Dave Helliar
@dhelliar.bsky.social
Local patch birding in Somerset, Devon & Dorset & anything to do with natural history. Retired & now trying to do my little bit to help the natural world.
Red Kite over the Dorset patch this am, also Brambling heard inflight. Dipper on a Somerset stream near Chard late this pm. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @somersetbirds.bsky.social
November 26, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Red Kite over the Dorset patch this am, also Brambling heard inflight. Dipper on a Somerset stream near Chard late this pm. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @somersetbirds.bsky.social
No sign of Scaup this am. Didn't realise the significance of my find yesterday...this is the first record at #ChardRes for 24 years & the largest group since the 1950's! #PWC2025Mega @patchbirding.bsky.social #LocalPatchBirding
3 Scaup still present at #ChardRes at dusk. Also drake & redhead Goosander & 14 Tufties. @somersetbirds.bsky.social
November 26, 2025 at 12:06 PM
No sign of Scaup this am. Didn't realise the significance of my find yesterday...this is the first record at #ChardRes for 24 years & the largest group since the 1950's! #PWC2025Mega @patchbirding.bsky.social #LocalPatchBirding
3 Scaup still present at #ChardRes at dusk. Also drake & redhead Goosander & 14 Tufties. @somersetbirds.bsky.social
November 25, 2025 at 5:20 PM
3 Scaup still present at #ChardRes at dusk. Also drake & redhead Goosander & 14 Tufties. @somersetbirds.bsky.social
Reposted by Dave Helliar
Planning and Infrastructure Bill - sadly about to clear its final hurdle. With disastrous implications for our already nature-depleted land
#Biodiversity #Planning
#Biodiversity #Planning
November 24, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Planning and Infrastructure Bill - sadly about to clear its final hurdle. With disastrous implications for our already nature-depleted land
#Biodiversity #Planning
#Biodiversity #Planning
The Desert Wheatear at Wyke Regis was a Dorset tick & 8 years since my last, the showy Thurlstone bird in South Devon in Jan 2017. Thx to Brett @luvaducksbutt.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
November 24, 2025 at 5:53 PM
The Desert Wheatear at Wyke Regis was a Dorset tick & 8 years since my last, the showy Thurlstone bird in South Devon in Jan 2017. Thx to Brett @luvaducksbutt.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
Desert Wheatear still showing at Bridging Camp, Wyke Regis....but we've just been told to move on by the camp security! @birdguides.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
November 24, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Desert Wheatear still showing at Bridging Camp, Wyke Regis....but we've just been told to move on by the camp security! @birdguides.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
Red Admiral still visiting my Orange Ball Buddleia daily... 23rd November & after several hard frosts! Chard, South Somerset. #inverts @savebutterflies.bsky.social
November 23, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Red Admiral still visiting my Orange Ball Buddleia daily... 23rd November & after several hard frosts! Chard, South Somerset. #inverts @savebutterflies.bsky.social
At least 41 Great Crested Grebe at #ChardRes this am in awful weather. Redhead Goosander also still present (photo taken yesterday in much better conditions!) #PWC2025 @somersetbirds.bsky.social
November 22, 2025 at 11:09 AM
At least 41 Great Crested Grebe at #ChardRes this am in awful weather. Redhead Goosander also still present (photo taken yesterday in much better conditions!) #PWC2025 @somersetbirds.bsky.social
November 20, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Very productive EuCan Conservation Workday yesterday at my Dorset patch, with meadows & glades brush-cut. 15 Ash dieback felled, 5 Oak with major squirrel damage, 4 large leaning willow soon to block footpath & a few Silver Birch. Also several Hazel coppiced to allow more light. Thx to 11 volunteers
November 19, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Very productive EuCan Conservation Workday yesterday at my Dorset patch, with meadows & glades brush-cut. 15 Ash dieback felled, 5 Oak with major squirrel damage, 4 large leaning willow soon to block footpath & a few Silver Birch. Also several Hazel coppiced to allow more light. Thx to 11 volunteers
Female Pintail on the Dorset patch this morning, only the second record this year after a pair in February (which were the first for 5 years at the site!) #PWC2025 @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
November 19, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Female Pintail on the Dorset patch this morning, only the second record this year after a pair in February (which were the first for 5 years at the site!) #PWC2025 @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
Just received details of this bird from Roy Dennis Foundation: G834 a male that fledged from a nest in Dorset this year!
Thx for the very quick reply Zoe Smith at RDF.
Thx for the very quick reply Zoe Smith at RDF.
WTE drifted slowly south, high over my inland Dorset patch at Chard Junction at 11:00 this am. My second record here. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @patchbirding.bsky.social #PWC2025
November 19, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Just received details of this bird from Roy Dennis Foundation: G834 a male that fledged from a nest in Dorset this year!
Thx for the very quick reply Zoe Smith at RDF.
Thx for the very quick reply Zoe Smith at RDF.
It might be just 3 Pochard, but they're the first of the year on my 10km #PWC2024 !! Seen at #ChardRes this morning. 131st species for the patch to date (153 points) @somersetbirds.bsky.social @patchbirding.bsky.social
November 18, 2025 at 5:09 PM
It might be just 3 Pochard, but they're the first of the year on my 10km #PWC2024 !! Seen at #ChardRes this morning. 131st species for the patch to date (153 points) @somersetbirds.bsky.social @patchbirding.bsky.social
WTE drifted slowly south, high over my inland Dorset patch at Chard Junction at 11:00 this am. My second record here. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @patchbirding.bsky.social #PWC2025
November 17, 2025 at 12:29 PM
WTE drifted slowly south, high over my inland Dorset patch at Chard Junction at 11:00 this am. My second record here. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @patchbirding.bsky.social #PWC2025
Probably my last moth trap of the year gave 9 species, singles of Rusty-dot Pearl, Dark Arches, Red & Yellow-line Quakers, Beautiful Plume, Epirrita sp & 2 Feathered Thorn. Chard, Somerset VC5 #Teammoth @migrantmothuk.bsky.social
November 16, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Probably my last moth trap of the year gave 9 species, singles of Rusty-dot Pearl, Dark Arches, Red & Yellow-line Quakers, Beautiful Plume, Epirrita sp & 2 Feathered Thorn. Chard, Somerset VC5 #Teammoth @migrantmothuk.bsky.social
Just 5 moths in last nights' trap, this White-point, plus Large Pale Masoner, Yellow-line Quaker, Common Plume & LBAM.
Chard VC5 #Teammoth @migrantmothuk.bsky.social
Chard VC5 #Teammoth @migrantmothuk.bsky.social
November 13, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Just 5 moths in last nights' trap, this White-point, plus Large Pale Masoner, Yellow-line Quaker, Common Plume & LBAM.
Chard VC5 #Teammoth @migrantmothuk.bsky.social
Chard VC5 #Teammoth @migrantmothuk.bsky.social
Surprised to see this Comma nectaring on Orange Ball Buddleia in my Somerset garden today in total cloud cover, still mild though at 14C!
@savebutterflies.bsky.social
@savebutterflies.bsky.social
November 12, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Surprised to see this Comma nectaring on Orange Ball Buddleia in my Somerset garden today in total cloud cover, still mild though at 14C!
@savebutterflies.bsky.social
@savebutterflies.bsky.social
Spectacular aerial display by these two Goshawk this morning in glorious sunshine! An adult & juvenile/immature?
November 8, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Spectacular aerial display by these two Goshawk this morning in glorious sunshine! An adult & juvenile/immature?
Olive-tree Pearl, 6 Rusty-dot Pearl, Dark Chestnut (NFM), 3 Feathered Thorn, 2 Silver-Y & 2 Barred Sallow were the best of 14 species last night. Chard VC5 #Teammoth @migrantmothuk.bsky.social
November 7, 2025 at 12:37 PM
Olive-tree Pearl, 6 Rusty-dot Pearl, Dark Chestnut (NFM), 3 Feathered Thorn, 2 Silver-Y & 2 Barred Sallow were the best of 14 species last night. Chard VC5 #Teammoth @migrantmothuk.bsky.social
Fairly quiet mothing last night in Chard VC5, just 2 Rusty-dot Pearl, Turnip Moth, 3 Red-green Carpet, 2 Yellow-line Quaker among the 10 species. #Teammoth
November 6, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Fairly quiet mothing last night in Chard VC5, just 2 Rusty-dot Pearl, Turnip Moth, 3 Red-green Carpet, 2 Yellow-line Quaker among the 10 species. #Teammoth
Reposted by Dave Helliar
Petition: Stop the Guga Hunt. Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to amend Section 16 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to remove the power to grant licences for killing young Gannets.
Please sign and Repost.
#BirdingScotland #UKbirding #Birds #UKWildlife
Please sign and Repost.
#BirdingScotland #UKbirding #Birds #UKWildlife
PE2202 Stop the Guga Hunt
Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to amend Section 16 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to remove the power to grant licences for taking Gannets on Sula Sgeir.
www.parliament.scot
November 4, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Petition: Stop the Guga Hunt. Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to amend Section 16 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to remove the power to grant licences for killing young Gannets.
Please sign and Repost.
#BirdingScotland #UKbirding #Birds #UKWildlife
Please sign and Repost.
#BirdingScotland #UKbirding #Birds #UKWildlife
Two still present at noon today. @somersetbirds.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social
One of 2 Black Redstart at Chard Cemetery this morning (only taken 11 visits to find one & then two are present!😂) #PWC2025 @somersetbirds.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social
November 2, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Two still present at noon today. @somersetbirds.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social
Reposted by Dave Helliar
Hellllllloooo? Are you there? Please help birds by sharing this if you also want to ensure swifts & other urban birds have homes alongside us. People power works but only if we work together. SAVE OUR SWIFTS.
November 2, 2025 at 9:09 AM
Hellllllloooo? Are you there? Please help birds by sharing this if you also want to ensure swifts & other urban birds have homes alongside us. People power works but only if we work together. SAVE OUR SWIFTS.
One of 2 Black Redstart at Chard Cemetery this morning (only taken 11 visits to find one & then two are present!😂) #PWC2025 @somersetbirds.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social
November 1, 2025 at 2:49 PM
One of 2 Black Redstart at Chard Cemetery this morning (only taken 11 visits to find one & then two are present!😂) #PWC2025 @somersetbirds.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social
Redhead Goosander flew into #ChardRes at 16:20. Record count of 44 Mandarin on the 29th, also recently up to 49 Teal, 5 Shoveler, 32 GC Grebe, Water Rail & Cetti's Warbler heard. Pied Wagtail & Starling roost just starting to get underway. @somersetbirds.bsky.social
October 31, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Redhead Goosander flew into #ChardRes at 16:20. Record count of 44 Mandarin on the 29th, also recently up to 49 Teal, 5 Shoveler, 32 GC Grebe, Water Rail & Cetti's Warbler heard. Pied Wagtail & Starling roost just starting to get underway. @somersetbirds.bsky.social