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Steph Murphy

@stephmurphy.bsky.social
826 followers 462 following 338 posts

South Devon based birder. Nikon user. Birds, butterflies, insects , plants. Allergic to idiots. Part time artist. Lover of all things Mod and Northern Soul . Eater of lentils and tofu.

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Reposted by Steph Murphy
Shiphay Birder @shiphaybirder.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Shiphay, Torquay, S Devon. 19.30. Making dinner 🍽️ and I glance up to see this migrant #Nightjar sat on top of the covered washing line! Stayed for a good ten minutes. Amazingly, the second record for our back garden! #UKBirding #DevonBirds #birds @rarebirder.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social
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Steph Murphy @stephmurphy.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Red-necked Phalarope on Black Hole Marsh at Seaton Wetlands today. Tiny, busy and hungry! #UKBirding
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Steph Murphy @stephmurphy.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
A lovely morning on Saturday standing on the bank of the River Axe in Seaton waiting for the juv Osprey to appear. It didn’t catch a meal this time #UKBirding
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Steph Murphy @stephmurphy.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
Two Long-tailed Blue on wild pea in Seaton, Devon. There were 5 at the beginning of the week. @savebutterflies.bsky.social #UKBirding #ukbutterflies.bsky.social
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Steph Murphy @stephmurphy.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
Philanthus Triangulum female excavating her burrow at Berry Head Quarry #UKBirding
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Steph Murphy @stephmurphy.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
Super morning in Berry Head Quarry with the Clouded Yellow. Not much left in bloom except the Valerian and Knapweed so those areas were busy. Met some friends, it was super chill! #UKBirding @savebutterflies.bsky.social
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Steph Murphy @stephmurphy.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
The Long-tailed Shrike was constantly being pestered by the Common Whitethroat. He wasn’t bothered for a while but finally got fed up with them! #UKBirding
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Steph Murphy @stephmurphy.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
The very famous Cirencester Long-tailed Shrike. Spent an hour watching it hunting insects and perching, with lots of other birders. A great twitch, thoroughly enjoyable #UKBirding
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Steph Murphy @stephmurphy.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
A last minute mad rush from Torquay to Topsham for the magnificent Caspian Tern. It spent a couple of hours around Bowling Green Marsh before flying up the Exe. All present thoroughly chuffed. #UKBirding
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Steph Murphy @stephmurphy.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
Happy 60th Birthday to my other half @robmurphy.bsky.social Have a great day love from me and Sammy #UKBirding
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Steph Murphy @stephmurphy.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
From hedgehogs and bats to butterflies and newts, the UK’s wildlife is disappearing fast – and our government is letting it happen. I’ve just signed @friends-earth.bsky.social’s petition calling for urgent action. Add your name: action.friendsoftheearth.uk/petition/tel...
action.friendsoftheearth.uk
Tell the government: act for nature before it’s too late
Add my name Did you know the UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world? There’s less wildlife today than in living memory − and it’s still disappearing before our eyes. From hedgeho...
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Steph Murphy @stephmurphy.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
Broad-billed Sandpiper at Dawlish Warren today, found by local birder. We had to wait for high tide this evening to even get eyes on it. #UKBirding #Devon
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Steph Murphy @stephmurphy.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
It feels like proper Summertime now with an abundance of nesting hirundine and dragonfly on the wing, including this Scarce Chaser and a few Downy Emerald tear-arsing around ponds. #UKBirding
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Steph Murphy @stephmurphy.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
A sweaty wander around Yarner Wood and Trendlebeare Down, Dartmmor #UKBirding
Female Grey WagtailSpotted FlycatcherFemale Pied FlycatcherTree Pipit
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Steph Murphy @stephmurphy.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
Fab Spring Wryneck, found by @robmurphy.bsky.social at RSPB Labrador Bay, Devon this morning. @birdguides.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social
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Steph Murphy @stephmurphy.bsky.social · 17/05/2026
A lovely female Redpoll and a Grasshopper Warbler from Dartmoor #UKBirding
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Steph Murphy @stephmurphy.bsky.social · 16/05/2026
A resting Swallow on the boats at Turf Lock, Exminster. A large party of Swift also hawking over the cow fields prior to the rain setting in, and then as if by magic, they vanished #UKBirding
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Steph Murphy @stephmurphy.bsky.social · 10/05/2026
3 Hobby hunting over Exminster Marshes this afternoon. #UKBirding #ExminsterMarshes
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Steph Murphy @stephmurphy.bsky.social · 09/05/2026
We spotted two male Garganey at Slapton Ley this morning. They were mooching about in the duck weed and being generally magnificent. #UKBirding
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Steph Murphy @stephmurphy.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
Some lovely birds up on Dartmoor today. Lots of Cuckoo, Meadow Pipit, Stonechat, Hirundine etc. Bluebells wafting their heady perfume over me in the glorious sunshine. #UKBirding
CrossbillWhinchatWhinchat (f)
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Steph Murphy @stephmurphy.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
The Lesser Kestrel at Croft Pascoe gave excellent views to the many admirers. Didn't seem bothered about coming close to us all. It was catching plenty of prey and taking it back to its favoured perches. @cbwps.org.uk #UKBirding
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Steph Murphy @stephmurphy.bsky.social · 26/04/2026
Spent a day at Stanpit in Christchurch watching G625 and G818 loiter on the sandbank and chase each other for an eel. Couldn’t be better! #UKBirding
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Steph Murphy @stephmurphy.bsky.social · 24/04/2026
Fantastic morning with the Red-spotted Bluethroat at Swineham. A great start to our short Dorset holiday #UKBirding #birdguides
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Steph Murphy @stephmurphy.bsky.social · 19/04/2026
What a lovely day down on the South Hams coast path. A wander around Soar gave us many Wheatear and Yellowhammer, with a handful of singing Common Whitethroat and a delightful Common Redstart #UKBirding
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Steph Murphy @stephmurphy.bsky.social · 18/04/2026
I spotted a Hoopoe in flight at Devon Wildlife Trust reserve Emsworthy Mire, Dartmoor, this morning. It spent the morning in the paddocks around the old barn. Also present 2 Redstart, 1 male Cuckoo #UKBirding
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Steph Murphy @stephmurphy.bsky.social · 12/04/2026
A few from last week around Torbay, including a bonus Linnet pair actually in my garden! #UKBirding
Male Grey Wagtail, Cockington Village CentreMale Linnet, gardenCommon Whitethroat, Berry Head South FortWall, Berry Head South Fort
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Steph Murphy @stephmurphy.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
Some very local Firecrest action. Devon seems to be a hotspot for them as I see more of these than Goldcrests. #UKBirding
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Steph Murphy @stephmurphy.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
A potter around Berry Head yesterday. So many insects on the wing including the very lovely Andrena fulva (Tawny Mining Bee) plus a stonking young male Black Redstart in the quarry #UKBirding
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Steph Murphy @stephmurphy.bsky.social · 14/03/2026
Bonaparte's Gull and a pair of Red crested Pochard at National Trust Saltram, Plymouth, today. #UKBirding
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Steph Murphy @stephmurphy.bsky.social · 10/03/2026
Lovely Purple Sandpiper near the lighthouse on Brixham Breakwater. #UKBirding #Brixham
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Steph Murphy @stephmurphy.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
Black-necked Grebe just offshore between Brixham Breakwater and Shoalstone Pool today in the murky rain. #UKBirding #Devon
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Steph Murphy @stephmurphy.bsky.social · 14/02/2026
Dartford Warblers calling in East Devon’s Pebbled Heaths in the sunshine. Spring is coming! #UKBirding
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Steph Murphy @stephmurphy.bsky.social · 01/02/2026
Chiffchaff bonanza at Efford Marsh in Plymouth, including a lovely Siberian Chiffy. Had some views of the Yellow Browed Warbler that we went to see #UKBirding #DevonBirds
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Steph Murphy @stephmurphy.bsky.social · 31/01/2026
Hours of fun at Teignmouth today with 14 Little Gull fishing along the shoreline and at times very close in. Had great fun standing on the beach photographing them while the world and its dog wandered past, oblivious. #UKBirding #DevonBirds
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Steph Murphy @stephmurphy.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
Caspian Gull, Brixham Breakwater. Big ole bird with long legs and knock knees! Plenty of other birds in the harbour diving for the copious amounts of small fish on offer #UKBirding
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Steph Murphy @stephmurphy.bsky.social · 23/01/2026
Two Lesser Whitethroats are still hanging around Seaton Bowling Club in Devon. They don't care about me standing there and popped out of the hedge in front of me. Lots of Blackcaps giving them grief and two female type Black Redstarts hopping about #UKBirding #DevonBirds
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Steph Murphy @stephmurphy.bsky.social · 23/01/2026
Teignmouth seafront this morning. Full tide, huge waves, storm surge yet there I was, standing in the salty spray taking pics of one of the 15 Little Gull to pass through today. Fun. #UKBirding #DevonBirds
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Steph Murphy @stephmurphy.bsky.social · 16/01/2026
A sunny, winters day... a flat, calm Exe Estuary and many, many birds. What could be better #DevonBirds #UKBirding
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Steph Murphy @stephmurphy.bsky.social · 10/01/2026
The male Ring-necked Duck at Beesands Ley today and also on occasion, Slapton Ley, on his 9th returning year. He's a dude! #UKBirding #DevonBirds
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Steph Murphy @stephmurphy.bsky.social · 09/01/2026
Topsham. Bowling Green Marsh, usual array of waders and wildfowl plus a lone Black Swan. Topsham Recreation Ground, a Common Sandpiper wandering around the park looking very out of place #UKBirding #DevonBirds
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Steph Murphy @stephmurphy.bsky.social · 09/01/2026
Local birding at home around Torbay. Black Redstart and Kingfisher in Paignton, Purple Sandpiper and Med Gull Brixham Breakwater. #UKBirding #DevonBirds
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Steph Murphy @stephmurphy.bsky.social · 09/01/2026
The two Spoonbill at the Otter Estuary Nature Reserve, Budleigh. They got quite close until they spotted me then they were off! #UKBirding #DevonBirds
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Steph Murphy @stephmurphy.bsky.social · 09/01/2026
The Little Stint currently at the Otter Estuary Nature Reserve, Budleigh, decided to visit the patch in front of me! Result. Also close were the two Spoonbill and one of the resident Kingfisher. A very chilly but nice afternoon. #UKBirding #DevonBirds
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Steph Murphy @stephmurphy.bsky.social · 03/01/2026
A lovely Male and two female type Black Redstart in and around the palm trees and building site at the entrance to Roundham Gardens, Paignton. The two female type chasing each other about. #UKBirding #DevonBirds
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Steph Murphy @stephmurphy.bsky.social · 02/01/2026
Black-necked Grebe, Slapton. Nice find by Richie Moore #UKBirding #DevonBirds
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Steph Murphy @stephmurphy.bsky.social · 31/12/2025
Last birds of the year, Tundra Bean Geese in a field crammed full of Brent, White-fronted and Brent Geese, Barwits, Lapwing and Snipe at Topsham today. HAPPY NEW YEAR BLUESKY FOLKS ! #UKBirding
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Steph Murphy @stephmurphy.bsky.social · 25/12/2025
Wishing everyone on Bluesky a fabulous Christmas. #UKBirding
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Steph Murphy @stephmurphy.bsky.social · 23/12/2025
In case I get distracted by sparkly things and chocolate, I’m wishing you all a very Merry Christmas ! #UKBirding
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Steph Murphy @stephmurphy.bsky.social · 11/12/2025
Had a close flyby from the Lesser Crested Tern whilst on the Stuart Line River Cruise on Wednesday. The birding gods were on my side it seems! #UKBirding
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Steph Murphy @stephmurphy.bsky.social · 07/12/2025
The poor male Desert Wheatear on the coast path at Bolberry Down looked worse for wear after the persistant rain and gale force wind. Sea foam was being blown up and over the cliff it was that bad. I hope he survives. #UKBirding
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