Chris Jones
@millstonegrit.bsky.social
Birds, moths and other wildlife in north Wales and sometimes beyond. Also partial to The Clash, Fishermen’s Friends and cups of tea. FPL and PNE FC, for my sins!
Treated to an amazing show from the #auroraborealis here in Llysfaen, north Wales tonight. The best I’ve seen it here yet, with some lovely clear pulsating greens to the south and a red glow to the north. These photos were taken with a 3 second exposure on my phone. #northernlights
January 19, 2026 at 11:35 PM
Treated to an amazing show from the #auroraborealis here in Llysfaen, north Wales tonight. The best I’ve seen it here yet, with some lovely clear pulsating greens to the south and a red glow to the north. These photos were taken with a 3 second exposure on my phone. #northernlights
One of six Purple Sandpipers that were showing well on the rocks at Rhos on Sea during high tide today. Love it when the winter sun brings out the purple sheen on their feathers. #ukbirding #birdingwales
January 19, 2026 at 8:01 PM
One of six Purple Sandpipers that were showing well on the rocks at Rhos on Sea during high tide today. Love it when the winter sun brings out the purple sheen on their feathers. #ukbirding #birdingwales
Nice to see 13 Russian White-fronted Geese during a walk along the Afon Cefni this morning - not often we get to see them in north Wales. 2 Whooper Swans, 3 Egyptian Geese and Great Egret were also notable on the walk #ukbirding #birdingwales
January 17, 2026 at 7:29 PM
Nice to see 13 Russian White-fronted Geese during a walk along the Afon Cefni this morning - not often we get to see them in north Wales. 2 Whooper Swans, 3 Egyptian Geese and Great Egret were also notable on the walk #ukbirding #birdingwales
It was great to catch up with the local Lesser Yellowlegs on the Clwyd estuary this morning. My third in Wales but surprisingly my first in the UK since 2012! Top find by @alexhj.bsky.social and Bob
January 10, 2026 at 5:51 PM
It was great to catch up with the local Lesser Yellowlegs on the Clwyd estuary this morning. My third in Wales but surprisingly my first in the UK since 2012! Top find by @alexhj.bsky.social and Bob
I like how witches’ butter fungus (Tremella mesenterica) always brightens up a winter woodland floor, shining up from the leaf litter. This was found growing on a fallen branch in the back garden today. Green woodpecker heard calling too, quite a scarce species in north Wales.
#gardeningforwildlife
#gardeningforwildlife
December 27, 2025 at 5:56 PM
I like how witches’ butter fungus (Tremella mesenterica) always brightens up a winter woodland floor, shining up from the leaf litter. This was found growing on a fallen branch in the back garden today. Green woodpecker heard calling too, quite a scarce species in north Wales.
#gardeningforwildlife
#gardeningforwildlife
After being too busy to take time off work yesterday, it was great to catch up with the drake Bufflehead near Dinas Dinlle this morning. The smart little duck was busily feeding on small fish. Nice to see some familiar faces there too, including the finder Simon H-R! #ukbirding #birdingwales
December 20, 2025 at 5:43 PM
After being too busy to take time off work yesterday, it was great to catch up with the drake Bufflehead near Dinas Dinlle this morning. The smart little duck was busily feeding on small fish. Nice to see some familiar faces there too, including the finder Simon H-R! #ukbirding #birdingwales
Enjoyed catching up with the Great Orme Shorelark this afternoon. Initially elusive it eventually dropped in to feed for a good spell in the usual spot near the cairn. Only the second one I’ve seen in Wales. Felt pretty fresh in the wind up there today! #birding #birdingwales
November 30, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Enjoyed catching up with the Great Orme Shorelark this afternoon. Initially elusive it eventually dropped in to feed for a good spell in the usual spot near the cairn. Only the second one I’ve seen in Wales. Felt pretty fresh in the wind up there today! #birding #birdingwales
Enjoyed great views of the Malltraeth White-rumped Sandpiper this afternoon, feeding along a channel close to the path. My first one in Wales - the last one I saw was in Texas, 2016! #ukbirding #birdingwales
October 18, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Enjoyed great views of the Malltraeth White-rumped Sandpiper this afternoon, feeding along a channel close to the path. My first one in Wales - the last one I saw was in Texas, 2016! #ukbirding #birdingwales
A nice selection of moths last night despite the cold temperatures included Figure of Eight, Pine Carpet and a fresh Satellite (VC50). #teammoth
October 17, 2025 at 6:12 PM
A nice selection of moths last night despite the cold temperatures included Figure of Eight, Pine Carpet and a fresh Satellite (VC50). #teammoth
Sure I’d heard a Brambling in the garden yesterday, so it was great that the pond cam confirmed it with these two taking a drink later in the afternoon. Several Skylark moving east too, and Redwings have arrived this morning. #ukbirding
October 14, 2025 at 7:56 AM
Sure I’d heard a Brambling in the garden yesterday, so it was great that the pond cam confirmed it with these two taking a drink later in the afternoon. Several Skylark moving east too, and Redwings have arrived this morning. #ukbirding
No needletail for me today, but it was good to see this Caspian gull in Scarborough harbour as we don’t get many in north Wales. Snow bunting showed well on the outer harbour wall too, and a skein of pinkfeet went south. #ukbirding
October 11, 2025 at 7:51 PM
No needletail for me today, but it was good to see this Caspian gull in Scarborough harbour as we don’t get many in north Wales. Snow bunting showed well on the outer harbour wall too, and a skein of pinkfeet went south. #ukbirding
Quick visit to Llanfairfechan this morning yielded 6 Brent geese, a late Sandwich tern and this juvenile Peregrine trying to blend in on the sandflats, perhaps eyeing up its next meal. #ukbirding
October 7, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Quick visit to Llanfairfechan this morning yielded 6 Brent geese, a late Sandwich tern and this juvenile Peregrine trying to blend in on the sandflats, perhaps eyeing up its next meal. #ukbirding
Nice chilly seawatch off Rhos Point this morning included Leach’s and European Storm-petrel, 3 Sabine’s Gulls, 2 Pomarine Skuas, Arctic Skua, 2 Manxie plus Whooper Swan and Golden Plover. Sandwich Terns still on the move too and plenty of Kittiwakes and Gannets. #ukbirding
October 5, 2025 at 10:29 AM
Nice chilly seawatch off Rhos Point this morning included Leach’s and European Storm-petrel, 3 Sabine’s Gulls, 2 Pomarine Skuas, Arctic Skua, 2 Manxie plus Whooper Swan and Golden Plover. Sandwich Terns still on the move too and plenty of Kittiwakes and Gannets. #ukbirding
After hearing one calling close outside the other night it was exciting to capture this Tawny Owl on the pond cam in the early hours of the morning. The bird hung around for about 40 minutes on and off, even sitting in the pond for a bathe.🦉
August 31, 2025 at 5:38 PM
After hearing one calling close outside the other night it was exciting to capture this Tawny Owl on the pond cam in the early hours of the morning. The bird hung around for about 40 minutes on and off, even sitting in the pond for a bathe.🦉
After missing my chance there last summer it was great to see my first Small Red-eyed Damselflies today, with a few on the wing at Parc Menai - including an egg-laying female. Still rare in north Wales I think, but presumably overlooked. #ukodonata @cofnod.org.uk
August 12, 2025 at 5:39 PM
After missing my chance there last summer it was great to see my first Small Red-eyed Damselflies today, with a few on the wing at Parc Menai - including an egg-laying female. Still rare in north Wales I think, but presumably overlooked. #ukodonata @cofnod.org.uk
After a quiet few weeks on the moth front it was nice to catch a couple of interesting geometers last night - Barred Rivulet (NFG) and the nationally scarce Cloaked Carpet. Also a new micro for me - Acrobasis Advenella. Plenty of Setaceous Hebrew Characters appearing too. #teammoth #vc50
August 6, 2025 at 5:56 PM
This juvenile Green Woodpecker was sharing the bath with a Blackbird in our garden this morning. Blackbird wasn’t too impressed but Green Wood are pretty scarce here in north Wales. Great to see what’s going on while I’m working!
July 9, 2025 at 7:24 PM
This juvenile Green Woodpecker was sharing the bath with a Blackbird in our garden this morning. Blackbird wasn’t too impressed but Green Wood are pretty scarce here in north Wales. Great to see what’s going on while I’m working!
Nice to see a juvenile Green Woodpecker outside our house today. Still scarce in north Wales, I presume they bred somewhere nearby but no sign until now.
July 7, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Nice to see a juvenile Green Woodpecker outside our house today. Still scarce in north Wales, I presume they bred somewhere nearby but no sign until now.
Nice fresh juvenile Redstart in the garden this morning. Didn’t notice any adults here this spring but presume they bred somewhere nearby (bird is on the left in video) #birding
July 3, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Nice fresh juvenile Redstart in the garden this morning. Didn’t notice any adults here this spring but presume they bred somewhere nearby (bird is on the left in video) #birding