Phil Bentley
@bikingbirder.bsky.social
Bikes. Birds. Coffee. Cake. Not always in that order!
The prospect of adding Goosander to my non-motorised list (+ some much-needed exercise!) lured me to undertake the 38mi round trip to Silverlake. 5 juv Goosander duly ✅. Several 100 large gulls would have merited close scrutiny, only I was w/o ‘scope 🙄. ☕️🍰 on the way home 😋🚴🏼♂️
#lowcarbonbirding
#lowcarbonbirding
October 28, 2025 at 4:12 PM
The prospect of adding Goosander to my non-motorised list (+ some much-needed exercise!) lured me to undertake the 38mi round trip to Silverlake. 5 juv Goosander duly ✅. Several 100 large gulls would have merited close scrutiny, only I was w/o ‘scope 🙄. ☕️🍰 on the way home 😋🚴🏼♂️
#lowcarbonbirding
#lowcarbonbirding
My ongoing quest to see a Bittern at Lodmoor drew a blank for the umpteenth time. Compensation came in the form of this Glossy Ibis which came in to roost just after 6 pm, 3 Great Egrets, 1 Curlew Sand, 2 Hobbys dining on dragons, Marsh Harrier, several Beardies & 3+ Kingfishers. Nice! #DorsetBirds
September 29, 2025 at 7:55 PM
My ongoing quest to see a Bittern at Lodmoor drew a blank for the umpteenth time. Compensation came in the form of this Glossy Ibis which came in to roost just after 6 pm, 3 Great Egrets, 1 Curlew Sand, 2 Hobbys dining on dragons, Marsh Harrier, several Beardies & 3+ Kingfishers. Nice! #DorsetBirds
Managed to fire off a handful of pics of this Pale or Helice-form Clouded Yellow on Purbeck (Dorset) y’day, before it inevitably flew off at breakneck speed. Annoyingly, unable to discern extent of black markings on upperwing. Inseparable on underwing markings, me thinks?
@ukbutterflies.bsky.social
@ukbutterflies.bsky.social
September 24, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Managed to fire off a handful of pics of this Pale or Helice-form Clouded Yellow on Purbeck (Dorset) y’day, before it inevitably flew off at breakneck speed. Annoyingly, unable to discern extent of black markings on upperwing. Inseparable on underwing markings, me thinks?
@ukbutterflies.bsky.social
@ukbutterflies.bsky.social
As a relative neophyte to the moth-bothering business it was quite a thrill to be pointed in the direction of my first Convolvulus Hawk-moth y’day. This monster specimen - about the length of my little finger - was resting up on the patio wall of the Portland bird observatory.
#TeamMoth
#TeamMoth
September 22, 2025 at 4:56 PM
As a relative neophyte to the moth-bothering business it was quite a thrill to be pointed in the direction of my first Convolvulus Hawk-moth y’day. This monster specimen - about the length of my little finger - was resting up on the patio wall of the Portland bird observatory.
#TeamMoth
#TeamMoth
One of my target Odonata species on a recent trip to East Sussex was Willow Emerald Damselfly. Woods Mill nature reserve, home of @sussexwildlife.bsky.social, is reputed to be a good site for them. It took me over 2 hours to find a few individuals, but this male posed nicely on its favoured perch.
August 14, 2025 at 6:53 PM
One of my target Odonata species on a recent trip to East Sussex was Willow Emerald Damselfly. Woods Mill nature reserve, home of @sussexwildlife.bsky.social, is reputed to be a good site for them. It took me over 2 hours to find a few individuals, but this male posed nicely on its favoured perch.
Pleased to find 6+ Southern Migrant Hawkers along the R Ouse near Southease (E Sussex) during a recent visit. Having fired off dozens of pretty poor flight shots it was good to eventually stumble across a v smart perched male. Boots were duly filled!
@britishdragonflies.bsky.social
@britishdragonflies.bsky.social
August 12, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Pleased to find 6+ Southern Migrant Hawkers along the R Ouse near Southease (E Sussex) during a recent visit. Having fired off dozens of pretty poor flight shots it was good to eventually stumble across a v smart perched male. Boots were duly filled!
@britishdragonflies.bsky.social
@britishdragonflies.bsky.social
This odd-looking dark-ish juv tern (right hand bird) seen briefly & distantly on Brownsea today. Initial thoughts were of Black Tern, but lack of obvs dark patch on side of breast, head markings, + similar size to nearby juv Cmn Tern, all seem to suggest that species 🤔
@dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
@dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
July 23, 2025 at 7:21 PM
This odd-looking dark-ish juv tern (right hand bird) seen briefly & distantly on Brownsea today. Initial thoughts were of Black Tern, but lack of obvs dark patch on side of breast, head markings, + similar size to nearby juv Cmn Tern, all seem to suggest that species 🤔
@dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
@dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
100s if not 1000s of Chalkhill Blues at a parched Martin Down NNR today. They seemed to be everywhere you looked! Elsewhere a showy Brimstone posed nicely for the camera 👇. Avian interest in the form of Turtle Dove & Quail - both heard only.
@ukbutterflies.bsky.social
@ukbutterflies.bsky.social
July 18, 2025 at 7:04 PM
100s if not 1000s of Chalkhill Blues at a parched Martin Down NNR today. They seemed to be everywhere you looked! Elsewhere a showy Brimstone posed nicely for the camera 👇. Avian interest in the form of Turtle Dove & Quail - both heard only.
@ukbutterflies.bsky.social
@ukbutterflies.bsky.social
Definitely not the high point of my faltering wildlife photography career to date, but you get the idea! Not easy holding a heavy Kowa ‘scope in one hand while trying to take a photo with your phone in the other 😆 (Note to self: must ALWAYS carry #1 camera with me 🙄)
@dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
@dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
July 15, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Definitely not the high point of my faltering wildlife photography career to date, but you get the idea! Not easy holding a heavy Kowa ‘scope in one hand while trying to take a photo with your phone in the other 😆 (Note to self: must ALWAYS carry #1 camera with me 🙄)
@dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
@dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
Three species of hairstreak butterfly at @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social Alner’s Gorse reserve today, including this lovely fresh Brown Hairstreak (a male, I think, tho not 100% sure).
@ukbutterflies.bsky.social
@ukbutterflies.bsky.social
July 11, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Three species of hairstreak butterfly at @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social Alner’s Gorse reserve today, including this lovely fresh Brown Hairstreak (a male, I think, tho not 100% sure).
@ukbutterflies.bsky.social
@ukbutterflies.bsky.social
Didn’t have my bridge camera with me this morning so this slightly out of focus shot of a PH was taken on my iPhone! The same branch - only just above head height - also held a group of 3 PHs mating and/or egg laying. First time I’ve seen this 🙂
July 8, 2025 at 10:50 AM
Didn’t have my bridge camera with me this morning so this slightly out of focus shot of a PH was taken on my iPhone! The same branch - only just above head height - also held a group of 3 PHs mating and/or egg laying. First time I’ve seen this 🙂
Good numbers of Purple Hairstreaks flitting around the Oak tree next to the bench at the end of Cordite Way (Poole Harbour). Some of them are feeding on the lower branches hence good photo opps for those who are of a mind to. 🦋. Nice views of adult WTE over towards Arne.
@dorsetwildlife.bsky.social
@dorsetwildlife.bsky.social
July 8, 2025 at 9:39 AM
Good numbers of Purple Hairstreaks flitting around the Oak tree next to the bench at the end of Cordite Way (Poole Harbour). Some of them are feeding on the lower branches hence good photo opps for those who are of a mind to. 🦋. Nice views of adult WTE over towards Arne.
@dorsetwildlife.bsky.social
@dorsetwildlife.bsky.social
Purple Duo! One more photo from Knepp y’day, and perhaps one that I’m unlikely to ever capture again. Both of the UK’s purple-named butterflies in the same camera viewfinder. Purple Emperor at lower left, Purple Hairstreak at upper right. 🦋🦋😍
@kneppwilding.bsky.social
@ukbutterflies.bsky.social
@kneppwilding.bsky.social
@ukbutterflies.bsky.social
June 30, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Purple Duo! One more photo from Knepp y’day, and perhaps one that I’m unlikely to ever capture again. Both of the UK’s purple-named butterflies in the same camera viewfinder. Purple Emperor at lower left, Purple Hairstreak at upper right. 🦋🦋😍
@kneppwilding.bsky.social
@ukbutterflies.bsky.social
@kneppwilding.bsky.social
@ukbutterflies.bsky.social
Pretty damn awesome to witness the Purple Emperor bonanza at @kneppwilding.bsky.social yesterday in perfect conditions. 30+ sightings of 20 or more individuals. Seeing & hearing my first Turtle Doves for several years was a nice bonus. V impressed with Knepp Estate - the landscape & the ethos 🦋👍
June 30, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Pretty damn awesome to witness the Purple Emperor bonanza at @kneppwilding.bsky.social yesterday in perfect conditions. 30+ sightings of 20 or more individuals. Seeing & hearing my first Turtle Doves for several years was a nice bonus. V impressed with Knepp Estate - the landscape & the ethos 🦋👍
Initial thoughts re this handsome critter were of a clearwing species. However, I can’t seem to match it with anything in my moth guide, so perhaps belongs to some other family. Any ID help appreciated, thanks. Photo taken y’day at one of the Shropshire mosses.
#TeamMoth
#TeamMoth
June 12, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Initial thoughts re this handsome critter were of a clearwing species. However, I can’t seem to match it with anything in my moth guide, so perhaps belongs to some other family. Any ID help appreciated, thanks. Photo taken y’day at one of the Shropshire mosses.
#TeamMoth
#TeamMoth
Pleased to find a new DW territory on one of my lower grade BTO Heathland Bird Survey squares this a.m. Pair with young on the only patch of suitable habo (as clocked on 1st visit). Backup cast of Tripits, Stonechats, Y’hammers Cuckoos & (early?) SS Blues 🦋. Nice work!
@btobirds.bsky.social
@btobirds.bsky.social
May 30, 2025 at 12:37 PM
Pleased to find a new DW territory on one of my lower grade BTO Heathland Bird Survey squares this a.m. Pair with young on the only patch of suitable habo (as clocked on 1st visit). Backup cast of Tripits, Stonechats, Y’hammers Cuckoos & (early?) SS Blues 🦋. Nice work!
@btobirds.bsky.social
@btobirds.bsky.social
Good hair day, bad hair day. Durlston Country Park, Dorset, 22.5.2025.
@dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
@dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
May 23, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Good hair day, bad hair day. Durlston Country Park, Dorset, 22.5.2025.
@dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
@dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
Fascinating to watch this Common Clubtail dragonfly slowly emerge from its nymph stage over the course of c1 hour on the banks of the R Thames. Pics taken at T0, T10, T30 & T50 mins. As per custom it flew off to tree tops shortly after last pic. Amazing spectacle.
@britishdragonflies.bsky.social
@britishdragonflies.bsky.social
May 17, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Fascinating to watch this Common Clubtail dragonfly slowly emerge from its nymph stage over the course of c1 hour on the banks of the R Thames. Pics taken at T0, T10, T30 & T50 mins. As per custom it flew off to tree tops shortly after last pic. Amazing spectacle.
@britishdragonflies.bsky.social
@britishdragonflies.bsky.social
Veggie lunch for one rather adorable Brownsea Island resident yesterday 🦌☺️. As always, a pleasure for us volunteers to chat with so many kind (and generous) visitors to the island.
@dorsetwildlife.bsky.social
#WildBrownsea
@dorsetwildlife.bsky.social
#WildBrownsea
May 15, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Veggie lunch for one rather adorable Brownsea Island resident yesterday 🦌☺️. As always, a pleasure for us volunteers to chat with so many kind (and generous) visitors to the island.
@dorsetwildlife.bsky.social
#WildBrownsea
@dorsetwildlife.bsky.social
#WildBrownsea
Very distant flock of waders on Brownsea Lagoon y’day. Taken at extreme 🔍! c6 apiece of Dunlin & Sanderling, 1 of latter in near summer plumage, and 1 (2nd from R) with yellow ring on R tarsus & metal ring on L tibia. Dutch scheme perhaps?
@dorsetbirds.bsky.social
#WildBrownsea
#DorsetBirds
@dorsetbirds.bsky.social
#WildBrownsea
#DorsetBirds
May 15, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Very distant flock of waders on Brownsea Lagoon y’day. Taken at extreme 🔍! c6 apiece of Dunlin & Sanderling, 1 of latter in near summer plumage, and 1 (2nd from R) with yellow ring on R tarsus & metal ring on L tibia. Dutch scheme perhaps?
@dorsetbirds.bsky.social
#WildBrownsea
#DorsetBirds
@dorsetbirds.bsky.social
#WildBrownsea
#DorsetBirds
May 6, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Pleased to complete the full set of commonly occurring British frits with the addition of Glanville Fritillary; half a dozen seen on Afton Down (Freshwater Bay), IoW yesterday. Pix show, I think, female and male examples. Sadly couldn’t capture the lovely undersides 🦋
@ukbutterflies.bsky.social
@ukbutterflies.bsky.social
May 5, 2025 at 10:27 AM
Pleased to complete the full set of commonly occurring British frits with the addition of Glanville Fritillary; half a dozen seen on Afton Down (Freshwater Bay), IoW yesterday. Pix show, I think, female and male examples. Sadly couldn’t capture the lovely undersides 🦋
@ukbutterflies.bsky.social
@ukbutterflies.bsky.social
If someone had told me this morning that, today, I would see an adult Black-crowned Night Heron giving outlandish views on a rocky foreshore, in broad daylight, on a glorious sunny day in the UK, I would have seriously questioned what medication they were on 😂. A superb county ✅.
#DorsetBirds
#DorsetBirds
May 1, 2025 at 7:39 PM
If someone had told me this morning that, today, I would see an adult Black-crowned Night Heron giving outlandish views on a rocky foreshore, in broad daylight, on a glorious sunny day in the UK, I would have seriously questioned what medication they were on 😂. A superb county ✅.
#DorsetBirds
#DorsetBirds
I’m something of a moth numpty, so am hoping the BlueSky moth experts can tell me what this handsome critter is. c1.5 cm long. Deffo a warmth lover as it’s sat on my outside wall in the full glare of the scorching afternoon sun 🔥😳 (pic taken shaded by my hand to reduce harsh lighting) 🙏 #teammoth
April 28, 2025 at 4:12 PM
I’m something of a moth numpty, so am hoping the BlueSky moth experts can tell me what this handsome critter is. c1.5 cm long. Deffo a warmth lover as it’s sat on my outside wall in the full glare of the scorching afternoon sun 🔥😳 (pic taken shaded by my hand to reduce harsh lighting) 🙏 #teammoth
A 36-mile 🚴🏼♂️ around the lanes & chocolate-box villages of N Dorset was enhanced by many W’throats, 2 L’throats, Yellowhammers, a RL Partridge, and a Tree Pipit which was advertising its territory from a stack of dead branches in a set-aside field 👇 right next to the busy A35. Adaptable birds!
April 28, 2025 at 2:42 PM
A 36-mile 🚴🏼♂️ around the lanes & chocolate-box villages of N Dorset was enhanced by many W’throats, 2 L’throats, Yellowhammers, a RL Partridge, and a Tree Pipit which was advertising its territory from a stack of dead branches in a set-aside field 👇 right next to the busy A35. Adaptable birds!