@jkylesmith.bsky.social
A Scot, living in Banbury - crossroads of Oxon, Bucks, Northants, Warks. Birder & amateur photographer. If at first you don't succeed, we have a lot in common.
@jkylesmith.bsky.socialReturned to the Gunsite, Leasowe on the Wirral y'day with Kev Heath, Adrian Sparrowhawk & Bryan Manston for Leach's petrels. Bonus bonxies and Arctic skuas, plus putting a face to a name, meeting @manchesterbirder.bsky.social there @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social #UKbirding.
@jkylesmith.bsky.socialReturned to the Gunsite, Leasowe on the Wirral y'day with Kev Heath, Adrian Sparrowhawk & Bryan Manston for Leach's petrels. Bonus bonxies and Arctic skuas, plus putting a face to a name, meeting @manchesterbirder.bsky.social there @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social #UKbirding.
@jkylesmith.bsky.socialGreat to see you too, and in 3D!
@jkylesmith.bsky.socialThanks Andy. Hope you enjoyed the day on the Scillies.
@jkylesmith.bsky.socialMy latest blog is live! This one features trips to RSPB Minsmere and then RSPB Marshside with Kev Heath, ticking a lifer (red-eyed vireo) and dipping a pallid harrier.
@birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social #UKbirding
Thanks for taking a look! 👇
jkhsmith.blogspot.com/2026/10/rspb....
@jkylesmith.bsky.socialFirst visit to RSPB Marshside with Kev Heath yesterday, hoping for pallid harrier - dipped! Still a great day, with marsh harriers, buzzard, sparrowhawk, kestrel, female merlin, and short-eared owl @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social @ukbutterflies.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social.
@jkylesmith.bsky.socialManaged to see the elusive red-eyed vireo in the North Bushes at Minsmere yesterday. Arrived just after it had been showing much better than the previous day and after a 4hr absence. A 30min wait produced a brief but welcome view on top of a bush, before it flew into an oak and vanished again.
@jkylesmith.bsky.socialMy latest blog is live! This one features a trip to Hampshire with Kev Heath & David South, then onto Stanpit Marsh Christchurch, and finally to RSPB Winterbourne Downs on the way home.
@birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social
Thanks for taking a look! 👇
jkhsmith.blogspot.com/2026/09/penn....
@jkylesmith.bsky.socialSolar halo from Stanpit Marsh while Kev Heath, Dave South and I were visiting on Saturday.
@jkylesmith.bsky.socialAlso at Stanpit Marsh, Kev Heath, Dave South, and I watched a couple of ospreys, initially flying high and scanning the shore and bay before later plunge-diving and successfully catching fish - grey mullet, of which there were plenty @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social.
@jkylesmith.bsky.socialVisited Stanpit Marsh on Saturday with Kev Heath & Dave South and were treated to two white-tailed eagles. Initially seen distantly along the water’s edge through the heat haze, we later enjoyed better views as they flew past and then circled overhead @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social.
@jkylesmith.bsky.socialVisited Stanpit Marsh on Saturday with Kev Heath & Dave South and were treated to two white-tailed eagles. Initially seen distantly along the water’s edge through the heat haze, we later enjoyed better views as they flew past and then circled overhead @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social.
@jkylesmith.bsky.socialDropped down into Hampshire with Kev Heath & Dave South to see the semipalmated sandpiper at Fishtail Lagoon, Pennington Marshes - it seemed to be associating quite strongly with a little stint @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social.
@jkylesmith.bsky.socialDropped down into Hampshire with Kev Heath & Dave South to try for the semipalmated sandpiper at Fishtail Lagoon, Pennington Marshes - a cracking bird! Great to see Trevor Ellery & @alanbodd.bsky.social at the bird too @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social.
@jkylesmith.bsky.socialJust a day out birding at Farmoor Reservoir with Kev Heath, recording over 50 species, including the impressive feral Snow Goose flock of around 93 individuals.
@jkylesmith.bsky.socialMy latest blog is live! This one features ticking off a couple of sandpipers, one unexpectedly reported just 20 minutes from home ... but while @kev07713 and I were at Frampton Marsh!
@birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social
Thanks for taking a look! 👇
jkhsmith.blogspot.com/2026/09/rspb....
@jkylesmith.bsky.socialQuick dash over from Lincolnshire with Kev Heath to see Oxfordshire’s first Baird’s Sandpiper. Made it in time to get views before it was flushed in the late afternoon. Great to hear it call as it took flight and made a circuit of the Ardley ERF lagoon @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social.
@jkylesmith.bsky.socialQuick dash over from Lincolnshire with Kev Heath to see Oxfordshire’s first Baird’s Sandpiper. Made it in time to get views before it was flushed in the late afternoon. Great to hear it call as it took flight and made a circuit of the Ardley ERF lagoon @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social.
@jkylesmith.bsky.socialHeaded to RSPB Frampton Marsh with Kev Heath to see a buff-breasted sandpiper - stayed for us! The day took a turn when a Baird's sandpiper was reported back in Oxon resulting in a quick dash there @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social.
@jkylesmith.bsky.socialHeaded to RSPB Frampton Marsh with Kev Heath to see a buff-breasted sandpiper - stayed for us! The day took a turn when a Baird's sandpiper was reported back in Oxon resulting in a quick dash there @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social.
