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Andy Appleton @andyappleton.bsky.social · 3h

38 species at Dunorlan Park in under an hour bringing me up to 49 for the month. I’ve averaged 53 species a month in 2026. 6 Swallows, Firecrest, Red Kite - and Coot, 3rd of year which compares to a record 36 Moorhen. I was out before the park run - good luck to the happy couple! #TunbridgeWells

After the mist had cleared as the sun rose.

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Andy Appleton @andyappleton.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

I think that’s what is also present at St James’ church #TunbridgeWells - photo from this morning. I need to pop back with the camera!

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Andy Appleton @andyappleton.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Hard work out today. There were several Clouded Yellows and, as is more usual for this time of year, lots of Migrant Hawkers. Garden Warbler (just one) the avian highlight and only six Blackcap (thats just one bird an hour) and no other sylvia’s - that’s not normal. #KentBirding #KentNature

Small White - the only butterfly more numerous than Clouded Yellows today!

My attempt at a flight shot of a Migrant Hawker

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Andy Appleton @andyappleton.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

There haven’t as many local migrant birds as I have hoped for but a couple of Sand Martins on Monday evening and again this morning were notable at #DunorlanPark Merlin app thinks Wren is bird of the day above Cattle Egret which would be a patch tick - the sound was presumably Grey Squirrel.

I put Merlin on as I thought I heard Treecreeper. The app is quite useful for higher pitched sounds. I presume and hope that I didn’t actually miss a flyover Cattle Egret!

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Andy Appleton @andyappleton.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Norfolk at the weekend. The 38 Barnacle Geese that flew south over Horsford Woods about 8am on Monday were the biggest surprise. #norfolkbirding

38 Barnacle Geese of presumed dubious origin, Horsford, 31/08/2026

One of a large number of Grey Heron in the Norfolk Broads

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Andy Appleton @andyappleton.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

A few bits from around #TunbridgeWells over the last few days. I almost forgot about Autumn Ladies Tresses until I saw some photos online but found just three - although if I had arrived at the cemetery a few more minutes before closing time I may have found a few more.

Sunrise at Dunorlan’ - despite my best efforts I’ve found precious few migrants over the last week.

Common Blue - a description not just of Tracey’s Ford Puma which this little critter had chosen as a roost site. I don’t remember seeing one in our road previously.

ALT, one of just three noted in a brief visit.

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Andy Appleton @andyappleton.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

It was still about the same seven years ago but a great island nonetheless. It was also a great feeling to be back safely on the Irish mainland afterwards!

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Andy Appleton @andyappleton.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

I walked out to Whetsted GP’s this morning noting 53 species including two vocal Green Sandpipers, a couple of Sand Martins, Lesser Whitethroat and a Whinchat.

A field on my walk towards Whetsted GP’s

Muscovy Duck in the River Medway. It flew in, but presumably not from too far away.

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Andy Appleton @andyappleton.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Some recent poor pictures from Dungeness. I understand that Verge Cricket (aka Bordeaux Cricket) hadn’t been recorded in the UK until a few weeks ago - this was the fifth record and there have been several more since. Tapestry Moth (Trichophaga tapetzella) was also @dungenessbirdobs.bsky.social

A juvenile White-winged Black Tern on the RSPB reserve at Dungeness.

I’ve seen 11 of these in the UK, 5 of these at Dungeness but hadn’t seen one for 12 years.

Tapestry Moth chilling out at Dungeness Bird Observatory

Verge Cricket, the second in the Dungeness area, thank you Jacob

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Andy Appleton @andyappleton.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Target species not seen today but I managed to take one or two pictures that seem to be more in focus than usual - these are all at Haysden.

I understand that this is the largest UK hoverfly: Hornet Plumehorn (Volucella zonaria)

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Andy Appleton @andyappleton.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

Little Stint with gammy leg on the reserve at Dungeness this afternoon and Wood Sandpiper on ARC (viewed from path to water tower) this evening, also Whimbrel, Greenshank, half a dozen Green Sandpipers and quite a few Yellow Wagtails about. Lots of Painted Lady butterflies too.

Wood Sandpiper (and Green Sand’) on ARC - honest

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Andy Appleton @andyappleton.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

We retuned from a week away yesterday noting a certain Long-tailed Shrike (Tracey’s #400, again) and a couple of ‘almost over’ Violet Helleborines en route. A hybrid was unfortunately more than just past its best! 3 Grey Wagtails and a Firecrest were a good start before work today.

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Andy Appleton @andyappleton.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

A casual 58 species by 8:30am this morning at two local sites including a couple of Turtle Doves, Hobby, Kingfishers, Bullfinches, Common Sand’ and stuff.

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Andy Appleton @andyappleton.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

Trustee meetings can be quite good. Striped Hawk-moth @dungenessbirdobs.bsky.social

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Andy Appleton @andyappleton.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

I was pleased to find six Broad-leaved Helleborines (mostly gone over, one just way past its best) nr Pembury water works before work this week but was more surprised to find two frazzled plants in Dunorlan’ this morning. They may have looked better two weeks ago! @ianbeavis.bsky.social #orchids

A dead plant in Dunorlan Park at 7am this morning.

Past its best, and this was my best sighting in my walk today 🤣✔️

The leaves aren’t dead yet at least
- two plants noted.

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Andy Appleton @andyappleton.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

An enjoyable weekend. An unseasonal Meadow Pipit the best from Tonbridge station on Saturday. The land and wildlife at Balfour Winery is well respected - quite impressed. I failed to resist a little shrike spotting yesterday afternoon with plenty of other wildlife - more great farmland.

A rather fuzzy Long-tailed Shrike in the heat haze on Eastleach Downs - at this point it was in Gloucestershire.

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Andy Appleton @andyappleton.bsky.social · 11/07/2026

A casual day started with a walk around Rye Harbour NR where Whimbrel, two Greenshank & Little Terns obliged. A tearoom in Rye next for old times sake before we headed to Dungeness. A few bits noted there: female Garganey, Red-veined Darter and several Lesser Emperors the best.

A darter, the only one I saw today. It was on view just long enough for me to take a picture. A male Red-veined Darter (unless I’m mistaken) on the track to the Hanson hide this afternoon.

Taken from the entrance track to the RSPB reserve at Dungeness. Point, shoot and see what comes out - something identifiable was the surprise result. One of several Lesser Emperors dragonflies noted.

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Andy Appleton @andyappleton.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

Dungeness next stop for the moth day @dungenessbirdobs.bsky.social This is just a small selection of a large number of moths seen. Hopefully not too many errors in the ALT 🤷🏻‍♂️

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Andy Appleton @andyappleton.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

My first ever garden moth trap last weekend thanks to @davidnorgate.bsky.social Nothing too unusual but good all the same! Although I’m not sure most people would agree Box Moths are good round here. #TunbridgeWells

Box Moth in a box.

A dark form also trapped.

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Andy Appleton @andyappleton.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

Friday evening: I had a distant (half a mile away) view of the Western Reef Heron on the beach near Conwy. Saturday: I casually started by walking to the Aber Falls before heading to the Conwy Estuary for much better views of the heron. Whixall Moss: several Large Heath and a single Black Darter.

A dark morph Western Reef Heron (surely egret is better)

Peregrine on the Great Orme.

I’ll spare you my photo of a fly-by Chough.

A female Black Darter at Whixall Moss. Several Large Heath butterflies also noted in quite warm but overcast conditions.

I didn’t see White-faced Darter though - maybe they prefer the sun to be out.

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Andy Appleton @andyappleton.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

Final post, phew. Some more fauna at Braunton Burrows at the weekend.

Quite of few of these fantastic coccinea Early Marsh Orchids.

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Andy Appleton @andyappleton.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

I’m not very good at my non-orchid fauna so it was great to have someone pointing bits out… ... I have an awful lot to learn. @rogercharding.bsky.social

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Andy Appleton @andyappleton.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

A few other critters and the views aren’t too shabby from Braunton Burrows either. @rogercharding.bsky.social

Not wild: one of many orchid munching machines in the dunes 🤷🏻‍♂️😢😟

Six-spot Burnett moth (and another Southern Marsh Orchid).

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Andy Appleton @andyappleton.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

A few Bee Orchids, Ophrys apifera, at Braunton Burrows. A couple certainly looked as if they were tending towards var. belgarum with the amount of yellow although the lips are all quite rounded @rogercharding.bsky.social @kirstyevans.bsky.social @lizlouise.bsky.social

A bog standard Bee Orchid, Ophrys apifera, Braunton Burrows, Devon

Bee Orchid in the dunes at Braunton Burrows

Bee Orchid with, perhaps, var. belgarum tendancies

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Andy Appleton @andyappleton.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

Various shades of Southern Marsh Orchid, Dactylorhiza praetermissa, at Braunton Burrows last weekend. Thank you to @rogercharding.bsky.social

A pale pink Southern Marsh Orchid at Braunton Burrows, Devon.

A small pink Southern Marsh Orchid at Braunton Burrows.

Perhaps the most well marked Southern Marsh Orchid that I have stumbled across, Braunton Burrows, 13 June 2026

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Andy Appleton @andyappleton.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

I need a five minute break so here are a few random photo’s from Kent taken over the last couple of weeks. Oh, no Welsh heron photo - mainly as I haven’t left Kent… …yet.

A bird: Long-tailed Tit singing its heart out one very hot afternoon.

A dragonfly: Broad-bodied Chaser at Goddington.

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Andy Appleton @andyappleton.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

Not quite up to the standards of @marcheath.bsky.social but I think you can tell I’ve seen Red-veined Darter. Despite there being little sunshine half a dozen or so noted, my first in Kent. 33 species around #DunorlanPark, #TunbridgeWells this morning including a few more Common Spotted Orchids.

A blurry tandem pair of Red-veined Darters, Kent, 5 June 2026

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Andy Appleton @andyappleton.bsky.social · 31/05/2026

and now for some other #orchids… There seem to be less Lady Orchids this year and most are frying, same with Fly Orchids perhaps but lots of Greater Butterfly Orchids and one of last years ‘magenta type’ Fly Orchids was a great contrast to last weekends green Fly Orchids. #wildflowerhour

Common Twayblades and Common Spotted Orchids (no shortage of either of these) and Greater Butterfly Orchid.

a magenta-coloured Fly Orchid this afternoon

One of two green Fly Orchids last weekend.

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Andy Appleton @andyappleton.bsky.social · 31/05/2026

Here are some more Late Spider #Orchids at the same place - or are they? If anyone looks I’d love some thoughts on my comments in the ALT even if just to say I’m barking mad! 2 of 2 #wildflowerhour

Bee-shaped orchid with late spider credentials

A distinctive presumed Late Spider Orchid last weekend.

I don’t remember seeing a Late Spider Orchid with green sepals before. This was last weekend, we couldn’t find it this afternoon.

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Andy Appleton @andyappleton.bsky.social · 31/05/2026

We only visited one Late Spider #Orchid site today but had at least 40 including some interesting individuals… 1 of 2 #wildflowerhour

Late Spider Orchid with lime-green colour

A small clump of brightly coloured Late Spider Orchids

A yellowish Late Spider Orchid similar to the one photographed last week (which clearly isn’t flavescens, no idea what I was thinking).

Late Spider Orchid, pale sepals and squat

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Andy Appleton @andyappleton.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

An unseasonably early Black-headed Gull at Dunorlan’ this morning presumably means that autumn is coming 🤷🏻‍♂️🤔😲 My first Common Spotted #Orchid of the year in the park too.

Common Spotted Orchid, Dunorlan Park, #TunbridgeWells

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Andy Appleton @andyappleton.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

I started with Ophrys at 6:15am this morning with about 18 Bee Orchids (about 20% compared to last year). I went on to see about 40 Late Spider Orchids over a few sites - numbers seem to be down. I’m still getting confused with these however! Correction and guidance most welcome. #Orchids

I’d call this a flavescens type Late Spider Orchid but stand to corrected.

Something slightly different and I’m too easily confused 🫤
Ophrys, with Late Spiders 🤷🏻‍♂️

Late Spider Orchid, Ophrys fuciflora / holosericea - they’re cool.

Bee Orchid, Ophrys apifera.
It may look as if it was dark but, despite being early, it wasn’t!

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Andy Appleton @andyappleton.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

I visited a few sites today and saw 12 species of #orchids by 2 O’clock. I didn’t see any more species after this but did see 75% of my meagre total of Fly Orchids for the day after this - 67% of those were rather green - yes that’s 50% of the Fly Orchids I saw today! Here they are. #KentNature

A single Fly Orchids at a location I don’t remember seeing them previously.

The first Fly Orchids that I came across at a site that usually hosts lots.

The second Fly Orchids at the same location!

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Andy Appleton @andyappleton.bsky.social · 10/05/2026

A great start to the weekend at Whetsted GP’s with purring Turtle Dove, Nightingales, Cuckoo, Garden Warbler and so much more. A few other bits and the local year list is now up to #113 I’ve notched up just three species of orchid since we got back from The Gargano (where we had almost 50).

Early Purple Orchid in a church graveyard.

Early Spider Orchid with awkward speculum (lacking the usual silvery iridescence)

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Andy Appleton @andyappleton.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

Best bird from my short walks around Dunorlan Park, #TunbridgeWells so far this month was the Cuckoo heard singing about 6:15am today - my first here for four years. Whitethroat, Common Terns and Firecrests also noted this week.

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Andy Appleton @andyappleton.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

I couldn’t sleep before reporting the result of our brilliant trip to The Gargarno: 3 species of Odonata, including a pair of Leates macrostigma (the last bit of action we had before downing the optics), A whole load of birds and a decent haul of other wildlife including a mega haul of 49 #orchids

Blue Rock Thrush (that started singing about 4:30am today), Alpine Swift, Yelkouan and Scopoli’s Shearwater habitats

The views and scenery isn’t too shabby in The Gargano

Ophrys paolina, one of an amazing haul of 49 species of orchids around The Gargano this last week. Good eh?

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Andy Appleton @andyappleton.bsky.social · 18/04/2026

A jaunt across the border into East Sussex got my days warbler list up to ten with a vocal but very showy Garden Warbler. Hobby was also my first in 2026. I finished at the tip / sewage works, why do I keep going there? A good day though with 64 species noted despite a fair bit sitting at my desk.

I only saw one Red Lite today and that was just over the border into in East Sussex.

I like Redpolls. 2 noted this afternoon.

Woodlark, despite the business of the place.

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Andy Appleton @andyappleton.bsky.social · 18/04/2026

52 species of bird around Whetsted GP’s and the walk from/to Sherenden Farm this morning including Greenshank, Cuckoo, half a dozen Nightingale, Sedge, Reed & Willow Warblers and a couple of Lesser Whitethroat. A single drake Mandarin flew east, the drake Wood Duck still looks lost.

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Andy Appleton @andyappleton.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

Common Crane was an unexpected bonus while on a house hunting mission up Norf’ at the weekend thanks to @applewildlife.bsky.social

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Andy Appleton @andyappleton.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

Firecrest singing its heart out again this morning - such brilliant birds. A frosty walk round Dunorlan Park: 32 species noted but nothing too noteworthy. Skylarks doing their thing and common stuff like Green Woodpecker always a pleasure. #TunbridgeWells #KentBirding

View over the fields from Dunorlan Park, Tunbridge Wells, this morning.

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Andy Appleton @andyappleton.bsky.social · 06/04/2026

A male Wheatear at Haysden this afternoon was a welcome no. 98 for the 5 mile year list. Stock Doves are everywhere nowadays it seems but this one, seemingly growing out of a tree, needed snapping. Red Kites around including a small number over the back garden today. #KentBirding

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Andy Appleton @andyappleton.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

Good Friday. Do you think the weekend birding gets any better? A walk to Whetsted GP’s produced a cracking drake Wood Duck looking rather confused on the path between two pits and when I was wondering how I hadn’t managed to see any new summer migrants, and then a forlorn-looking Muscovy Duck 🤷🏻‍♂️

My visit didn’t start well today. I don’t think this male Sparrowhawk will be resurrected on Sunday.

A path between two pits which held a drake Wood Duck this morning.

It might not look like one in this picture but this is the drake Wood Duck 😲

My morning didn’t get any better when I walked back along the River Medway - a dark phase Muscovy Duck (honest).

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Andy Appleton @andyappleton.bsky.social · 29/03/2026

Thank you Jacob @dungenessbirdobs.bsky.social - this was excellent! Trustee meetings aren’t so bad.

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Andy Appleton @andyappleton.bsky.social · 28/03/2026

The day started with Firecrest and Redpoll at home. Then my first Wheatears, Sand Martins & Sandwich Terns for 2025 at Dungeness + Black-necked Grebe at Lade GP’s, 7 Stonechat and a couple of Black Redstarts. Non-bird highlights included Harbour Porpoise and Early Purple #Orchid rosettes.

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Andy Appleton @andyappleton.bsky.social · 28/03/2026

But rain won’t stop play of course. So much brilliant stuff seen that day rather damp day!

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Andy Appleton @andyappleton.bsky.social · 22/03/2026

The scenery is not too shabby in the #LakeDistrict either.

Crummock Water was my dad’s choice for a short walk along the road. Fleetwith Pike is, I believe, in the distance on the left and Great Gable even further away just visible behind Hay Stacks in the middle of the picture.

Looking up Borrowdale across Derwent Water from a very busy Friars Crag yesterday morning.

Keswick behind looking across Derwent Water.

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Andy Appleton @andyappleton.bsky.social · 22/03/2026

A weekend seeing my folk but we managed to fit some wildlife in. Dippers and 27 Black Grouse (17 male, 10 female) on the way here, Otters, Red Squirrels, Red & Roe Deer, a couple of Pintail, Great White Egret and my earliest ever Osprey (yesterday) from the cottage overlooking Bassenthwaite Lake.

Goldeneye are easy to see around the Lake District in winter.

I’m not too sure of the provenance of the Barnacle Geese often seen around Derwent Water & Bassenthwaite.

Goosander are easily found all year round up here. We usually see Red-breasted Merganser too although only noted a couple on this short visit.

Red Grouse - a few noted and couple showed well before we got to Cumbria.

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Andy Appleton @andyappleton.bsky.social · 14/03/2026

More standard fare photography… … three Roe Deer at sunrise and a male Common Crossbill, the only one seen today. 143 Fallow Deer just outside #TunbridgeWells yesterday afternoon is probably the largest herd I’ve come across Highlight today: single Jack Snipe, #94 for my ‘5 mile year list’.

A red bird high up in a tree and not very close.

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Andy Appleton @andyappleton.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

40 species around Dunorlan Park today including Peregrine (my first in #TunbridgeWells this year) and singing Chiffchaff (my first summer migrant of the year a few days earlier than usual). Seeing red too: a bit of Redpoll action, Red Kite and Redwings - and sun, two days in a row!

The sun rise with some blue sky - two days in a row! Dunorlan Park, Tunbridge Wells.

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