Mike Morse

Now posting here.... bsky.app/profile/bexbir…

@jarpartridge @DungenessBO @GrasshopperSpot We've got/had a colony on the coast at West Bexington in Dorset for a couple of years, but I've not heard them this year yet. I have a concern that the tidal serge from Storm Ciarán last November washed them out...

European Tree crickets (sound on!) recorded at midnight 2 nights ago between Samphire hoe and Folkestone Warren. I heard them in this same spot a year ago, anyone know how widespread this species is in uk? I know they’re somewhere at @DungenessBO @GrasshopperSpot

@jtbirder323 Have done...

Final opportunity, if anyone in Dorset or in the Bristol area is interested in a complete set of Twitching/Birding World for free please reply .. thanks.

@stevepreddy Have done...

@Bexbirder Mike, if you have no takers already, I’m interested. Can you DM me? Steve

@james_dee @BirdGuides Female Cirl... Good record.

Bunting in Kent today. @BirdGuides

Accepted as the first for Dorset and the 17th for Britain, although of course there will have been many others...

A bit distant and later than some, but our first Wheatear at West Bex this morning. Also two Greylags through from the south... likely feral but scarce here so just possibly migrants...

Just back from a birding trip to Costa Rica...seems very popular at the moment. Bird of the trip was an easy choice. I had really hoped to see Sunbittern and was just pleased to find one near Arenal observatory lodge...and then something magic happened!

@NarwhalSh @ianballam @DorsetBirdClub @harbourbirds Yes, Coincidentally I mentioned it to a fellow patch birder just the other day... I wonder if its coastal sites affected ...

Any patcher's noticing a severe & recent decline in Green Woodpecker? Prior to 2021 this species was a very regularly encountered breeder. In 21 it crashed & only noted on 10 dates, In 22 on 17 and it looks like ONLY 2 in 23! #LytchettBay @ianballam @DorsetBirdClub @harbourbirds

A Little Gull at West Bex briefly this morning, but there's been no sign of the Cirl Bunting flock since Christmas. They've probably moved to a more sheltered location.

@ClevedonMoths One of my favourite birds. This one from South Georgia over 20 years ago... pre-digital print.

Not quite back on British time. Photos now downloaded. Too much to do now! A very privileged year with some beautiful species but none more beautiful than Light-mantled Albatross. 14th December 2023 between Campbell Island & the Antipodes Islands. 😀

Refound the bunting flock this morning and it's made up of at least 10 Cirl Buntings (two birds unidentified). They are feeding in two grassland fields without footpaths, but if the birds linger I'll try to get access in the New Year. @DorsetBirdClub

Came across a mobile flock of eight or more buntings on patch this morning. Managed to clinch four as Cirls before they flew off, but I suspect they all were. Hopefully they will linger and we can pin them down in the coming weeks.

@MartynAHayes1 Good days Martyn...

@easingtonbirds @SwannerySteve @DorsetBirdClub Thanks Colin, we don't see enough Aythya hybrids here to be able to form any opinion ourselves. Plenty of examples on the Internet but often the mix isn't known. Cheers..

@Bexbirder @SwannerySteve @DorsetBirdClub Interesting bird. Getting some Ring-necked Duck vibes with the eye ring and ‘bleed’ of grey around the black nail on the bill.

The Swannery hybrid Aythya turned up at West Bex this morning. The spread black bill-tip is surely a killer for Lesser Scaup, but whatever the cross it's difficult to believe the species isn't involved. @SwannerySteve @DorsetBirdClub

@CWPhoto11 @SwannerySteve @DorsetSwannery Looks like our Sunday bird...

Awesome sight today of a White-tailed Sea Eagle at @DorsetSwannery, thanks @SwannerySteve for the heads up. This is actually my first. Apologies for the poor quality but a heavy crop on a very distant photo… and that’s a Buzzard mobbing it 😳

@PaulUpwey @DorsetBirdClub Went through West Bex at 10.10 Paul if that helps... caused pandemonium on the Mere.

White-tailed Eagle west through West Bexington this morning... looks like G801 (with overgrown bill tip) that been around Poole Harbour recently. @DorsetBirdClub