Recent of Gillian and I at the Cheviot Hills where we though a river was very suitable for Dippers so we went looking and we weren't left dissapointed. This Dipper gave us 30mins + of wonderful entertainment. #ukbirds #Northumberland #Cheviothills

From Hauxley wildlife trust reserve in Northumberland 5 Whooper Swans, a pair of Golden Eye, Barn Owl and a Bar-tailed Godwit from Budle Bay. Our first time in Northumberland and must say it’s a beautiful area. #ukbirds #Northumberland

Proud of my wife Gillian who took first prize for her piece of lace named “Mary” (ironically my Mum’s name) at Dorset County Show on Saturday and also first for her cross stitch picture named “Noah’s sub” (ironically our grandson’s name). #torchonlace #crossstitch

Straying from nature but I feel the need. Friends and acquaintances on here - if you are still tweeting onTwitter please think again. Do you really want to support the owner who congratulates a far-right group in Germany on their win. Is that the way we want the world to go?

Thorncombe Woods (Nr Dorchester) this morning where a female Pied Flycatcher was an unexpected find. Quantity rather than quality with 6 Siskin and 3 Bullfinch - also a Coal Tit. Willow Warbler also seen and yaffling Green Woodpecker heard. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social #ukbirds #ukbirding

:)

First time out birding for 3 weeks while dealing with pre-skin cancer cells on my head (birders wear hats and sun cream!). Best at Lodmoor was the juvenile Bearded Tit with a Sedge Warbler and a Greenshank and Common Sandpiper in the same picture. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social #ukbirds

@tonyjw.bsky.social well I had expected to have at least 50 Sweet Corn but the rats attacked everybody’s and I have only saved 10 and fenced another 8 plants that were planted later.Such a shame first time growing they looked so nice and the produce like a work of art. Will grow again next year.

I dont believe you can escape from an ooen prison - you can only abscond. news.sky.com/story/police...

Police manhunt for drug dealer who escaped prison by climbing fence

Two men have been arrested on suspicion of helping Oliver Mazirel, 38, who absconded from HMP Ford near Arundel in West Sussex last month.

news.sky.com

Our Swift boxes have been up now for 2/3 years. They are attracting a lot of interest over the last few days so we live in hope for next year. Hearing the screeching birds is just lovely. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @UKbirds @rspb.bsky.social

RSPB Lodmoor yesterday where lucky to see the Bittern. Bearded Tits (male and female) showed well in zero wind and saw this beautiful juvenile Reed Bunting. Also saw Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, Common Tern, Great Egret, Dunlin, Sedge Warbler @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social #ukbirds #UKbirding #RSPB

Little Ringed Plover and chick at an undesclosed site this week. #birds #UKbirds #UKbirding

On the left the recent Swineham near Wareham northern variant red-spotted Bluethroat that thrilled so many and for comparison from the ile de re (France) 2 weeks ago the white-spotted continental variant of Bluethroat. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social

From the ile de re in France a Black-winged Stilt, Hoopoe, Melodious Warbler and a Turtle Dove. Two Hoopoes seen over two weeks and many Melodious heard. Turtle Doves appear to be in better numbers - possible due to the recent ban on shooting them. Black Kites also in good numbers #Frenchbirds

On the ile de re in France we followed these juvenile Long-eared owls progress for 2 weeks. All photos taken from adjacent path and cycle track with 500mm lens and pictures cropped. Nice to get the 3 birds together. #Owls #Frenchbirds

Two Long-eared Owls that we saw on our recent stay on the ile de re in France.The bird in the tree had a family of 3 juvenile birds just 200mtrs from where we were staying for the third year in a row.Scops Owls kept us awake at night with their peep, peep, call every 3/4 seconds. #owls #Frenchbirds

@robmurphy.bsky.social Happy 60th birthday Rob - have a good day.

Today Labour will pass The Seventh Carbon Budget, reaffirming our commitment to tackling climate change. It's unforgiveable on days as hot as today Reform and the Tories want to continue our reliance on fossil fuels. They should explain to the next generation why they don't care about their future.

No photos as cannot send but on the il de re early heard Hoopoe and followed sound.Whilst scanning tree adult Long-eared Owl looking at me. Hoopoe top of same tree and Melodious Warbler 20 mtrs away. Whilst walking back located 2 juv. LEO’s. 2 White-spot Bluethroats seen 2 days ago with SEO flypast.

@tonyjw.bsky.social My allotment is doing ok - potatoes, Chard, Strawberries, onions, Parsnips, Sweet Corn, Leeks, Squash, Courgettes, Gooseberries, Red and Black Currants - 3rd sowing of dwarf beans but none showing. I drowned them in the greenhouse twice and think rain did the same outside.

A couple of Dartford Warblers, Little Egret and one of two, possibly 3 Ospreys seen today in the Poole/Wareham area @harbourbirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social #UKbirds.

Two Ospreys seen this morning probably mating - on a harbour area platform. Female appears to be staying on platform. Osprey seen with fish. Withholding exact location. @harbourbirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social

Re-traced our steps of only 4 days ago today as our Dorchester Bird Group had a bird-counting event on. Two Kingfisher sightings but no pictures. Photos of Hobby, Reed Bunting, Sedge Warbler and our first Spotted Flycatcher of the year. Bullfinch also seen. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social #UKbirds

Great to see a Hobby giving lovely views in my home town Dorchester yesterday when walking the River Frome with Gillian. Also saw the Kingfisher and Sedge Warbler (photos), Reed Warbler, Reed Bunting, GSW, Little Egret, Grey Heron. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social #UKbirds #ukbirding

A great day yesterday for the Membury family - #Arsenal winning the league and my daughter in law getting “indefinite leave to remain” in the UK 😊. COYG #Champions

Middlebere this morning in part gloom, sun and ocassional showers. Distant Osprey seen with a close in Marsh Harrier, Lapwing, Bullfinch. Also Common Blue and Greenstreak Butterflies. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social #UKbirds #UKbutterflies

Other birds seen at RSPB Lodmoor this morning - a Blue Tit, Greenfinch, Grey Heron and a Lesser-Black-backed Gull. #UKbirds #UKbirding @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social

RSPB Lodmoor this morning where I came across what I believe to be recently fledged Long-tailed Tits. Some appeared to have a red eye ring (fledglings) and others yellow - possibly adult parent birds. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social #UKbirding #UKbirds #Springwatch

RSPB Lodmoor early this morning where the Bittern was still booming but not seen. Two Photos of Common Tern and two of Sandwich Terns. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social #UKbirds #UKbiirding

A trip down to Devon from Dorset last week where Colin and I saw Pied Flycatcher, male and female Redstart and a Song Thrush at two different sites. Also saw Cuckoos (3 in flight together) but only distant photos. #UKbirds #UKbirding #Devon