Steve OldScope

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(Replying here as I can't DM without bloody age verification) . Have all your swifts now departed? How would you summarise their breeding season this year?

Kids have forever complained that learning academic subjects is pointless. What happens, first to the education system and then to wider society, if that actually becomes true, because there are no careers in science, writing, maths etc?

I think that in the UK this look is still considered creepy, associated with Jimmy Saville and "medallion man" (going completely topless is fine though)

Small Copper and Wall Brown in Faversham area this morning. At the time I was frustrated that the Wall wouldn't cooperate for a back wing shot but now pleased with the angle I got #kentnature

#kentnature

Shout out to a sausage went for a walk .

Interested in recommendations of reasonably priced 8x bins that fit in a pocket, for those "not birding but just in case" outings. Most mini-bins I've tried have had poor field of view & depth of field and the moving object lenses collected dirt #birdinggear

At least 8 (+ probably others out of view) Common Tern chicks on the raft at Stodmarsh this morning. The bird in the photos was hovering outside the Reedbed Hide #kentbirding

Sure is a great day for doomscrolling, but for light relief here's some Kent wildlife from the weekend. Med Gull was at Faversham duck pond. Hedgehog I disturbed in garden shed and was making its way to an alternative hideout. #Kentwildlife #kentbirding

Yes. Particularly like a couple of Scottish ones that are mostly contours and water , with just a couple of roads across.

I had wondered how many of these Reform councillors were former Tory councillors (with experience on their side at least) who had defected . Seems like not many!

Not denying that no-bins birding can be enjoyable, but the everyday miracle of holding these tubes up to your face and everything getting closer is a big part of the appeal for me. It's like a portal into their world.

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Best photo I've managed of Downy Emerald (they never seem to land!) Taken at the very lovely Scotney Castle NT today. #kentnature

Wasp Beetle (according to Obsidentify) on garden chair. #kentnature

Top right, striped oak bug?

EEEEEAGLES!!!

Question. Given the scale of your excellent project, and with apologies if you're bored of being asked this.. How many of the 500 songs have you already chosen? Do you even intend to get to 500, or would you get to certain era and your heart not be in it anymore?

Err , could it be that Lab show nothing but disdain for the values and issues that motivate Green voters?

Blackbirds going potty in a yew tree gave away the presence of this Tawny Owl. #KentBirding

Hi , is there much going on at the new Conningbrook lakes this spring eg LRPs ?

Oil Beetle at Conyer (check out wiki for interesting life cycle). Bird-wise, pretty quiet by late morning (no T Dove or Cuckoo heard), but a Spot Fly encountered along east side path and approx 40 grey plover on Swale.

Hope you're saying "please bother to vote, for the party that best reflects your beliefs" not "hold your nose and vote Labour." Left/green leaning people who did the latter in 2024 won't be doing it again.

2 Green Hairstreaks were out today at Monkton NR #KentNature

The massive protests need to happen before the visit is arranged, not during. Starmer needs to know that appeasement of fascism will not be forgiven by the electorate.

Oare marshes late morning highlights - female/imm ring ouzel, smart male whinchat, 4 fem. wheatear (all birds in this mini fall were between Dan's Dock and Uplees copse) , and 2 little tern off horse sands.

...Also flock of approx 15 cattle egret flying round #kentbirding

Stodmarsh yesterday evening. Still a pair of Garganey showing extremely well from reedbed hide (my daughter's photos). Other highlights - several Bitterns booming, a Nightingale along the path to the hide, big pre-roost gathering of hirundines, and Tawny Owl calling in car park area.

Year tick in the compost bin