Luke Phillips

Genetic Identification of Birds - The Aberdeen Wildlife DNA Lab Help Martin Collinson raise money to support University of Aberdeen Development Trust SCIO

Thank you to everyone who continues to contribute to our fundraiser. Recent greatest hits from samples sent in by ringers and birders for ID include an Atlas Flycatcher in Spain, and a Ménétries's Warbler in Poland!

www.justgiving.com/fundraising/...

Hardly any Hen Harrier nesting attempts on English grouse moors for second year running Natural England has finally got around to publishing the data for the 2025 Hen Harrier breeding season, which demonstrate very clear differences between areas managed for conservation and those man…

Hardly any Hen Harrier nesting attempts on English grouse moors for second year running.

Hardly any surprise why.

#RaptorPersecution #WildlifeCrime #Ornithology

raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/10/02/h...

Is that Dartford still undergoing body moult? Looks like it's got a bit of dandruff. One i ringed at an unlikely spot back in August was still growing body feathers which suggested to me that it hadn't moved for. Interesting if it is moulting and why its dispersed already.

Project Officer - Rare Invertebrates in the Cairngorms The successful candidate will be responsible for conducting and organising volunteer surveys of the 5 key insect species across the Cairngorms with a particular emphasis on Dark Bordered Beauty in ...

Project Officer - Rare Invertebrates in the Cairngorms - RSPB - environmentjob.co.uk/jobs/107624-... #entomology #ScottishBirding

It's been a great autumn for Chiffchaff!
Last few days has seen a shift towards slightly larger & more greyish birds, likely from NE Europe but this gorgeous Siberian Chiffchaff popped up this morning nr Bridport.

Ringed under BTO License @btobirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social

A Poole Harbour record smashed today with 93 Spoonbill, plus 1 at Swineham logged, breaking the previous record of 85. Poole Harbour seems to the most important staging site in the country, with the peak not expected until later in Oct. Some stay but most move off into Southern Europe, even Senegal!

You've picked a great week to come down! Hope the birds keep you busy all week.

And where there are migrant passerines, raptors follow! This young male Sparrowhawk was no doubt attracted to the farm by the big flocks of finches currently in the crops. Several others around this mornings so might not be the last one I'll ring this autumn.

Chiffchaff

Male Blackcap

Robin

Firecrest

Calmer weather has meant more ringing on a local farm this week. Plenty of migrants about, mostly Blackcap and Chiffchaff but also starting to see more crests and some new Robins showing up. Feeling very autumnal now!
All ringed under @btobirds.bsky.social licence.

Looks like a Sika there Mike. Getting more common in West Dorset now sadly.

No evidence of farmer's missing Shetland ponies found in eagle nests Five Shetland pony foals disappeared from a farm in South Uist between May and June, with the owner raising concerns that the birds of prey could be responsible.

Met with Agriculture Minister @jimfairlielogie this morning to discuss the management scheme for sea eagles. We need a proper evidence base on their diet rather than scare stories of ‘horse eating eagles’ @skyeandfrisa 🦅🐴 news.stv.tv/highlands-is...

A Golden Plover stands alert among the reddish-brown heather and grasses of upland peatland. Its mottled gold and black plumage blends with the landscape, a reminder that these precious habitats are home to rare and remarkable wildlife.

GOOD NEWS: the peat burning ban is being extended in the English uplands. 👏

Peatlands lock up carbon, protect water & support rare wildlife.

We hope today's announcement signals a move to end this damaging practice for good, and thank our supporters for helping make it happen.

4th August Whilst today saw continued blustery conditions, there were far fewer rewards on the sea, with only 18 Balearic Shearwaters , 10 Common Scote...

www.portlandbirdobs.com/2025/09/4th-august.html

We need your help again.

Coul Links is an extraordinary coastal dune habitat, home to rare and remarkable wildlife.

But it is now threatened for a second time by plans for an 18-hole golf course that would cause irreparable damage.

Your voice could help save it. 👇

Aerial photo of Coul Links showing the sea, dunes, grass and pools behind the dunes in orange sunlight

📢Help save Coul Links!

Once again, this beautiful place is threatened by plans for a golf course which would do irreparable damage to rare habitats and wildlife. 🌱🦆🐦🦋🪰

Join us in sending a message to Scottish Ministers to stand up for nature. Add your voice: action.rspb.org.uk/page/166270/...

Well done for making the effort before the rain set in! Most would have stayed in bed...

A Goshawk came calling Today on camera, two worlds collided when a Goshawk came calling

Sadly we have to report that today a Goshawk came calling to the live Hobby nest. Nature is incredible & hard at times. Goshawks are also amazing. We've learned loads about the lives of these heathland Hobbies & thanks for your support Read on: drsg.co.uk/f/a-goshawk-...
@forestryengland.bsky.social

No, was in a bit of woodland/scrub which made it even more bizarre. Was in body moult so can't have travelled far. There is the odd pair over this way so probably from one of those.

Dartford Warbler in the hand. Was ringed and released under BTO licence.

This was highly unexpected this morning whilst ringing on a farm near Bridport! If you'd asked me what unusual warbler might show up today, I wouldn't have said Dartford...
@dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social #birdringing

Sure you know but the GBBG is Portland bird. Probably a decent age now! cr-birding.org/node/1429

Rather quiet on the moth front last night at home in Bridport. Nice to see 7 Blair's Mocha though! Also L-album Wainscot was the first of the year (pictured). Migrants were just 1 Palpita vitrealis, 1 Rush Veneer, 2 Silver Y and 1 Rusty-dot Pearl. @migrantmothuk.bsky.social

One of those captcha things but it was "Select all squares with bitterns" and there's a 4 x 4 grid of a reedbed. The bittern is not visible.

REALLY?

Biddy Baxter’s love for nature helped the very first Big Garden Birdwatch take flight in 1979.

By sharing it with Blue Peter viewers, she inspired over 34,000 children to take part , launching a tradition that’s still connecting people with nature today.

A true pioneer. Thank you, Biddy. 💚

Record number of wild White-tailed Eagle chicks hatched in England this year with first chick to fledge in Dorset for over 240 years. - Birds of Poole Harbour Our friends at the Roy Dennis Wildlife foundation and Forestry England have an exciting update for you all:...

Our friends at the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation and Forestry England have some exciting info to share:

www.birdsofpooleharbour.co.uk/first-wild-w...

@dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social

Willow Warbler in the hand just after it was ringed. Trapped and ringed under BTO license.

Nightjar in the hand after it was ringed and just before it was released safely.

Who needs sleep at this time of year! Started yesterday day ringing warblers on a local farm at 5am and finished the day helping a group catch and ring Nightjars until 11pm. Sleep just gets in the way... 😅

The current position of Natural England is that (re)introduction of White Storks should not be supported. Evidence for their historical presence here is sketchy and it is difficult to rule out historical remains as not pertaining to regular vagrancy. Cultural evidence is weak at best #UKbirding 1/2

Southern Small White (Pieris mannii) © Will Brame, Landguard Bird Observatory, 3 August 2025

Huge news! A new species of butterfly for Britain found today at Landguard Bird Observtory by Will Brame - Southern Small White!

Will's kindly shared his photo with us - what an excellent find by him.

It's not been seen since the time of finding, but surely more will follow...

Great to report that Cirl Buntings have bred on patch again this year. Now would be a good time of year to look for juvs, especially in areas where Cirls have been seen during winter. Please send any sighting to recorder@dorsetbirds.co.uk. Breeding records will be treated in strictest confidence.

UK’s rarest breeding birds raise chicks for first time in six years We can't tell you where it's happening. We really can't tell you quite why it's happening. But as the bloke who set up the Woodstock Festival once famously remarked: “The point is man - it's happening...

UK’s rarest breeding birds raise chicks for first time in six years

www.channel4.com/news/uks-rar...

Montagu's Harrier pair successfully breeds in England A pair of Montagu's Harrier, Britain’s rarest breeding bird, have successfully raised four chicks at a secret site in England, the first UK nesting success since 2019. Monitored by the RSPB and a farmer, the rare birds' return offers hope for the species' future in Britain.

Wonderful news this evening! A pair of Montagu's Harrier has bred at a secret location in England this summer, the RSPB has announced: