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Reposted by Charlotte Foote

Dungeness Bird Observatory @dungenessbirdobs.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

A good day with eight Snipe, two Great Spotted Woodpecker, 220 Starling, 61 Song Thrush, a Mistle Thrush, 87 Redwing, 17 Blackbird, 16 Rock Pipit, 12 Brambling, 21 Siskin and a fab 5260 Chaffinch all arriving in-off the sea. Birds departing included 18 Swallow, 193 Meadow Pipit and 70 Goldfinch...

Chaffinches arriving off the sea and continuing overland.

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Reposted by Charlotte Foote

Dungeness Bird Observatory @dungenessbirdobs.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Another Chiffchaff bonanza with a day total of 350, of those another 90 were ringed. There wasn't much variety on the land, but another 145 Blackcaps were seen. The seawatching provided an unexpected 52 Balearic Shearwaters. #kentbirding

Balearic Shearwaters taken by Martin Casemore.

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Reposted by Charlotte Foote

Dungeness Bird Observatory @dungenessbirdobs.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Continued presence of the Western Bonelli's Warbler was certainly the highlight of the day. Hirundines in force again with 7440 Swallow and 800 House Martin out to sea. The bushes were quieter with 22 Willow, 65 Chiffchaff, 70 Blackcap, a Spotted Flycatcher, a Redstart and a Whinchat. #kentbirding

The Western Bonelli's Warbler trapped and ringed before being released again in the north-east corner of the Trapping Area. Image taken by Charlotte Foote.

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Reposted by Charlotte Foote

Tom Rosas @tomrosas.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

I was very happy to find a Western Bonelli’s Warbler at Dungeness yesterday. Thanks to @charlottefoote.bsky.social for refinding and helping to get others on it. Very pleased to see it in the hand this morning. #kentbirding

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Reposted by Charlotte Foote

Dungeness Bird Observatory @dungenessbirdobs.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Bonelli's Warbler SE corner of the Long Pits, amongst a flock of tits and mixed warblers #kentbirding

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Reposted by Charlotte Foote

Owen Leyshon @dungenessowen.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Western Bonelli’s Warbler in the SE corner of bottom Long Pits, Dungeness this morning Others have pics of the warbler - so I have decided on an action shot. All very reserved and polite… #KentBirding

Small group looking at a Western Bonelli’s Warbler - bottom of Long Pits, Dungeness

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Reposted by Charlotte Foote

Ploddingbirder @ploddingbirder.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Just another day at a drizzly Dungeness. Western Bonelli's Warbler courtesy of Tom Rosas, another White-winged Black Tern, the juvenile Red-necked Phalarope being dive bombed by one other many Sand Martins over the lake, 1 of several Black Terns that passed the fishing boats this afternoon.

Western Bonelli's Warbler high in a Sallow

Juvenile White Winged Tern hawking over the lake in the drizzle

Juvenile Red-necked Phalarope swimming on the lake and ducking as a Sand Martin flies over.

Juvenile Black Tern migrating West past the fishing boats

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Reposted by Charlotte Foote

Neil Burt @neilburt.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

An unforgettable afternoon at the Dungeness Fishing Boats when at c14:15 I picked up a fabulous BROWN BOOBY feeding amongst a group of Gannets offshore. Panic ensued but the 5 of us got on the bird before MC summoned more eyes from DBO & local birding community. Photos obtained by others… 🌟 Bird !!!

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Reposted by Charlotte Foote

Owen Leyshon @dungenessowen.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

I do think about maybe and what if too much Managed to see the Brown Booby off Dungeness this pm Found by @neilburt.bsky.social had a phone call by @ploddingbirder.bsky.social - it was around for just under 30mins over by the fishing boats - abit of a mad dash from top of the Estate #KentBirding

The Brown Booby local crowd - fishing boats, Dungeness

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Reposted by Charlotte Foote

Dungeness Bird Observatory @dungenessbirdobs.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

A day of hirundines, with at least 2000 House Martin and 3700 Swallow through, but numbers of Sand Martins dwindling with just 20 noted. For about an hour or so, the House Martins were low enough to catch and 146 were ringed. #kentbirding

House Martin about to be released after it had been ringed.

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Reposted by Charlotte Foote

Dungeness Bird Observatory @dungenessbirdobs.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

A decent drop of migrants across the area today including a Short-eared Owl, three White Stork, two Cattle Egret, five Grey Heron, 72 Willow Warbler, 57 Chiffchaff, three Dartford Warbler, 11 Lesser Whitethroat, 25 Wheatear, 41 Stonechat, four Whinchat and seven Spotted Flycatcher. #kentbirding

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Reposted by Charlotte Foote

Dungeness Bird Observatory @dungenessbirdobs.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

There was still a scattering of birds on land with an increase of Robin to 40 also 20 Willow Warbler, 43 Blackcap, two Spotted and a Pied Flycatcher, seven Wheatear and two Whinchat. Still a few Clouded Yellows about, with four seen. A Golden Oriole on the RSPB reserve was a surprise this eve!

Spotted Flycatcher taken by Charlotte Foote.

Clouded Yellow taken by Charlotte Foote.

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Reposted by Charlotte Foote

Dungeness Bird Observatory @dungenessbirdobs.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Another good day with the highlights coming from both over land and sea - best being 26 Black Tern, 88 Arctic Skua, a Sooty Shearwater, eight Balearic Shearwater all mostly west offshore while Osprey, Honey Buzzard, 600 Sand Martin, 2340 Swallow, 270 House Martin, 4 Tree Pipit overhead #kentbirding

Swallow whipping east past the Observatory scaffolding.

Dark juvenile Honey Buzzard taken by Ross Newham.

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Reposted by Charlotte Foote

Dungeness Bird Observatory @dungenessbirdobs.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Very decent day with birds overhead and on the land with Honey Buzzard, 250 Swallow, 640 House Martin, 60 Willow Warbler, 20 Blackcap, 24 Whitethroat, five Spotted Flycatcher, a Redstart, a Whinchat, 11 Wheatear, 23 Yellow Wagtail, three Grey Wagtail and best of all, Wryneck. #kentbirding

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Reposted by Charlotte Foote

Dungeness Bird Observatory @dungenessbirdobs.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

A day of mostly seawatching, with strong winds getting worse from mid-morning. The most notables include 1309 Common Tern, 4688 Sandwich Tern, 46 Arctic Skua, 12 Fulmar, two Fulmar, two Sooty, four Manx and 30 Balearic Shearwater. Vismig included 89 Sand Martin and 412 Swallow. #kentbirding

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Reposted by Charlotte Foote

Dungeness Bird Observatory @dungenessbirdobs.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

Come stay at the Observatory this spring with the season being well underway with plenty of offshore passage the last couple of days! Theres plenty of availability and for a very reasonable price of £15 per night for friends, and £20 per night for others! Come along and see some migration in action!

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Charlotte Foote @charlottefoote.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

A gorgeous first day back on Alderney. 🌞

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Charlotte Foote @charlottefoote.bsky.social · 26/01/2026

Did I see it kill any deer? No. Am I still ticking it? Yes. Killdeer ✅️

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Reposted by Charlotte Foote

Spurn Bird Observatory @spurnbirdobs.bsky.social · 22/01/2026

We're closing in on our first £6,000 milestone for the Beacon Ponds Little Tern Project. It’s just the start, but hitting this today would be huge. Please share if you can. Thank you for all your support so far!

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Reposted by Charlotte Foote

Spurn Bird Observatory @spurnbirdobs.bsky.social · 16/01/2026

The Little Terns at Beacon Ponds have made a remarkable recovery, but they need urgent help to thrive in 2026. Your support can fund a professional warden, ensuring these birds are protected from threats. Please share and contribute if you can! gofund.me/83bf3bdd8

gofund.me

Donate to Save the Beacon Ponds Little Tern Project, organized by Spurn Bird Obs

Without urgent support, the Beacon Ponds Little Tern Project may not be able … Spurn Bird Obs needs your support for Save the Beacon Ponds Little Tern Project

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Charlotte Foote @charlottefoote.bsky.social · 09/01/2026

Take a look at the Patchwork Challenge 2025 review which is now live on the blog! Thanks to everyone who took part and hopefully we will get more participants for #PWC2026! Good luck #UKBirding patchworkchallenge.blogspot.com

patchworkchallenge.blogspot.com

Patchwork Challenge

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Reposted by Charlotte Foote

Patchwork Challenge @patchbirding.bsky.social · 07/01/2026

Don't forget to join our Patchwork Challenge Bluesky feed, which is where we collate all the posts from ourselves and participants relating to the competition. Just post either #PWC2026, #Patchbirding or #PatchGold and it will get added to the feed. To join, click the link: bsky.app/profile/did:...

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Charlotte Foote @charlottefoote.bsky.social · 04/01/2026

A very cold Michael Clegg Bird Race yesterday, but we still managed to come out with 81 species after a grueling 15 mile walk. Please donate to Yorkshire Swifts for our efforts if you are able to do so. www.gofundme.com/f/yorkshire-...

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Reposted by Charlotte Foote

Patchwork Challenge @patchbirding.bsky.social · 28/12/2025

The moment you've all been waiting for, the #PWC2026 Sign Up Sheet is here! We look forward to seeing how many patches take part next year and don't forget to encourage your friends to sign up to keep the challenge alive. We hope that it is a fun year's birding! docs.google.com/spreadsheets...

docs.google.com

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Charlotte Foote @charlottefoote.bsky.social · 09/11/2025

A gorgeous foggy sunrise this morning, Pallas's Warbler in the afternoon and an incredible Starling murmuration this evening. What a day! @dungenessbirdobs.bsky.social

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Charlotte Foote @charlottefoote.bsky.social · 02/11/2025

Not a bird I ever expected to see. Thanks Andy!

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Charlotte Foote @charlottefoote.bsky.social · 30/10/2025

Sea watching yesterday morning was certainly worthwhile, with Leach's Petrel, Grey Phalarope, 3 Little Auks, 2 Sooty Shearwater and over 3000 Razorbill and 1000 Kittiwake. We also had over 3500 Starling coming in off over the sea. @dungenessbirdobs.bsky.social

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Charlotte Foote @charlottefoote.bsky.social · 24/10/2025

A spontaneous dash up to Spurn for the Black-faced Bunting certainly paid off with great views of the bird on a couple of occasions. @spurnbirdobs.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social

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Reposted by Charlotte Foote

Spurn Bird Observatory @spurnbirdobs.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

Now over 4000 Meadow Pipits south past the Warren so far with birds over the land, Humber and sea! Giving an amazing spectacle #MigFest25 #spurnbirds

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Charlotte Foote @charlottefoote.bsky.social · 08/07/2025

What a fantastic sunrise to spend with seabirds!

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Charlotte Foote @charlottefoote.bsky.social · 02/06/2025

Saw my first Orcas today! The pod of 4 contained a massive male and they swam very close past the headland. @seabirdcentre.bsky.social @nationaltrust.org.uk

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Reposted by Charlotte Foote

BTO | British Trust for Ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social · 27/03/2025

⚠️ Please report all sightings of dead birds for possible testing for Avian Influenza. #UKBirding 📌In England, Wales & Scotland: www.gov.uk/guidance/rep... 📌In Northern Ireland: www.daera-ni.gov.uk/services/dae... 📌In Republic of Ireland: aviancheck.apps.services.agriculture.gov.ie/report

Deceased Common Gull on ground with wings outstretched. Image by Dawn Balmer.

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Charlotte Foote @charlottefoote.bsky.social · 28/03/2025

Purple Heron in off! Alderney Bird Observatory

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Charlotte Foote @charlottefoote.bsky.social · 19/03/2025

My first Rustic Bunting! After an otherwise slow start following a week of strong winds, it was fantastic to spot this in a bush and then get a closer look when it later ended up in a net.

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Charlotte Foote @charlottefoote.bsky.social · 12/03/2025

Migration really picking up now with Black Redstart, 5 Wheatear, 3 Fieldfare and a flock of 22 Redwing grounded by the rain. @alderneywt.bsky.social

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Reposted by Charlotte Foote

David Steel @steelyseabirder.bsky.social · 10/03/2025

Seabird breeding season about to start, seabirds pouring back into the North Sea as they head to colonies down east coast…and this is a breaking headline we didn’t need today… #seabirds

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Charlotte Foote @charlottefoote.bsky.social · 09/03/2025

2 Sand Martin North, it's all happening!

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Charlotte Foote @charlottefoote.bsky.social · 08/03/2025

Whilst it was fantastic to watch the Gannets diving to collect seaweed for their nests, it was sad to see the amount of discarded fishing gear they had also chosen as nesting material. @theseabirdgroup.bsky.social @alderneywt.bsky.social