Reposted by Neil BurtDungeness Bird Observatory @dungenessbirdobs.bsky.social · 21/09/2026A varied day with a good fall in the bushes headlined by 470 Chiffchaff, 10 Willow Warbler, a Yellow-browed Warbler, 80 Blackcap, two Spotted Flycatcher, 48 Robin, three Redstart and 16 Wheatear. A total of 247 birds ringed, mostly Chiffchaff but a Merlin the last catch of the day was a surprise! 3743
Reposted by Neil BurtRichard Watkins LRPS @losbirder.bsky.social · 21/09/2026Dungeness this evening, a Merlin trapped in the Moat at @dungenessbirdobs.bsky.social Big thanks to Jacob for putting the news out. #Birds #Birding #Kentbirding #Ukbirding 1404
Neil Burt @neilburt.bsky.social · 21/09/2026The run of good luck continues… out #patchbirding this evening… a juvenile MARSH HARRIER headed NE over the Hothfield Flood Storage Reservoir (towards Eastwell Lake). Species #101 for 2026. Stonechats, Yellowhammers, Herons, Buzzards & the Barn Owl hunting again at Godinton - 4th sighting this month 1260
Reposted by Neil BurtDungeness Bird Observatory @dungenessbirdobs.bsky.social · 20/09/2026Come join us for the Big Kent Bird Migration Day at Dungeness Bird Observatory, it is only a week away! There will be plenty with a guided walk, migration watches, seawatching and bird ringing if the weather allows. Today is full of Meadow Pipits with hundreds overhead and 101 ringed #kentbirding 0146
Reposted by Neil BurtOwen Leyshon @dungenessowen.bsky.social · 20/09/2026Me and Lorna did the usual middle aged couple things this Sunday Went to the rubbish tip and then a wander around a garden centre Before strolling into the Dungeness RSPB reserve to catch up with Neil’s Pectoral Sandpiper this afternoon Then a cup of tea back at the car #KentBirding 1221
Reposted by Neil BurtRichard Watkins LRPS @losbirder.bsky.social · 20/09/2026RSPB Dungeness, the bird of the day found by @neilburt.bsky.social this morning at Dengemarsh, relocated this pm by @ploddingbirder.bsky.social at Christmas Dell. #PWC2026 #Birds #Birding #Kentbirding #Ukbirding 0262
Reposted by Neil BurtPloddingbirder @ploddingbirder.bsky.social · 20/09/2026Dungeness: Another distant wader pic. A Pectoral Sandpiper first found by @neilburt.bsky.social at Dengemarsh this morning where it promptly went awol. Fortunately for me I re-found it at Xmas Dell this afternoon. The Local Little Owl glaring at me this morning. 0372
Neil Burt @neilburt.bsky.social · 20/09/2026Excellent visit to Dungeness today. At 10am I found a PECTORAL SANDPIPER, briefly on the islands at Dengemarsh from Springfield Bridge, with it promptly disappearing. This PM @ploddingbirder.bsky.social refound it on New Excavations from the Christmas Dell Hide. 👍👏 @kentishplover.bsky.social 2300
Reposted by Neil BurtBirdGuides @birdguides.bsky.social · 19/09/2026Eight wild-born Choughs have fledged in Kent, marking another step in efforts to restore the species to the county after an absence of more than 200 years: f.mtr.coolEight wild-born Choughs fledge in KentChough has bred in the wild in Kent following the release of captive-reared birds in 2023, with the county population now estimated at 35. 05311
Neil Burt @neilburt.bsky.social · 19/09/2026Dungeness RSPB this AM at the ARC Hanson Hide. The juv White-winged Black Tern was still feeding near the Cormorant Island with Common Terns, 2 Med Gulls, 3 Little Gulls (2 juvs), 2 Peregrines, 1 Common Sandpiper & 2 Dunlins. Balearic Shearwaters & Arctic Skuas still at the Fishing Boats early AM. 0100
Reposted by Neil BurtOwen Leyshon @dungenessowen.bsky.social · 18/09/2026A wonderful spectacle of the thousands of House Martins gathering on wires and on the Power Station at Dungeness early this morning I reckon 8,000+ #KentBirding 715323
Neil Burt @neilburt.bsky.social · 17/09/2026Another #PatchBirding Owl session this evening on rural #Godinton Park. Barn Owl & Little Owl out hunting in the fields and a calling Tawny Owl once again from the copses. Kingfisher at #SingletonLake, Green Sandpiper near Great Chart, Kestrel, Grey Heron, Treecreeper & Chiffchaffs. 0171
Reposted by Neil BurtKent Ornithological Society @kentishplover.bsky.social · 17/09/2026KOS Weekly Highlights: an excellent week, particularly at Dungeness, with a Brown Booby, Western Bonelli’s Warbler, Red-necked Phalarope and more. Read all details on kentos.org.uk. #kentbirding 0242
Neil Burt @neilburt.bsky.social · 16/09/2026#Patchbirding… the Barn Owl was out hunting on rural Godinton Park again this evening plus calling Tawny Owl, 4 Grey Herons, 1 Little Egret at the Flood Gap, Mistle Thrushes & Stonechats. At least 1 House Martin nest still active on the estate colony. 0180
Reposted by Neil BurtDungeness Bird Observatory @dungenessbirdobs.bsky.social · 14/09/2026eight Grey Wagtail, 430 Meadow Pipit, two Tree Pipit and a Siskin. The sea was fairly quiet apart from a Balearic Shearwater and 13 Black Tern heading west. 0232
Reposted by Neil BurtDungeness Bird Observatory @dungenessbirdobs.bsky.social · 14/09/2026six Spotted Flycatcher, 50 Robin, three Black Redstart, 14 Wheatear, a Redstart and two Whinchat. Overhead passage was extremely active from mid-morning and was dominated by Swallows with 19856 out to sea. There was also 185 Sand Martin, just 30 House Martin, six Yellow Wagtail... 1222
Reposted by Neil BurtDungeness Bird Observatory @dungenessbirdobs.bsky.social · 14/09/2026The star bird of the day was a Western Bonelli's Warbler that was seen on and off on the edge of the Long Pits and Trapping Area. The land was busy with 46 Willow Warbler, 105 Chiffchaff, a Sedge, a Reed, 40 Blackcap, two Garden, 12 Lesser Whitethroat, 14 Whitethroat... #kentbirding 1485
Neil Burt @neilburt.bsky.social · 14/09/2026#Patchbirding this evening: out on rural Godinton Park, there were Swallows & House Martins feeding in every direction that I looked. 4 Mistle Thrushes & 1 Rook were notable (neither are regular here) plus Reed Bunting & Grey Wagtail. A Whitethroat is the first I have seen here for several weeks. 0120
Reposted by Neil BurtPloddingbirder @ploddingbirder.bsky.social · 13/09/2026The American Golden Plover that I last saw on 15/08/2026 at Jurys Gap reappeared today, re-found by KE in the same field as last year. It has moulted considerably since I last saw it. 0332
Reposted by Neil BurtDungeness Bird Observatory @dungenessbirdobs.bsky.social · 13/09/2026A bit of a comedown on yesterday but still a good day, with the sea still the place to be. The highlights being two juvenile Long-tailed Skuas flying west together past the Fishing Boats at 17:15hrs, also two Balearic Shearwaters, 20 Black Tern and two Little Gull. #kentbirding 1422
Neil Burt @neilburt.bsky.social · 13/09/2026Was never going to beat the excitement, panic & elation of yesterday’s seawatch at Dungeness, but headed out at dawn for an 8 mile #patchbirding walk to the Hothfield Water Bodies. 2 Sedge Warblers, 2 Stonechat, 3 each of Mipit & Y’hammer, 2 Skylarks. House Martins (Godinton), 4 Pied, 1 Grey Wagtail 170
Reposted by Neil BurtOwen Leyshon @dungenessowen.bsky.social · 13/09/2026Adult American Golden Plover with 42 Golden Plover in the large stubble field 200m south of the Sand Pit track near Jurys Gap, Camber, East Sussex (TQ995185) Must be last years returning bird - sitting in exactly the same bit of field @sussexornitholo.bsky.social 1493
Reposted by Neil BurtBucktonbirder @bucktonbirder.bsky.social · 13/09/2026HV has now reached Marakesh, Morocco. She roosted last night in a green river valley. She is going to be facing the harsh reality of proper desert soon. 0323
Reposted by Neil BurtPloddingbirder @ploddingbirder.bsky.social · 12/09/2026Dungeness at its very best today, it wasn't just about the sea today. There was several 1,000s of House Martins around The Point. A super Short-eared Owl in The Desert. Several Whinchats around the peninsula. The Red-necked Phalarope was still on the reserve today. 0462
Reposted by Neil BurtDungeness Bird Observatory @dungenessbirdobs.bsky.social · 12/09/2026Overhead passage yielded an impressive 5086 Swallow and 7000 House Martin but also 14 Grey Wagtail was our highest count of the autumn. Meadow Pipits seem slow to make it to us so far... 1122
Reposted by Neil BurtDungeness Bird Observatory @dungenessbirdobs.bsky.social · 12/09/2026A superb afternoon seawatch didn't have a great deal of birds but it did have excellent quality - the star being a first for Dungeness in the form of an adult Brown Booby! Other goodies included a close juvenile Long-tailed Skua, 15 Black Tern and three Little Gull. #kentbirding 211010
Reposted by Neil BurtRichard Watkins LRPS @losbirder.bsky.social · 12/09/2026This afternoon 12.09.26 from the Fishing Boats at Dungeness, with Jacob suddenly shouting “Get on this Skua” we were all pleasantly surprised to see this brilliant Juvenile Long-tailed Skua pass west past the boats. #birds #birding #kentbirding #ukbirding 4916
Reposted by Neil BurtRichard Watkins LRPS @losbirder.bsky.social · 12/09/2026From the Fishing Boats this afternoon (12.09.26) - some of the Black Terns passing the Boats this afternoon. #birds #birding #kentbirding #ukbirding 1252
Reposted by Neil BurtPloddingbirder @ploddingbirder.bsky.social · 12/09/2026Dungeness: It's the first time I've known a juvenile Long-tailed Skua not to be the main event at Dunge sea watch, also 30+ Arctic Skuas, 15 Black Terns, 100s each of Common and Sandwich Terns. 1585
Reposted by Neil BurtGraham Parry @grahamparry.bsky.social · 12/09/2026Superb sea watch birding at Dungeness some of the birds were distant but I hope still worth posting !! 3342
Reposted by Neil BurtOwen Leyshon @dungenessowen.bsky.social · 12/09/2026I don’t know why I did it but filmed myself running in a short burst over the shingle from the truck to the fishing boats, Dungeness to see the brief Brown Booby 🤦 Like a gazelle….🤣 6401
Reposted by Neil BurtOwen Leyshon @dungenessowen.bsky.social · 12/09/2026I 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 0353
Reposted by Neil BurtPloddingbirder @ploddingbirder.bsky.social · 12/09/2026Dungeness: Some highly cropped images of the fantastic Brown Booby, that was brilliantly picked out by @neilburt.bsky.social in among a large distant feeding flock of Gannets this afternoon off the fishing boats. Despite woeful phone signal at Dunge most the of the locals connected thanks to radio. 312411
Neil Burt @neilburt.bsky.social · 12/09/2026An 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 !!! 7818
Neil Burt @neilburt.bsky.social · 12/09/2026Dungeness RSPB today: Little Stint & Wood Sandpiper from Firth Lookout, Red-necked Phalarope showing from Dennis’s Picnic Tables, 1 Greenshank & 1 Curlew over. Wheatear nr entrance track. LRP, 2 Ringed Plovers, 1 Ruff, 14 Sandwich Terns (through) & Common Sandpiper also on Burrowes. 2 Ravens at ARC. 080
Reposted by Neil BurtDungeness Bird Observatory @dungenessbirdobs.bsky.social · 11/09/2026A 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 0413
Reposted by Neil BurtBucktonbirder @bucktonbirder.bsky.social · 11/09/2026HV made it!!!! She arrived on the Moroccan Coast late last night and roosted in the mountains, phew! Today she continued and is now nearing the High Atlas Mountains. AMAZING ! 3575
Neil Burt @neilburt.bsky.social · 11/09/2026Only a short #patchbirding walk this evening on rural Godinton Park… but it turned into an Owl-fest. 3 Little Owls were in one of the usual oaks (nice to confirm breeding success this year), a calling Tawny Owl again & best of all, a hunting BARN OWL !!! Species #99 - Year ✅. Never easy to see here. 0211
Neil Burt @neilburt.bsky.social · 10/09/2026#PatchBirding this evening: male Tawny Owl calling on Godinton Park at dusk, 4 House Martins with even more Martins & Swallows at the flood storage reservoir, 2 Common Snipe, 10+ Jays scattered around, Kingfisher at the waterfall lake, Mistle Thrush & Canada & Greylags to roost at sunset. 0110
Neil Burt @neilburt.bsky.social · 09/09/2026#patchbirding walk around Singleton Lake & rural Godinton Park this evening. Kingfisher, GC Grebe, Sparrowhawk, Green & GS Woodpecker, Grey Heron & House Martins (still over the colony). Chiffchaffs still around too. 0120
Reposted by Neil BurtDungeness Bird Observatory @dungenessbirdobs.bsky.social · 08/09/2026Come join us for the Big Kent Bird Migration Day at Dungeness Bird Observatory! There will be lots going on, with a guided walk, visible migration watches, seawatching and hopefully bird ringing if the weather allows. We hope to see you there! #kentbirding 0198
Neil Burt @neilburt.bsky.social · 08/09/2026#patchbirding walk this evening: Another Juvenile Whinchat at the Hothfield Flood Storage Reservoir, chased around by the Stonechat Pair. Also 1 Raven and an unseen calling Green Sandpiper. The Spotted Flycatchers were still at the Waterfall Lake (5+), juvenile Grey Wagtail & usual Hirundines. 0121
Reposted by Neil BurtMurray Orchard @murrayorchard.bsky.social · 08/09/2026To celebrate bird migration to and from the county, the KOS & partners are holding a day of birdwatching, ringing & recording on 27th of Sept. Please join us at one of 3 participating sites. See kentos.org.uk/index.php/even… for details & instructions of how to sign up where relevant. 094
Reposted by Neil BurtBucktonbirder @bucktonbirder.bsky.social · 07/09/2026Montagu's Harrier HV is crossing the Pyrenees this evening at 10,000ft! 29316
Neil Burt @neilburt.bsky.social · 07/09/2026Another bag of litter picked & collected at the EA Hothfield Flood Storage Reservoir, Kent this evening, once again left by the fishermen illegally fishing the lake. Hopefully the powers that be will stop this from happening on a regular basis. 190
Neil Burt @neilburt.bsky.social · 07/09/2026#patchbirding walk: Hothfield Flood Storage Reservoir: Stonechat pair, 4 Yellowhammers, Skylark, Hirundines (Swallows, House & Sand Martins) all came to say hello as I litter picked again, + the first Little Egret & Common Snipe of the autumn here. 3+ Spotted Flycatchers still at the Waterfall Lake. 0101
Reposted by Neil BurtBaldbirder: Ross Newham @baldbirder.bsky.social · 06/09/2026A showy Golden Oriole at Dungeness, near the watertower, this afternoon! Brilliant stuff as it posed nicely out in the open for a few minutes at a time. Happy dayz... @rarebirder.bsky.social @dungenessbirdobs.bsky.social @kentishplover.bsky.social #RareBirdsUK #kentbirding 2552
Reposted by Neil BurtBaldbirder: Ross Newham @baldbirder.bsky.social · 06/09/2026Honey Buzzard and Osprey at @dungenessbirdobs.bsky.social this afternoon. @kentishplover.bsky.social @rarebirder.bsky.social #kentbirding 0223
Reposted by Neil BurtPloddingbirder @ploddingbirder.bsky.social · 04/09/2026Dungeness: A super juvenile Little Gull at the ARC late afternoon with an adult Black Tern. Also 3 juvenile Black Terns & an adult Little Gull there. Another juvenile Little Gull on Burrowes & at least 8 Black Terns, also the WWB Tern still present. 0411
Neil Burt @neilburt.bsky.social · 03/09/2026This evening’s #patchbirding walk: At least 4 Spotted Flycatchers still at the Hothfield Waterfall Lake with a mixed Tit & Chiffchaff flock. 2 Teal with Mallards & Sand Martin with House Martins. 1 Willow Warbler on Godinton. Flood Storage Reservoir quiet & no fishermen either. 1180