Dr David W. Smith
@drdavebirding.bsky.social
Birder, Ecologist & Wildlife Conservationist. Views my own. Born when CO2 was at c.337 parts per million. #selffoundbirding #kentbirding
Pinned
First post, and it sums up some of my favourite birding activities - finding rare/scarce migrants on migration. This is my 3rd self found yellow-brow on the Reculver patch this autumn. #kentbirding #selffoundbirding
Goldeneye from a gloomy afternoon (15/11/25) Coldharbour Lagoon, Reculver. A nice suprise. #kentbirding
November 16, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Goldeneye from a gloomy afternoon (15/11/25) Coldharbour Lagoon, Reculver. A nice suprise. #kentbirding
Highlight this morning, two black redstart and tree sparrow. Reculver. #kentbirding
October 18, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Highlight this morning, two black redstart and tree sparrow. Reculver. #kentbirding
Wonderful self-found suprise today in the form of this wryneck, at Chambers Wall, Reculver. Fair few birds around, but had to scoot for a 10am meeting. #kentbirding #selffoundbirding.
October 14, 2025 at 10:11 AM
Wonderful self-found suprise today in the form of this wryneck, at Chambers Wall, Reculver. Fair few birds around, but had to scoot for a 10am meeting. #kentbirding #selffoundbirding.
Reposted by Dr David W. Smith
As a county bird recorder I can honestly say that the best and easiest way for you to make your birding count, is to upload them to either eBird or BirdTrack. Doing so contributes directly to #ornithology and bird #conservation at both local and national levels.
#birdingScotland #birdingWales
#birdingScotland #birdingWales
The remarkable rise of eBird – the world’s biggest citizen science project
In 2002, an online database was set up allowing birdwatchers to record their species observations. It is now a vast resource, shaping scientific research.
theconversation.com
October 10, 2025 at 7:15 PM
As a county bird recorder I can honestly say that the best and easiest way for you to make your birding count, is to upload them to either eBird or BirdTrack. Doing so contributes directly to #ornithology and bird #conservation at both local and national levels.
#birdingScotland #birdingWales
#birdingScotland #birdingWales
Reposted by Dr David W. Smith
Blimey, a proper seawatch off Estaca de Bares yesterday with 2 Black-capped Petrel, 2 Zino’s Petrel and a bunch of other good stuff #seawatching
ebird.org/checklist/S2...
ebird.org/checklist/S2...
eBird Checklist - 4 Oct 2025 - Estaca de Bares--Observatorio de aves y entorno - 33 species (+3 other taxa)
Submitted by Ricardo Hevia.
ebird.org
October 5, 2025 at 4:57 AM
Blimey, a proper seawatch off Estaca de Bares yesterday with 2 Black-capped Petrel, 2 Zino’s Petrel and a bunch of other good stuff #seawatching
ebird.org/checklist/S2...
ebird.org/checklist/S2...
Beneath wide skies and whispering trees,
I walk the earth with quiet ease.
With friends and laughter, meals we share,
Warm hands, kind hearts, the open air.
No gold, no rush—just time well spent,
A life in tune, a soul content.
I walk the earth with quiet ease.
With friends and laughter, meals we share,
Warm hands, kind hearts, the open air.
No gold, no rush—just time well spent,
A life in tune, a soul content.
September 24, 2025 at 6:33 AM
Beneath wide skies and whispering trees,
I walk the earth with quiet ease.
With friends and laughter, meals we share,
Warm hands, kind hearts, the open air.
No gold, no rush—just time well spent,
A life in tune, a soul content.
I walk the earth with quiet ease.
With friends and laughter, meals we share,
Warm hands, kind hearts, the open air.
No gold, no rush—just time well spent,
A life in tune, a soul content.
Reposted by Dr David W. Smith
Our most recent report, Rare Breeding Birds in the UK in 2022, is now available open access on our website at tinyurl.com/2xf23keu
All reports dating back to 1973 can be found at rbbp.org.uk/annual-repor....
Our next report, for 2023, will be published in @britishbirds.bsky.social in November
All reports dating back to 1973 can be found at rbbp.org.uk/annual-repor....
Our next report, for 2023, will be published in @britishbirds.bsky.social in November
September 20, 2025 at 10:08 AM
Our most recent report, Rare Breeding Birds in the UK in 2022, is now available open access on our website at tinyurl.com/2xf23keu
All reports dating back to 1973 can be found at rbbp.org.uk/annual-repor....
Our next report, for 2023, will be published in @britishbirds.bsky.social in November
All reports dating back to 1973 can be found at rbbp.org.uk/annual-repor....
Our next report, for 2023, will be published in @britishbirds.bsky.social in November
Reposted by Dr David W. Smith
Just back from a pelagic trip out to the Whittard Canyon area on the continental shelf edge with @scillypelagics.bsky.social @scottinscilly.bsky.social @nomadbirder.bsky.social Madeiran Storm Petrel reclassified from MEGA!!! to scarce summer visitor in one evening with 84 counted last night! 😂
September 20, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Just back from a pelagic trip out to the Whittard Canyon area on the continental shelf edge with @scillypelagics.bsky.social @scottinscilly.bsky.social @nomadbirder.bsky.social Madeiran Storm Petrel reclassified from MEGA!!! to scarce summer visitor in one evening with 84 counted last night! 😂
Fancy something a bit different, or perhaps give a gift to someone who likes poetry & prosecco? Listen to four Kent-based poets for a local Canterbury-based fun evening out.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/poetry-pro...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/poetry-pro...
Poetry & Prosecco (with a complimentary glass of prosecco)
Join us at the Oriole Café for a fun, bubbly evening, a complimentary glass of prosecco (or non alc) & four Kent poets reading their poetry.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
September 20, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Fancy something a bit different, or perhaps give a gift to someone who likes poetry & prosecco? Listen to four Kent-based poets for a local Canterbury-based fun evening out.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/poetry-pro...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/poetry-pro...
Reposted by Dr David W. Smith
September 8, 2025 at 10:38 AM
More wadering in D&G with visits to Browhouses & Newbie. Totals for both sites; 1 barwit, 7 blackwit, 7 ruff, 2 whimbrel, 25 golden plover, 11 greenshank, 17 snipe, 5 turnstone, small nos ringed plover, alongside oic, curlew, redshank & lapwing. Also tree pipit, osprey & 2 peregrine.
September 4, 2025 at 5:50 PM
More wadering in D&G with visits to Browhouses & Newbie. Totals for both sites; 1 barwit, 7 blackwit, 7 ruff, 2 whimbrel, 25 golden plover, 11 greenshank, 17 snipe, 5 turnstone, small nos ringed plover, alongside oic, curlew, redshank & lapwing. Also tree pipit, osprey & 2 peregrine.
Great skua the highlight this morning from Corsewall Point @dgbirdnews.bsky.social. Lots of kittiwake and terns, 270 manx, eider, RT diver and the usual suspects. #BirdingScotland
September 2, 2025 at 6:45 AM
Great skua the highlight this morning from Corsewall Point @dgbirdnews.bsky.social. Lots of kittiwake and terns, 270 manx, eider, RT diver and the usual suspects. #BirdingScotland
A 2.5hr 'luxury' seawatch at Corsewall Point in @dgbirdnews.bsky.social
was tern heavy, with c80 sandwich tern, a few common tern & at least 1 arctic tern. 8 common scoter & 2 arctic skua highlights. An afternoon stint was enlivened by 2 European storm petrel. ##BirdingScotland
was tern heavy, with c80 sandwich tern, a few common tern & at least 1 arctic tern. 8 common scoter & 2 arctic skua highlights. An afternoon stint was enlivened by 2 European storm petrel. ##BirdingScotland
September 1, 2025 at 8:15 PM
A 2.5hr 'luxury' seawatch at Corsewall Point in @dgbirdnews.bsky.social
was tern heavy, with c80 sandwich tern, a few common tern & at least 1 arctic tern. 8 common scoter & 2 arctic skua highlights. An afternoon stint was enlivened by 2 European storm petrel. ##BirdingScotland
was tern heavy, with c80 sandwich tern, a few common tern & at least 1 arctic tern. 8 common scoter & 2 arctic skua highlights. An afternoon stint was enlivened by 2 European storm petrel. ##BirdingScotland
A seawatch for just over an hour at the Isle of Whithorn was fun, 5 arctic skua, approx 560 Manx & a supporting cast of terns, gannets, kittiwake and auks. #BirdingScotland @dgbirdnews.bsky.social - an osprey over the road as we continued west was a nice surprise, too.
August 31, 2025 at 8:38 PM
A seawatch for just over an hour at the Isle of Whithorn was fun, 5 arctic skua, approx 560 Manx & a supporting cast of terns, gannets, kittiwake and auks. #BirdingScotland @dgbirdnews.bsky.social - an osprey over the road as we continued west was a nice surprise, too.
A trip to Castle Loch, Lochmaben, D&G for a gentle stroll. Found a great white egret. #birdingscotland
August 30, 2025 at 12:57 PM
A trip to Castle Loch, Lochmaben, D&G for a gentle stroll. Found a great white egret. #birdingscotland
More open spaces in D&G #birdingscotland this afternoon. 5 whimbrel, 6 greenshank, 7 black-tailed godwit and an adult med gull being highlights. 15 Gooseander always nice to see. Lots of jellyfish along the beach.
August 29, 2025 at 5:45 PM
More open spaces in D&G #birdingscotland this afternoon. 5 whimbrel, 6 greenshank, 7 black-tailed godwit and an adult med gull being highlights. 15 Gooseander always nice to see. Lots of jellyfish along the beach.
Nice afternoon birding in D&G, #birdingscotland. 3 x avocet, 1 x juv marsh harrier, 4 ruff, along with a selection of other waders. One of the avocet had 2 x yellow rings and a flag on left leg. Ideas of where's it from are welcome.
August 28, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Nice afternoon birding in D&G, #birdingscotland. 3 x avocet, 1 x juv marsh harrier, 4 ruff, along with a selection of other waders. One of the avocet had 2 x yellow rings and a flag on left leg. Ideas of where's it from are welcome.
Reposted by Dr David W. Smith
Quite shocked by this Common Buzzard yesterday at Falsterbo - dark chocolate bib & pale underparts almost like a Swainson’s Hawk. Anybody else seen this plumage variant?
August 26, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Quite shocked by this Common Buzzard yesterday at Falsterbo - dark chocolate bib & pale underparts almost like a Swainson’s Hawk. Anybody else seen this plumage variant?
Reposted by Dr David W. Smith
Humans outperform Merlin Sound ID in field-based point-count surveys academic.oup.com/condor/advan... 😊 #ScotBirds #UKBirding
Validate User
academic.oup.com
August 22, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Humans outperform Merlin Sound ID in field-based point-count surveys academic.oup.com/condor/advan... 😊 #ScotBirds #UKBirding
Whilst out looking for/at late breeding UK RBBP species, came across this common toad. Not seen one for a while.
August 18, 2025 at 7:45 AM
Whilst out looking for/at late breeding UK RBBP species, came across this common toad. Not seen one for a while.
Green light for birding this morning, and overcast conditions. Juv cuckoo, a flock of 6 green sandpiper, a summer plumage grey plover, a few willow warbler and 1 tree pipit. #kentbirding
August 14, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Green light for birding this morning, and overcast conditions. Juv cuckoo, a flock of 6 green sandpiper, a summer plumage grey plover, a few willow warbler and 1 tree pipit. #kentbirding
Yesterday's (Tuesday) highlights from a pre-work walk were a great white egret flying east, 2 cuckoo, and a wheatear. Found a slow worm on a path and moved the little fella to a safe spot. Awesome animals.
August 13, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Yesterday's (Tuesday) highlights from a pre-work walk were a great white egret flying east, 2 cuckoo, and a wheatear. Found a slow worm on a path and moved the little fella to a safe spot. Awesome animals.
Reposted by Dr David W. Smith
An interesting study of Lesser Spots in Sweden in different types of woodlands.
Effect of habitat quality and quantity on the occurrence and persistence of the lesser spotted woodpecker (Dryobates minor) across two time periods | doi.org/10.1016/j.bi... | Biological Conservation | #ornithology #conservation 🪶🌎
August 11, 2025 at 4:02 PM
An interesting study of Lesser Spots in Sweden in different types of woodlands.
After a long break (too long), made it out birding this morning. Highlights being a gropper, hobby, several willow warblers, and a nice variety of waders.
August 10, 2025 at 10:26 AM
After a long break (too long), made it out birding this morning. Highlights being a gropper, hobby, several willow warblers, and a nice variety of waders.
A gentle stroll along the cliff tops was interspersed with butterflies, including this stunner, a small cooper. The purple of the black knapweed pops against the dried out grasses behind.
August 9, 2025 at 3:40 PM
A gentle stroll along the cliff tops was interspersed with butterflies, including this stunner, a small cooper. The purple of the black knapweed pops against the dried out grasses behind.