Gavin Haig
@notquitescilly.bsky.social
Mainly birds, moths, other nat. hist.
Mainly W Dorset & E Devon, UK
https://notquitescilly2.blogspot.com
Mainly W Dorset & E Devon, UK
https://notquitescilly2.blogspot.com
Ten Years in West Dorset is less a blog post, more a chapter in my life. Hopefully an inspiration for those who prefer the paths less trodden. Bit of an epic, so well done if you get through it all.
#DorsetBirds
#DorsetBirds
Ten Years in West Dorset
This mega-post has been in prep for a while. Essentially it is a potted summary of ten years birdwatching in West Dorset, between 2015 ...
notquitescilly2.blogspot.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Ten Years in West Dorset is less a blog post, more a chapter in my life. Hopefully an inspiration for those who prefer the paths less trodden. Bit of an epic, so well done if you get through it all.
#DorsetBirds
#DorsetBirds
Awkward lunchtime gulling on the Axe with @axebirder.bsky.social, but 3 Caspian Gulls to show for it. Despite wind, torrential rain and inconveniantly distant birds, managed to maintain record of getting photo of every Casp I've ever seen...however awful!
#DevonBirds
#DevonBirds
November 22, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Awkward lunchtime gulling on the Axe with @axebirder.bsky.social, but 3 Caspian Gulls to show for it. Despite wind, torrential rain and inconveniantly distant birds, managed to maintain record of getting photo of every Casp I've ever seen...however awful!
#DevonBirds
#DevonBirds
A bit of moth jam...
#TeamMoth
#TeamMoth
Ooh, You Little Beauty...
The trap is out again tonight. This surprises me. I really had no intention of trapping until next year. Apart from practical difficul...
notquitescilly2.blogspot.com
November 15, 2025 at 9:54 PM
A bit of moth jam...
#TeamMoth
#TeamMoth
In other news...
While a rare moth was heading for the trap back home, Gong were at the Marine Theatre in Lyme Regis.
So was I.
Ozric Tentacles in December.
My cup runneth over. 😎
While a rare moth was heading for the trap back home, Gong were at the Marine Theatre in Lyme Regis.
So was I.
Ozric Tentacles in December.
My cup runneth over. 😎
November 15, 2025 at 8:56 AM
In other news...
While a rare moth was heading for the trap back home, Gong were at the Marine Theatre in Lyme Regis.
So was I.
Ozric Tentacles in December.
My cup runneth over. 😎
While a rare moth was heading for the trap back home, Gong were at the Marine Theatre in Lyme Regis.
So was I.
Ozric Tentacles in December.
My cup runneth over. 😎
Just two moths actually in the trap this morning, a Rusty-dot Pearl and this beauty. Banded Sable was not on my shortlist of candidates for number 24 on the new garden list! As far as I can make out, less than 20 Devon records.
Axminster VC3
#TeamMoth
Axminster VC3
#TeamMoth
November 15, 2025 at 8:08 AM
Just two moths actually in the trap this morning, a Rusty-dot Pearl and this beauty. Banded Sable was not on my shortlist of candidates for number 24 on the new garden list! As far as I can make out, less than 20 Devon records.
Axminster VC3
#TeamMoth
Axminster VC3
#TeamMoth
The actinic porch light scored nicely last night, pulling in this lovely little Vestal to shelter from the rain. 😎
Axminster VC3
#TeamMoth
Axminster VC3
#TeamMoth
November 14, 2025 at 8:35 AM
The actinic porch light scored nicely last night, pulling in this lovely little Vestal to shelter from the rain. 😎
Axminster VC3
#TeamMoth
Axminster VC3
#TeamMoth
A lunchtime check of the Axe Estuary gulls turned up a hefty 1w Caspian Gull. Half an hour later a 2w dropped in. First time I've had two at once here. Or anywhere! 😎
#DevonBirds
#DevonBirds
November 9, 2025 at 4:48 PM
A lunchtime check of the Axe Estuary gulls turned up a hefty 1w Caspian Gull. Half an hour later a 2w dropped in. First time I've had two at once here. Or anywhere! 😎
#DevonBirds
#DevonBirds
Completing the set...
#TeamMoth
#TeamMoth
A Full Set of Blair's
Back in June 2022 I fired up a moth trap for the very first time. It was an experiment really. A little dabble... I had no idea. P...
notquitescilly2.blogspot.com
November 6, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Completing the set...
#TeamMoth
#TeamMoth
Pick of the trap migrant-wise, this Olive-tree Pearl accompanied by Vestal and Rusty-dot Pearl. But in some ways best of the 9/8 was Blair's Shoulder-knot on house wall, a new moth for me.
Axminster VC3
#TeamMoth
Axminster VC3
#TeamMoth
November 6, 2025 at 9:09 AM
Pick of the trap migrant-wise, this Olive-tree Pearl accompanied by Vestal and Rusty-dot Pearl. But in some ways best of the 9/8 was Blair's Shoulder-knot on house wall, a new moth for me.
Axminster VC3
#TeamMoth
Axminster VC3
#TeamMoth
Quick check inside the trap revealed this peering at me. Olive-tree Pearl? Would be a nice bit of quality for the new garden. Only ever caught a couple in Bridport.
Axminster VC3
#TeamMoth
Axminster VC3
#TeamMoth
November 5, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Quick check inside the trap revealed this peering at me. Olive-tree Pearl? Would be a nice bit of quality for the new garden. Only ever caught a couple in Bridport.
Axminster VC3
#TeamMoth
Axminster VC3
#TeamMoth
Very distant, awful light, etc... but this Cirl Bunting on clifftop brambles was highlight of the morning at Axe Cliff, Seaton. Nothing of particular note vis-mig wise, but some nice Woodpigeon flocks coasting.
#DevonBirds
#DevonBirds
November 2, 2025 at 11:05 AM
Very distant, awful light, etc... but this Cirl Bunting on clifftop brambles was highlight of the morning at Axe Cliff, Seaton. Nothing of particular note vis-mig wise, but some nice Woodpigeon flocks coasting.
#DevonBirds
#DevonBirds
Prior to my final outing as guide on Seaton Birdwatching Tram, a quick look at R Axe produced this 1w Caspian Gull, yet another in ridiculous series of records this year. Think this takes us to c31 in 2025 (mostly c/o @axebirder.bsky.social) compared with 38 birds in preceding 18 yrs!
#DevonBirds
#DevonBirds
November 1, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Prior to my final outing as guide on Seaton Birdwatching Tram, a quick look at R Axe produced this 1w Caspian Gull, yet another in ridiculous series of records this year. Think this takes us to c31 in 2025 (mostly c/o @axebirder.bsky.social) compared with 38 birds in preceding 18 yrs!
#DevonBirds
#DevonBirds
No trap tonight so but just popped out to find this lovely fresh Merveille du Jour on the wall next to the porch light. Sticking a 20W actinic bulb in it was so worth the modest investment! 😄
Axminster, Devon
#TeamMoth
Axminster, Devon
#TeamMoth
October 29, 2025 at 11:12 PM
No trap tonight so but just popped out to find this lovely fresh Merveille du Jour on the wall next to the porch light. Sticking a 20W actinic bulb in it was so worth the modest investment! 😄
Axminster, Devon
#TeamMoth
Axminster, Devon
#TeamMoth
I've only once been to Spurn, so don't know it, but this just popped up on my YouTube feed and might be of interest to regulars. I noticed the postman is wearing bins... 😁
youtu.be/CULUs8IfIxc?...
youtu.be/CULUs8IfIxc?...
1962: The People Who Live on Spurn Point | Tonight | Voice of the People | BBC Archive
YouTube video by BBC Archive
youtu.be
October 29, 2025 at 6:32 PM
I've only once been to Spurn, so don't know it, but this just popped up on my YouTube feed and might be of interest to regulars. I noticed the postman is wearing bins... 😁
youtu.be/CULUs8IfIxc?...
youtu.be/CULUs8IfIxc?...
Trap's first outing in Axminster produces just 8 moths, but one was this Green-brindled Crescent - dusted with green glitter, an absolute belter and one of my all-time favourite moths - and one a Merveille du Jour. In three Bridport autumns caught just 4 and 2 respectively.
A good start then. 😎
A good start then. 😎
October 29, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Trap's first outing in Axminster produces just 8 moths, but one was this Green-brindled Crescent - dusted with green glitter, an absolute belter and one of my all-time favourite moths - and one a Merveille du Jour. In three Bridport autumns caught just 4 and 2 respectively.
A good start then. 😎
A good start then. 😎
Breakfast with Merv.
Despite intentions to contrary, trap out for first time in new Axminster home. GB Crescent, RD Pearl, White Point, 2 Vine's Rustic and LYU added weight to argument that I should do it again before 2026.
Despite intentions to contrary, trap out for first time in new Axminster home. GB Crescent, RD Pearl, White Point, 2 Vine's Rustic and LYU added weight to argument that I should do it again before 2026.
October 29, 2025 at 7:49 AM
Breakfast with Merv.
Despite intentions to contrary, trap out for first time in new Axminster home. GB Crescent, RD Pearl, White Point, 2 Vine's Rustic and LYU added weight to argument that I should do it again before 2026.
Despite intentions to contrary, trap out for first time in new Axminster home. GB Crescent, RD Pearl, White Point, 2 Vine's Rustic and LYU added weight to argument that I should do it again before 2026.
Recent Axe Estuary Caspian Gull Green T|P hadn't come far really, as the ringing data shows. Always great to get the story on colour-ringed birds, and in my experience almost all projects respond very quickly to enquiries. Grateful thanks to RJ.
#DevonBirds
#DevonBirds
October 26, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Recent Axe Estuary Caspian Gull Green T|P hadn't come far really, as the ringing data shows. Always great to get the story on colour-ringed birds, and in my experience almost all projects respond very quickly to enquiries. Grateful thanks to RJ.
#DevonBirds
#DevonBirds
Another priceless PBO blog post.
'... science and social care...' 😄
'... science and social care...' 😄
October 23, 2025 at 7:56 AM
Another priceless PBO blog post.
'... science and social care...' 😄
'... science and social care...' 😄
Local stuff. Gulls and crests mainly...
#DevonBirds
#DevonBirds
Of Gulls and Crests Mainly
In any normal year, finding a single Caspian Gull would warrant a full, gloaty post all of its own. But this is not a normal year. Ste...
notquitescilly2.blogspot.com
October 21, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Local stuff. Gulls and crests mainly...
#DevonBirds
#DevonBirds
Only had time for 15-minute check of Axe gulls this morning, but roughly fourth bird I looked at was a Dutch-ringed 1w Caspian Gull. Astonishing run of these locally at the moment.
Think an afternoon visit essential! 😄
With thanks to @axebirder.bsky.social for the regular gen.
Think an afternoon visit essential! 😄
With thanks to @axebirder.bsky.social for the regular gen.
October 20, 2025 at 10:42 AM
Only had time for 15-minute check of Axe gulls this morning, but roughly fourth bird I looked at was a Dutch-ringed 1w Caspian Gull. Astonishing run of these locally at the moment.
Think an afternoon visit essential! 😄
With thanks to @axebirder.bsky.social for the regular gen.
Think an afternoon visit essential! 😄
With thanks to @axebirder.bsky.social for the regular gen.
With no plans to do any trapping until next year, nevertheless thought I'd try and get new home moth list underway by installing porch light plus 20W actinic bulb today. Quick check just now, and we're away: 2 spp. 😄
Axminster, Devon
Axminster, Devon
October 16, 2025 at 8:19 PM
With no plans to do any trapping until next year, nevertheless thought I'd try and get new home moth list underway by installing porch light plus 20W actinic bulb today. Quick check just now, and we're away: 2 spp. 😄
Axminster, Devon
Axminster, Devon