can use a colander to view a solar eclipse?! I didn't until now. Pic taken a few minutes ago.

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Luke Phillips @lukephillips.bsky.social · 29/03/2025

Absolutely buzzing! Been so many years since I last saw Lesser Spotted Woodpecker in the UK... started to wonder if I'd ever see (or hear) one again but listen to this!! A moment so savour... 😁

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Luke Phillips @lukephillips.bsky.social · 26/03/2025

Winter met spring this morning on the farm. Good numbers of birds on the supplementary seed still with 100 Linnet ringed in the last two mornings. Also a Brambling. But overhead the first Swallows & hedgerows had first Willow Warbler and lots of Chiffchaff. Ringed under BTO license. #birdringing

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Luke Phillips @lukephillips.bsky.social · 20/03/2025

What a morning to be out surveying Woodlark for the #HeathlandBirdSurvey! Took me to places I've not been in Dorset & even got me a bonus Goshawk in full display mode. Still time to sign up and plenty of squares still available in Dorset. @btobirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social

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Luke Phillips @lukephillips.bsky.social · 10/03/2025

Walked the 7 miles undercliff path between Seaton and Lyme Regis at the weekend. Kept a tally of singing/calling Firecrest. Got 21! Wouldn't be surprised if there's more still to arrive. Sign of the times.

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Luke Phillips @lukephillips.bsky.social · 05/03/2025

Yellowhammer & Linnet still in decent numbers at one my farm ringing sites this morning. These are both males and looking sharp ahead of the breeding season! Few of the Yellowhammer were very good weights so in top condition. Ringed under @btobirds.bsky.social licence. #birdringing

Male Yellowhammer in the hand prior to release after being ringed.

Male Linnet. Not the red coming through on the chest which means this is a male.

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Luke Phillips @lukephillips.bsky.social · 04/03/2025

Popped the trail cam out for an afternoon at one the farms I feed at and was very happy to get a clip of this Brambling (left of centre) that's been around all winter. Supporting cast of Linnet, Yellowhammer, Chaffinch and Reed Bunting! #farmland #birds #UKBirding

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Luke Phillips @lukephillips.bsky.social · 25/02/2025

Excellent morning on a west Dorset farm where ringing totals have been lowish so far this winter. The morning was dominated by Yellowhammer (which is wonderful!!) but highlights were a Reed Bunting 'control' (ringed elsewhere! 🥳) & a few Linnet which have increased there recently. #birdringing

Reed Bunting close up after it was ringed. Ringed and caught under BTO licence.

Linnet in the hand. Caught and ringed under BTO license

Front on view of a Linnet. Caught and ringed under BTO licence.

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Luke Phillips @lukephillips.bsky.social · 24/02/2025

Very wet start to the day but 35kg of seed fed and hundreds of farmland birds happy. Sun shining now I'm back home and sat at my desk... typical!

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Luke Phillips @lukephillips.bsky.social · 18/02/2025

Our recovery from Sunday places a cat well amongst the Cirl Buntings! So to speak. It was originally ringed last May, 64km to the east on Purbeck. Not from the west... Can't wait to learn even more about these birds in the coming months. Birds all ringed under @btobirds.bsky.social licence.

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Luke Phillips @lukephillips.bsky.social · 18/02/2025

Well this was a surprise! Been monitoring Cirl Bunting at a West Dorset farm all winter, up 5 birds present, one of which had a ring. During a routine ringing session on Sunday, four were caught. Three new birds and the ringed one! Pic by @danwmont.bsky.social (thanks Dan!). #birdringing 🧵↓

adult female Cirl Bunting in the hand during a ringing session. All birds trapped and ringed under license from the BTO.

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