Andy Appleton
@andyappleton.bsky.social
Birder, Tunbridge Wells, Kent.
November 23, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Spring has sprung, although the Black-headed Gulls were standing on a thin layer of ice at Dunorlan Park first thing this morning.
#TunbridgeWells
#TunbridgeWells
November 22, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Spring has sprung, although the Black-headed Gulls were standing on a thin layer of ice at Dunorlan Park first thing this morning.
#TunbridgeWells
#TunbridgeWells
A very late Swallow with damaged tail streamer over #TunbridgeWells sewage works this afternoon.
There’s plenty of insect food available still.
There’s plenty of insect food available still.
November 15, 2025 at 3:36 PM
A very late Swallow with damaged tail streamer over #TunbridgeWells sewage works this afternoon.
There’s plenty of insect food available still.
There’s plenty of insect food available still.
I was hoping for a better experience when I eventually got my first Crossbill for patch but there we go: two heading south - picked up calling - I got on to a back-end murky silhouette view as they disappeared off.
Half a dozen Siskins too - and Woodpigeons heading somewhere.
Half a dozen Siskins too - and Woodpigeons heading somewhere.
November 15, 2025 at 9:00 AM
I was hoping for a better experience when I eventually got my first Crossbill for patch but there we go: two heading south - picked up calling - I got on to a back-end murky silhouette view as they disappeared off.
Half a dozen Siskins too - and Woodpigeons heading somewhere.
Half a dozen Siskins too - and Woodpigeons heading somewhere.
Reposted by Andy Appleton
After a disappointing Seawatch this morning, and after arriving at the Obs, we found that the Pallas’s Warbler rung on Sunday had been caught again in the moat, always worth a photo.
@dungenessbirdobs.bsky.social
#birds
#birding
#kentbirding
#ukbitding
@dungenessbirdobs.bsky.social
#birds
#birding
#kentbirding
#ukbitding
November 11, 2025 at 8:13 PM
After a disappointing Seawatch this morning, and after arriving at the Obs, we found that the Pallas’s Warbler rung on Sunday had been caught again in the moat, always worth a photo.
@dungenessbirdobs.bsky.social
#birds
#birding
#kentbirding
#ukbitding
@dungenessbirdobs.bsky.social
#birds
#birding
#kentbirding
#ukbitding
The first few days of November have produced two Sibe’ Stonechats in Kent (Bockhill, 2008, & Dungeness - thank you Jacob, dungenessbirdobs.bsky.social - 3 years ago today)
Also: the superb summer plumaged White-biller Diver off Margate (2018) and Shorelark was also a mega Dungeness bird in 2019.
Also: the superb summer plumaged White-biller Diver off Margate (2018) and Shorelark was also a mega Dungeness bird in 2019.
Bluesky
Ddungenessbirdobs.bsky.social
November 5, 2025 at 9:08 PM
The first few days of November have produced two Sibe’ Stonechats in Kent (Bockhill, 2008, & Dungeness - thank you Jacob, dungenessbirdobs.bsky.social - 3 years ago today)
Also: the superb summer plumaged White-biller Diver off Margate (2018) and Shorelark was also a mega Dungeness bird in 2019.
Also: the superb summer plumaged White-biller Diver off Margate (2018) and Shorelark was also a mega Dungeness bird in 2019.
Dunorlan’ this morning:
I had it in mind that it was All Saints Day but some @rtwparkrun.bsky.social participants didn’t seem to be dressed accordingly 😲😳😃
I hope everyone enjoyed it, maybe the first muddy one of the season.
Birds: 38 species, triple Common Gull the highlight 🤷🏻♂️
#TunbridgeWells
I had it in mind that it was All Saints Day but some @rtwparkrun.bsky.social participants didn’t seem to be dressed accordingly 😲😳😃
I hope everyone enjoyed it, maybe the first muddy one of the season.
Birds: 38 species, triple Common Gull the highlight 🤷🏻♂️
#TunbridgeWells
November 1, 2025 at 10:42 AM
Dunorlan’ this morning:
I had it in mind that it was All Saints Day but some @rtwparkrun.bsky.social participants didn’t seem to be dressed accordingly 😲😳😃
I hope everyone enjoyed it, maybe the first muddy one of the season.
Birds: 38 species, triple Common Gull the highlight 🤷🏻♂️
#TunbridgeWells
I had it in mind that it was All Saints Day but some @rtwparkrun.bsky.social participants didn’t seem to be dressed accordingly 😲😳😃
I hope everyone enjoyed it, maybe the first muddy one of the season.
Birds: 38 species, triple Common Gull the highlight 🤷🏻♂️
#TunbridgeWells
40 species of birds on my wander around Dunorlan Park before work today including Common Gull again, 20+ over-flying Redpoll and my first Chiffchaff for a couple of weeks. A few more Blackbird and Redwing noted too.
#63 species for the month is probably a record - 19 visits.
#TunbridgeWells
#63 species for the month is probably a record - 19 visits.
#TunbridgeWells
October 31, 2025 at 8:42 AM
40 species of birds on my wander around Dunorlan Park before work today including Common Gull again, 20+ over-flying Redpoll and my first Chiffchaff for a couple of weeks. A few more Blackbird and Redwing noted too.
#63 species for the month is probably a record - 19 visits.
#TunbridgeWells
#63 species for the month is probably a record - 19 visits.
#TunbridgeWells
An adult Common Gull in Dunorlan Park this morning makes it a record-breaking gull total for patch with six species 😳 noted this month/year/ever). Yep, 6 - scope for improvement!
It also brings me to #63 for the month, 80% of my year to date total bird species.
#TunbridgeWells
It also brings me to #63 for the month, 80% of my year to date total bird species.
#TunbridgeWells
October 28, 2025 at 8:15 AM
An adult Common Gull in Dunorlan Park this morning makes it a record-breaking gull total for patch with six species 😳 noted this month/year/ever). Yep, 6 - scope for improvement!
It also brings me to #63 for the month, 80% of my year to date total bird species.
#TunbridgeWells
It also brings me to #63 for the month, 80% of my year to date total bird species.
#TunbridgeWells
Reposted by Andy Appleton
Pretty chuffed to just have a female Vagrant Emperor in/off at Sandwich Bay beach (opposite the Princes Golf Clubhouse) at 1240hrs. Hawked the beach for a few minutes before heading off inland #Odonata @birdguides.bsky.social
October 25, 2025 at 11:44 AM
Pretty chuffed to just have a female Vagrant Emperor in/off at Sandwich Bay beach (opposite the Princes Golf Clubhouse) at 1240hrs. Hawked the beach for a few minutes before heading off inland #Odonata @birdguides.bsky.social
The fields adjacent to Dunorlan Park were being ploughed this afternoon.
Scanning the 400 or so gulls a couple of fields away eventually got me my first patch Med Gull of the year.
38 Stock Doves was a good count (but not as good as 130 nr Whetsted y’day). Red Kite nice too 👍🏻
#KentBirding
Scanning the 400 or so gulls a couple of fields away eventually got me my first patch Med Gull of the year.
38 Stock Doves was a good count (but not as good as 130 nr Whetsted y’day). Red Kite nice too 👍🏻
#KentBirding
October 26, 2025 at 6:34 PM
The fields adjacent to Dunorlan Park were being ploughed this afternoon.
Scanning the 400 or so gulls a couple of fields away eventually got me my first patch Med Gull of the year.
38 Stock Doves was a good count (but not as good as 130 nr Whetsted y’day). Red Kite nice too 👍🏻
#KentBirding
Scanning the 400 or so gulls a couple of fields away eventually got me my first patch Med Gull of the year.
38 Stock Doves was a good count (but not as good as 130 nr Whetsted y’day). Red Kite nice too 👍🏻
#KentBirding
71 species locally today starting with Firecrest and a few Redpoll at Dunorlan’ and finishing with a Barn Owl.
1w drake Pintail (Whetsted GP’s) the best but a couple of Great White Egret, a late Stonechat, Peregrine, Raven and Fieldfares noteworthy.
1w drake Pintail (Whetsted GP’s) the best but a couple of Great White Egret, a late Stonechat, Peregrine, Raven and Fieldfares noteworthy.
October 25, 2025 at 7:53 PM
71 species locally today starting with Firecrest and a few Redpoll at Dunorlan’ and finishing with a Barn Owl.
1w drake Pintail (Whetsted GP’s) the best but a couple of Great White Egret, a late Stonechat, Peregrine, Raven and Fieldfares noteworthy.
1w drake Pintail (Whetsted GP’s) the best but a couple of Great White Egret, a late Stonechat, Peregrine, Raven and Fieldfares noteworthy.
A few bits and bobs in the last couple of visits to #DunorlanPark #TunbridgeWells including at least 31 Moorhens in the rain 🌧️ on Sunday afternoon 😃
59 species noted here so far this month…
59 species noted here so far this month…
October 21, 2025 at 6:44 PM
A few bits and bobs in the last couple of visits to #DunorlanPark #TunbridgeWells including at least 31 Moorhens in the rain 🌧️ on Sunday afternoon 😃
59 species noted here so far this month…
59 species noted here so far this month…
Good to be out again this morning with my first Fieldfares of the autumn, small numbers Redwings about, a few Redpoll over, a few Siskin (more yesterday), 20 Goldfinch and a little more unexpected a single Lapwing (a couple of fields away but that’ll do).
#DunorlanPark #TunbridgeWells #KentBirding
#DunorlanPark #TunbridgeWells #KentBirding
October 18, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Good to be out again this morning with my first Fieldfares of the autumn, small numbers Redwings about, a few Redpoll over, a few Siskin (more yesterday), 20 Goldfinch and a little more unexpected a single Lapwing (a couple of fields away but that’ll do).
#DunorlanPark #TunbridgeWells #KentBirding
#DunorlanPark #TunbridgeWells #KentBirding
Bobolink at Prawle Point, 2001, and Siberian Accentor, 2016 were good birds on 14 October,
Gtr Y’legs & Song Sparrow made for a good morning duo - 16/10/1996,
Grey Catbird, Rufous Bushchat & Blackburnian Wbr were the for 17 October in days gone by,
Masked Shrike was 18/10 for me - 5 years ago.
Gtr Y’legs & Song Sparrow made for a good morning duo - 16/10/1996,
Grey Catbird, Rufous Bushchat & Blackburnian Wbr were the for 17 October in days gone by,
Masked Shrike was 18/10 for me - 5 years ago.
October 16, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Bobolink at Prawle Point, 2001, and Siberian Accentor, 2016 were good birds on 14 October,
Gtr Y’legs & Song Sparrow made for a good morning duo - 16/10/1996,
Grey Catbird, Rufous Bushchat & Blackburnian Wbr were the for 17 October in days gone by,
Masked Shrike was 18/10 for me - 5 years ago.
Gtr Y’legs & Song Sparrow made for a good morning duo - 16/10/1996,
Grey Catbird, Rufous Bushchat & Blackburnian Wbr were the for 17 October in days gone by,
Masked Shrike was 18/10 for me - 5 years ago.
Old days:
I’ve seen 3 Daurian Shrikes this day (2, Norfolk, & Cliffe, Kent) + 1 at Dungeness on 15/10/2006. The bird at Holme was after the Two-barred Greenish’ at Wells which was after the Ramsgate King Eider & the day before the Great Knot, 1996 with Northern Waterthrush earlier that week!
I’ve seen 3 Daurian Shrikes this day (2, Norfolk, & Cliffe, Kent) + 1 at Dungeness on 15/10/2006. The bird at Holme was after the Two-barred Greenish’ at Wells which was after the Ramsgate King Eider & the day before the Great Knot, 1996 with Northern Waterthrush earlier that week!
October 16, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Old days:
I’ve seen 3 Daurian Shrikes this day (2, Norfolk, & Cliffe, Kent) + 1 at Dungeness on 15/10/2006. The bird at Holme was after the Two-barred Greenish’ at Wells which was after the Ramsgate King Eider & the day before the Great Knot, 1996 with Northern Waterthrush earlier that week!
I’ve seen 3 Daurian Shrikes this day (2, Norfolk, & Cliffe, Kent) + 1 at Dungeness on 15/10/2006. The bird at Holme was after the Two-barred Greenish’ at Wells which was after the Ramsgate King Eider & the day before the Great Knot, 1996 with Northern Waterthrush earlier that week!
Meadow Pipits: 40 was a good count at Haysden y’day afternoon but I noted them at 4 of the 6 local sites I hit. 2 over the house this morning were overdue house ticks.
50 species at Whetsted GP’s, where there were two Great White Egrets, was the greatest total from any of yesterday’s wanderings.
50 species at Whetsted GP’s, where there were two Great White Egrets, was the greatest total from any of yesterday’s wanderings.
October 12, 2025 at 11:53 AM
Meadow Pipits: 40 was a good count at Haysden y’day afternoon but I noted them at 4 of the 6 local sites I hit. 2 over the house this morning were overdue house ticks.
50 species at Whetsted GP’s, where there were two Great White Egrets, was the greatest total from any of yesterday’s wanderings.
50 species at Whetsted GP’s, where there were two Great White Egrets, was the greatest total from any of yesterday’s wanderings.
Patch month tick: House Sparrow
Patch year tick: Linnet
Patch tick: Great Black-backed Gull no less! ✔️
I’m so pleased I wasn’t in Yorkshire today (no, okay, that sentence might not quite be truthful).
Dunorlan Park, #TunbridgeWells
Patch year tick: Linnet
Patch tick: Great Black-backed Gull no less! ✔️
I’m so pleased I wasn’t in Yorkshire today (no, okay, that sentence might not quite be truthful).
Dunorlan Park, #TunbridgeWells
October 10, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Patch month tick: House Sparrow
Patch year tick: Linnet
Patch tick: Great Black-backed Gull no less! ✔️
I’m so pleased I wasn’t in Yorkshire today (no, okay, that sentence might not quite be truthful).
Dunorlan Park, #TunbridgeWells
Patch year tick: Linnet
Patch tick: Great Black-backed Gull no less! ✔️
I’m so pleased I wasn’t in Yorkshire today (no, okay, that sentence might not quite be truthful).
Dunorlan Park, #TunbridgeWells
Redwings and Kingfisher among the 36 species in just under an hour at Dunorlan Park this morning.
October 7, 2025 at 7:18 AM
Redwings and Kingfisher among the 36 species in just under an hour at Dunorlan Park this morning.
Sunday afternoons:
Sandhill Crane, Suffolk - brilliant, 2011
Issy Wheatear, Kent, (1996)
4th for Britain American Buff-bellied Pipit, Salakee (900 observers that 1st day) - after Northern Oriole on ‘Agnes earlier
White’s Thrush, Spurn, 2004
Audouin’s Gull, Dungeness, 2014
I do see some birds.
Sandhill Crane, Suffolk - brilliant, 2011
Issy Wheatear, Kent, (1996)
4th for Britain American Buff-bellied Pipit, Salakee (900 observers that 1st day) - after Northern Oriole on ‘Agnes earlier
White’s Thrush, Spurn, 2004
Audouin’s Gull, Dungeness, 2014
I do see some birds.
October 6, 2025 at 8:18 PM
Sunday afternoons:
Sandhill Crane, Suffolk - brilliant, 2011
Issy Wheatear, Kent, (1996)
4th for Britain American Buff-bellied Pipit, Salakee (900 observers that 1st day) - after Northern Oriole on ‘Agnes earlier
White’s Thrush, Spurn, 2004
Audouin’s Gull, Dungeness, 2014
I do see some birds.
Sandhill Crane, Suffolk - brilliant, 2011
Issy Wheatear, Kent, (1996)
4th for Britain American Buff-bellied Pipit, Salakee (900 observers that 1st day) - after Northern Oriole on ‘Agnes earlier
White’s Thrush, Spurn, 2004
Audouin’s Gull, Dungeness, 2014
I do see some birds.
The dipping days of October have provided 3 failed attempts at Black & White Warblers, no show Pechora at Filey, 1994 (Lancey ample compensation), no show Rose-breasted Grosbeak, no show Rufous-tailed Robin, no show White-rumped Swift, no show Taiga Flycatchers & no show Chestnut-sided Warbler!
😳🤣
😳🤣
October 6, 2025 at 8:01 PM
The dipping days of October have provided 3 failed attempts at Black & White Warblers, no show Pechora at Filey, 1994 (Lancey ample compensation), no show Rose-breasted Grosbeak, no show Rufous-tailed Robin, no show White-rumped Swift, no show Taiga Flycatchers & no show Chestnut-sided Warbler!
😳🤣
😳🤣
Dipping in the first days of October:
Yellow-browed Bunting, Sandwich, 2022
Wilson’s Phal, Elmley, 2 days running, 1988 (Oriental Pratincole good consolation)
Citrine Wagtail, Swalecliffe, 2017 - still need this for Kent
Moltoni’s at Holkham, 2017
Parula, Portland, 1988
Green Wbr, Lundy, 2018
Yellow-browed Bunting, Sandwich, 2022
Wilson’s Phal, Elmley, 2 days running, 1988 (Oriental Pratincole good consolation)
Citrine Wagtail, Swalecliffe, 2017 - still need this for Kent
Moltoni’s at Holkham, 2017
Parula, Portland, 1988
Green Wbr, Lundy, 2018
October 6, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Dipping in the first days of October:
Yellow-browed Bunting, Sandwich, 2022
Wilson’s Phal, Elmley, 2 days running, 1988 (Oriental Pratincole good consolation)
Citrine Wagtail, Swalecliffe, 2017 - still need this for Kent
Moltoni’s at Holkham, 2017
Parula, Portland, 1988
Green Wbr, Lundy, 2018
Yellow-browed Bunting, Sandwich, 2022
Wilson’s Phal, Elmley, 2 days running, 1988 (Oriental Pratincole good consolation)
Citrine Wagtail, Swalecliffe, 2017 - still need this for Kent
Moltoni’s at Holkham, 2017
Parula, Portland, 1988
Green Wbr, Lundy, 2018
Redpoll over Dunorlan Park calling this morning was my first of the season (my first here since February in fact).
36 species in an hour made up primarily of the usual suspects including Grey Wagtail.
36 species in an hour made up primarily of the usual suspects including Grey Wagtail.
October 6, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Redpoll over Dunorlan Park calling this morning was my first of the season (my first here since February in fact).
36 species in an hour made up primarily of the usual suspects including Grey Wagtail.
36 species in an hour made up primarily of the usual suspects including Grey Wagtail.
Birdy wallpaper was noted in the toilet @scarthinbooks.bsky.social (superb, see an earlier post) & Chatsworth House.
Memories: visiting ‘no signal’ Dove Dale 20 years later: the day of the Acadian Flycatcher 😕 + passing Beeley where I clawed back Dusky Thrush!
A great week in the Peak District.
Memories: visiting ‘no signal’ Dove Dale 20 years later: the day of the Acadian Flycatcher 😕 + passing Beeley where I clawed back Dusky Thrush!
A great week in the Peak District.
September 29, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Birdy wallpaper was noted in the toilet @scarthinbooks.bsky.social (superb, see an earlier post) & Chatsworth House.
Memories: visiting ‘no signal’ Dove Dale 20 years later: the day of the Acadian Flycatcher 😕 + passing Beeley where I clawed back Dusky Thrush!
A great week in the Peak District.
Memories: visiting ‘no signal’ Dove Dale 20 years later: the day of the Acadian Flycatcher 😕 + passing Beeley where I clawed back Dusky Thrush!
A great week in the Peak District.
Reposted by Andy Appleton
Dungeness
Spotted Flycatcher, Firecrest, Redpoll, Brambling in the Trapping Area
60 Siskin over
50+ Chiffchaffs and smaller numbers of Blackcap
Merlin hunting the Point
Thousands of hirundines moving South East out to sea this morning
#kentbirdmigrationday
Spotted Flycatcher, Firecrest, Redpoll, Brambling in the Trapping Area
60 Siskin over
50+ Chiffchaffs and smaller numbers of Blackcap
Merlin hunting the Point
Thousands of hirundines moving South East out to sea this morning
#kentbirdmigrationday
September 28, 2025 at 9:36 AM
Dungeness
Spotted Flycatcher, Firecrest, Redpoll, Brambling in the Trapping Area
60 Siskin over
50+ Chiffchaffs and smaller numbers of Blackcap
Merlin hunting the Point
Thousands of hirundines moving South East out to sea this morning
#kentbirdmigrationday
Spotted Flycatcher, Firecrest, Redpoll, Brambling in the Trapping Area
60 Siskin over
50+ Chiffchaffs and smaller numbers of Blackcap
Merlin hunting the Point
Thousands of hirundines moving South East out to sea this morning
#kentbirdmigrationday