Dr Phil Saunders 🇬🇧 🇪🇺 🌈

New Year, new start & no longer posting on here (although I'll still check in on occasion). Come find me on BlueSky at @beardybirder.bsky.social

Recovering from a bad cold which kept me off the bike this week felt like the worst of times so I treated @beardybirder to a trip to his native Kent where we had the best of times: a Yellow Warbler at New Hythe and a Scops Owl at Broadstairs shone at us through a Dickensian smog

I was very pleased to find this drake GW Teal in Brands Bay this afternoon whilst surveying. There looked to be some juv/eclipse feathering on the RHS (with the white stripe much stronger on that side too), which should help confirm whether it's the Cowards Marsh bird relocating

Green-winged Teal in Brands Bay from Brands Bay hide currently @DorsetBirdClub

It felt very much like winter at St Aldhelm's Head this morning, with little of note to report amongst the usual suspects settling down for the season ebird.org/checklist/S204… @DorsetBirdClub

Footprint Ecology are carrying out a survey on the management of access in Ancient Woodlands in England for the Forestry Commission: online1.snapsurveys.com/Interview/5966…. Please take a look if you're involved in such mngt & feel free to circulate to other relevant ind/orgs (deadline 31/12/24)

Back to earth with a bump at the Cold Harbour office this morning, with 14/9 in the trap, altho' still incl'g 2 S.M.Willow, a Diamondback, & RDP. Scarce Umber was however the highlight - a sp. that lives up to its name in Dorset & the first I've caught in the county @DorsetMoths

Again not a sniff of a migrant pre-deluge in the Upton garden trap last night, although Caloptilia azaleella was a welcome new species for me. Last chance tonight for some Levantine action... #TeamMoth @DorsetMoths

The (unrealised at the time) highlight from the Cold Harbour office moth trap this morning was what appears to be a Pale Damsel Bug (Nabis capsiformis) - a very rare migrant that has been appearing on the back of the Saharan winds this week

Having only been available to the differently employed on Thursday, & with no sign during an extensive search y'day morning, it was great to see the Studland Bay Surf Scoter refound this morning. The 1st twitchable in Dorset for over a decade & a new county bird for me.

Sadly nothing Levantine in either the Upton Garden or Cold Harbour office trap this morning, but the latter did have an amazing 81/21, incl'g a (camera shy) Gem, 3 Small Mottled Willow, a Rush Veneer, 2 Diamondback, & 4 RDP, alongside 27(!) December Moths #TeamMoth @DorsetMoths

It's still looking good for the end of the week. The far west and Ireland may see the first arrivals on Thursday night (although it will be windy), however it's Friday and Saturday that look the most promising days/nights. Saharan dust may also arrive on Saturday.

Join us next spring for a relaxed birding break visit Estonia with @BirdingDad in search of sea duck & owls, travel to Lesvos with @beardybirder as north-bound migrants mingle with Aegean specialities, or join Laurie cruising the Danube Delta Why not pack your bins & #GoBirding

Four hours at Durlston from first light this morning failed to produce anything of note on the back of the crazily windy Storm Bert, aside from the usual Gannets, Kitt's & Fulmars. Is tomorrow gonna be the day instead?.. #Leachs

For those who prefer their holidays flight-free and devoid of airport queues, consider joining us on the rails next spring, from the Dordogne in mid May to the Bavarian Alps in mid June. Places are booking fast: don't miss your connection! wildlife-travel.co.uk/flight-free-ho…

A wander around Sugar Hill & Hyde Bog this afternoon failed to produce the hoped for returning GG Shrike, but several small flocks of Crossbill were nice to see @DorsetBirdClub

Already had enough of the cold & mizzle? Then check out this spring trip to the wonderful island of Lesvos that I'll be leading with @travel_wildlife. Taking in amazing wildflowers & spring migration, with all profit donated directly to nature conservation wildlife-travel.co.uk/europe/lesvos-…

Sadly no sign of the Pied Wheatear at Seaford this morning, during an out of county away-day, but several Black Redstarts, a brace of flyby Goosander, & a later flowering Clustered Bellflower were nice to see, whilst Sea Heath was an unexpected new plant sp along the cliff top.

A long awaited patch tick @ St Aldhelm's Head this morning, with a furtive pair of Cirl Bunting amongst the flighty Yellowhammer flock @ the paddocks (found earlier in the week by @StAldhelmsBirds & my 1st on Purbeck). Otherwise quiet, with 2 M.Thrush & a Redpoll of note locally

A soggy 108/24 in the Cold Harbour office trap this morning with a few FFY spp, incl'g a December Moth in full shamen mode & a beautifully marked Green-brindled Crescent, plus Grey Shoulder-knot & a decidedly dewy Merveille du Jour #TeamMoth @DorsetMoths