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West Coast Birdwatching

@westcoastbirds.bsky.social

430 followers 260 following 88 posts

AKA Dave Astins. I am a Pembrokeshire (Wales) based birder, bird tour leader and occasional surveyor. Lead several overseas trips each year, Oman a speciality. I'm on here for birds, nature and the environment generally. www.westcoastbirdwatching.co.uk.

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West Coast Birdwatching @westcoastbirds.bsky.social · 6d

Thanks Mark. A particularly enjoyable find! 😊

West Coast Birdwatching @westcoastbirds.bsky.social · 6d

Superb find Mr T!!!

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West Coast Birdwatching @westcoastbirds.bsky.social · 6d

Fantastic to find 2 American Golden Plovers on Dale Airfield, Pembrokeshire, this afternoon. Such an elegant wader. #BirdingWales #RareBirdsUK

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Reposted by West Coast Birdwatching

Angi @angi500.bsky.social · Aug 27

#manxshearwater #birdingwales

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Reposted by West Coast Birdwatching

Adam @atmylifeoutside.bsky.social · Aug 26

Excellent pelagic to the Celtic Deep with @westcoastbirds.bsky.social yesterday. Highlights were of course the 10+ European Storm Petrels and Manxies, but also saw Arctic, Common & Sandwich Terns, Gannets and had regular Common Dolphin encounters. Tad choppy so only took a few photos! #birdingWales

European Storm Petrel holding its own amongst the Gulls.

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West Coast Birdwatching @westcoastbirds.bsky.social · Aug 25

Your photography skills know no bounds Mr Beck 🙈😂

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Reposted by West Coast Birdwatching

Skomer Island @skomerisland.bsky.social · Aug 17

We kicked off our events schedule this week with a fantastic few days in partnership with @officialblack2nature, with 14 young people joining us for three nights.

We're so proud of everything they learnt and for throwing themselves so enthusiastically into the events.

The group all gathered in front of the ruined farmhouse.

Ceris, our Assistant Warden, takes a selfie with 5 others. The sea is behind them.

Anna, our long-term volunteer, shows three people something in a bucket on the beach.

Two staff members pack bracken into Skomer Vole traps with two participants.

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West Coast Birdwatching @westcoastbirds.bsky.social · Aug 4

Great record. Not the easiest ID if you don't see the underwing.

West Coast Birdwatching @westcoastbirds.bsky.social · Jul 31

Thanks Lisa 😊

West Coast Birdwatching @westcoastbirds.bsky.social · Jul 31

The gulls are noisier than the Gannets, at least in the spot where we camp!

West Coast Birdwatching @westcoastbirds.bsky.social · Jul 31

I am privileged to be able to land on RSPB Grassholm Island to undertake fieldwork with Northern Gannets. Very occasionally this necessitates an overnight stay, leading to the opportunity to see the sun set there if the weather plays ball. Magic! #BirdingWales

Four Northern Gannets on RSPB Grassholm, silhouetted by a moody orange sky caused by the setting sun

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West Coast Birdwatching @westcoastbirds.bsky.social · Jul 24

You did really well to get these photos Mark, it didn't stay close for very long!

West Coast Birdwatching @westcoastbirds.bsky.social · Jul 23

A pleasure Bernie. It was fab to see so many happy faces. Have you dried out yet?!

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West Coast Birdwatching @westcoastbirds.bsky.social · Jul 23

First pelagic trip of 2025 off the Pembrokeshire coast today, a really enjoyable day with the highlight being this Wilson's Storm Petrel (thanks to @markhipkin.bsky.social for the excellent photos). #BirdingWales

Wilson's Storm Petrel gliding over the sea (Mark Hipkin)

Wilson's Storm Petrel walking over the sea (Mark Hipkin)

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West Coast Birdwatching @westcoastbirds.bsky.social · Jul 4

Well done Owen 👏

West Coast Birdwatching @westcoastbirds.bsky.social · Jun 27

Thrilled to see this juvenile Eurasian Curlew on @skomerisland.bsky.social today. At the same time sad that this is the only place that Curlew breed in Pembrokeshire (4 pairs this year). Not a single pair across the whole of the mainland... #BirdingWales

Juvenile Eurasian Curlew walking through short vegetation on Skomer Island

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West Coast Birdwatching @westcoastbirds.bsky.social · Jun 25

All trips now fully booked. To be added to the waiting list, please email [email protected].

West Coast Birdwatching @westcoastbirds.bsky.social · Jun 24

Now just one place remaining on the final trip of the season on 14th September 👇 #BirdingWales

West Coast Birdwatching @westcoastbirds.bsky.social · Jun 21

Just one pelagic trip to the Celtic Deep with places remaining this year. Surely 14th September gives us the best chance of large shearwaters, if recent years are anything to go by? #BirdingWales

West Coast Birdwatching @westcoastbirds.bsky.social · Jun 24

Now just one place remaining on the final trip of the season on 14th September 👇 #BirdingWales

West Coast Birdwatching @westcoastbirds.bsky.social · Jun 21

Just one pelagic trip to the Celtic Deep with places remaining this year. Surely 14th September gives us the best chance of large shearwaters, if recent years are anything to go by? #BirdingWales

Poster with details of the 2025 West Coast Pelagics on it

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West Coast Birdwatching @westcoastbirds.bsky.social · Jun 22

Awful!

West Coast Birdwatching @westcoastbirds.bsky.social · Jun 21

Cheers Scott, same to you!

West Coast Birdwatching @westcoastbirds.bsky.social · Jun 21

Just one pelagic trip to the Celtic Deep with places remaining this year. Surely 14th September gives us the best chance of large shearwaters, if recent years are anything to go by? #BirdingWales

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West Coast Birdwatching @westcoastbirds.bsky.social · Jun 19

That's an incredible number Arfon. How does it compare to previous years? Pied Flys just hanging on down here...

West Coast Birdwatching @westcoastbirds.bsky.social · Jun 4

What. A. Bird. 😍

Paige Byerly, PhD @paigebyerly.bsky.social · Jun 3

A female Western Gull was recorded riding 150km in a garbage truck from San Francisco to a compost facility in Central CA, probably to forage. TWICE. An innovator, an icon, a genius.

This is one of my favorite @waterbirdsociety.bsky.social papers I've ever handled as managing editor #ornithology

West Coast Birdwatching @westcoastbirds.bsky.social · Jun 2

That's a top thrush 😍

Reposted by West Coast Birdwatching

Dr Alex Bond @thelabandfield.bsky.social · May 4

One bird. 399 pieces of plastic. 55 g.
This is not our record.

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