iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Ben Collins-Smith @bc-s.bsky.social · 13/12/2025

Some bits from the last few days in the highlands of #CostaRica - Resplendent Quetzal, Talamanca Humminbird & Volcano Hummingbird 🇨🇷

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Ben Collins-Smith @bc-s.bsky.social · 29/09/2025

A few birds from the last few days of my Northern Peru tour; White-winged Guan, Lesser Nighthawk & Tumbes Chat-Tyrant #birding #Peru

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Ben Collins-Smith @bc-s.bsky.social · 29/09/2025

A few birds from the last few days of my Northern Peru tour; White-winged Guan, Lesser Nighthawk & Tumbes Chat-Tyrant #birding #Peru

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Ben Collins-Smith @bc-s.bsky.social · 19/09/2025

We’re lucky to have a colpa (clay lick) at Hoja Nueva which allows us to see some of the parrots at close range. Red-and-green Macaws are by far the most common with 30+ pairs. Scarlet, Blue-and-yellow, Chestnut-fronted and Red-bellied have been limited to a few pairs each

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Ben Collins-Smith @bc-s.bsky.social · 16/09/2025

Halfway through my stay with Hoja Nueva, near Puerto Maldonado, volunteering with their research, rehab and rewilding efforts. Some of the mammals on show daily below; Bolivian Red Howler Monkey, Saddle-back Tamarin & Brown-throated Sloth #conservation #peru

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Ben Collins-Smith @bc-s.bsky.social · 07/09/2025

🇵🇪 #Peru day 1 - explored the parks and bars of Lima, stumbled into a few birds too - photos of Belcher’s Gull, Blue-grey Tanager, Long-tailed Mockingbird & Saffron Finch #birding

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Ben Collins-Smith @bc-s.bsky.social · 30/08/2025

Spotted Crake showed well for 40 minutes at New Downs, Sandwich this morning, albeit in poor light. Was lucky to connect with the 3 Dotterel at St Margaret’s on the way home before the flew south over the road #kentbirding

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Ben Collins-Smith @bc-s.bsky.social · 22/08/2025

Snuck off from the family holiday for half a day of birding in Albania with @ajcollinssmith_. Connected with our two targets of Sombre Tit (2) and Western Rock Nuthatch (5+) near Gjirokastër. Supporting cast of 20+ Golden Oriole, Lesser Grey Shrike, Blue Rock Thrush #birding

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Ben Collins-Smith @bc-s.bsky.social · 15/08/2025

The last 3 times I’ve been out of the country @dungenessbirdobs.bsky.social has had Eastern & Western Bonelli’s Warblers and Iberian Chiff. I’m off to Albania tomorrow so if anyone fancies finding a rare warbler, you know where to go… #kentbirding

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Ben Collins-Smith @bc-s.bsky.social · 07/08/2025

The Pectoral Sandpiper was still in the SE corner of the ARC pit at Dungeness this morning. Also, Peregrine, Cuckoo, 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Avocet & 4 GWE feeding in front of the hide #kentbirding

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Ben Collins-Smith @bc-s.bsky.social · 02/08/2025

Margate to Broadstairs this morning: Leucistic Herring Gull still in Margate Harbour, Peregrine, Wheatear, 2 Fulmar, Curlew & Whimbrel #kentbirding

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Ben Collins-Smith @bc-s.bsky.social · 31/05/2025

River Medway from Tonbridge to Rochester: 8 hours, 49km, 62k steps, 8 pubs, no bins but 49 bird species inc. fem. Mandarin, 6 Kingfisher, GSW nest, Reed Bunt, Yellowhammer #kentbirding

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Ben Collins-Smith @bc-s.bsky.social · 27/05/2025

🇪🇪 Estonia day 6 - caught up with Booted Warbler and Lesser Spotted Eagle today, bringing our final trip list to 172 species. Photos of some of the observation towers #birding

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Ben Collins-Smith @bc-s.bsky.social · 26/05/2025

🇪🇪 Estonia days 4 & 5 - travelled south and east to try for some warbler targets. 3 River, 5 Blyth’s Reed, 8+ Marsh Warbler around Tartu. Also Golden Eagle, Corncrake, Penduline Tit, Golden Oriole were highlights @ajcollinssmith.bsky.social #birding

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Ben Collins-Smith @bc-s.bsky.social · 24/05/2025

🇪🇪 Estonia day 3 - explored some bogs and mature woodland this morning. A couple of Citrine Wags helped ease the blow whilst waiting to get towed in the afternoon 😂 also Honey Buzzard & Grasshopper Warbler #birding

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Ben Collins-Smith @bc-s.bsky.social · 23/05/2025

🇪🇪 Estonia day 2 - whole day birding Matsalu Bay & surrounding areas. 100s of GWE, 7+ WTE, 3 Montagu’s Harrier, Red-breasted, Pied & Spotted Flys, LEO & dozens of Icterines #birding

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Ben Collins-Smith @bc-s.bsky.social · 22/05/2025

🇪🇪 Day 1 of Estonia with @ajcollinssmith.bsky.social - birded the NW of the country with 94 species so far inc. Icterine, Marsh, Savi’s & Great Reed Warblers, Golden Oriole, Rosefinch, Black Tern, loads of Little Gulls, Whinchats etc.

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Reposted by Ben Collins-Smith

Neil Burt @neilburt.bsky.social · 10/05/2025

Good to see u again today Ben. A great wader morning with Whimbrels, Turnstones, Sanderlings, Dunlins & Grey Plovers moving up channel, followed by 2 Curlew Sandpipers at Kerton Road Pit (thanks for the heads up), 34+ Barwits, 2 Common Sandpipers, 3 Ringed Plovers, 1 Knot, 2 Redshank & Common Tern.

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Ben Collins-Smith @bc-s.bsky.social · 10/05/2025

Dungeness sea watch 05:40-09:10: 3 Poms, 1 Arctic Skua, 6 Velvet & 100 Common Scoter, 3 Little, 2 Black, Sandwich & Common Terns, 3 diver species & some waders moving up the channel. Black Redstart and 2 Wheatear on the beach #kentbirding

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Ben Collins-Smith @bc-s.bsky.social · 03/05/2025

Tight schedule but good morning of twitching. Spotted Sand @ Grafham, Great Reed Warbler, male and female Red-footed Falcons @ Ouse Fen & Blue-winged Teal @ Rainham on the way home.

Summer plumage Spotted Sandpiper on the dam at Grafham Water

Male Great Reed Warbler at Ouse Fen RSPB

Female Blue-winged Teal at Rainham Marshes RSPB

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Reposted by Ben Collins-Smith

ajcollinssmith.bsky.social @ajcollinssmith.bsky.social · 11/04/2025

2 Hoopoe at farm by Little Dartmouth

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Ben Collins-Smith @bc-s.bsky.social · 15/03/2025

Sunrise at Hoylake. Had the Black Scoter all to ourselves this morning. #cheshirebirding

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Ben Collins-Smith @bc-s.bsky.social · 05/03/2025

Lovely still evening at Chetney Marshes with @ajcollinssmith.bsky.social. 58 species including 5+ Short-eared and 2 Barn Owl, 10+ Marsh Harrier, c2300 Starling into roost #kentbirding

AJ standing on sea wall with the Sheppey Crossing in the background

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Ben Collins-Smith @bc-s.bsky.social · 08/02/2025

A drizzly Blean Woods this afternoon: 1 female LSW, Marsh Tit, Bullfinch, Firecrest. A male Hen Harrier was a surprise as it flew over the car just outside Chilham #kentbirding

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Ben Collins-Smith @bc-s.bsky.social · 01/02/2025

Hundreds of finches and buntings in Marden this afternoon. 100 Chaffinch, 100 Linnet, 80+ Yellowhammer, 70+ Reed Bunting, 2 Brambling and this brief Hawfinch #ukbirding #kentbirding

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Ben Collins-Smith @bc-s.bsky.social · 25/01/2025

The Spectacled Eider did the honourable thing and stuck around for us this morning. Celebratory 11am beer with @mardenmark.bsky.social @desertwarbler.bsky.social @andyappleton.bsky.social

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Ben Collins-Smith @bc-s.bsky.social · 04/01/2025

1am start and -4° but the Wallcreeper has been showing well since before sunrise, near Les Andelys. Thanks @jamiepartridge.bsky.social for the inspo

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Ben Collins-Smith @bc-s.bsky.social · 27/12/2024

Didn’t hold much hope with the amount of fog in Broadstairs but the Scops Owl showed well in large Oak at around 5:30 this evening #kentbirding

Photo of large Oak tree with group of twitchers in front and fog in the background

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Reposted by Ben Collins-Smith

Mark Lopez @mardenmark.bsky.social · 24/12/2024

Well that was unexpected. Yellow Warbler at New Hythe today early afternoon; an early Christmas present showing very well (not that you could tell from my photo). What a find for Glenn Honey! #kentbirding

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Ben Collins-Smith @bc-s.bsky.social · 21/12/2024

Isle of Sheppey today with @ajcollinssmith.bsky.social. Water Pipits and 13 White-fronted Geese at Shellness this morning, followed by Barn Owl and female Hen Harrier at Harty at dusk

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