Rob Hemming

@robhemming25

Urban birderwatcher, Birmingham. Local Patch - Edgbaston Res, Winterbourne Gardens. Can also be found up Walton Hill, Worcestershire. Occasional trips elsewhere. Lover of Natural history in general.

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Rob Hemming@robhemming25· 6d

Edgbaston res 5.30-7.30 Been about 3 months since my last patch visit. No surprise with what greeted me, but a decent spread. Highlights were Kingfisher & Peregrine. Sand & House Martin present. Swifts, Green woody & a Greylag. Plus BHGs w plenty of juvs @ecorecord.bsky.social #UKbirding

Edgbaston reservoir, Birmingham. Water levels low as expected. Nice morning with a fresher feel

Rob Hemming@robhemming25· 10d

A rather sad looking Purple Hairstreak from work today. First time I've seen one up close. Saw a bit of its purple colouration as it flew from time to time, but it wasn't doing well Good record for Edgbaston area of Birmingham. B15 @ecorecord.bsky.social @ukbutterflies.bsky.social

Worn Purple Hairstreak butterfly showing its underwings with the characteristic white lines and one 'eye' visible near the edge of the wing

Rob Hemming@robhemming25· 26d

Loosestrife. Purple fireworks #wildflowerhour @bsbibotany.bsky.social @wildflowerhour.bsky.social

Rob Hemming@robhemming25· 27d

Amazing birthday ramble around Walton hill,Worcs, today Stoked to find a Wood Warbler! amongst a large group of other small birds inc. 6+ Spotted Flys, Willow Ws, chiffs, tits, treecreepers & nuthatch Red Kite, Goshawk, Kestrel, Sprawk, Buzzard & Ravens Plus Redstart & 2 juv Stonechat #UKbirding

Rob Hemming@robhemming25· Jul 20

A young woodpigeon was the victim of a window strike yesterday. I knew a fox would probably take the body so left it. To our surprise, it wasn't a fox that took it...... Everything is an opportunist. But it was still a surprise seeing this! #badger #wildlife #nature @ecorecord.bsky.social

Rob Hemming@robhemming25· Jul 11

Being a lifer, Western Bonelli's Warbler is the birding highlight However, stunning views of Cirl Bunting, Osprey, S-t Eagle, Montys Harriers, Honey Buzzard,Whimbrel, Nightjar, Golden Oriole & so on were fantastic Being so close to wild boars was exhilarating Great memories made. Feel very lucky

Silhouette of my partner and myself casting a long shadow on the pier at La Tranche-sur-mer, France. The pier stretches into the background with the sea either side

Rob Hemming@robhemming25· Jul 11

Our French holiday came to an end on Wednesday. 131 species of bird seen. Loads of butterflies, the odd moth & some magical mammal moments. Highlights Western Bonelli's Warbler Glanville Fritillary Scarce Swallowtail Southern White Admiral Broad-bordered Bee Hawkmoth Dolphins #ukbirding abroad

A list of my favourite, bird, butterfly, mammal & moth species seen on our holidays to La Tranch Sur Mer, France.

Scarce Swallowtail on bramble blossom.
A medium-large butterfly with pale yellow background colour & black tiger stripes. Some blue and red colouration near the tail tips, which extend like a swallows tail.

View across the landscape near La Tranche-sur-mer, mid-west France.
Sunrise with yellows and oranges with grey/blue cloud above. Scene of rough pasture and marsh seen through a rustic fence with hedging either side.

Rob Hemming@robhemming25· Jul 7

Final day of the hols. Back to Pointe du Payre with Ruth. Early start took us through the woods in darkness & onto the small cliffs overlooking the sea. Dug out a single Balearic Shearwater. Tawny & Nightjar Waders inc more Whimbrel 3 Common Scoter 8 Dolphins frolicking around #UKbirding abroad

Holme Oak woods pre-dawn at Pointe du Payre, Vendee region. Silhouetted trees on a dawn background

Whimbrel. Medium sized wading bird with downward curved bill, striped head markings on a mostly brown, varied patterned body

View over Pointe de Payre. Wooded cliff edges adjacent to a rocky shoreline with the sea in the center.

Half moon seen this morning. Half decent image through my telescope

Rob Hemming@robhemming25· Jul 5

Barrage du Mervent walk Highlight was my 1st ever Western Bonelli's Warblers. Heard them, then saw one. Very happy! Honey Buzzard Marsh tits Barn & Little Owl 2 beautiful Southern White Admirals with striking blue sheen & a Broad bordered Hummingbird Hawkmoth were also firsts #UKbirding abroad

The dam at Barrage du Mervent. Extensive woodland surrounds it with the reservoir behind the stepped structure

Blurry image of a pale phase Honey Buzzard from below. Just going out of shot.

Southern White Admiral butterfly. Dark wings with prominent white markings and a blue irredecent sheen.

Brimstone butterfly on a purple betony wildflower. The brimstone is lemon yellow with 2 eye spots. In this photo ots wings are closed.

Rob Hemming@robhemming25· Jul 4

Tour de Moricq walk today Last year I stumbled upon my only Stone Curlew ever. Not so lucky this time Alas, lovely walk through tree sized hedges, marsh & rough pasture Surprise Tree Pipit. Stock dove & Yellowhammer joined the list. Night Herons, Hoopoe, Golden Os & R-b Shrikes #UKbirding abroad

Blurry photo of a Hoopoe in an ash tree. Barred black and white wings. Dusty orange colour elsewhere, with its massive crest lowered

Blurry photo of a male Cirl Bunting atop a pine tree. Head and upper body just peeking over the foliage, showing its black striped head, rusty shoulders and yellow breast.

The Tour (tower) de Moricq. A big block tower about 40ft high. No idea how old it is. Somewhat built in typical French style with small windows, a low peaked roof and a aesthetic overhang.

Rob Hemming@robhemming25· Jul 3

And first thing this morning, around 5.30, I had fantastic bit of Nightjar action along the path into the woods. At least 5 birds churring & 3 seen. Also: Tawny Owl Black Woodpecker - flight call Short-toed Eagle 31 Glossy Ibis over Hobby & Firecrest. All making for a great walk! #UKbirding abroad

Rob Hemming@robhemming25· Jul 3

A close encounter of a Boar kind in the Foret Dominiale de Longeville this morning. There were 2 rummaging away in front of me, with 3 (including a heavy adult) round the corner..... .....I promptly walk the opposite way after they wandered past 😅🐗 #wildboar

Rob Hemming@robhemming25· Jul 2

A Black-winged Floof being very well protected at the lagoons of Point D'Arcay this morning. Short-toed Eagle & Nightingale new for the holiday list. 2 Wild Boar & 3 Red Squirrels were exciting to see! Marbled Whites & Cardinals join the butterfly's seen #ukbirding abroad

A baby Black-winged Stilt at Point d'Arcay in France. Grayish, white fluffy body, long pink legs and a black bill.

Rob Hemming@robhemming25· Jul 1

North Baie de L'Aiguillon area for today's outing. Thousands of waders. Bar-tailed Gs, Whimbrel, Greenshank, B-w Stilts the highs. Mostly Curlew, Redshank, Blck-t Gs, Oyks & Grey Plvrs. Osprey, Quails, Monty Harriers, Hobby, Cuckoo, Crested Lk, Hoopoe, Corn Bs, Bluethroats etc #UKbirding abroad

Black-winged Stilt. Tall wading bird with very long, red legs, black wings and white body

Distant juvenile Cuckoo. Mostly grey with pale underparts. Some mottling of brown colouration and a scale effect due to it being this year's young

Little Owl on the edge of a hole of a cave. They are grey/dark grey with white streaking and other patterning all over

Glanville Fritillary butterfly. Latticed markings kn the upper wing, infilled with bright, burnt orange colour.

Rob Hemming@robhemming25· Jul 1

Saw this skipper today in mid-west, coastal France. Well worn, but can anyone help with ID if possible? Species of southern Marbled, Mallow, tufted marbled all look a bit like it Not a good image I know, maybe the footage will aide better... @carljones57.bsky.social @ukbutterflies.bsky.social

Unidentified Skipper species of butterfly. It's mostly a spectrum of brown colours with some light markings

Rob Hemming@robhemming25· Jun 30

Pointe du Payre today. Ruth & i bumbled around the Holme oak woods, sat on the cliffs & down to the estuary Gannet & Common Scoter at sea Kentish Plvrs on the sand Spotted Flys & Firecrest in the woods Stunning male Cirl bunting in the fields And I think a Glanville Fritillary?? #ukbirding abroad

Rob Hemming@robhemming25· Jun 29

Meandering walk by the river Lay just north of La Tranche this am. Then south to Pointe de L'Aiguillon Quail Marsh & Montagu's Harrier Night Heron Little Owl, Hoopoe, Bluethroat Lots of Corn Bunting Avocet, Knot, Whimbrel, Grey plvr etc Crested Lark & Tawny Pipit Clouded Yellow #ukbirding abroad

Crested Lark. Probably a juvenile. Pale underparts, light, sandy brown upper parts with rusty wing tips. Crested is visible

2 Whimbrel on the shore in the bay de L'aiguillon, western france.
Whimbrel are like small curlews, with medium/long curved bills. They have a visible eyestripe and are mostly patterned brown in colour

Clouded Yellow butterfly with its wings closed. Clouded Yellows are bright yellow with black wing tips. Their underlings are slightly less yellow, with a reddish eye visible

Rob Hemming@robhemming25· Jun 27

Plus, a nest full of juv White Storks still in need of the security it recently provided them...

3 young white storks with one adult on their nest in france. They are mostly white, with black on the wings and a long red bill

Rob Hemming@robhemming25· Jun 27

A first for me this am in the form of 2 lovely Scarce Swallowtails nr Les Conches, just north of La Tranche-sur-mer Great to see 2 adult & one juv Night Heron Added Kingfisher, Mistle thrush, LTT & Cirl Bunting to holiday list Several splendid & showy Red-backed Shrikes around #butterflies #birds

Scarce Swallowtail butterfly. Pale yellow wings with dark tiger stripes on them and long tail trails like a swallow

Blurry picture of a male red-backed shrike. It has a grey crown, thick black eyestripe and a chestnut-red back and wings.

Rob Hemming@robhemming25· Jun 25

First walk of the holiday this am. Dunes to the fields & past the sewage works nr La Tranche-sur-Mer 27°C at 5am Swallowtail Clouded Yellow Many Wall browns & painted ladys Jersey tiger moth? Tawny Pipit Night heron 15! Green sands R-b Shrike pair Many warblers,waders, egrets etc #birdsabroad

Wall Brown butterfly. Bright orange markings on a brown background of the wings

Jersey Tiger moth I believe. A striking moth with strong black and white markings, whilst the wings are closed

Rob Hemming@robhemming25· Jun 19

Common Spotted Orchids are looking outstanding out the back. 7 spikes on the mother plant this year. Last year it was 3 The southern marsh are going over now They're all very special for me. An amazing link to the past & garden I grew up in #ukorchids @ukorchids.bsky.social @bsbibotany.bsky.social

Common Spotted orchids with light pink flowers and patterned petals

Rob Hemming@robhemming25· Jun 7

My little potted wild patch is looking lovely at the moment. Common Spotted and Southern Marsh Orchids are getting into their stride. And a shout out to the Fox and cubs, too....insects are really enjoying them @ukorchids.bsky.social @bsbibotany.bsky.social

Wild flower patch with Common Spotted Orchids coming into bloom. Southern Marsh Orchid, and the vibrant orange of Fox and cubs. Amongst other plants

7 Light pink spikes of Common Spotted Orchid

Southern Marsh Orchid spike almost in full bloom. Beautiful dark pink/purple flower heads bunched around the stem.

Vibrant, multiple orange flower heads of Fox and Cubs plant.

Rob Hemming@robhemming25· Jun 7

Chiff chaff out the back of my apartment has been embacing its inner funk this afternoon. Can't say I've heard anything similar in the past. Prob have to turn the volume up #UKbirding

Rob Hemming@robhemming25· May 27

Two Painted Ladies at work today. Think they're the first ones I've caught up with this year. The second one was almost half the size of the first. Any suggestions on why one was so much smaller? Perhaps just freshly emerged?? @ukbutterflies.bsky.social @carljones57.bsky.social

Painted Lady butterfly. Edgbaston, Birmingham

Rob Hemming@robhemming25· May 24

Edgbaston reservoir 4.45-7.15 No sign of the LRPs this morning. The good weather has brought people out, which appears to have driven them off for now. Hopefully they'll return Someone had been pushing a trolly all over the area they've been on 😒 A Common Tern was present until 6.30ish #UKbirding

Rob Hemming@robhemming25· May 23

Hi @britishspiders.bsky.social Sorry to hit you up again, but this jumping spider landed on me today and I don't think I've ever seen one different from the ordinary zebra spiders. So just wondered about this one.

Rob Hemming@robhemming25· May 23

Edgbaston res The pair of LRPs are still here amazingly. And by the looks of things valiantly trying to do something. Here's one of the pair today, sat on a scrape Problem is, it's tremendously accessible. Dogs, people, not to mention other predators. Real shame #ukbirding @ecorecord.bsky.social

Little-ringed plover at Edgbaston reservoir, Birmingham

Rob Hemming@robhemming25· May 21

Found this rather lethargic little fella today at work. Think it's a noble false widow spider @britishspiders.bsky.social B68, West midlands.