Dawn Balmer

@debalmer.bsky.social

Birder, ringer, moth(er) and mother. Head of Surveys at BTO, BB Editorial Panel, BB Director, BBRC, Chair RBBP. EBCC Board. Views my own. She/her.

@btobirds.bsky.socialReposted by @debalmer.bsky.social

Ever see these species? We’re looking for volunteers for the Non-Estuarine Waterbird Survey this winter. Sign up➡️ www.bto.org/webs-news

All you need to do is walk your chosen survey sector along the coastline once between 1 December & 31 January & count the birds you see. #UKBirding

The image is split into three horizontal sections each featuring a different bird. At the top is a Sanderling foraging along the shoreline. It’s a small wading bird with a black bill and legs, white underparts and face, and grey head and upperparts. The middle section features a Turnstone walking showing its bright orange legs, white underparts, and brown-black upperparts. The bottom frame shows a Purple Sandpiper standing on a sloping rock. It’s a medium-sized and stocky wading bird with orange legs, grey-brown upper plumage and white-cream below with a downcurved beak with orange base and black tip.
@somersetbirds.bsky.socialReposted by @debalmer.bsky.social

Several priority sections are still available on the Somerset coast, including Hinckley (where there is a regular small flock of Purple Sandpiper), either side of Watchet, and west of Minehead.

@debalmer.bsky.social

I enjoyed it back then, saw the Nutcracker when I had a broken leg in full leg plaster and on crutches. Thanks to my very good friend, Chris P for picking me up in Shropshire and taking me.

@mothyblackburn.bsky.socialReposted by @debalmer.bsky.social

Super afternoon birding on Blakeney Point. Seawatching produced Cory’s Shearwater east and Sooty Shear and Leach’s Petrel west. Then a call from @tnewbold31.bsky.social to tell me he thinks he’s found a Dotterel. A short sprint later and I was very happy to confirm. #UKBirding

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