Marc Heath
@marcheath.bsky.social
Kent Birder, county Dragonfly Recorder for Kent and Northern Lights fanatic. www.marcheath.blogspot.com
2 year ticks this morning on Herne Bay Downs with a Woodcock at dawn and 2 Reed Bunting west (158 species for the year). Also 3 Brambling, 753 Chaffinch west, 19 Grey Partridge, 3 Firecrest and 1 Great Northern Diver offshore. @kentishplover.bsky.social #kentbirding
November 9, 2025 at 11:02 AM
2 year ticks this morning on Herne Bay Downs with a Woodcock at dawn and 2 Reed Bunting west (158 species for the year). Also 3 Brambling, 753 Chaffinch west, 19 Grey Partridge, 3 Firecrest and 1 Great Northern Diver offshore. @kentishplover.bsky.social #kentbirding
Reposted by Marc Heath
The latest BDS Journal is available online, where you can also access previous issues 👉 british-dragonflies.org.uk/bds-journal/
BDS Journal - British Dragonfly Society
Image: Broad-bodied Chaser by Bruce Hyde
british-dragonflies.org.uk
November 6, 2025 at 8:08 AM
The latest BDS Journal is available online, where you can also access previous issues 👉 british-dragonflies.org.uk/bds-journal/
A superb Arctic Tern from Herne Bay Downs this morning. Probably my best ever views of this species. hernebaydownsbirding.blogspot.com. @kentishplover.bsky.social #kentbirding
November 2, 2025 at 6:43 PM
A superb Arctic Tern from Herne Bay Downs this morning. Probably my best ever views of this species. hernebaydownsbirding.blogspot.com. @kentishplover.bsky.social #kentbirding
Another morning on Herne Bay Downs dominated by sheltering from the heavy rain at times. Highlight being this Arctic Tern which landed on the beach for a while. @kentishplover.bsky.social #kentbirding
November 2, 2025 at 11:14 AM
Another morning on Herne Bay Downs dominated by sheltering from the heavy rain at times. Highlight being this Arctic Tern which landed on the beach for a while. @kentishplover.bsky.social #kentbirding
Thanks to the early alarm system of @tankertonbirder.bsky.social , I was able to add 4 Velvet Scoter to the year list (#156) off Herne Bay Downs. Also 3 Arctic Tern east. @kentishplover.bsky.social #kentbirding
November 1, 2025 at 10:26 AM
Thanks to the early alarm system of @tankertonbirder.bsky.social , I was able to add 4 Velvet Scoter to the year list (#156) off Herne Bay Downs. Also 3 Arctic Tern east. @kentishplover.bsky.social #kentbirding
When is this available Richard? I must have a Lewington guide with your superb drawings.
Proofs of Field Guide to Dragonflies & Damselflies of GB&I have arrived and look good. Written by Steve Brooks & Steve Cham with many new artworks, photos and detailed maps, make it the most complete guide to British Odonata. The 6th edition in 28 years
October 28, 2025 at 5:29 PM
When is this available Richard? I must have a Lewington guide with your superb drawings.
A patch ✔️ female SCAUP west this morning past Herne Bay Downs takes the year list to 155 species. Thankfully @tankertonbirder.bsky.social managed a few shots as it flew by Swalecliffe. Also 1 Great Northern Diver and 31 Golden Plover. @kentishplover.bsky.social #kentbirding
October 25, 2025 at 2:44 PM
A patch ✔️ female SCAUP west this morning past Herne Bay Downs takes the year list to 155 species. Thankfully @tankertonbirder.bsky.social managed a few shots as it flew by Swalecliffe. Also 1 Great Northern Diver and 31 Golden Plover. @kentishplover.bsky.social #kentbirding
Reposted by Marc Heath
Tankerton. Record shots of the female Scaup that flew west also a Great Northern Diver west. Thanks @marcheath.bsky.social for he early warning system for Herne bay downs. @kentishplover.bsky.social #Kentbirding #UKbirding
October 25, 2025 at 10:19 AM
Tankerton. Record shots of the female Scaup that flew west also a Great Northern Diver west. Thanks @marcheath.bsky.social for he early warning system for Herne bay downs. @kentishplover.bsky.social #Kentbirding #UKbirding
Arctic Tern from Herne Bay Downs today. More @ hernebaydownsbirding.blogspot.com. @kentishplover.bsky.social #kentbirding
October 23, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Arctic Tern from Herne Bay Downs today. More @ hernebaydownsbirding.blogspot.com. @kentishplover.bsky.social #kentbirding
3 year ticks from a seawatch off Herne Bay Downs today: 1 Knot, 6 Tufted Duck and 3 Red breasted Merganser take the year list to 154 species. @kentishplover.bsky.social #kentbirding
October 23, 2025 at 4:23 PM
3 year ticks from a seawatch off Herne Bay Downs today: 1 Knot, 6 Tufted Duck and 3 Red breasted Merganser take the year list to 154 species. @kentishplover.bsky.social #kentbirding
A Wheatear from Herne Bay Downs this morning. More @ hernebaydownsbirding.blogspot.com. @kentishplover.bsky.social #kentbirding
October 22, 2025 at 4:21 PM
A Wheatear from Herne Bay Downs this morning. More @ hernebaydownsbirding.blogspot.com. @kentishplover.bsky.social #kentbirding
Excellent morning in the Herne Bay Downs area. 4 Brambling heard (150sp for the year) 494 Brent, 1 Pintail, 8 Grey Partridge, 1 Ring Ouzel, 6 Mediterranean Gull and 3 Fieldfare. Despite a good search in the Glen, no YBW. @kentishplover.bsky.social #kentbirding
October 18, 2025 at 11:28 AM
Excellent morning in the Herne Bay Downs area. 4 Brambling heard (150sp for the year) 494 Brent, 1 Pintail, 8 Grey Partridge, 1 Ring Ouzel, 6 Mediterranean Gull and 3 Fieldfare. Despite a good search in the Glen, no YBW. @kentishplover.bsky.social #kentbirding
Highlight this morning seawatching off Herne Bay Downs was a quite distant GLOSSY IBIS flying west in with c40 Brent Geese, (149 species for the year). Also, 434 Brent Geese, 3 Pintail, 1 Pom Skua, 1 Bonxie and 74 Wigeon. @kentishplover.bsky.social #kentbirding
October 12, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Highlight this morning seawatching off Herne Bay Downs was a quite distant GLOSSY IBIS flying west in with c40 Brent Geese, (149 species for the year). Also, 434 Brent Geese, 3 Pintail, 1 Pom Skua, 1 Bonxie and 74 Wigeon. @kentishplover.bsky.social #kentbirding
An hour or so watching over Chislet Marshes this evening produced 2 Short eared Owl flying in high from the NE being mobbed, 2 Marsh Harrier, 4 Buzzard, 1 ring tail Hen Harrier towards Grove, 4 Stonechat and 9 Corn Bunting. @kentishplover.bsky.social #kentbirding
October 7, 2025 at 6:19 PM
An hour or so watching over Chislet Marshes this evening produced 2 Short eared Owl flying in high from the NE being mobbed, 2 Marsh Harrier, 4 Buzzard, 1 ring tail Hen Harrier towards Grove, 4 Stonechat and 9 Corn Bunting. @kentishplover.bsky.social #kentbirding
Sandwich Tern, Shag and Wheatear from Herne Bay Downs this morning. More @ hernebaydownsbirding.blogspot.com. @kentishplover.bsky.social #kentbirding #ukbirding
October 5, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Sandwich Tern, Shag and Wheatear from Herne Bay Downs this morning. More @ hernebaydownsbirding.blogspot.com. @kentishplover.bsky.social #kentbirding #ukbirding
Herne Bay Downs highlights this morning included 15 Crossbill West, 1 Shag, 2 Mediterranean Gull, 3 Pomarine Skua and 1 Wheatear. @kentishplover.bsky.social #kentbirding
October 5, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Herne Bay Downs highlights this morning included 15 Crossbill West, 1 Shag, 2 Mediterranean Gull, 3 Pomarine Skua and 1 Wheatear. @kentishplover.bsky.social #kentbirding
An excellent couple of mornings in the Herne Bay Downs and Bishopstone area. A patch tick Long eared Owl seen this morning and a Tawny Owl heard. No sight or sound of any Yellow browed Warblers yet in the Glen. @kentishplover.bsky.social #kentbirding
September 28, 2025 at 10:02 AM
An excellent couple of mornings in the Herne Bay Downs and Bishopstone area. A patch tick Long eared Owl seen this morning and a Tawny Owl heard. No sight or sound of any Yellow browed Warblers yet in the Glen. @kentishplover.bsky.social #kentbirding
A 2025 highlight. Female form 'aurantiaca' Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly. NEW photos and exciting Blog stats @ marcheath.blogspot.com. @britishdragonflies.bsky.social @dragonflydamselfly.bsky.social #Teamdragonfly #UKwildlife
September 25, 2025 at 6:25 PM
A 2025 highlight. Female form 'aurantiaca' Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly. NEW photos and exciting Blog stats @ marcheath.blogspot.com. @britishdragonflies.bsky.social @dragonflydamselfly.bsky.social #Teamdragonfly #UKwildlife
A good weekend seawatching off Herne Bay Downs (3 year ticks) takes the year list to 144 species. More @ hernebaydownsbirding.blogspot.com. @kentishplover.bsky.social #kentbirding
September 21, 2025 at 4:36 PM
A good weekend seawatching off Herne Bay Downs (3 year ticks) takes the year list to 144 species. More @ hernebaydownsbirding.blogspot.com. @kentishplover.bsky.social #kentbirding
Excellent seawatching session off Herne Bay Downs this morning. Highlights included 10 Little Gull, 2 Little Tern, 5 Manx Shearwater and 59 Arctic Skua all west. @kentishplover.bsky.social #kentbirding
September 21, 2025 at 10:28 AM
Excellent seawatching session off Herne Bay Downs this morning. Highlights included 10 Little Gull, 2 Little Tern, 5 Manx Shearwater and 59 Arctic Skua all west. @kentishplover.bsky.social #kentbirding
Had to seawatch from the shelter once the thunder and rain moved in at Herne Bay Downs. Highlights included 22 Little Tern feeding offshore, 1 Arctic Skua, 111 Swallow in off, 1 Hobby in off and 1 Shag west. @kentishplover.bsky.social #kentbirding
September 20, 2025 at 10:43 AM
Had to seawatch from the shelter once the thunder and rain moved in at Herne Bay Downs. Highlights included 22 Little Tern feeding offshore, 1 Arctic Skua, 111 Swallow in off, 1 Hobby in off and 1 Shag west. @kentishplover.bsky.social #kentbirding
Reposted by Marc Heath
On probably the last hot (25'C), calm & sunny day of the year, 2♂️Scarce Blue-tailed Damselflies on territory at Sandwich Bay beating last year's final sighting on 3rd Sept. Amazing how such fragile creatures have survived the recent storms & cool evenings. @britishdragonflies.bsky.social #KentNature
September 19, 2025 at 7:01 PM
On probably the last hot (25'C), calm & sunny day of the year, 2♂️Scarce Blue-tailed Damselflies on territory at Sandwich Bay beating last year's final sighting on 3rd Sept. Amazing how such fragile creatures have survived the recent storms & cool evenings. @britishdragonflies.bsky.social #KentNature
Red throated Diver from Herne Bay Downs Saturday. NEW photos @ hernebaydownsbirding.blogspot.com. @kentishplover.bsky.social #kentbirding
September 14, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Red throated Diver from Herne Bay Downs Saturday. NEW photos @ hernebaydownsbirding.blogspot.com. @kentishplover.bsky.social #kentbirding
A perched Short eared Owl at dawn at Bishopstone takes the Herne Bay Downs year list to 141 species. Also, 2 Shag west and 1 Grey Partridge heard. @kentishplover.bsky.social #kentbirding
September 14, 2025 at 11:48 AM
A perched Short eared Owl at dawn at Bishopstone takes the Herne Bay Downs year list to 141 species. Also, 2 Shag west and 1 Grey Partridge heard. @kentishplover.bsky.social #kentbirding
Sunshine and heavy rain at times at Herne Bay Downs this morning. Highlight was a very close Red throated Diver still in partial summer plumage drifting west. Also 3 Arctic Skua east and 325 Swallow west. @kentishplover.bsky.social #kentbirding
September 13, 2025 at 9:33 AM
Sunshine and heavy rain at times at Herne Bay Downs this morning. Highlight was a very close Red throated Diver still in partial summer plumage drifting west. Also 3 Arctic Skua east and 325 Swallow west. @kentishplover.bsky.social #kentbirding