Saturday 30th April 2005 Pegwell Bay
I had to go up to Norfolk for a meeting today, but managed to go to
Pegwell between 5.00 and 6.45 in the morning and again between 7.00 and
8.00 in the evening. I also popped into Sandwich Bay to see the very
obliging White Stork near the Field Centre. Bits at Pegwell
included 1 Merlin, 1 first summer Mediterranean Gull, 2 Wheatears,
1 Cuckoo, 3 Turtle Doves, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Yellow
Wagtail, 12 Swallows N, 2 Corn Buntings, 65 Shelduck,
1 Eider, 6 Mallard, 1 Brent Goose, 1 Lapwing,
25 Whimbrel, 4 Greenshank, 5 Grey Plover, 1 Knot,
35 Dunlin, 22 Bar-tailed Godwits, 8 Ringed Plovers, 1
Sanderling, 1 Turnstone, 40 Black-headed Gulls, 8 Little
Terns, 7 Common Terns, 27 Sandwich Terns, 1 Greylag
Goose, 2 Little Egrets, 4 Grey Herons, 2 Sparrowhawks
and 1 Peregrine. (Tim Hodge)
Saturday 30th April 2005 Sandwich
Interesting all these White Stork reports.
There was one following the plough outside the observatory at Sandwich
this afternoon. Unusually this bird was very clean and was not
ringed. (John van der Dol)
Saturday 30th April 2005 Courtstairs to the Hoverpad
A walk from Courtstairs to the Hoverpad and back 05.50 to 07.50 this
morning produced 1 Cuckoo, 4 Lesser Whitethroats and 9 Common
Whitethroats singing. 2 Willow
Warblers, 2 Chiffchaff, 4 Blackcap, a Goldcrest,
2 House Martin, 4 Swallow and one Yellow Wagtail. A
pair plus another female Sparrowhawk and a pair of Grey
Partridge. 1 Green Woodpecker. The most interesting things in
Pegwell
Bay
were 1 Greenshank, 20 Bar-tailed Godwit, 50 Dunlin, 3
Whimbrel, 2 Sandwich
Tern and a Little Egret. (Nick Lever)
Saturday 30th April 2005 Grove Ferry
I
finally got out for a short session this morning. I don't think that I am
ever going to get the hang of five-day working weeks! Parking at Grove
Ferry, a Nightingale was in fine voice in the dense scrub along the
entrance track and a Turtle Dove "purred" from a dead
tree in the paddocks. Nothing much from the ramp although there were
several parties of Common Swifts moving west along the valley. 5 Marsh
Harriers and a pair of Sparrowhawks put on a nice display and
by walking across to the Marsh Hide I managed to record 3 Wheatear,
4+ Cuckoo and a few Swallows. The reedbeds are full of the
songs of Reed, Sedge and Cetti's Warblers whilst many
of the scattered willows have a cock Reed Bunting holding territory
and uttering his repetitive rattle. As I made my way back to the car I
stopped for a chat, with Brendan, Mark and Martyn, on the ramp. 2 Greenshank
and a Hobby were seen as we exchanged news and I got nice views of
a Turtle Dove as I passed the paddock. A very pleasant session.
(Dylan)
Friday 29th
April 2005 Minnis Bay to Reculver and back
I parked the car at Minnis Bay at 6 am and set off along the path by the
beach. A nice still morning with the tide half out and half in. A
few Sanderlings, Ringed Plovers, Oystercatchers, Turnstones
and Redshanks. The odd Brent Goose on the sea. Some Common
Sandpipers on the rocks further up the beach. I saw about 8-10 Wheatears
as well. A robust female Merlin charged through. A bit later
on some viz mig was apparent with tons of Swifts heading west (my
first for the year) plus all 3 common hirundines in good numbers.
There seemed to be a Sedge Warbler in every bush just south of the
seawall, plus a few Reed Warblers here and there. A male Marsh
Harrier was perched on another bush as I neared the towers and a
few Little Egrets were on the oyster / lobster farm. Three
Grey Herons were perched on the beach. I took my time on the
journey and got to the towers around 9:30. By now, groups of 10-12 Swifts
at a time were heading west, plus a constant stream of hirundines. There
must have been hundreds going through this morning. I decided to
hang about a bit at the towers as there seemed to be a lot of viz migging
going on. I'm glad I did, because about 9:50 a huge White Stork
drifted west past the towers over the caravan park being mobbed by a
crow. I had a beautiful view through my bins. I didn't need to
scope it! It drifted over Bishopstone cliffs and circled about a
bit. When it got a bit distant, I scoped it and saw it drifting
inland. A few Gulls were now mobbing it and it was eventually
lost from view. After that, I did a quick tour of the
caravan park and headed back to Minnis Bay beside the railway track.
More common warblers, plus a Cuckoo, male and female Marsh
Harriers, a Sparrowhawk and finally my first Turtle
Dove at the stables. I bumped into another birder there.
When I told him about the Stork, he said that one had been seen at
Grove Ferry last night, heading east, which I didn't know. Maybe it
decided to stay in the Reculver area overnight? (Scott)
Friday 29th
April 2005 Pegwell Bay
A few bits a Pegwell this morning included a summer-plumaged Ruff,
1 Greenshank, 4 Common Sandpipers, 42 Whimbrel
(including 34 N), 13 Ringed Plovers, 54 Dunlin, 111 Oystercatchers,
22 Redshank, 1 Snipe, 2 Grey Plovers, 15 Bar-tailed
Godwits, 56 Curlew, 5 Sandwich Terns, 2 Little Terns,
6 Common Terns, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Garden
Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Swifts N, 5 Swallows
N, 3 Sand Martins N, 1 Tree Pipit NW, 1 Marsh Harrier
SE, 1 Peregrine, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrels, 2 Bullfinches,
30 Shelduck, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Red-breasted
Merganser, 1 Canada Goose, 1 Brent Goose, 2 Little
Egrets and 1 Grey Heron. (Tim Hodge)
Thursday
28th April 2005 North Foreland
Yellow, Blue-headed and White
Wagtails with 10 Wheatears in the ploughed field behind the
Sewage Works. (F
Solly)
Tuesday 26th April 2005 Bishopstone
Bishopstone 07-00hrs early morning walk on the beach I saw all
in one view two Wheatears one Green Woodpecker and a Ring
Ouzel, a first for me and an excellent start to the day. (jkj)
Monday 25th April 2005 Monks' Wall Nature Reserve
Managed just 30 minutes down at Monks Wall, but it was still worthwhile.
Saw the following of note: 5 Swallow,10 House
Martin, 3 Goldfinch, 1 Long Tailed Tit,
3 Whitethroat, 1 Skylark, 1 Reed
Bunting, 2 Shelduck and 1 Little Grebe.
Highlight though was a Grasshopper Warbler.
It was heard reeling intermittently, 50 yards along the track from the
first hide, somewhere on the near bank, although unfortunately I didn't
get a view of it. Apart from that it was pretty much the usual
stuff. (Jerry)
Monday 25th April 2005 Pegwell Bay
A few new things in this morning. I started off checking the Hoverport /
Chine etc coming across 4 Ring Ouzel, 9 Wheatear, 1 Turtle
Dove plus a few new Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroat and Whitethroat
etc. One of The Ring Ouzels was hopping about on the Hoverport
seawall amongst the Wheatears which is an unusual place to see one
in my experience? Down into the Bay for the incoming tide - there were a
few Swallows plus 2 Swifts moving through plus a Tree
Pipit over. No sign of yesterdays Kentish - only 21 Bar-T Godwit,
1 Grey Plover, 4 Ringed Plover, 10 migrant Turnstone,
54 Dunlin, 2 Sanderling, 2 Knot, 1 Brent, 2 Pintail,
2 Shoveler, 1 Teal and 15 Sandwich Terns. Tim had a Little
Ringed Plover and 2 Greenshank earlier on in the morning. (Phil
and Tim)
Sunday
24th April 2005 Shuart / Minnis / Brooksend / Hale
I parked the car and set off around 6:30. Familiar start with a
singing Blackcap and Goldcrest around Shuart farm and Green
and Great Spotted Woodpeckers in evidence. Then off up the
track where there were a couple more Blackcaps singing and a group
of 3 Jays criss-crossing the track ahead of me. I saw and
heard a Cuckoo and the female Marsh Harrier was hunting in
the morning mist. Last week I was treated to the male and female
exchanging prey, but not today. A single House Martin
flew west, up high. Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler numbers
were up on last week, but I didn't connect with any Reed Warblers.
It looks like they haven't arrived in decent numbers yet. There were
3 Wheatears around the railway line area and 2 more on the seawall.
I gave the stables a good grilling but only the usual Linnets, Meadow
Pipits, and Corn Buntings etc. A few Swallows were
passing through. Then back over the railway line to Brooksend, Hale
and back to Shuart. Some Yellow Wagtails, 2 more Wheatears
and a few more common Warblers. The biggest surprise was the sun,
which helped make a very enjoyable morning. (Scott)
Sunday
24th April 2005 Pegwell Bay this evening
A male Kentish Plover was seen briefly at 18-40hrs this evening
after landing on the mud then running out of view never to be seen again.
Not much else on the mud a Brent Goose, a couple of Whimbrel
etc. Also after the rain stopped in the evening there were about 10 Blackcaps,
2 Lesser Whitethroat, a few Sedge Warblers and singles of
both Garden Warbler and Reed Warbler on the Country Park and
the edges of Stonelees. (Phil M)
Sunday
24th April 2005 Pegwell Bay
Not much going on yet again though only a half hearted attempt to check
the area in truth - 3 Grey Plover, 3 Ringed Plover, 21 Dunlin,
6+ Whimbrel, 60 Curlew, 30 Bar-T Godwit, 1 Common
Sandpiper, 1 Sparrowhawk,1 Hen Harrier, 2 Pintail,
2 Shoveler, 1 Red B Merganser,1 Eider, c12 Sandwich
Terns, 8 Swallows, 2 House Martin and 1-2 Wheatear.
(Phil, Slim and "Quick on 'is feet – Pete”)
Saturday 23rd April 2005 Goldstone Drove to Richborough Power Station
Took a leisurely walk from home to the Stour via Goldstone Drove & on
to Richborough Power Station before returning through the Goshall Valley
back to Ash. 8:10am - 2:25pm. Largely overcast with weak sunshine &
occasional drops of rain never amounting to anything. Slight breeze,
increasing as we walked along the river.
A
number of 'firsts' for the year, starting with a single House Martin
along Cop St. Swallows cropped up from time to time en route
but never more than 3 at a time. Common Whitethroat seemed the most
vocal species today & pleased to hear Cetti’s at various
points on our walk where we had previously not heard them. A Cuckoo
called way in the distance toward Minster.
Heard Nightingales just before
the Power Station & then from the railway on the way to the
Richborough Fort. The Peregrine pair were showing well on the
stacks at the Power St. & a male Marsh Harrier also seen
in the area. Sedge mostly, with occasional Reed Warbler,
called at many points along The Drove & in the Power St area generally
- they were not in much of a mood to introduce themselves though, with
only occasional brief glimpses.
At
Weddington we heard our first Willow Warbler & after crossing
the bypass we sighted one - a pleasing finish to a great walk. 59
species seen, with a further 5 heard.
(Ben
Ring)
Saturday 23rd April 2005 Stodmarsh NNR, Swanton Lane, Grove Ferry
I left home well before dawn and drove across to Stodmarsh NNR. The dawn
chorus around the reserve was excellent and I recorded most of the
common warbler species that I expected. 2 male Garden Warblers were
involved in a vocal dual as they sang from adjacent bushes by the Lake
Hide. I was really out attempting to stake out a few back-up sites for
some of the more tricky species for my "Big Day" attempt in May.
The pair of Bullfinches were still on territory, as were several Nightingale
and 2 pairs of Marsh Harriers. Across to Swanton Lane to check on Goldcrest
and Coal Tit, both species present thankfully and a bonus chance of
a Nightingale picture - excellent! Back along the lanes to Grove
Ferry and a quick walk to the Marsh Hide. Plenty of Skylarks and Meadow
Pipits in the water meadows with a Common Snipe
"drumming" overhead. 3 Ruff, a Little Ringed Plover
and a Little Egret were seen from the Marsh Hide, but very little
else of note. Still good numbers of duck on the main floods and included 2
Pintail, 15 Tufted Duck, 7 Pochard, 2 Ruddy Duck
along with the usual mix of Teal, Mallard, Gadwall, Shoveler
and Shelduck. My first Common Terns of the year were seen at
both Stodmarsh and Grove Ferry and I noted 2 Yellow Wagtails, as
they flew over the footpath, near Harrison's Drove. A few more Swallows
and Sand Martins about this morning but I still feel that migrant
numbers are very low for the time of year. (Dylan)
Friday 22nd April 2005 Ramsgate Thanet
Bittern flew across Ramsgate town centre today. Rather good, I
think. (David FG)
Friday
22nd April 2005 Pegwell Bay
Barry Child phoned earlier to say He saw 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls,1
Common Tern,10 Sandwich Terns,1 Merlin and a couple
of Swallows on the dropping tide this afternoon. (Phil M)
Friday
22nd April 2005 Pegwell Bay
A few new bits in today - most of the breeding Whitethroats also
the first Lesser Whitethroat, Greenshank and Green Sandpiper
of 2005 plus Timothy had a Spotted Redshank earlier on in the day.
On the tide: 2 Brent, 3 Pintail, Shoveler, 1 Eider,
26 Dunlin, 12 Knot, 20 Barwit plus 1 Sparrowhawk,
4 Swallows and a Sand Martin over. (Phil "n" Slim)
Thursday
21st April 2005 Birchington to Reculver
Repeat
of yesterday's early cycle ride, this time with partner. Three immature Eiders
offshore at Grenham. Tide a bit lower at Minnis, only about 40 Sanderling
today, and the Brent Goose still there. At Plum Pudding Linnet
flock up to about 50, also singles of Blackcap and Common
Whitethroat. Towards Coldharbour 3 Gadwall then 2 Canada
Geese flew over. Several Ringed Plover along the beach (not
sure how I missed them yesterday) and a single Bar-tailed Godwit. 2
Marsh Harriers at the shellfish farm. At Reculver 2 Common Terns
fishing just offshore. The old martin colony in the cliff was being
used by nesting House Sparrows, Starlings and 3 Fulmars.
(Bob & Tessa H)
Thursday 21st April 2005 Pegwell Bay
Rubbish!! Awful!! Cack!! (Cack .. not Cake) But exactly what weve comes to
expect in easterly winds with clear skies during spring. I checked the
hoverport / chine / farm where I came across 2 Whitethroats plus 2
flyover Med Gulls and a calling Brambling before arriving in
position on the reserve (Ha Ha ... hilarious eh) for the incoming tide not
expecting too much which was an inspired guess as it turned out. Very few
new waders - 2 Knot, 8 Barwit, 15 Dunlin, 23 Whimbrel
also 33 Sandwich Terns, 2 Egrets etc with 2 Corn Buntings
on the Country Park 2 flyover Yellow Wags, 2 flyover Mute Swans
and 2 each of House Martin, Swallow and Sand Martin. We did
a bit of a raptor watch then the dropping tide, which was much worse than
the incoming tide if that's possible?? (Phil "n" Tim
"n" Bazza Child "n" Da Hair)
Wednesday 20th April 2005 Pegwell Bay
A 2 hour session today turned up:93 Sandwich Terns,2 Barwit,2
Whimbrel,1 migrant Marsh Harrier (N/west) and 4 swallows.
and "The Hair" had a Ring Ouzel and a Wheatear
around the farm before I arrived. (Phil "n" Da Hair)
Wednesday
20th April 2005 Birchington to Reculver
A quick cycle ride to Reculver and back. At Greenham at 0700 rocks still
uncovered, plenty of Herring Gulls and Oystercatchers, few Redshank
and Turnstones. On the sandy beach at Minnis Bay a large flock
(~230) Sanderling, and the lone Brent Goose still there. Pied
Wagtails on the Prom, and a Kestrel flew along the beach. At
Plum Pudding the usual Collared Doves, Starlings, Blackbirds and Song
Thrush. Flock of Linnets about 20 strong, also a Greenfinch
but remarkably not a Sparrow to be seen. Along the sea wall lots of
Meadow Pipits and several Reed Buntings, Wood Pigeon
and Skylarks, also many Sedge Warblers in song though only
two actually seen. Flushed two pairs of Grey Partridge from the
Grass below the sea wall as cycled past. At Coldharbour 2 Shelduck on
the shingle bank, Mallard overhead, Cormorant offshore. Just
beyond in the dyke a Pair of Shoveler, a Moorhen and more
distant 6 Tufted Duck. As I walked down from the wall to get a
better look nearly trod on a Short-eared Owl. It flew round a bit
then landed on the Coldharbour shingle bank where it was mobbed by Black-headed
Gulls and a couple of Lapwings until it flew away. A walk
around the landward side of the shellfish farm yielded only another 6 Grey
Partridge, Carrion Crows and Mute Swans. By the caravan
site were Wren, Dunnock, House Sparrow and a Swallow. Back along the sea
wall by the shellfish farm a Rock Pipit, another Swallow
and a Sand Martin, and 3 Little Egrets. On the wet grass
between the Farm and the wall a Redshank and a (Ruff-??)
were behaving as if paired up. On the way back had a Marsh Harrier just
beyond the farm, 4 Wheatears on the wall and just beyond
Coldharbour a pair of Gadwall on the dyke. Plum Pudding this time
added 4 Corn Buntings and a pair of Goldfinches, and the House
Sparrows were back. (Bob H)
Tuesday 19th April 2005 Cliffsend
A Hoopoe in Cottington Road, Cliffsend at lunchtime was a pleasant
surprise. It flew over to the edge of St. Augustine’s Golf Course at
approx. TR343640. (Tim Hodge)
Tuesday 19th April 2005 Flying over Manston
I had a Purple Heron flying over Manston on the way towards
Pegwell Bay at 0810 this morning. (Chris
Hindle)
Tuesday 19th April 2005 Pegwell Bay
Yet another flipping soaking on the way down...don't worry I'm getting
used to it. Still cold too... yuk! Not much out on the tide on immediate
arrival (8.45am) a few Knot, Dunlin, 40 odd Turnstone though
an Avocet flew in after about half an hour or so. When the rain
died down a bit and visibility cleared out at sea there was a bit of sea
passage going on - a few Gannets, 3 Diver sp, Scoter, Terns plus
a rarity for the area - A Manx Shearwater north at 9.30am.A
continual trickle of Sandwich Terns were flying north for much of
the morning - 350 birds probably a bit of a conservative count as I
wrongly assumed them to be coming in to land for an hour or so. There were
probably about 10-20 Commic Terns in amongst the Sani's at least
one of which was more than likely an Arctic? A few passerines over
- 70-80 Linnets, a Tree Pipit etc plus 7 Sand Martin
and 10 Swallows. Other "bits" included 2 Brent, 42
Shelduck, 3 Pintail, 1 Eider, 1 Kittiwake and
2
Sparrowhawks. There was also a Nightingale singing on the
Country park at long last. (Phil "n" Tim)
Tuesday 19th April 2005 Ramsgate Cemetery, Synagogue, King George
VI Park and Broadstairs Cricket Ground
It
would seem that the Dumpton area of Thanet has been declared a
"migrant free zone"! A walk around the various local sites
showed that whilst the resident species all appear to be present, in good
numbers, migrants are decidedly scarce. Plenty of activity amidst the
wooded areas of Dumpton. Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers,
Blue, Great & Long-tailed Tits, Blackbirds, Robins,
Wrens, Dunnocks, Song & Mistle Thrushes and the,
ever present, Ring-necked Parakeets all going about their
courtship/nest building duties. Apart from 7 Blackcaps, I was only
able to locate a single Chiffchaff and a smart, singing male, Firecrest
(Broadstairs Cricket Ground) for my troubles. Still no hirundines!
(Dylan)
Monday
18th April 2005 Pegwell Bay & Monks’ Wall NR
I had a quick look at Pegwell as the tide was going down and saw much of
what Phil saw, except for much higher numbers of Sandwich Terns,
with a total of 434 sitting on the mud. These were accompanied by 4 Commic
Terns and a Little Tern. Another scan an hour or so later
found only 188 Sandwich Terns. I also had a look for the reported Great
White Egret at Monk’s Wall, but with no joy.
(Tim
Hodge)
Monday
18th April 2005 Stodmarsh & Swanton Lane
The weather conspired to ruin the session. Heavy rain and a brisk wind
meant that all sensible birdlife was seeking shelter. In a 90 minute walk
from the carpark to the river we managed 3 Nightingale, 1 Garden
Warbler, 8 Chiffchaff, 5 Blackcap, 4 Reed and
1 Sedge Warbler amongst the usual mix of ducks, Cormorants
and Great Crested Grebes (on the lake) and Cetti's Warbler, Water
Rail and Bearded tits in the reedbeds. A Kingfisher and
2 Swallows were seen from the Reed-bed Hide, just before we
headed off to Swanton Lane for another attempt at seeing a Nightingale!
2 birds were in fine voice, yet defied our attempts to secure a view. Willow
Warbler, Chiffchaff, Common Whitethroat and a singing
male Bullfinch were also noted during our brief sojourn. Wet and
bedraggled we admitted defeat and headed back to Thanet. (Dylan
& Frank)
Monday
18th April 2005 Late News
I
spent some time in the area yesterday morning Sunday 17th April 2005,
and saw the same bits and bobs that have appeared recently on the KOS
Reculver sub-site, very enjoyable too. Bird of the day for me was
also a Ring Ouzel. This one was at Brooksend farm in the sheep
pens - actually in the pen furthest from the public footpath, could
still be there. (Scott)
Monday
18th April 2005 Pegwell Bay
I arrived at 6.45am in autumnal type weather. It looked like there might
be the chance of some stuff being around ... WRONG!! Flipping awful!! A
quick whizz around the hoverpad / chine turned up nothing except for a
single Whitethroat and 2 fly over Whimbrel. Not to worry I
thought - the weather is spot on for a wader or two ... WRONG AGAIN! I sat
in the hide for half an hour before I saw a single small wader and even
then there were only 4 Sanderling, 15 Dunlin plus 5 probable
migrant Turnstone. Pants! There were 34 Sandwich and 1 Common
Tern plus quite a few Gulls including a few interesting ones.
What was obviously yesterdays unidentified 1st year Caspian Gull
was nailed ID wise - it flew south around the shoreline towards Sandwich
at 8.00am plus there were single first and second year Yellow-Legged
Gulls too.53 Lesser Black-backed seemed pretty much exclusively
of the Intermedius race today. Other bits included yesterdays 2 Pintail,
the Eider, 1 Little Egret and 1 Sparrowhawk. (Phil M)
Sunday 17th April 2005 Stodmarsh
NNR & Grove Ferry
A Buzzard flew North over the house
at 11.06hrs
. Stodmarsh & Grove in the afternoon –
the usual Marsh Harriers, Green-winged Teal and Garganey at
the Grove end with a single Hobby. along the Lampen Wall frequent Bearded Tit and Cetti’s. (F
Solly)
Sunday
17th April 2005 Pegwell Bay
I raptor watched until about 1.15 from the farm fields a bit of a
frustrating session as it turned out. After a big reaction from the Gulls
at 11.05am I
missed what was probably a Buzzard then after a definite Buzzard
(west at 11.50am) I had distant views of 2 circling large raptors, which
escaped a definite identification. That with a couple of times when the
local Gulls freaked out and I saw nothing drove me up the wall.
Another pair of eyes would have been a great help today. During the
session 10 House Martins, 39 Swallows, a Tree Pipit
and 2 Yellow Wags flew overhead plus the obligatory half a dozen
plus Sparrowhawks probably contained the odd migrant or two?? The
local breeding birds didn’t seem as obvious today anyway. There were 2
other nice male Yellow Wagtails in and out of the long grass in one
of the adjoining fields. After tea I went down for the incoming tide and
had a quick walk around Stonelees and the Country Park, which turned up
nothing too exciting - a Wheatear in the horse field the best
thing. On the tide: 1 Whimbrel, 4 Avocet, 46 Great BB
Gull, 2 Pintail, 1 Eider, 1 Little Egret and a
1st winter Yellow-Legged Gull which was probably a Caspian??
We'll never know thanks to a dog walker out on the mudflat ... typical
Pegwell these days! A Black Swan flew west over the Country
Park at 6.40pm and looked to be heading towards Richborough. Over and out.
(Phil M)
Sunday 17th April 2005 Newdowns Farm &
Backsand Scrape
Newdowns Farm and down towards Backsand Scrape today,
list of birds that I observed, 7 Greylag, 4 Canada Geese, 8
Shelduck, 2 Teal, 8 Mallard, 1 Pintail, 22 Tufted Duck, 2 Ruddy Duck, 6
Little Grebe, 4 Cormorant,1 Grey Heron, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 5
Moorhen, 7 Coot, 8 Lapwing,4 Curlew, 3 Redshank, 15 Swallows, 10 Meadow
Pipit, 1 Reed Warbler, 18 Goldfinch,30+ Linnet, 5 Reed Bunting, 7 Corn
Bunting,2 Grey Partridge, it was a very pleasant few hours out in the
Sunshine. (Gadget)
Sunday 17th April 2005 Monks' Wall Nature Reserve
A few highlights from 2 hours this morning included a pair of Garganey,
a Whimbrel, 3 Redshank, 2 Oystercatcher
and a few Shoveler, Teal, and
Wigeon. A search of the hedgerows revealed 3 Whitethroat,
1 Garden Warbler, 1 Sedge
Warbler, 2 Bullfinch and at least 3 Cetti's
Warbler amongst all the more usual species. (Jerry)
Sunday 17th April 2005 Pegwell Bay
A few bits at Pegwell today included 4 Avocets,
22 Whimbrel (including a flock of 17 N) 2
Bar-tailed Godwits, 15 Dunlin, 1 Sanderling, 188 Oystercatchers,
2 Pintail, 30 Shelduck, 525 Herring Gulls, 35 Greater
Black-backed Gulls, 22 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 18
Black-headed Gulls, 72 Sandwich Terns, 1Yellow Wagtail
N, 6 Swallow N, 1 House Martin N, 1 Water Rail, 1
Willow Warbler, 2 Little Egrets and 1 Sparrowhawk. A
drake Garganey and a Cetti’s Warbler were present at
Monk’s Wall, whilst nearby there was a Green Sandpiper and a
Little Egret at Coleman’s Field. (Tim Hodge)
Saturday
16th April 2005 Pegwell Bay
Still awful. Very little out on the mud - 10 Dunlin,14 Sanderling,
4 Barwit, 6 Whimbrel plus single Yellow-Legged Gull
and Little Egret. The 1st male
Emperor moth of the year showed up plus a few Swallow / Sand
Martin and a surprise RT Hen Harrier across in the 100 acre
field. Nothing else worthy of mention. (Phil "n" Slim)
Saturday 16th April 2005 Stonelees
I
was out at daybreak, hoping to get a few pics of migrant warblers. The
thick veil of mist, however, thwarted most of my attempts. Plenty of Chiffchaff,
Willow Warbler, Common Whitethroat and Blackcap singing around
the bushes whilst I could hear the distinctive calls of Peregrines
from the power station, in the distance. As the sun rose and started to
burn off the haze, I walked along to the gateway at Weatherlees and was
treated to a magnificent flying display by the pair of adult Peregrines,
that are holding territory around
the cooling towers at the moment. The lack of a nesting site
means that they never manage to breed, but they are always a good bet on
bird-race day! (Dylan)
Friday
15th April 2005 Pegwell Bay
I popped down for the incoming tide and was soon joined by Tim who had
been down this morning seeing very little other than a single
Whitethroat / Sedge Warbler plus few Willow Warblers /
Blackcaps etc ... Oh not forgetting the 2 Mute Swans ... (Phew
that was a close one!) There were a few new migrant waders including 52 Dunlin,
30 Sanderling, 6 Barwit, 6 Ringed Plover, 2 Whimbrel
plus 4 Brent, 6 Wigeon, 2 Shoveler, 1 Eider, 8
Red B Mergansers (offshore) and as the tide came in 54 Sandwich
Tern, 3 Common Tern, 10 Little Tern and 3 Little
Egrets. A trickle of hirundine movement during the late afternoon
turned up 23 Swallow, 3 Sand Martin and 4 House Martin.
(Phil "n" Tim)
Thursday 14th April 2005 High-field R/gate
Thanet
Osprey west over house at 17-56hrs (F Solly)
Thursday 14th April 2005 Ash Levels
I went out on the Ash Levels, early this morning -
what a mistake! It rained continually and I got drenched. After checking a
few of the local breeding sites for Skylark, Tree Sparrow, Corn Bunting
and Yellowhammer (it's getting close to Bird race day!), I decided
to walk the River Stour to Sandwich along the appropriately named
"Banana Bit". Basically you walk miles and go nowhere! A pair of
adult Peregrines were perched on the power station chimney and were
calling frequently, despite the rain. Plenty of Chiffchaff, Willow
Warbler, Blackcap and Common Whitethroat along the route with 4
Sedge Warbler and a migrant Grasshopper Warbler (reeling
from a small area of rough ground near the old firework factory). I
flushed lone pairs of Tufted Duck and Shoveler off
of the small reservoir behind the power station and 5 Curlew were
feeding on a water meadow closer to the railway line. Several Cetti's
Warblers were singing from suitable ditches and riverside thickets as
I walked along. A male Marsh Harrier was hunting over the fields
near Richborough Castle and a Green Woodpecker played "hide
& seek" around a telegraph pole. Once again, nothing outstanding,
but at least I went out. (Dylan)
Thursday
14th April 2005 Sandwich bay
I
had to go over to the Obs Car Park today to see Derek from Infocus, my BDA
bins had to be sent away for repair, as I was there I decided to sit in
the hide at Restharrow Scrape, sat with a man called Brian for 2+hurs and
observed 6 Common Snipe, 2 Shelduck, 4 Lapwing, 1 Moorhen, 5 Tufted
Ducks, 3 Oystercatcher, 2 Greylag, 3 Swallow, 6 Skylarks, 3 Meadow Pipits,
4 Corn buntings, 1 Kestrel, good number of Woodpigeons and
Crows, (Gadget)
Thursday
14th April 2005 Pegwell Bay
Still absolute rubbish started off in the morning checking the west-cliff
which turned out to be yet another waste of time as the only things I
could find were 7 Pied Wagtails on the bowling greens. Down onto
the chine / farm / hoverpad - very little other than a Ring Ouzel in
the old horse paddock near the farm. Virtually dead apart from the odd Mipit
/ Linnet / Swallow over and a couple of singing Blackcaps.
After dinner I popped back down for the incoming tide. Very little going
on - an Egret, 15 Sandwich Tern, 2 Peregrine etc.
(Phil "n" Tim)
Wednesday 13th April 2005 Grove Ferry & Stodmarsh NNR
Wall
to wall grey cloud and drizzle to accompany it! Things to do early on, so
it was around 09.45hrs before I parked the car at Grove and made my way to
the ramp. No sign of the Green-winged Teal but 4 Pintail,
plus an assortment of Mallard, Gadwall, Teal, Shoveler, Tufted Duck,
Shelduck and Ruddy Duck provided me with something to do. A Little
Egret flew over the reed-bed in the distance whilst I saw the first,
of 5, Marsh Harriers drifting over the area. I did the complete
circuit and was pleased to find 30+ Sedge Warbler, 7 Reed
Warbler, 3 Nightingale, 2 Sand Martin, 6 Blackcap
and 13 Chiffchaff as I made my way around. A drake Garganey
was on the Ox-bow (asleep as usual!) and I also noted several drumming Common
Snipe over the meadows near the Marsh Hide. An escaped Chiloe
Wigeon, from the ramp, was an unexpected sight and a nice
distraction from the grotty grey skies. Cetti's Warbler, Bearded Tit
and Water Rail all remain very vocal, yet frustratingly difficult
to see! (Dylan)
Tuesday 12th April 2005 Ramsgate Cemetery
I had about 30 minutes to spare this morning before going to Dumpton
station to get the train to work. A brisk walk around the cemetery
produced no apparent new arrivals but, as I was putting the bins away, an
obviously different call drew my attention to a bird sitting at the top of
a nearby tree. Out came the bins and into focus came a rather splendid Hawfinch.
It sat there for about 3 or 4 minutes, peering around, until it was
eventually ousted from its perch by a pair of pesky parakeets and
flew off high SW over the allotments and Cecelia Road. What a great way to
start the day, especially a work day! (Phil Beraet)
Tuesday 12th April 2005 Preston Court Farm Marshes
The conditions were wonderful as we set off from the carpark, behind
Preston Church, and made our way down to the water meadows. A Grey
Wagtail was seen around the farm buildings and a pair of Mistle
Thrushes were feeding on the adjacent paddock. As we descended
towards the marsh a pair of Sparrowhawks were displaying over the
wooded area, whilst another pair could be seen in the distance away
towards Seaton. Good numbers of Lapwing and Redshank present
on the wet meadows and Reed Buntings very conspicuous along the
reedy ditches. We were treated to spectacular displays by 3 Marsh
Harriers as they soared high over the area and 7 Teal and 2
pairs of Shelduck were on the flight pond behind the Water
Treatment Plant. A Great Spotted Woodpecker called from the
large willows beside the Little Stour and 2 Grey Herons were
resting on a ploughed field towards Grove Ferry. A Cuckoo was calling in
the distance and singing Willow Warbler, Blackcap and Chiffchaff
were also heard as we made our way around the circuit. Nothing
outstanding, but it was great to be out in the sunshine. (Gadget &
Dylan)
Tuesday 12th April 2005 Shuart to Minnis Bay Stables
An early morning walk proved to be a little disappointing. A
Red-legged Partridge was on the skyline, as we parked the car. Apart
from the obvious activity amongst the resident Greenfinches, Blue &
Great Tits, Chaffinches, Linnets and Pheasants, the area was
devoid of migrants. A Blackcap sang from the tall trees by the farm
buildings with a Swallow hawking overhead and we saw/heard a Sedge
Warbler close to the railway line - migrants summed up! There were 3 Eider
on the sea with a lone Brent Goose, a few Oystercatchers, Ringed
Plover and Herring Gulls scratching about along the shoreline.
Views of a distant Marsh Harrier raised our hopes and a fleeting
glimpse of a ring-tailed Hen Harrier was noteworthy. Skylarks,
Meadow Pipits and Reed Buntings all appear to be present in
very good numbers and we saw 8 Corn Buntings by the stables, which
was nice. Grey Heron, Shoveler, Mute Swan, Pied Wagtail and Coot
all made it on to the day-list but it really was very quiet for this time
of year! (Gadget & Dylan)
Monday 11th
April 2005 Monks' Wall
Funny sort of a morning, the weather was fabulous yet the birding
remained very quiet. 2 Green Sandpipers were flushed from the
roadside pools besides the entrance track. 2 Little Egret, 5 Wigeon,
14 Shoveler, 25+ Teal, 1 Grey Heron and a
"sinensis" Cormorant provided the bulk of the sightings
from the first hide. Continuing around the perimeter Meadow Pipit,
Skylark, 3 Reed Bunting, 4 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Blackcap,
1 Chiffchaff and a Common Whitethroat were also
recorded. A pair of Grey Partridge were flushed from almost under
the flyover and a male Bullfinch was singing quietly, from the
riverside vegetation, and a couple of Little Grebes called from the
narrow dyke, that borders the reserve, as we made our way back toward
the car. (Dylan & Frank)
Sunday 10th April 2005
Grove Ferry
A Nightingale could be heard, as I got out of the
car, singing from beyond the paddocks. Martyn Wilson was already on
the ramp and we were joined by Phil Baraet almost immediately. Phil picked
out a drake Green-winged Teal and I was sure it wasn't the bird
that I had seen from the Marsh Hide. A mobile phone call to Brendan
Ryan, already at the Marsh Hide, confirmed the presence of a second bird. Job
done, other birds on view from the ramp included 2 Marsh Harrier, 4
Pintail (2 pairs), 2 Shelduck, 9 Ruddy Duck, 8 Tufted
Duck plus good numbers of Gadwall, Teal and Shoveler.
Phil and I decided to walk across to the Marsh Hide, as there can't be
many Kent birders that have seen two Green-winged Teal in a single
day, let alone at the same site! Meadow Pipits and Skylarks
were in good voice, whilst the "tikka, tikka, tikka" of a male Snipe
could be heard in the distance. The 2nd male Green-winged Teal was
picked out as soon as we scanned the sleeping ducks. A fly over Marsh
Harrier created a disturbance yet the bird soon returned to its'
original spot and dozed contentedly. 4 Ruff and 2 Redshank
were feeding on the water meadows amidst a few Lapwing and I
spotted a nice adult male Sparrowhawk perched on a gate beyond the
pools. A smart male Wheatear was seen on the meadow behind the
Harrison's Drove hide and we heard several Sedge Warblers as we
walked around the reserve. Martyn reported a Blue-headed Wagtail and
two other birders, from Ashford, had seen 3m & 1f Garganey
around at the Ox-bow. (Dylan & Phil B)
Sunday 10th April 2005 Stodmarsh NNR
& Grove Ferry
Did the 'circuit', starting from the Stodmarsh end at
08:30hrs. The Reed-bed hide produced very little, nor did the
woodland trail, save for a singing Blackcap. A pair of Chiffchaff
provided good views as they came quite close, intent on gathering nesting
material. The main lake had up to 30 Great Crested Grebes & the
usual 'gaggle' of Cormorants but the strong breeze & drizzle
kept other species at bay. As we passed the Lake Hide we sighted the
first of 2 Swallows & a fly-over male Marsh Harrier
& Kestrel. The rest of the walk along the river provided
sporadic song from Blackcap (seemingly having arrived in numbers
now), Chiffchaff, Cetti's, & at least 3 invisible Sedge
Warblers. We disturbed a female Sparrowhawk which
shot off across the river & high into the trees on the opposite bank.
The Ramp already had a small gathering when we arrived as the Green
Winged Teal was in evidence tucked in the reeds on the right hand lake
but seen quite well with
the scope. The walk back to Stodmarsh was uneventful but pleasant enough
in the sunshine. We were treated to nice views of both m & f Blackcap by
the bridge at the Woodland trail start & a male Marsh Harrier was
climbing in the thermals as we arrived at the carpark at 11:45hrs.
(Ben Ring)
Saturday 9th April 2005 Pegwell Bay
Quiet again, bits included 1 Whimbrel, 4 Ringed
Plovers, 3 Wigeon, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Brent
Geese, 2 Grey Plovers, 10 Knot, 7 Dunlin, 6 Bar-tailed
Godwits, 4 Sanderling, 1 adult male Marsh Harrier NW, 2 Peregrines,
1 Little Egret, 5 Swallows N, 30 Linnets N, 1 Eider,
7 Sandwich Terns, 15 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 16 Cormorants.
(Tim Hodge)
Friday 8th April 2005 Stodmarsh NNR
The
weather is completely mad. Northerly winds, driving rain and sunny
periods! - What’s going on? A walk around the Stodmarsh end of the
reserve was fairly un-eventful. The male Green-winged Teal was
feeding on the pool to the left of the Marsh Hide with a few of its' Common
cousins plus Shoveler and Mallard for company. A party
of 10 Black-tailed Godwits were on the water meadow beyond the
gate, looking towards the Ox-bow, where a few Lapwing and Redshank
were also seen. The main lake was very quiet, just a few pairs of Great
Crested Grebes, 5 Cormorant and a Grey Heron. A female Marsh
Harrier quartered the reed bed beyond and a snatch of Nightingale
song was heard on the bend where the Lampern Wall reaches the River Stour.
Reed Bunting, Cetti's Warbler, Bearded Tit and Water Rail
all appear to be present in healthy numbers and there was a nice party of
17 Goldfinches feeding on the Alders along the Nature Trail walk.
(Dylan & Frank
Thursday 7th April 2005 Minster
Thanet
I had a splendid walk from Minster Railway Station to the Water Treatment
Works (posh name for Sewage Farm!) and back. The wind was a strong SW but,
in the shelter of the hedgerows, the sunshine made it very pleasant. A Cetti's
Warbler sang from the ditch beside the crossing and I recorded several
Chiffchaff along the track. 4 Swallows were hunting insects
in the lea of the hedge along the eastern side of the Treatment Works. 30+
Yellow Wagtails, 2 Willow Warbler and a singing male Blackcap
made up the rest of the migrants. 2 Peregrines could be seen,
perched on the cooling towers at Richborough and large numbers of Reed
Buntings were in the hedges and oilseed rape fields. A Kingfisher
was a nice surprise, as it skimmed across the surface of the River Stour,
and I flushed a pair of Grey Partridge from a rough area beside the
fishermen's carpark. The area was alive with birds and a look in my
notebook revealed a total of 51 species in just over 2 hours; no
pressure, no people and right on the doorstep - magic! (Dylan)
Thursday 7th April 2005 Pegwell Bay
Rather quiet again, a few bits included 12 Swallows N, 1 Black-tailed
Godwit, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Knot, 2 Ringed
Plovers, 9 Dunlin, 45 Sanderling, 45 Turnstones,
60 Redshank, 141 Oystercatchers, 1 Red-throated Diver
N, 28 Shelduck, 3 Mallard, 3 Brent Geese, 2 Little
Egrets, 68 Sandwich Terns, 9 Cormorants, 1 Eider,
1 Sparrowhawk and 1 Blackcap. (Tim Hodge)
Wednesday
6th April 2005 Pegwell Bay
A grotty old day even Mr Beef-burger decided to have the day off ... must
have been bad. To days stuff included: 31 Sanderling, 127 Oystercatcher,
60 Curlew, 1 Grey Plover, 2 Peregrine, 16 Cormorant,
1 Brent, 22 Shelduck, 1 Common Tern, 128 Sandwich
Tern, 36 Lesser BB Gull and a Swallow. (Phil M)
Wednesday 6th April 2005 North
Foreland
A
few bits around North Foreland this morning. 2 Curlew south 1 Brent
Goose and 6 Sandwich Terns north. Several small parties of
Linnets coasted south and totaled 57 birds. 4 Pied Wagtails
and a few Meadow pipits were feeding on the recently ploughed field
behind the pumping station, where a female Merlin posed
wonderfully before dashing off in pursuit of a passing Linnet. A Chiffchaff
called from the gardens, but the cold wind did nothing to assist my
chances of finding migrant passerines along the exposed clifftop.
(Dylan)
Tuesday 5th April 2005 Grove Ferry
On this glorious spring morning a walk around Grove Ferry was the
order of the day. A Blackcap sang as we parked the car and a Chiffchaff
was singing from the hedgerow along the entrance track. Cetti's
Warblers were on top form, sending forth explosive bursts of song
from all over the reserve. The strong sunlight made viewing from the ramp
a problem, but we managed to id 3 Pintail amidst the ranks of Shoveler,
Teal and Mallard. Walking on towards the Green Hide, a Sedge
Warbler gave nice views, perched on the reed stems. Bearded
Tits and Water Rails gave periodic reminders of their presence with
their characteristic calls. Not much to report from the hide, just a few Pochard
and a smart male Tufted Duck. Approaching Harrison's Drove the
decision was made to walk across to the Marsh Hide. Skylarks and
Meadow Pipits were very conspicuous and several pairs of Linnets
were also seen. Norman McCanch was already in situ when we arrived, at
the Marsh Hide, his drawing pad revealing several extraordinary,
detailed, sketches of 2 drake Garganey that were asleep to the
left. A very pleasant exchange of banter was had when a Male Marsh
Harrier, carrying a large frog, over flew the pools and disturbed the
assembled ducks. As things started to settle down, Norman spotted the male
Green-winged Teal but, before we could get a scope focused, it swam
back into cover behind some marginal vegetation. It was probably 20
minutes before the bird re-appeared and we were able to record a few
images. Norman using pencil and paper, I chose the convenience of a
"Coolpix 4300"! 8 Black-tailed Godwit, of the race
"limosa" and 2 Ruff were also
seen during our stay in the hide and we saw 2 Yellow Wagtails as we
retraced our step back towards the car. A Water Pipit and 2 Sand
Martins were all that we added with our final look from the ramp.
Another wonderful session at this fantastic reserve. (Dylan & Frank)
Tuesday
5th April 2005 Pegwell Bay
I did a 9.30-1.30 session today - checking the hoverpad /chine /farm
before going down for the dropping tide and ending with a spot of raptor
watching. Very few migrant passerines (were getting used to it) though
there was a Ring Ouzel in the sunken garden. The odd Blackcap,
Willow / Chiff etc the only other bits. Down for the tide and the BIG
Rarity had arrived ... 3 Canada Geese!! All the normal candidates -
an Egret, 11
Brent, 55 Sanderling, c80 Dunlin, 120 Curlew,
1 Golden Plover plus a drake Merganser and an Eider
offshore. When I left there were 131 Sandwich Terns sitting out on
the tide line. The big sky watch turned up a migrant Marsh Harrier,
1 Common Buzzard, 3-4 Sparrowhawks and 3-4 Peregrines.17
Swallows passed through the area while we were present. (Phil
"n" Tim "n" Hair)
Monday
4th April 2005 Ash Levels
I had to go across to the Ash Levels to check out a few snippets that had
been passed on by Messer's Milton & Hodge. The weather wasn't
particularly brilliant, with the constant threat of rain - although it
never happened! I had hoped that there would be a few migrants about and I
counted 7 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, 2 Yellow Wagtail
and a smart male Common Whitethroat for my troubles. A Cetti's
Warbler was singing from a new area near Paramour Street and there
were 70+ Fieldfare in the pastures besides Goldstone Drove. I
flushed a male Merlin from a ploughed field over by King's End Farm
and counted 12 Shoveler, 17 Teal and a lone male Wigeon
on the small reservoir behind Richborough Power Station, whilst an
adult female Peregrine was perched up on the cooling towers
surveying the scene. It was nice to see a few Lapwings on the water
meadows and I also recorded a Common Snipe and 2 Green
Sandpipers along the way. Loads of Skylark, Meadow Pipit and Reed
Bunting around the area and I added 5 Yellowhammer and a Corn
Bunting by walking a hedgerow near the railway line. Having completed
my recce, I was thrilled to find 3 Tree Sparrows back at a
traditional breeding site - maybe this species is turning the corner?
(Dylan)
Monday
4th April 2005 Weatherlees & Pegwell
A pleasant walk along Weatherlees this morning was quite productive,
with a splendid male Redstart, a Nightingale, 11 Chiffchaffs,
6 Willow Warblers, 2 Sedge Warblers, 1 Swallow, 3 Blackcaps.
1 Goldcrest, 3-4 Cetti’s Warblers, 2 Snipe, 3 pairs
of Bullfinches, 18 Linnets and a Yellowhammer.
Pegwell was less busy but included 2 Ring Ouzels on the country
park, a Merlin, 85 Sandwich Terns, 13 Bar-tailed Godwits,
10 Knot, 12 Brent Geese, 56 Sanderling, 52 Dunlin,
5 Grey Plover, 1 Lapwing, 1 Blackcap, 1 Goldcrest,
1 Eider and 1 Sparrowhawk. (Tim Hodge)
Sunday
3rd April 2005 Pegwell Bay
I went down just before 10.00am the
tide was well out but there were 100+ Sandwich Tern flying around
near the shoreline plus a few other bits and pieces. I spent 10.00 till
11.30 raptor watching from Splodge's lodge a fruitless exercise as it
turned out though I did "get" a few Sparrowhawks, 2 Peregrines
and 2 Swallows both of which went n/west over the country
park. Tim had been down earlier in the morning seeing an Avocet and
a single Merganser amongst a few other things. We went back for the
incoming tide in the evening but there was very little going on. "The
Hair"
had a Black Redstart near the Farm in the morning. (Phil
"n" Tim)
Sunday 3rd April 2005 Grove Ferry
Gadget
& I left Thanet at 07.00hrs. Utter madness, Derek (from In
Focus) wasn't due to arrive until 10.00hrs! A Blackcap was singing
from the trees, next to the carpark, and several Skylarks added
their voices to the chorus as we walked along the entrance track. Martyn
Wilson was already in "pole position" on the ramp yet had
very little to report. Cetti's Warblers were singing from every
suitable part of the reserve and one, at the base of the ramp, allowed me
to get a few images, although never showing in direct sunlight -
"round things!" A fabulous female Sparrowhawk glided
overhead and at least 3 different Marsh Harriers were present, hunting
over the reedbeds. Garganey remain elusive, although we saw at
least 2 separate males and reports of 4 others were received. The
"Green" hide provided excellent views of Cetti's Warbler,
Ruddy Duck, Pochard, Tufted Duck and Kingfisher and a walk
across to the Marsh Hide allowed us to record our first Sedge Warbler
of the year. We hooked up with Derek, in the In Focus (sponsored)
Harrison's Drove Hide. Apart from the usual banter, nothing much to report
except that my scope, bins and tri-pod are all less than useless!
"What wisdom the words of a birding optics salesman!" All I
could say was "How much? - Your having a laugh!" Don't get this
wrong - In Focus are a fabulous company to do business with and I have
been doing "deals" since 1987, when I purchased my first
Opticron HR60 scope! (They had a shop in Barnet High Street) Nothing
much else to report around the reserve - single Little Egret &
Green Sandpiper, 4 Kestrels, 7 Redshank, a few Common Snipe with
the usual array of wildfowl and Bearded Tits! Anyhow,
as I'm on my soap-box. I know we live in "rip - off"
Britain but, on the subject of birding optics, I have to quote John
Mc Enroe "You cannot be serious" - Grey imports?, how can they
be grey when we're in a single "common market"? -it's
nonsense, charge realistic prices! I only wanted an eye-piece not a
new car! (Maybe we could start a new protest group along the lines of
"Jamie's School Dinners" - "Fair deals for British
Birders") This isn't a pop at Derek, he's a knowledgeable guy, just
doing his job. If the EU is to work fairly then the UK should reap
the benefits alongside the bull-shit & red-tape bureaucracy. Planetthanet.org
is not a political website - these views are mine, and mine alone. ( Dylan
)
Saturday
2nd April 2005 Grove Ferry
It's
amazing just how much you have to do when you're out of work. Bev and I
did the shops and garden centers this morning before I grabbed a
couple of pints in the Racing Greyhound (whilst she did even more retail
therapy in Wyevale!) A spot of gardening, then I'd had enough 17.00hrs saw
me parking the car at Grove Ferry. A couple of Chiffchaffs were
singing along the entrance track and the were the usual array of wildfowl
to be seen from the ramp. Cetti's Warblers and Bearded Tits
were very vocal and I recorded at least 3 different Marsh Harriers
as I walked around the site. 200+ Sand Martins were joined by 3 Swallows.
a Green Sandpiper flew north, a Little Egret south and 3 Black-tailed
Godwits arrived from the direction of Chislet. Lesser Black-backed
Gulls still appear to be moving west, in small numbers, and a party of
8 adults rested briefly on the main pool before continuing their journey.
I had great views of a 1st year Grey Heron, as it hunted the
margins of the Harrison's Drove Hide pool. A few Cormorants, Reed
Buntings and a lone Water Pipit about sums up my efforts around
this fabulous reserve. (Dylan)
Saturday
2nd April 2005 Ramsgate & Pegwell
After getting settled in for the Formula 1 qualifying a huge reaction from
the local Gulls at 10.45 made me have a rethink. I didn’t see what had
caused all the commotion but as it was obviously down to a large raptor I
decided to tape the F1 (shame on me) and go for raptor watch. I stayed
between 11.00 and 1.00pm seeing no raptors except for umpteen Sparrowhawks,
2 pairs of displaying Kestrels and one of the local Peregrines
but I did flush a Woodlark (off the edge of the field near the tall
mound by the two roundabouts) which flew around for a while before landing
a few hundred yards away in the grassy field across the road. A real
surprise. I also saw my first 2005 Yellow Wagtail plus 11 Swallows
7 north inland of me across Manston plus 4 more on the Ramsgate side. Tim
did Pegwell twice today seeing another Swallow, an Avocet,
70 Sandwich Terns and a Ring Ouzel plus between us on the
incoming tide this afternoon there were: 12 Brent, 1 Bar-headed
Goose, (definite migrant) 85 Sanderling, c80 Dunlin, 13 Barwit,
48 knot etc. (Phil "n" Tim) the (Pegwell Mafioso)
Friday 1st April 2005 Minster Thanet
Still the foggy conditions prevail, so I thought it
pointless to visit the coast, instead opting for a walk from Minster
Railway Station to the Sewage Works. Frank provided the transport and we
had a very pleasant session despite the murk! Singing Chiffchaff,
Blackcap and Cetti's Warbler greeted us as we crossed the track
and there were good numbers of Greenfinch and Reed Bunting along
the hedgerows. Chaffinches were conspicuous around the sewage farm,
where we also recorded 30+ Pied & 1 Yellow Wagtail, 5 Redwing,
2 Yellowhammer, 8 Linnet, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 4 Mistle
Thrush and a nice assortment of common species. Skylarks were
in fine voice and the crowing of cock Pheasants suggested a very
healthy population around the marsh. Masses of Woodpigeons feeding
on a rape field and we added Goldfinch, Ring-necked Parakeet
and Mallard to our growing list as we headed back to the car. A
very pleasant morning despite the conditions. (Dylan & Frank)
Friday 1st April 2005 Pegwell Bay
I popped down twice today - a two hour session in the morning turned up 2 Ring
Ouzel, 2 Redwing, 6 Fieldfare, 2 Firecrest, 6 Goldcrest,
150+ Crows, 21 Jackdaw, 3 Chiffchaffs, 1 Willow
Warbler, 20 Meadow Pipit (west), 3
Corn Bunting, 2 Little Egrets plus there were 4 Brent,
3 Teal and 6 Avocet on the mud plus 3 Mergansers
offshore near the sunken garden. I went back down at 2.00pm - the mist so
thick visibility was down to 30-40 yards. I had a quick whizz around
Stonelees (just shows you how bored i was) where there were a few Chiffchaff,
1 Willow Warbler, 1 Blackcap and 20 Redwing. There
was also a new Willow warbler singing near the car park when I
arrived. About 3.30 the mist cleared long enough for me to see the last
half hour of the incoming tide. Not much about - 2+ Little Egrets,
2 Avocet, 53 Sanderling, 165 Curlew, 138 Oystercatcher,
46 Dunlin, 11 Barwit, 6 Grey Plover, 2 Ringed
Plover and about 30 Knot. (Phil M)
Friday 1st April 2005 Ham area and Monks’ Wall
I peered through the fog this morning and glimpsed a Yellow Wagtail,
4 Blackcaps and 6 Chiffchaffs in the Ham area and 3 Green
Sandpipers together at Monk’s Wall. And so to bed. (Tim
Hodge)
