A few more photos of Red-veined Darter at Swanscombe marshes watching. Plus the Lesser Emperor.
📣 Applications are now open for the Martin Garner Spurn Young Birder Competition 2026!
If you're aged 16 or under and passionate about birding, this is your chance to compete at #MigFest2026 and win some fantastic prizes.
⏰ Applications close 19 July
🔗 tinyurl.com/MGSYB2026
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There was another reason why I wanted to visit Swanscombe marshes today . It was 35 years ago today that I found a Bridled Tern flying alongside a White-winged Tern found earlier in Essex, just offshore in the Thames.Happy days . The site has changed considerably over the years but is still great😊
🫣🫣🫣🧐😱😱😱😎😂
Unfortunately Jack had to head home but a very quick visit to a another site on the way home produced the expected Currant Clearwings . Pretty good week for insects despite the mixed weather. Hopefully more Clearwings and other super insects to come later in the year 🙂
Male Red veined Darters from Swanscombe Marshes, Kent yday. NEW photos @ marcheath.blogspot.com. @britishdragonflies.bsky.social @smallshire.bsky.social @bbcspringwatch.bsky.social #KentDragonflies #odonata #Teamdragonfly
I met up with @snapsjackel.bsky.social and his wife in Kent today . We saw a few bits including Spotted Flycatcher, plenty of Heath Fritillaries and a superb Yellow-legged Clearwing . It was a good catch up talking about the good old days 🙂👌
Permission to steal @alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social's thunder as he's currently indisposed birding elsewhere: fantastic reward for him after sticking to his usual trapping spot at Freshwater Bay, Southwell, in what looked to be unpromisingly cooler, breezy conditions with a Mediterranean Brocade...
Brilliant hour this afternoon in a brief weather window at Swanscombe marshes watching Red-veined Darters found by Kelly Ann yesterday. We managed a minimum of 15 individuals including two pairs of. Also a superb Lesser Emperor. The site had a single RVD a few years ago but not seen more until now
Excellent day out in the end. Swanscombe Marshes produced 15+ Red veined Darter and 1 Lesser Emperor. A very breezy Oare Marshes PM produced 10 Dainty Damselfly (6 teneral) 70+ Ruddy Darter and 25+ Scarce Emerald Damselfly. @britishdragonflies.bsky.social @smallshire.bsky.social #KentDragonflies
Barry Wright
Spurn Bird Observatory
Barry Wright
Barry Wright
Barry Wright
Barry Wright
Barry Wright
Marc Heath
Marc Heath
Portland Bird Observatory
🪶 Birds masturbate.
🦜 This is normal, and not (as often is believed) a maladaptive behaviour only found in captivity.
🍑 Pet bird owners - chill, and let your budgie have some fun.
🧪 Study of masturbation in 120 bird species, by @matildabrindle.bsky.social:
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
