Alan Fossey
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ajfossey.bsky.social
Alan Fossey
@ajfossey.bsky.social
230 followers 210 following 30 posts
Natural History, Conservation, Travel, Bird Identification, Pro-EU. He/Him. #FavershamCreek
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ajfossey.bsky.social
Despite visiting #FavershamCreek after work, it felt hot. Highlights were a flyby Cuckoo that headed off over the creek towards Ham Marshes. 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Common Sandpiper, 8 Lapwing, 2 Greenshank, 3 Redshank, 1 Sedge & 2 Reed Warbler and 1 Yellowhammer #KentBirding #UKBirding #LowCarbonBirding
Sparrowhawk post sitting at the edge of the creek. Calling Yellowhammer from the top of a bush.
August 11, 2025 at 9:52 PM
ajfossey.bsky.social
Garden Warbler was a long overdue patch tick at #FavershamCreek this morning. Also, 5 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 8 Common Whitethroat, 1 Reed Warbler, 25 Chiffchaff, 1 Grey Wagtail, 3 Swallow, 2 Little Egret, 3 Common Sandpiper, 2 Greenshank #KentBirding #UKBirding #LowCarbonBirding
Very tame juvenile Robin came inquisitively to pose for a portrait Garden Warbler was distant but sat still in a distant bush just long enough for a record shot. Lesser Whitethroat was quite active feeding and seemed to favour this particular bush. Capture of this branch walking Moorhen quite high in this bush. Always fun to see and quite commonly seen in bushes along this stretch of Thorne Creek at Faversham Creek
August 9, 2025 at 8:00 PM
ajfossey.bsky.social
A short lunchtime walk along #FavershamCreek 2 Little Egret, 5 Buzzard, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 23 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 2 Whitethroat. A few butterflies were also seen including 'Whites', 1 Clouded Yellow and several Holly Blue. #KentBirding #UKBirding #LowCarbonBirding
Female Blackcap feeding on berries Female Blackcap is doing a great job of hiding behind some berries. Look carefully! Chiffchaff were quite plentiful today but very furtive and difficult to pin down for a photo! This one was taken through a fence, so I'm surprised it came out!
August 8, 2025 at 6:39 PM
ajfossey.bsky.social
Cycle ride this evening along #FavershamCreek Highlights: 1 Oystercatcher, 17 Lapwing, 1 Whimbrel, 5 Common Sandpiper, 6 Redshank, 7 Greenshank, 4 Little Egret, 1 Little Owl, 1 Peregrine, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Whitethroat, 7 Stonechat, 1 Yellowhammer #KentBirding #UKBirding ##LowCarbonBirding
Wild area sandwiched between areas of the solar farm. It was from here that I watched two family groups of Stonechat and a couple of Common Whitethroat this evening in addition to a flyover Peregrine. Cycling this far out along #FavershamCreek helps cover more area when restricted to birding after work and having less time available. Once I reach a stile however I'm snookered as there's little hope of me lifting this bike many times. Feels like it weighs a tonne even if i take the battery off first! Viewing across Faversham Creek to Ham Marshes
August 6, 2025 at 8:00 PM
ajfossey.bsky.social
#FavershamCreek #LowCarbonBirding #UKBirding #KentBirding Highlights:
Oystercatcher 1
Lapwing 10
Common Sandpiper 2
Greenshank 7
Little Egret 4
Little Owl 1
Buzzard 1
Green Woodpecker 6
Reed Warbler 2
Sand Martin 2
Swallow 44
House Martin 12
Chiffchaff 6
Blackcap 2
Whitethroat 1
Yellowhammer 2
Two distant Foxes near the school playing fields in Faversham Viewing towards Ham Marshes across Faversham Creek There's a Little Owl in here, honest! Our Golden Retriever, Nell, still loves a long walk at 11 years old. Over 5 miles today! We're on the home leg here walking past the Sewage Farm from where we were hearing Yellowhammer today.
August 1, 2025 at 8:23 PM
ajfossey.bsky.social
Oare Marshes post work visit. Highlights were the still distant adult White-rumped Sandpiper found yesterday. Good to see many locals connecting today! Also, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 3 Cattle Egret, 3 Green Sandpiper, 1 Raven, Whimbrel and Bonaparte's Gull #KentBirding #UKBirding
Record crop of distant White-rumped Sandpiper, Oare Marshes Record crop of distant White-rumped Sandpiper, Oare Marshes Record crop of distant White-rumped Sandpiper, Oare Marshes Record crop of distant White-rumped Sandpiper, Oare Marshes
July 29, 2025 at 8:35 PM
ajfossey.bsky.social
Oare Marshes with @chrisgbradshaw.bsky.social

A surprise flyby Stone-curlew was a highlight at Dan's Dock. Along with a single Black Tern, 72 Whimbrel, 2 Whinchat, 6 Little & 2 Cattle Egret, 3 Green & 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Water Rail, 12 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Greenshank and 1 Spoonbill #KentBirding
Distant cropped photo of the moulting adult Black Tern flying west along the Swale Channel from Dan's Dock.
July 27, 2025 at 8:45 PM
ajfossey.bsky.social
Dodging showers #FavershamCreek 4 Oystercatcher, 2 Common Sandpiper, 1 Greenshank, 1 Swift, 3 Sand Martin, 36 Swallow, 1 Marsh Harrier, 3 Reed Warbler, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 14 Chiffchaff, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Whitethroat, 2 Grey Wagtail, 1 Yellowhammer #KentBirding #LowCarbonBirding #UKBirding
Swallows gathering around the Sewage Farm #FavershamCreek
July 22, 2025 at 10:33 PM
ajfossey.bsky.social
Wet and breezy #FavershamCreek 2 Mute Swan, 10 Mallard, 16 Teal, 1 Stock Dove, 3 Moorhen, 2 Coot, 2 Little Grebe, 14 Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 2 Cormorant, 4 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Cetti's, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Grey Wagtail, 30 Linnets #KentBirding #Kent #LowCarbonBirding ##Faversham ##UKBirding
Viewing along Faversham Creek with an old wreck to the left and a couple of red buoys visible. I'm sheltered under bushes away from the rain and wind. The tide was out, and there were roosting Black-headed and Herring Gulls. Also, there were feeding Redshank, Teal, Little Grebe, and Cormorant. It was also here that the Grey Wagtail and Greenshank flew through.
December 7, 2024 at 12:49 PM
ajfossey.bsky.social
#FavershamCreek visit: 2 Wigeon, Spoonbill, Barn Owl, Avocet, Grey Plover, Snipe, 2 Yellowhammer, Common Sandpiper, Greenshank, Curlew, 4 Cattle & 5 Little Egret, 2 Stonechat, Kingfisher, 2 Oystercatcher, 5 Chiffchaff, Cetti's, Corn Bunting #LowCarbonBirding #KentBirding #Faversham #UKBirding
Spoonbill with bill wide open on Saltmarsh. A distant, heavily cropped image taken at dusk. It's the back of a Barn Owl sitting in a distant tree (honest!). It was quite when I took this photo of our first Barn Owl on our patch this year. Thisbis why I included the poor and very heavily cropped image! Faversham Creek patch in the dark this evening near town. Problem with drawing in evenings is limitations to birding time after work! I'd just recorded an Avocet in Silhouette prior to taking this photo. Golden Retriever standing on Faversham Creek seawall with bend of Creek and attractive scenery behind her. Our Golden Retriever never wanders far. She had been watching Teal and Mallard in the creek as I took this photo. Never once did she make any attempt to chase and disturb them! Nell is a 'birdwise' dog and I am proud of her for such exceptional behaviour. Treats are on us tonight! 💜
December 3, 2024 at 8:16 PM
ajfossey.bsky.social
Productive dog walk along #FavershamCreek Common & Geen Sandpiper, Avocet, Marsh Harrier, Peregrine, Cattle & Little Egret, Teal, Pheasant, Little Grebe, Oystercatcher, Yellowhammer, Cetti's, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Snipe, Redshank, Kingfisher
#LowCarbonBirding #KentBirding #UKBirding #Faversham
Reed Bunting posing in low scrub on edge of small reedbed One of four Yellowhammer seen today in scrub alongside seawall. Scenic view west across Faversham Creek overlooking Ham Marshes Other users of the creek rowing by. Although not in the photo, a Kingfisher had just spent time along the outlet of Thorne Creek on the right.
November 30, 2024 at 6:11 PM
ajfossey.bsky.social
Beautiful lunchtime walk along the #FavershamCreek. Birding highlights included: 4 Little Egret, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Yellowhammer, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Corn Bunting, 1 Common Sandpiper & 1 Avocet

#LowCarbonBirding #UKBirding #KentBirding #Faversham
Moorhen feeding along the creek. A plentiful species, seen most days here. A view south along Faversham Creek quite near the town centre. Surprising the species recorded close to this area over the last few years include: Spoonbill, Glossy Ibis, Spotted Redshank, Black-tailed Godwit, Greenshank, Avocet, Little Egret, Jack Snipe, Snipe, Kingfisher & Grey Wagtail! Pied Avocet. A fairly common winter visitor to the creek. This is the first I've seen during the current winter period. Welcome back! Viewing east from the creek seawall across fields, rough grassland and bushes within a pretty impenetrable reedbed! Not in the photo, but this is where I recorded the Corn Bunting and Yellowhammer today. Waxwings were a highlight here last winter!
November 28, 2024 at 6:32 PM
ajfossey.bsky.social
A warm, dry but very windy walk along the creek this morning. Highlights included 5 feeding Cattle Egrets, 1 flyover Spoonbill, 1 Snipe, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Curlew and a Yellowhammer.
#FavershamCreek #LowCarbonBirding #UKBirding #KentBirding #Faversham
Curlew walking away from my attempts to take a photograph with a Sony RX 10 camera! Common Sandpiper hunkering down from the strong wind along Faversham Standard Quay. Cattle Egret feeding on Ham Marshes. There were three together initially, but had increased to five on my return.
November 24, 2024 at 10:50 PM
ajfossey.bsky.social
Surprisingly managed to stay dry this morning, though weather grim! 69 Teal, c50 Greylag, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Fieldfare, 1 Greenshank the highlights #FavershamCreek #LowCarbonBirding #Faversham #KentBirding
Viewing South towards Faversham, from eastern bank of Faversham Creek Viewing North towards the Swale Channel (not visible), from eastern bank of Faversham Creek Viewing South East, from eastern bank of Faversham Creek Viewing North East, from eastern bank of Faversham Creek. There are often good numbers of Teal and common waders along this stretch of Creek visible on the left.
November 23, 2024 at 3:42 PM
ajfossey.bsky.social
Took the opportunity for a lunchtime walk in good weather.

Wildfowl numbers at Ham Road Pits growing: 64 Tufted Duck, 14 Shoveler, 22 Mallard, 11 Gadwall, 10 Coot, 1 Pochard, 4 Great Crested Grebe.

Also, pleased to see some Field Bird Nest fungus found by a friend #LowCarbonBirding #Faversham
Field Bird Nest Fungus Field Bird Nest Fungus Field Bird Nest Fungus
November 22, 2024 at 3:36 PM
ajfossey.bsky.social
Noticeably chillier today. Standing for a number of hours over high tide, on the Medway Estuary, conducting the WeBS count had something to do with it!

Numbers of wildfowl and waders are certainly starting to increase, and the usual road flooding brings entertainment behind me at Bedlams Bottom!
Cormorant flying past my WeBS count point Adult Dark-bellied Brent Geese with a single male Pintail. Female and two male Pintail ducks feeding on the rising tide The flooded road behind my WeBS count point this afternoon. Entertaining to watch how drivers negotiate the flooded road. I wait for the tide to go out, and the flood to disappear!
November 17, 2024 at 11:32 PM
ajfossey.bsky.social
Patch gold during the lunchtime walk #FavershamCreek A very showy Dartford Warbler. Also 1 Great White Egret at South Swale, and a ring-tail Hen Harrier. After work, managed our first view of Comet A3 #LowCarbonBirding #UKBirding #KentBirding
Dartford Warbler showed well along the coastal footpath Record shot of Comet A3 taken from rail footbridge in Faversham after work View of coastal path walking along South Swale Channel towards Castlee Coote Golden Retriever guarding the equipment while I went off photographing the Dartford Warbler
October 18, 2024 at 8:39 PM
ajfossey.bsky.social
Despite the very wet start to the day, rain had cleared enough for a quality lunchtime walk. #FavershamCreek highlights included 1 Firecrest, 12 Chiffchaff, 1 Swallow, 3 House & 1 Sand Martin, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Greenshank & 2 Little Egret #LowCarbonBirding #UKBirding #KentBirding
Chiffchaff feeding on plentiful insects along sewage farm boundary Beautiful autumnal hedgerow along part of my local birding patch
October 14, 2024 at 6:05 PM
ajfossey.bsky.social
#FavershamCreek Highlights: 12+ Swallow, 1 male Blackcap, 4 Little Egret, 3 Grey Wagtail, 4 Teal, 2 Greenshank, 7 Chiffchaff, 11 Moorhen #LowCarbonBirding #UKBirding #KentBirding
Grey Wagtail popping in to the sewage outflow along Faversham Creek Sparrowhawk flyover at Faversham Creek 1 of at least 7 Chiffchaff feeding along edge of sewage farm at Thorne Creek, Faversham Creek Our Golden Retriever enjoys her walks along the seawall. She is bird friendly and has been trained to not chase or disturb roosting birds and other wildlife. She's heading back for a biscuit!
October 12, 2024 at 4:35 PM
ajfossey.bsky.social
#FavershamCreek Lunchtime walk in beautiful October weather. 3 Little Egret, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Grey Wagtail, 13 Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 1 Common Sandpiper, 3 Teal, 4 Swallow, 1 Cetti's, 3 Chiffchaff and our 1st flyover Brambling of the year #LowCarbonBirding #UKBirding #KentBirding
Scene of Faversham Creek. Sewage Farm outflow, often quite a productive viewpoint
October 11, 2024 at 3:57 PM
ajfossey.bsky.social
Lunchtime walk #FavershamCreek A brief sighting of a Lesser Whitethroat in a mixed flock of 12+ Chiffchaff & Long-tailed Tits near Thorne Greek, 1 Grey Wagtail, 3 Cattle & 7 Little Egrets, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Greenshank, 1 Buzzard and 1 Marsh Harrier #KentBirding #UKBirding Then back to work!
Greenshank feeding along Faversham Creek edge on incoming tide One of the Faversham Creek regular Common Sandpipers feeding along Standard Quay Marsh Harrier quartering Ham Marshes, photographed across the creek. Unfortunately, an electrical pylon dominates the background
October 9, 2024 at 6:39 PM
ajfossey.bsky.social
Patch birding #FavershamCreek today was rewarded with our first ever Ruff here, along with 5+ Cattle Egrets, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Curlew, 3 Greenshank and some evident Hirundine passage, c78 Swallow & 185 House Martin #KentBirding #LowCarbonBirding #UKBirding
Ruff feeding on Faversham Creek having just flown in from Ham Marshes
October 6, 2024 at 4:44 PM
ajfossey.bsky.social
Lunchtime walk #FavershamCreek today in glorious weather. Some nice surprises included the Little Owl hiding in its favoured hiding tree, 2 Stonechat, 3 Cattle Egret, 1 Common Sandpiper, and a Whimbrel. #KentBirding #UKBirding
Whimbrel feeding on exposed creek mudflat
October 4, 2024 at 8:23 PM
ajfossey.bsky.social
You did really well to get a photo! I missed completely, so I went for something closer 😀
Little Egret is feeding at Seasalter on an outgoing tide.
October 2, 2024 at 11:00 PM