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nickurch.bsky.social

@nickurch.bsky.social
383 followers 143 following 129 posts

Dorset/Somerset birder now living in South Somerset. Dorset Butterfly Conservation verifier. Retired teacher so more time to get out and about.

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nickurch.bsky.social @nickurch.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Now headed down The Fleet
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nickurch.bsky.social @nickurch.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Osprey hunting over Abbotsbury Swannery @swannerysteve.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
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nickurch.bsky.social @nickurch.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
Essex Skipper 🙂
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nickurch.bsky.social @nickurch.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
Looks like an Essex Skipper. First of the year for Holes Bay
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nickurch.bsky.social @nickurch.bsky.social · 20/06/2026
Collard Hill: No Large Blue but lots of Marbled Whites, Meadow Browns and Small Heath. Ham Wall: 2 Common Terns from VP1 @somersetbirds.bsky.social @btosomerset.bsky.social
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nickurch.bsky.social @nickurch.bsky.social · 20/06/2026
Yup - photo 2 is definitely Small and 3 is different but I'm fairly sure it's also Small.
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nickurch.bsky.social @nickurch.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
I think first 3 are all Small Skippers. Bottom left photo is nearest to Essex but left antennae is not black underneath and lacks the "dipped ink" end to antennae.
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nickurch.bsky.social @nickurch.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
Large Skipper
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nickurch.bsky.social @nickurch.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
Catcott Lows: Savi's Warbler singing distantly to the left of the hide, 3 Cranes, Cuckoo and Barn Owl @birdguides.bsky.social #somersetbirding
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nickurch.bsky.social @nickurch.bsky.social · 24/05/2026
Equal first😁. Another one reported today from Hethfelton Wood near Wool
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nickurch.bsky.social @nickurch.bsky.social · 24/05/2026
Yes this is early (2nd earliest in last 12 years) with average first sighting being 5th June
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nickurch.bsky.social @nickurch.bsky.social · 17/05/2026
Lodmoor: 2 Spoonbill still east of viewing shelter. Also Hobby, Barwit and 2 Whimbrel @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social
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nickurch.bsky.social @nickurch.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
Cuckoo on eastern side of Giants Hill in dead Ash trees @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social
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nickurch.bsky.social @nickurch.bsky.social · 02/05/2026
Great morning at Ham Wall: Osprey, Red Kite, Bittern, Ruff, Hobby (6+), Common Sand (2) and Glossy Ibis @birdguides.bsky.social #somersetbirds
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nickurch.bsky.social @nickurch.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
Lovely morning in the Quantocks with 3 Wood Warblers, Pied Fly and Cuckoo. Then on to Steart Marshes to see BW Stilt plus 3 LRP, 2+ Yellow Wags and about 10 White Wags @birdguides.bsky.social
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nickurch.bsky.social @nickurch.bsky.social · 19/04/2026
Portland - RN Cemetery: male Pied Fly. Reap Lane: 3 Pied Fly (2m+1f), 2 Redstart (m+f) and 4+ Wheatear. @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
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nickurch.bsky.social @nickurch.bsky.social · 19/04/2026
Abbotsbury Swannery WeBS: lovely morning with highlights being a flock of 14 Common Sands (+1 singleton), 7 Red Kites heading west and 3 Whimbrel. @swannerysteve.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
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nickurch.bsky.social @nickurch.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
Just had a report of a possible Pearl-bordered Fritillary at the top of Seacombe Bottom near Worth Matravers; almost certainly a release/escape if correct but if anyone is in the area please have a quick look. @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
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nickurch.bsky.social @nickurch.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
Herbury Gore: 1 Knot, 5 Dunlin and 2 Ringed Plovers on the point. Also 2 Whimbrel on the far shore. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
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nickurch.bsky.social @nickurch.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
One WT Eagle now heading east and 3 Red Kites following. Whimbrel west @swannerysteve.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
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nickurch.bsky.social @nickurch.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
Rodden Hive: no sign of BW Teal nor any Shoveler; 30+ Sandwich Terns, Whitethroat, Willow warbler and 2 WT Eagles (imm) on the beach. @swannerysteve.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
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nickurch.bsky.social @nickurch.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
Congratulations to you and Frances🍾
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nickurch.bsky.social @nickurch.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
A lovely spring morning for WeBS count at Abbotsbury Swannery; nothing too unusual but GW Egret, Red Kite and Common Sand were the highlights. @swannerysteve.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
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nickurch.bsky.social @nickurch.bsky.social · 22/02/2026
Portland Harbour (north) WeBS: 5 GN Divers, 1 Slav and 4 BN Grebes. @swannerysteve.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social
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nickurch.bsky.social @nickurch.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
Great visit to Steart Marshes: SE Owl over Wall Common at 10:30 then a good roost of Knot, Dunlin, Grey Plover and Turnstones on the beach. Little Stint with Dunlin and Golden Plover on Otterhampton Marsh plus Merlin and Peregrine. @birdguides.bsky.social ui
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nickurch.bsky.social @nickurch.bsky.social · 22/01/2026
Ludham airfield (near Flogas depot) 23 Bewick's and 17 Whooper Swans. @birdguides.bsky.social
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nickurch.bsky.social @nickurch.bsky.social · 22/01/2026
Black-winged Kite showing well about 1km north of Stubbs Mill Raptor watchpoint from Eastfield Pumping Station. @birdguides.bsky.social
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nickurch.bsky.social @nickurch.bsky.social · 22/01/2026
Iceland Gull still at Sea Palling. Also 6 Purple Sandpipers. @birdguides.bsky.social
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nickurch.bsky.social @nickurch.bsky.social · 14/01/2026
Just refound the American Wigeon at Noah's Lake. @birdguides.bsky.social
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nickurch.bsky.social @nickurch.bsky.social · 07/01/2026
9 Glossy Ibis at Waddocks Cross CB. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social
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nickurch.bsky.social @nickurch.bsky.social · 01/01/2026
A relaxed start to the new year with local birding in Somerset. Blackcap & Siskins in the garden were a great start, 20+ WF Geese on Wet Moor, excellent views of Water Rail at Greylakes, RN Duck on Decoy Lake and then 46 Cranes at dusk over Wet Moor heading to roost. @somersetbirds.bsky.social
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nickurch.bsky.social @nickurch.bsky.social · 30/12/2025
Yellow-browed Warbler in Chickerell Down Woods @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social
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nickurch.bsky.social @nickurch.bsky.social · 27/12/2025
63 Egyptian Geese opposite Woodsford Castle Farm, my highest count in Dorset @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
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nickurch.bsky.social @nickurch.bsky.social · 25/12/2025
Walk in South Somerset and only 1 Redwing and 2 Fieldfares - fields usually carpeted with thrushes😕. 4 Blackcaps were some recompense.
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nickurch.bsky.social @nickurch.bsky.social · 11/12/2025
Good refind - thought they'd gone
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nickurch.bsky.social @nickurch.bsky.social · 05/12/2025
Or park in Abbotsbury Sub-tropical gardens car park for free and walk down to the beach, it's only 5 extra mins.
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nickurch.bsky.social @nickurch.bsky.social · 03/12/2025
Jerry's Point: only 1 Velvet Scoter, 1 Goldeneye (m), 6 BN Grebes, 4 GN Divers, 2 Barwit and a Kingfisher @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @harbourbirds.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social
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nickurch.bsky.social @nickurch.bsky.social · 27/11/2025
Desert Wheatear at the western end of Bridging Camp showed very well until 14:20. Still there but lost to view. Also Black Redstart. Slav Grebe a bit further along the Fleet. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social
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nickurch.bsky.social @nickurch.bsky.social · 24/11/2025
I always missed quite a few species due to work and other commitments but over the years discovered some great new places to bird and enjoyed finding "common" species in local areas. Good luck😀
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nickurch.bsky.social @nickurch.bsky.social · 24/11/2025
When I lived and worked in Dorset, I year-listed and would expect 220+ with the vast majority in Portland/Poole area. As you're near Poole, you should get 180+ around the harbour, Wareham forest & Durlston fairly easily. Add in a few trips west and the odd local twitch and 200 becomes quite do-able.
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nickurch.bsky.social @nickurch.bsky.social · 15/11/2025
Durlston CP: no sign of Pallas's Warbler north of lighthouse, nor the one near Peveril Point. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social
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nickurch.bsky.social @nickurch.bsky.social · 03/11/2025
Snow Bunting settled and showing well on Portland east cliffs. It's by the cliff edge just before Fig Tree Quarry. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social
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nickurch.bsky.social @nickurch.bsky.social · 21/10/2025
Portland The hump: no sign of RB Flycatcher. 1 Firecrest, 20+ Goldcrests and 6+ Chiffchaffs. @birdguides.bsky.social @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
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nickurch.bsky.social @nickurch.bsky.social · 15/10/2025
@swannerysteve.bsky.social
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nickurch.bsky.social @nickurch.bsky.social · 15/10/2025
Abbotsbury Swannery: Baikal Teal refound by @dorsetbirdtours.bsky.social from Helen's Hide looking west. @birdguides.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
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nickurch.bsky.social @nickurch.bsky.social · 15/10/2025
Abbotsbury Swannery: no sign of Baikal Teal yet but only limited searching so far. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social
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nickurch.bsky.social @nickurch.bsky.social · 09/10/2025
Middlebere: 2 Curlew Sand, 11 Knot, 1 Spotshank, 100+ Blackwit, 100+ Avocet, 80+ Redshank, Dunlin, Lapwing and Curlew. 100s of Teal, also Pintail, Wigeon, Mallard and Shoveler. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @harbourbirds.bsky.social
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nickurch.bsky.social @nickurch.bsky.social · 09/10/2025
Culpeppers Dish: Crossbill (6+), Siskin, Marsh Tit, Coal Tit, Goldcrest, Raven and Sparrowhawk. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
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nickurch.bsky.social @nickurch.bsky.social · 09/10/2025
Beautiful morning at Silverlakes: goose fest with 2 Pink feet, 12+ Egyptian, 100+ Greylag & 1000+ Canada. Also singing Woodlark, Dartford Warbler & Peregrine. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
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nickurch.bsky.social @nickurch.bsky.social · 29/09/2025
Portland: Wryneck continues to show well at the end of Barleycrates Lane. @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social
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