Neil Burt
@neilburt.bsky.social
Dungeness RSPB & BO this morning. At least 4 Goldeneyes from the ARC Hanson Hide (1 drake), 2 Kingfishers & 3 GW Egrets. A female Peregrine had a wash there too. A Merlin, 7 C Scoter & at least 10 Kittiwakes from the Fishing Boats (09:30 to 10:20) as well as 2 1stW Caspian Gulls.
November 29, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Dungeness RSPB & BO this morning. At least 4 Goldeneyes from the ARC Hanson Hide (1 drake), 2 Kingfishers & 3 GW Egrets. A female Peregrine had a wash there too. A Merlin, 7 C Scoter & at least 10 Kittiwakes from the Fishing Boats (09:30 to 10:20) as well as 2 1stW Caspian Gulls.
#PatchBirding walks this week… relatively quiet but a few winter thrushes & finches starting to appear. Little Grebe at Singleton Lake, 9 Greylag Geese N over the Hothfield Waterfall Lake, a couple each of Kingfisher & Grey Wagtail, 6 Teals and 3 Stonechats at the Flood Gap.
November 28, 2025 at 9:17 PM
#PatchBirding walks this week… relatively quiet but a few winter thrushes & finches starting to appear. Little Grebe at Singleton Lake, 9 Greylag Geese N over the Hothfield Waterfall Lake, a couple each of Kingfisher & Grey Wagtail, 6 Teals and 3 Stonechats at the Flood Gap.
The flocks of Pink-footed Geese in North Norfolk are always impressive. I never get tired of scenes like this. At dawn on our last morning (23rd November) thousands moved from their roost out in The Wash, over our holiday home & out to the farmland to feed in the Beet fields. SPECTACULAR !!!
November 27, 2025 at 8:25 PM
The flocks of Pink-footed Geese in North Norfolk are always impressive. I never get tired of scenes like this. At dawn on our last morning (23rd November) thousands moved from their roost out in The Wash, over our holiday home & out to the farmland to feed in the Beet fields. SPECTACULAR !!!
After work walk to Hothfield Waterfall Lake today was noteworthy though as a Cetti’s Warbler called & sung briefly. A new species for the site (wonder if it is the Singleton Lake 2-day bird that has gone AWOL), next stop for it, Eastwell ??? Also a pair of Gadwall & at least 4 Teal. #patchbirding
November 13, 2025 at 9:24 PM
After work walk to Hothfield Waterfall Lake today was noteworthy though as a Cetti’s Warbler called & sung briefly. A new species for the site (wonder if it is the Singleton Lake 2-day bird that has gone AWOL), next stop for it, Eastwell ??? Also a pair of Gadwall & at least 4 Teal. #patchbirding
The #patchbirding walks on Monday & Wednesday were fairly quiet, although it’s always nice to get views of Kingfisher & Grey Wagtail. The garden feeders have been attracting good numbers of Blue, Great & LT Tits plus 2 Goldfinches & a Sparrowhawk visit. A Common Gull was noteworthy today.
November 13, 2025 at 9:18 PM
The #patchbirding walks on Monday & Wednesday were fairly quiet, although it’s always nice to get views of Kingfisher & Grey Wagtail. The garden feeders have been attracting good numbers of Blue, Great & LT Tits plus 2 Goldfinches & a Sparrowhawk visit. A Common Gull was noteworthy today.
Back to @DungenessBO & @RSPBDungeness today: highlights were another Pallas’s Warbler (Moat) with Goldcrests, Firecrest (Pilot Path), 2 Water Pipits (Cooks Pool), female Goldeneye on Burrowes Pit and a Black Redstart at Dengemarsh Gulley. Peregrine & Sparrowhawks also noteworthy.
November 9, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Back to @DungenessBO & @RSPBDungeness today: highlights were another Pallas’s Warbler (Moat) with Goldcrests, Firecrest (Pilot Path), 2 Water Pipits (Cooks Pool), female Goldeneye on Burrowes Pit and a Black Redstart at Dengemarsh Gulley. Peregrine & Sparrowhawks also noteworthy.
Moved on to Westbrook and the Sunken Garden where the Dusky Warbler showed and called well in both the garden and at the bottom of the cliff by the beach huts. Goldcrest & Stonechats also noted.
November 8, 2025 at 8:16 PM
Moved on to Westbrook and the Sunken Garden where the Dusky Warbler showed and called well in both the garden and at the bottom of the cliff by the beach huts. Goldcrest & Stonechats also noted.
Started the day on Thanet at Botany & Kingsgate Bays where the Pallid Swift showed well… and then there were suddenly two birds present. Thanks to Paul Holt. Also Black Redstart, Stonechats, RN Parakeets, a Short-eared Owl in off at height then S, Sparrowhawk & Cetti’s Warbler.
November 8, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Started the day on Thanet at Botany & Kingsgate Bays where the Pallid Swift showed well… and then there were suddenly two birds present. Thanks to Paul Holt. Also Black Redstart, Stonechats, RN Parakeets, a Short-eared Owl in off at height then S, Sparrowhawk & Cetti’s Warbler.
Other sightings at South Swale NNR this afternoon: a Black Brant and male Eider with the large noisy flock of Dark-bellied Brent Geese, Teal & Wigeon, 6 RB Mergansers, Bearded Tits, Dunlins, Turnstones & Grey Plover, Shelduck & GC Grebes. Earlier 2 Common Scoters at Minnis Bay.
November 8, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Other sightings at South Swale NNR this afternoon: a Black Brant and male Eider with the large noisy flock of Dark-bellied Brent Geese, Teal & Wigeon, 6 RB Mergansers, Bearded Tits, Dunlins, Turnstones & Grey Plover, Shelduck & GC Grebes. Earlier 2 Common Scoters at Minnis Bay.
A day that will live long in the memory… elation when this little beauty popped up in front of me… a 1stW male Desert Wheatear !! At South Swale NNR on the seawall between the Sportsman Pub and Castle Coote (Seasalter). @rarebirdalertuk.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social @kentishplover.bsky.social
November 8, 2025 at 4:46 PM
A day that will live long in the memory… elation when this little beauty popped up in front of me… a 1stW male Desert Wheatear !! At South Swale NNR on the seawall between the Sportsman Pub and Castle Coote (Seasalter). @rarebirdalertuk.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social @kentishplover.bsky.social
The first #patchbirding walk of Nov-25. A new ‘from the garden ✅’ as I left the house… a Green Sandpiper flew north over Godinton Park. On route to the Hothfield Waterfall Lake, Mipits mobbing a Sparrowhawk, the flock of Goldfinches & Siskins, Redwings, Mistle Thrush & vocal Green Woodpeckers.
November 5, 2025 at 8:28 PM
The first #patchbirding walk of Nov-25. A new ‘from the garden ✅’ as I left the house… a Green Sandpiper flew north over Godinton Park. On route to the Hothfield Waterfall Lake, Mipits mobbing a Sparrowhawk, the flock of Goldfinches & Siskins, Redwings, Mistle Thrush & vocal Green Woodpeckers.
3 Shovelers, 2 L Egrets & 3 Egyptian Geese at Eastwell Lake. 12+ Shovelers, 9+ Teal, 2 Common Snipe, 2 Reed Buntings, 2 Cetti’s Warblers & 1 Sparrowhawk at the Conningbrook Wetland. 2 L Egrets, 13 Tufted Ducks & 5 Pochards on the main lake.
November 2, 2025 at 5:29 PM
3 Shovelers, 2 L Egrets & 3 Egyptian Geese at Eastwell Lake. 12+ Shovelers, 9+ Teal, 2 Common Snipe, 2 Reed Buntings, 2 Cetti’s Warblers & 1 Sparrowhawk at the Conningbrook Wetland. 2 L Egrets, 13 Tufted Ducks & 5 Pochards on the main lake.
Another excellent day at Dungeness (BO & RSPB) with views of Owen’s Pallas’s Warbler at Dengemarsh/Springfield Bridge, superb close views of the Slavonian Grebe at the Makepeace/Coward Hide, 3 Kingfishers on the reserve & 2 Velvet Scoters & a movement of Little Gulls offshore. 3 Swallows & Firecrest
November 1, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Another excellent day at Dungeness (BO & RSPB) with views of Owen’s Pallas’s Warbler at Dengemarsh/Springfield Bridge, superb close views of the Slavonian Grebe at the Makepeace/Coward Hide, 3 Kingfishers on the reserve & 2 Velvet Scoters & a movement of Little Gulls offshore. 3 Swallows & Firecrest
#PatchBirding after work: a very brisk walk to the Hothfield Flood Storage Reservoir to beat the light… plenty of Redwings around plus Siskins & Goldfinches. A few Greylags & Canada Geese heading in the direction of Eastwell to roost. 2 Egyptian Geese around & the GC Grebe.
October 30, 2025 at 9:42 PM
#PatchBirding after work: a very brisk walk to the Hothfield Flood Storage Reservoir to beat the light… plenty of Redwings around plus Siskins & Goldfinches. A few Greylags & Canada Geese heading in the direction of Eastwell to roost. 2 Egyptian Geese around & the GC Grebe.
#Patchbirding after work and with the clocks now back, light levels are always challenging. A quiet stroll around Singleton Lake & rural Godinton… a couple of Chiffchaffs, Grey Wagtail, Linnet, Goldcrests, Kestrel, C Buzzard, Jay & the usual suspects.
October 28, 2025 at 5:17 PM
#Patchbirding after work and with the clocks now back, light levels are always challenging. A quiet stroll around Singleton Lake & rural Godinton… a couple of Chiffchaffs, Grey Wagtail, Linnet, Goldcrests, Kestrel, C Buzzard, Jay & the usual suspects.
Back in Kent after a fab week birding in Norfolk. #Patchbirding this afternoon… 1 Little Egret, Green Sandpiper, Common Snipe, Siskins & Goldfinches, 2 Kingfishers, L & GC Grebes, 2 Egyptians, Kestrel & Buzzard, c30 Redwings, 3 Grey Wagtails, Reed Bunting, male Stonechat, Mipits, G & GS Woodpeckers.
October 26, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Back in Kent after a fab week birding in Norfolk. #Patchbirding this afternoon… 1 Little Egret, Green Sandpiper, Common Snipe, Siskins & Goldfinches, 2 Kingfishers, L & GC Grebes, 2 Egyptians, Kestrel & Buzzard, c30 Redwings, 3 Grey Wagtails, Reed Bunting, male Stonechat, Mipits, G & GS Woodpeckers.
#Patchgold on today’s afterwork #PatchBirding walk. a migrant DARTFORD WARBLER with at least 3 Stonechats (1 male, 2 females) at the Hothfield Flood Storage Reservoir. Patch Tick !!!! ✅✔️ ☑️ That is species # 105 for #PWC2025. Also 5 very distant Hirundines (Swallows/H Martins). #Kentbirding
October 16, 2025 at 6:40 PM
#Patchgold on today’s afterwork #PatchBirding walk. a migrant DARTFORD WARBLER with at least 3 Stonechats (1 male, 2 females) at the Hothfield Flood Storage Reservoir. Patch Tick !!!! ✅✔️ ☑️ That is species # 105 for #PWC2025. Also 5 very distant Hirundines (Swallows/H Martins). #Kentbirding
At the Hothfield Flood Storage Reservoir a nice surprise in the form of a female/1st winter Black Redstart (my 2nd here this year) on the fence line with 8 Meadow Pipits. Also another Teal, 1 Snipe, Kingfisher, 5 Skylarks, Yellowhammer & Reed Bunting, 2 Stonechats & Sparrowhawk.
October 15, 2025 at 6:57 PM
At the Hothfield Flood Storage Reservoir a nice surprise in the form of a female/1st winter Black Redstart (my 2nd here this year) on the fence line with 8 Meadow Pipits. Also another Teal, 1 Snipe, Kingfisher, 5 Skylarks, Yellowhammer & Reed Bunting, 2 Stonechats & Sparrowhawk.
Back out #PatchBirding after work and another successful walk, finding 2 WIGEON ✅ with 12 Teal on the Hothfield Waterfall Lake plus 2 Little Grebes, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Chiffchaffs, 3 C Buzzards and a flock of c50 Siskins feeding in Alders nearby. That is species 104 for #PWC2025 👍
October 15, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Back out #PatchBirding after work and another successful walk, finding 2 WIGEON ✅ with 12 Teal on the Hothfield Waterfall Lake plus 2 Little Grebes, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Chiffchaffs, 3 C Buzzards and a flock of c50 Siskins feeding in Alders nearby. That is species 104 for #PWC2025 👍
Another murky #patchbirding walk after work. 19 Greylag Geese flew north over rural Godinton Park, female Tufted Duck with Mallards 🦆 on Singleton Lake, 3 Jays, Grey Wagtail, Siskin, increase in Song Thrush numbers, a couple of Chiffs, Meadow Pipits overhead & GS Woodpecker.
October 14, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Another murky #patchbirding walk after work. 19 Greylag Geese flew north over rural Godinton Park, female Tufted Duck with Mallards 🦆 on Singleton Lake, 3 Jays, Grey Wagtail, Siskin, increase in Song Thrush numbers, a couple of Chiffs, Meadow Pipits overhead & GS Woodpecker.
A murky & damp #PatchBirding walk after work. 3 Siskins across rural Godinton Park & 2 Ravens. 6 Teal & 1 Grey Wagtail at the Hothfield Waterfall Lake plus 19 Redwings flying W. The usual Stonechats, GC Grebe, Egyptian Geese plus 10 Meadow Pipits at the flood storage reservoir.
October 13, 2025 at 6:57 PM
A murky & damp #PatchBirding walk after work. 3 Siskins across rural Godinton Park & 2 Ravens. 6 Teal & 1 Grey Wagtail at the Hothfield Waterfall Lake plus 19 Redwings flying W. The usual Stonechats, GC Grebe, Egyptian Geese plus 10 Meadow Pipits at the flood storage reservoir.
Dungeness area again today: 2 Little Stints on Burrowes Pit, Hobby at Cooks Pool, 4 Peregrines in the area, 2 Ravens, Brent Geese migrating SW across the point, BN Grebe, 3 Green Sandpipers & 4 Ruff at Scotney GPs, Goldcrests & Chiffchaffs aplenty. @RSPBDungeness @DungenessBO
October 12, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Dungeness area again today: 2 Little Stints on Burrowes Pit, Hobby at Cooks Pool, 4 Peregrines in the area, 2 Ravens, Brent Geese migrating SW across the point, BN Grebe, 3 Green Sandpipers & 4 Ruff at Scotney GPs, Goldcrests & Chiffchaffs aplenty. @RSPBDungeness @DungenessBO
Dungeness RSPB: Little Stint from the Dennis’s Hide Picnic Tables with Lapwings & Golden Plovers on Burrowes Pit. Greenshank calling flying south (unseen). Another Little Stint at the Sussex end of the main Scotney Pit on western island & 1 Black-necked Grebe. @RareBirdAlertUK @BirdGuides
October 11, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Dungeness RSPB: Little Stint from the Dennis’s Hide Picnic Tables with Lapwings & Golden Plovers on Burrowes Pit. Greenshank calling flying south (unseen). Another Little Stint at the Sussex end of the main Scotney Pit on western island & 1 Black-necked Grebe. @RareBirdAlertUK @BirdGuides