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Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · 7h

Great views of the Shotwick Grey Phalarope this morning. Bumped into Justin & Kev on site who were en route to Lancs for the juv Pallid Harrier so I joined up with them and we were treated to a lovely fly by. Quite lucky as it seemed pretty difficult this afternoon. #ukbirding

Grey Phalarope front on, showing the strongly tapered bill tip - ideal for picking small creatures off the water.

Belmont reservoir, Lancashire. A while since I’d been here and didn’t expect my next visit to be for a Pallid Harrier!

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Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Nice little detour on the way home from work for this Hoopoe in Llandudno this evening. Not seen one locally for a while. It was busy feeding on inverts before going to roost. #birdingWales

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Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Nice wander around RSPB Conwy this afternoon. Highlights on the estuary included 4 Great Egret fishing the incoming tide, a juv Peregrine making some desultory attempts to catch some prey and 2 Bar-tailed Godwit (scarce here), while the Spotted Redshank was still on the deep lagoon. #birdingWales

Great Egret in hunting mode. 1 of 4 seen - amazing to think how scarce they used to be.

Spotted Redshank (centre front) with Common Redshank

Hornet Mimic Hoverfly (Volucella zonaria)

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Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

After a few quiet recent catches it was nice to get a decent mix of moths last night, including two new ones for me: Olive-tree Pearl and Brick. Both long overdue but great to see at last. Also good to see the first Autumnal & Black Rustics of the year and a Heath Rustic. #teammoth #VC50

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Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Indulged in a spot of Leach’s Petrel appreciation this morning, with at least 14 west off Rhos Point during the hour I was there. Always a treat to see these diminutive pelagic wanderers when they pass our coastline en route to oceanic wintering grounds. #birdingWales

Grey clouds over a grey sea and grey rocks at Rhos Point.

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Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

This smart Feathered Gothic was the highlight from last night’s catch, amongst 127 Large YU’s! It’s been a good autumn here for Centre-barred Sallow too, with a high of 16 counted recently - I love their golden colours. #teammoth #VC50

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Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Finally had a chance to see the Dotterel that’s been lingering on the Great Orme for the past week, so I headed up with my kids and we enjoyed some decent views - their first one! Always special to spend time with these charismatic birds of the remote high tops. #birdingWales

A juvenile Dotterel facing right amongst limestone grassland.

A juvenile Dotterel standing amongst limestone grassland.

A juvenile Dotterel amongst the limestone grassland of the Great Orme.

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Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

A good news story from this Lesser Black-backed Gull colour ring sighting last month. It was initially taken into care near Malaga on 22/09/20 where it was ringed and released on 26/10/20. It then spent at least the next 4 years in Spain before I saw it at the duck pond in Abergele this summer.

A Lesser Black-backed Gull with white colour ring N:CXR and a Herring Gull in the background

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Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Nice to see the Little Stint at RSPB Conwy this afternoon. It was feeding amongst a small group of Dunlin but often obscured by the reeds. Viewing from Carneddau hide allowed clearer, yet more distant, views. #birdingWales

Juvenile Little Stint (left) with a Dunlin (right)

Juvenile Little Stint (left) showing the characteristic ‘split’ supercilium and Dunlin (right)

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Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

I know there have been some amazing counts further south but a season high of 64 Small Mottled Willows here in north Wales last night was noteworthy - especially as I hadn’t recorded the species here before this year. The first Centre-barred Sallow of the year was nice to see too. #teammoth #vc50

A Small Mottled Willow moth on a clear Perspex surface.

A Centre-barred Sallow on an egg box,with a Common / Lesser Common Rustic to the right.

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Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

This young male Redstart was caught on the garden camera recently. We often get the odd one passing through at this time of year but it’s normally the camera that sees them instead of me. I’ve topped the water up since, too! #ukbirding

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Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Nice to catch up with the Pectoral Sandpiper at RSPB Conwy after work today, showing well as it fed along the muddy margins of the deep lagoon. Top local find by @marcbuzzard.bsky.social #birdingwales

A Pectoral Sandpiper on the mud, opening its bill slightly as it calls.

A Pectoral Sandpiper (right) facing a Little Egret (left)

A Pectoral Sandpiper with its wings open, trying to stay balanced as it navigates the sticky mud.

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Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

Whilst down in Suffolk it was great to see my first Jersey tigers, with at least 7 in the garden. Also had my first Gypsy moths and Ringed China-marks. #teammoth

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Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

A recent trip to my sister’s in Sudbury, Suffolk resulted in a few entomological highlights including my first Chalkhill Blues (plenty at Devil’s Dyke, Cambs but too active for a decent photo) plus Willow Emerald damselflies and Hornet Mimic hoverfly in her garden! #entomology

Willow Emerald damselfly on a palm frond, Sudbury, Suffolk.

Hornet Mimic hoverfly on a Buddleia in Sudbury, Suffolk.

Poor photo of a mating pair of Chalkhill Blue butterflies, Devil’s Dyke, Newmarket, Cambs.

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Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

Good views of the Long-tailed Shrike on the Gloucestershire/Oxfordshire border this morning, with @kevjsmith3.bsky.social & Justin. It was feeding well on grasshoppers in the set aside areas. Great to see so much habitat for farmland species here, including a covey of 14 Grey Partridge. #ukbirding

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Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

Brilliant day at Pensychnant meeting other local moth-ers and enjoying the moths on display. Highlights for me were my first Ashworth’s Rustics, Pine Hawkmoths, Grey Mountain Carpet, Yellow-legged Clearwing, Webb’s Wainscot, Crescent and Pebble Hook-tip! Thanks to all for organising #teammoth

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Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

Bit of a worn out one but Slender Brindle was new for the garden last night. Seems to be scarce in north Wales and apparently no records along the Conwy coast this century. Also Magpie and Straw Underwing were NFY. #teammoth #vc50

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Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

My first Pied Rabbit moth for the garden last night, while Mullein Wave and Shark were NFY and the first Small Mottled Willow for a while dropped in. #teammoth #vc50

Pied Rabbit moth showing the distinctive rabbit-shaped silhouette that gives it the name.

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Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

Smart adult Med Gull among the returning Black-headeds at Llanfairfechan this morning. I still find it a thrill to encounter these even though they’re not as scarce as they used to be. #birdingwales

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Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

Lovely views of this Small Skipper just outside my office in Bangor today. It stayed faithful to the same clover flower for most of the day, resting up there during cloudier spells. #butterflies

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Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

Plenty of moths around with the hot night but little of note except for my first Smoky Wainscots, which I’ve perhaps overlooked in the past. Also loved the first Swallowtails of the year, and a Beautiful Hook-tip was at the trap around 11pm but not when I opened it in the morning #teammoth #vc50

Exquisite Swallowtail moth roosting upside down on a ceanothus leaf

Smoky Wainscot showing the dusky (smoky) hindwing

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Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

Nice mix of moths last night included only my second ever Iron Prominent, Blood-vein, Bright Straw and an interesting ‘conversaria’ form of Mottled Beauty, which I don’t see often. #teammoth #vc50

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Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

Nipped out to see the Western Reef Heron at RSPB Conwy during my lunch break today. Showed well as it roosted over high tide. Interesting to watch it presenting sticks to Little Egrets, although they didn’t seem to be impressed by its offerings. #ukbirding #birdingwales

A Western Reef Heron presenting a big stick to a Little Egret (left)

Western Reef Heron surrounded by greenery

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Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

A nice selection of herons at RSPB Conwy today 😉 #ukbirding #birdingwales

A Western Reef Heron walks left in the foreground, with a Little Egret facing left behind and a Grey Heron towering over them both in the background.

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Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · 14/06/2026

Nice visit to Cemlyn this afternoon. Good to see the tern colony in full swing and a black guillemot in the bay was a nice bonus. #birdingwales

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Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

Interesting encounter with this Starling the other day. It perched on the side of the car boot while I was packing up after watching the Little Terns at Prestatyn, then flew into the boot and had a nose around before exiting again. Presumably looking for food but I’ve never seen them do that before.

A Starling perched on a tripod in a car boot

A Starling fluttering on a tripod in a car boot

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Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

Several fresh Scarlet Tigers were showing well at RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands this afternoon, along with a cool Vapourer caterpillar. #teammoth

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Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

I’d just arrived at South Stack with the family when I checked my phone and saw that Simon Hugheston-Roberts had found Britain’s 1st Western Reef Heron at y Foryd, necessitating a quick change of plan! What a find and what a bird. Great to catch up with a few local faces. #ukbirding #birdingWales

A Western Reef Egret (foreground) and Lirtle Egret (background)

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Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

A thundery night but the rain wasn’t too bad so I stuck the moth trap under a bush and carried on. 154/20 spp recorded, which included 95 Treble-lines(!) plus what I think is my first Freyer’s Pug. Also the first Brown Rustic, Silver-Y and Clouded-bordered Brindle of the year. #teammoth #vc50

Freyer’s Pug, at least I think so - happy to be corrected of course.

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Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

Lovely selection of moths last night. Small Mottled Willow NFG at last, with 6 caught, plus NFY Oak Hook-tip, Small Elephant Hawkmoth and Vine’s Rustic among others. 40 Treble-lines too! #teammoth #vc50

Small Mottled Willow - I was surprised by how small they actually are.

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Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

Nice to have some warmer temperatures and with them, more moths. 21/60 last night was my best result of the year so far. Nothing unusual but great to see some familiar ones on the wing again. Also, 13 cockchafers was a high count for here! #teammoth #vc50

Chinese character doing its best impression of a bird poo

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Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · 02/05/2026

Lovely walk just south of Abergele this morning with 6 Redstarts and 3 Pied Flycatchers holding territories along a 1km section of oak woodland. Later on a 2cy Med Gull and 2 Whimbrel were the highlights at RSPB Conwy. #walesbirding

A Welsh oak woodland in May, with plenty of bluebells in bloom.

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Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

Low numbers last night but a nice mix including a lovely Scorched Wing plus Brown Silver-lines and Lesser Swallow Prominent, all new for the year. #teammoth #vc50

Scorched Wing moth showing its scorched winged appearance

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Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · 26/04/2026

Nice morning on the Great Orme included passage Redstart, Tree Pipits, Garden Warbler, plenty of Wheatears and a Golden Plover over. Yellow Wag, Lesser Whitethroats and Garden Warbler at RSPB Conwy later on. Great to hear a reeling Gropper in the next field over from the house first thing too!

Path alongside the limestone pavements, Great Orme

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Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · 24/04/2026

Good views of Emperor moth near Conwy this morning. Two fairly weathered males came in to a pheromone lure. Great to finally see this beautiful species at last. #teammoth

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Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

Another cold night here in north Wales with only 7 individual moths of 2 species to show for it, but that included this lovely Puss Moth. My last one here was in 2020 so I’m glad I persevered! #teammoth #VC50

Side on view of a Puss Moth on an egg box

Overhead view of a Puss Moth on an egg box

Head on view of a Puss Moth on an egg box

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Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

A cold night with frosty patches meant only 5 moths here this morning but one of them was this smart Brindled Beauty - my first for the garden and another moth caught outside the trap! #teammoth #VC50

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Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · 19/04/2026

Plenty of birds at RSPB Cors Ddyga today included a drake Green-winged Teal, Garganey, reeling Grasshopper Warbler that showed quite well, Marsh Harrier and Little Ringed Plover. Lovely soundtrack of Lapwings, Curlew and Skylarks too.

An ropy record shot of American Green-winged Teal (left) and Eurasian Green-winged Teal (right)

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Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · 19/04/2026

Nice to get out down the Conwy valley this morning. A Welsh oakwood on a sunny day in spring is hard to beat! Several male Redstarts singing on territory and great views of a male Pied Flycatcher that was repeatedly chasing Blue Tits off his patch were the avian highlights.

Old moss-covered stone walls in a Welsh oakwood

A path winding through an old Welsh oakwood

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Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · 18/04/2026

Really pleased to find my first Frosted Green for the garden this morning, not in the trap but on a nearby door - glad I checked! #VC50 #teammoth

Side view of a Frosted Green on a wooden door, showing the prominent ‘ear’ tufts

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Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · 13/04/2026

While in Menorca it was great to have good views of Scopoli’s and Mediterranean shearwaters. The variability of the latter was educational! Most were of the paler ‘Menorcan’ type, but I also saw quite a few ‘classic’ Balearic types and a couple of presumed Yelkouan types with plain white underparts.

A Mediterranean shearwater of the pale ‘Menorcan’ type (left, foreground) with a larger Scopoli’s shearwater (right, background).

A Scopoli’s shearwater showing its distinctive underwing tip, with much white in the primaries compared to Cory’s shearwater. Some had darker primaries than this one though.

A Scopoli’s shearwater sat on the sea with a yellow-legged gull for scale. The sea off Punta Prima was a great place to watch these birds feeding close to shore.

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Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · 12/04/2026

A family holiday in Menorca last week gave me some good opportunities to explore the island for the first time. I enjoyed a good mix of wildlife, including Egyptian vultures, my first ‘Balearic’ woodchat shrikes, good views of Scopoli’s & Mediterranean shearwaters, plus a Hermann’s tortoise.

Woodchat shrike of the Balearic subspecies ‘badius’ dismantling what I think is a grasshopper. Note the lack of white patch at the base of the primaries.

Pair of Audouin’s gulls. The default gull species in Punta Prima, their nasal calls ringing out around the village all day.

Hermann’s tortoise encountered on a walk near Punta Prima, shortly before it shuffled back into the bushes.

Thekla lark perched on a rock in the early morning light.

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Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · 06/04/2026

Nice sunrise in Punta Prima, Menorca this morning. Good views of Scopoli’s shearwaters foraging close in the bay. Spring migrants from the coast path included 6 Garganey over the sea, a male Redstart and a singing Willow Warbler. #menorcabirding #birding

Illa de l’Aire and its lighthouse at sunrise from the coastal path at Punta Prima, Menorca

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Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

Pale Pinion and Dark Sword-grass were new moths for the year last night, amongst 37 of 10 species. Also, some bird movement over the garden today with 1 Fieldfare ‘chuckling’ away in a tree before flying east early on, and 2 Crossbill heading west later. #teammoth #vc50

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Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · 28/03/2026

A nice, bracing walk around RSPB Conwy this morning yielded brief views of the striking leucistic Cetti’s warbler, dark-bellied Brent goose on the estuary, and my first swallow, house martin, sand martin and willow warbler of the year. #birdingwales

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Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

Despite the improved weather I was still a bit surprised to catch 224 moths last night, of 9 species. A count of 147 Common Quakers was especially notable! #teammoth #vc50

One of 147 Common Quakers caught the previous night

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Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

Had a good first mothing session of the year last night, with 39 moths of 13 species. 4 Oak Beauties were the highlight but also great to see Dotted Border, Mottled Grey, Satellite, Shoulder Stripe and plenty more including 16 Common Quakers. #teammoth #vc50

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Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · 10/02/2026

Nice to have second helpings of the Bufflehead over lunchtime today - this time on Llyn Coron, Anglesey. A bit further away than last time I saw it but great to see this smart little duck again. #birdingwales #ukbirding

A small black and white duck swimming on the water.

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Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · 19/01/2026

Treated to an amazing show from the #auroraborealis here in Llysfaen, north Wales tonight. The best I’ve seen it here yet, with some lovely clear pulsating greens to the south and a red glow to the north. These photos were taken with a 3 second exposure on my phone. #northernlights

A three second exposure of the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) showing a clear green beam of light to the south-west.

A three second exposure of the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) showing a red glow of light to the north.

A three second exposure of the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) showing a clear green beam of light through trees to the east.

A three second exposure of the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) showing green beams of light to the south-east.

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Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · 19/01/2026

One of six Purple Sandpipers that were showing well on the rocks at Rhos on Sea during high tide today. Love it when the winter sun brings out the purple sheen on their feathers. #ukbirding #birdingwales

A Purple Sandpiper roosting on a rock with its beak tucked under its wing, showing a bright orange leg and purple sheen on the wing feathers.

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