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Geoff Burton @swalebirder.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Thanks to Rick Smith for a quick phone call led to my first Spoonbill of the year at Swalecliffe

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Geoff Burton @swalebirder.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Water Vole in the grass outside the churchyard at Swalecliffe. Well away from water and approachable. Possibly unwell

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Geoff Burton @swalebirder.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

Spent much of July complaining about the heat and worrying about the east flood drying out. However, with the return of the Bonaparte’s for its 14th year, 2 brief Savi’s Warblers, American Golden Plover, Long-tailedSkua, White-rumped Sandpiper, Quail, and the ever-present Turtle Doves, still worried

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Geoff Burton @swalebirder.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

Last year we had a White-rumped Sandpiper at Oare Marshes just before the east flood dried out completely. This year it’s a pristine American Golden Plover.

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Geoff Burton @swalebirder.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

Avocet and 2 Spotted Flycatchers at Swalecliffe this morning, the Flycatchers obviously the highlight. On 17 May 1972, I saw 2 Avocets at Bough Beech, the first there. 2 were seen at Stoke Lagoon on the same day. Fair to assume the same birds, whilst 2 Flycatchers would not have merited a mention.

day.to

introvert.com

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Geoff Burton @swalebirder.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

Today is the 44th anniversary of seeing my first Broad-billed Sandpiper, at Cliffe. It was also the day my son was born and it was much warmer than today.

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Geoff Burton @swalebirder.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

As a very occasional moth trapper, I was pleased to add puss moth and lunar thorn to my list. #teammoth

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Geoff Burton @swalebirder.bsky.social · 26/04/2026

At Seasalter Not a very good photo. It was quite distant. Clearly some Eurasian Teal but what else? #BirdHybrids

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Geoff Burton @swalebirder.bsky.social · 04/01/2026

A clearer photo of the New Year’s Day gull. The first addition to my Swalecliffe site list since Caspian Tern in May 2022 and another 660 visits!

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Geoff Burton @swalebirder.bsky.social · 01/01/2026

What a way to start the year on my local patch. Landed on the beach for a few minutes then flew off west.

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Reposted by Geoff Burton

petermaton.bsky.social @petermaton.bsky.social · 16/12/2025

Purple Sandpiper at Swalecliffe this morning plus 2 Great White Egrets flew over. #kentbirding

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Geoff Burton @swalebirder.bsky.social · 01/12/2025

Now winter is officially here, I can reflect on 3 species that have provided my latest ever records. A Hobby at Oare Marshes on October 21st, Turtle Dove at Swalecliffe on November 8th and Arctic Tern at Swalecliffe on November 17th. Something’s happening?

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Geoff Burton @swalebirder.bsky.social · 21/10/2025

At last a little water on the east flood at Oare Marshes and waders, albeit just 5 Lapwings. Also excellent views of a Hobby. Quite possibly the latest I’ve seen.

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Geoff Burton @swalebirder.bsky.social · 15/10/2025

The changing of the guard. Juvenile Hobby at Samphire Hoe, Snow Bunting at Swalecliffe #kentbirding

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Geoff Burton @swalebirder.bsky.social · 31/08/2025

It was a lifer for me but I still needed to add Stonechat and Black Redstart, amongst others, to that list. The bird was present for 16 days! I don’t know the name of the finder, but it might be a P Thompson? Anyone know?

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Geoff Burton @swalebirder.bsky.social · 31/08/2025

60 years ago yesterday, whilst sitting on the shingle beach at Cley in Norfolk talking to John Crudass, a breathless man ran towards us pleased to have found someone to tell he had seen a Black-eared Wheatear down the coast at Salthouse.

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Geoff Burton @swalebirder.bsky.social · 28/08/2025

I saw my first Cattle Egret at Swalecliffe in April 2019, 5 records of 1 or 2 since but today a flock of 16 were huddled together on the beach. Reminded me of penguins in Antarctica, but then they flew off.

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Geoff Burton @swalebirder.bsky.social · 28/08/2025

35 years ago yesterday, @birdingbazzer.bsky.social and I saw a juvenile Golden Oriole in an area of scrub at Swalecliffe, now part of the sewage works. My only juvenile in the county. An early visit to the site, now my local patch, over 6,500 visits later.

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Geoff Burton @swalebirder.bsky.social · 26/07/2025

Lots of reports of Jersey Tigers locally. I went undercover to get this pic.

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Geoff Burton @swalebirder.bsky.social · 25/07/2025

A few minutes at lunchtime on a day in late July, not ideal for finding a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, but I was soon enjoying brief but good views of a male in the local woods. Not calling but just caught the movement high in the trees👍

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Geoff Burton @swalebirder.bsky.social · 04/07/2025

An interesting couple of days down in Kent. The Bonaparte’s Gull returns for its 13th year at Oare Marshes, the 6th Zitting Fan-tailed Warbler graces Thanet and then the 2nd only Caspian Tern for Oare Marshes is up the creek after a wait of 26 years #kentbirding

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Geoff Burton @swalebirder.bsky.social · 12/06/2025

Not much in my moth trap this morning but this seemed to be ruling the roost

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Geoff Burton @swalebirder.bsky.social · 22/03/2025

That’s the thing about patch watching, or one of them, you spend all morning expecting migrants, hearing of Wheatears, Black Redstarts and Ring Ousels elsewhere. But then, like a piper at the gates of dawn, the call of the Bullfinch and my first sight of one at Swalecliffe for over 4 years

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Geoff Burton @swalebirder.bsky.social · 19/03/2025

References recently to a Purple Sandpiper “inland” at Scotney reminded me of this bird present at Bough Beech on 1st-3rd November 1985. Nearly 40 years ago and the only record there. Photo by the legendary Royston K Cole’s #kentbirding

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Geoff Burton @swalebirder.bsky.social · 28/02/2025

Good few days for laridae at Swalecliffe with an early Sandwich Tern, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls and today an Iceland Gull #kentbirding

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Geoff Burton @swalebirder.bsky.social · 24/02/2025

Visit to Godmersham this afternoon. Hawfinch in tall trees by the church. Little Grebe on river below church and Tufted Duck on flood beyond. Also Red Kite

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Geoff Burton @swalebirder.bsky.social · 07/02/2025

Trawling through social media etc, I noted a total of 176 bird species recorded in Kent in January. No idea whether that’s good or bad. Perhaps fairly average? #kentbirding

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Geoff Burton @swalebirder.bsky.social · 04/01/2025

After 3 days I have seen Little Egrets, 4 Cattle Egrets, a Great White Egret and 3 Spoonbills but no Grey Heron. Today, 3 Snow Buntings, and a Grey Heron, at Swalecliffe and a Firecrest in the garden #kentbirding

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Geoff Burton @swalebirder.bsky.social · 28/12/2024

The tenth British record of Yellow Warbler. Seven on Scottish islands but not Fair Isle, the first on Bardsey in 1964, two in England but not Scillies. Fourth American warbler in Kent. Well done Glenn

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Geoff Burton @swalebirder.bsky.social · 16/12/2024

Dartford Warbler again at Swalecliffe for its 48th day. In my 24 visits during this time, I’ve seen it 10 times. A strike rate of 42%. Snow Bunting present for the same period, seen 12 times. Strike rate of 50% #kentbirding

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Geoff Burton @swalebirder.bsky.social · 03/12/2024

Just seen a Firecrest in the garden. My second this year but no Goldcrests?

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Geoff Burton @swalebirder.bsky.social · 30/11/2024

As it came closer it turned to reveal its shape. A Moorhen! It pitched down on the beach behind a groyne. Never seen one over the sea before.

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Geoff Burton @swalebirder.bsky.social · 30/11/2024

Scanning over the sea I picked out an apparently all dark bird in the middle distance. Heading straight towards us, my first thought was of scoter but the flight seemed too weak. No plumage details or actual shape could discerned as it continued to head straight towards.

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Geoff Burton @swalebirder.bsky.social · 28/11/2024

A rare visit to Stodmarsh this afternoon. Drake Scaup on Collard’s Lake, 2 Hen Harriers, Barn Owl, 9 Pink-footed Geese at Grove Ferry.

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Geoff Burton @swalebirder.bsky.social · 02/11/2024

Nice start to the month at Swalecliffe yesterday with Snow Bunting, Dartford Warbler, Purple Sandpiper, Kingfisher et al #kentbirding

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Geoff Burton @swalebirder.bsky.social · 01/11/2024

This white-tailed scrub robin has been present at Swalecliffe for some weeks

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Geoff Burton @swalebirder.bsky.social · 24/10/2024

Curlew on the beach at Swalecliffe. Yellow flag with 64 on it and red ring on left leg, yellow ring on right. Anyone know who put them on?

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Geoff Burton @swalebirder.bsky.social · 16/10/2024

A warm morning, a temperature of 21.5 C at 11 am. A Black-necked Grebe on the flat calm sea was the highlight. Also a summer plumage Red-throated Diver close inshore, 120 Brents on the beach without a single juvenile, the resident Purple Sandpiper, a few Sandwich Terns and a Redwing in off the sea.

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Geoff Burton @swalebirder.bsky.social · 08/10/2024

Oare Marshes this morning was fairly quiet. Small numbers of Swallows and House Martins on the move. 6 Spoonbills, Great White Egret, juvenile Hobby, juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, Greenshank, 3 Green Sandpipers, Grey Wagtail, Whinchat, Mistle Thrush, Bearded Tits.

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Geoff Burton @swalebirder.bsky.social · 21/09/2024

A Great White Egret at Moor Green Lakes this morning

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Geoff Burton @swalebirder.bsky.social · 03/09/2024

Spoonbills mutual grooming at Oare Marshes this morning

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Geoff Burton @swalebirder.bsky.social · 02/09/2024

Aren’t Great Black-backed Gulls enormous?

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