Geoff Burton

[Geoff Burton @swalebirder]

Left Kowa telescope and tripod by the side of the road opposite the Grove Ferry Inn, Stodmarsh yesterday. If anyone has found it or has any news please DM me. Thanks

[Geoff Burton @swalebirder]

Not a bad morning for early July. Shag for second day, Hen Harrier, 2 Avocets and Hobby at Swalecliffe and male Red-backed Shrike at Uplees. A mixed bag!

[Geoff Burton @swalebirder]

Reported comment from someone on a field trip to Oare Marshes last week on being pointed out the Bonaparte’s Gull. “I’m not bothered, I’ve seen loads of them in France” …

[Geoff Burton @swalebirder]

Drake Velvet Scoter with a duck Common Scoter landed off the Obs at 9 am. Our latest here since May records in 1991 and 1992.

[Geoff Burton @swalebirder]

Moor Green Lakes, 3 LRPs and Green Sandpiper #berkshirebirds

[Geoff Burton @swalebirder]

My first Berkshire Barn Owl

[Geoff Burton @swalebirder]

A Willow Warbler singing in the bushes opposite the Obs. Our earliest ever, I think!

[Geoff Burton @swalebirder]

Spring has finally sprung for me with a couple of spankers in male Wheatear and drake Garganey at Oare Marshes

[Geoff Burton @swalebirder]

Added Blackcap and Peacock butterfly to my year list while gardening. Not rare, well gardening is😀

[Geoff Burton @swalebirder]

A wet and windy morning sees me cowering indoors. No more than 10 feet from the dining room window a Firecrest appears briefly. What a jewel bravely ignoring the weather 👍

[Geoff Burton @swalebirder]

Mass twitch at the Swalecliffe Obs

[Geoff Burton @swalebirder]

@LeeEvansBirding This gull was seen on the beach at Swalecliffe on 23 October and a few times since. Ringed at Pitsea Landfill Site in 2014, seen in North Norway in May 2017. More information from North Thames Gull Group

[Geoff Burton @swalebirder]

Long-tailed Duck present for 14th day. Also Great Northern Diver, 4 Red-throated Diver, Eider, 6 Common Scoters, Grey Plover, 10 Little Gulls W, 2 Sandwich Terns, Short-eared Owl, Kingfisher

[Geoff Burton @swalebirder]

A total of 67 Little Gulls W at Seasalter. Also 2 Eiders, 50 Common Scoters, Merganser, 9 Kittiwakes, 2 Razorbills and 2 Short-eared Owls in off.

[Geoff Burton @swalebirder]

Good start to the day with Hooded Crow, Long-tailed Duck, Pomarine Skua, Merganser, Eider, Razorbill. 2 Great Northern Divers

[Geoff Burton @swalebirder]

@BarryWright12 @MurrayOrchard Interesting list of observers

[Geoff Burton @swalebirder]

@BarryWright12 @MurrayOrchard All I remember about it is that a number of observers were convinced it was one and suggested a two bird theory. Whether that was made clear and argued with BBRC, I don’t know.

[Geoff Burton @swalebirder]

@MurrayOrchard @BarryWright12 Perhaps there should be a revue of the disputed Western Sandpiper

[Geoff Burton @swalebirder]

Morning at Oare Marshes in stiff E wind. 31 Little Gulls, in 4 groups, flew across Swale heading S inland around 10.30am. Red-throated Diver off the sea wall hide. 3 Spoonbills, 2 Tufted Ducks and Spotted Redshank on east flood. Otherwise quiet

[Geoff Burton @swalebirder]

Today is the 46th anniversary of the juvenile Spotted Sandpiper at Bough Beech Reservoir. This “unspotty youth” remained for 11 days. It was the 37th for Britain but, with over 200 records since then, only one, an adult, has been seen in Kent, in June 1994. Time for another?