John Cantelo
@johncantelo.bsky.social
Retired teacher & Kent birder (VP of the KOS) but obsessive about birding Cadiz Province. Editor/author @ Crossbill Guides
That sounds like a good idea! I'm yet to firm up my plans for spring
January 11, 2026 at 10:58 PM
That sounds like a good idea! I'm yet to firm up my plans for spring
In these dark days, it is worth remembering that goodness persists in this world. 10 yrs ago tonight, Liz went missing. Neighbours, friends, former students & complete strangers went out on foot, bike & car to search for her. She was returned @ 21:30 none the worse, unlike me, for her adventure.
January 11, 2026 at 10:11 PM
In these dark days, it is worth remembering that goodness persists in this world. 10 yrs ago tonight, Liz went missing. Neighbours, friends, former students & complete strangers went out on foot, bike & car to search for her. She was returned @ 21:30 none the worse, unlike me, for her adventure.
Although I've seen a Trumpeter Finch in Kent and many in Morocco (see photo), I've never caught up with one in Spain.
January 10, 2026 at 1:56 PM
Although I've seen a Trumpeter Finch in Kent and many in Morocco (see photo), I've never caught up with one in Spain.
Reedling is an apt, evocative & suitable name. Moustached would make more sense than Bearded but I can only cope with one change at a time.
January 9, 2026 at 11:58 PM
Reedling is an apt, evocative & suitable name. Moustached would make more sense than Bearded but I can only cope with one change at a time.
My talk on "Birds in History, Myth & Folklore" to Canterbury RSPB Group seems to have gone down well this evening. They'll have to wait a long time before someone else includes an image of a man peeing against a wall in a talk on birds! I just couldn't resist! 🪶
January 9, 2026 at 10:28 PM
My talk on "Birds in History, Myth & Folklore" to Canterbury RSPB Group seems to have gone down well this evening. They'll have to wait a long time before someone else includes an image of a man peeing against a wall in a talk on birds! I just couldn't resist! 🪶
Seasalter (Kent) – a frozen sea, a snow shower and 4 ½ hours of waiting in bitter cold but no Siberian Thrush (only seen 3x since found in the circled area 200-250m from viewpoint). At least I was better off than the guy who was next to me, he’d driven up from Devon. Good sunset though!🪶
January 6, 2026 at 6:48 PM
Seasalter (Kent) – a frozen sea, a snow shower and 4 ½ hours of waiting in bitter cold but no Siberian Thrush (only seen 3x since found in the circled area 200-250m from viewpoint). At least I was better off than the guy who was next to me, he’d driven up from Devon. Good sunset 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.
January 4, 2026 at 3:31 PM
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.
Following the publication of an updated list (inc. some new ones), I've posted a short blog on the humedals (= 'wetlands') of Cadiz Province. Some are tiny ephemeral pools & others huge areas of saltings but a few likely sites still aren't listed birdingcadizprovince.weebly.com/cadiz-birdin...
Inventario de Humedales de Andalucía - Cadiz
(42.28 ha) The Junta de Andalucía maintains a list, Inventario de Humedales de Andalucía (IHA), of protected 'wetlands' in the region which they periodically update (see here ). The most...
birdingcadizprovince.weebly.com
January 4, 2026 at 3:23 PM
Following the publication of an updated list (inc. some new ones), I've posted a short blog on the humedals (= 'wetlands') of Cadiz Province. Some are tiny ephemeral pools & others huge areas of saltings but a few likely sites still aren't listed birdingcadizprovince.weebly.com/cadiz-birdin...
It's always a worry when, after spending several hours putting together self-assembly furniture, you find you have a screw left over ... 🙁!
January 3, 2026 at 9:06 PM
It's always a worry when, after spending several hours putting together self-assembly furniture, you find you have a screw left over ... 🙁!
Another late afternoon session at Grove Ferry (Kent) - 23 Marsh Harrier & 4 Hen Harriers (3 adult males & 1 ringtail) in to roost plus a fly through Merlin. Impressive moon rise. 🪶
January 3, 2026 at 5:50 PM
Another late afternoon session at Grove Ferry (Kent) - 23 Marsh Harrier & 4 Hen Harriers (3 adult males & 1 ringtail) in to roost plus a fly through Merlin. Impressive moon rise. 🪶
Out to Stodmarsh AM for Bean Geese etc. Home to prepare lunch ... straight out again at 11:30 to look for Ross's Gull seen at Swalecliffe (N Kent coast) but no show. ☹️ Grove Ferry late afternoon - consultation prize Peregrine, 6 Hen (3 ad. male stunners) & c20 Marsh Harriers in to roost 🪶
January 1, 2026 at 6:36 PM
Out to Stodmarsh AM for Bean Geese etc. Home to prepare lunch ... straight out again at 11:30 to look for Ross's Gull seen at Swalecliffe (N Kent coast) but no show. ☹️ Grove Ferry late afternoon - consultation prize Peregrine, 6 Hen (3 ad. male stunners) & c20 Marsh Harriers in to roost 🪶
I've lived within sight of Canterbury Cathedral for the best part of 50 years but this magnificent building still has the power to stop me dead in my tracks. An added bonus since I moved here is that now you've a good chance of spotting a Peregrine arcing around the towers.🪶
December 30, 2025 at 5:36 PM
I've lived within sight of Canterbury Cathedral for the best part of 50 years but this magnificent building still has the power to stop me dead in my tracks. An added bonus since I moved here is that now you've a good chance of spotting a Peregrine arcing around the towers.🪶
Both have superb artwork but I have particular affection for RAR's paintings in the nest & eggs guide. Also his pen-&-ink illustrations of birds are amongst the best ever. I met him on the East Bank at Cley many years ago - one of the greats!
December 26, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Both have superb artwork but I have particular affection for RAR's paintings in the nest & eggs guide. Also his pen-&-ink illustrations of birds are amongst the best ever. I met him on the East Bank at Cley many years ago - one of the greats!
Pleased to note more management work in Stour valley (Kent) at Grove Ferry. Two diggers excavating a small pool north of the ramp. Mound there a refugia for animals when flooded but also act as viewing area. Also 2 ad male Hen Harriers in to roost @ 3:30
December 19, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Pleased to note more management work in Stour valley (Kent) at Grove Ferry. Two diggers excavating a small pool north of the ramp. Mound there a refugia for animals when flooded but also act as viewing area. Also 2 ad male Hen Harriers in to roost @ 3:30
Good to see the RSPB taking a firm line on this issue - "Guidance that can be ignored is not enough. We need to make nature integral to building new homes, not an afterthought or a corner to be cut" - well said, but perhaps I'm a tad biased.😀🪶 www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...
All new homes must be built with 'swift bricks' under Labour's rules
The requirement was included in the Government's proposed overhaul of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) on Tuesday.
www.dailymail.co.uk
December 18, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Good to see the RSPB taking a firm line on this issue - "Guidance that can be ignored is not enough. We need to make nature integral to building new homes, not an afterthought or a corner to be cut" - well said, but perhaps I'm a tad biased.😀🪶 www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...
In heraldry I think martlets can refer to either swallows/martins or swifts. However, as martlets are (usually?) depicted as not having feet, just feathery appendages, I think swifts are a better fit (scientific name for swifts, Apus = no feet). Thanks for your help.
December 17, 2025 at 9:50 PM
In heraldry I think martlets can refer to either swallows/martins or swifts. However, as martlets are (usually?) depicted as not having feet, just feathery appendages, I think swifts are a better fit (scientific name for swifts, Apus = no feet). Thanks for your help.
That's interesting - do you know why? I'm guessing a martlet/heraldry connection (see my other post)
December 17, 2025 at 7:42 PM
That's interesting - do you know why? I'm guessing a martlet/heraldry connection (see my other post)
Thanks, Steve. It's very kind of you to make the effort. I appreciate it. The best snippet I've found so far is that martlets (= swifts) are used in heraldry for 4th sons, as both are supposedly "footless". The latter as they're unlikely to inherit land.
December 17, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Thanks, Steve. It's very kind of you to make the effort. I appreciate it. The best snippet I've found so far is that martlets (= swifts) are used in heraldry for 4th sons, as both are supposedly "footless". The latter as they're unlikely to inherit land.
I'm currently trying to do some research for a talk on birds & folklore I'm giving to my local RSPB group. I'm struggling to find much online about the folklore concerning swifts ... mainly because everything's drowned out by Taylor Swift's 2020 album of that name! Who knew? I didn't! 🪶🤣
December 17, 2025 at 5:02 PM
I'm currently trying to do some research for a talk on birds & folklore I'm giving to my local RSPB group. I'm struggling to find much online about the folklore concerning swifts ... mainly because everything's drowned out by Taylor Swift's 2020 album of that name! Who knew? I didn't! 🪶🤣
Have you seen Trump's demented response? He's obviously suffering from some form of dementia ...
December 15, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Have you seen Trump's demented response? He's obviously suffering from some form of dementia ...
Just twigged where I've seen illustrations of similar screens - duck decoys where wildfowl were gently pushed into a trap by a man & dog!
December 14, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Just twigged where I've seen illustrations of similar screens - duck decoys where wildfowl were gently pushed into a trap by a man & dog!
The new screen next to the Reedbed Hide overlooks the new ditch that runs along the side of the hide. I was told it was for observing Beavers but not sure what the purpose of the lower openings can be as they would seem to give inadequate screening (lowest ones at "dog level"). 🪶 2/2
December 13, 2025 at 4:09 PM
The new screen next to the Reedbed Hide overlooks the new ditch that runs along the side of the hide. I was told it was for observing Beavers but not sure what the purpose of the lower openings can be as they would seem to give inadequate screening (lowest ones at "dog level"). 🪶 2/2
Good to see management work at Stodmarsh NNR (Kent). A new wide ditch running from the Lampen Wall to & beside the Reedbed Hide. Reeds cut back around the pool in front of the Reedbed Hide - looks very bare at the moment but should be great by the spring. 1/2🪶
December 13, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Good to see management work at Stodmarsh NNR (Kent). A new wide ditch running from the Lampen Wall to & beside the Reedbed Hide. Reeds cut back around the pool in front of the Reedbed Hide - looks very bare at the moment but should be great by the spring. 1/2🪶
A pleasant surprise to discover this attractive mural today in Canterbury but better still to see further evidence of their activities along the Stour nearby
December 12, 2025 at 6:10 PM
A pleasant surprise to discover this attractive mural today in Canterbury but better still to see further evidence of their activities along the Stour nearby
I never tire of telling my friends that Alcala de los Gazules (Cadiz, Andalucia) is a fabulous place to visit (although they may tire of me telling them). Hosting birding friends & showing them the area is always a joy. This video showcases a favourite walk ... www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nUZ...
Exploring around the east of Alcalá de los Gazules
YouTube video by Bart Van Thienen
www.youtube.com
December 11, 2025 at 3:05 PM
I never tire of telling my friends that Alcala de los Gazules (Cadiz, Andalucia) is a fabulous place to visit (although they may tire of me telling them). Hosting birding friends & showing them the area is always a joy. This video showcases a favourite walk ... www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nUZ...