Author | Lightnews

Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · 18d

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 juvenile White-rumped Sandpiper stretching its wing and showing its white rump

Juvenile White-rumped Sandpiper taking a brief rest from frequent feeding in the mud

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Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · 19d

A nice selection of moths last night despite the cold temperatures included Figure of Eight, Pine Carpet and a fresh Satellite (VC50). #teammoth

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Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · 23d

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

Two Bramblings having a drink in a little garden pond

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Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · 25d

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

A Caspian gull sat on the water amongst harbour reflections

Looking north from Scarborough castle towards Long Nab in the background

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Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · 27d

Pleased to catch my first Large Wainscot last night. Also Dark Swordgrass, Rusty Dot Pearl and 4 Feathered Ranunculus among the rest. #VC50 #teammoth

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Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · 29d

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

A juvenile Peregrine falcon (foreground) rests on a sandbank with Oystercatchers feeding in the background.

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Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · Oct 5

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

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Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · Sep 14

Really pleased to have caught my first Bordered Straw last night. First moth I saw as I opened the trap! Thought I’d missed the recent influx. #VC50 #teammoth

A Bordered Straw moth on an eggbox, with a Large Yellow Underwing moth in the background.

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Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · Sep 2

A Gold Spot was a nice surprise this morning - seemed rather appropriate in the damp conditions though. Also Frosted Orange and Feathered Gothic were notable for the garden. #VC50 #teammoth

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Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · Aug 31

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.🦉

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Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · Aug 27

An eclectic catch last night included 2 Dark Sword-grass, a Ruby Tiger (scarce here) and 2 Rosy Rustics. Also 52 Setaceous Hebrew Characters in what seems like a good year for them locally, and 8 Centre-barred Sallows. #VC50 #teammoth

Typical seasonal selection of moths (from left to right): Brimstone, Mullein Wave, Centre-barred Sallow

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Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · Aug 25

Finally caught my first Scarce Bordered Straw last night - great to get in on the action with these at last! A Canary-shouldered Thorn and 7 Centre-barred Sallow also added some autumnal hues to the trap. #VC50 #teammoth

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Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · Aug 12

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

A male (top) and female (bottom) Small Red-eyed Damselfly. The female was seen dropping eggs into the pond.

A male Small Red-eyed Damselfly on his pebble perch

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Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · Aug 6

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

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Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · Jul 19

Nice to start the day with a lovely Oak Eggar in the moth trap this morning. VC50 #teammoth

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Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · Jul 14

Can’t edit the original post but note that the Barred Yellow is actually a Northern Spinach. Thanks for the corrections.

Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · Jul 14

Thank you, yes Northern Spinach. Another new one for the year at least!

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Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · Jul 9

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!

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Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · Jul 7

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.

Juvenile Green Woodpecker in a dead tree.

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Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · Jul 3

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

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Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · Jun 28

Not on the Spoonbill - I submitted it but no reply. Looks like a Dutch or German scheme. The Knot were ringed in Scotland and Liverpool Bay and are summering 3cy birds.

Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · Jun 20

No scarce migrant moths for me last night but Middle-barred Minor was nfg. Beautiful Hook-tip, July Belle and Mullein Wave among the other highlights (Colwyn Bay, VC50) #teammoth

Beautiful Hook-tip with a Brimstone to the left.

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Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · Jun 19

Great to see some Common Spotted Orchids growing in our little meadow today. Plenty of Selfheal too and the first Ringlet of the year.

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Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · Jun 9

Some stunning Knot justifying the red in their full name at #rspbburtonmerewetlands today, including a couple with leg flags that I managed to read. A lone Curlew Sandpiper showed pretty well too, as did Spoonbill and Great Egret. #ukbirding

Brick red breeding plumage Knot (back) with grey non-breeding plumage Knot

Curlew Sandpiper showing off its curved beak and rusty breeding tones

Mixed flock of breeding and non-breeding plumaged Knot

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Chris Jones @millstonegrit.bsky.social · May 31

A decent catch last night resulted in my first Poplar and Elephant Hawkmoths of the year, plus Buff-tip, True Lovers Knot and Vine’s Rustic among the highlights (VC50) #teammoth

Elephant Hawkmoth showing its stripey purple and green hues

Poplar Hawkmoth showing its unusual shape when resting, with hindwings pointed ahead of the forewings

Buff-tip showing its broken twig camouflage markings

True Lovers Knot showing its intricate patterning of white marks and subtle colours

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