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NotPhilCarter.bsky.social @notphilcarter.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Sitting watching House Martins and realising that it's only the second day this year that you've seen any is quite depressing.

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NotPhilCarter.bsky.social @notphilcarter.bsky.social · 19/04/2026

Thanks for the call about the Rouzel and Wheatear.

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NotPhilCarter.bsky.social @notphilcarter.bsky.social · 14/11/2025

Bit disappointed in Claudia. The forecast all day heavy rain turned out to be drizzle, light rain and occasionally, what I like to call, 'rain' (maybe 'heavy' rain has been reclassified?). My dream of a reborn patch lagoon has been downgraded to a vain hope of a puddle. #HytheLagoons

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NotPhilCarter.bsky.social @notphilcarter.bsky.social · 12/10/2025

An almost birdless slog around the patch was finally rewarded when a distant airplane turned out to be a White-tailed Eagle. Unfortunately stayed rather distant but never mind, a full fat patch tick. #HytheLagoons #EssexBirding

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NotPhilCarter.bsky.social @notphilcarter.bsky.social · 11/10/2025

As long as there's a Sibe Thrush, a Needletail and a yank or two, I'm guessing most birdspotterers don't really give a damn.

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NotPhilCarter.bsky.social @notphilcarter.bsky.social · 19/09/2025

The last 2 young Swallows finally fledged at work this morning. Bonne chance.

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NotPhilCarter.bsky.social @notphilcarter.bsky.social · 18/09/2025

Checking out every Cormorant paid off when one turned into a Glossy Ibis as it flew over work. #HytheLagoons

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NotPhilCarter.bsky.social @notphilcarter.bsky.social · 15/09/2025

Probably stringy anyway. Never got past the committee 😄

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NotPhilCarter.bsky.social @notphilcarter.bsky.social · 15/09/2025

10 years ago today on patch, I almost trod on a Corncrake. It's moments like that that have kept me going again and againand again. Sometimes I wish it'd never bloody happened. #HytheLagoons

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NotPhilCarter.bsky.social @notphilcarter.bsky.social · 12/09/2025

Convolvulus Hawkmoth, a 1st for the garden.

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NotPhilCarter.bsky.social @notphilcarter.bsky.social · 30/08/2025

Actually a few birds about. Best of which were Spotted Flycatcher (less than annual), 2 Whinchat (previously annual but less so recently), 2 Yellow Wagtails (seen annually but not usually by me 😄) and Coal Tit (again, less than annual). Amazing what a bit of rain can do #HytheLagoons #EssexBirding

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NotPhilCarter.bsky.social @notphilcarter.bsky.social · 28/08/2025

This evening's totals. 1 Robin 2 Lesser Whitethroat, heard only 2 Wren, heard only 1 Blue Tit, heard only And that's it. I wish I was joking, I really do. On the plus side, thankfully few seagulls. #HytheLagoons #EssexBirding

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NotPhilCarter.bsky.social @notphilcarter.bsky.social · 25/08/2025

In addition to this there were also zero Larks, zero Sparrows, zero Ducks, zero Geese but there were a few corvids and Woodpigeon plus 1 Stock Dove and 1 Moorhen.

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NotPhilCarter.bsky.social @notphilcarter.bsky.social · 25/08/2025

Totals AM Finches 1 Gold Buntings 0 Chats 2 Robin Thrushes 0 Tits 5 Blue Warblers 2 Whitethroat 3 Lesser 1 Chiffchaff Waders 6 Redshank 1 Curlew 2 Lapwing Raptors 1 Buzzard 1 Kestrel Starlings 0 Pipits 0 Wagtails 0 Hirundines 1 Swallow Seagulls A few unfortunately #HytheLagoons #essexbirding

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NotPhilCarter.bsky.social @notphilcarter.bsky.social · 17/08/2025

I've spent the afternoon pottering about in the garden with frequent glances skyward....I've seen 2 seagulls.

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NotPhilCarter.bsky.social @notphilcarter.bsky.social · 10/08/2025

Spent a bit of time listening to Sham 69 this evening.... which was nice.

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NotPhilCarter.bsky.social @notphilcarter.bsky.social · 10/08/2025

Had that first "What the feck is that...oh, a Reed Warbler up a tree" moment of the autumn this morning. Plenty of other warblers too with Whitethroats and Lessers everywhere, a scattering of Reeds, Chiffchaffs and a single Willow Warbler. #HytheLagoons #essexbirding

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NotPhilCarter.bsky.social @notphilcarter.bsky.social · 03/08/2025

After the amount of adults that were around earlier in the year I'm a little disappointed to find only the one Elephant caterpillar in the garden.

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NotPhilCarter.bsky.social @notphilcarter.bsky.social · 03/08/2025

Visited the patch this morning and didn't return depressed. Result! #HytheLagoons #essexbirding

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NotPhilCarter.bsky.social @notphilcarter.bsky.social · 06/07/2025

More than a dozen butterflies of 5 species on the buddleia. Ok, so it may not quite be a return to the 70s but it is not far the total for the whole of last year.

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NotPhilCarter.bsky.social @notphilcarter.bsky.social · 01/07/2025

I'm going to move up there, sounds idyllic.

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NotPhilCarter.bsky.social @notphilcarter.bsky.social · 16/06/2025

That'd count as a big day at The Hythe.😂

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NotPhilCarter.bsky.social @notphilcarter.bsky.social · 16/06/2025

Oh god, it really is shit up there isn't it.😉

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NotPhilCarter.bsky.social @notphilcarter.bsky.social · 14/06/2025

TBF, I've just year-ticked WTE just from reading this thread.

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NotPhilCarter.bsky.social @notphilcarter.bsky.social · 13/06/2025

New out today. All Asimov and No Fresh Air.

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NotPhilCarter.bsky.social @notphilcarter.bsky.social · 13/06/2025

Horror Clowns are Dickheads has just made me spit my beer. A good start. #halfmanhalfbiscuit

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NotPhilCarter.bsky.social @notphilcarter.bsky.social · 13/06/2025

I made the mistake of revisiting after a similar gap... didn't take long to remember the reason for said gap.

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NotPhilCarter.bsky.social @notphilcarter.bsky.social · 12/06/2025

They're basically Victorian egg-collectors.

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NotPhilCarter.bsky.social @notphilcarter.bsky.social · 09/06/2025

Stand down everyone, I finally saw a House Martin today. What.A.Bird!✅

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NotPhilCarter.bsky.social @notphilcarter.bsky.social · 09/06/2025

No matter how much I expect it, the first sight of the lagoon completely devoid of water really gets me down. I'm sure birding used to make me happy. Seems a long time ago. #HytheLagoons

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NotPhilCarter.bsky.social @notphilcarter.bsky.social · 09/06/2025

It's thoroughly depressing and I can't see it getting any better.

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NotPhilCarter.bsky.social @notphilcarter.bsky.social · 08/06/2025

Same here. I do keep a patch year list and by 'keep' I mean I have a vague idea until I count it up in December.

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NotPhilCarter.bsky.social @notphilcarter.bsky.social · 08/06/2025

That's the trouble, climate change is the Biggie, the one that's going to take time (and a lot of will) to, if not rectify, then at least slow, whereas pesticides and the like could be stopped immediately if only people gave a fuck, which they obviously don't. I'm glad I don't have grandchildren.

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NotPhilCarter.bsky.social @notphilcarter.bsky.social · 08/06/2025

I have managed to see 3 Sand Martins this year. Not been to any of the local colonies so not sure how well they're doing but the fact that I've only seen 3 away from them doesn't bode well.

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NotPhilCarter.bsky.social @notphilcarter.bsky.social · 08/06/2025

I suppose it's possible that most birders actually birdwatch in places where there are still birds ie. in this area, Abberton Reservoir, so are somewhat shielded from the grim wider picture.

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NotPhilCarter.bsky.social @notphilcarter.bsky.social · 08/06/2025

When I tell non-birders that I haven't seen a House Martin this year they seem to grasp just how drastically the population must have dwindled. A lot of birders on the other hand, immediately tell me where I can see some, as if me ticking them off in my I-Spy book of birds is the important issue.

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NotPhilCarter.bsky.social @notphilcarter.bsky.social · 02/06/2025

Shit, just realised it's 41 years since I saw my only one! Now I feel even older than I did before.

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