Thursday 30th June 2005 Weatherlees and Stonelees
We had arranged to meet up with Jason Mitchell, of the Kentish Stour
Countryside Project, to discuss the ongoing habitat management in
Weatherlees. He and his team of volunteers had the un-enviable task of
Ragwort clearance in Stonelees. So, before we met up, we went for a walk
along the track besides the Power Station compound. The most obvious thing
about the walk was the unexpected level of bird song. Common and Lesser
Whitethroat, Reed, Sedge, Willow and Cetti's Warbler, Cuckoo, Yellowhammer
and Turtle Dove were all in fine voice at various points along our
route. A Green Woodpecker bounded away along the track, having been
disturbed from its' search for ants whilst a male Kestrel hovered
over some rough pasture before flying off to try its luck somewhere new.
The management project is still in its' infancy, but signs are looking
quite favourable with a combination of controlled grazing and mechanical
intervention!
Stonelees
provided nice views of Blackcap and a singing Chiffchaff
before we managed to locate Jason and his team. A very interesting
exchange of news and views (plus plans for some mothing) before we
headed off back to Dumpton, leaving the others to their arduous task!
(Gadget & Dylan)
Wednesday 29th June 2005 Pegwell Bay
A few bits at Pegwell today included 2 Whimbrel,
2 Dunlin, 7 Ringed Plovers, 42 Redshank, 204 Curlew,
4 Bar-tailed Godwits, 3 Grey Plovers, 35 Lapwing, 96 Oystercatchers,
2 Little Egrets, 1 Little Tern, 2 Common Terns, 65 Sandwich
Terns, 130 Black-headed Gulls, 3 Common Gulls, 34 Mallard,
60 adult Shelduck plus 22 young, 10 Cormorants, 300 Swifts,
8 Swallows and 1 Yellow Wagtail. There were 86 Great
Black Backed Gulls present yesterday but only a handful today. (Tim
Hodge)
Wednesday 29th June 2005 Fairness & North Foreland
I was awoken by the valiant attempts of a Song Thrush to make it
heard over the raucous din of Carrion Crows and Herring Gulls
that passes for the "dawn chorus" along Vine Close. Awake, I
headed over to Elmwood Avenue, parking the car near Joss Bay. A scan
through the assembled gulls revealed nothing out of the ordinary, so I
ventured across to the "triangle" where the usual mix of Meadow
Pipits, Linnets and Common Whitethroats were going about their
daily routine. Pausing briefly, to have a look at the numerous spikes of
Ivy Broomrape, I continued across to Kingsgate Bay and beyond. 5
Curlew, 52 Turnstone and a lone Oystercatcher were
roosting on the sand and I noted a steady trickle of Common Swifts
arriving in/off the sea. These could quite easily be birds re-orientating
after last night's tremendous thunderstorm. A male and 4 juvenile Pied
Wagtails were feeding on the cropped turf in front of the Fairness Inn
and it was quite heartening to see large numbers of House Sparrows,
many young birds amongst them, along the clifftop gardens and hedgerows.
The Pitch & Putt area had a small mixed flock of gulls. No sign of any
returning Mediterranean Gulls, but there were a number of Black-headed
Gulls present, all moulting adults! I flushed a very unseasonable Grey
Wagtail as I reached the Palm Bay end of the fenced area before
retracing my steps back to the car. Several groups of House Martins
were feeding along the cliff top and a party of 8 adult Goldfinches
were feeding on thistles by the Captain Digby. A Whimbrel called
as it passed by, off of Joss Bay; where there were also 3 Sandwich
Terns feeding close in. Another scan through the gulls -same
result and similar numbers to yesterday, although it was interesting to
note (well to me at least!) that the first Black-headed Gulls
of the autumn, 14 adults, had joined the flock. (Dylan)
Tuesday 28th June 2005 North Foreland
With the sole intention of looking through the gulls, for coloured rings,
I went across to North Foreland just after 06.30hrs. There were two
groups, the one on the field between Elmwood Avenue and the lighthouse
consisted of 65 Great Black-backed, 1 ad Lesser Black-back
and 30+ Herring Gulls. The other flock, between the lighthouse and
the riding stables, was made up of 7ad & 1 3rd yr Lesser
Black-back and 40+ Herring Gulls. I didn't manage to locate any
colour-ringed individuals, but one of the Lesser Black--backs was
wearing a metal BTO-type ring, obviously unreadable under normal field
conditions. A male Ringed Plover was running around on the chalky
soil and an adult male Kestrel perched briefly on the exposed field
- causing thoughts of an early Merlin before the bins revealed its' true
identity. Nothing much happening off-shore. A Sandwich Tern was
fishing just below the pumping station and 2 Cormorants flew south
from Joss Bay. Several Fulmars were patrolling the cliffs with
others skimming the waves further out at sea. A lone Oystercatcher
"piped" loudly as it flew north and a small flock of House
Martins were hawking insects in the shelter of the cliffs below North
Foreland Estate. (Dylan)
Monday
27th June 2005 Seaton
A
pleasant but unremarkable visit to Seaton, mostly checking the Little
Stour. The only birds of note were 2 Grey Wagtails, (F Solly)
Monday
27th June 2005 Pegwell Bay
I’ve haven’t been out to Pegwell much recently, but popped down for
the afternoon tide. A few bits included 152 Curlews, 1 Whimbrel,
2 Ringed Plovers, 12 Redshanks, 5 Grey Plovers, 3 Bar-tailed
Godwits, 92 Oystercatchers, 48 Sandwich Terns, 1 Little
Tern, 64 adult Shelduck plus 21 young, 29 Mallard, 1 Great
Crested Grebe, 198 Black-headed Gulls, 1 Common Gull, 2 Grey
Herons, 1 Little Egret, 1 Cuckoo, 3 Swallows N
and 1 Sparrowhawk. An adult winter Mediterranean Gull was
there yesterday afternoon.
(Tim
Hodge)
Monday
27th June 2005 Pegwell Bay
I watched the dropping tide this afternoon seeing 2 Peregrine, 68 Curlew,
25 Redshank, 4 Grey Plover, 3 Bar-T Godwit, 1 Dunlin,
69 Sandwich Tern, 6 Swallow, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Grey
Heron, 2 Little Egret, 140 Black Headed Gull and
an extremely rufous Cuckoo - the tail of which appeared Small
Copper coloured in the evening light. (Phil M)
Sunday 26th June 2005 Ramsgate
The first migrant flock of Sandwich Terns flew over the garden at
7.30pm - 20 scattered birds all in a line heading north. Whilst out near
the moth traps this week I’ve heard Curlew, Mallard (calling in
complete darkness as it flew over!) then yesterday morning Crossbill.
I heard them going over at first light just after I had blocked the traps
up - unfortunately I had wandered inside and missed them. (Phil M)
Sunday 26th June 2005 Oare Marshes & Grove
Ferry
An
excellent early morning session at Oare today. I arrived just before
05.30hrs and, not surprisingly, had the place to myself. Grey skies and a
cool NW breeze didn't seem to fit with the month of June; still there was
plenty to see. A check through the several hundred Black-tailed Godwits
on the East Scrape failed to reveal a single colour - ringed bird, but
with large numbers of Avocets, 2 adult male Ruff and a Greenshank
also on view, there were interesting birds wherever I looked. Over on
the West Scrape there was more of the same plus a smart adult Spotted
Redshank and a few Ringed Plover. A large gathering of Black-headed
Gulls contained a substantial number of fecently-fledged juveniles and
whilst I was distracted by a passing Curlew a magnificent Barn
Owl passed below me, hunting the seawall. I got some fantastic scope
views as it quartered the meadows around the West Scrape before heading
off back towards the farm buildings to the west of the reserve boundary. A
Common Tern called as it flew overhead and I noted at least 6 Little
Egrets as I made my way back to the East Scrape and the pleasant
surprise of an adult Spoonbill (also present on Saturday) feeding
close to the road. I managed to get some nice images, despite the light
levels only ever allowing me to get a shutter speed of 1/60th sec. A few Common
Swifts and Sand Martins were hawking insects over the surface
of the pool and I watched a male Marsh Harrier capture a young Moorhen
and then fly back towards Nagden with its prize! Meadow Pipits,
Skylarks, Reed Buntings, Bearded Tit, Reed & Sedge Warbler were
all seen in varying numbers as I did a circuit of the East Scrape and I
had a nice surprise when I had a brief encounter with a cracking adult
male Stonechat, in full summer attire, a real bonus! I just had
time for a quick stop at Grove on my way home. Nothing much had changed
since yesterday. 2 Ringed Plover and 1 Green Sandpiper were
the only waders amongst the ever-growing post-breeding flock of Lapwings.
I could only find 1 Wigeon and 2 Little Egrets. A large
group of Common Swifts were feeding over the reedbeds and
surrounding farmland, but it was really very quiet. (Dylan)
Saturday 25th June 2005 Grove Ferry
An after work trip to Grove Ferry was my first outing for nearly a week!
Shameful. Overnight rain, although not as heavy as forecast, was behind my
decision as I hoped that it might have forced a few waders down. The water
levels in pools is already causing some concern, as it is very low.
Will there be any left when the main passage of waders starts in
August-September? 2 Little Egret, 5 Wigeon, 1 Green
Sandpiper, 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Curlew
and constant activity amongst the Marsh Harriers provided the bulk
of the interest. Much evidence of successful breeding amongst the Bearded
Tits, Reed and Sedge Warblers. 2 Kingfishers were noted
chasing across the reeds whilst Common Terns hunted over the
various pools. Still some attempt at a "dawn chorus"
with Turtle Dove, Blackcap, Whitethroat and Chiffchaff all
doing their bit in the trees and bushes around the carpark. Odd Skylark
could also be heard and a male Cuckoo (one of three!) was
offering odd bursts of the monotonous "cuc-koo, cuc-koo" but it
can't last for much longer. I know it's not much but I was just happy to
be out. (Dylan)
Friday 24thJune 2005 Kingsgate Thanet
After 4 billion visits and several misses, I finally have managed to see
a White Stork in the area when 1 circled high over the area at
lunchtime before drifting off south-west. If I kept Milton type lists,
another for the enormous list. (F Solly)
Thursday 23rd June 2005 Kingsgate Thanet
Hobby’s have been in the vicinity of last year's breeding site
and Sparrowhawks are regularly carrying food into their nesting
areas. (F Solly)
Tuesday 21st June 2005 Grove Ferry
Onwards to Grove, where having clouded over it became extremely humid. A
single Garganey and Little Ringed Plover on the Ramp
Pool, whilst Harrison Drove had 4 Green Sandpiper, 3 Spotted
Redshank, single Little Ringed Plover and Black-tailed
Godwit. Lots of young Warblers and Bearded Tits around.
A considerable amount of Frog-bit in flower in many of the dykes. (F Solly)
Monday 20th June 2005 Pegwell Bay
Blimey, it was hot and sticky at Pegwell this morning. Still no sign of
the Bay’s most famous fossil, Miltonia schumyensis, apparently it
aestivates at this time of year. A few birds not succumbing to the heat
included 8 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Herons, 9 Little Terns,
5 Sandwich Terns, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 101 Curlews,
180 Black-headed Gulls and 4 Great Crested Grebes, plus 3 Great
Spotted Woodpeckers and a Nightingale in Stonelees. A Black
Swan was also swimming around offshore. (Tim Hodge)
Sunday 19th June 2005 Pegwell Bay
It’ was warm at Pegwell this evening. Birds seen included 1 Knot,
2 Whimbrel, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Ringed Plovers,
102 Curlews, 3 Lapwing, 97 Oystercatchers, 2 Mediterranean
Gulls (adult summer and 1st summer), 2 Commic Terns,
26 Sandwich Terns, 2 Little Terns, 1 Peregrine, 38
Mallard, 93 adult Shelduck plus 17 young ones, 1 Gannet,
1 Peregrine, 1 Common Gull, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 3
Little Egrets and 3 Grey Herons. (Tim Hodge)
Saturday 18th June 2005 Pegwell Bay
An evening visit to a sunny but breezy Pegwell Bay included 7 Gadwall,
84 Shelduck, 25 Mallard, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Little
Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Common Terns, 9 Sandwich Terns,
4 Dunlin, 5 Ringed Plovers, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 86 Curlews,
88 Oystercatchers and 85 Great Black-backed Gulls.
(Tim Hodge)
Saturday18th June 2005 Kingsgate & North Foreland
The only non-resident birds were a flock of 6 Crossbills west and
a female Whinchat. (F Solly)
Saturday 18th June 2005 Oare Marshes KWT
Reserve
I must confess to having had a couple of "light ales" yesterday
evening, it is a real shock to my system this five day a week
working! Sill; I woke early and the sun was shining so it was lid
down and a pleasant drive across to Oare Marshes! The heat was
already starting to build despite the fact it was still before 07.00hrs. I
walked around the East Flood, as the light conditions favoured the
views from the bank of Faversham Creek. I'm not sure if there is any
connection, but there appeared to be a lot of male Reed Warblers
singing in exposed positions, so I wondered if they are new arrivals
and attempting to establish territories in secondary habitats? It would
fit in nicely with the recent spate of records at North Foreland! There
was so much more to see at this fabulous reserve. Little Egrets
were everywhere with Avocet, Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Lapwing
and Ringed Plover noted as I slowly walked around the
perimeter. I encountered two family parties of Bearded Tit and an
irate Sedge Warbler, complete with a beak full of aphids,
attempting to return to a brood in a bramble patch that was directly
beneath my tripod. There were 2 Marsh Harriers in the area and
a smart adult male Kestrel (probably the bird photographed by Pete
Young?) was hunting over the marsh. I did take a quick look at the West
Flood and was rewarded with great scope views of an adult Spotted
Redshank and several recently fledged Black-headed Gulls amidst
a group of adults. I had a fantastic couple of hours at this wonderful
reserve. Surely there can't be many better places to see wild birds in the
UK? - my congratulations to the Kent Wildlife Trust. (Dylan)
Friday 17th June 2005 Pegwell Bay
A
couple of very brief visits to Pegwell today and all rather quiet apart
from a Crossbill, which did a couple of circuits of the bay before
heading off west. A few other bits included 78 Curlews, 1 Bar-tailed
Godwit, 70 Shelduck, 28 Sandwich Terns, 1 Yellow
Wagtail and 1 Common Gull. (Tim
Hodge)
Friday 17th June 2005 Broadstairs Thanet
The Honey Buzzard seen
on Monday is still in the area and roosted last night in the Lanthorne
School / Maurice House area (per S Mount) (F Solly)
Thursday 16th June 2005 Kingsgate
area
An
arrival of Reed Warblers - 5 singing males this morning and a
single Whimbrel were the only things of note in the Kingsgate area
this morning.
In the evening, there was a shoal of Mackerel close inshore that
had attracted a number of Gannets - diving into the shoal only
200 yards offshore.
(F Solly)
Thursday 16th June 2005 Pegwell Bay
A couple of brief visits today (early morning and late evening) included
the expected increase in post-breeding numbers in some species, including
78 adult Shelduck and 17 young, 52 Mallard, 124 Black-headed
Gulls, 26 Lesser Black Backed Gulls and 78 Great Black
Backed Gulls. Other bits included 3 Mediterranean Gulls (2 2nd
summers, 1 1st summer), 1400 Swifts S, 6 Kittiwakes
S, 7 Dunlin, 12 Ringed Plovers, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Grey
Herons, 9 Sandwich Terns, 72 Oystercatchers, 1 Great
Crested Grebe and 2 Bar-tailed Godwits. (Tim Hodge)
Thursday 16th June 2005 Grove ferry
I spent a couple of hours in the Harrison’s Drove hide at Grove Ferry
this morning with the specific intention of getting pics of a Marsh
Harrier. Saw a Kestrel and a few hobby’s but then this
chap came along. (see
photo) (Ian
Andrews)
Thursday 16th June 2005
Lesser Black-back red darvic ring code PNF
Relocated
Ring
Report
Thursday 16th June 2005 North Foreland &
Ramsgate Harbour
Nothing
too hectic this morning. I started with another scan
through the gulls at Elmwood Avenue but failed to find anything of any
significance amongst a mixed group of Herring, Greater and Lesser
Black-backed Gulls. A singing male Lesser Whitethroat was the
only bird worthy of note and, I presume, much like yesterdays Reed
Warblers, a very late migrant? I then drove across to Ramsgate Harbour
for a Herring Gull fest. Still loads of birds, of various ages,
around the pontoons and storage areas. An adult Great Black-back
has been present all year, but the only Lesser Black-back was a
superb adult displaying a nice shiny BTO-type ring on its' right leg -
sadly un-readable! The highlight of my day was provided by the breeding Rock
Pipits. A pair are feeding young in a nest somewhere between the
A&P Shipyard and the Harbour Museum. An un-paired male was frantically
display to the female whenever the chance arose. The parachute display
flight and accompanying song is rather spectacular for a boring little
grey/brown pipit! (Dylan)
Wednesday 15th June 2005
Lesser
Black-back Gull AGAA Relocated
Ring
Report
Wednesday 15th June 2005 Pegwell Bay
2 Eider 29 Mallard 2, Avocet, 56 Curlew,
11 Ringed Plover, 6 Dunlin, 2 Little Egret, 4 Grey
Heron, 3 Sandwich Tern 3 Bullfinch 3 by the hide 2 Little
Tern, 55 Black headed Gull, 14 Great Black Backed Gull,
1 Sparrowhawk adult male 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 6 Lapwing
1 Great Crested Grebe 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker (Tim Hodge)
Wednesday 15th June 2005 North Foreland
A stroll around North Foreland was the order of the
day. I arrived shortly after 07.00 hrs, and walked across to Joss Bay and the
"triangle" before going back towards Elmwood Avenue and the
roosting gulls on the fields beyond. Generally the area was very quiet. Meadow
Pipit, Linnet and Common Whitethroat were going through the
daily routine of collecting food for unseen youngsters. A Whimbrel out
on the fairway was an unexpected find, but sadly it had a damaged leg
which hung limply below the bird as it flew off towards Whiteness. Messrs
Solly and Mount were encountered on my sojourn and both had little to
report. A few Reed and a lone Sedge Warbler being the only
snippets of interest. A scan through the gulls had the desired result. An
adult Lesser Black-back wearing a bright red darvic ring on its'
left leg. The early morning light was perfect and the code PNF was easily
read using the digital zoom facility on my "Coolpix" A check of
the gulls further inland failed to add to my colour ring tally, but there
was another Reed Warbler singing from a garden near the Lighthouse.
(Dylan)
Tuesday 14th June 2005 Pegwell Bay
A brief visit to Pegwell this evening produced 3 Mediterranean Gulls
(1 2nd summer, 2 1st summers), 2 Eiders, 29 Mallard,
46 Curlews, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 6 Dunlin, 16 Ringed
Plovers, 3 Grey Plovers, 12 Sandwich Terns, 4 Little
Egrets, 1 Grey Heron, 29 Cormorants and a Peregrine
Falcon. (Tim Hodge)
Monday
13th June 2005 Minster Thanet
A glorious morning and we spent a couple of hours walking the track from
Minster railway crossing down to the fishermen's carpark on the bank of
the River Stour. A Chiffchaff was singing from the tall trees
behind the station and good numbers of Greenfinch and Common
Whitethroat were noted as we made our way along the lane. A couple of
male Grey Partridge called to each other and overhead it was
obvious that large numbers of Common Swifts were feeding over the
surrounding farmland. Around the Treatment Works there were still a few Reed
and Sedge Warblers in song with one very vocal male Garden Warbler
allowing fantastic views, yet steadfastly refusing to co-operate
with our attempts at recording an image. At least two pairs of Turtle
Doves were around the carpark and a Blackcap sang a few phrases
as we reached the newly erected gate. Cetti's Warblers sang from
several points along our route and there was a Nightingale
uttering its' scolding "churrr" note from some thick scrub at
the back of the carpark area. It looked like it ought to be a good day for
raptors and we recorded single Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Marsh Harrier
- adult male and a distant Buzzard sp. All in all a very pleasant
stroll (Gadget & Dylan)
Monday 13th June 2005 Kingsgate
Thanet
A Honey Buzzard early am, having
roosted in the area overnight. (F
Solly)
Sunday 12th June 2005 Pegwell Bay
Visits on both ebb tides today (early morning and
evening) produced a few bits including 1 Whimbrel, 7 Bar-tailed
Godwits, 3 Sanderling, 4 Grey Plovers (including one in
stunning full summer plumage), 4 Dunlin, 3 Ringed Plovers,
108 Oystercatchers, 20 Curlew, 14 Redshanks, 4 Little
Egrets, 1 Grey Heron, 29 Mallard, 28 adult Shelduck
plus 5 young, 5 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Greylag Goose, 2 Gannets,
52 Sandwich Terns, 1 Little Tern,
56 Black-headed Gulls, 730 Herring Gulls, 14 Great Black
Backed Gulls, 12 Lesser Black Backed Gulls, 180 Swifts,
4 Swallows N, 2 Sand Martins, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 4 Turtle
Doves, 1 Hobby, 1 Peregrine, 2 Sparrowhawks, 3 Kestrels,
1 Jay, 18 Cormorants and a pair of Goldcrests feeding
young at Little Cliffsend Farm. (Tim Hodge)
Sunday 12th June 2005 Ash
Took a wander from Ash to part of way down Goldstone
Drove, then through Lower Goldstone for a meandering route back to Ash 7-40
to 10-10am. Under increasingly darkening skies, with the odd spot of rain,
it felt decidedly cool & whilst the species seen were not exactly
stunning, there were good numbers about. Glad to see more Swifts &
House Martins
today than of late, but still only the odd Swallow. 4 Yellow
Wagtails, 4 Jays, 3 Green & 1 Great Spotted
Woodpecker,2 Corn Bunting,& approx 10
Turtle Doves noted en route. At Goldstone Drove, sighted 1 Reed
Warbler &,a Sedge, although there were maybe 3 or 4 other Sedge
around but well hidden - similarly a Blackcap
sang loudly from deep within tree foliage at the start of the
Drove. Only 1 Common Whitethroat heard & seen. (Ben Ring)
Sunday 12th June 2005 Grove
Ferry
An
early morning visit to Grove Ferry was a pleasant way to start the day.
The Nightingale was still showing well, along the entrance track,
as it foraged amongst the thick vegetation. A pair of Turtle Doves were
perched in a dead tree in the paddock and a Cetti's Warbler was
particularly active around the bushes at the base of the ramp. Scanning
across the two pools from the ramp revealed 1 Little Ringed Plover,
1 Common Sandpiper, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Little Egret
and a 1st summer Little Gull. Amidst the massed ranks of
moulting Gadwall and Mallards there were still a few Shoveler,
3 Wigeon and 2 Shelduck. A female Marsh Harrier
hunted low over the reeds near Harrison's Drove and a pair of Kestrels were
hovering over the water meadows by the Ox-bow. Still a lot of song from
the Reed and Sedge Warblers with odd Blackcap, Common
Whitethroat and Chiffchaff also uttering isolated bursts.
Strangely there is a Nightingale in full song along the riverbank,
by the railway crossing at Grove Ferry, most of the others have ceased now
and are busily feeding young families. Not much else to report, just the
usual mix of Swifts, House and Sand Martins, Common
Tern, Black-headed Gull, Redshank and Lapwing over and around
the pools with several family groups of Bearded Tits in the reeds
beside the track as I made my way around the circuit. (Dylan)
Saturday 11th June 2005 North Foreland
I
went over to North foreland to have another look for a Norwegian
colour-ringed Great Black-back that Gadget and I had seen on
Thursday, whilst unsuccessfully attempting to relocate the Trumpeter
Finch. Heat haze had made the ring number unreadable. As I drove down
Elmwood Avenue this morning I could see a large group of gulls on the
field between the Lighthouse and the Riding Stables. Parking the car at
the pumping station I made my way to the footpath. As I reached the
Lighthouse I heard a couple of phrases of Golden Oriole song coming
from the Holme Oaks in the adjacent gardens. I didn't see the bird until
it flew out from the canopy and headed across the valley towards North
Foreland Golf Course. A nice distraction! The flock was mainly Lesser
Black-backs (!00+), with just 9 Great Black-backs and 40+ Herring
Gulls. I scanned through carefully and was rewarded with a nice blue
darvic on a bright yellow leg. Excellent - a colour ringed adult Lesser
Black-back. The distance meant that I would have to rely on the
wonders of digital imaging if I was ever going to read the code. I took
over 80 pictures from various positions around the flock - always at 150m
and further! Back at home the computer revealed that I had managed to get
just 3 images that allowed the code to be read. AGAA and one from a
Belgian project centered around the breeding colony at Zeebrugge Harbour.
Full details will be posted when I receive them. With all the problems of
reading the ring I didn't see much else. A male Grey Partridge flew
from the meadow on the other side of the footpath and several House
Martins and Swallows were hawking insects around the paddocks.
A Ringed Plover looked strangely out of place as it displayed over
the chalky soil of a newly ploughed field, still it must be a better bet
than attempting to breed in Joss Bay? (Dylan
Friday 10th June 2005 Grove Ferry &
Stodmarsh NNR
An early finish at work allowed time for me to get a very pleasant
session in at the Stodmarsh NNR. Bev dropped me off at the Grove ferry
carpark around 15.00hrs and I took nearly 30 minutes to reach the
ramp, due to watching a smart adult Nightingale foraging along the
entrance track. I got fabulous views, yet was unable to capture an image
due to the constant movement as the bird searched for food. As I
approached the ramp an adult Greenshank flew over, headed east,
calling loudly. Scanning the two main pools allowed me to record Ringed
& Little Ringed Plover, Little Egret, Shoveler, Shelduck,
Pochard, Tufted Duck and (rather worryingly) 2 adult Green
Sandpiper! Has there been a problem on the breeding grounds? Why else
would a Greenshank and Green Sandpipers be at Grove in
mid-June? Late going north - or, more likely, failed breeders headed back
south - is autumn already upon us? A Common Snipe was drumming over
Harrison's Drove and I noted 12 male Teal from the hide. Several Marsh
Harriers were hunting over the reedbeds and single Kestrel and Sparrowhawk
were also seen. I got nice views of an adult Cuckoo as it skimmed
over the reeds near the Marsh Hide and enjoyed the antics of an adult
Grey Heron attempting to swallow a large Eel that it had caught in a
dyke beside the Lampern Wall.
Plenty of Sand & House Martins about today with good numbers
of Swifts for company, however, Swallows remain scarce with
just three birds seen today. Blackcap, Garden Warbler and Chiffchaff
were still in fine voice at the Stodmarsh end of the reserve plus several Turtle
Doves calling from prominent song posts. Nothing particularly
noteworthy, yet enough to make the walk very enjoyable. (Dylan)
Thursday 9th June 2005 Dungeness
A long overdue trip down to Dungeness today, 9:30am
to 2:30pm. The usual route
around the main reserve produced 4 Hobby, 2 Cuckoo (m), 4 Barnacle
Geese, numerous Reed Bunting & Common Whitethroat
displaying/singing, & large numbers of the usual Gull species.
The new hide overlooking Denge Marsh was a bit 'livelier' with a good
variety of common species, including 15 Black Tailed Godwit, Dunlin,
Ringed Plover, & Little Grebe. The trip across the main road to
the new part of the reserve produced the real bonus of a very
accommodating Peregrine Falcon which initially alerted us to its
presence by its cry, then perching from a vantage point on the tall tower
alongside the Romney, Hythe & Dimchurch railway line, where it
remained for several minutes allowing us to get very close for superb
scope views - an excellent way to end our trip! (Ben & Jayne Ring)
Thursday 9th June 2005 Ash
Ash 11-45hrs - White Stork circled overhead and flew
NNE towards Thanet, and at 12-15hrs - Common Buzzard flew west
Thursday 9th June 2005 Kingsgate & North
Foreland
A pleasant surprise on the
morning trudge in the Kingsgate area. Having only seen a Hobby
flying west and thoroughly bored (a state easily reached), I decided to
have a quick look to see if the local Lizard Orchids were in flower
(they were). As I cycled onto the North
Foreland Sewage Works apron, a finch flew up and landed a few yards away
on the building. Without needing to raise my bins, I could see with the
naked eye that it was a Trumpeter Finch – a rather nice 1st
year male. Having not ‘twitched’ the
Tankerton bird, a real bonus. I have
since been advised that it was
considerably brighter than the Tankerton bird. (F
Solly)
Wednesday 8th June 2005 Joss
Bay Car-park
A Marsh
Warbler was singing in Joss
Bay Car-park early this morning the only other birds were the usual
‘locals’. (F
Solly)
Tuesday 7th June 2005 Kingsgate Thanet
A brief look over the sea produced a flock of 4 Manx Shearwaters
flying East with a steady trickle of Gannets and Sandwich Terns.
A single Corn Bunting was present along the cliff-top. (F Solly)
Tuesday 7th June 2005 Oare Marshes
Had a run down to Oare marshes today no rare birds to report but I did
see some good birds. Good views of Godwits, 1 Little Egret, Turtle
Dove, Reed and Sedge Warbler, Reed Bunting, Swifts, Swallows in good
numbers Avocet, Marsh Harrier, Redshank but the high light for my
day was a Barn Owl floating by just after I took pictures of a Kestrel
hovering over head (Pete
Young) the (part time birder)
Tuesday 7th June 2005 Cliff RSPB
I
returned to Cliffe today to see the Woodchat Shrike that's been
present for the past couple of days. It was showing well just down
the track from the second mound, flitting between various brambles,
hawthorns and elder bushes. Also noted were 4 immature Little gulls,
1 Lesser Blacked Backed Gull, 1 blackwit, half a dozen Redshank,
2 Ringed Plovers, 3 Little Grebe, 2 Great-Crested Grebe,
4 Shoveler, 1 female Yellow Wagtail, 1 Pied Wagtail,
3 Kestrel, 4 Stock Doves, 1 male Stonechat and
numerous Mallard, Shelduck, Black Headed Gull, Tufted duck, Common
Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Reed Bunting, Linnet, Avocet.
A very pleasant way to spend an afternoon, but this time without the
sunburn I sustained last time I was down there watching the Terek Sandpiper.
(Tony Witts)
Monday 6th June 2005 Ramsgate Harbour
I managed to get a couple of hours in after work. I walked
from the Chine, below Westcliff Terrace, to the harbour. The tide was
receding and the mussel beds had attracted a large number of dog-walkers,
thus very few birds! Apart from the local breeding House Sparrows
and Starlings, "argenteus" Herring
Gulls were the mainstay of my avian experiences. I am well aware that
they are not everyone's "cup of tea" but the chance to study the
variation in plumage between year groups, even individuals of the
same age, is always a good learning experience and one I enjoy. I also noted
6 Great Black-backed Gulls (4 x 1st yr & 2 x 2nd/3rd yr types)
out on the mud, but none in the harbour. Several Pied Wagtails were
seen and included at least 2 newly fledged youngsters. A male Rock
Pipit was displaying by the Lifeboat Station in the harbour, yet
avoided my best attempts at a picture. A pair of Goldfinches
provide a colourful distraction, feeding on seed heads below the
undercliff, as I made my way back to the car and several groups of Common
Swifts were "screaming" over the town centre. Just to finish
on a Herring Gull theme; I saw/heard the next generation of
whinging, whining Herring Gulls at two nest sites on the chalk
cliffs above the Port entrance. The soundtrack of Ramsgate - The
Movie (as if?) would have to include this pathetic begging of Herring
Gull chicks, if ever it were to hope for that touch of
authenticity. (Dylan)
Monday 6th June 2005 Late News
A juv: Great-spotted
Woodpecker Kingsgate and a Honey Buzzard
south over Pegwell Village on 4th June 2005 F
Solly)
Sunday 5thJune 2005 Clowes Woods and Grove Ferry
Birding was very similar to last weekend! I was awoken at 01.50hrs
by the raucous calls of the local Herring Gulls, something had
spooked them and this was their response. Going out into the back garden
it became obvious the commotion was not restricted to the birds around
Vine Close and the large numbers of nesting gulls on the factory
units at Pyson's Road had also been disturbed. Ghostly shapes could be
picked out in the glow of the moth-trap as the gulls drifted overhead. I
have no idea as to what could have caused this large-scale disturbance,
especially in the darkness but as I was now wide awake, made the decision
to have another go at getting a decent image of Nightjar at Clowes
Woods. There were 2 "churring" males and I had some wonderful
views of the birds in flight and perched, but light levels meant that any
attempt at digi-scoping was pointless. Woodcock and Tawny Owl
were particularly active around the site although Nightingale song
was not as dominant as it had been in May. I remained at Clowes
Woods until 04.50hrs then drove over to Grove Ferry. Common Swifts
were moving steadily westwards in small groups and a flock of 12 Black-tailed
Godwits allowed a brief glimpse as they flew around the pool to the
left of the ramp. It was very pleasing to note the amount of
family parties of Bearded Tits around the reedbeds. Try as I might,
however, I couldn't get one to stay still long enough to record an image. Sedge,
Reed and Cetti's Warblers continue to sing around the reserve
and a couple of male Turtle Doves were "purring"
contentedly from the bushes in the paddock. 2 male Cuckoo competed
for unseen females from either end of the main reedbeds and a pair of Common
Terns were fishing the pool by the Green Hide. A very young Redshank
chick was with its' parents on the Harrison's Drove pool and a Common
Snipe was also seen there. Still 3 Wigeon on the reserve (2m
& 1f) with a sizeable flight of Mallards arriving from the
Chislet Marshes around 06.45hrs. A male Marsh Harrier was my only
raptor, allowing nice views as it quartered the reeds. Grey Heron, Shoveler,
Ruddy Duck, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Gadwall and Shelduck all made
it into the notebook, but the reality is that we are fast approaching
the summer doldrums with the resultant loss of adult birdsong and an
increase in juvenile squeaks, grunts and tiks! Still it keeps you on your
toes. (Dylan)
Friday 3rd
June 2005 Pegwell Bay &
Sandwich
A few bits seen during the thunderstorms this morning and the showers
this evening included 2 Avocets, 1 Greenshank, 8 Ringed
Plovers, 3 Sanderling, 2 Dunlin, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits,
30 Curlews, 1 Grey Plover, 68 Sandwich Terns, 1 Common
Tern, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Peregrine, 2 Little
Egrets, 3 Grey Herons, 9 Mallard and 55 Shelduck.
There was also a Wheatear near the Chequers at Sandwich. (Tim
Hodge)
Friday 3rd
June 2005 Ramsgate Thanet
At 15-42hrs the roof top Herring Gulls lifted high into the air making
lots of noise, a Buzzard Sp circled over the roof top before
heading (due North West) (Gadget)
Thursday
2nd June 2005 Pegwell Bay
The evening tide turned up: 105 Oystercatcher, 8 Little Stints,
14 Ringed plovers, 1 Grey Plover, 1 Dunlin, 1 Whimbrel,
27 Curlew, 2 Bar-t Godwit, 3 Grey Herons, 3 Little
Egrets, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 1 2nd summer Yellow-legged
Gull, 1 Kittiwake, 3 Sandwich Tern, 48 Shelduck
and 9 Mallard. (Phil "n" Tim)
Wednesday
1st June 2005 Pegwell Bay
A quick session this evening turned up the following:2 Great-Crested
Grebe, 47 Lesser Black Backed Gull,1 Common Gull, 3 Mediterranean
Gull, 13 Sandwich Tern,1 Common Tern, 22 Shelduck
(plus 7 ducklings)5 Mallard, 86 Oystercatcher, 8 Ringed
Plover, 2 Dunlin, 2 Bar-Tailed Godwit, 21 Curlew,
9 Sanderling and 2 Peregrine. (Phil "n" Slim)
