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Craig Sammels

@eastkentbirder.bsky.social
143 followers 135 following 91 posts

Birder, Real Ale/Craft Beer Blogger

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Craig Sammels @eastkentbirder.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
North Foreland this am 7am-11.20am;1 Brent (1st this autumn),27 C.Scoter,5 Barwits,6 Arctic Skuas,2 Guille 1 Kitt,5 Med Gulls,52 GBBGulls,16 Common, 49 S’wich Terns,5 R-t Diver,1 Manx S,62 Gannets.VisMig/Land; 2 Hobby,50 Swallow,170 H.Martin,4 Chiffs,2 G Wags,54 Mipits & 4 Tree Pipits #kentbirding
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Craig Sammels @eastkentbirder.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Another quiet morning at North Foreland 6.20-10am;1 Arctic Skua N,1 ‘large Auk’,52 GBBGulls,32 Common,13 Sandwich Terns,2 Red-t Divers,31 Gannets. Vismig/Land; 5 Hobby in off,2.4K H.Martins, 3 Sand Martins,13 Swallows,1 Whinchat, 2 Grey,3 Yellow Wags, 32 Mipits,1 Tree Pipit. #kentbirding
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Craig Sammels @eastkentbirder.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
North Foreland this am 6.15-10.30, A much quieter morning; 8 Grey Plover, 1 Barwit, 1 Arctic Skua N, 3 Med Gulls, 31 GBBGulls, 4 Common, 42 Sandwich Terns, 2 Red-t Diver,5 Gamnet. Vismig/Land; 28 Swallows, 5 H.Martin, 5 Chiffs, 1 Blackcap, 3 Grey Wags & 42 Mipits. #kentbirding
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Craig Sammels @eastkentbirder.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
North Foreland 6.10-9am; 2 Wigeon, 3 C.Scoter,5 Little Gulls,32 Common Tern,24 Sandwich Tern,Gannet 18. Vismig/land; 1 Merlin + 3 Hobby in off S,8 S.Martin,27 Swallow & 510 House Martins all S + 3 Chiffs, 20 Robins,1 Whinchat,7 Grey, 5 Yellow Wags & 53 Mipits all in off mostly S. #kentbirding
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Craig Sammels @eastkentbirder.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
North Foreland 6.15-11.30am 3 Teal, 4 C.Scoter,4 Whimbrel,1 Com Sand, 1 Long-t Skua S at 7.53am, 7 Arctic Skua 5s,2n, 3 Med Gulls,104 Sandwich Terns, 1 Manx, 1 Balearic S’waters S. VisMig/land; 1 Hobby, just 16 Swallows,1 Chiff,1 Firecrest,3 Grey Wags,146 Mipits (in off from the east) #kentbirding
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Craig Sammels @eastkentbirder.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Pegwell Bay 11.15-2.50pm; 11 Wigeon,9 Teal,2 W Rail,457 Oys,342 Curlew,15 Barwits,1 Blackwit,24 R’shank,1 Spot Shank,2 G’shank,1 Ruff,116 Med Gulls,2 Little Terns,1 Gannet,47 L.Egret,3 Hobby,4 Raven,21 Sand,181 H Martins,412 Swallows,8 Chiffs,1 L.Whitethroat,2 Yellow Wags,13 Mipits #kentbirding
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Craig Sammels @eastkentbirder.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
North Foreland 6.10-10.50am; 8 C.Scoter,1 Bonxie,5 Med Gulls,2 Black,196 Common,109 Sandwich Terns,1 R-t Diver. VisMig/land; 7 Grey Heron,7 Hobby in off,3 Sand,21 House Martins,1436 Swallows,3 WWs,14 Chiffs,2 Blackcaps,1 Firecrest,5 Whinchats,3 Grey Wags,8 Yellow Wags & 42 Mipits #kentbirding
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Craig Sammels @eastkentbirder.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
North Foreland 6.20am-12pm; 2 C.Scoter,2 Whimbrel,4 Barwits,1 Com Sand,1 Ruff,7 Arctic Skuas,1 Bonxie,1 Razorbill,2 Little Gull,9 Black,214 Common,93 Sandwich Terns, 2 Rt Divers,41 Gannets,2 Shag 1/2 #kentbirding …..
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Craig Sammels @eastkentbirder.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
North Forland 6.20am-9.35am; 2 Gadwall,4 Wigeon, 6Teal all N,1 Whimbrel,6 Barwits N,1 Com Sand, 1 A.Skua S,7 Med,33 Common,81 Sandwich tern,6 Gannets. Vismig; 5 Grey Heron, 2 Hobby, 1 WW , 3 Chiffs, 1 Whinchats, 2 Wheatears, 4 Grey Wags, 7 Yellow Wagtail, 74 Mippit, 10 Chaffinch. #kentbirding
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Craig Sammels @eastkentbirder.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
North Foreland this am 6.15-10.20am; 2 C.Scoter,1 Com Sand, 1 Black, 8 Arctic, 202 Common & 341 Sandwich Terns, 3 Red-t Divers, 8 Gannet, 1 Shag, Vismig; 1 L.Egret, 12 Sand, 136 House Martins, 271 Swallows, 7 Wheatears, 3 Grey, 5 Yellow & 3 Pied Wags, 29 Meadow Pipits #kentbirding
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Craig Sammels @eastkentbirder.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
North Foreland this morning 6.10-10am in pouring rain; 3 Teal, 5 C.Scoter, 1 Arctic Skua, 3 Little, 5 Med Gulls, 1579 Common, 456 Sandwich, 15 Arctic & 5 Blackwits Terns + just 3 Gannets! Limited looking on the land; 3 Whinchat, 3 Wheatears & 1 Willow Warbler. #kentbirding
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Craig Sammels @eastkentbirder.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
..2/2 1 Wryneck 8.20-8.55am, 4 Hobby, 5 Sand Martin, 94 Swallows, 130 House Martin,3 Whinchat, 14 Wheatear. (Photos by John Carnell) #kentbirding
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Craig Sammels @eastkentbirder.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Yesterday’s North Foreland totals after a brilliant day 6am-2.50pm (6 Obs);113 C.Scoter, 3 Com Sand, 9 Arctic Skuas , 1 Great Skua, 2 Kitts, 61 Common, 204 Sandwich, 58’Commic’ 2 Black Terns, 2 Manx, 1 Balearic S’waters, 46 Gannet, 4 Cattle Egret, 305 Buzzard** #kentbirding …1/2
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Craig Sammels @eastkentbirder.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Two sessions at North Foreland today 5.50-9am mostly south; 2 Wigeon, 2 Teal, 13 C.Scoter, 2 Kittiwake, 146 Sandwich Tern, 16 . 13.00-19.00 mostly south; 10 C.Scoter, 51 Commic, 27 Common 126 Sanswich Terns, 2 Kittiwake, 6 Arctic Skua, 2 Puffin**, 27 Gannet #kentbirding
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Craig Sammels @eastkentbirder.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
North Foreland this morning (5.50-9.40am); 8 Shoveler, 14 C.Scoter, 1 Knot, 1 Long-tailed Skua South (7.23-7.26), 4 Arctic Skua, 4! Med Gulls, 6 Common, 42 ‘Commic’, 202 Sandwich Terns, 1 Sum’plum Great Northern Diver, 39 Gannet. #kentbirding
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Craig Sammels @eastkentbirder.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
North Foreland late afternoon 3.20pm-4.50pm; 2 Grey Plvr, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Arctic Skua on the sea, 8 Med Gulls, 1 Common, 67 Sandwich Terns, 1 GC Grebe, 1 Yellow, 28 Pied Wags #kentbirding
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Craig Sammels @eastkentbirder.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
North Foreland this morning 5.45-9.45 (New Northerly wind 14mph from 5am) Mostly south; 11 C.Scoter, 2 Ruff, 1 Sanderling, 1 Arctic Skua, 18 Med Gulls, 1 Arctic, 9 Common, 27 ‘Commic’, 223 Sandwich Terns, 31 Gannet. #kentbirding
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Craig Sammels @eastkentbirder.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
North Foreland this morning (6.00-9.05am)mostly South; 3 C.Scoter,7 Swift,1 Grey Plvr,Wood Sand*(West 9.05),37 Med Gulls,2 Arctic,42 Common, 49 ‘Commic’,276 Sandwich Terns,16 Gannet,1 Shag, 1 L Egret,2 Hobby in off, 178 Swallow,163 House Martin. Passerines;1 WW,1 Cetti’s,2 Grey Wags,1 Corn Bunt.
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Craig Sammels @eastkentbirder.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Bit quieter this morning at North Foreland 6.00-9.30am; 20 C. Scoter, 7 Swift, 1 Golden Plover, 5 Com Sands, 1 Greenshank 19 Med Gulls, 23 Com Terns, 5 ‘Commic’ Terns, 108 Sandwich Terns, 7 Gannet 1 Raven, 16 Sand Martin, 300+ Swallows 520+ House Martin**, 1 Wheatear 1 Yellow Wag #kentbirding
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Martyn Wilson @martynwilson.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
Bonapartes back at Oarebfor it's 15th year. #kentbirding #ukbirding
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Craig Sammels @eastkentbirder.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
I kicked off my autumn at North Foreland this morning, highlights being; 1 Teal, 236 CScoter, 1 ‘Large Auk Sp’, 120 Med Gulls, 28 LBBGulls, 41 Swift & 22 Swallows all South. Best of a bizarre party of 3 incredibly early? Redstarts (Ad/F & 2 Juveniles) around the Water station & gardens #kentbirding
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Craig Sammels @eastkentbirder.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
Quite cool to hear a Black Redstart singing in the background while the hosts talk this lunchtime on @skysportspl.bsky.social at Wembley Stadium!
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Martyn Wilson @martynwilson.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
The 1st summer Purple Heron is now in front of marsh hide at Stodmarsh #kentbirding #ukbirding
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Owen Leyshon @dungenessowen.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
Bird singing in a Bush (Part Sank) Delightful Red-breasted Flycatcher singing in The Moat, Dungeness this morning #KentBirding
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Dungeness Bird Observatory @dungenessbirdobs.bsky.social · 28/03/2026
At 08:50hrs on 17th March, after a heads up from Beachy Head, we noted a Brent Goose with a back mounted tag fly east. The bird had been tagged on 4th Feb at Saint-Armel in France, leaving that area on the evening of the 16th. It finished its flight at West-Terschelling at 3pm on the 17th!
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Hugh Harrop @hughharrop.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
TENGMALM'S OWL at Ollaberry, Shetland this afternoon. Discovered yesterday by local residents myself and Logan Johnson decided to try and relocate it and after a bit of searching, a shape in a tree revealed itself to be this beauty! #BirdingScotland #UKbirding #RareBirdsUK #UKWildlife #Birds
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Craig Sammels @eastkentbirder.bsky.social · 03/03/2026
A few things this morning on my old stomping ground on the Pegwell Bay Clifftop highlights; a brief Serin, 2 White Wagtails & a Coal Tit read more here ebird.org/checklist/S3... #kentbirding
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Craig Sammels @eastkentbirder.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
Glaucous Gull (Larus hyerboreus) 27th January 2026 - Ramsgate main beach. youtu.be/i9dVF8tECw4?... #kentbirding
youtu.be
Glaucous Gull 27th January 2026. Juvenile Ramsgate Western Undercliff #birding #kentbirding #uk
YouTube video by Kent Birding
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Craig Sammels @eastkentbirder.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
I’ve now set up a YouTube channel called Kent Birding with some poorly taken videos of some things I have seen, very rough no editing. Here is my latest uploaded, follow if you like! #kentbirding youtu.be/6ejXbcCjfMI?...
youtu.be
Bewick’s Swans, Pink-footed Geese & Tundra Bean Geese - Walland Marsh, Kent, UK. 6th February 2026.
YouTube video by Kent Birding
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Craig Sammels @eastkentbirder.bsky.social · 07/01/2026
Pegwell Bay 11.15-16.00; Pt1 30 Brents,32 Shelduck,800 Wigeon,850 Teal,3 Water Rail,3 Avocet,466 Oyces,250 Grey Plvr,17 Goldies,17 Ringos,30 Lapwing,270 Curlew,57 Barwits,14 Blackwits,7 Snipe,27 Redshank,1 Greenshank,18 Turnstone,40 Knot,67 Sanderling,341 Dunlin #kentbirding …
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Craig Sammels @eastkentbirder.bsky.social · 05/01/2026
Well after a nice start to the year birding my anxiety decided it was going to holt me today 😔. I had a plan for the Stour Valley today to. #livingwithanxiety #kentbirding
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Craig Sammels @eastkentbirder.bsky.social · 08/11/2025
I didn’t manage to get out till lunchtime today so tried the fields & hedges near Pysons Road, Broadstairs. Best things being a late Clouded Yellow, 2 Migrant Hawkers a stunning male Black Redstart, 4 Stonechats & a Redpoll overhead #KentBirding
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Craig Sammels @eastkentbirder.bsky.social · 08/11/2025
A great day yesterday with one of the now two Pallid Swifts at Botany Bay. The Dusky Warbler at Foreness, with other highlights;2 Eider,2 Purple Sands,1 Yellow-L Gull,1 Short-e Owl,4 Black Redstarts & 14 Stonechats. Some attempt at filming the Paillid Swift with a few video grabs #KentBirding
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RareBirdAlert @rarebirder.bsky.social · 24/10/2025
Finders-in-the-Field: Eyebrowed Thrush, Isles of Scilly Neil Davies recounts a once-in-a-lifetime moment for his birding crew on St Mary’s www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/F...
rarebirdalert.co.uk
Finders-in-the-Field: Eyebrowed Thrush, Isles of Scilly
Neil Davies recounts a once-in-a-lifetime moment for his birding crew on St Mary’s
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Craig Sammels @eastkentbirder.bsky.social · 23/10/2025
Watched from Grenham Bay, Brirchington as #stormbenjamin moved in. 6.50-15.40 highlights; 1 Juv Long-tailed Skua west at (13.53), 2 Arctic Skuas, 6 Arctic Tern, 1 Little Gull, 1 Med Gull, 1 Red-b Merg, 4 R-t Diver, 35 Gannets mostly all west #kentbirding
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Craig Sammels @eastkentbirder.bsky.social · 22/10/2025
Popped to Pegwell Bay this afternoon, gloriously autumnal. Highlights; 730 Wigeon,2 Water Rail,570 Oycs,58 Grey Plvr,25 Golden Plvr,460 Curlew,7 Barwits,10 Blackwits,112 Redshank,2 Knot,c300 Sanderling,170 Dunlin,7 Med Gulls,23 Skylark,78 Swallow, c3000+ Starling,2 Stonechat,220 Linnet #kentbirding
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Craig Sammels @eastkentbirder.bsky.social · 20/10/2025
Just been putting some historical records into eBird, I just added this classic bird with a little write up, Zoom in for a read. Great memories! #kentbirding
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Craig Sammels @eastkentbirder.bsky.social · 19/10/2025
..and hovering unusually just below the canopy of a sycamore. I would age this bird as a 1st-winter male? This is only my 2nd ever Bluetail, my first since the bird at Bockhill, St Margaret’s way back in Oct 1998! Now back to Westerlies & rain. #KentBirding
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Craig Sammels @eastkentbirder.bsky.social · 19/10/2025
Well what a few days in my part of Kent. I started out a Ramsgate Cemetery mid morning with yet another Y-br Warbler, then News broke of the Red-flanked Bluetail still in Margate Cemetery. After an hour wait the bird showed well fly catching...#kentbirding
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Craig Sammels @eastkentbirder.bsky.social · 19/10/2025
Another great day yesterday in King George 6th Park Ramsgate with being in on finding a Pallas’s Warbler plus 3 Y-br Warblers still present,other bits were; 1 Raven, 5 Firecrests, 41 Goldcrest, 2 Blackcap, 8 Chiffs, 26 Redpoll, 2 Brambling, 183 Goldfinch #kentbirding (Photo by @jdbirder.bsky.social
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Craig Sammels @eastkentbirder.bsky.social · 17/10/2025
.. a hundred yards way after about a 45 minute search. This is only my 2nd ever Radde’s after my first at North Foreland way back in October 1996! Also the number of Yellow-broweds in the area is very hard to tell but probably in the range of 4-6 but of course maybe more. #kentbirding
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Craig Sammels @eastkentbirder.bsky.social · 17/10/2025
Another ‘Sib’ filled day locally this time at my old patch King George 6th Memorial Park. My friend @jdbirder.bsky.social hit gold at 8.30am with a Radde’s Warbler, his photo below. I was on site sharpish 8.45 to instantly hearing it call in the undergrowth eventually seeing it well #kentbirding …
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Craig Sammels @eastkentbirder.bsky.social · 16/10/2025
@birdguides.bsky.social justice wonder if any issues have been reported today with notifications? The App is working as usual but I have received any messages today 🤷🏻‍♂️
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Craig Sammels @eastkentbirder.bsky.social · 16/10/2025
Popped up the road to Ramsgate Cemetery after the heavy showers 12.51-14.20 highlights; 1 Yellow-browed Warbler, 7 Firecrests, 21 Goldcrest. #kentbirding
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Craig Sammels @eastkentbirder.bsky.social · 16/10/2025
I decided to stay closer to home this morning with the heavier showers. 2.45hours from the garden 32 species highlights being a late Willow Warbler, 2 Blackcap & overhead 2 Grey Wag, 12 Brambling, 2 Greenfinch, 2 Redpoll & 40 Siskins. #kentbirding
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Craig Sammels @eastkentbirder.bsky.social · 15/10/2025
A lovely day hitting King George VI Park & St Peter’s Churchyard seen lots of birds, highlight being 3-4 Yellow-browed Warblers in the Churchyard, plus 38 Chiffs, 71 Goldcrest, 13 Firecrest, 38 Redwing, 4 Fieldfare, 68 Robin, 53 Brambling, 41 Siskin, 66 Chaffinch. #kentbirding
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Craig Sammels @eastkentbirder.bsky.social · 07/10/2025
I finally caught up with a Kent Pallid Harrier late afternoon at Shuart Reculver, 23 years & now 10 records since the 1st record at Elmley. Other bits seen were 34 Chiff, 34 Mipits 87 Chaffinch, 110 Goldfinch 220 Siskin all west. #kentbirding #ukbirding ebird.org/checklist/S2...
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Dungeness Bird Observatory @dungenessbirdobs.bsky.social · 17/09/2025
An amazing 82 Sooty Shearwaters have flown west past the Fishing Boats by 9am, mostly very distant. Also two Balearic and a Manx Shearwater. #kentbirding
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Craig Sammels @eastkentbirder.bsky.social · 10/09/2025
A little Seawatch from Winterstoke Steps Ramsgate 10.30-14.30 All South; 65 Common Scoter, 2 Whimbrel, 1 Arctic Skua, 1 Guillemot, 4 Little Tern, 1 Arctic Tern, 39 Common Tern, 65 Sandwich Tern, 4 Shag, 2 Little Egrets #kentbirding
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