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Ploddingbirder @ploddingbirder.bsky.social · 12/10/2026

Dungeness: A juvenile Long-tailed Skua that flew across The Point and over the power station this morning. Full details of todays sea watch can be found on Trektellen.

Juvenile Long-tailed Skua over the power station

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Ploddingbirder @ploddingbirder.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

A cycle ride to the Midrips, East Sussex this afternoon, where a juvenile Merlin gave me a superb fly past, also there Grey Plovers, Knot, Green Sandpiper, Greenshank, Redshank, Dunlin, Turnstone, Oystercatchers, Pintail, Sandwich Terns etc. As usual I was the only person there.

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Ploddingbirder @ploddingbirder.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

Dungeness: With a strong WSW wind and some drizzle sea watching was the order of the day.The first autumn movement of Brent Geese c700 birds & 130 Wigeon. 7 Balearic Shearwaters, a few Arctic Skuas & c800 Gannets.

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Ploddingbirder @ploddingbirder.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Dungeness: A striking Common Buzzard that flew through The Desert this morning being harassed by Crows.

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Ploddingbirder @ploddingbirder.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

The 3rd Dialectica scalariella to turn up in my VC15 trap.

Dialectica scalariella micro moth resting on a slate.

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Ploddingbirder @ploddingbirder.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Dungeness. Juvenile Black Tern at the fishing boats this afternoon.

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Ploddingbirder @ploddingbirder.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Dungeness. Todays lovely Yellow-browed Warbler caught in the TA by the DBO ringing team. Many thanks to them for showing the bird.

Yellow-browed Warbler about to be released after receiving its ring.

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Ploddingbirder @ploddingbirder.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

My VC15 trap has been very thin fare just lately. Highlights this morning was Radford's Flame Shoulder and Feathered Thorn new for the year, along with Gem which have been scarce for me this year.

Radford's Flame Shoulder moth resting on a slate

A feathered Thorn moth resting a leaf by the trap.

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Ploddingbirder @ploddingbirder.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Dungeness: Not a bad day at the fishing boats today, 140 Balearic Shearwaters, 2 Sooty Shearwaters, Arctic Skuas, Little Gulls and more. Full details on Trektellen. I missed the Sunfish taking a long breakfast break.

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Ploddingbirder @ploddingbirder.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Dungeness: This Wood Mouse by the track to Hanson appeared to have deformed back legs, it was only able to shuffle along, falling on its side every couple of feet, it did seem to be feeding OK. Somehow I don't think it will be long before something has it for a snack.

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Ploddingbirder @ploddingbirder.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Dungeness: The local Little Owl was unusually confiding today.

A Little Owl perched on a corrugated roof.

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Ploddingbirder @ploddingbirder.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Dungeness: The elusive Yellow-browed Warbler found by Peter Eerdmans that spent the day in the Old Lighthouse Garden.

A Yellow-browed Warbler just about visible in the foliage

A Yellow-browed Warbler just about visible through the foliage

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Ploddingbirder @ploddingbirder.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

I eventually found the American Golden Plover at Jurys Gap, East Sussex this morning in the ploughed field with c350 Golden Plover. At The Midrips, East Sussex there were no waders on the pools despite it being high tide, a Dartford Warbler was feeding among the sea defence rocks there.

An American Golden Plover (centre) with Golden Plover in a ploughed field

A Dartford Warbler feeding among sea defence rocks.

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Ploddingbirder @ploddingbirder.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

I found this gorgeous Beautiful Marbled resting on the rim of my VC15 trap this morning. #Kentmoths @migrantmothuk.bsky.social @trapsite.bsky.social

Beautiful Marbled moth resting on a slate

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Ploddingbirder @ploddingbirder.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Dungeness. Glossy Ibis has been very scarce on the peninsula this year, so this one at Dengemarsh today found by @losbirder.bsky.social was welcome.

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Ploddingbirder @ploddingbirder.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Dungeness: 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.

A Pectoral Sandpiper feeding on a stony island in the lake flanked by a Gadwall (right) Tufted Duck and Mallard (left)

Little Owl perched on a corrugated roof of a farm building.

0372

Ploddingbirder @ploddingbirder.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

A rather distant American Golden Plover in a flock of c250 Euro Golden Plovers in the Ploughed Field immediately west of the old sand pit at Jury’s Gap, East Sussex late this morning. Image taken from the cycle track.

An American Golden Plover with Euro Golden Plovers in a ploughed field.

0311

Ploddingbirder @ploddingbirder.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

A White-speck one of my most wanted moths finally made it into my VC15 trap last night despite the poor conditions.

White-speck moth resting on a slate prior to release

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Ploddingbirder @ploddingbirder.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

A very big surprise on the wall next to my VC15 trap. Very little in the traps after cool clear night on the peninsula.

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Ploddingbirder @ploddingbirder.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

An Old Lady in the trap this morning was NFY, barely annual in my trap. Another Ni Moth this morning the 4th of the Autumn made it to the slate with a Silver Y for comparison.

NI Moth(left) SilverY(right) resting on a slate

An Old Lady Moth resting on an egg carton

0210

Ploddingbirder @ploddingbirder.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Dungeness: I was fortunate enough to be nearby when the Western Bonelli's Warbler was trapped. Many thanks to the ringing team for showing the bird.

Western Bonelli's Warbler just before release

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Ploddingbirder @ploddingbirder.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Just another day at a drizzly Dungeness. Western Bonelli's Warbler courtesy of Tom Rosas, another White-winged Black Tern, the juvenile Red-necked Phalarope being dive bombed by one other many Sand Martins over the lake, 1 of several Black Terns that passed the fishing boats this afternoon.

Western Bonelli's Warbler high in a Sallow

Juvenile White Winged Tern hawking over the lake in the drizzle

Juvenile Red-necked Phalarope swimming on the lake and ducking as a Sand Martin flies over.

Juvenile Black Tern migrating West past the fishing boats

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Ploddingbirder @ploddingbirder.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

The highlight in my VC15 trap this morning was this pristine Convolvulous Hawkmoth. #kentmoths

Convolvulous Hawkmoth resting on a slate

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Ploddingbirder @ploddingbirder.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

The 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.

American Golden Plover (left bird) with a Eurasian Golden Plover in a ploughed field

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Ploddingbirder @ploddingbirder.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Dungeness 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.

House Martins around the observatory aerial.

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Ploddingbirder @ploddingbirder.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Dungeness: 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.

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Ploddingbirder @ploddingbirder.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Dungeness: 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.

A highly cropped image of a Brown Booby viewed from the Dungeness fishing boats.

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Ploddingbirder @ploddingbirder.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Dungeness: Arctic Skua and a Little Tern at the fishing boats this afternoon. A full account of the days sea watch sightings are on Trektellen.

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Ploddingbirder @ploddingbirder.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

This Wheatear is now into its 3rd day in my handkerchief sized garden. It spends most of its time under the hedge and Nicotiana plants where I run a moth trap.

Wheatear perched on a timber slat under a hedge

Wheatear feeding only weedy lawn at my feet.

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Ploddingbirder @ploddingbirder.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

This worn Bloxworth Snout was the only quality in my VC15 trap this morning. Also another Clancy's Rustic which is fairly regular here.

A worn Bloxworth Snout resting on a slate

Clancy's Rustic Moth resting on an egg carton.

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Ploddingbirder @ploddingbirder.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

This lovely pink Vestal was the star in my VC15 trap this morning. With a cold NW wind and a clear night, a whole lot of luck will be required for a Passenger to be in the trap tomorrow. 🤞

A pink morph Vestal moth resting on an egg carton.

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Ploddingbirder @ploddingbirder.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

While sitting on the bench in my front garden having lunch a movement caught my eye disappearing under my car. Seconds later this wheatear appeared. I've seen a few in the field opposite, from the garden over the years, but never drinking and feeding in the garden until today.

Wheatear foraging for insects in the corner of a low wall

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Ploddingbirder @ploddingbirder.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Dungeness: 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.

Juvenile Little Gull hawking over the ARC Pit

Adult Black Tern hawking over the ARC Pit

0411

Ploddingbirder @ploddingbirder.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

No sign of yesterdays Red-necked Phalarope at the Jurys Gap sandpit early today, but compensation in the form of a Short-eared Owl over the pit and disappearing towards Camber. During a late morning walk on the east side of the Long Pits I found a juvenile Red-backed Shrike, still present at dusk.

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Ploddingbirder @ploddingbirder.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

While checking the old Jurys Gap sandpit, East Sussex early afternoon, I came across this gorgeous juvenile Red-necked Phalarope, which as is usual with this species was very confiding. Also Wood Sandpiper, 2 each of Ruff and Common Sandpiper and a juvenile Black Tern.

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Ploddingbirder @ploddingbirder.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Dungeness: A few bits from Firth today. 34 Knot with 2 Curlew Sandpipers, a Dunlin and Black Tern. A flyby Whimbrel. A juvenile White-winged Black Tern. A juvenile Black Tern.

A mixed flock of waders flying over a lake including 34 Knot, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, a Dunlin and a juvenile Black Tern

A juvenile White-winged Black Tern hawking for insects over a lake

A juvenile Black Tern hawking for insects over a lake

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Ploddingbirder @ploddingbirder.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Dungeness: A distant Storm Petrel passing the sea watch hide this morning. Second image for scale and distance with a Gannet top left, Stormy bottom right. 🫣 Balearic Shearwater from the fishing boats this afternoon.

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Ploddingbirder @ploddingbirder.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Dungeness: This rather smart juvenile Caspian Gull was present at the fishing boats all afternoon.

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Ploddingbirder @ploddingbirder.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Another visit to the Jurys Gap Sand Pit, East Sussex late morning was rather disappointing until this Osprey showed up distantly over the far end. As there is probably no fish in the pit it didn't linger and headed off towards Lydd.

0310

Ploddingbirder @ploddingbirder.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Nice one Richard. Slightly better condition than the Convolvulous Hawkmoth by trap this morning😬

A worn Convolvulous Hawkmoth resting on a slate.

050

Ploddingbirder @ploddingbirder.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Dungeness: Late this afternoon a Great White Egret caught a Jack Pike in front of Hanson hide, wasting no time swallowing the fish.

Great White Egret manoeuvring a Jack Pike into a swallowing position

Great White Egret about to swallow the Jack Pike

Great White Egret about to swallowing the Jack Pike

0230

Ploddingbirder @ploddingbirder.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Dungeness: Many Gulls at The fishing boats this afternoon, with constant stream of Sandwich and Common Terns moving East into Lade Bay with Arctic Skuas in attendance, also our first Sooty Shearwater of the year.

A Dutch ringed juvenile Caspian Gull bearing yellow ring marked K:V above the knee on its right leg.

A Suffolk ringed juvenile Lesser Black-backed Gull bearing a Red ring marked T.ATF

A Yellow ringed German Caspian Gull (Possibly a hybrid)

0363

Ploddingbirder @ploddingbirder.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

At The Midrips, East Sussex this AM, c,1500 Sandwich Terns went East along with huge numbers of Gulls and a few Ducks. Plenty of Wheatears, Meadow Pipits, Pied and Yellow Wagtails along the Green Wall, just 2 Dunlin and 8 Ringed Plover on the rapidly drying pools.

Sandwich Terns all flying East along the shore.

A juvenile Little Gull resting on the sea with a Black-headed Gull

Shovelers and Shelducks passing The Midrips off shore

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Ploddingbirder @ploddingbirder.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

Dungeness: This evening from Firth, White-winged Black Tern still present, Little Gull and a gorgeous Willow Warbler. Little Stints, Ruff, Greenshanks, Redshanks, Dunlin, LRPs and Ringed Plovers also present.

Juvenile White-winged Black Tern hawking over the lake

A Little Gull with 3 Black-headed Gulls and a Common Tern resting on an island.

A Willow Warbler perched atop of a Sallow.

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Ploddingbirder @ploddingbirder.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

Dungeness: An excellent late afternoon with a rather showy Wryneck in The Moat until flushed by a Fox, also a lovely Wood Warbler there. Nearby at Southview a Pied Flycatcher and a Redstart.

A Wryneck showing its full cryptic plumage foraging by a grassy path

A Wryneck showing its full cryptic plumage blending in beautifully in the longer dead grass.

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Ploddingbirder @ploddingbirder.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

At least 9 Ruff were still feeding and showing rather well around the edge of the old sand pit at Jurys Gap, East Sussex this morning.

A beautifully marked Ruff flying low over the lake.

A beautifully marked Ruff flying low over the lake. This one has spume trailing from its feet.

3 Ruff feeding along the edge of the lake.

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Ploddingbirder @ploddingbirder.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

A sample of some of the 40+ Willow Warblers along a chilly Green Wall at The Midrips, East Sussex this morning, along with 6 Wheatears, Meadow Pipits, Pied Wagtails and Hirundines all feeding on a mass hatching of flies, but only 2 Yellow Wagtails A Hobby was terrorising the Pipits and Sand Martins.

Willow Warbler perched on a Granite block on the sea wall

Willow Warbler about to grab another meal, while perched on a twisted stick on the sea wall

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Ploddingbirder @ploddingbirder.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

What I think is a Helice form of Clouded Yellow, at the old sand pit, Jurys Gap, East Sussex today.

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Ploddingbirder @ploddingbirder.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Dungeness: 4 Little Stints were new in at Firth today.

4 Little Stints roosting on shingle ridge with 3 Ringed Plovers

Little Stint resting on the mud by a pool

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