Phil Saunders
@beardybirder.bsky.social
Professional bird botherer & bug chaser (not like that), based in Dorset. Freelance ecologist / leader for Wildlife Travel #LGBTQinSTEM. Mainly birds, inverts, & plants, with the occasional arty photo. All views my own.
Pinned
After 25 years employment in the environment & education sector, today is my 1st day working as a freelance ecologist, facilitator, & educator! I'm really excited at the start of this new journey - please do drop me a line if you have any bird survey, facilitation, or environmental education needs.
Reposted by Phil Saunders
Looking forward to the British & Irish Botanical Conference tomorrow, where I'll be manning the @wildlifetraveller.bsky.social exhibit, sharing exciting opportunities for natural history holidays with a strong botanical focus. Do come and say hello!
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
November 28, 2025 at 10:46 AM
Looking forward to the British & Irish Botanical Conference tomorrow, where I'll be manning the @wildlifetraveller.bsky.social exhibit, sharing exciting opportunities for natural history holidays with a strong botanical focus. Do come and say hello!
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
Reposted by Phil Saunders
up early today, for our trip onto the San Lorenzo ridge
up here, it seems almost everything, at least amongst the birds, is a Santa Marta endemic, found on this isolated Colombian massif and nowhere else
#WildlifeTravelling in #Colombia
up here, it seems almost everything, at least amongst the birds, is a Santa Marta endemic, found on this isolated Colombian massif and nowhere else
#WildlifeTravelling in #Colombia
November 29, 2025 at 2:08 AM
up early today, for our trip onto the San Lorenzo ridge
up here, it seems almost everything, at least amongst the birds, is a Santa Marta endemic, found on this isolated Colombian massif and nowhere else
#WildlifeTravelling in #Colombia
up here, it seems almost everything, at least amongst the birds, is a Santa Marta endemic, found on this isolated Colombian massif and nowhere else
#WildlifeTravelling in #Colombia
Reposted by Phil Saunders
While birds and bats both developed adaptations for flight, the way they went about it is so fundamentally different it affects their possible ecological adaptation. Specifically, birds can easily shift to a walking lifestyle, bats can't. 🧪
Link: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Link: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
November 29, 2025 at 8:03 AM
While birds and bats both developed adaptations for flight, the way they went about it is so fundamentally different it affects their possible ecological adaptation. Specifically, birds can easily shift to a walking lifestyle, bats can't. 🧪
Link: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Link: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Phil Saunders
Four new species for Dorset (and a belated one for Britain) are among the highlights of the Dorset Moths Annual Report 2024. Free PDF downland from dorsetmoths.co.uk
#teammoth
@dorsetmoths.bsky.social
@dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
@migrantmothuk.bsky.social
@savebutterflies.bsky.social
#teammoth
@dorsetmoths.bsky.social
@dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
@migrantmothuk.bsky.social
@savebutterflies.bsky.social
November 27, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Four new species for Dorset (and a belated one for Britain) are among the highlights of the Dorset Moths Annual Report 2024. Free PDF downland from dorsetmoths.co.uk
#teammoth
@dorsetmoths.bsky.social
@dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
@migrantmothuk.bsky.social
@savebutterflies.bsky.social
#teammoth
@dorsetmoths.bsky.social
@dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
@migrantmothuk.bsky.social
@savebutterflies.bsky.social
This fantastically stripy-legged Harpactea hombergi, a species more commonly associated with a range of outdoor habitats, was wandering around the slightly less salubrious environs of my Upton bathtub just now #spiders
November 27, 2025 at 10:34 PM
This fantastically stripy-legged Harpactea hombergi, a species more commonly associated with a range of outdoor habitats, was wandering around the slightly less salubrious environs of my Upton bathtub just now #spiders
I do like an Icterid, & a minor homeward detour this afternoon saw me taking in the wonderfully characterful Boat-tailed Grackle currently residing in Holbury. Thanks to the gent who invited me into his drizzly garden, as the bird wandered around the lawn with the local Woodpigeons #PlasticFantastic
November 27, 2025 at 2:25 PM
I do like an Icterid, & a minor homeward detour this afternoon saw me taking in the wonderfully characterful Boat-tailed Grackle currently residing in Holbury. Thanks to the gent who invited me into his drizzly garden, as the bird wandered around the lawn with the local Woodpigeons #PlasticFantastic
Reposted by Phil Saunders
Happy to see our new paper in @globalchangebio.bsky.social, led by @canobarbacil.bsky.social, on long-term trends in coastal bird communities across 3 European seas. Bird abundance and diversity have increased over time, thanks to the role of protected areas. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
November 26, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Happy to see our new paper in @globalchangebio.bsky.social, led by @canobarbacil.bsky.social, on long-term trends in coastal bird communities across 3 European seas. Bird abundance and diversity have increased over time, thanks to the role of protected areas. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Reposted by Phil Saunders
Genetic confirmation of an “uncommon mourningthroat” (Geothlypis philadelphia × G. trichas): A rare but persistent hybrid warbler | www.tandfonline.com/... | Wilson Journal of Ornithology | #ornithology 🪶
November 26, 2025 at 10:05 AM
Genetic confirmation of an “uncommon mourningthroat” (Geothlypis philadelphia × G. trichas): A rare but persistent hybrid warbler | www.tandfonline.com/... | Wilson Journal of Ornithology | #ornithology 🪶
The Sandwich Bay Hume's YB Warbler was showing wonderfully on occasion and calling frequently in this afternoon's sunshine, alongside a single Firecrest and multiple Goldcrests/Chiffs. A nice little bonus after several busy days of surveying.
November 26, 2025 at 2:03 PM
The Sandwich Bay Hume's YB Warbler was showing wonderfully on occasion and calling frequently in this afternoon's sunshine, alongside a single Firecrest and multiple Goldcrests/Chiffs. A nice little bonus after several busy days of surveying.
Nice to have a Single Snow Bunting fly north, calling, up Sandwich Bay beach (at a point c.1.5km north of Deal) just now, whilst sat undertaking survey work @kentishplover.bsky.social
November 26, 2025 at 11:44 AM
Nice to have a Single Snow Bunting fly north, calling, up Sandwich Bay beach (at a point c.1.5km north of Deal) just now, whilst sat undertaking survey work @kentishplover.bsky.social
Reposted by Phil Saunders
major oof-age up in the clouds of Los Nevados, with a friendly Buffy Helmetcrest
smiles all round
#WildlifeTravelling in #Colombia
smiles all round
#WildlifeTravelling in #Colombia
November 23, 2025 at 8:21 PM
major oof-age up in the clouds of Los Nevados, with a friendly Buffy Helmetcrest
smiles all round
#WildlifeTravelling in #Colombia
smiles all round
#WildlifeTravelling in #Colombia
This typically boisterous Caspian Gull was causing havoc on Sandwich Bay beach this afternoon; one of three present, alongside a single Yellow-legged Gull, amongst a large congregation of pre-roosting gulls @kentishplover.bsky.social
November 24, 2025 at 5:57 PM
This typically boisterous Caspian Gull was causing havoc on Sandwich Bay beach this afternoon; one of three present, alongside a single Yellow-legged Gull, amongst a large congregation of pre-roosting gulls @kentishplover.bsky.social
I was fortunate to make it over to the Fleet Bridging Camp this afternoon, just as the sun was setting, to take in the Desert Wheatear found an hr earlier by Brett. My 1st of this lovely spp in Dorset, & in the UK overall for a long time, braving the gale like a trooper @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
November 23, 2025 at 5:48 PM
I was fortunate to make it over to the Fleet Bridging Camp this afternoon, just as the sun was setting, to take in the Desert Wheatear found an hr earlier by Brett. My 1st of this lovely spp in Dorset, & in the UK overall for a long time, braving the gale like a trooper @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
Reposted by Phil Saunders
Are you an MSc student based at a UK university? Or do you know one?
RSPB @rspbscience.bsky.social have just released their list of research projects for 2026:
www.rspb.org.uk/helping-natu...
#ornithology #conservationscience 🌍
RSPB @rspbscience.bsky.social have just released their list of research projects for 2026:
www.rspb.org.uk/helping-natu...
#ornithology #conservationscience 🌍
Postgraduate opportunities
The RSPB is offering a variety of exciting research projects for postgraduate students in 2026.
www.rspb.org.uk
November 21, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Are you an MSc student based at a UK university? Or do you know one?
RSPB @rspbscience.bsky.social have just released their list of research projects for 2026:
www.rspb.org.uk/helping-natu...
#ornithology #conservationscience 🌍
RSPB @rspbscience.bsky.social have just released their list of research projects for 2026:
www.rspb.org.uk/helping-natu...
#ornithology #conservationscience 🌍
A few chilly hrs first thing at St Aldhelm's Head prod'd 7 Go.Plover & a single Lapwing, plus a ludicrous 77 (recently released) RL Partridge. Several roving Yellowhammer flocks were still about too, but there was sadly no sign of their coniferous cousin from last week @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
November 21, 2025 at 2:34 PM
A few chilly hrs first thing at St Aldhelm's Head prod'd 7 Go.Plover & a single Lapwing, plus a ludicrous 77 (recently released) RL Partridge. Several roving Yellowhammer flocks were still about too, but there was sadly no sign of their coniferous cousin from last week @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
Reposted by Phil Saunders
Sadly, we have seen a big increase in avian flu cases in the UK - particularly in waterfowl
Whilst the risk to the public remains assessed as very low, Government advice is not to touch any visibly sick or dead birds, and to keep pets away
Read on for ways to help:
📷Ben Andrew
Whilst the risk to the public remains assessed as very low, Government advice is not to touch any visibly sick or dead birds, and to keep pets away
Read on for ways to help:
📷Ben Andrew
November 19, 2025 at 8:58 AM
Sadly, we have seen a big increase in avian flu cases in the UK - particularly in waterfowl
Whilst the risk to the public remains assessed as very low, Government advice is not to touch any visibly sick or dead birds, and to keep pets away
Read on for ways to help:
📷Ben Andrew
Whilst the risk to the public remains assessed as very low, Government advice is not to touch any visibly sick or dead birds, and to keep pets away
Read on for ways to help:
📷Ben Andrew
Just had a Hooded Crow (or hybrid) fly north over the A35 at Winterbourne Steepleton with two Carrion Crows @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
November 17, 2025 at 11:23 AM
Just had a Hooded Crow (or hybrid) fly north over the A35 at Winterbourne Steepleton with two Carrion Crows @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
A welcome 26/11 in the Upton garden trap after a wet night incl'd 5 Palpita vitrealis, 2 RDP & my 7th Golden Twin-spot of the yr, plus another well-marked Plusiid that shot out as soon as I opened it, which I really hope was a Silver Y... #TeamMoth @dorsetmoths.bsky.social @migrantmothuk.bsky.social
November 14, 2025 at 8:47 AM
A welcome 26/11 in the Upton garden trap after a wet night incl'd 5 Palpita vitrealis, 2 RDP & my 7th Golden Twin-spot of the yr, plus another well-marked Plusiid that shot out as soon as I opened it, which I really hope was a Silver Y... #TeamMoth @dorsetmoths.bsky.social @migrantmothuk.bsky.social
A brace of Rusty-dot Pearl were the only migrants in the Upton garden trap this morning, with Crocidosema plebejana and Caloptilia azaleella also nice to see #TeamMoth @dorsetmoths.bsky.social @migrantmothuk.bsky.social
November 13, 2025 at 6:14 PM
A brace of Rusty-dot Pearl were the only migrants in the Upton garden trap this morning, with Crocidosema plebejana and Caloptilia azaleella also nice to see #TeamMoth @dorsetmoths.bsky.social @migrantmothuk.bsky.social
St Aldhelm's Head hasn't had a great autumn compared to other local headlands, so today's Pine Bunting felt well deserved. I never saw it again after the initial find, but know it was seen again briefly by others late afternoon. I'm still struggling to sex the bird (1/n) @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
November 13, 2025 at 5:12 PM
St Aldhelm's Head hasn't had a great autumn compared to other local headlands, so today's Pine Bunting felt well deserved. I never saw it again after the initial find, but know it was seen again briefly by others late afternoon. I'm still struggling to sex the bird (1/n) @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
Ludicrously just had my 2nd daytime Crimson Speckled of the week flying along the sunny fenceline north of the quarry at St Aldhelm's Head! #TeamMoth @dorsetmoths.bsky.social @migrantmothuk.bsky.social
November 13, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Ludicrously just had my 2nd daytime Crimson Speckled of the week flying along the sunny fenceline north of the quarry at St Aldhelm's Head! #TeamMoth @dorsetmoths.bsky.social @migrantmothuk.bsky.social
Pine Bunting seen briefly with mobile Yellowhammer flock at St Aldhelm's Head Quarry at 1030hrs & not relocated as of 1250hrs. Ltd parking available in Renscombe car park, otherwise park in Worth Mattravers village car park and walk down, staying out of private fields @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
November 13, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Pine Bunting seen briefly with mobile Yellowhammer flock at St Aldhelm's Head Quarry at 1030hrs & not relocated as of 1250hrs. Ltd parking available in Renscombe car park, otherwise park in Worth Mattravers village car park and walk down, staying out of private fields @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
Reposted by Phil Saunders
After 9 days spent mostly in bed with flu, I was well enough to get back out on the bike today to see a long-staying Pallas's Warbler found by James Leaver at Peveril Down near Swanage
@dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
@dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
November 9, 2025 at 7:55 PM
After 9 days spent mostly in bed with flu, I was well enough to get back out on the bike today to see a long-staying Pallas's Warbler found by James Leaver at Peveril Down near Swanage
@dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
@dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
A fantastic morning at St Aldhelm's Head, with an immense 26,400 Woodpigeon through in the first 2hrs of daylight, alongside 260+ Stock Dove, a Hawfinch (site 1st), a "raspy" flava Wag' (sadly not refound), a juv Marsh Harrier, 3 Brambling, 450 Starling, & 300 Skylark @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
November 8, 2025 at 2:35 PM
A fantastic morning at St Aldhelm's Head, with an immense 26,400 Woodpigeon through in the first 2hrs of daylight, alongside 260+ Stock Dove, a Hawfinch (site 1st), a "raspy" flava Wag' (sadly not refound), a juv Marsh Harrier, 3 Brambling, 450 Starling, & 300 Skylark @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
Crimson Speckled flushed from field adjacent to St Aldhelm's Head Coastguards at 1215hrs. Ace! #TeamMoth @dorsetmoths.bsky.social @migrantmothuk.bsky.social
November 8, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Crimson Speckled flushed from field adjacent to St Aldhelm's Head Coastguards at 1215hrs. Ace! #TeamMoth @dorsetmoths.bsky.social @migrantmothuk.bsky.social