Mark Hipkin

Find me @markhipkin.bsky.social

Having spent the whole of 2024 not seeing any Black Redstarts I managed to connect with two today. The one in the photos was at Rhossili this morning, then later a second one at Overton around midday. A Firecrest at the sewage works also my first this year

A typically showy Snow Bunting (1st W male) was dodging the visitors in the NT car park at Rhossili today. It was a shining light on an otherwise gloomy day and lifted my spirits considerably to watch it feed at close range

Few shots of the juv Little Crake that was still present at Bosherston Lily Ponds this afternoon. Elusive at times but occasionally venturing out into the open to show off its subtly cryptic markings and long-primary projection. A very smart bird that that I’ve dipped in the past

A real treat to see the North(west)ern Lights from the back garden in Neath tonight

Yesterday, I spent a 2nd day birding around Overton and was lucky enough to get views of the Red-breasted Flycatcher on three occasions. Contrary to expectations it showed best in heavy rain when it fed at low level. This shot captures what was probably my best view of it

I was stunned to find this 1stW R-b Flycatcher at Overton this PM. A very scarce bird locally with 8 previous accepted records in Glamorgan (5 of those in West Glam). The most recent record being 4/12/1983 from Whiteford. Luckily I managed a record photo of it. What a stunner!

Few photos of the stunning Hoopoe that graced the grassy area near Swansea Cenotaph this PM. A practically fearless bird was enjoyed by several local birders. Congrats & thanks to finder for putting news out so promptly after their find. This bird is ✅ 205 on my Glam year list

Some good seawatching off Overton Cliff this weekend but without the scarcer species to purr over. Today, large numbers (in a Glamorgan context) of Kittiwakes (960+) and Auks (720+) attracted 13 Arctic Skuas past between 07:00-13:00. These 2 part a group of 3 that passed @ 08:00

Little Stint & Curlew Sandpiper became 201 & 202 on the Glamorgan birding year list today. They were part of a fantastic experience at Llanrhidian Saltmarsh out from Weobley Castle. On falling tide c1800 Ringed Plover, c1200 Dunlin, 6+ Curlew Sand and 5+ L Stint

Great birding over B/H wknd helped move my Glam Year list along which now stands at 199. A Sooty Shearwater the prize from a seawatch from Overton Cliff on Sun (25th) also 2 Storm Petrel and 2 Arctic Skua. Later a dash to Cold Knap, Barry for the stunning Grey Phalarope.

A couple more photos from Saturday 17th Aug. A Yellow Wagtail among sheep with 100+ Pied Wagtails at Castell-du which brought the Glam year list to 196. Earlier in the day 5+ Shrill Carder Bees nectaring on Himalayan Balsam around the RoW’s between Kenfig River and Margam Moors

Weasel at Kenfig River yesterday morning. Captured doing 0 to 60 mph testing across the track in front of me.

I was very pleased to add Bonxie to my Glamorgan Year list yesterday during a sea watch from Overton Cliff. It appeared out of the gloom like all good pirates do and promptly started chasing a moulting Lesser Black-backed Gull before heading west to create havoc elsewhere 🏴‍☠️

If anyone is interested in how a Glamorgan (VC41) year list can be illustrated falling off the edge of a cliff (metaphorically speaking) this is it. January 119 February 18 March 17 April 28 May 9 June 3 July 0 August 0 (so far) Last✅was Goshawk on 30th June #wherearethebirds

If you fancy joining @gmtord and me on a Butterfly and Moth walk at Port Eynon this weekend please see the details on the attached poster. The weather looks good for the day so it should be good fun @savebutterflies #MothsMatter