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Joe Sargent

@joesargent.bsky.social
113 followers 91 following 268 posts

Mardy northerner stuck down south complaining about all the birds he dips. For my artwork, check my insta: joesargeart

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Joe Sargent @joesargent.bsky.social · 7h
A very disappointing week in the south of France even by my standards. The only birds I realistically couldn't have seen in the UK were alp swift, crag martin, sard warbler and black kite. Woodlarks heard but not seen. Still no serins or cirl buntings for the second year running!
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Joe Sargent @joesargent.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
Indian silverbills, I think, on the Côte d'Azur. Didn't know these were feral here. I usually count things like parakeets and mandarins in my lists but not sure about these guys 😂 they're very cute either way
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Joe Sargent @joesargent.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Like getting blood from a stone in October, but still seem to be some migrants hanging around, as this black kite circled for a few minutes above us. My first for a few years. A small falcon was hawking high up. Tail seemed too long to be hobby but top far away to call lesser kestrel
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Joe Sargent @joesargent.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Saw a crag martin colony on an old fort overlooking Fontaine-de-Vaucluse so climbed up to get a look. Was rewarded with a gorgeous view of the village and cliffs and my closest encounter with the species!
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Joe Sargent @joesargent.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
A few days staying directly on the Sorgue. Dippers, kingfishers and loads of grey wagtails to look at while we eat. There's a genuine aquaduct visible from our guesthouse which some crag martins visited today. A new addition to my France list
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Joe Sargent @joesargent.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Finally some good fucking birds in the south of France. Hundreds of alpine swifts over the wedding venue this afternoon. A dramatic addition to the France list. Cavaillon is lowland farmland so not very alpine
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Joe Sargent @joesargent.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Not the best time of year to be in the south of France at Bandol, but contented myself with the constant chattering with sard warblers, YLGs on the beach, and swimming less than 2 m away from the Mediterranean shag subspecies. Plus crested tits and dozens of firecrests
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Joe Sargent @joesargent.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
It happens every year during Autumn migration that everything turns up when I can't get out. Packing/prepping for south of France on Friday so OF COURSE there's a lesser yellowlegs and pec sand at Chew Valley 😂 And what's the betting I see absolutely nothing interesting in France so make up for it
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Joe Sargent @joesargent.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
The most shearwaters I've ever seen on a channel crossing. Huge groups following fishing boats we passed right across. Lots of manxies, possibly corys (can't count as wasn't even thinking of them so didn't check), and my first ever balearics. STILL no Kittiwake or Fulmar for 2026 though 😂
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Joe Sargent @joesargent.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
A pristine adult winter plumage on a walk along the gorgeous Breton coast today was my first med gull for 2 years and 150th bird of the year. I've now reached my target for 2026! Now to see if I can get to 150 on my UK list! And can I get to 160 on my Europe list?
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Joe Sargent @joesargent.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
If I was seriously listing still, Brittany would be a disappointment. Absolutely zero migrant activity bar hirundines and none of my usual local favourites (cirls and serins). Mostly devoid of birds except scores and scores of firecrests and some crested tits, so can't REALLY complain.
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Joe Sargent @joesargent.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Not seeing any of the species I thought I'd see in Brittany but a blink-and-you'll-miss-it female Dartford warbler takes me to 149 for the year. 1 to go!
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Joe Sargent @joesargent.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Anyone have any moments in birdwatching where they didn't quite appreciate how mental/lucky a sighting was until years later? Mine is a corncrake walking across the road a few feet in front of me on Lewis
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Joe Sargent @joesargent.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Black-necked grebe off the coast of Brittany takes me to 148 for 2026. 150 closing in. WE BALLIN' Cirl bunting heard singing
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Joe Sargent @joesargent.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
I am once again wondering what kind of optics people have to be able to ID anything on the Severn from Slimbridge estuary tower. I have a 60x scope and even at high tide the estuary is a distant blur. Do people have 300x zoom lenses? 🤣
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Joe Sargent @joesargent.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Every year since I got back into birdwatching I've increased my seabird life list: 2021 - great skua 2022 - manxie, little tern, caspian tern, S-B gull 2023 - arctic skua, little gull 2024 - pom skua 2025 - sooty shearwater What could I see in 2026? Or is the streak broken?
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Joe Sargent @joesargent.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
Now that I'm back out and about again we're back to our regular scheduled dipping everything. Lots of dunlin, RP & turnstone at severn beach, but couldn't find a curlew sand. Saw a potential one (bird on left) that wouldn't pose with its giant beak for a photo, but probs just a freak dunlin
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Joe Sargent @joesargent.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
If I manage to see 3 new birds on my trip to coastal Brittany next week (and on the ferry) I'll have reached my 2026 150 bird target. Notable absentees: Kittiwake Fulmar Any shearwater Razorbill Puffin Any skua Cirl & Corn Bunting Serin Sanderling Seems doable
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Joe Sargent @joesargent.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
OK 6 swift over Marshfield this evening has now set the latest record for seeing the species
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Joe Sargent @joesargent.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
3 swifts over my garden! I think this may be the latest I've ever seen them in the UK #bristolbirds
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Reposted by Joe Sargent
Hunt Saboteurs Association @huntsabs.org.uk · 25/08/2026
‼️ 𝑻𝑨𝑲𝑬 𝑨𝑪𝑻𝑰𝑶𝑵 𝑻𝑼𝑬𝑺𝑫𝑨𝒀 ‼️ Did you know roughly 10,000,000 birds reared for shooting arrive in the UK every year via “Le Shuttle”! We are launching our campaign to end the import of these birds, but we need YOU 🫵🏻 to take action here 👉🏻 www.huntsabs.org.uk/campaigns/tr...
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Joe Sargent @joesargent.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
There's a chiffchaff singing every morning opposite my house #avonbirds
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Joe Sargent @joesargent.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
Also at least 10 yellow wags flying between Pilning Wetland and cows on Northwick #avonbirds
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Joe Sargent @joesargent.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
I'd say at least 7 whinchats north of Pilning Wetlands, right side of path in plantation just before path veers to the left #avonbirds
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Joe Sargent @joesargent.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
A single swift seen from the window. Last of the year? #avonbirds
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Joe Sargent @joesargent.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
The benefits of not getting out birding much is making massive dents in your list in August. A very well-timed visit to Slimbridge added 8 new birds for this year!! Garganey Ruff Spotshank Green sand Wood sand Kingfisher Greenshank Avocet 146 in Europe. 142 in UK. Not far off my 150 target
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Joe Sargent @joesargent.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
Right when I was thinking "I've not seen any flycatchers this year", I raised my binoculars to my eyes to check out some small birds in the trees opposite our air bnb in Freshwater East to see a spot fly doing what spot flies do. Such a boring-looking bird but easily one of my faves
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Joe Sargent @joesargent.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
Choughs are a bird I could be forgiven for missing in a year, but I always manage to end up in places where they breed and always manage to find them. 7 in Pembrokeshire this weekend. Still very low on seabirds again this year. Missing razorbill, puffin, kittiwake, fulmar and manxies, or any skuas
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Joe Sargent @joesargent.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
Well that's a mystery solved. Was admiring a sprawk over the garden when 4 ring-necked parakeets wheeled over to mob it away #avonbirds
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Joe Sargent @joesargent.bsky.social · 26/07/2026
A mostly birdless walk in the Quantocks did have a nice surprise of at least 5 juvenile cuckoos flushed and scattered by something. A late addition to my year list. Not sure I've ever even seen juveniles before
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Joe Sargent @joesargent.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
To anyone who hasn't been to London, Paris or any of the other European cities they swarm in, wondering how I know what it is. The simple answer is it's one of the most horrific sounds in the natural world
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Joe Sargent @joesargent.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
I am being serenaded by a distant ring-necked parakeet from my office window, every day now since Weds. My first British one outside of the M25. Pity I have no idea where it is #avonbirds
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Joe Sargent @joesargent.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
Screaming party of around 20 swifts just went over my garden! #avonbirds
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Joe Sargent @joesargent.bsky.social · 27/06/2026
One of the most instantly recognisable songs. Walking through Bruges, sans binocular, the sound of a black redstart in an alleyway caught my attention to one perched up on a chimney. I have missed species like common redstart, redpoll, yellowhammer some years... Never a black redstart.
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Joe Sargent @joesargent.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
4 swifts over Hampton Road probably wondering if they made their migration early by accident as it's clearly March #avonbirds
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Joe Sargent @joesargent.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
Love how we've got all the autumn storms in summer... And spring... And winter
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Joe Sargent @joesargent.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
Peregrine low over bottom end of Horfield common. Incredibly a FOY for me. Plus 5 swift #avonbirds
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Joe Sargent @joesargent.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
Can't believe my parental leave is coming to an end and my little one will be 1 on Monday. Dropping her off at nursery today for settling in - an hour on her own without me. Absolutely broken. Wanna stay with her forever 😭
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Joe Sargent @joesargent.bsky.social · 30/05/2026
Randomly found myself on Shire Hill Lane by Marshfield today without even meaning to. No sign of a sileage tank so didn't stop for quails. 2 RLP on the road with a death wish (FOY). And a red kite over and dipper under the bridge at Ford.
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Joe Sargent @joesargent.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
Some young coal tits in Bristol Uni Botanical Gardens along with these absolute monster dragonflies
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Joe Sargent @joesargent.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
It's back now wtf
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Joe Sargent @joesargent.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
Just noticed tawny owl seems to have mysteriously disappeared from Merlin. Same for anyone else?
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Joe Sargent @joesargent.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
7 swifts over the house this morning #avonbirds
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Joe Sargent @joesargent.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
2 swifts above the house, either mating or fighting on the wing #avonbirds
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Joe Sargent @joesargent.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
The small flock of 4 Swift circling from my garden again this morning #avonbirds
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Joe Sargent @joesargent.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
4 swifts circling low over my garden. Depressingly look like they're looking for nesting sites. Maybe a sign I should get a swift brick installed
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Joe Sargent @joesargent.bsky.social · 25/05/2026
2 swift, 1 house martin and 6 LBBGs over my garden as I lie on my decking in a pool of sweat after my first run in >2 weeks (already 25 °C out 🥵) Keep hearing a treecreeper singing too
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Joe Sargent @joesargent.bsky.social · 24/05/2026
Still haven't heard a cuckoo yet this year! How many weeks do I have left?
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Joe Sargent @joesargent.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
A little list from a little walk at Bassenthwaite today. Didn't expect to get my first barnies of the year in May! ebird.org/checklist/S3...
ebird.org
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Joe Sargent @joesargent.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
Just realised the distant female barwits on Lindisfarne were an addition to my UK list, really underlining the absolutely awful luck I have with this species 😂 Not a very exotic addition to my UK list but an addition nonetheless
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