Dave Dawe
@exmoorbirder.bsky.social
Somerset birder who enjoys a seawatch and roaming around Exmoor
Reposted by Dave Dawe
The European Bewick's Swan population more than halved between 1995 and 2020, accordingly to a newly published paper:
European Bewick's Swan population more than halves in 25 years
A study shows that Bewick's Swan numbers have fallen by 56% in Europe between 1995 and 2020, with further losses anticipated in the 2026 International Swan Census.
bit.ly
December 14, 2025 at 12:51 PM
The European Bewick's Swan population more than halved between 1995 and 2020, accordingly to a newly published paper:
Gore Pt ,Porlock
On the rising tide
20 Red-throated Diver
1 Guillemot ,Grey Seal , Harbour Porpoise and a Shag in the harbour @somersetbirds.bsky.social
On the rising tide
20 Red-throated Diver
1 Guillemot ,Grey Seal , Harbour Porpoise and a Shag in the harbour @somersetbirds.bsky.social
December 14, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Gore Pt ,Porlock
On the rising tide
20 Red-throated Diver
1 Guillemot ,Grey Seal , Harbour Porpoise and a Shag in the harbour @somersetbirds.bsky.social
On the rising tide
20 Red-throated Diver
1 Guillemot ,Grey Seal , Harbour Porpoise and a Shag in the harbour @somersetbirds.bsky.social
Migrant from the North Pole sneaking into Porlock Weir this afternoon #santaclaus
December 14, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Migrant from the North Pole sneaking into Porlock Weir this afternoon #santaclaus
Reposted by Dave Dawe
The world's oldest known bird has returned to Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge for the 2025-26 breeding season:
Wisdom the Laysan Albatross returns to nest at Midway Atoll
The world's oldest known bird has returned to Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge for the 2025-26 breeding season. 'Wisdom', a female Laysan Albatross, has reoccupied her regular nest site and is now preparing for another chance at parenthood. Wisdom was at least five years old when ringed in 1956, putting her age at approximately 75 years old.
bit.ly
December 10, 2025 at 9:56 AM
The world's oldest known bird has returned to Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge for the 2025-26 breeding season:
Reposted by Dave Dawe
Flood Alert for Somerset coast at Dunster Beaches, Blue Anchor, Steart, Stolford and Brean
Flood Alert for Somerset coast at Dunster Beaches, Blue Anchor, Steart, Stolford and Brean
High tides, strong winds and large waves tomorrow morning may lead to flooding.
Flooding is possible from 06:00 AM to 08:00 AM on 06 December 2025.
Flooding is forecast to affect locations near the Hinkley Point, with low lying land and roads expected to be most affected, particularly around coastal areas at Dunster Beaches, Blue Anchor, Steart, Stolford and Brean. The detailed tidal forecast for those who use it is for a peak level at Hinkley of 6.65 mAODN at 07:00 AM on on Saturday 06 December 2025, with Force 7 Westerly winds. There are further high tides in this spring tide sequence but they are not currently forecast to meet the tidal Alert conditions.
We are closely monitoring the situation .and checking flood defences.
Avoid coastal roads, footpaths and carparks, which may be flooded Start acting on your flood plan if you have one
This message will be updated by 1:00PM on 06 December 2025 or as the situation changes.
www.floodmapper.co.uk
December 5, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Flood Alert for Somerset coast at Dunster Beaches, Blue Anchor, Steart, Stolford and Brean
Reposted by Dave Dawe
Lesser Crested Tern Thalasseus bangalensis off Dawlish Warren this morning. Was speedily succesful catching a good sized fish. Probably the rarest bird I will see in my lifetime.
A probable vagrant from W/N.Africa and found in Indian Ocean as far east as Australia.
A probable vagrant from W/N.Africa and found in Indian Ocean as far east as Australia.
December 4, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Lesser Crested Tern Thalasseus bangalensis off Dawlish Warren this morning. Was speedily succesful catching a good sized fish. Probably the rarest bird I will see in my lifetime.
A probable vagrant from W/N.Africa and found in Indian Ocean as far east as Australia.
A probable vagrant from W/N.Africa and found in Indian Ocean as far east as Australia.
Reposted by Dave Dawe
Survey of Exmoor moorland has revealed encouraging signs for a number of upland birds. South West Peatland Partnership has helped Exmoor remain a stronghold for Grasshopper Warbler, Common Reed Bunting and Common Snipe britishbirds.co.uk/journal/arti...
📸David Tipling
📸David Tipling
News & Comment - November 2025
Nest predation is a major cause of breeding failure in many bird species, and understanding the species responsible for this is important in designing...
britishbirds.co.uk
November 29, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Survey of Exmoor moorland has revealed encouraging signs for a number of upland birds. South West Peatland Partnership has helped Exmoor remain a stronghold for Grasshopper Warbler, Common Reed Bunting and Common Snipe britishbirds.co.uk/journal/arti...
📸David Tipling
📸David Tipling
Reposted by Dave Dawe
One of at least seven Humpback Whales off the south Mainland of Shetland today. Amazing!
#MarineLife #MarineMammals #CetaceansUK #UKWildlife
#MarineLife #MarineMammals #CetaceansUK #UKWildlife
November 29, 2025 at 4:00 PM
One of at least seven Humpback Whales off the south Mainland of Shetland today. Amazing!
#MarineLife #MarineMammals #CetaceansUK #UKWildlife
#MarineLife #MarineMammals #CetaceansUK #UKWildlife
Wimbleball Goosander roost this evening from the Dam
8 males, 18 Redheads plus 9 Grey Herons and 24 Cormorants roosting in the trees #somersetbirds
8 males, 18 Redheads plus 9 Grey Herons and 24 Cormorants roosting in the trees #somersetbirds
November 28, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Wimbleball Goosander roost this evening from the Dam
8 males, 18 Redheads plus 9 Grey Herons and 24 Cormorants roosting in the trees #somersetbirds
8 males, 18 Redheads plus 9 Grey Herons and 24 Cormorants roosting in the trees #somersetbirds
Gore pt Porlock Weir
7 Red-throated Diver drifting up on the tide plus a Shag and 2 Guillemot #somersetbirds
7 Red-throated Diver drifting up on the tide plus a Shag and 2 Guillemot #somersetbirds
November 28, 2025 at 11:37 AM
Gore pt Porlock Weir
7 Red-throated Diver drifting up on the tide plus a Shag and 2 Guillemot #somersetbirds
7 Red-throated Diver drifting up on the tide plus a Shag and 2 Guillemot #somersetbirds
Berryhead 8.20-12-40
Auks 4908
Gannet 1044
Kittiwake c6000
Fulmar 43
Com Scoter 4
Harbour Porpoise 6
difficult conditions 4 brolly inversions persistent heavy rain no Skuas or Shearwater but we still came away smiling 😊 #devonbirds
Auks 4908
Gannet 1044
Kittiwake c6000
Fulmar 43
Com Scoter 4
Harbour Porpoise 6
difficult conditions 4 brolly inversions persistent heavy rain no Skuas or Shearwater but we still came away smiling 😊 #devonbirds
November 22, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Berryhead 8.20-12-40
Auks 4908
Gannet 1044
Kittiwake c6000
Fulmar 43
Com Scoter 4
Harbour Porpoise 6
difficult conditions 4 brolly inversions persistent heavy rain no Skuas or Shearwater but we still came away smiling 😊 #devonbirds
Auks 4908
Gannet 1044
Kittiwake c6000
Fulmar 43
Com Scoter 4
Harbour Porpoise 6
difficult conditions 4 brolly inversions persistent heavy rain no Skuas or Shearwater but we still came away smiling 😊 #devonbirds
2 of the 3 Snow Bunting seen at Bossington today #somersetbirds
November 21, 2025 at 7:54 PM
2 of the 3 Snow Bunting seen at Bossington today #somersetbirds
Reposted by Dave Dawe
A Tufted Puffin was photographed in a Puffin colony in the North Atlantic this summer, marking the latest in a growing series of records of the species in Atlantic waters:
Tufted Puffin sighting highlights potential for further British records
A Tufted Puffin has been photographed at Grand Colombier, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, marking the first record in that French territory and contributing to a growing series of Atlantic-occurring birds. The increase in records from the Pacific-origin species raises the prospect of future British sightings, driven in part by climate-related shifts in seabird distributions.
bit.ly
November 15, 2025 at 9:56 AM
A Tufted Puffin was photographed in a Puffin colony in the North Atlantic this summer, marking the latest in a growing series of records of the species in Atlantic waters:
Reposted by Dave Dawe
Black Redstart today at Cooper's Heights Wiveliscombe..
November 12, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Black Redstart today at Cooper's Heights Wiveliscombe..
Reposted by Dave Dawe
Nice to see a good run of 52+ Fulmars today past Berry head. As we get into winter, always hope for a 'dark' one, or even super 'double dark'.
November 11, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Nice to see a good run of 52+ Fulmars today past Berry head. As we get into winter, always hope for a 'dark' one, or even super 'double dark'.
Berryhead 7.15-14.15
Kittiwake 5000+, Fulmar 52 Med Gull 11, Arctic Tern (juv)
Gannet 1500+, Manx 3, Puffin, Bonxie 2, Com Scoter 15, GN Diver, Com Dolphin 60, Porpoise 3 plus AB Tuna
#Devonbirds
Kittiwake 5000+, Fulmar 52 Med Gull 11, Arctic Tern (juv)
Gannet 1500+, Manx 3, Puffin, Bonxie 2, Com Scoter 15, GN Diver, Com Dolphin 60, Porpoise 3 plus AB Tuna
#Devonbirds
November 11, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Berryhead 7.15-14.15
Kittiwake 5000+, Fulmar 52 Med Gull 11, Arctic Tern (juv)
Gannet 1500+, Manx 3, Puffin, Bonxie 2, Com Scoter 15, GN Diver, Com Dolphin 60, Porpoise 3 plus AB Tuna
#Devonbirds
Kittiwake 5000+, Fulmar 52 Med Gull 11, Arctic Tern (juv)
Gannet 1500+, Manx 3, Puffin, Bonxie 2, Com Scoter 15, GN Diver, Com Dolphin 60, Porpoise 3 plus AB Tuna
#Devonbirds
Reposted by Dave Dawe
The SOS members afternoon and AGM is on Saturday 15th November for anyone with an interest in #somersetbirding
somersetbirding.org.uk/events/membe...
somersetbirding.org.uk/events/membe...
Members afternoon and AGM | Events | Somerset Ornithological Society
Saturday November 15th at 1.30pm at Cheddon Fitzpaine Memorial Hall, TA2 8JY
somersetbirding.org.uk
November 9, 2025 at 3:16 PM
The SOS members afternoon and AGM is on Saturday 15th November for anyone with an interest in #somersetbirding
somersetbirding.org.uk/events/membe...
somersetbirding.org.uk/events/membe...
Reposted by Dave Dawe
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
Reposted by Dave Dawe
Our report for 2023 is out now in @britishbirds.bsky.social. There's a summary at rbbp.org.uk/2023-report-... but if you prefer to watch rather than read then here's RBBP secretary @markaeaton.bsky.social with a few key points and some lovely photos! #ornithology #ukbirds youtu.be/arj1m7NfKmY
Rare Breeding Birds in the UK in 2023
YouTube video by Rare Breeding Birds Panel
youtu.be
November 4, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Our report for 2023 is out now in @britishbirds.bsky.social. There's a summary at rbbp.org.uk/2023-report-... but if you prefer to watch rather than read then here's RBBP secretary @markaeaton.bsky.social with a few key points and some lovely photos! #ornithology #ukbirds youtu.be/arj1m7NfKmY
Reposted by Dave Dawe
I had one over the River Parrett near Combwich yesterday at 16:15 in calm conditions
November 3, 2025 at 6:47 AM
I had one over the River Parrett near Combwich yesterday at 16:15 in calm conditions
Reposted by Dave Dawe
Berry Hd 07:30-13:30: 2 Sooty Shearwater, 8 Manx, 2 Pomarine Skua, 13 Arctic, Bonxie (juv), 4 Little Gull (3 ad, 1 1w), 21 Med Gull, 20+ Common Gull, 2 Little Auk, 45 Puffin, 14,000+ Razorbill/Guillemot, 10,000+ Kittiwakes, 2000+ Gannets, 5 Fulmar, 5+ ABF Tuna. 6+ Common Dolphin, 3+ Harbour Porpoise
October 31, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Berry Hd 07:30-13:30: 2 Sooty Shearwater, 8 Manx, 2 Pomarine Skua, 13 Arctic, Bonxie (juv), 4 Little Gull (3 ad, 1 1w), 21 Med Gull, 20+ Common Gull, 2 Little Auk, 45 Puffin, 14,000+ Razorbill/Guillemot, 10,000+ Kittiwakes, 2000+ Gannets, 5 Fulmar, 5+ ABF Tuna. 6+ Common Dolphin, 3+ Harbour Porpoise
Berryhead 7.00-14.00
my count
Auks ca 14000 , Little Auk, Puffin 46,
Kittiwake ca 18000, Med Gull 21, Little Gull 4, Fulmar 4, Gannet ca 2000, Sooty Shearwater, Manx 8, Arctic Skua 12, Pom 2, Bonxie ,Com Scoter, GN Diver, Tuna and 2 Harbour Porpoise @Devonbirds
my count
Auks ca 14000 , Little Auk, Puffin 46,
Kittiwake ca 18000, Med Gull 21, Little Gull 4, Fulmar 4, Gannet ca 2000, Sooty Shearwater, Manx 8, Arctic Skua 12, Pom 2, Bonxie ,Com Scoter, GN Diver, Tuna and 2 Harbour Porpoise @Devonbirds
October 31, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Berryhead 7.00-14.00
my count
Auks ca 14000 , Little Auk, Puffin 46,
Kittiwake ca 18000, Med Gull 21, Little Gull 4, Fulmar 4, Gannet ca 2000, Sooty Shearwater, Manx 8, Arctic Skua 12, Pom 2, Bonxie ,Com Scoter, GN Diver, Tuna and 2 Harbour Porpoise @Devonbirds
my count
Auks ca 14000 , Little Auk, Puffin 46,
Kittiwake ca 18000, Med Gull 21, Little Gull 4, Fulmar 4, Gannet ca 2000, Sooty Shearwater, Manx 8, Arctic Skua 12, Pom 2, Bonxie ,Com Scoter, GN Diver, Tuna and 2 Harbour Porpoise @Devonbirds
Thousands of seabirds pouring through at Berryhead this morning Kittiwakes Auks and Gannets everywhere @devonbirds
October 31, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Thousands of seabirds pouring through at Berryhead this morning Kittiwakes Auks and Gannets everywhere @devonbirds
Reposted by Dave Dawe
Atlantic Bluefin Tuna right under the cliff at Berry Head this afternoon. I've never seen one so close-in. Doesn't come any more exciting than this.....
October 28, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Atlantic Bluefin Tuna right under the cliff at Berry Head this afternoon. I've never seen one so close-in. Doesn't come any more exciting than this.....
Reposted by Dave Dawe
Pendeen 0745-1745 Eider 3, Common Scoter 129, Great Shear 6, Balearic Shear 2, Sooty Shear 199, Storm Petrel 4, Great Skua 7, Arctic Skua 42, Long-t Skua 1, Little Gull 12, Sabine’s Gull 2, Arctic Tern 1, Sandwich Tern 5, Black Tern 1, Puffin 2, Little Auk 7 #cornwallbirding @birdguides.bsky.social
October 23, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Pendeen 0745-1745 Eider 3, Common Scoter 129, Great Shear 6, Balearic Shear 2, Sooty Shear 199, Storm Petrel 4, Great Skua 7, Arctic Skua 42, Long-t Skua 1, Little Gull 12, Sabine’s Gull 2, Arctic Tern 1, Sandwich Tern 5, Black Tern 1, Puffin 2, Little Auk 7 #cornwallbirding @birdguides.bsky.social