Dave Helliar
@dhelliar.bsky.social
700 followers 270 following 570 posts
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.
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dhelliar.bsky.social
Little Ringed Plover taken at my inland Dorset patch back in the Spring, where they successfully fledged 3 young. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
Adult Little Ringed Plover standing on sandy ground.
dhelliar.bsky.social
Large Ranunculus NFG, Orange Sallow & Chestnut both NFM from a brief trap last night before rain. South Somerset VC5 #Teammoth
Large Ranunculus Orange Sallow Chestnut
dhelliar.bsky.social
This confiding Chiffchaff has been feeding on aphids infesting Tansy in my Chard garden for the last 4 days. Today it caught a Box-tree Moth too. These photos were taken less than 2 metres away. @somersetbirds.bsky.social
Chiffchaff Chiffchaff eating aphids on Tansy seed heads
dhelliar.bsky.social
Almost didn't set the moth trap last night, with another cold clear night forecast, but glad I did with Brindled Green NFM & Black Rustic NFG South Somerset VC5 #Teammoth
Brindled Green Black Rustic
dhelliar.bsky.social
Stubble fields near Chard today held c.50 Skylark, c.30 Meadow Pipit, c.20 Goldfinch, 2 Stonechat, 1 Grey Wagtail & Peregrine. @somersetbirds.bsky.social
Stonechat Stonechat Male Stonechat Stubble field with fair weather clouds in a blue sky.
dhelliar.bsky.social
First returning Wigeon of the autumn on the Dorset patch today. Also my first (!) Redpoll of the year, 6 Siskin over, 3 Stonechat, 2 Green Sandpiper, 2 Snipe, Kingfisher & 2 Marsh Tit. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social #PWC2025
Wigeon Kingfisher perched on snag with Greater Reed mace behind
dhelliar.bsky.social
Common Tern at a very windy #ChardRes today! @somersetbirds.bsky.social
Common Tern (right) about to settle on wooden post. LBB Gull in centre.
dhelliar.bsky.social
Reasonable moth trap last night with Portland Ribbon Wave NFM, Rush Veneer, Turnip Moth, Pale Mottled Willow, 12 Lunar Underwing & at least 18 Box-tree Moth! 18 species/80 moths recorded. South Somerset VC5 #teammoth
Portland Ribbon Wave Turnip Moth Pale Mottled Willow
dhelliar.bsky.social
Glad Nick was able to return & see it! Good luck with the filming next week.
dhelliar.bsky.social
The Seaton Marsh Wryneck did the decent thing & showed eventually today! My first for 4 years. Good to meet Viv @vivkeene.bsky.social Nick Howe & Alan Smith. #DevonBirds
Wryneck perched on twig.
dhelliar.bsky.social
An evening visit to my inland Dorset patch in late sunshine & migrants still passing through, with Redstart & Spotted Flycatcher feeding from fence line, amazing count of 7 Green Sandpiper & 2 Common Sandpiper #PWC2025 @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
Common Redstart, 1st winter female? on fence post Spotted Flycatcher & Common Redstart together on barbed wire fence Four of the seven Green Sandpiper feeding on one of the lakes
dhelliar.bsky.social
It's always a good day when you find a Whinchat! This one, with 2 Stonechat in set-a-side fields on Chard outskirts. #PWC2025 @somersetbirds.bsky.social
1st winter Whinchat 1st winter Whinchat
dhelliar.bsky.social
Right now, just a few powerful polluters are holding the whole world hostage - stopping a Plastics Treaty that could protect our health, wildlife, and planet. Join me today and speak up for a strong global policy to protect us from plastic pollution! action.wemove.eu/sign/2025-08...
End the Plastic Era!
Right now, just a few powerful polluters are holding the whole world hostage - stopping a Plastics Treaty that could protect our health, wildlife, and planet. Join me today and speak up for a strong g...
action.wemove.eu
dhelliar.bsky.social
An off patch visit to Cheddar Res this am, gave very distant views of Red-necked Phalarope, plus 3 Grey Phalarope, 6 Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Ruff, 5 Glossy Ibis, singles of Red-crested Pochard, Black & Common Terns, plus Dunlin & Ringed Plover (dull light, wind & distance= crap photos!) #SomersetBirding
Red-necked Phalarope (honest!) between duck & LBB Gull Grey Phalarope & Curlew Sandpiper Curlew Sandpiper Black Tern behind Black-headed Gulls
dhelliar.bsky.social
Saturday 13th Sept, 4 Wheatear on the outskirts of Chard, along with 2 Stonechat. Single Clouded Yellow too. @somersetbirds.bsky.social
One of four Wheatear feeding in stubble field. Two Stonechat perched in hedgerow Clouded Yellow butterfly.
Reposted by Dave Helliar
bumblebeetrust.bsky.social
Yesterday, the UK’s leading insect conservation charities launched the Declaration on the UK Insect Declines Crisis at the @WildSummitUK🚨

This united front calls for change across governments, land managers, businesses, and the public. @savebutterflies.bsky.social

1/5
A close-up of a bumblebee feeding on a sunflower. Text reads: Insect crisis declared. The UK’s leading insect conservation charities launch  the Declaration on the UK Insect Declines Crisis.
dhelliar.bsky.social
Short, hand held video of the 1st winter Grey Phalarope at my inland Dorset patch 31st Aug to 3rd Sept 2025. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
youtu.be/gRiL8A80o_o
1st Winter Grey Phalarope (Red Phalarope)
YouTube video by Dave Helliar
youtu.be
dhelliar.bsky.social
My first Painted Lady of the year in my Somerset garden this pm, in brief period of sunshine after the torrential storms had passed. @savebutterflies.bsky.social
Painted Lady butterfly nectaring on Orange Ball Buddleia.
dhelliar.bsky.social
Another good migration day at my inland Dorset patch, with singles of Tree Pipit, Pied & Spotted Flycatchers in this mornings rain. In this evenings sun, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Common & 3 Green Sandpipers....still waiting for a patch first Glossy Ibis though! 🤞 #PWC2025 @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
2 Yellow Wagtails feeding amongst the invasive New Zealand Stonecrop! 2 Common Sandpipers on siltbed shore