Pagan Birder

Scarce Chaser (Libellula fulva) on the Somerset Levels, love their blue eyes 👀 #ukwildlife #dragonflies

Good morning, have a fantastic day. Another friendly Bee Orchid face 😀

Bee Orchid (Ophrys apifera) from a visit to sunny Devon. Love their happy little faces! 😀

Twayblade, Southern Marsh, Common Spotted and Greater Butterfly Orchids adding a touch of magic to a select few Somerset meadows at the moment. No doubt a few hybrids as well 🫣🤔…

Another glorious walk on the Quantocks this morning, could have walked forever! Highlights Wood & Dartford Warblers, Spotted Flycatchers plus 15 Red Kites circling above us while eating lunch 😮🫣. Brilliant to see a few Green Hairstreaks as well. #ukwildlife #ukbirds

A few from a sunny area in Dorset on Monday. Glanville and Marsh Fritillaries, Dingy and Grizzled Skippers and a single Adonis Blue. Several Small Blues and Brimstones also on the wing, all bringing such joy to my heart! ….. #ukwildlife

Took advantage of the sunny warm weather on Monday to catch up with the Duke and Duchess of Burgundy in Wiltshire. Always forget just how small they are! #UKwildlife

Singing Redstart, a stunning bird with a beautiful song 🎵🎶. Lovely to see on Exmoor yesterday. #birds #ukwildlife

A magical day on Exmoor, sharing the stunning scenery with Whinchats, Redstarts and Cuckoos and so much more … #birds #ukwildlife

Maps all ready for you! 😊

At last … Wood Warblers on the Quantocks, Somerset this morning before the rain set in. Sat in the woods for a while with coffee and cake with the beautiful song of Wood Warblers as background music 🎶 🎵, absolute heaven! #ukbirding #ukwildlife #birds

Bee-Fly Orchid (Ophrys x pietschii) from a great visit to the Stroud Commons

After a visit to Slimbridge on Wednesday a visit to the Stroud Commons to catch up with the Fly Orchids. A perfect end to a brilliant day 😀

A glorious walk on the sunny Quantocks and as usual the Dartfords stole the show. Several Pied Flys, a Spotted Fly & Tawny Owl in the woodlands. On the higher ground Yellowhammers, Cuckoo’s & Tree Pipit (that song!) the other highlights, all in stunning scenery. #birds #ukwildlife

A very pleasant morning at WWT Slimbridge on Wednesday. Luckily the Bluethroat showed within 5 minutes of our arrival to its area! Plenty of Reed Warblers, Sedge Warblers, a couple of Lesser Whitethroats & a Greenshank other highlights not forgetting the cute fluffy goslings 😊 #birds #ukwildlife

Love this time of year when the Somerset Levels are brimming with wildlife everywhere you look. Great to see ‘dragons’ on the wing at last, it seems to have been a long winter ….

A walk on the Quantocks yesterday in a mix of heavy cloud, mist, rain & a glimpse of the sun. Pleased to see good numbers of singing Dartfords on the hills & Pied Flycatchers in the woods. Alas no Wood Warblers seen or heard, will have to return next week in hope. #birds #UKwildlife

Fantastic morning at Normandy Marsh yesterday. Glad the Marsh Sandpiper stayed another day, a life ✅ for us. Lots of activity from Common & Little Terns, summer plumage Bar’wits, a Curlew Sandpiper dropped in, great views of Greenshank & so much more. Birders heaven! #birds #UKwildlife

Great image 😀

Fantastic morning at Normandy Marsh yesterday. Glad the Marsh Sandpiper stayed another day, a life ✅ for us. Lots of activity from Common and Little Terns, first time we’ve seen summer plumage Bar’wits, a Curlew Sandpiper dropped in, great views of Greenshank & so much more. Birders heaven!

Strong winds and a few heavy showers didn’t deter the birds or a brilliant days birding on Dartmoor yesterday. Heard our first Cuckoo of the year and also a couple of views of a reeling Gropper. Felt cold out there though 🥶🥶. #birds #UKwildlife

Another nice Spring morning on the Levels, great to see the return of Yellow Wagtails to the ‘moor’ plus a couple of Wheatears. Once again all songsters singing, new additions this week to the chorus Reed and Sedge Warblers. #birds

Happy for you to add me 😀👍

Welcome back! Watched this striking Wheatear get a soaking from a heavy shower but still went on feeding from its post regardless of the rain. Hopefully the weather will improve soon! …

A few Green-winged Orchids in full bloom on a hillside local to me in North Somerset. Plenty more yet to flower but so uplifting to see these few. @europeanorchids.bsky.social

Out & about on the Levels between sunshine & showers. Good distant views of the ‘fudge’ duck in the sun, wonderful spring birdsong including a Reed Warbler & a stunning Wheatear on the way home across the moor.