Toby Phelps
@phelpstoby.bsky.social
Birds. Mostly Pembrokeshire.
2 Balearic Shearwaters past St Govan's Head in an hour this evening. #birdingWales
September 7, 2026 at 6:46 PM
2 Balearic Shearwaters past St Govan's Head in an hour this evening. #birdingWales
Reposted by Toby Phelps
One place has become available on a full day 'autumn migration' tour around the Dale & Marloes peninsula on 19 Sept. A chance to get to grips with common autumn identification challenges including waders, gulls, warblers and pipits. Email for more details. #BirdingWales
September 7, 2026 at 12:34 PM
One place has become available on a full day 'autumn migration' tour around the Dale & Marloes peninsula on 19 Sept. A chance to get to grips with common autumn identification challenges including waders, gulls, warblers and pipits. Email for more details. #BirdingWales
A Tree Pipit and a Garden Warbler were the highlights of a short walk around Manorbier before work this morning #patchbirding #birdingWales
August 28, 2026 at 5:52 PM
A Tree Pipit and a Garden Warbler were the highlights of a short walk around Manorbier before work this morning #patchbirding #birdingWales
Another good local patch bird - an adult Sabine's Gull in the feeding flocks off Manorbier this evening! #patchbirding #birdingWales
August 25, 2026 at 6:56 PM
Another good local patch bird - an adult Sabine's Gull in the feeding flocks off Manorbier this evening! #patchbirding #birdingWales
It was great to spend time with the stunning Baird's Sandpiper on the Dale Airfield yesterday evening!
With an Ortolan Bunting over Skrinkle Haven on Sunday morning as well, it's been a good couple of days! #birdingWales
With an Ortolan Bunting over Skrinkle Haven on Sunday morning as well, it's been a good couple of days! #birdingWales
August 25, 2026 at 12:02 PM
It was great to spend time with the stunning Baird's Sandpiper on the Dale Airfield yesterday evening!
With an Ortolan Bunting over Skrinkle Haven on Sunday morning as well, it's been a good couple of days! #birdingWales
With an Ortolan Bunting over Skrinkle Haven on Sunday morning as well, it's been a good couple of days! #birdingWales
Reposted by Toby Phelps
Pelagic trips off the Pembrokeshire coast - new dates added due to demand! #BirdingWales
** 4th September already sold out **
** 4th September already sold out **
August 13, 2026 at 9:10 AM
Pelagic trips off the Pembrokeshire coast - new dates added due to demand! #BirdingWales
** 4th September already sold out **
** 4th September already sold out **
Didn't have this on my radar for early August but pleased to find a 2CY Ring-billed Gull with the gathering of gulls at the south end of Tenby South Beach yesterday evening!
No sign there this morning but very few gulls present.
Hopefully it reappears again this evening.
#patchbirding #birdingWales
No sign there this morning but very few gulls present.
Hopefully it reappears again this evening.
#patchbirding #birdingWales
August 8, 2026 at 9:59 AM
Didn't have this on my radar for early August but pleased to find a 2CY Ring-billed Gull with the gathering of gulls at the south end of Tenby South Beach yesterday evening!
No sign there this morning but very few gulls present.
Hopefully it reappears again this evening.
#patchbirding #birdingWales
No sign there this morning but very few gulls present.
Hopefully it reappears again this evening.
#patchbirding #birdingWales
Reposted by Toby Phelps
One of 9 Wilson's Storm Petrels in the Celtic Deep off the Pembrokeshire coast today, a new Welsh day record. Magic! #BirdingWales #RareBirdsUK
July 24, 2026 at 8:32 PM
One of 9 Wilson's Storm Petrels in the Celtic Deep off the Pembrokeshire coast today, a new Welsh day record. Magic! #BirdingWales #RareBirdsUK
Reposted by Toby Phelps
For ID purposes videos can be great for familiarising yourself with seabird flight actions, structure, etc. but it’s a pain tracking down useful clips. I’ve collated video links for various N Atlantic species here #seabirds #seawatching #birding #birdID
chatterstanes.wordpress.com/2025/12/23/s...
chatterstanes.wordpress.com/2025/12/23/s...
Seabird Video Footage as a Learning Resource for Seawatchers
During the last few years significant progress has been made in improving our understanding of identification criteria and distribution of previously problematic seabird species. This progress has …
chatterstanes.wordpress.com
December 24, 2025 at 7:57 AM
For ID purposes videos can be great for familiarising yourself with seabird flight actions, structure, etc. but it’s a pain tracking down useful clips. I’ve collated video links for various N Atlantic species here #seabirds #seawatching #birding #birdID
chatterstanes.wordpress.com/2025/12/23/s...
chatterstanes.wordpress.com/2025/12/23/s...
It's all yellow this evening!
Yellow Wagtail buzzing around Skrinkle and a Clouded Yellow on the coast path. #birdingWales
Yellow Wagtail buzzing around Skrinkle and a Clouded Yellow on the coast path. #birdingWales
July 16, 2026 at 9:52 PM
It's all yellow this evening!
Yellow Wagtail buzzing around Skrinkle and a Clouded Yellow on the coast path. #birdingWales
Yellow Wagtail buzzing around Skrinkle and a Clouded Yellow on the coast path. #birdingWales
After catching up with the Western Reef Heron in Pembrokeshire on Friday I went back to Sandy Haven today for another look. It showed really well early afternoon!
Some interesting insects about too including a Hummingbird Hawkmoth, Lesser Emperor and 5 White-letter Hairstreaks! #birdingWales
Some interesting insects about too including a Hummingbird Hawkmoth, Lesser Emperor and 5 White-letter Hairstreaks! #birdingWales
June 28, 2026 at 8:14 PM
After catching up with the Western Reef Heron in Pembrokeshire on Friday I went back to Sandy Haven today for another look. It showed really well early afternoon!
Some interesting insects about too including a Hummingbird Hawkmoth, Lesser Emperor and 5 White-letter Hairstreaks! #birdingWales
Some interesting insects about too including a Hummingbird Hawkmoth, Lesser Emperor and 5 White-letter Hairstreaks! #birdingWales
Working in North Wales again this week. Very pleased the Western Reef Heron was re-found today. Showing well at RSPB Conwy late afternoon! #birdingWales
June 17, 2026 at 8:25 PM
Working in North Wales again this week. Very pleased the Western Reef Heron was re-found today. Showing well at RSPB Conwy late afternoon! #birdingWales
A little better in terms of diversity on the sea today compared to yesterday. In a couple of hours late morning: 12 Storm Petrel, Great Northern Diver, 4 Med Gulls, 12 Puffin and a Whimbrel past Skrinkle Haven #patchbirding #birdingWales
June 7, 2026 at 7:45 PM
A little better in terms of diversity on the sea today compared to yesterday. In a couple of hours late morning: 12 Storm Petrel, Great Northern Diver, 4 Med Gulls, 12 Puffin and a Whimbrel past Skrinkle Haven #patchbirding #birdingWales
Rained off from seawatching early on and the heavy drizzle persisted for most of the morning here. A quick watch after it cleared (11:45-12:45) produced a nice push of Storm Petrels west, 25 in an hour but little else. #patchbirding #birdingWales
June 6, 2026 at 12:49 PM
Rained off from seawatching early on and the heavy drizzle persisted for most of the morning here. A quick watch after it cleared (11:45-12:45) produced a nice push of Storm Petrels west, 25 in an hour but little else. #patchbirding #birdingWales
A single Storm Petrel past Skrinkle Haven this evening + Manxies moving over 5,000/hr #patchbirding #birdingWales
June 3, 2026 at 9:32 PM
A single Storm Petrel past Skrinkle Haven this evening + Manxies moving over 5,000/hr #patchbirding #birdingWales
I've been working on Anglesey this week so made a trip over to South Stack this morning to see the female-type Woodchat Shrike found yesterday.
Bird still present on the heath just south of the car park until 8.30am at least #birdingWales
Bird still present on the heath just south of the car park until 8.30am at least #birdingWales
May 29, 2026 at 8:26 AM
I've been working on Anglesey this week so made a trip over to South Stack this morning to see the female-type Woodchat Shrike found yesterday.
Bird still present on the heath just south of the car park until 8.30am at least #birdingWales
Bird still present on the heath just south of the car park until 8.30am at least #birdingWales
Skrinkle Haven seawatch this am 06:45 -08:45.
6 Storm Petrel, 1 Arctic Skua, 1 Great Northern Diver, 9 Sandwich Tern, 5 Puffin. Plus several groups of Swallows and House Martins coming in off the sea #birdingWales #patchbirding
6 Storm Petrel, 1 Arctic Skua, 1 Great Northern Diver, 9 Sandwich Tern, 5 Puffin. Plus several groups of Swallows and House Martins coming in off the sea #birdingWales #patchbirding
May 20, 2026 at 9:18 AM
Skrinkle Haven seawatch this am 06:45 -08:45.
6 Storm Petrel, 1 Arctic Skua, 1 Great Northern Diver, 9 Sandwich Tern, 5 Puffin. Plus several groups of Swallows and House Martins coming in off the sea #birdingWales #patchbirding
6 Storm Petrel, 1 Arctic Skua, 1 Great Northern Diver, 9 Sandwich Tern, 5 Puffin. Plus several groups of Swallows and House Martins coming in off the sea #birdingWales #patchbirding
Another morning seawatching. Good movement of birds including 2 Arctic Skuas (both d/p) - with one passing along the cliffs right overhead!
Also 8 Great Northern Divers, 2 RT Divers and a Stormie. Waders moving offshore too: 29 Dunlin, 13 Sanderling and 2 Ringed Plover. #birdingWales #Patchbirding
Also 8 Great Northern Divers, 2 RT Divers and a Stormie. Waders moving offshore too: 29 Dunlin, 13 Sanderling and 2 Ringed Plover. #birdingWales #Patchbirding
May 19, 2026 at 10:45 AM
Another morning seawatching. Good movement of birds including 2 Arctic Skuas (both d/p) - with one passing along the cliffs right overhead!
Also 8 Great Northern Divers, 2 RT Divers and a Stormie. Waders moving offshore too: 29 Dunlin, 13 Sanderling and 2 Ringed Plover. #birdingWales #Patchbirding
Also 8 Great Northern Divers, 2 RT Divers and a Stormie. Waders moving offshore too: 29 Dunlin, 13 Sanderling and 2 Ringed Plover. #birdingWales #Patchbirding
Seawatching highlights over the last few days: 2 sum plumage Great Northern Divers + a few Med Gulls and Puffins (y'day) and a Storm Petrel (today). Whimbrel passing most days and 2 Barwits on Saturday.
Hopefully a few more bits to come this week! #birdingWales #patchbirding
Hopefully a few more bits to come this week! #birdingWales #patchbirding
May 18, 2026 at 2:39 PM
Seawatching highlights over the last few days: 2 sum plumage Great Northern Divers + a few Med Gulls and Puffins (y'day) and a Storm Petrel (today). Whimbrel passing most days and 2 Barwits on Saturday.
Hopefully a few more bits to come this week! #birdingWales #patchbirding
Hopefully a few more bits to come this week! #birdingWales #patchbirding
It was nice to catch up with the Dotterel near Martin's Haven this morning. Two (M & F) were present in their favoured ploughed field #birdingWales
May 9, 2026 at 6:01 PM
It was nice to catch up with the Dotterel near Martin's Haven this morning. Two (M & F) were present in their favoured ploughed field #birdingWales
Reposted by Toby Phelps
Returned from holiday to find the first 2025 Bird Report from a Welsh county completed. 👏 Jon Green in #Pembrokeshire.
Great to see it includes maps that draw on @birdtrack.bsky.social and #eBird records, produced by @btobirds.bsky.social. #BirdingWales
pembsbirds.blogspot.com/p/the-annual...
Great to see it includes maps that draw on @birdtrack.bsky.social and #eBird records, produced by @btobirds.bsky.social. #BirdingWales
pembsbirds.blogspot.com/p/the-annual...
May 3, 2026 at 11:31 AM
Returned from holiday to find the first 2025 Bird Report from a Welsh county completed. 👏 Jon Green in #Pembrokeshire.
Great to see it includes maps that draw on @birdtrack.bsky.social and #eBird records, produced by @btobirds.bsky.social. #BirdingWales
pembsbirds.blogspot.com/p/the-annual...
Great to see it includes maps that draw on @birdtrack.bsky.social and #eBird records, produced by @btobirds.bsky.social. #BirdingWales
pembsbirds.blogspot.com/p/the-annual...
Regular watching the local patch at Manorbier came good this morning when, as I walked down to my seawatch spot, a superb adult Glaucous Gull glided along the cliffs at eye level! In a bit of disbelief I watched it as it followed the coast west and eventually around Old castle Hd. Wow! #birdingWales
March 16, 2026 at 9:36 PM
Regular watching the local patch at Manorbier came good this morning when, as I walked down to my seawatch spot, a superb adult Glaucous Gull glided along the cliffs at eye level! In a bit of disbelief I watched it as it followed the coast west and eventually around Old castle Hd. Wow! #birdingWales
Reposted by Toby Phelps
This month's Free Access Editorial Team Choice: Canada Warbler in Pembrokeshire!
Magnolia Warbler at St Govan’s Head, Pembrokeshire, found by Toby Phelps was then added to with the discovery of Britain’s first Canada Warbler.
Read more:
📸 Canada Warbler by Graham Jepson
Magnolia Warbler at St Govan’s Head, Pembrokeshire, found by Toby Phelps was then added to with the discovery of Britain’s first Canada Warbler.
Read more:
📸 Canada Warbler by Graham Jepson
Canada Warbler in Pembrokeshire: new to Britain
September 2023 saw an unprecedented influx of Nearctic landbirds to Britain and Ireland, with an exceptional breadth of American species recorded during a...
britishbirds.co.uk
March 11, 2026 at 9:20 PM
This month's Free Access Editorial Team Choice: Canada Warbler in Pembrokeshire!
Magnolia Warbler at St Govan’s Head, Pembrokeshire, found by Toby Phelps was then added to with the discovery of Britain’s first Canada Warbler.
Read more:
📸 Canada Warbler by Graham Jepson
Magnolia Warbler at St Govan’s Head, Pembrokeshire, found by Toby Phelps was then added to with the discovery of Britain’s first Canada Warbler.
Read more:
📸 Canada Warbler by Graham Jepson
Some nice birds locally and out around Pembs over the last week or so as spring slowly starts going. On the local patch, a Marsh Harrier east over Skrinkle and a Goshawk over Manorbier in the week. Yesterday 2 Velvet Scoter off Telpyn Pt and today a Black Redstart at Martin's Haven! #birdingWales
March 8, 2026 at 7:35 PM
Some nice birds locally and out around Pembs over the last week or so as spring slowly starts going. On the local patch, a Marsh Harrier east over Skrinkle and a Goshawk over Manorbier in the week. Yesterday 2 Velvet Scoter off Telpyn Pt and today a Black Redstart at Martin's Haven! #birdingWales