Phil Chantler (@philbockhill.bsky.social)

@philbockhill.bsky.social Oct 10, 2026, 1:47 PM

Interesting silhouette photo of #Quail flushed today at #Bockhill. It appears to show suspended moult in the remiges and possibly the rectrices. Literature notes that late‑bred western European birds often migrate in this condition. Amazing run of Quail records at Bockhill first heard on 15th May.

@philbockhill.bsky.social Oct 9, 2026, 3:52 PM

Decent 5hr seawatch in strong swly #StMargeretsBay 12 Arctic Skua & one juv Pom Skua upchannel. DB Brent 482 downchannel, 159 upchannel, Wigeon 35 , 7 C Scoter, single Pintail Teal, RBMerganser. 2 Grey Plover 6 Dunlin, 3 Ringed Plover, 7 RTDiver, 9 Swallow. Single 2nd wint Caspian Gull & Merlin.

@philbockhill.bsky.social Oct 3, 2026, 9:17 AM

Whilst watching two Great White Egrets come in off sea, #NigelJarman got us onto this group of eight Bottle-nosed Dolphin swimming down Channel from #Bockhill.

@philbockhill.bsky.social Sep 30, 2026, 10:41 AM

Good day so far at #Bockhill. Juvenile Merlin, 19 Brambling, 1.5k Hirundines, Pintail, Brent, Wigeon on sea (low numbers) and Crimson Speckled in Phacelia field.

@philbockhill.bsky.social Sep 27, 2026, 1:15 PM

In addition to Brendan Ryan’s earlier #Bockhill post: 376 Meadow Pipits, 14 Pied Wagtail, 3 Reed Bunting, 120 Skylark, 7 Firecrest, four Wheatear, 320 Linnet and a juvenile Grey Plover circled the fields before moving off west.
#kentbirdmigrationday

As per most of our Pipits, Larks. Buntings and Wagtails, this morning, this Grey Plover was moving west.

@philbockhill.bsky.social Sep 24, 2026, 4:32 PM

Cooler more overcast conditions today at #Bockhill. Very still all day with little viz mig. 21 Stonechat (including a group of eight) were the highlight and three Wheatear added to the 'chatty' feeling.

@philbockhill.bsky.social Sep 21, 2026, 6:02 PM

Good day at #Bockhill. Became increasingly warm but birds throughout. Highlights; 104 Chiffchaff, 31 Blackcap, 60+ Robin, six Firecrest, two Red-throated Diver downchannel, two Yellow-legged Gull and singles of Hobby, Tree Pipit and Redstart.

Rare enough this autumn to post a lurking Redstart.

Our Raven pair are becoming increasingly brazen every day.

@philbockhill.bsky.social Sep 18, 2026, 12:25 PM

Great morning at #Bockhill. Still many House Martins - at least 7k. Significant increase in Chiffchaff 136 with other highlights being 6 Firecrest, 4 Hobby and Redstart. At least 14 Clouded Yellow (including one helice) and one Hornet Robberfly.

@philbockhill.bsky.social Sep 15, 2026, 1:42 PM

Good viz mig Bockhill. 440 Mipits first thing with 11 Grey Wag, 11 Grey Heron and Tree Pipit. Timed count of over 300 House M & Swallows per min going s-w before they turned round! Estimate 8K H Martin, 5K Swallow. Increase in Chiffs (54) Jamie P had Osprey over Bay which we got onto over village.

One of several Chiffchaff around puddle at Farm.

Good numbers of Round-leaved Fluellen in field margins.

@philbockhill.bsky.social Sep 10, 2026, 2:05 PM

Reasonable number of migrants in bushes at Bockhill this morning. 24 Chiffchaff. 11 Blackcap, 6 Lesser Whites, two Whitethroat, two Firecrest and singles of Willow Warbler and Spotted Flycatcher.

@philbockhill.bsky.social Sep 3, 2026, 4:34 PM

In hot and windy (easterly) conditions at Tarifa this morning (el Tráfico) decent numbers of raptors moving. Black Kites, Egyptian Vultures, Sparrowhawks, Booted Eagles and Short-toed Eagles struggling low into the wind with higher flocks of Honey Buzzards powering straight over to Morocco.

@philbockhill.bsky.social Sep 1, 2026, 6:06 PM

Excellent day's birding in Cadiz province. Andalucia with John Cantello, Richard Heading and Julian Russell. Started with two singing House Buntings in Algeciras.