Kyle Smith 🏴
@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.
I’ve posted my latest blog featuring a local visit to Blenheim on Saturday with Kev Heath - thanks for looking jkhsmith.blogspot.com/2025/12/blen... - @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social.
Blenheim :: 13 December 2025
With two of the family unwell and tucked up at home, I decided it wouldn’t be fair to share a car with Kev @kev07713 for several hours, pot...
jkhsmith.blogspot.com
December 14, 2025 at 2:21 PM
I’ve posted my latest blog featuring a local visit to Blenheim on Saturday with Kev Heath - thanks for looking jkhsmith.blogspot.com/2025/12/blen... - @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social.
I’ve posted my latest blog featuring visits to Dawlish Warren for the lesser crested tern and then @WWTSlimbridge with Kev Heath - thanks for looking jkhsmith.blogspot.com/2025/12/dawl... - @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social.
Dawlish Warren NNR & WWT Slimbridge :: 05 & 06 December 2025
A tern was first recorded at Dawlish Warren on 3 December, initially roosting on a mid‑estuary buoy before moving to another near Cockwood a...
jkhsmith.blogspot.com
December 12, 2025 at 4:49 PM
I’ve posted my latest blog featuring visits to Dawlish Warren for the lesser crested tern and then @WWTSlimbridge with Kev Heath - thanks for looking jkhsmith.blogspot.com/2025/12/dawl... - @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social.
Visited Dawlish Warren on Fri with Kev Heath to ensure we didn't miss the lesser crested tern - avoiding curse of Sat birding - good views but conditions were terrible. Appears Thu / Sat were better, although many were biting their nails y'day until it reappeared from up-estuary.
December 7, 2025 at 9:38 AM
Visited Dawlish Warren on Fri with Kev Heath to ensure we didn't miss the lesser crested tern - avoiding curse of Sat birding - good views but conditions were terrible. Appears Thu / Sat were better, although many were biting their nails y'day until it reappeared from up-estuary.
I want to decorate my Xmas tree with these. Crossbills at Blenheim this afternoon - circa 25 individuals @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social @btoengland.bsky.social @bbowt.bsky.social.
December 3, 2025 at 10:29 PM
I want to decorate my Xmas tree with these. Crossbills at Blenheim this afternoon - circa 25 individuals @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social @btoengland.bsky.social @bbowt.bsky.social.
I’ve posted my latest blog featuring a visit to Eyebrook Reservoir with @kev07713 - thanks for looking jkhsmith.blogspot.com/2025/12/eyeb... - @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social.
Eyebrook Reservoir & Summer Leys :: 29 November 2025
What’s going on with the weather lately? On Friday, I was working in Sheffield and later drove my daughter home from Leeds, where she’d been...
jkhsmith.blogspot.com
December 1, 2025 at 11:29 AM
I’ve posted my latest blog featuring a visit to Eyebrook Reservoir with @kev07713 - thanks for looking jkhsmith.blogspot.com/2025/12/eyeb... - @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social.
I’ve posted my latest blog featuring a visit to Holbury and Calshot with Kev Heath to see the boat-tailed grackle - thanks for looking jkhsmith.blogspot.com/2025/11/cals... - @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social.
Calshot, Holbury & Goatee Beach :: 22 November 2025
The weekend weather forecast looked rather bleak, so when Kev @kev07713 and I began discussing Saturday plans, we naturally considered bird...
jkhsmith.blogspot.com
November 26, 2025 at 6:02 PM
I’ve posted my latest blog featuring a visit to Holbury and Calshot with Kev Heath to see the boat-tailed grackle - thanks for looking jkhsmith.blogspot.com/2025/11/cals... - @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social.
Late to the party - maybe even to the anniversary - but eventually got to Holbury for the showy boat-tailed grackle on Saturday with Kev Heath. Raining but not as heavy as it would get later. Great to meet Nick Bristow @nickbris56.bsky.social - @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social.
November 24, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Late to the party - maybe even to the anniversary - but eventually got to Holbury for the showy boat-tailed grackle on Saturday with Kev Heath. Raining but not as heavy as it would get later. Great to meet Nick Bristow @nickbris56.bsky.social - @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social.
I’ve posted my latest blog featuring visits with Kev Heath to Northwick Warth for penduline tit and Cheddar Reservoir for greater scaup - thanks for looking jkhsmith.blogspot.com/2025/11/nort... - @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social.
Northwick Warth & Cheddar Reservoir :: 16 November 2025
When it comes to rare bird visitors to the UK, the penduline tit is a name that often excites birders across the country. Small, stylish and...
jkhsmith.blogspot.com
November 20, 2025 at 9:56 PM
I’ve posted my latest blog featuring visits with Kev Heath to Northwick Warth for penduline tit and Cheddar Reservoir for greater scaup - thanks for looking jkhsmith.blogspot.com/2025/11/nort... - @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social.
After the Penduline tit yesterday Kev Heath and I dropped in at Cheddar Reservoir for the pair of greater scaup - initially distant they made a close enough pass for a video and some photos @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social.
November 17, 2025 at 7:11 PM
After the Penduline tit yesterday Kev Heath and I dropped in at Cheddar Reservoir for the pair of greater scaup - initially distant they made a close enough pass for a video and some photos @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social.
Dipped penduline tits on 3 previous occasions, and this bird on Tuesday last week - 4th time proved to be lucky y'day - saw it with Kev Heath before it took to the sky flying strongly east to the disappointment of the audience and arriving birders @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social.
November 17, 2025 at 7:54 AM
Dipped penduline tits on 3 previous occasions, and this bird on Tuesday last week - 4th time proved to be lucky y'day - saw it with Kev Heath before it took to the sky flying strongly east to the disappointment of the audience and arriving birders @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social.
I’ve posted my latest blog featuring visits to Carsington Water with Kev Heath, and a couple of days out with my wife, stopping to see the long-tailed duck at Normandy Lagoon, Lymington - thanks for looking jkhsmith.blogspot.com/2025/11/cars....
Carsington Water & 2-day break :: 08-11 November 2025
Carsington Water is one of those places where a simple walk can quickly become a memorable birding adventure. The mix of open water, woodlan...
jkhsmith.blogspot.com
November 15, 2025 at 5:55 PM
I’ve posted my latest blog featuring visits to Carsington Water with Kev Heath, and a couple of days out with my wife, stopping to see the long-tailed duck at Normandy Lagoon, Lymington - thanks for looking jkhsmith.blogspot.com/2025/11/cars....
Have a week off and dropped into Lymington's Normandy Marsh, on the way to Bournemouth for a couple of nights away. A couple of greenshanks feeding around the lagoon @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social.
November 13, 2025 at 9:33 AM
Have a week off and dropped into Lymington's Normandy Marsh, on the way to Bournemouth for a couple of nights away. A couple of greenshanks feeding around the lagoon @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social.
Have a week off and dropped into Lymington's Normandy Marsh, on the way to Bournemouth for a couple of nights away. Lovely views of the long-tailed duck @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social.
November 13, 2025 at 9:27 AM
Have a week off and dropped into Lymington's Normandy Marsh, on the way to Bournemouth for a couple of nights away. Lovely views of the long-tailed duck @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social.
I’ve posted my latest blog featuring a visit to Upper Hollesley Common with Kev Heath to tick a lifer, a brown shrike - thanks for looking @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social jkhsmith.blogspot.com/2025/11/uppe....
Upper Hollesley Common & The Naze :: 02 November 2025
The brown shrike is an exceptionally rare visitor to the UK, typically appearing as a vagrant from eastern Asia. Most records occur in autum...
jkhsmith.blogspot.com
November 6, 2025 at 8:15 PM
I’ve posted my latest blog featuring a visit to Upper Hollesley Common with Kev Heath to tick a lifer, a brown shrike - thanks for looking @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social jkhsmith.blogspot.com/2025/11/uppe....
Exit stage right - the brown shrike at Upper Hollesley Common yesterday morning - with Kev Heath - @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social.
November 3, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Exit stage right - the brown shrike at Upper Hollesley Common yesterday morning - with Kev Heath - @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social.
The brown shrike at Upper Hollesley Common was soaked through yesterday morning but dried up as the day progressed. Kev Heath and I were much the same @birdguides.bsky.social
@btobirds.bsky.social @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social.
@btobirds.bsky.social @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social.
November 3, 2025 at 6:39 PM
The brown shrike at Upper Hollesley Common was soaked through yesterday morning but dried up as the day progressed. Kev Heath and I were much the same @birdguides.bsky.social
@btobirds.bsky.social @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social.
@btobirds.bsky.social @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social.
The brown shrike at Upper Hollesley Common was soaked through yesterday morning but dried up as the day progressed. Kev Heath and I were much the same @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social.
November 3, 2025 at 6:36 PM
The brown shrike at Upper Hollesley Common was soaked through yesterday morning but dried up as the day progressed. Kev Heath and I were much the same @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social.
A return to the brown shrike at Hollesley Common for Kev Heath, but a first for me, and a lifer - a cracking bird! Located it in the rain but dried up as the day progressed. Dartford warblers and woodlarks added to the cast @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social.
November 3, 2025 at 8:31 AM
A return to the brown shrike at Hollesley Common for Kev Heath, but a first for me, and a lifer - a cracking bird! Located it in the rain but dried up as the day progressed. Dartford warblers and woodlarks added to the cast @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social.
I’ve posted my latest blog featuring visits to Oldbury-on-Severn & @wwtworldwide.bsky.social Slimbridge for black redstarts & Temminck's stint - thanks for looking @slimbridge-wild.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social @btoengland.bsky.social jkhsmith.blogspot.com/2025/10/oldb...
Oldbury Power Station & WWT Slimbridge :: 25 October 2025
With Kev away on holiday, birding along the west and east coasts of Scotland before heading into Yorkshire, I had to decide on my own plan f...
jkhsmith.blogspot.com
October 31, 2025 at 8:00 AM
I’ve posted my latest blog featuring visits to Oldbury-on-Severn & @wwtworldwide.bsky.social Slimbridge for black redstarts & Temminck's stint - thanks for looking @slimbridge-wild.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social @btoengland.bsky.social jkhsmith.blogspot.com/2025/10/oldb...
While at @wwtworldwide.bsky.social Slimbridge on Saturday we heard that bitterns were flying between the Zeiss and Van de Bovenkamp hides - went to have a look and saw two in flight @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social @btoengland.bsky.social @slimbridge-wild.bsky.social.
October 28, 2025 at 5:47 AM
While at @wwtworldwide.bsky.social Slimbridge on Saturday we heard that bitterns were flying between the Zeiss and Van de Bovenkamp hides - went to have a look and saw two in flight @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social @btoengland.bsky.social @slimbridge-wild.bsky.social.
Dropped into @wwtworldwide.bsky.social Slimbridge for Temminck's stint y'day - saw at middle distance before it relocated further back - closer than any of my previous views - and a lovely bird @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social @btoengland.bsky.social @slimbridge-wild.bsky.social.
October 26, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Dropped into @wwtworldwide.bsky.social Slimbridge for Temminck's stint y'day - saw at middle distance before it relocated further back - closer than any of my previous views - and a lovely bird @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social @btoengland.bsky.social @slimbridge-wild.bsky.social.
Visited Oldbury Power Station and saw 4+ black redstarts. At least one adult male, two females, and a juvenile male @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social @btoengland.bsky.social #GlosBirds.
October 26, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Visited Oldbury Power Station and saw 4+ black redstarts. At least one adult male, two females, and a juvenile male @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social @btoengland.bsky.social #GlosBirds.
I’ve posted my latest blog featuring a visit to Norfolk with Kev Heath for the dusky warbler (a lifer), and then onto Warham Greens - thanks for looking @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social - jkhsmith.blogspot.com/2025/10/wals....
Walsey Hills NR & Warham Greens :: 18 October 2025
Our discussion about where to go birding on Saturday was brief as Kev @kev07713 already had a plan. A trip to Norfolk, he suggested, might ...
jkhsmith.blogspot.com
October 22, 2025 at 8:53 PM
I’ve posted my latest blog featuring a visit to Norfolk with Kev Heath for the dusky warbler (a lifer), and then onto Warham Greens - thanks for looking @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social - jkhsmith.blogspot.com/2025/10/wals....
Last one of the dusky warbler at Walsey Hills NOR for Kev Heath and I, on Saturday morning @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social.
October 20, 2025 at 6:29 AM
Last one of the dusky warbler at Walsey Hills NOR for Kev Heath and I, on Saturday morning @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social.
Another of the dusky warbler at Walsey Hills NOR for Kev Heath and I yesterday morning. Relatively dense foliage but we could follow the bird as it passed through @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social.
October 19, 2025 at 10:40 AM
Another of the dusky warbler at Walsey Hills NOR for Kev Heath and I yesterday morning. Relatively dense foliage but we could follow the bird as it passed through @birdguides.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social.