Phil Woollen
@philwoollen.bsky.social
Birder, twitcher, ringer, biologist, devoted husband & granddad to four gorgeous grandchildren
The whole reason for our trip to Sumatra! Something we’ve been looking forward to but with a bit of trepidation as they hadn’t been seen for a few days. Sumatran Ground Cuckoo. Thought extinct for 89 yrs & rediscovered 20 yrs ago. Absolutely crazy views
Final day on Mt Kerinci, Indonesia and fair to say we upgraded our previous views of Salvadori’s Pheasant!
Lovely Comma nectaring on thistles near the primary school in the village y’day
A sad end for a young Blue Tit I ringed in a box on a local golf course. Killed by a cat 9km away. #birdbanding #birdringing
Look out for our @hilbrebirdobs colour ringed Rock Pipits as they disperse away from the island this autumn. Another 9 ringed today! #birdringing #birdbanding
It’s hard to believe it was only a couple of months ago I was in Norway watching Knot as they fattened up for their long migration to Arctic Canada. The 1st 5 back today in the flooding tide @hilbrebirdobs + 3 Whimbrel
A bit windy @hilbrebirdobs.bsky.social today and no dragonflies and very few butterflies on the wing. Common Blue was nice to see & my 1st of the year.
New blog post. Another historical twitch: wirralbirders.blogspot.com/2026/07/anot...
Another blast from the past. Masked Shrike. New to the UK
My previous post about the Long-tailed Shrike in Fife got me thinking of another rare shrike I'd seen in the area. You have to go all the wa...
wirralbirders.blogspot.com
A surprise today when I heard a Lapwing in the fields opposite house & found 7 feeding in the very dry grass. Local breeders or passage migrants?
Not a bird I usually get to ring in the garden and only the 2nd one. Beautiful male Swallow showing its rusty red throat and iridescent blue plumage
Three broods of Swallows ringed at a local stables this morning. Heard a familiar call & looked up to see 4 Beeeaters flying high north. Watched until lost from view. Last time I saw Beeeaters was in Seville a few weeks ago. Not what I expected to see this afternoon in Cheshire
Can any of my moth-er friends confirm this is Vines Rustic caught in my Cheshire garden? New for me & the garden if it is #teammoth
Not only the shrike but a fabulous area with singing Yellowhammers & Corn Buntings in abundance
Steve Williams@steveonhilbre.bsky.social · last mo.A lovely trip up to Fife earlier this week for the Long-tailed Shrike … thanks to @philwoollen.bsky.social and @alanhilbre71.bsky.social for pilot and co-pilot duties. The new @hilbrebirdobs.bsky.social caps are clearly lucky 🍀 🤣 … one day I’ll make it to the Isle of May Bird Obs 🙏😍
At the Global Birdfair this weekend helping man the @birdobscouncil.bsky.social stand promoting the work of the UK & Irelands fabulous network of Bird Obs. Already met lots of old friends & talked to many enthusiastic youngsters wanting to experience working at a Bird Obs #ukbirding #globalbirdfair
Fabulous but somewhat knackering day on Puffin Island, Anglesey, ringing Kittiwakes! They’re having a good season here this year #birdringing #birdbanding
Any moth-ers that can confirm this is a Shoulder-striped Wainscot? Caught in my west Cheshire garden overnight. New for the garden if it is #teammoth
Two raptors circling high over the house whilst I was standing on the top of a tall ladder. One was a Buzzard & other was only my 3rd patch Red Kite. Drifted west towards @rspbburtonmere.bsky.social #cheshirebirding #pwc2026
My local Cheshire patch. #britishbirds #pwc2026
British Birds@britishbirds.bsky.social · 2mo agoPhil Woollen’s local patch is the network of footpaths surrounding Mollington in Cheshire. Regular walks along a 4.5 km circular route have offered a unique window into the birdlife of the area – insights now treasured by local residents. Read more: britishbirds.co.uk/journal/arti...
Two new Rock Pipits added to our colour ringing scheme @hilbrebirdobs this morning and an old friend, CBA retrapped. Rings as a juv in 2024 & now a breeding female on the island #birdringing #birdbanding
Any moth -people confirm this is Dingy Shears please? Caught in my west Cheshire garden night of 21st June #teammoth
250 Cormorant chicks of which 50 colour ringed as part of the ongoing study of this nationally important colony on Puffin Island yesterday. The state of my trousers reflects the hazards of dealing with young cormorants. Both ends equally effective at covering you with muck #birdringing #birdbanding
Spot the Herring Gull chick! Spotted whilst we were ringing Cormorants on Puffin Island hiding down a rabbit hole
5 Swallows on eggs at local riding stables. All 2nd broods. One recently fledged chick rescued dangling from its nest caught in horsehair around its wing. Flew off strongly & instantly joined by others! A wonderful sight #birdringing #birdbanding
