Neil Burt retweeted
Over 2,500 Brent geese at Seasalter, it proved to be tough, they faced the wrong direction, hiding their distinguishing features. Patience won the day, and I successfully tracked down both a Black Brant & Pale-bellied Brent goose. Other notable were RT diver/Lt Gull/Arctic skua.
Neil Burt retweeted
KOS Weekly Highlights: the week offered some exciting sea-watching with Dungeness having a particularly good day on the 12th. Further highlights included a Shorelark and a Glossy Ibis. See kentos.org.uk for all details. #kentbirding
#Patchbirding... 4 Mandarins at the Hothfield Flood Storage Reservoir, flushed off the river by a fly fisherman & a dog walker. 2 pairs, they then flew to the waterfall lake. 1st here since late Spring. Also the Cetti’s Warbler singing at the Waterfall Lake. 3x time this yr.
Neil Burt retweeted
Big influx of brents today including pale bellied and black brant at seasalter @KentishPlover
#Patchbirding walk in better weather this evening. Not one but TWO BARN OWLS this evening hunting the same rural Godinton Park field. Not had that sight on the patch before. GC Grebe still in residence at Singleton Lake. @Godinton @SingletonLake
#Patchbirding after work. Was hoping for something new at the Hothfield waterbodies in the murky, damp weather but it was sadly a bit disappointing. Just 2 Little Grebes new in to the Waterfall Lake, plus Grey Wagtail & a Common Buzzard walking around a ploughed field.
The American Golden Plover was still in the usual field at Jury’s Gap, East Sussex this morning with 100s of Europeans but flock disturbed by a hunting Merlin chasing the Skylarks… 1 Ringed Plover & 1 Dunlin too. @RareBirdAlertUK @BirdGuides
#Patchbirding after work… Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail, GC Grebe, 2 Grey Herons, 1 Green Sandpiper, Jays and the usual suspects around Singleton Lake & Rural Godinton Park.
#PatchBirding ups & downs this evening. Far too much human disturbance at the Hothfield water spots; Stonechat pair & Little Egret noted. Better on rural Godinton Park with a Barn Owl & calling Tawny Owl, Common Gull, Pied Wagtails & a nice flock of 50+ Goldfinches. Charming 👍
Neil Burt retweeted
KOS Weekly Highlights: an interesting Black Kite, a colour-ringed Hoopoe, owls in the hand and an increase in Chaffinches. See kentos.org.uk for all details. #kentbirding
#Patchbirding this evening. Was not expecting much as the evenings draw in, least of all a passerine. However a calling FIRECREST 🔥 on rural Godinton Park stopped me in my tracks, & then the little gem showed, feeding in the trees. Still a rare here (ave. 1 record a yr) ✅ #102.
Another great visit to the Kilnsea & @spurnbirdobs area between 25th Sep-2nd Oct. The Eyebrowed Thrush was the clear highlight but other sightings included American Golden Plover, a probable Pallid Swift & 5 Yellow-browed Warblers. Thanks to all staff & locals. Back in Oct-27 👍.
Yesterday was easily one of our most exciting days of the Autumn so far, with our first Eyebrowed Thrush caught and ringed in Church Field while our first Little Bunting of the season was mobile between The Warren and Pancho Pond. #Spurnbirds (1/3)
#Patchbirding this evening at @SingletonLake & rural Godinton Park. Pair of Egyptian Geese back on the lake, 1 GC Grebe, 1 Canada & 1 Grey Wagtail. At dusk a calling Little Owl & a very distant view of the Barn Owl flying away from me.
A couple of days spent in Norfolk with 2 visits to @NorfolkWT Holme Dunes NWT. 2 Lapland Buntings, a really showy Snow Bunting, 1 Little Stint, Pinkfeet, 2 drake Eiders, 1 Barn Owl, 3 Greenshanks, Linnets, M Pipits, Reed Buntings, Bearded Tits, 3 Common Snipe & the usual Raptors.
After Yorkshire, it was great to visit the Frampton Marsh RSPB reserve again. The Buff-breasted Sandpiper showed well in the telescope from the seawall + Merlin, juv Curlew Sandpiper, Pink-footed Geese, Wheatear & lots of wildfowl & waders on the Reedbed lagoon & Clouded Yellows.
A fabulous week away, birding in Rutland, Yorkshire, Lincolnshire & Norfolk. A 1st ever visit to @RutlandWaterNR on the 25th Sept where we eventually spotted the Lesser Yellowlegs on Lagoon III from the Shoveler Hide. 2 Greenshanks, Green Sandpiper, 4 Bl T Godwits & 1 Dunlin too.
Back from holiday to an afternoon @PatchBirding session. 4 Skylarks S over rural Godinton Park + adult Med Gull S, 4 Clouded Yellows, 1 Sparrowhawk, C Buzzards, Kestrel, Jays & the usual Woodpeckers…
