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Pagan Birders

@paganbirder.bsky.social
773 followers 273 following 341 posts

aka Penny (photos) and Ann (digiscope) a love of all of nature especially Birds, Butterflies & Orchids. Often found wandering on the Quantocks & the Somerset levels.

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Pagan Birders @paganbirder.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Fluted birds’s nest fungi (Cyathus striatus) really pleased to find this fascinating and interesting fungi at Shapwick. Look closely and you can see the ‘eggs’ inside the little cups. #avalonmarshes #ukfungi
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Pagan Birders @paganbirder.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Death Cap - (Amanita phalloides), Shapwick NR on the Somerset Levels. Really pleased to find this one … definitely not one to add to the soup!! …. #avalonmarshes #ukfungi
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Pagan Birders @paganbirder.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
First ‘shrooming’ adventure of the season at Shapwick NR on the Somerset Levels. A few good treasures to be found but I have a feeling the season hasn’t really kicked off yet. #avalonmarshes
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Pagan Birders @paganbirder.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Not everyday you see a Lesser Yellowlegs and a Spotted Redshank appear together, good views of this twosome at Herons Green, Chew Valley Lake this morning. #bristolbirding
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Pagan Birders @paganbirder.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
A fantastic morning at Black hole Marsh, Seaton. A day of Sandpipers, Pectoral, Wood, Common, Green and Curlew with a strong supporting cast of Spotted Redshank, Osprey etc. #devonbirding
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Pagan Birders @paganbirder.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
A very rewarding and pleasant but humid walk around Cheddar Reservoir this morning. Highlights 3 Black Terns, 4 Common Terns, female R C Pochard, at least 6 Common Sandpipers, Ringed Plovers and several Clouded Yellows. #somersetbirding
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Pagan Birders @paganbirder.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
We have only ever had scope views of a RN Phalarope before so couldn’t resist a visit to Seaton, Devon on Tuesday morning. Patience paid off and eventually the Phalarope got closer to the hide giving superb views to many folk. A little beauty! #devonbirding #ukbirding
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Pagan Birders @paganbirder.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
A good morning at St Thomas’s Head near Weston S Mare. Watched for ages 3 Whinchats, several Whitethroats, female Pied Fly, Garden Warbler, plus a couple of Wheatears. Seems like only yesterday we were welcoming these birds home, ‘Bon voyage’ little friends #bristolbirding #ukbirding
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Pagan Birders @paganbirder.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Always a little distant but great to watch a juvenile Black Tern at Cheddar Reservoir this morning. #somersetbirding
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Pagan Birders @paganbirder.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
The track between VP1 & VP2 at Ham Wall quite often has birds feeding on the path under the tree line. Nice to find a Spotted Flycatcher amongst the Chiffy’s, Chaffinch’s etc having a good feed. #somersetbirding #ukbirding
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Pagan Birders @paganbirder.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
A great little ‘wader fest’ at WWT Slimbridge yesterday. Really nice to see some of these birds up close for a change and take time to study their subtle colours and details. Overwhelmed by the amount of wild flowers around the site, well done WWTSlimbridge #WWT #ukbirding
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Pagan Birders @paganbirder.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
‘Shrike a pose!’ 🎶 … memories of a brilliant morning with the Long tailed Shrike early Sunday. Not forgetting a good supporting cast of Hares, Red legged Partridges and a family of Grey Partridges plus the good crowd of birders. #ukbirding
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Pagan Birders @paganbirder.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
A return visit to the Long tailed Shrike site early this morning for hopefully better views of this stunning bird. Clearly it’s not going hungry! #ukbirding
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Pagan Birders @paganbirder.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
Good numbers of Common Blues at Shipton Bellinger yesterday, quite happy to share the thistle flowers ….#ukbutterflies
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Pagan Birders @paganbirder.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
Several beautiful Brown Hairstreaks seen at a very hot 🥵 Shipton Bellinger, Wiltshire yesterday. Also Brown Argus, Small Copper, Common Blue, Clouded Yellow, Red Admiral, Comma, H B Hawkmoth, all set to the background sound of rifles …. 🤔. #ukbutterflies
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Pagan Birders @paganbirder.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
Purley by chance we met this charming little character at a new site for Little Owls near Mark on the Somerset Levels. 😘 #somersetbirding #ukbirding
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Pagan Birders @paganbirder.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
Adonis Blue - Hatch Hill, Somerset #ukbutterflies
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Pagan Birders @paganbirder.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
Dingy Skipper - Hatch Hill, Somerset. Several seen within the grasses. A second brood? #ukbutterflies
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Pagan Birders @paganbirder.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
A visit to the meadow next to Combe Hill Wood in the hope of finding a few Chalkhill Blues. Only found one but the surprise of the day was an Adonis Blue! Several Brown Argus, Common Blues, Dingy Skippers plus a few Clouded Yellows also seen. #somersetbutterflies #ukbutterflies
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Pagan Birders @paganbirder.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
A visit to Priddy pools on the Mendips, Somerset in the hope of seeing a variety of Dragonflies. Unfortunately not many seen but very pleased to see a few Downy Emerald’s, a real stunner with those beautiful green eyes. #ukdragonflies
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Pagan Birders @paganbirder.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
After an early visit to see the Long T Shrike in a stunning ‘wild’ environment with numerous Hares, Corn Buntings, R L Partridge, Yellowhammers etc a slight detour on the way home to Perham Down to see Silver Spotted Skippers, Chalkhill Blues etc. A truly brilliant day out!
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Pagan Birders @paganbirder.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
All about the Clouded Yellows today in Devon and there were so many of them plus a first for us the Helice form female. A bonus Cirl Bunting was the icing on the cake! #ukbutterflies
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Pagan Birders @paganbirder.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
Chalkhill Blue - Rudge Hill, Gloucestershire #ukbutterflies
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Pagan Birders @paganbirder.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
A few Small Coppers seen while wandering around a very hot 🥵 Rudge Hill, Gloucestershire. #ukbutterflies
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Pagan Birders @paganbirder.bsky.social · 12/07/2026
Male and female Scarlet Darters at Crossways, Dorset last week. The first time we have seen the female and only 2 seen, at least 15 males zooming around. #ukdragonflies
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Pagan Birders @paganbirder.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
A few more from the brilliant Rudge Hill, Gloucs yesterday, a magic little place with so many butterflies & wild flowers. Brown Argus, Small Copper, Chalkhill Blue, Silver W Fritillary, Small Skipper + plenty of B Leaved Helleborines & a few Narrow-lipped Helleborines.
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Pagan Birders @paganbirder.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
6 Belted Clearwing. Always wanted to see a Clearwing and during a visit to Rudge Hill near Stroud yesterday and thanks to Roger we were able to get some great views of this lovely little moth. Didn’t realise how small they are! #ukmoths
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Pagan Birders @paganbirder.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
Red-veined Darter … at last! A first for us on a visit to Crossways, Dorset during the week. #ukdragonflies
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Pagan Birders @paganbirder.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly - Dorset. So pleased to see a few of these small and very delicate ‘dragons’ flitting through the reed mace of a small pond. #ukdragonflies
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Pagan Birders @paganbirder.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
A superb morning in Dorset, Red-veined Darter, several Scarlet Darters seen, Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly, Black-tailed Skimmer, Emperor Dragonfly. #ukdragonflies
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Pagan Birders @paganbirder.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
Western Reef Heron, busily feeding in the pools at Dale yesterday morning. #ukbirding
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Pagan Birders @paganbirder.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
An epic morning in Pembrokeshire, so worth the early start! @ryanfrost1984.bsky.social
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Pagan Birders @paganbirder.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
A great visit to the wonderful NWT Hauxley reserve last week, needless to say the Barn Owl and Tree Sparrows stole the show but the Vipers Bugloss was amazing, never seen such tall examples had to be 4ft plus!
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Pagan Birders @paganbirder.bsky.social · 27/06/2026
On our way to walk part of Hadrians Wall this morning and couldn’t resist a slight detour to see the Turtle Dove at Ingoe. A beautiful bird that kept on ‘purring’ and gave us some great views. Our walk wasn’t too shabby either!
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Pagan Birders @paganbirder.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
Couldn’t resist a boat trip to Coquet Island yesterday. Sun, blue skies and sea birds galore … magic! #ukbirding
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Pagan Birders @paganbirder.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
Our first day in Northumberland started with a visit to Long Nanny. Overwhelmed by the carpet and kaleidoscope of colourful wild flowers and awesome views of the American Black Tern & Arctic & Little Terns. It will be interesting to see how the AB Tern chick fares.
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Pagan Birders @paganbirder.bsky.social · 20/06/2026
A beautiful, pristine Painted Lady seen at Green Down, Somerset. No sign of any Large Blues (we maybe too late) but did notice a huge increase in the amount of wild Thyme (needed for the Blues) on the upper slope and a plethora of wild flowers in general. #somersetwildlifetrust #ukbutterflies
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Pagan Birders @paganbirder.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
Bee Orchids, the tallest I have seen in years. Somerset. #ukorchids #ukwildflower
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Pagan Birders @paganbirder.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
Stopped by a local meadow today to check if the Marsh Helleborines were in flower. Found around 5 plants a couple of years ago and this year there is 30 plus! 😀. A few Pyramidal Orchids and several S Marsh Orchids still looking good.
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Pagan Birders @paganbirder.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
A beautiful meadow in Somerset - Southern Marsh, Heath Spotted, Chalk Fragrant, Frog and possible Early Marsh Orchids. Heaven! #ukorchids #ukwildflower
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Pagan Birders @paganbirder.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
A visit to a local area in Somerset which would usually hold 15 plus Lizard Orchids, alas this year we could only find one! Fingers crossed they make a recovery in future years. #ukorchids #ukwildflower
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Pagan Birders @paganbirder.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
A few Orchids from a Somerset meadow between the heavy showers - Common spotted, Pyramidal, Greater Butterfly and Twayblade #ukorchids
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Pagan Birders @paganbirder.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
Brown Argus … feisty little butterflies 😀 #ukbutterflies
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Pagan Birders @paganbirder.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
Small Copper -Wilts, seeing good numbers of this butterfly in a few areas this Spring #ukbutterflies
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Pagan Birders @paganbirder.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
Gorgeous Glanvilles in Wiltshire this morning #ukbutterflies
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Pagan Birders @paganbirder.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
Adonis Blue taking time to rest for a few seconds, several seen at Martin Down … a glorious blue flash!
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Pagan Birders @paganbirder.bsky.social · 25/05/2026
Marsh Fritillaries from a very warm Martin Down yesterday. Way too hot to chase butterflies 🥵 but really pleased to see them.
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Pagan Birders @paganbirder.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
A great selection of flora and fauna out on the Mendips this morning. A lovely walk in beautiful scenery so good for the soul! #somersetbirding #ukbirding
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Pagan Birders @paganbirder.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
A little distant for photos but over the moon to see at long last our first UK Monty’s. Some good prolonged views across Tealham Moor this morning, shared with a good crowd of Somerset birders. #somersetbirding #ukbirding
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Pagan Birders @paganbirder.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
Scarce and Four-spotted Chaser taking shelter from the wind on the Somerset Levels. Lovely to see the return of the ‘dragons’! #ukdragonflies
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