@howardtaffs.bsky.social
Long term birder and entomologist now starting to learn Hoverflies
Spent an hour or two looking for the #RSPBHamwall .Water Pipit this morning. It had just flown off apparently. I was kept entertained by at least 4 Water Rails in the same area though
January 14, 2026 at 3:03 PM
Spent an hour or two looking for the #RSPBHamwall .Water Pipit this morning. It had just flown off apparently. I was kept entertained by at least 4 Water Rails in the same area though
A wet morning but still seemed worth a quick check at Dowlais. This damp Curlew was the only wafer in the scrape field
January 13, 2026 at 1:10 PM
A wet morning but still seemed worth a quick check at Dowlais. This damp Curlew was the only wafer in the scrape field
A pair of distant, roosting Avocets were a surprise at Dowlais this morning. The roost area is quite a long way from the current footpath but the plan to extend this path would need full fencing to protect the area from free running dogs of which there are over 100 a day this side of the fence.
January 7, 2026 at 11:16 AM
A pair of distant, roosting Avocets were a surprise at Dowlais this morning. The roost area is quite a long way from the current footpath but the plan to extend this path would need full fencing to protect the area from free running dogs of which there are over 100 a day this side of the fence.
Cold and clear at Dowlais this morning. The scrape was frozen but 70 Lapwings had turned up in the fields and were accompanied by a single, very distant, Golden Plover. A couple of Curlew were much closer though
January 6, 2026 at 5:42 PM
Cold and clear at Dowlais this morning. The scrape was frozen but 70 Lapwings had turned up in the fields and were accompanied by a single, very distant, Golden Plover. A couple of Curlew were much closer though
I decided to stand on the footbridge over the Blind Yeo near my house and see what appeared this morning. In half an hour I had seen, Goosanders, a Kingfisher and this showy Water Rail which was a decent return.
January 4, 2026 at 1:55 PM
I decided to stand on the footbridge over the Blind Yeo near my house and see what appeared this morning. In half an hour I had seen, Goosanders, a Kingfisher and this showy Water Rail which was a decent return.
Entomological highlight of a day spent local birding was this Bagworm (Luffia ferchaultella) found in low numbers on a local river bridge. An odd species of moth with only parthenogenetic females known
January 1, 2026 at 5:36 PM
Entomological highlight of a day spent local birding was this Bagworm (Luffia ferchaultella) found in low numbers on a local river bridge. An odd species of moth with only parthenogenetic females known
Took my sister to see the Starlings at #RSPBHamWall . Unfortunately they chose to roost a couple of miles further East so only very distant views of a brief murmuration
December 29, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Took my sister to see the Starlings at #RSPBHamWall . Unfortunately they chose to roost a couple of miles further East so only very distant views of a brief murmuration
Searched for a reported Siberian Chiffchaff locally today. Unfortunately only nominate seemed to show for me. Three different birds here
December 22, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Searched for a reported Siberian Chiffchaff locally today. Unfortunately only nominate seemed to show for me. Three different birds here
I'm not at all sure what this wondrous beast is. Obsidentify says Alder Fly but their larvae should be aquatic not leaf litter dwellers. So much still to learn. Anyway it's loose in my garden now where it should thrive after the indignity of a photo.
December 11, 2025 at 4:30 PM
I'm not at all sure what this wondrous beast is. Obsidentify says Alder Fly but their larvae should be aquatic not leaf litter dwellers. So much still to learn. Anyway it's loose in my garden now where it should thrive after the indignity of a photo.
A failed search for hoverfly larvae this morning turned up a couple of new insects for me. This is a fly larvae reportedly of the genus Fannia. These are known colloquially as Lesser Houseflies
December 11, 2025 at 4:28 PM
A failed search for hoverfly larvae this morning turned up a couple of new insects for me. This is a fly larvae reportedly of the genus Fannia. These are known colloquially as Lesser Houseflies
At RSPB Ham Wall today. Robins begging quietly as feeding them paused for bird flu. Also smart Great-crested Grebe and, unusually, a Red Kite being escorted off the site by Lapwings
December 10, 2025 at 1:49 PM
At RSPB Ham Wall today. Robins begging quietly as feeding them paused for bird flu. Also smart Great-crested Grebe and, unusually, a Red Kite being escorted off the site by Lapwings
The sky over WWT Steart Marshes was thick withwaders at times as a Marsh Harrier hunted the Lapwings & Golden Plovers. Zoom in video for flavour of it. My best find was an extremely elusive Dartford Warbler that showed twice
in the 40 mins I gave it having found it near Mendip hide
in the 40 mins I gave it having found it near Mendip hide
December 8, 2025 at 3:36 PM
The sky over WWT Steart Marshes was thick withwaders at times as a Marsh Harrier hunted the Lapwings & Golden Plovers. Zoom in video for flavour of it. My best find was an extremely elusive Dartford Warbler that showed twice
in the 40 mins I gave it having found it near Mendip hide
in the 40 mins I gave it having found it near Mendip hide
Plenty of birds at #RSPBHamWall this morning with at least 50 Black-tailed Godwits in with the Lapwings. At least 5 Marsh Harriers, though one lost its meal to a Buzzard at the back of the viewing area. Also a dramatic arrival by some Canada Geese
November 30, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Plenty of birds at #RSPBHamWall this morning with at least 50 Black-tailed Godwits in with the Lapwings. At least 5 Marsh Harriers, though one lost its meal to a Buzzard at the back of the viewing area. Also a dramatic arrival by some Canada Geese
Close fly-by from a Little Egret yesterday at Tesco's in Truro
November 26, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Close fly-by from a Little Egret yesterday at Tesco's in Truro
Visiting Truro today so had a look for the Lesser Yellowlegs. Unfortunately all I could find was a Greenshank among the Redshanks
November 25, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Visiting Truro today so had a look for the Lesser Yellowlegs. Unfortunately all I could find was a Greenshank among the Redshanks
I was delighted to find three Black Redstarts at Brean Down this morning. They were distant on cliffs but I bumped into two of them at the top later on
November 17, 2025 at 1:26 PM
I was delighted to find three Black Redstarts at Brean Down this morning. They were distant on cliffs but I bumped into two of them at the top later on
A pretty quiet afternoon's walk at Westhay reserve with flight views of Bittern and c60 Cattle Egrets. Lovely views of a secretive Snipe from island hide.
November 12, 2025 at 5:12 PM
A pretty quiet afternoon's walk at Westhay reserve with flight views of Bittern and c60 Cattle Egrets. Lovely views of a secretive Snipe from island hide.
A sunny patch of ivy at #RSPBHamwall held 5 different Hoverfly species this morning. The ones here are Sericomyia silentis (Yellow-barred pond fly), Helophilus pendulum (Marsh Tiger fly) and Episyrphus balteatus (Marmalade Hoverfly). I was especially pleased with the first one. #diptera
November 8, 2025 at 2:03 PM
A sunny patch of ivy at #RSPBHamwall held 5 different Hoverfly species this morning. The ones here are Sericomyia silentis (Yellow-barred pond fly), Helophilus pendulum (Marsh Tiger fly) and Episyrphus balteatus (Marmalade Hoverfly). I was especially pleased with the first one. #diptera
A few, late season Common Darters sheltered from the wind at Ham Wall this morning. Otherwise it was a very quiet morning. It's easy to get used to 150 Cattle Egrets in a roadside field with 4 or 5 Great Egrets around the reserve.
October 26, 2025 at 12:45 PM
A few, late season Common Darters sheltered from the wind at Ham Wall this morning. Otherwise it was a very quiet morning. It's easy to get used to 150 Cattle Egrets in a roadside field with 4 or 5 Great Egrets around the reserve.
Oddly very few migrants over Wains Hill, Clevedon today But I may have spotted the reason 50 feet up. ?? At least the Sparrowhawk got some grief. Everything gave the Peregrine a wide berth
October 25, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Oddly very few migrants over Wains Hill, Clevedon today But I may have spotted the reason 50 feet up. ?? At least the Sparrowhawk got some grief. Everything gave the Peregrine a wide berth
An unexpected Ring Ouzel on the Somerset levels today. It's the only one I've seen this year and more showy than typical.
October 21, 2025 at 6:09 PM
An unexpected Ring Ouzel on the Somerset levels today. It's the only one I've seen this year and more showy than typical.
While monitoring visible bird migration (vismig) over Wains hill in Clevedon today this very pale bird of prey flashed by. It was only when it reappeared heading inland I was able to confirm it was just a Common Buzzard and nothing rarer. All photos distant sadly
October 17, 2025 at 1:18 PM
While monitoring visible bird migration (vismig) over Wains hill in Clevedon today this very pale bird of prey flashed by. It was only when it reappeared heading inland I was able to confirm it was just a Common Buzzard and nothing rarer. All photos distant sadly
A quiet visit to nearby Portbury wharf was brightened up when a couple of Roe Deer walked across. They blended in well with the muted autumnal colours of the grasses
October 16, 2025 at 3:48 PM
A quiet visit to nearby Portbury wharf was brightened up when a couple of Roe Deer walked across. They blended in well with the muted autumnal colours of the grasses