Ben Collins-Smith

Kent birder

[Ben Collins-Smith @BenCollinsSmith]

@NarwhalSh Hi Shaun, I would be grateful if you could send eBird trip reports & any other relevant info, thanks

[Ben Collins-Smith @BenCollinsSmith]

He’s back in the country so compulsory birding at Oare with @ajcollinssmith_ this morning. 61 species inc. Bittern, Barn Owl & Bearded Tits. Later we refound the Pallas’s Warbler in Faversham @KentishPlover

[Ben Collins-Smith @BenCollinsSmith]

Some bits from the last few days in the highlands of Costa Rica - Resplendent Quetzal, Talamanca Humminbird & Volcano Hummingbird 🇨🇷

[Ben Collins-Smith @BenCollinsSmith]

@acorncarver Some steps on here that may be useful
https://t.co/uXFZpWZf9c

[Ben Collins-Smith @BenCollinsSmith]

A few birds from the last few days of my Northern Peru tour; White-winged Guan, Lesser Nighthawk & Tumbes Chat-Tyrant

[Ben Collins-Smith @BenCollinsSmith]

We’re lucky to have a colpa (clay lick) at @hojanueva which allows us to see some of the parrots at close range. Red-and-green Macaws are by far the most common with 30+ pairs. Scarlet, Blue-and-yellow, Chestnut-fronted and Red-bellied have been limited to a few pairs each

[Ben Collins-Smith @BenCollinsSmith]

Halfway through my stay with @hojanueva, volunteering with their research, rehab and rewilding efforts. Some of the mammals on show daily below; Bolivian Red Howler Monkey, Saddle-back Tamarin & Brown-throated Sloth

[Ben Collins-Smith @BenCollinsSmith]

🇵🇪 Peru day 1 - explored the parks and bars of Lima, stumbled into a few birds too - photos of Belcher’s Gull, Blue-grey Tanager, Long-tailed Mockingbird & Saffron Finch

[Ben Collins-Smith @BenCollinsSmith]

Spotted Crake showed well for 40 minutes at New Downs, Sandwich this morning, albeit in poor light. Was lucky to connect with the 3 Dotterel at St Margaret’s on the way home before the flew south over the road.

[Ben Collins-Smith @BenCollinsSmith]

Snuck off from the family holiday for half a day of birding in Albania with @ajcollinssmith_. Connected with our two targets of Sombre Tit (2) and Western Rock Nuthatch (5+) near Gjirokastër. Supporting cast of 20+ Golden Oriole, Lesser Grey Shrike, Blue Rock Thrush

[Ben Collins-Smith @BenCollinsSmith]

@01000011S @DungenessBO Didn’t expect it to actually happen 🤣 thankfully not something I still need

[Ben Collins-Smith @BenCollinsSmith]

The last 3 times I’ve been out of the country @DungenessBO has had Eastern & Western Bonelli’s Warblers and Iberian Chiff. I’m off to Albania tomorrow so if anyone fancies finding a rare warbler, you know where to go…

[Ben Collins-Smith @BenCollinsSmith]

@appleton_andy @DungenessBO Hopefully it sticks a bit longer too 😂

[Ben Collins-Smith @BenCollinsSmith]

@NoContxtBirders

[Ben Collins-Smith @BenCollinsSmith]

The Pectoral Sandpiper was still in the SE corner of the ARC pit at @RSPBDungeness this morning. Also, Peregrine, Cuckoo, 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Avocet & 4 GWE feeding in front of the hide

[Ben Collins-Smith @BenCollinsSmith]

Margate to Broadstairs this morning: Leucistic Herring Gull still in Margate Harbour, Peregrine, Wheatear, 2 Fulmar, Curlew & Whimbrel

[Baldbirder @Baldbirder1]

Autumn migration well and truly underway with these post-breeding Green Sandpipers dropping-in briefly at Oare Marshes KWT last night, as I was busy searching for practicoles and stuff with @ajfossey and @BenCollinsSmith .. @waderquest @KentishPlover @KentWildlife @rachel_lennard

[Ben Collins-Smith @BenCollinsSmith]

River Medway from Tonbridge to Rochester: 8 hours, 49km, 62k steps, 8 pubs, no bins but 49 bird species inc. fem. Mandarin, 6 Kingfisher, GSW nest, Reed Bunt, Yellowhammer @KentishPlover

[Ben Collins-Smith @BenCollinsSmith]

🇪🇪 Estonia day 6 - caught up with Booted Warbler and Lesser Spotted Eagle today, bringing our final trip list to 172 species. Photos of some of the observation towers:

[Ben Collins-Smith @BenCollinsSmith]

🇪🇪 Estonia days 4 & 5 - travelled south and east to try for some warbler targets. 3 River, 5 Blyth’s Reed, 8+ Marsh Warbler around Tartu. Also Golden Eagle, Corncrake, Penduline Tit, Golden Oriole were highlights @ajcollinssmith_