Wildstarts is delighted to announce the launch of our private birding tours in Kent , one of the most exciting counties in England for birdwatching. Often called the 'Garden of England', Kent sits at the south-eastern corner of Britain, where the country meets continental Europe across the Channel. That geography makes it a magnet for birds. Migration funnels through the county each spring and autumn, vast winter flocks fill its estuaries and marshes, and a rich selection of breeding species...

The Northern Fulmars are back in town! I walked down to Rock-a-Nore to look through the gulls, dreaming of a white-winger. A first-winter Yellow-legged Gull was reward enough. first-winter Yellow-legged Gull (centre) But I was soon distracted by the fulmars, with at least eight nest ledges occupied, and plenty of prospecting flights along the cliff face, and cackling between partners and chancers. Northern Fulmars bickering This long-lived tubenose [unrelated to gulls] often returns to stake...

We currently have the delight of having Jeff and Ruth from Chicago back for their second tour. They are birding with us for four days back to back, giving us plenty of opportunities to enjoy 'early autumn' species. This fabulous group of migrant juvenile Ruff was at Dungeness RSPB — you can tell the males from the females (known as 'reeves') even in this plumage by the obvious size difference (females being smaller). Along with a few Northern Wheatears, we have picked up some Whinchats too....