Mark Hipkin 🏴
@markhipkin.bsky.social
Always birding and enjoying nature
🐦⬛ 🦆 🐝 🦋 🐬 🦈 🦭 🌲 🌻 🌳
🐦⬛ 🦆 🐝 🦋 🐬 🦈 🦭 🌲 🌻 🌳
The periodic birding hotspot that is Jackstones Pier and more Juvenile Sabine’s Gull shots - did I mention there were a magnificent seven of them at one point #birdingWales
September 20, 2025 at 6:07 AM
The periodic birding hotspot that is Jackstones Pier and more Juvenile Sabine’s Gull shots - did I mention there were a magnificent seven of them at one point #birdingWales
Oh and there were Grey Phalaropes at Jackstones Pier, yesterday, too. 3 in fact and later another 4 were seen at the other end of Aberavon Beach at the Neath River mouth so a minimum of 7 in the area. Here’s a few shots of three from my morning visit #birdingWales
September 20, 2025 at 6:03 AM
Oh and there were Grey Phalaropes at Jackstones Pier, yesterday, too. 3 in fact and later another 4 were seen at the other end of Aberavon Beach at the Neath River mouth so a minimum of 7 in the area. Here’s a few shots of three from my morning visit #birdingWales
Oh my goodness! Jackstones Pier, Aberafan delivered another epic bonanza of gull action. 12.5 years after the Ross’s & Little Gull spectacle it’s time for Sabine’s Gulls to take over. Up to 7 birds present since 18/09/25 Every birder I spoke to yesterday could barely believe their eyes #birdingWales
September 20, 2025 at 5:55 AM
Oh my goodness! Jackstones Pier, Aberafan delivered another epic bonanza of gull action. 12.5 years after the Ross’s & Little Gull spectacle it’s time for Sabine’s Gulls to take over. Up to 7 birds present since 18/09/25 Every birder I spoke to yesterday could barely believe their eyes #birdingWales
Reposted by Mark Hipkin 🏴
Some Excellent News. Thanks to all your support we are able to launch our Nature Investigations Unit. We are currently recruiting for the role of Comms Officer to help us with future investigations. Please Share. Thank you.
www.natureconservation.wales/job-advert-c...
www.natureconservation.wales/job-advert-c...
August 29, 2025 at 8:25 AM
Some Excellent News. Thanks to all your support we are able to launch our Nature Investigations Unit. We are currently recruiting for the role of Comms Officer to help us with future investigations. Please Share. Thank you.
www.natureconservation.wales/job-advert-c...
www.natureconservation.wales/job-advert-c...
In many ways I feel Arctic Skuas are like Red Kites. It doesn’t matter how many I see, each one is captivating and cool to watch. Today’s parasitic bundle of joy is a striking pale morph ad that was powering out of Burry Inlet early afternoon. A striking bird seen both sides of estuary since Tues
September 11, 2025 at 11:57 PM
In many ways I feel Arctic Skuas are like Red Kites. It doesn’t matter how many I see, each one is captivating and cool to watch. Today’s parasitic bundle of joy is a striking pale morph ad that was powering out of Burry Inlet early afternoon. A striking bird seen both sides of estuary since Tues
Yesterday’s Black Terns were a mini-milestone in my attempt at the Glamorgan Bird Year List record. They took me to 210, and significantly, is exactly 2 months earlier than in my failed 2024 attempt. Video attached shows the 3 birds feeding in channel off Whiteford Lighthouse beach on falling tide
September 11, 2025 at 4:23 AM
Yesterday’s Black Terns were a mini-milestone in my attempt at the Glamorgan Bird Year List record. They took me to 210, and significantly, is exactly 2 months earlier than in my failed 2024 attempt. Video attached shows the 3 birds feeding in channel off Whiteford Lighthouse beach on falling tide
The day after my first ever Pelagic trip in the UK and I’m still absolutely buzzing to see my first Wilson’s Storm-petrel. The excellent trip run by @westcoastbirds.bsky.social from Neyland Harbour was a great adventure and made extra special when this beauty treated us to a fly-by
July 24, 2025 at 6:36 PM
The day after my first ever Pelagic trip in the UK and I’m still absolutely buzzing to see my first Wilson’s Storm-petrel. The excellent trip run by @westcoastbirds.bsky.social from Neyland Harbour was a great adventure and made extra special when this beauty treated us to a fly-by
Reposted by Mark Hipkin 🏴
First pelagic trip of 2025 off the Pembrokeshire coast today, a really enjoyable day with the highlight being this Wilson's Storm Petrel (thanks to @markhipkin.bsky.social for the excellent photos). #BirdingWales
July 23, 2025 at 8:12 PM
First pelagic trip of 2025 off the Pembrokeshire coast today, a really enjoyable day with the highlight being this Wilson's Storm Petrel (thanks to @markhipkin.bsky.social for the excellent photos). #BirdingWales
Reposted by Mark Hipkin 🏴
No more Beewashing please! Why beekeeping doesn't help conserve bees. Pls RT if you agree.
youtu.be/fiBYBmlKSYU
youtu.be/fiBYBmlKSYU
No More Beewashing! Why beekeeping doesn't help conserve bees.
YouTube video by Dave Goulson
youtu.be
July 17, 2025 at 3:04 PM
No more Beewashing please! Why beekeeping doesn't help conserve bees. Pls RT if you agree.
youtu.be/fiBYBmlKSYU
youtu.be/fiBYBmlKSYU
I have been surprised to see a number of species that I know well at high altitudes on this trip. Swallowtails have been seen on most days with the highest observation just above Col de l’Iseran @ 2780m. Today I managed a photo of one ( looking NW) at Fort de la Turra above Col de Mont Cenis @ 2500m
July 11, 2025 at 8:14 PM
I have been surprised to see a number of species that I know well at high altitudes on this trip. Swallowtails have been seen on most days with the highest observation just above Col de l’Iseran @ 2780m. Today I managed a photo of one ( looking NW) at Fort de la Turra above Col de Mont Cenis @ 2500m
Only three more nights left in Bonneval-sur-Arc in the French Alps. It’s been extremely enjoyable with 3 world ticks for me. But tonight I’m hoping for a few moths to photograph and ID, if possible, in the future.
July 11, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Only three more nights left in Bonneval-sur-Arc in the French Alps. It’s been extremely enjoyable with 3 world ticks for me. But tonight I’m hoping for a few moths to photograph and ID, if possible, in the future.
So the Bonneval-sur-Arc chalet patio wildlife experience has progressed to another level. First a Lammergeier & 4 Griffons overhead were very welcome, but then they headed to roost on the cliffs down the valley. Then more vultures arrived - min counts 4+ Lammergeier, 2+ Euro Black & 12+ Griffon. 😮MG
July 5, 2025 at 7:58 PM
So the Bonneval-sur-Arc chalet patio wildlife experience has progressed to another level. First a Lammergeier & 4 Griffons overhead were very welcome, but then they headed to roost on the cliffs down the valley. Then more vultures arrived - min counts 4+ Lammergeier, 2+ Euro Black & 12+ Griffon. 😮MG
Arrived in Bonneval-sur-arc yesterday for a two week stay and some Alpine therapy with Hipkin Senior. Among the highlights so far are Lammergeier, 4 Black Vultures, 2+ Snow Finch and Pyrenean Whitlow Grass. But the highlight has been watching 12 battling Alpine Ibex @5km from the Chalet patio
July 1, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Arrived in Bonneval-sur-arc yesterday for a two week stay and some Alpine therapy with Hipkin Senior. Among the highlights so far are Lammergeier, 4 Black Vultures, 2+ Snow Finch and Pyrenean Whitlow Grass. But the highlight has been watching 12 battling Alpine Ibex @5km from the Chalet patio
The first few Purple Hairstreaks of the year were on show from the back garden in Neath early evening, today. They usually keep to the very top of the mature Oaks on the right of the photo and if I’m lucky they choose a spot to alight which is not obscured by leaves
June 20, 2025 at 9:59 PM
The first few Purple Hairstreaks of the year were on show from the back garden in Neath early evening, today. They usually keep to the very top of the mature Oaks on the right of the photo and if I’m lucky they choose a spot to alight which is not obscured by leaves
A great day birding in Glamorgan with Lukas today. Started off with a distant Honey Buzzard this AM. Next to The Worm over Low Tide where 2 Puffins were nice but a 1st Sum Sabine’s Gull with large mixed feeding flock off Outer Head was stunning - video grabs by Lukas attached show the little stunner
June 17, 2025 at 9:01 PM
A great day birding in Glamorgan with Lukas today. Started off with a distant Honey Buzzard this AM. Next to The Worm over Low Tide where 2 Puffins were nice but a 1st Sum Sabine’s Gull with large mixed feeding flock off Outer Head was stunning - video grabs by Lukas attached show the little stunner
The garden in Neath is not particularly good at attracting migrant moths eg no Dark Sword-grass in five years of trapping. Therefore it was a real treat to find a Four-spotted Footman in the trap, yesterday. I like seeing the more common Footman’s in any catch but this species is super cool 😎
June 16, 2025 at 1:51 PM
The garden in Neath is not particularly good at attracting migrant moths eg no Dark Sword-grass in five years of trapping. Therefore it was a real treat to find a Four-spotted Footman in the trap, yesterday. I like seeing the more common Footman’s in any catch but this species is super cool 😎
A Clay Triple-lines was the pick of the moths from last night’s trap in Neath. And my first Marbled White of 2025 was on the wing at Whiteford Burrows during an otherwise fairly quiet day.
June 11, 2025 at 9:21 PM
A Clay Triple-lines was the pick of the moths from last night’s trap in Neath. And my first Marbled White of 2025 was on the wing at Whiteford Burrows during an otherwise fairly quiet day.
What a wonderful few hours I have ahead of me watching breeding seabirds on Worms Head, Gower. Hopefully there’ll be some non-breeding Puffins about too
June 6, 2025 at 7:04 AM
What a wonderful few hours I have ahead of me watching breeding seabirds on Worms Head, Gower. Hopefully there’ll be some non-breeding Puffins about too
My UK birding year list hit 200, today, and 196 of them have been in Glamorgan. It was a Spotted Flycatcher, 3 of them in fact, at Cwm Clydach. But the real stars today were a couple of recently fledged Pied Flycatchers being by the male.
June 5, 2025 at 8:01 PM
My UK birding year list hit 200, today, and 196 of them have been in Glamorgan. It was a Spotted Flycatcher, 3 of them in fact, at Cwm Clydach. But the real stars today were a couple of recently fledged Pied Flycatchers being by the male.
Amazing seawatch @ Overton Cliff today with Lukas Le Grice for company. Initially a diver picked out at roughly 2km was quickly dismissed as a Great Northern but when sighted again much closer it revealed a striking pale yellow bill. Panic as Glamorgan’s first White-billed Diver flew past
May 29, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Amazing seawatch @ Overton Cliff today with Lukas Le Grice for company. Initially a diver picked out at roughly 2km was quickly dismissed as a Great Northern but when sighted again much closer it revealed a striking pale yellow bill. Panic as Glamorgan’s first White-billed Diver flew past
Swifts have lost more than half their population in 20 years. A simple £35 brick in new builds could help save them. Labour used to support this – now they’re planning to backtrack. Sign the petition now to show them the public still backs this nature-friendly fix:
38d.gs/cdpr
38d.gs/cdpr
Sign the petition: Save Our Swifts
Swifts have lost more than half their population in 20 years. A simple £35 brick in new builds could help save them. Labour used to support this – now they’re planning to backtrack. Sign the petition ...
38d.gs
May 9, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Swifts have lost more than half their population in 20 years. A simple £35 brick in new builds could help save them. Labour used to support this – now they’re planning to backtrack. Sign the petition now to show them the public still backs this nature-friendly fix:
38d.gs/cdpr
38d.gs/cdpr
Reposted by Mark Hipkin 🏴
I've signed this open letter calling on the Prime Minister to give more time for the #CANBill debate—and deliver the #REALChange we need. We need action for a greener, healthier, happier future—where people and nature can thrive. Will you add your name too? action.zerohour.uk @zero-hour.bsky.social
Climate and Nature Bill Campaign
Take action to support the Climate and Nature Bill
action.zerohour.uk
May 9, 2025 at 4:25 PM
I've signed this open letter calling on the Prime Minister to give more time for the #CANBill debate—and deliver the #REALChange we need. We need action for a greener, healthier, happier future—where people and nature can thrive. Will you add your name too? action.zerohour.uk @zero-hour.bsky.social
After a long and eventful week I think I might treat myself to a ruby 🥘 😋
May 2, 2025 at 3:48 PM
After a long and eventful week I think I might treat myself to a ruby 🥘 😋
I started the month of May by dipping a Wood Sandpiper at Kenfig, but my 2025 Glamorgan year list is in good shape at 189 by end of April. I’ve dipped 4 birds this year but still 9 ahead at the same point last year. And I don’t have to look back very far for the bird for the year to date.
May 1, 2025 at 9:28 PM
I started the month of May by dipping a Wood Sandpiper at Kenfig, but my 2025 Glamorgan year list is in good shape at 189 by end of April. I’ve dipped 4 birds this year but still 9 ahead at the same point last year. And I don’t have to look back very far for the bird for the year to date.
Today, I found 2 pairs of stunning Dotterel @ Cwm Cadlan. The limestone pavement here has been a reliable place to see Dotterel on Spring passage in the past but these are first here since 30 APR 2013. To say I was pleased to find them this year is a massive understatement. It was a real OMG moment❤️
April 30, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Today, I found 2 pairs of stunning Dotterel @ Cwm Cadlan. The limestone pavement here has been a reliable place to see Dotterel on Spring passage in the past but these are first here since 30 APR 2013. To say I was pleased to find them this year is a massive understatement. It was a real OMG moment❤️