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Kyle Smith 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

@jkylesmith.bsky.social
430 followers 69 following 450 posts

A Scot, living in Banbury - crossroads of Oxon, Bucks, Northants, Warks. Birder & amateur photographer. If at first you don't succeed, we have a lot in common.

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Kyle Smith 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 @jkylesmith.bsky.social · 3h
Managed to see the elusive red-eyed vireo in the North Bushes at Minsmere yesterday. Arrived just after it had been showing much better than the previous day and after a 4hr absence. A 30min wait produced a brief but welcome view on top of a bush, before it flew into an oak and vanished again.
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Kyle Smith 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 @jkylesmith.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
My latest blog is live! This one features a trip to Hampshire with Kev Heath & David South, then onto Stanpit Marsh Christchurch, and finally to RSPB Winterbourne Downs on the way home. @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social Thanks for taking a look! 👇 jkhsmith.blogspot.com/2026/09/penn....
jkhsmith.blogspot.com
Pennington & Stanpit Marshes, Winterbourne Downs :: 26 September 2026
In the search for new birds to add to the year list, the semipalmated sandpiper at Pennington Marsh was right at the top of the list. On Thu...
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Kyle Smith 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 @jkylesmith.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Solar halo from Stanpit Marsh while Kev Heath, Dave South and I were visiting on Saturday.
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Kyle Smith 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 @jkylesmith.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Also at Stanpit Marsh, Kev Heath, Dave South, and I watched a couple of ospreys, initially flying high and scanning the shore and bay before later plunge-diving and successfully catching fish - grey mullet, of which there were plenty @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social.
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Kyle Smith 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 @jkylesmith.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Visited Stanpit Marsh on Saturday with Kev Heath & Dave South and were treated to two white-tailed eagles. Initially seen distantly along the water’s edge through the heat haze, we later enjoyed better views as they flew past and then circled overhead @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social.
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Kyle Smith 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 @jkylesmith.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Visited Stanpit Marsh on Saturday with Kev Heath & Dave South and were treated to two white-tailed eagles. Initially seen distantly along the water’s edge through the heat haze, we later enjoyed better views as they flew past and then circled overhead @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social.
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Kyle Smith 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 @jkylesmith.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Dropped down into Hampshire with Kev Heath & Dave South to see the semipalmated sandpiper at Fishtail Lagoon, Pennington Marshes - it seemed to be associating quite strongly with a little stint @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social.
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Kyle Smith 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 @jkylesmith.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Dropped down into Hampshire with Kev Heath & Dave South to try for the semipalmated sandpiper at Fishtail Lagoon, Pennington Marshes - a cracking bird! Great to see Trevor Ellery & @alanbodd.bsky.social at the bird too @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social.
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Kyle Smith 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 @jkylesmith.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Just a day out birding at Farmoor Reservoir with Kev Heath, recording over 50 species, including the impressive feral Snow Goose flock of around 93 individuals.
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Kyle Smith 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 @jkylesmith.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
My latest blog is live! This one features ticking off a couple of sandpipers, one unexpectedly reported just 20 minutes from home ... but while @kev07713 and I were at Frampton Marsh! @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social Thanks for taking a look! 👇 jkhsmith.blogspot.com/2026/09/rspb....
jkhsmith.blogspot.com
RSPB Frampton Marsh & Ardley ERF Lagoon :: 20 September 2026
Saturday arrived, and usually this would be the day when Kev @kev07713 and I headed out birding for the weekend session. This week, though,...
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Kyle Smith 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 @jkylesmith.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Quick dash over from Lincolnshire with Kev Heath to see Oxfordshire’s first Baird’s Sandpiper. Made it in time to get views before it was flushed in the late afternoon. Great to hear it call as it took flight and made a circuit of the Ardley ERF lagoon @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social.
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Kyle Smith 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 @jkylesmith.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Quick dash over from Lincolnshire with Kev Heath to see Oxfordshire’s first Baird’s Sandpiper. Made it in time to get views before it was flushed in the late afternoon. Great to hear it call as it took flight and made a circuit of the Ardley ERF lagoon @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social.
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Kyle Smith 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 @jkylesmith.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Headed to RSPB Frampton Marsh with Kev Heath to see a buff-breasted sandpiper - stayed for us! The day took a turn when a Baird's sandpiper was reported back in Oxon resulting in a quick dash there @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social.
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Kyle Smith 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 @jkylesmith.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Headed to RSPB Frampton Marsh with Kev Heath to see a buff-breasted sandpiper - stayed for us! The day took a turn when a Baird's sandpiper was reported back in Oxon resulting in a quick dash there @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social.
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Kyle Smith 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 @jkylesmith.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
My latest blog is live! This one features a return trip to Leasowe, Cheshire to try and see Leach's petrel. @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social Thanks for taking a look! 👇 jkhsmith.blogspot.com/2026/09/leas....
jkhsmith.blogspot.com
Leasowe, Cheshire :: 17 September 2026
New Brighton, on the north Wirral coast, is one of the best-known places in Britain for watching Leach’s petrels from land. The birds are no...
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Kyle Smith 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 @jkylesmith.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
A return visit to Leasowe, Cheshire, for a 2nd attempt at seeing Leach’s petrels after dipping last week. A much better result this time, with 10+ birds seen before high tide. Not frame-filling photos, but some great views through the scope & bins @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social.
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Kyle Smith 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 @jkylesmith.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
A return visit to Leasowe, Cheshire, for a 2nd attempt at seeing Leach’s petrels after dipping last week. A much better result this time, with 10+ birds seen before high tide. Not frame-filling photos, but some great views through the scope & bins @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social.
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Kyle Smith 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 @jkylesmith.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
My latest blog is live! This one features trips for grey phalarope and then spotted crake with Kev Heath. @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social #UKbirding Thanks for taking a look! 👇 jkhsmith.blogspot.com/2026/09/lisv....
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Kyle Smith 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 @jkylesmith.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Having dipped the spotted crake at Upton Warren a few weeks ago, Kev Heath and I headed to RSPB Titchwell Marsh and finally connected - with two, in fact. A bonus curlew sandpiper rounded things off nicely @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social #UKbirding.
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Kyle Smith 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 @jkylesmith.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Having dipped the spotted crake at Upton Warren a few weeks ago, Kev Heath and I headed to RSPB Titchwell Marsh and finally connected - with two, in fact. A bonus curlew sandpiper rounded things off nicely @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social #UKbirding.
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Kyle Smith 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 @jkylesmith.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
My latest blog is live! This one features trips for wryneck and red-backed shrike with @kev07713. Thanks for taking a look! 👇 @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social #UKbirding jkhsmith.blogspot.com/2026/09/rspb....
jkhsmith.blogspot.com
RSPB Freiston Shore & Avenue Washlands NR :: 03 & 05 September 2026
In the space of just six days, I’d managed to miss two wrynecks, so when I heard that one was repeatedly showing well, and, rather remarkabl...
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Kyle Smith 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 @jkylesmith.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
A quick trip to Lisvane Reservoir to see the grey phalarope that’s been there since last Friday. Such beautiful little birds! @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social #UKbirding.
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Kyle Smith 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 @jkylesmith.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
Trip to Avenue Washlands NR, Derbyshire yesterday morning with Kev Heath for the red-backed shrike. Light a bit harsh for photos but great to watch it moving around the far edge of the pool @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social #UKbirding.
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Kyle Smith 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 @jkylesmith.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
Trip to Avenue Washlands NR, Derbyshire yesterday morning with Kev Heath for the red-backed shrike. Light a bit harsh for photos but great to watch it moving around the far edge of the pool @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social #UKbirding.
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Kyle Smith 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 @jkylesmith.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
A trip to RSPB Freiston Shore this morning with Kev Heath to see if we could connect with the wryneck. Still present and what a fabulous and showy bird! @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social.
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Kyle Smith 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 @jkylesmith.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
A trip to RSPB Freiston Shore this morning with Kev Heath to see if we could connect with the wryneck. Still present and what a fabulous and showy bird! @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social.
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Kyle Smith 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 @jkylesmith.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
A trip to RSPB Freiston Shore this morning with Kev Heath to see if we could connect with the wryneck. Still present and what a fabulous and showy bird! @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social.
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Kyle Smith 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 @jkylesmith.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
My latest blog is now live! This one features trips for Temminck’s stint, an attempt to track down a wryneck, and a trip for a lifer - Ortolan bunting. Thanks for taking a look! 👇 @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social #UKbirding jkhsmith.blogspot.com/2026/09/dern....
jkhsmith.blogspot.com
Dernford Reservoir, Aldeburgh & Merthyr Tydfil :: 28/08 & 01/09 2026
The weekend arrived and I was going to be birding solo, as Kev was away at a family weekend for the whole weekend. Looking at potential bird...
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Kyle Smith 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 @jkylesmith.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Trip to Merthyr Tydfil this morning to try and see Ortolan bunting, a species I've previously failed to connect with. Success - a lifer - and redemption once more. Great to chat with @stevewilson1706.bsky.social while waiting and viewing @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social.
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Kyle Smith 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 @jkylesmith.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
I've posted my latest blog, featuring a trip with Kev Heath to Suffolk, a visit to Eyebrook, and a solo return visit for seconds of the long-tailed shrike at Eastleach Martin. Thanks for taking a look! @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social #UKbirding jkhsmith.blogspot.com/2026/08/suff....
jkhsmith.blogspot.com
Suffolk, Eyebrook, & Eastleach Martin :: 22-24 August 2026
We’d left visiting the zitting cisticolas (fan-tailed warblers) at Walberswick until late this year, but with the youngsters now fledged, it...
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Kyle Smith 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 @jkylesmith.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
Visited Darnford Farm Reservoir, Cambridge yesterday to see the two Temminck's stints @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social @wildlifebcn.org #UKbirding.
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Kyle Smith 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 @jkylesmith.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
Visited Darnford Farm Reservoir, Cambridge yesterday to see the two Temminck's stints @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social @wildlifebcn.org #UKbirding.
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Kyle Smith 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 @jkylesmith.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
I've posted my latest blog, featuring trips with Kev Heath to catch up with a few local year ticks, and to RSPB Ham Wall. Thanks for taking a look. @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social #UKbirding jkhsmith.blogspot.com/2026/08/loca....
jkhsmith.blogspot.com
Local birds & RSPB Ham Wall :: 14-18 August 2026
Even before Kev @kev07713 and I had a chance to discuss plans for our Saturday birding trip, a white-winged black tern appeared on Friday m...
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Kyle Smith 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 @jkylesmith.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Dropped into Eyebrook Reservoir yesterday afternoon with Kev Heath on reports that the juvenile red-necked phalarope was still present. Lovely bird in the scope but heat haze made capturing images near impossible @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social #UKbirding.
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Kyle Smith 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 @jkylesmith.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Popped back to Eastleach Martin to see the long-tailed shrike again before it soon likely moves on, and now that it’s completed its moult. It performed beautifully! Great to finally put a face to a name after meeting @heathera.bsky.social there @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social.
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Kyle Smith 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 @jkylesmith.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
Grayling butterflies at Hazelwood Marshes yesterday with Kev Heath - @ukbutterflies.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social.
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Kyle Smith 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 @jkylesmith.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
Two ospreys seen over Hazelwood Marshes yesterday with Kev Heath, but no sign of the juvenile black stork @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social #UKbirding.
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Kyle Smith 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 @jkylesmith.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
I've posted my latest blog, featuring a trip with Kev & Karen Heath, and Charlotte, to Cornwall to see some pelagic birds. Thanks for taking a look. @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social @cbwps.org.uk #UKbirding jkhsmith.blogspot.com/2026/08/corn....
jkhsmith.blogspot.com
Cornwall - Scillies crossing & pelagic :: 06&08 August 2026
It was time to add some pelagic species to my year list, and this year I decided to combine it with a few days' holiday with my wife, Kev @k...
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Kyle Smith 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 @jkylesmith.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Didn't spot a crake at Upton Warren yesterday- with Kev Heath - @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social @worcswt.bsky.social.
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Kyle Smith 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 @jkylesmith.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
While at @rspb.bsky.social Ham Wall on Saturday with Kev Heath, on the way to the Avalon hide he spotted a weasel #weasel.
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Kyle Smith 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 @jkylesmith.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Visited Daventry CP with Kev Heath this pm to see the pectoral sandpiper found mid-morning. Third time lucky after dipping at RSPB Freiston Shore twice last month. Great to see @mundystuart.bsky.social @mikealibone.bsky.social there @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social @wildlifebcn.org.
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Kyle Smith 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 @jkylesmith.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Visited Daventry CP with Kev Heath this pm to see the pectoral sandpiper found mid-morning. Third time lucky after dipping at RSPB Freiston Shore twice last month. Great to see @mundystuart.bsky.social @mikealibone.bsky.social there @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social @wildlifebcn.org.
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Kyle Smith 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 @jkylesmith.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
Visited @rspb.bsky.social Ham Wall yesterday with Kev Heath and saw two glossy ibis - lovely birds @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social.
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Kyle Smith 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 @jkylesmith.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
Female clouded yellow butterfly (helice) at @rspb.bsky.social Ham Wall yesterday with Kev Heath - my first photos of the year of them @ukbutterflies.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social #cloudedyellow #butterfly
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Kyle Smith 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 @jkylesmith.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
ummingbird hawk-moth at @rspb.bsky.social Ham Wall yesterday with Kev Heath - my first photos of the year of them #hummingbirdhawkmoth.
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Kyle Smith 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 @jkylesmith.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
Hummingbird hawk-moth at @rspb.bsky.social Ham Wall yesterday with Kev Heath - my first photos of the year of them #hummingbirdhawkmoth.
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Kyle Smith 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 @jkylesmith.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
Visited @rspb.bsky.social Ham Wall yesterday with Kev Heath and saw purple heron out in front of VP2. Birders already present said it had been feeding close in but had retreated to a distant island by the time we got there. Lovely to catch up with it @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social.
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Kyle Smith 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 @jkylesmith.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
6‑hour pelagic run out of Penzance with Mermaid Cruises last Saturday, pushing past Land’s End with Kev & Karen Heath @hasanalfarhan2.bsky.social. Five Wilson’s petrel and four European storm petrels @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social #wilsonspetrel.
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Kyle Smith 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 @jkylesmith.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
Dropped in to see the white-winged black tern at @wildlifebcn.org Summer Leys this afternoon with Kev Heath. Distant and mobile but a stunning bird despite being in moult @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social.
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Kyle Smith 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 @jkylesmith.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Eclipse yesterday evening in Oxfordshire #eclipse #eclipse2026.
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