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Bill Stuart @bill-stuart.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

I know what Merlin means but Rock Dove would be an inland Sussex mega. Only ones I’ve ever ticked were on the Hebrides. Is it just me? 🪶

Screenshot of Merlin app showing Rock Dove - presume they mean Feral Pigeon- as target bird of the day

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Bill Stuart @bill-stuart.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Weirwood Reservoir late pm as light rain lifted. Not the hoped for osprey but Goshawk, Kingfisher, Sand Martin and some v noisy juvenile Great Crested Grebes was ample compensation #ukbirding #sussexbirding #birds

Weirwood Reservoir Sussex September afternoon

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Bill Stuart @bill-stuart.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

My entry in worst photo of the Eastleach Long-tailed Shrike 👇 don’t know about you but I reckon it has a chance! Plus it didn’t require the 🙄 behaviour of other photographers which was pity to witness on such a well organised site with cracking views from roadside #UKrares #rarebirdsUK #ukbirding 🪶

Site of 2026 Long-tailed Shrike (with the bird in there somewhere!) Eastleach

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Bill Stuart @bill-stuart.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Birding in Heatwave 5. Pulborough no-Brooks best from walk to Netleys and back was Green Sandpiper but then with my 🍦 from the heathland benches a lovely Pied Flycatcher 🪶 #ukbirding #sussexbirding #climatechange

Pulborough Brooks rspb reserve view towards parched south brooks in August 2026 heatwave / drought

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Bill Stuart @bill-stuart.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

Holy Island Lindisfarne this pm a dark phase Arctic Skua flew directly over my head whilst on the harbour wall 1255. Red throated Diver off the Heugh, Marsh Harrier over the village #NEBirding #ukbirding #birds

Harbour at Holy Island, Lindisfarne with priory in background

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Bill Stuart @bill-stuart.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

Lindisfarne Holy Island. All 3 auk sp. in small groups heading N up E side of island, Gannets generally heading S. Yesterday from the Heugh: Black Guillemot on St Cuthbert’s island; Arctic Skua harrying sandwich terns; RT Diver in channel; Hobby & Peregrine over the harbour #NEBirding #ukbirding 🪶

Lindisfarne castle on Holy Island view from coastal path on eastern side of island July morning

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Bill Stuart @bill-stuart.bsky.social · 05/07/2026

I’m expecting to wake up in the morning with England out of the World Cup Mexico 2 England 1 #ThreeLions #WorldCup2026 #MexicoVsEngland

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Bill Stuart @bill-stuart.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

I think they’ll win, but not as easily as the pundits are expecting England 2 - 1 Ghana #worldcup2026 #EnglandVsGhana #ThreeLions

Boston skyline in summer
World Cup 2026 host city for England v Ghana

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Bill Stuart @bill-stuart.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

First afternoon of the latest heatwave 🥵 @rspbotmoor.bsky.social still good for warbler song with Reed, Sedge, Willow, Cetti’s, Blackcap, Whitethroat, Chiffchaff all active. Hobby hunting. #birds #ukbirding #oxonbirding #climatechange

RSPB Otmoor near Oxford June afternoon in heatwave

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Bill Stuart @bill-stuart.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

Wandered around Lewes Cockshut Realignment in warm sunshine this morning. Little Ringed Plover, Yellow Wagtail, cygnets, singing Reed Warblers the best bits. As often these days in #SussexBirding no hirundines which doesn’t seem right #birds #ukbirding

Cockshut Realignment nature reserve near Lewes in June sunshine with view to downs

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Bill Stuart @bill-stuart.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

Hope I’m wrong but England 1-1 Croatia feels like an opening match kind of score #WorldCup2026 #ThreeLions #Somos26 #EnglandVsCroatia

Dallas Stadium normally home of the NFL Dallas Cowboys but currently FIFA World Cup venue for England v Croatia

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Bill Stuart @bill-stuart.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

Good week of North #NorfolkBirding. Best #RareBirdsUK was the Gull-billed Tern. Holkham Quail & Grasshopper Warbler were nice surprises, but best of all was just sitting under big skies at Cley & Titchwell watching Marsh Harriers swoop, Spoonbills sleep & Sedge Warblers rattle #ukbirding #birds

Cley Marshes and a big Norfolk sky on sunny June afternoon

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Bill Stuart @bill-stuart.bsky.social · 13/06/2026

Wonderful to sit still on the benches overlooking Patsy’s Reedbed at Titchwell. Bittern flew in, Marsh Harrier hunting a few feet from me. And that North Norfolk light 👌 #birds #NorfolkBirding #ukbirdong

Titchwell RSPB reserve view over Patsy’s Reedbed from benches at end of east trail June evening sunlight looking towards sea wall

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Bill Stuart @bill-stuart.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

A great Cley sky 3:30 this afternoon just before the thunder rolled. Lovely selection of Black Tailed Godwit plumages on Pats & Simmonds #NorfolkBirding #ukbirding #birds

Thunderstorm clouds over Cley Marshes reserve Norfolk

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Bill Stuart @bill-stuart.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

Got this email from South East Water 🙄 who regularly fail to supply homes in Kent and Sussex in all sorts of weather. I don’t think paddling pools are the problem here - how about failure to invest in renewing infrastructure, lack of planning for #climatechange, poor management.

Email from South East Water May 2026 asking customers to conserve water in light of supply issues

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Bill Stuart @bill-stuart.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

Cricket at Lord’s and Swifts overhead. 2 of my favourite things 😊 #cricket #londonbirds 🪶 @homeofcricket.bsky.social Middlesex v Lent T20

Lords cricket ground Middlesex v Kent women’s T20 May 2026

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Bill Stuart @bill-stuart.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

Old Lodge, Ashdown Forest. The most Willow Warbler song I’ve heard this year. Vocal Cuckoo, Tree Pipit, singing Siskins. Sparrowhawk took a Linnet 10 yards in front of me then immediately harassed by another Sparrowhawk. The pair repeated a few mins later #sussexbirding #ukbirding #birds

Old Lodge reserve on Ashdown Forest, Sussex

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Bill Stuart @bill-stuart.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

Probably doesn’t have the colour pop to win the popular vote but the Gatekeeper will always be special to me: the first butterfly I stopped walking to study carefully and couldn’t identify immediately. How precious to be still in nature. #BritainsFavouriteButterfly @savebutterflies.bsky.social

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Bill Stuart @bill-stuart.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

Knepp: another birdsong feast: Nightingale, Garden Warbler, Redstart, Lesser Whitethroat, Bullfinch the 🎵 highlights. Alas no purring Doves for me this morning but can’t be too bad as there’s an excuse to come back soon! Storks busy. #sussexbirding #ukbirding #birds @kneppwilding.bsky.social

Knepp Wilding red route habitat good for Nightingales and Lesser Whitethroat

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Bill Stuart @bill-stuart.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

Wonderful walking the Gravetye Estate today with soundscape of constant Gold+Green finch plus singing Nightingale, Firecrest, lots Blackcap, Whitethroat and performing Buzzards #sussexbirding #ukbirding #birds

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Bill Stuart @bill-stuart.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

Spotted Sandpipers with one showing especially well River Ouse between Southese & Piddinghoe ✅ Also 8 Whimbrel near swing bridge, a sandpiper without spots 😉, Hobby, 40sp altogether #sussexbirding #ukbirding #birds #rarebirdsUK

River Ouse between Southese and Piddinghoe site of 2 Spotted Sandpipers in May 2026

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Bill Stuart @bill-stuart.bsky.social · 25/04/2026

4 hours seawatch Splash Point, Seaford light SE wind: 17 Whimbrel E (8+9), RT Diver 1E 1os, Shag 1os, CScoter 2E. Of terns that could be ID’d: 2 Black (E at 12:48), 15 Sandwich, 16 Common, 1 Arctic. Many more tern sp E far out #sussexbirding #ukbirding #birds

Seaford beach looking west from Splash Point sunny late April day

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Bill Stuart @bill-stuart.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

Glorious spring ☀️ day Pulborough RSPB: 69sp seen, highlights 17 singing Nightingale, Garganey, LRP, Greenshank, 5 Ruff, Peregrine, Cuckoo #sussexbirding #ukbirding 🪶 @rspbengland.bsky.social @sussexornitholo.bsky.social

Pulborough Brooks RSPB reserve view of north brooks from the Hanger in April sunshine

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Bill Stuart @bill-stuart.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

Pulborough RSPB: female Garganey on North Brooks from Jupp’s #sussexbirding #ukbirding 🪶

Pulborough Brooks RSPB view over north brooks from Jupp’s viewpoint April

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Bill Stuart @bill-stuart.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

Weirwood Reservoir: Common Tern pair together on perimeter fence of tern raft already occupied by BH Gulls. Only 1 Swallow at west end. Marsh Tit pair. #sussexbirding #ukbirding 🪶

Weirwood Reservoir, Sussex April blue sky from west end

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Bill Stuart @bill-stuart.bsky.social · 19/04/2026

Otmoor away from the AGP crowd delivered Hobby, Marsh Harriers, Water Rail, Reed Sedge & Willow Warblers, Whitethroats greater and Lesser 😊 @rspbotmoor.bsky.social #birds #ukbirding #oxonbirding

Otmoor RSPB reserve Oxfordshire April afternoon

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Bill Stuart @bill-stuart.bsky.social · 13/04/2026

Still 2 Redwings on woodland patch walk this pm. Boisterous and territorial Raven pair and a calling Marsh Tit giving hope for 2 new #patchbirding breeding species within a few yards of each other 😊 #birds #ukbirding #sussexbirding

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Bill Stuart @bill-stuart.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

Sometimes it’s about just being in the field 😊 went to Pewley Down this am for Grey Partridges and to Little Wildwood (Alfold) this pm for Ring Necked Duck. Dipped both but in each place came away with something unexpected and much better #birds #ukbirding #surreybirding

Pewley Down, Guildford, Surrey in spring sunshine

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Bill Stuart @bill-stuart.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

Unstead NR #surreybirding lunchtime ☀️ 1 Sand Martin, lots of Blackcap song, Reed Bunting, Cetti’s, Grey Wagtail #birds #ukbirding

Unstead nature reserve Surrey view to the scrape spring sunshine

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Bill Stuart @bill-stuart.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

Weston Shore, Southampton: 3 Wheatear on sea defence rocks by sailing club 2m+1f #HantsBirds #birds #ukbirding

Weston Shore Southampton sea defence rocks March cloudy skies

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Bill Stuart @bill-stuart.bsky.social · 31/03/2026

Bunny Meadows, Warwash: American Golden Plover [very considerate to hang out with Grey Plovers so no need for hours sorting thru European Golden Plovers 😅 at ///spindles.campsites.rumbles ] also Spotted Redshank, 2 Greenshank still 51 Brent Geese on Lower Hamble #RareBirdsUK #HantsBirds #ukbirding 🪶

Causeway at Warwash, Lower Hamble, Bunny Meadows nature reserve Hampshire site of American Golden Plover 31/3/26

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Bill Stuart @bill-stuart.bsky.social · 31/03/2026

Great morning at Titchfield Haven with 🪶 #UKbirding: Avocet, Black Tailed Godwits, Sanderling, Marsh Harrier & #UKbutterflies: Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell, Small White. All rounded off with a Tuna Melt & Bread Pudding 😊 #HantsBirds

Titchfield Harbour with boats and Turnstones on the causeway

Titchfield Haven nature reserve path March sunshine

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Bill Stuart @bill-stuart.bsky.social · 30/03/2026

The #birds in and around the RoseBowl Southampton this pm incl singing Chiffchaff, Greenfiches, overhead Red Kite, suggests this venue could improve my seen at Test #cricket list which is dominated by Lords at moment. #HantsBirds 🪶 🏏

View of Southampton Rose Bowl (Utilita Bowl) cricket ground in March pre season preparations, looking towards the pavilion

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Bill Stuart @bill-stuart.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

Loved my first visit of the year to Thursley Common #surreybirding. Dartford Warblers always a highlight but today the Woodlark were 🤩 with full vocal and display flight range on show. Notable number of Siskin and Redpoll at southern end of common. #birds #ukbirding

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Bill Stuart @bill-stuart.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

Pulborough RSPB excellent morning with 60sp best was first Little Ringed Plover of year from Winpenny, also Ruff, 5 Avocets, Treecreepers inspection nest site. 😃 #birds #ukbirding #sussexbirding

Pulborough RSPB reserve view over South Brooks from Winpenny Hide sunny March morning

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Bill Stuart @bill-stuart.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

Old Lodge, Ashdown Forest ☀️ plenty of Siskin spread across 3 parts of the reserve and in good voice. Brimstone butterflies. Singing Chiffchaff, cronking Ravens, chack-chacking Stonechats #birds #ukbirding #sussexbirding

Old Lodge Nature Reserve on the Ashdown Forest in Sussex in March sunshine

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Bill Stuart @bill-stuart.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

Goring Gap. I thought today would be a good day to find a Wheatear. 18000 steps later it seems the Wheatears had different ideas 🤦🏻 #ukbirding #birds

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Bill Stuart @bill-stuart.bsky.social · 25/02/2026

Beautiful light at Weirwood Reservoir this morning to watch Great Crested Grebes 💃 Kingfisher 🎣 GS woodpecker 🥁 plus 5 Gadwall, 2m Mandarin, 2 Marsh Tit, Cetti’s Warbler, lots of Redwings over N #sussexbirding #ukbirding #birds

Weirwood Reservoir in Sussex winter sunshine

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Bill Stuart @bill-stuart.bsky.social · 18/02/2026

Tree Sparrow nowhere near an every year bird for me so thrilled to find a dozen on Walland Marsh opposite Lydd Model Aircraft field feeding with a few House Sparrows 🤷‍♂️ Yellowhammers and Chaffinches. 40 Bewick’s nearby #kentbirding #ukbirding #birds

Walland Marsh, from Hook Wall near Lydd, Kent winter

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Bill Stuart @bill-stuart.bsky.social · 17/02/2026

Red Flanked Bluetail ✅ eventually- elusive at what3words ///limes.epic.broker #KentBirding (just!) Needs more patience than many of this afternoon’s birders prepared to give it. Siskin, Marsh Tit further up the Hunters Lodge track 🪶

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Bill Stuart @bill-stuart.bsky.social · 12/02/2026

Shoreham Fort: one Purple Sandpiper on west arm, Oystercatcher and a 2cy Yellow Legged Gull in harbour #sussexbirding #ukbirding #birds

View east to Brighton from arm of Shoreham Harbour

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Bill Stuart @bill-stuart.bsky.social · 11/02/2026

Lovely to just stand still on Pewley Down, Guildford and see what #birds came to top of the various trees below. Hawfinch in copse by trig point. Marsh Tit, 4 Red Kites best of the rest. #SurreyBirding #ukbirding

Pewley Down, Guildford Surrey view from the trig point cloudy skies February

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Bill Stuart @bill-stuart.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

Kingston Hollow near Lewes: at least 6 Chiffchaff with one candidate Siberian but no call, 2 Blackcap, Cetti’s Warbler. Lots of Redwing and Blackbirds #birds #sussexbirding #ukbirding

Kingston waterworks near Lewes with iford brooks and South Downs in background

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Bill Stuart @bill-stuart.bsky.social · 27/01/2026

Staines Reservoirs south basin: 6 Goldeneye, 2 BN Grebe close causeway, 2 Greater Scaup close NE corner, 1 Lesser Scaup far south side; north basin: 1 GN Diver mid reservoir #birds #londonbirds #ukbirding

Staines Reservoirs showing tower and north basin

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Bill Stuart @bill-stuart.bsky.social · 26/01/2026

Pulborough RSPB: lots of grey skies, lots of grey water but alas no grey geese. Hundreds of Pintail on north brooks and a Firecrest outside the cafe were lovely #birds #sussexbirding #ukbirding

North Brooks at RSPB Pulborough on grey winter day with water levels very high

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Bill Stuart @bill-stuart.bsky.social · 23/01/2026

Weirwood Reservoir: relatively quiet on the water this pm but some fun disturbance in the air. First a Tawny Owl out of daytime roost at west end. Then 100+ Woodpigeon in mass panic as Goshawk went NE. Common Gull over SW. #birds #ukbirding #sussexbirding

Weirwood Reservoir in Sussex west end on cloudy January afternoon.

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Bill Stuart @bill-stuart.bsky.social · 20/01/2026

As a birdwatcher who doesn’t enjoy sorting through 1cy / 2cy / 3cy #birds in a gull roost (I can’t be the only one 🤷‍♂️) the adult Caspian Gull a few yards from the roadside at Eagle Pond, Snaresbrook is a real gift #londonbirds #ukbirding

Eagle Pond at Snaresbrook east London. Mute Swans, tufted ducks and an adult Caspian Gull

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Bill Stuart @bill-stuart.bsky.social · 16/01/2026

Finished the day with 40sp seen or heard in 90 mins at the Scrape Hide, WWT Arundel incl 2 Hen Harriers (m+f), 2 Marsh Harriers, Peregrine, Sparrowhawk, Goosander, Kingfisher, 20 Snipe, screeching Barn Owl, constant backing vocals from Teal #birds #ukbirding #sussexbirding @wwtworldwide.bsky.social

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Bill Stuart @bill-stuart.bsky.social · 16/01/2026

Pagham Harbour: 1 Greenshank among a lovely selection of waders from Church Norton benches midday. A few Knot & Golden Plover with large flock of Dunlin & Grey Plover #birds #sussexbirding #ukbirding @selseybirder.bsky.social

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