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Ben Collins-Smith

@bc-s

Kent birder

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14.11.2024
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Latest posts by Ben Collins-Smith @bc-s

Resplendent Quetzal

Resplendent Quetzal

Talamanca Hummingbird

Talamanca Hummingbird

Volcano Hummingbird

Volcano Hummingbird

Some bits from the last few days in the highlands of #CostaRica - Resplendent Quetzal, Talamanca Humminbird & Volcano Hummingbird πŸ‡¨πŸ‡·

13.12.2025 14:23 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
White-winged Guan

White-winged Guan

Lesser Nighthawk

Lesser Nighthawk

Tumbes Chat-Tyrant

Tumbes Chat-Tyrant

A few birds from the last few days of my Northern Peru tour; White-winged Guan, Lesser Nighthawk & Tumbes Chat-Tyrant #birding #Peru

29.09.2025 15:40 πŸ‘ 6 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1
White-winged Guan

White-winged Guan

Lesser Nighthawk

Lesser Nighthawk

Tumbes Chat-Tyrant

Tumbes Chat-Tyrant

A few birds from the last few days of my Northern Peru tour; White-winged Guan, Lesser Nighthawk & Tumbes Chat-Tyrant #birding #Peru

29.09.2025 15:36 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Red-and-green Macaws

Red-and-green Macaws

Red-and-green Macaw

Red-and-green Macaw

Red-and-green Macaw

Red-and-green Macaw

Red-and-green Macaw

Red-and-green Macaw

We’re lucky to have a colpa (clay lick) at Hoja Nueva which allows us to see some of the parrots at close range. Red-and-green Macaws are by far the most common with 30+ pairs. Scarlet, Blue-and-yellow, Chestnut-fronted and Red-bellied have been limited to a few pairs each

19.09.2025 18:51 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Bolivian Red Howler Monkey

Bolivian Red Howler Monkey

Saddle-back Tamarin

Saddle-back Tamarin

Brown-throated Sloth

Brown-throated Sloth

Halfway through my stay with Hoja Nueva, near Puerto Maldonado, volunteering with their research, rehab and rewilding efforts. Some of the mammals on show daily below; Bolivian Red Howler Monkey, Saddle-back Tamarin & Brown-throated Sloth #conservation #peru

16.09.2025 16:12 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Belcher’s Gull

Belcher’s Gull

Blue-grey Tanager

Blue-grey Tanager

Long-tailed Mockingbird

Long-tailed Mockingbird

Saffron Finch

Saffron Finch

πŸ‡΅πŸ‡ͺ #Peru day 1 - explored the parks and bars of Lima, stumbled into a few birds too - photos of Belcher’s Gull, Blue-grey Tanager, Long-tailed Mockingbird & Saffron Finch #birding

07.09.2025 13:18 πŸ‘ 6 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1
Spotted Crake

Spotted Crake

Spotted Crake

Spotted Crake

Water Rail

Water Rail

Spotted Crake showed well for 40 minutes at New Downs, Sandwich this morning, albeit in poor light. Was lucky to connect with the 3 Dotterel at St Margaret’s on the way home before the flew south over the road #kentbirding

30.08.2025 08:30 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Sombre Tit

Sombre Tit

Western Rock Nuthatch

Western Rock Nuthatch

Snuck off from the family holiday for half a day of birding in Albania with @ajcollinssmith_. Connected with our two targets of Sombre Tit (2) and Western Rock Nuthatch (5+) near GjirokastΓ«r. Supporting cast of 20+ Golden Oriole, Lesser Grey Shrike, Blue Rock Thrush #birding

22.08.2025 19:24 πŸ‘ 7 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1

Glad I saw the one at Foreness a few ago or I’d be pretty pissed off πŸ˜‚

17.08.2025 12:54 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

Cheers Neil, hopefully you find something rare and it sticks for a week!

15.08.2025 17:42 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

The last 3 times I’ve been out of the country @dungenessbirdobs.bsky.social has had Eastern & Western Bonelli’s Warblers and Iberian Chiff. I’m off to Albania tomorrow so if anyone fancies finding a rare warbler, you know where to go… #kentbirding

15.08.2025 17:32 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 1
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The Pectoral Sandpiper was still in the SE corner of the ARC pit at Dungeness this morning. Also, Peregrine, Cuckoo, 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Avocet & 4 GWE feeding in front of the hide #kentbirding

07.08.2025 06:39 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Margate to Broadstairs this morning: Leucistic Herring Gull still in Margate Harbour, Peregrine, Wheatear, 2 Fulmar, Curlew & Whimbrel #kentbirding

02.08.2025 09:48 πŸ‘ 5 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

I’ll have to take you up on that offer if I’m silly enough to do that walk again!

01.06.2025 17:33 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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River Medway from Tonbridge to Rochester: 8 hours, 49km, 62k steps, 8 pubs, no bins but 49 bird species inc. fem. Mandarin, 6 Kingfisher, GSW nest, Reed Bunt, Yellowhammer #kentbirding

31.05.2025 20:50 πŸ‘ 9 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 1
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πŸ‡ͺπŸ‡ͺ Estonia day 6 - caught up with Booted Warbler and Lesser Spotted Eagle today, bringing our final trip list to 172 species. Photos of some of the observation towers #birding

27.05.2025 18:52 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Blyth’s Reed Warbler

Blyth’s Reed Warbler

River Warbler

River Warbler

Marsh Warbler

Marsh Warbler

Penduline Tit

Penduline Tit

πŸ‡ͺπŸ‡ͺ Estonia days 4 & 5 - travelled south and east to try for some warbler targets. 3 River, 5 Blyth’s Reed, 8+ Marsh Warbler around Tartu. Also Golden Eagle, Corncrake, Penduline Tit, Golden Oriole were highlights @ajcollinssmith.bsky.social #birding

26.05.2025 14:27 πŸ‘ 9 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1
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πŸ‡ͺπŸ‡ͺ Estonia day 3 - explored some bogs and mature woodland this morning. A couple of Citrine Wags helped ease the blow whilst waiting to get towed in the afternoon πŸ˜‚ also Honey Buzzard & Grasshopper Warbler #birding

24.05.2025 16:13 πŸ‘ 7 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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πŸ‡ͺπŸ‡ͺ Estonia day 2 - whole day birding Matsalu Bay & surrounding areas. 100s of GWE, 7+ WTE, 3 Montagu’s Harrier, Red-breasted, Pied & Spotted Flys, LEO & dozens of Icterines #birding

23.05.2025 19:30 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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πŸ‡ͺπŸ‡ͺ Day 1 of Estonia with @ajcollinssmith.bsky.social - birded the NW of the country with 94 species so far inc. Icterine, Marsh, Savi’s & Great Reed Warblers, Golden Oriole, Rosefinch, Black Tern, loads of Little Gulls, Whinchats etc.

22.05.2025 19:04 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Good to see u again today Ben. A great wader morning with Whimbrels, Turnstones, Sanderlings, Dunlins & Grey Plovers moving up channel, followed by 2 Curlew Sandpipers at Kerton Road Pit (thanks for the heads up), 34+ Barwits, 2 Common Sandpipers, 3 Ringed Plovers, 1 Knot, 2 Redshank & Common Tern.

10.05.2025 19:01 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

Dungeness sea watch 05:40-09:10: 3 Poms, 1 Arctic Skua, 6 Velvet & 100 Common Scoter, 3 Little, 2 Black, Sandwich & Common Terns, 3 diver species & some waders moving up the channel. Black Redstart and 2 Wheatear on the beach #kentbirding

10.05.2025 09:02 πŸ‘ 5 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
Summer plumage Spotted Sandpiper on the dam at Grafham Water

Summer plumage Spotted Sandpiper on the dam at Grafham Water

Male Great Reed Warbler at Ouse Fen RSPB

Male Great Reed Warbler at Ouse Fen RSPB

Female Blue-winged Teal at Rainham Marshes RSPB

Female Blue-winged Teal at Rainham Marshes RSPB

Tight schedule but good morning of twitching. Spotted Sand @ Grafham, Great Reed Warbler, male and female Red-footed Falcons @ Ouse Fen & Blue-winged Teal @ Rainham on the way home.

03.05.2025 16:38 πŸ‘ 5 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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2 Hoopoe at farm by Little Dartmouth

11.04.2025 16:15 πŸ‘ 15 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Sunrise at Hoylake.

Had the Black Scoter all to ourselves this morning.

#cheshirebirding

15.03.2025 07:01 πŸ‘ 8 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
AJ standing on sea wall with the Sheppey Crossing in the background

AJ standing on sea wall with the Sheppey Crossing in the background

Sunset over reed bed at Chetney Marshes

Sunset over reed bed at Chetney Marshes

Lovely still evening at Chetney Marshes with @ajcollinssmith.bsky.social. 58 species including 5+ Short-eared and 2 Barn Owl, 10+ Marsh Harrier, c2300 Starling into roost #kentbirding

05.03.2025 18:40 πŸ‘ 11 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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A drizzly Blean Woods this afternoon: 1 female LSW, Marsh Tit, Bullfinch, Firecrest. A male Hen Harrier was a surprise as it flew over the car just outside Chilham #kentbirding

08.02.2025 19:49 πŸ‘ 14 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Hundreds of finches and buntings in Marden this afternoon. 100 Chaffinch, 100 Linnet, 80+ Yellowhammer, 70+ Reed Bunting, 2 Brambling and this brief Hawfinch
#ukbirding #kentbirding

01.02.2025 18:19 πŸ‘ 10 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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The Spectacled Eider did the honourable thing and stuck around for us this morning. Celebratory 11am beer with @mardenmark.bsky.social @desertwarbler.bsky.social @andyappleton.bsky.social

25.01.2025 10:59 πŸ‘ 9 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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1am start and -4Β° but the Wallcreeper has been showing well since before sunrise, near Les Andelys. Thanks @jamiepartridge.bsky.social for the inspo

04.01.2025 09:01 πŸ‘ 6 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0