Neil Burt @neilburt.bsky.social · 12hGood luck Andy with the new patch… another Kent birder has migrated north to Norfolk. Might spot you on one of our Norfolk trips. 👍 110
Neil Burt @neilburt.bsky.social · 13hDungeness - a Brambling dropped in to the trees by the RSPB VC car park. Greenshank from VC. Kingfisher from Dennis’s Hide. Seawatching from the fishing boats: 12:20 to 14:00: all down/west: 22 Brents, 3 Arctic Skuas, 3 Red T Divers, 3 Med Gulls & 2 Kittiwakes. 1 Kestrel (in off) 050
Neil Burt @neilburt.bsky.social · 13hThe American Golden Plover was still in the usual field at Jury’s Gap, East Sussex this morning with 100s of Europeans but flock disturbed by a hunting Merlin chasing the Skylarks… 1 Ringed Plover & 1 Dunlin too. @rarebirder.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social 1130
Neil Burt @neilburt.bsky.social · 09/10/2026#Patchbirding after work… Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail, GC Grebe, 2 Grey Herons, 1 Green Sandpiper, Jays and the usual suspects around Singleton Lake & Rural Godinton Park. 0140
Neil Burt @neilburt.bsky.social · 08/10/2026#PatchBirding ups and downs this evening. Far too much human disturbance at the Hothfield Water Bodies… Stonechat pair & Little Egret noted though. Better on rural Godinton Park with a hunting Barn Owl & calling Tawny Owl, Common Gull, Pied Wagtails and a nice flock of 50+ Goldfinches. Charming 👍. 1181
Reposted by Neil BurtKent Ornithological Society @kentishplover.bsky.social · 08/10/2026KOS Weekly Highlights: an interesting Black Kite, a colour-ringed Hoopoe, owls in the hand and an increase in Chaffinches. See kentos.org.uk for all details. #kentbirding 0203
Reposted by Neil BurtSteve Gale @stevewg.bsky.social · 07/10/2026Farewell Pete northdownsandbeyond.blogspot.com/2026/10/pete...northdownsandbeyond.blogspot.comPete BurnessI first met Pete when I was standing on the banks of the moat that surrounds Dungeness Bird Observatory - it would have been around 1981. I ... 8306
Neil Burt @neilburt.bsky.social · 06/10/2026#Patchbirding this evening. Was not expecting much as the evenings draw in, least of all a passerine. However a calling FIRECREST 🔥 on rural Godinton Park stopped me in my tracks, & then the little gem showed, feeding in the trees. Still a rare here (averaging 1 record a year). Year ✅ #102. 1240
Reposted by Neil BurtDungeness Bird Observatory @dungenessbirdobs.bsky.social · 06/10/2026On one of our recent owl catching sessions, we caught a 1cy male Barn Owl that was ringed elsewhere. Expecting it to be somewhere local, due to the fact that most don't move very far, we were surprised to find it was ringed 134km away as a chick on 23rd May near Touchen End. #kentbirding 2503
Neil Burt @neilburt.bsky.social · 05/10/2026Views at Spurn & Kilnsea. Other birding highlights: Quail in-off, Caspian Gull, drake Mandarin, 2 Barn Owls, Great Skua (with a taste for Little Egrets), 2 GW Egrets, Manx Shearwater, Little Gulls & Arctic Skuas, 2 Spotted Redshanks, Marsh Harriers, Peregrines & C Buzzards & lots of wildfowl/waders. 081
Neil Burt @neilburt.bsky.social · 05/10/2026Another great visit to Kilnsea & @spurnbirdobs between 25th Sep-2nd Oct. The Eyebrowed Thrush was the clear highlight but other sightings included American Golden Plover, a probable Pallid Swift & 5 Yellow-browed Warblers. Thanks to all staff & locals. Back in Oct-27 👍. bsky.app/profile/spur... 1100
Neil Burt @neilburt.bsky.social · 05/10/2026#Patchbirding this evening at @SingletonLake & rural Godinton Park. Pair of Egyptian Geese back on the lake, 1 GC Grebe, 1 Canada & 1 Grey Wagtail. At dusk a calling Little Owl & a very distant view of the Barn Owl flying away from me. 080
Neil Burt @neilburt.bsky.social · 05/10/2026At the Hothfield Waterfall Lake: Little Egret & Grey Wagtail. 3 Stonechats (1 male) at the Flood Gap plus 6 Common Snipe, Grey Heron, Yellowhammers & Skylarks. 190
Neil Burt @neilburt.bsky.social · 05/10/2026Yesterday 4th Oct: Back from holiday to an afternoon #PatchBirding session. 4 Skylarks S over rural Godinton Park + adult Med Gull S, 4 Clouded Yellows, 1 Sparrowhawk, C Buzzards, Kestrel, Jays & the usual Woodpeckers… 1110
Neil Burt @neilburt.bsky.social · 05/10/2026Some views from Holme Dunes NWT and Ken Hill Marshes. 030
Neil Burt @neilburt.bsky.social · 05/10/2026A couple of days spent in Norfolk with 2 visits to Holme Dunes NWT. 2 Lapland Buntings, a really showy Snow Bunting, 1 Little Stint, Pinkfeet, 2 drake Eiders, 1 Barn Owl, 3 Greenshanks, Linnets, M Pipits, Reed Buntings, Bearded Tits, 3 Common Snipe & the usual Raptors. 150
Neil Burt @neilburt.bsky.social · 05/10/2026After Yorkshire, it was great to visit the Frampton Marsh RSPB reserve again. The Buff-breasted Sandpiper showed well in the telescope from the seawall + Merlin, juv Curlew Sandpiper, Pink-footed Geese, Wheatear & lots of wildfowl & waders on the Reedbed lagoon & Clouded Yellows along the paths. 050
Neil Burt @neilburt.bsky.social · 05/10/2026A fabulous week away, birding in Rutland, Yorkshire, Lincolnshire & Norfolk. A 1st ever visit to Rutland Water on the 25th Sep where we eventually spotted the Lesser Yellowlegs on Lagoon III from the Shoveler Hide. 2 Greenshanks, Green Sandpiper, 4 Bl T Godwits & 1 Dunlin. Marsh Harrier & Red Kite. 040
Reposted by Neil BurtRichard Watkins LRPS @losbirder.bsky.social · 03/10/2026Another Owl this evening @dungenessbirdobs.bsky.social this time a Long Eared Owl trapped in the trapping area by Jacob & Charlotte. I’d only just posted the previous picture, when Jacob put out news of the LEO. Big thanks again to everyone at the Obs. #Birds #Birding #Kentbirding #Ukbirding 1221
Reposted by Neil BurtRichard Watkins LRPS @losbirder.bsky.social · 03/10/2026Late this Evening at @dungenessbirdobs.bsky.social the Short Eared Owl trapped in the trapping area and ringed at the Observatory. Well done to Jacob & Charlotte. Also a Big thanks to Jacob for alerting the locals. #Birds #Birding #Kentbirding #Ukbirding 0222
Neil Burt @neilburt.bsky.social · 04/10/2026Fantastic effort !!! 👏👏👏 Tawny Owl & Little Owl to complete the autumn 5x Owl set ??? 020
Reposted by Neil BurtDungeness Bird Observatory @dungenessbirdobs.bsky.social · 03/10/2026A fantastic evening attempting to catch Owls in the recording area this evening with singles of Short-eared and Long-eared caught. The former being just the third ringed by the Observatory. #kentbirding 3292
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! 3733
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 1394
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 · 20/09/2026Lots of Meadow Pipits being ringed at DBO today. Swallows & Sand Martins still on the move. RSPB: Dengemarsh, Med Gull from Springfield Bridge, 1 Pintail, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Bl T Godwits & 2 Greenshanks. Singles of Wood Sandpiper, Bl T Godwit & Redshank at Firth Lookout. Red Kite over Boulderwall Farm. 171
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 715623
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 · 13/09/2026… #patchbirding … and then a Juvenile/Immature PEREGRINE FALCON appeared over the Hothfield Waterfall Lake & Flood Gap. The Corvids & Pigeons were taking a strong dislike to it. That is 100 species for the patch so far this year !!! ✅😁 … now where is that Mute Swan ??? 🤣🤣🤣 0120
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
