This month's online talk on Friday evening is a fascinating one about Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers. Full details at www.ebws.org.uk/talks/jan26 #essexbirding

Today a few of said goodbye to John Tilbrook (JT) RIP John. @kentishplover.bsky.social

I was lucky enough to bump into the Black-winged Kite just S of Horsey Mill at 1410 today before it drifted off towards Hickling. Very happy indeed. The male Hen Harrier had won the drive round the Broads before that. #UKBirding #norfolkbirding

Sadly I heard a few days ago that John Tilbrook died on 22nd Nov last year, a day after his 87th birthday . John had a stroke about seven years ago and was pretty much housebound from then on. Many of you will have fond memories of John or JT as we called in . He’s catchphrases will live on though

Another opportunity for insomniacs to catch up on some sleep - I'm giving a talk on "Birds in History, Myth and Folklore" on Friday 9th January at 7.30pm in Blean village hall.

Happy New Year 🥳 We hope 2026 is a good one! Remember, you can keep up with all the latest dragonfly news this year by signing up to our free monthly e-newsletter 📰 british-dragonflies.org.uk/get-involved...

The wider Dungeness recording area had 240 bird sp in 2025 Plenty of scarcities/rarities but declining number of migrant birds and breeding species No Sabines Gull, Snow Bunting or Glaucous Gull during the year Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler and Zitting Cisticola the new Dungeness birds #KentBirding

End of 2025, 1876 species of bird recorded in my 48th year of birding. Met friends old and new, a year of mostly good memories tinged with sadness though, a sad reality of getting older. Too many highlights so here’s four random photos . Happy new year to all for 2026

I explored Shorne and Higham marshes today, another enjoyable walk. I recorded 72 species with Merlin, Great Egret, Buzzard, Ringed Plover, Brent Goose, Marsh Harrier amongst others. Here’s to 2026

RSPB Dungeness from Dennis’s Hide on 6.12.25 & 17.12.25 - Caspian Gull R-OY, rung as Pullus on 13.05.22, At IJsselmeer (De Kreupel), Noord Holland. #birds #birding #gulls #kentbirding #ukbirding

North Kent, part 2 . The return walk to pick up the car . 44 species with Redpoll, Water Rail, Buzzard, Firecrests, Raven, Grey Wagtail, Shovelers, Great spotted Woody all topped off with the glorious sights, sounds and smells of the Garden of England 🧐🫣🥹

A bonus Dungeness year tick early afternoon thanks to a timely call from John Young, a Common Crane circling over Dengemarsh plainly visible from my house albeit a distantly. My 232 species this year in Dunge area. @dungenessowen.bsky.social will have the full year list. #UKBirding #Kentbirding

Just when you thought it was safe to come out of the Water.....

The guardians of the countryside have been busy again out on Walland Marsh, I have no idea why they have butchered the hedges, I can only think that some government incentive was offered, as we know the Guardians do nothing without a return.

One of two Siberian Chiffchaffs at Colyton WTW this afternoon. Impossible to count in any meaningful way, but wouldn't surprise me if there were 100+ Chiffs present here. Quite a captivating sight. 😎 #DevonBirds

Two of the endemic Parakeets of the Sub-Antarctic Islands of New Zealand, Antipodes and Reischek's Parakeet. Two superb birds in a very remote and spectacular setting.

Though they've only been with us for a few months, the GPO Passion ED has become one of our most popular binoculars. All specifications of this outstanding optic offer amazing performance and build for the price. Try them in our shops & order here: www.cleyspy.co.uk/product-cate... #BirdingGear

Young friend of mine has just found this in the Nethybridge area of Highland this morning. No further details as yet #ukbirding

Almost impossible to observe during the day, the secretive Jack Snipe comes out to feed at night in muddy wetlands. This one was recorded by a trail camera at 1am on Christmas Day at Pett Level @sussexornitholo.bsky.social #snipe #jacksnipe

Dropped car off for a service and on 3 mile walk back home saw 41 species including Kingfisher, Chiffchaff, Firecrest, Water Rail, Ring-necked Parakeet, Gadwall and Great crested Grebe 😃

41 species of bird at Swanscombe marshes this afternoon, Common Sands, Curlew, Rock Pipit, Sparrowhawk . Interesting to see the development of this SSSI with a new gravelled road that Broadness under the new owners ???🤨

9.6 million NEW Merlin users in 2025 is a phenomenonal statistic #Ornithology 🪶 #UKBirding ebird.org/news/2025-ye...

A good catch up with @dartfordtrapper.bsky.social today at New Hythe, Scaup, Firecrests, Goldcrest, Cetti’s then onto Northward Hill, Tundra Bean, Pink-footed and White-fronted Geese plus Peregrine and Great White Egrets. A pleasant afternoon on North Kent marshes full of memories at every turn….

A couple of hours on Boxing Day at a very fresh Dungeness… One 1st winter Caspian Gull, Merlin and Dartford Warbler on Point 2 Bewick Swans at Cockles Bridge 7 White-fronted Geese at Lydd and 3 White-fronted Geese over Scotney plus 2 Black-necked Grebes en route back to office #KentBirding

The main change over the week was an increase in winter geese with Tundra Bean Geese and White-fronted Geese seen in good numbers. Two Little Auk were seen while two Shore Lark remained in the county. For full details see kentos.org.uk. Merry Christmas! #kentbirding

Merry Xmas everyone 🤗

There’s another Chatham out there and it’s wonderful. Good to meet up with an old friend as well , Dave Boyle, guardian of the Taikos

Merry Xmas everyone

Antipodes island , NZ

Campbell island , NZ

Penguins of Macquarie island , Sub Antarctic

Light-mantled Albatross, Enderby Island, Aucklands NZ

Kea in New Zealand…. Real characters

Rifleman was a bird I’d always wanted to see in New Zealand, I wasn’t disappointed 😍

New Zealand birding , certainly wet on the We(s)t coast

Four highlights from recent days in New Zealand

🇳🇿 New Zealand- Day 7 - An excellent day from the Thames estuary to Lake Taupo catching up with some excellent birds the Blue ducks showed very well

Waders of New Zealand

Vella Lavella Monarch, one of Earth's last unphotographed birds, has finally been captured on camera:

Images of Melaleuca, Tasmania

Images of Australia

Seven days to go to the Big Kent Migration Watch! To celebrate bird migration KOS and partners are organising activities on 28 September at Dungeness, Samphire Hoe and Sandwich Bay. Please join us. For details: kentos.org.uk/index.php/ev...

Donations to the Alzheimer's Society in Liz's memory for my Birding Cadiz guide (via www.justgiving.com/fundraising/...) have now topped £5,500. Aiming for £6,000 by the end of the year. Thanks to all. PM me your email address for a copy or visit birdingcadizprovince.weebly.com. Please share!🪶 🪶

Top film. The smartest look at this subject I've ever seen. Also funny and sweary. youtu.be/zl-wAqplQAo?...

youtube.com/watch?v=zl-w.... Worth a watch! #BigYear

A few hours at Cliffe this afternoon, Curlew Sand, Little Stint, 17 Knot, Stone Curlew, Spotshank, 2 Greenshank and Peregrine #ukbirding #kentbirding

A brief Sardinian Warbler, several Dotterel, Stone-curlew, Osprey, Purple Heron and several other goodies made for another very good week of birding in Kent. See kentos.org.uk for all details. #kentbirding #birdguides

At first glance KBR 2023 looks good, nice quality paper from The Lavenham Press and secure packaging in post . Great job team 👌 @kentdipper.bsky.social #kentbirding kentos.org.uk superb cover as always thanks to message-wildlife-art.co.uk/index.htm

It has been a while since I saw my last UK Barred Warbler - Southwold 2019 - so it was great to get such good views of the 1cy at Kessingland this afternoon #ukbirding #suffolkbirding