Dave Dawe

Storms blamed as dozens of Puffins wash up dead on east-coast beaches Dozens of Puffins have been found dead along the north-east coast of England and east coast of Scotland, with conservationists pointing to recent storms as a likely cause and warning of potential impacts to vulnerable breeding colonies.

Dozens of Puffins have been found dead on beaches across north-east England, with recent storms believed to be a likely factor behind the mortality event:

Hundreds of seabirds found dead around UK coasts after winter storms RSPB calls for urgent delivery of seabird protection measures as Puffins, Guillemots and Razorbills among species reported in recent ‘wreck’

Hundreds of seabirds found dead around UK coasts after winter storms www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/H...

What looks like a dark morph Lapwing seen at #RSPBGreylake #Somerset this morning. It was very aggressive to any other Lapwing that came to close.

The wintering Glossy Ibis at Catcott on Sunday, surely the next bird to breed in #somersetbirds

A drastic and sudden increase in patch Cirl Bunting numbers.... stevesbirdingblog.blogspot.com/2026/01/cirl... #ukbirding

Wow amazing count of GND what’s the Devon record ?
Now you’re due for a
White-billed 👍

I've only waited 45 years for a decent view of surf scoter on the North Wales coast, but today was the day 🥳. 100m off the promenade at the Old Fisherman's pier, Colwyn Bay at noon. I picked it out though binoculars 😆 the closest bird for a while #birdingwales #RareBirdsUK #BirdingUK

Excellent day around Somerset with Scaup, BN Grebe, Goldeneye at Cheddar res then American Wigeon, Whooper Swans, RN Ducks and Penduline tit on the levels #somersetbirds thanks for driving Paul 👍

Whilst seawatching at Hurlstone Pt yesterday I was joined by Exmoor Chamois 😉#surefootedsheep

Nice to see a juvenile Whooper swan with an Adult at Sharpham Lane on the Levels today @somersetbirds.bsky.social

Wow still buzzing from seeing an immature White tailed eagle passing directly over directly over our heads whilst sea watching at Porlock Weir a seawatch tick for my wife and I 🦅 #somersetbirds

Great Northern Diver Clatworthy Reservoir W. Somerset this afternoon. Phonescoped. Came nice and close! #somersetbirding

Studies in Greige Picking through a lively bunch of sewage works Chiffchaffs for the Siberian version is nearly as much fun as gulls. All birders know th...

Studies in greige...
#DevonBirds

Tundra Bean Goose in a field at the Western end of Dunster Hawn at 14.50 @somersetbirds.bsky.social

The 2 Common Dolphins off Severn Beach this morning.

Solstice Seawatch Gore Pt
Red-throated Diver 4,
Com Scoter 2, Gannet 3, Shag ,Oystercatcher 34, Little Egret 2 and a Porpoise @somersetbirds.bsky.social

30 Goosander came into roost from the Dam at Wimbleball this evening 25 of which were Redheads @somersetbirds.bsky.social

European Bewick's Swan population more than halves in 25 years A study shows that Bewick's Swan numbers have fallen by 56% in Europe between 1995 and 2020, with further losses anticipated in the 2026 International Swan Census.

The European Bewick's Swan population more than halved between 1995 and 2020, accordingly to a newly published paper:

Gore Pt ,Porlock
On the rising tide
20 Red-throated Diver
1 Guillemot ,Grey Seal , Harbour Porpoise and a Shag in the harbour @somersetbirds.bsky.social

Migrant from the North Pole sneaking into Porlock Weir this afternoon #santaclaus

Wisdom the Laysan Albatross returns to nest at Midway Atoll The world's oldest known bird has returned to Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge for the 2025-26 breeding season. 'Wisdom', a female Laysan Albatross, has reoccupied her regular nest site and is now preparing for another chance at parenthood. Wisdom was at least five years old when ringed in 1956, putting her age at approximately 75 years old.

The world's oldest known bird has returned to Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge for the 2025-26 breeding season:

Flood Alert for Somerset coast at Dunster Beaches, Blue Anchor, Steart, Stolford and Brean High tides, strong winds and large waves tomorrow morning may lead to flooding.  Flooding is possible from 06:00 AM to 08:00 AM on 06 December 2025.  Flooding is forecast to affect locations near the Hinkley Point, with low lying land and roads expected to be most affected, particularly around coastal areas at Dunster Beaches, Blue Anchor, Steart, Stolford and Brean. The detailed tidal forecast for those who use it is for a peak level at Hinkley of 6.65 mAODN at 07:00 AM on on Saturday 06 December 2025, with Force 7 Westerly winds. There are further high tides in this spring tide sequence but they are not currently forecast to meet the tidal Alert conditions.  We are closely monitoring the situation .and checking flood defences.  Avoid coastal roads, footpaths and carparks, which may be flooded Start acting on your flood plan if you have one  This message will be updated by 1:00PM on 06 December 2025 or as the situation changes.

Flood Alert for Somerset coast at Dunster Beaches, Blue Anchor, Steart, Stolford and Brean

Lesser Crested Tern Thalasseus bengalensis

Lesser Crested Tern Thalasseus bengalensis

Lesser Crested Tern Thalasseus bengalensis

Lesser Crested Tern Thalasseus bengalensis

Lesser Crested Tern Thalasseus bangalensis off Dawlish Warren this morning. Was speedily succesful catching a good sized fish. Probably the rarest bird I will see in my lifetime.
A probable vagrant from W/N.Africa and found in Indian Ocean as far east as Australia.

News & Comment - November 2025 Nest predation is a major cause of breeding failure in many bird species, and understanding the species responsible for this is important in designing...

Survey of Exmoor moorland has revealed encouraging signs for a number of upland birds. South West Peatland Partnership has helped Exmoor remain a stronghold for Grasshopper Warbler, Common Reed Bunting and Common Snipe britishbirds.co.uk/journal/arti...
📸David Tipling

One of at least seven Humpback Whales off the south Mainland of Shetland today. Amazing!

#MarineLife #MarineMammals #CetaceansUK #UKWildlife

Wimbleball Goosander roost this evening from the Dam

8 males, 18 Redheads plus 9 Grey Herons and 24 Cormorants roosting in the trees #somersetbirds

Gore pt Porlock Weir
7 Red-throated Diver drifting up on the tide plus a Shag and 2 Guillemot #somersetbirds

Berryhead 8.20-12-40
Auks 4908
Gannet 1044
Kittiwake c6000
Fulmar 43
Com Scoter 4
Harbour Porpoise 6
difficult conditions 4 brolly inversions persistent heavy rain no Skuas or Shearwater but we still came away smiling 😊 #devonbirds

2 of the 3 Snow Bunting seen at Bossington today #somersetbirds

Tufted Puffin sighting highlights potential for further British records A Tufted Puffin has been photographed at Grand Colombier, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, marking the first record in that French territory and contributing to a growing series of Atlantic-occurring birds. The increase in records from the Pacific-origin species raises the prospect of future British sightings, driven in part by climate-related shifts in seabird distributions.

A Tufted Puffin was photographed in a Puffin colony in the North Atlantic this summer, marking the latest in a growing series of records of the species in Atlantic waters: