Sunday 30th April 2006 North Foreland
A further arrival of Whitethroats. Also 3
Hobbies heading South and a flock of 4 Crossbills heading West.
Cold first thing with a NW wind and migrants in low numbers. (Simon Mount)
Sunday 30th April 2006 Grove Ferry
Decided
on an visit to Grove Ferry this am arriving 5:50 & returning to car
park at 9. Light rain cleared fairly swiftly, leaving mostly sunny, if not
cloudy skies & a cool breeze. I managed to miss the Montague's
Harrier, which had showed near the ramp at around 5:15 before heading
in the Ash Levels direction. Otherwise, the usual newly arrived migrants
were competing with song making the walk very enjoyable along the river
towards Paddy’s Bench were I waited in vain for a quarter hour in the
hope of hearing/seeing the Grasshopper Warbler. I did watch a Nightingale
across the river for a minute or so before it disappeared & also a Cuckoo
put in a brief 'perched' appearance. A pair of Marsh Harriers
displayed, with the fem calling frequently - great stuff! At least 2 Turtle
Dove were present, purring from unseen vantage points. A male Sparrowhawk
flew overhead as I retraced my steps & headed back to the ramp, via
the 'Turf Fields' hide, which was quite quiet bird-wise. Few hirundines
about so early but no doubt will become more active later in the day. (Ben
Ring)
Thursday 27th April 2006 Reculver & Minnis Area
A long walk round the whole area produced 106 species, the best of which
was an adult male Golden Oriole at the Coastguard bushes at
Reculver. Other bits included 2 Nightingales, 1 Tree Pipit,
1 Fieldfare, 1 Hen Harrier, 1 Merlin, 2 Eider,
2 Stonechats, 1 Peregrine, 2 Teal, 1 Short-eared
Owl, 1 Cetti’s Warbler and 1 Grasshopper Warbler,
whilst the summer-plumaged Red-necked Grebe was still present
offshore. (Tim Hodge)
Wednesday 26th April 2006 Pegwell Cliff - Top
A Red-rumped
Swallow flew west along the Pegwell cliff-top at 13.15 hrs. (F
Solly)
Wednesday 26th April 2006 Kingsgate area
A Serin and Short-eared Owl flew over
Kingsgate whilst going through the rather pointless Moth Trap emptying
exercise this morning. Scattering of Wheatears along the cliff-top
and an obvious arrival of Sylvia Warblers, (F Solly)
Wednesday 26th April 2006 Newland's Farm area
A superb male Redstart, in the garden at 09.10hrs, was quickly
followed by a singing male Common Whitethroat, so I thought a walk
around Newland's Farm might be worthwhile. All the regular species were
present, Linnets and Dunnocks being particularly numerous.
It appears that there has been an arrival of Common Whitethroats,
with 11 noted around the hedgerows and old rose garden. A male Yellow
Wagtail was singing from a field of cauliflowers and a Lesser
Whitethroat allowed fleeting glimpses as it moved through the dense
foliage of bramble and hawthorn over by the Sericol buildings. A Kestrel
hovered over the rough ground behind Park Avenue and a large flock of
loafing Herring gulls had several Lesser Black-backs in
their midst. Parakeets were as noisy as ever, but the numbers of Jackdaws,
locally, is much greater than I have noticed in other years - maybe I
haven't taken as much interest previously? (Dylan)
Wednesday 26th April 2006 Bishopstone
A quick hour at Bishopstone this morning between
0610-0710hrs produced the first decent arrival of Swifts with 31
flying west. Also 20 Swallows, 2 House Martins, 2 Tree
Pipits, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Turtle Dove, 34 Linnets and
16 Goldfinch all moving west. In the bushes 1 Grasshopper
Warbler, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 10 Whitethroat, 2 Blackcaps
and 1 Willow Warbler. (Barry Matlock)
Tuesday 25th April 2006 Grove Ferry & Ramsgate
Cemetery
A
trip to Grove Ferry late this afternoon added a few firsts for the year.
These included a Little-ringed Plover and Swift from the
viewing ramp, 2 fly-over Green Sandpipers and a drake Ruddy Duck
from the green hide. Harrison's Drove hide produced a nice close-up view
of a moulting Black-tailed Godwit, a Little Egret and a
couple of Redshanks. Just outside the hide, I heard my first Turtle
Dove 'purring' and, after a few minutes, two birds flew around and
above the bushes across the field. As I walked back along the river I was
treated to several Cetti's and Sedge Warblers belting and
scratching out their songs. At least three Nightingales
serenaded me as I heard and then saw (quite distantly) my first Cuckoo.
Plenty of hirundines on show as well as the ever-watch able Marsh
Harriers. As a matter of interest, there was a Redwing in
Ramsgate Cemetery this morning! (Phil Beraet)
Tuesday 25th April 2006 Stodmarsh NR & Grove Ferry
The
weekly pilgrimage started at 6:40am & this time I took the
anti-clockwise route heading toward the Marsh Hide from Stodmarsh NR
car park. Whitethroats & a Nightingale sang as I parked
up & a Garden warbler was there also, I was
informed. Large numbers of Reed & Sedge Warblers were apparent
as I made my way to the first hide & a Woodcock was flushed new
Newborns farm by the cacophony created by flyover Canada (2) &
Greylag (4) geese. Marsh hide produced a male Garganey & a Greenshank,
as well as 40 or so Sand Martin. A Cuckoo also stopped
briefly, adding to my year list (noted 2 others on my way around the
reserve). On to Harrison’s & a Common Swift joined the Swallows
& Martins overhead. The misty conditions made it even more difficult
to pick out much different from the ramp although I enjoyed watching a Swallow
delicately fly down & pick up a swan feather & then proceed to
drop it in mid-air, only for it to be deftly plucked out of the air by Swallow.
I headed up to the river & back toward Stodmarsh. A single Turtle
Dove purred from a dead tree over the river & I was told
by 2 people that the Grasshopper Warbler was still
'reeling' from across the river near Paddy's bench - needless to say I
missed it! I counted 9 Common Tern over the main lake & a
single Hobby flew over there as well. (Ben Ring)
Tuesday 25th April 2006 Reculver & Minnis Bay area
There was a very smart summer-plumaged Red-necked Grebe sitting
close in offshore at Coldharbour at lunchtime. Other bits included 1 Avocet,
2 Peregrines, 15 Wheatears, 2 Swifts W, 1 Garden
Warbler, 1 Ring Ouzel, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Tree
Pipit, 6 Turtle Doves, 2 Common Terns, 1 Great
Crested Grebe, 2 Grey Plovers, 2 Whimbrel, 1 Greenshank,
1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Snipe, 1 Ruddy Duck, 6 Willow
Warblers, 1 Pochard, 1 Brambling, 2 Cuckoos, 100+
Swallows W, 10 House Martins W and 1 Cetti’s Warbler.
(Tim, Barry, Mat, Derek, Chris)
Tuesday 25th April 2006 Foreness area
I left home at 05.45hrs and drove across to Palm Bay. Overnight fog had
resulted in a wave of optimism and I had high hopes for a few grounded
migrants along the cliff-top. Sadly, just a Phil had discovered the
previous morning, it was not to be, 15 Wheatear, 3 Yellow
Wagtail, 5 Swallow and a flyover Whimbrel was as
exciting as it got. Plenty of activity amongst the local Linnets
and Meadow Pipits and I noted 3 Sandwich Terns fishing off
shore at Foreness Point. Back home by 08.00hrs - rather disappointed!
(Dylan)
Monday 24th April 2006 Pegwell Bay
Dull, grey, boring, predictable and dreary - but enough about my personal
problems.... I made a start (early am) on the Farm/Clifftop/Hoverpad
seeing: 1 Ring Ouzel, 1 continental Coal Tit and 2 Wheatear
plus there
were a few Hirundines/Mipits going over I also heard a flyover Tree
Pipit somewhere overhead in the mist. Very little on the hoverpad
though there was a vocal Lesser Whitethroat. Next stop for the
incoming tide where a
few new arrived Bar-tailed Godwits and Knot were showing (57
and 6 respectively) also 22 Dunlin, 6 Ringed Plover, 13 Grey
Plover, 6 Turnstone, 5 Sanderling and a Little Egret.
I flushed a single Green Sandpiper up on the river around the back
of Stonelees. Disappointing given the conditions today. (Phil M)
Monday 24th April 2006 Chamber's Wall /
Oyster Farm
A walk in the murk this morning was fairly quiet but included 3 Little
Terns, 2 Kittiwakes, 12 Sandwich Terns, 1 Knot, 1
Greenshank, 17 Bar-tailed Godwits E offshore plus 2
present, 1 Eider, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Turtle Dove,
1 Cuckoo and 5 Wheatears. (Tim Hodge)
Sunday 23rd April 2006 Minnis Bay & Reculver
Barry, Mat and I spent the morning wandering most of the marsh. It was
rather hard work at times, but we managed to dredge up the following
between us: 1 Hobby, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Swift, 1 Grasshopper
Warbler, 3 Common Terns, 2 Tree Pipits, 2 Siskins,
4 Redpolls, 3 Wheatears, 2 Stonechats, 1 Willow
Warbler, 185 Sand Martins W plus 150 present, 140 Swallows
W, 8 House Martins W, 70 Goldfinches W, 90 Linnets W,
80 Meadow Pipits W, 45 Sandwich Terns, 5 Common Scoter,
1 Eider, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits,
4 Greenshanks, 11 Whimbrel NE, 4 Marsh Harriers, 1 Sparrowhawk,
3 Cuckoos, 40 Yellow Wagtails, about 50 Whitethroats
and 8 Corn Buntings. (Tim Hodge)
Sunday 23rd April 2006 Monks' Wall NR
I
spent little over 90 minutes wandering around the reserve this morning.
The water levels seem good but, there has been a massive increase in
the vegetation, many of the areas are un-viewable. Plenty of the common
migrants in evidence with good numbers of Common Whitethroat, Chiffchaff,
Blackcap, Sedge, Reed & Willow Warbler singing from the
hedgerows and riverbank. A single Lesser Whitethroat was my first
for the year and I also recorded lone Cuckoo and Turtle Dove.
At least 4 Cetti's Warblers at various points around the perimeter
hedge and waders were represented by 2 Lapwing, 3 Redshank
and a Ringed Plover. The only other bird of note was a smart adult
summer Little Egret, fishing the main pool in front of the first
hide. Nowhere near as dramatic as yesterday, yet still very enjoyable all
the same. (Dylan)
Sunday 23rd April 2006 Lat News Sandwich
Bay & Grove Ferry
A
beautiful sunny morning at Sandwich Bay if a little chilly at times.
Whitethroat in full song. 2 Kestrels, Larks singing high
over Restharrow. Hobby flying low over the Dunes. A male Garganey,
11 Whimbrel on Restharrow Scrape. In the evening at Grove Ferry, 2
Marsh Harriers, a Sparrowhawk circling high, pair of Greylags
with five chicks taking to the water at Turf Fields Hide. At the hide
nearest Grove, 2 Egrets, 3 Redshank and the most wonderful
clear view of a Bittern hunting along the waters edge, body
outstretched, throat puffed out, stepping carefully each huge foot, beaked
poised to strike; at times fading into the reeds becoming invisible to the
eye within seconds - a magic ten minutes worth. On the way back some
snatched notes from a Nightingale not quite in full song, on the
far side of the railway track. (Brian Conn.)
Saturday 22nd April 2006 Pegwell Bay
The incoming tide this evening turned up: 40 Turnstone, 8 Dunlin,
9 Grey Plover, 4 Whimbrel, c100 Redshank, 6 Bar-tailed
Godwit, 2 Knot, 2 Little Egret plus 2 of the Short-eared
Owls were performing across in the 100 acre field. Pete Forrest found
2 Wheatears on the Country Park. (Phil M)
Saturday 22nd April 2006 Minnis
Bay
Chamber’s Wall
It was rather chilly in the morning with the wind off the sea, and not a
huge amount going on. A male Whinchat was at the stables at
Minnis
Bay
and a Ring Ouzel was along the Wantsum, whilst an adult male Hen
Harrier flew N near the White Poplars. Four Marsh Harriers were
seen together at
Minnis
Bay
, 6 Whimbrel, a Gannet and a Kittiwake flew east, two
Greenland Wheatears and a Cuckoo were at the Stables, the Stonechats
were still near Chamber’s Wall and Lesser Whitethroats and Reed
Warblers were steadily increasing, with 5 and 8 respectively. (Tim
Hodge)
Saturday 22nd April 2006 Northdown Park
Another warm afternoon and a spare hour meant I headed from Reading
Street to Kingsgate. The usual stuff, Long Tailed Tit, Greenfinch
etc lined the route. Along the seafront to the water works and a couple of
Grey Partridge were seen. At the putting green were at least four Wheatear,
the first of the year for me and the reason I went in the first place. The
walk home was via Northdown Park with the highlight being a Green
Woodpecker among the many Mistle Thrushes. Not a lot was seen
but it was nice to be out in the sun.
(Simon P)
Saturday 22nd April 2006 Pegwell Bay 7am -12pm
1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Egret,
16 Turnstone, 6 Bar-tailed Godwits, 3 Whimbrel, 3 Dunlin,
1 Lapwing (sick), 7 Grey Partridge, 1s Med Gull, 36 Sandwich
Tern, 1 Hobby, 5 Chiffchaff, 11 Willow Warblers,
7 Blackcaps, 28 Whitethroats, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Nightingale,
2 Bullfinch, 12 Swallows, 2 Sand Martin, 2 House
Martin and 3 Reed Buntings and 1 Cuckoo. (Craig)
Friday 21st April 2006 Whiteness Late News
6 Coal Tits, 1 Blue-headed Wagtail, 3 Yellow
Wagtails, 1 Redpoll and a Tree Pipit over plus 3 Gannets
east and 1 Whimbrel going over. (Craig and Gadget)
Saturday 22nd April 2006 Minster Water Treatment Works and River
Stour
Intrigued by the continued presence of Don Wilkes' singing Chiffchaff
/ Willow Warbler, I decided to have a couple of hours down at
Minster. The chance of catching up with Ring Ouzel also played a
part in my decision. Parking in Station Approach (08.00hrs), I made my way
across the railway line and headed off along the track. Common
Whitethroat, Chiffchaff and Blackcap all sang from the
wooded area and hedgerows, whilst overhead a small group of Swallows
were hawking insects. The first, of three, Cetti's Warblers sang
from a weedy ditch and a Reed Warbler sang from a small patch of
reeds along the main dyke. The fishermen's carpark held 2 Yellowhammer,
3 Sedge Warbler, 1 Nightingale, 1 Turtle Dove, 3 Bullfinch
and a couple of Kestrels. By walking west along the river, I hoped
to find a Ring Ouzel out amongst the sheep (on the Ash side of the
Stour), however, apart from the distraction of a splendid male Cuckoo,
I found myself scanning a water meadow (09.10hrs) to be confronted
with a 1st year Common Crane feeding in amongst some marshy
vegetation. I managed to get a few poor record shots before the bird had
had enough of the hippy with a camera and took flight, heading low across
the Ash Levels towards Wingham. That was that, or so I thought. Walking
back towards the Water Treatment plant, I managed to see my first Hobby
of the year and find a large mixed flock of Sand Martin, House
Martin and Swallows feeding above the settling beds. On three
occasions, from two different areas, I am sure that I heard a Bee-eater
call, but failed to see it. Frustrated, I scanned the skies only to hear
the "trumpeting" of a Common Crane and watch as the bird
flew along the R. Stour towards Richborough (10.10hrs), before being
spooked by the Shepherd and his vehicle. I was then able to watch the bird
gain height over the Power Station and set off on a long glide towards
Sandwich/Worth. What a morning - bloody excellent! (Dylan)
Friday 21st April 2006 Stodmarsh NNR
A pleasant late afternoon stroll from the carpark was
a feast for the ears, as well as the eyes. At least 5 Cetti's Warblers,
a Water Rail, Cuckoo and a host of Sedge & Reed
Warblers made themselves known by their songs and calls, but
were not to be seen. A Marsh Harrier swept over the reeds, and a Common
Swift and House Martins flew over the lake. On the water were a
Garganey, three Common Terns and a flotilla of Shovelers.
(Steve Coates)
Friday 21st April 2006 Pegwell Bay this
afternoon
I went back down to Pegwell for the evening tide almost immediately coming
across a male Kentish Plover out on the shoreline. I last saw it at
15.10 when it flew out of the bay towards Sandwich and I didn’t see it
again even though I stayed until well after 5.00pm.Other bits seen
included - 8 Whimbrel, 1 Common Sandpiper, 8 Grey Plover,
10 Bar-Tailed Godwit, 4 Turnstone, 3 Sandwich Tern plus
there were 3 Short-eared Owls (I presume they were all Short-eared
anyway?) seen across the river. Also 1 Sparrowhawk, 15 Swallow
and 2 flyover Yellow Wagtails were seen. A Hobby flew
through the bay before I arrived plus I hear there was a Hoopoe
seen in Stone Lees yesterday at 2.20pm. (Phil M)
Friday
21st April 2006 Manston
I
made use of the lovely weather at lunchtime to walk around the pond / soak
away next to the factory. This was the first time I've had a close
look. Plenty of Linnet (collecting nesting material), Greenfinch
and Goldfinch. The resident Grey Heron, some Crows
(nesting), Mallard, Moorhen and a lovely Reed Bunting
were all near the pond. A Green Woodpecker called from the distance
and a few Swallows searched for flies over the water. Now the
weather is spring-ish I'll keep my binoculars and camera handy lunchtimes.
(Simon
P)
Friday 21st April 2006 Minster Water Treatment
Works
I met up with Don Wilkes, in the carpark by the
Treatment Works, the bushes within the surrounding area were alive with
birds and the majority of them were singing their hearts out. Ring
Ouzel (female), 2 Yellow Wagtail, 5 Pied Wagtail, 1 Nightingale, 5
Cetti's, 1 Reed Warbler, good numbers of Common
Whitethroat, Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Sedge
Warbler, 1 Cuckoo, 4 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Grey Partridge,
4 Goldfinch,
20+ Greenfinch, 1 Peregrine and 6 Swallows,
also 1 Green Sandpiper on the river (Don & Gadget)
Friday 21st April 2006 Dumpton Gap to Margate
(& back)
Having managed to miss the Alpine Swift yesterday, despite
Francis's advice, I cycled along the cliff-top in another attempt to
locate this magnificent bird. A very pleasant bike ride, but no luck with
the swift - I still need it for the UK!
The weather was very favourable, with warm sunshine and a gentle breeze;
however, there were very few birds around. A few Wheatears,
scattered along the clifftop between Botany Bay and the Walpole Hotel,
were the only migrant passerines, whilst a couple of Sandwich Terns
were noted fishing off-shore from the North Foreland pumping station. I
did try very hard to locate the swift, but was constantly distracted by
the local Gulls and Fulmars. I failed to find a C-R gull,
yet managed to locate a nesting pair of "argenteus" Herring
Gulls where the male (larger bird) showed distinct yellow legs.
The colour of the orbital ring and mantle colour plus the primary
pattern rule out any other sub-species! 10 Great Crested Grebes
were noted out at sea, as I cycled along the cliff-top, while Meadow
Pipits and Linnets appear to be present in good numbers around
the Foreness area. (Dylan)
Friday 21st April 2006 Ancient Highway & Sandwich Area
On the way
to work this morning, then home again afterwards i saw the following: - 4
Grey Partridges and a Corn Bunting along the Ancient
Highway, the Tree Sparrow is still present along the access road to
my work on the Industrial estate, also there was 3 Bullfinches (1
male). A Little Egret and 3 Shelducks on Monk's Wall, a Green
Sandpiper on Coleman's Field and a Green Woodpecker on the
roadside at Felderland Farm shop. Also noted were 3 Ring Ouzels, 2
on Worth cricket field and 1 in the Coach and Horses public house garden
(all females). (Martyn Wilson)
Friday
21st April 2006 Pegwell Bay
I had a wander around the area mid-late morning (8-11.30am) seeing a few
'bits' but only those you might expect to see at this time of year except
for a singing male Firecrest and a continental Coal Tit.
Otherwise: 5 Wheatear, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail,
1 Nightingale, c50 Whitethroat, 15+ Blackcap, c10 Willow
Warbler, c6 Chiffchaff, 2 Reed Warbler, 2 Sedge
Warbler, 1 Peregrine, 20 Swallow and 2 House Martin.
The tide had dropped by the time I arrived but a steady build up of Sandwich
Terns numbered 120 birds by the time I left the Hoverport to check the
rest of the area. Also on the mud - 2 Little Egret, 4 Whimbrel,
4 Shoveler and 2 Teal. (Phil M)
Thursday
20th April 2006 Pegwell Bay
A quick cycle around the farm and the Hoverport prior to going down for
the incoming tide turned up: 5 Wheatear, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 3
Swallow, 77 Oystercatcher, 9 Dunlin, 1 Ringed
Plover, 6 Grey Plover, 3 Bar-Tailed
Godwit, 1 Greenshank, 76 Redshank, 3 Turnstone, 1
Snipe, 2 Marsh Harrier, 15 Sandwich Tern, 61 Shelduck,
6 Mallard plus there were 480 Wood Pigeon in one of the
freshly ploughed fields on the farm. (Phil M)
Thursday 20th April 2006 Whiteness and North
Foreland
A fair movement of Woodpigeons was noted with
c350 in off the sea also a Common Buzzard at (9.20am) and a ringtail
Hen Harrier at (10.10am) plus a smart Turtle Dove at (10.15am).
Hirundines continued to move west. Not allot else apart from a Yellow
Wagtail. Then of to North Foreland which patchy on the birds front but
did include a Serin north at (11.50am) and a Greenshank high
over calling, not much else apart from a few Wheatears and 3 White
Wagtails.
(Craig)
Thursday
20th April 2006 Kingsgate
Wheatear
130, Redstart 1, Fieldfare 1, scattering of Willows,
Chiffs, Whitethroats and Blackcaps, steady trickle of Hirundines
moving west. (F Solly)
Wednesday
19th April 2006 Restharrow Scrape SBBOT
Two
male Garganey on the Scrape today, with two pairs of Teal
and a couple of Shelduck. Also a Greylag Goose that
seems to have made a nest in front of the hide, and a Yellow Wagtail,
with reports of more including a Blue-head Wagtail during the day.
The Garganey obliged with some belching urk urk calls, which are
most unbecoming of such elegant small ducks. (Steve Coates)
Wednesday
19th April 2006 Whiteness
Alpine Swift was recorded at whiteness at
18-45hrs by (F Solly)
Wednesday
19th April 2006 Old Hover pad Pegwell
A Shorelark was seen at 18-45hrs by (Pete
Forrest)
Wednesday
19th April 2006 Shuart
& Coldharbour
I
only had time for a quick early morning walk down
Shuart Lane
, across to Coldharbour and back along the railway embankment. The
highlight was a fantastic male Pied Flycatcher along the railway
embankment half way between
Minnis
Bay
and the Chamber’s Wall crossing. Other bits included a Ring Ouzel along
Shuart Lane, a Reed Warbler, 10 Willow Warblers, 2 Tree
Pipits W and 1 Wheatear. Barry told me that the Reculver end
included 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 2 more Tree Pipits and a Bar-tailed
Godwit. (Tim Hodge)
Tuesday 17th April 2006 Minster Water Treatment
Works and R. Stour
A fabulous afternoon's birding around the Minster SF. I spent a couple of
hours wandering around the area and noted, amongst the more mundane
species, 5 Blackcap, 3 Common Whitethroat, 1 Cetti's
& 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Cuckoo, 2 Shelduck (m &
f), 3 Sedge Warbler, 3 Swallow and 2 House Martin. By
scanning over the River Stour to survey the Ash Levels, I was able to add
11 Wheatears (mostly males) and 6+ Yellow Wagtails to
my list, however, I failed to locate the mystery warbler that Don had
reported earlier in the week (the reason for me being there in the first
place) and also was unsuccessful in my attempts at locating a Ring
Ouzel. Such is life - I still really enjoyed the outing. (Dylan)
Tuesday 18th April 2006
Stodmarsh NNR & Grove Ferry
A
very enjoyable walk around the reserve on a mostly sunny morning, between
6:30am & 1pm. 5-16ºC. The track to the Reedbed hide produced a showy Nightingale
(well until I got my scope on it!) & another singing - a further 2 Nightingales
were heard (one seen) across the river as I headed toward Grove & a
further 2 heard at the Grove Ferry end near the ramp. Two Common Tern
on the main lake. Numerous Blackcaps, Cetti’s, Chiffchaff &
Willow Warblers seen/heard & certainly quite a few more Sedge
Warblers in evidence from my last visit a week ago. I spent some
considerable time watching the Marsh Harriers displaying at
different points on my walk-fantastic! Sadly, I failed to connect with the
male Ring Ouzel which had been showing earlier in the morning from
the ramp, but I was pleased with a very vocal Lesser Whitethroat
which played hide & seek with me in the brambles at the base of the
ramp - song reminded me of a poor man's Nightingale! I also
witnessed some x-rated stuff from a pair of Little Ringed Plover,
lucky no youngsters watching! A pair of Greylag were well past the
'courtship' stage as a brood of 5 (?) goslings paid testimony. A male Wheatear
could be seen from there also & I passed another 2 Wheatear
just after the Turf Hide. A kamikaze Sedge Warbler was seen here
also; very pleasing as I was beginning to think their songs were just
tapes! The Marsh Hide produced a fleeting glimpse of a male Garganey as
well as a solitary Hobby catching flies. A Greenshank had
also been here earlier in the morning. (Ben Ring)
Tuesday 18th April 2006 Reculver Area
Quite a few hirundines moving today, with estimates up
until 10.30 of 250 Swallows, 100 Sand Martins and 7 House
Martins. Other bits flying west included 3 Tree Pipits, 1 Grey
Wagtail, 1 Merlin, 15 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Little
Ringed Plover, 15 Goldfinches and 180 Meadow Pipits. A
new Grasshopper Warbler was singing near Chamber’s Wall, and Whitethroats
numbers are steadily increasing. The most interesting sighting was a group
of 3 Barnacle Geese feeding on a grass field in the caravan park at
Reculver. Other bits included 10 Wheatears, 2 Lapwings, 1 Sandwich
Tern, 1 Brent Goose, 3 Eider and 1 Great Crested
Grebe. (Tim Hodge)
Tuesday 18th April 2006 Kingsgate
Overnight arrival of Wheatears with at least
60 (mostly males) present. (F Solly)
Monday 17 th April 2006 Kingsgate
A nice flock of mixed Wagtails on the Putting
Green in the evening - with 6 Yellow, 5 Blue-headed and 6 White
together with 6 Wheatears. (F Solly)
Monday
17th April 2006 Ash Levels
As
the weather looked promising we decided on a lengthier than normal walk
from Ash down to the Stour then along to the Richborough Power Station
& back home - starting at 7:30am & home at 2pm. Mostly sunny with
a light breeze, feeling warm in sheltered spots. Added a few of the common
migrants to the day list with plenty of Swallows, a couple of Sand
Martins at the Stour, & a solitary Sedge Warbler at the end
of Goldstone Drove. A fine Wheatear showed up near the Sewage Works
by Abbots Wall & afforded nice, if not distant views, as it enjoyed
the morning sunshine sat atop some brambles! Common Whitethroat,
Blackcap, Willow Warblers & Chiffchaff plentiful as we
approached the Power Station towers but our target Peregrine didn't
show while we were there. A fem Marsh Harrier briefly tussled with
a Crow. More of the same migrants on our way back with the odd Yellow
Wagtail thrown in but our real bonus came in raptor-shape near
Swallows Brook Cottages- a Red Kite lazily flapped past us,
initially heading toward Goldstone before changing track & headed for
the Stour in Minster direction! A great end for a smashing walk! (Ben
Ring)
Monday
17th April 2006 Minnis Bay
I
couldn’t get out until mid-morning although my spies told me it seemed
fairly quiet, with only a Cuckoo and Fieldfare of note at
Reculver. A walk over to Shuart and back to Minnis included 1 Tree
Pipit, 1 White Wagtail, 2 Willow Warblers, 1 Merlin,
2 Common Buzzards, 2 Sparrowhawks, 2 Marsh Harriers,
5 Kestrels and 12 Sandwich Terns feeding offshore, A steady
trickle of birds W or NW out to sea included 70 Swallows, 6 Sand
Martins, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 45 Meadow Pipits and 30 Linnets.
(Tim Hodge)
Monday
17th April 2006 Stodmarsh NNR & Swanton Lane
I was out of the house just after 05.30hrs and drove across to Stodmarsh
NNR in the hope of getting some pics of a Nightingale around the
carpark. Sadly, this wasn't the case, as the only singing birds were over
on the old tip and down by the river, as such, well out of my sight.
It was not all bad news, however, I had fantastic views of several Marsh
Harriers hunting over the reedbeds, at least 6 Reed Warblers
were singing from the reeds on either side of the Lampern Wall and a lone Common
Tern was quartering the main lake - both species were new to me this
year. Water Rails and Bearded Tits were very vocal, yet
unseen, unlike the Cetti's Warblers that were happily singing from
the path side hawthorns, allowing fabulous views in the early morning
sunshine. Although there was much more to see around the reserve, I
decided to drive across to Swanton Lane in an attempt to secure the Nightingale
picture I sought. Parking by the entrance gate to the (old) Sewage Farm, I
followed the footpath north and spent a couple of hour wandering around
the cleared areas. Many more migrants had arrived since Friday with good
numbers of Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Chiffchaff and Common
Whitethroat. At least 3 Nightingales were singing from scrub
under the power lines, whilst overhead I noted a few Swallows, 1 Sand
Martin and a magnificent female Sparrowhawk. An excellent
morning with good views of most species noted. (Dylan)
Monday 17th April 2006 Minster Marshes
A beautiful morning so went out early to avoid the dog walkers. Heard
four Cetti’s singing and two cuckoos.
Two whitethroats singing at the top of bushes and at
least six sedge warblers behind the sewerage works and
along the Abbot's Wall. Two Shelduck flew over, plenty of
swallows now. Greenfinches,
linnets and goldfinches in good numbers, half
way down Marsh lane I heard what I think was a Grasshopper warbler
calling from a bramble bush, it did two short calls and one long one of at
least 15 seconds, just the sound of a fishing reel. Also at the back of
the sewage works there was a Chiffchaff & Willow Warbler
calling, it starts of with a willow warbler call then goes in to
chiffchaff. Quite a lot of Reed buntings as well. (Don Wilks)
Sunday 16th April 2006 Garden Ramsgate
Few things over the house yesterday, 5 Swallows west
and 3 House Martins were the first of the year for me also a pair
of displaying Sparrowhawks high over the garden. (Craig)
Sunday 16th April 2006 Sandwich Bay and Restharrow Scrape
Arriving at the Restharrow scrape just after 07 00 produced the
following. 6 Tufted Duck, 2 Mallard, 2 Shelduck, 4 Lapwing,
2 Oystercatchers and a Mute Swan. Moving on to Dixon’s
Corner I had 4 Wheatear, 6 Meadow Pipit, 3 Skylark,
2 Yellow Wagtail, 14 Linnet, male Stonechat, 2
Jay and a pair of Kestrel, also 19 Swallow, 1 Sand
Martin and 2 House Martin. (Graham Crick)
Sunday 16th April 2006 Reculver &
Chamber's Wall
We had a walk around the Reculver end of the marsh this morning, and then
a look along the railway embankment and over to the Oyster farm this
afternoon. Yesterday’s Grasshopper Warbler was still singing
intermittently, whilst new in were a Swift west over the
Coastguards and a Tree Pipit over Shuart. Other bits included 180 Swallows
W, 40 Sand Martins W, 5 House Martins W, 25 Willow
Warblers, 3 Redstarts (including two males), 2 Stonechats,
9 Whitethroats, 10 Blackcaps, 11 White Wagtails, 1 Red-throated
Diver, 2 Eiders, 30 Common Scoters, 4 Great Crested
Grebes, 8 Sandwich Terns, 5 Little Egrets, 1 Wigeon,
16 Teal, 25 Gadwall, 40 Tufted Ducks, 12 Shoveler,
62 Mute Swans, 4 Brent Geese, 4 Marsh Harriers, 1 Merlin,
9 Whimbrel W, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper,
25 Yellow Wagtails, 90 Linnets present plus 60 W, 80 Meadow
Pipits W, 5 Wheatears, 1 Cetti’s Warbler and 1 Corn
Bunting (Tim Hodge)
Sunday 16th April 2006 Shuart to Chamber's Wall
It didn't require much intelligence to realise that
Tim Hodge & co, over at Reculver, were in pole position for
summer migrants, so off I went for a session within the Thanet boundary.
Parking at Shuart, I was quickly aware of singing Chiffchaff, Blackcap
and Willow Warbler. 2 Red-legged Partridges were calling
from the field directly behind the farm buildings and I heard my first Sedge
Warbler, of the spring, singing from the scrub besides the small
reservoir. Walking across to the Riding Stables, several more Sedge
Warblers were heard, one even allowing me to grab a couple of pics as
it sang from the cover of a small hawthorn. A distant Cuckoo was
quickly followed by my first, of six, Swallows. Scanning the
paddocks behind the stables revealed 12 Corn Buntings and I added 2
Marsh Harrier, 5 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Wigeon, 3 Brent
Geese, 1 imm Sparrowhawk, 2 Sand Martin and 1 House
Martin as made my way along the embankment besides the railway line.
My return walk added just one more species, when a skulking Silvia
warbler, in quiet sub-song, was "pished" out into the open to
reveal a cracking male Common Whitethroat. A very pleasant way to
spend a couple of hours. (Dylan)
Saturday 15th April 2006 Late News Hoverpad
A Penduline Tit was seen early morning (07.00hrs) by
Frank no other details.
Saturday 15th April 2006 Langdon Cliffs
A
check on the Kittiwakes on Langdon cliffs showed perhaps fewer
nest-sites being used (though it may still be early), but enough within
sight of the cliff-tops to promise some good views of chicks later in the
year. 4 Wheatears were seen together, and a Peregrine put in
an impressive set of manoeuvres over the zigzag path. (Steve Coates)
Saturday 15th April 2006 Pegwell Bay
I had a quick scout around the Farm and the Hoverpad again in the
afternoon before popping down for the dropping tide. A Wheatear had
dropped in on the Hoverpad since this morning and their 5 Swallows
twittering around the Farm reservoir. There were also 2 Coal Tits
calling from somewhere near the row of evergreens. In the bay there were
70+ Turnstone on the high tide roost plus 2 Brent, 29 Shelduck,
2 Sanderling, 33 Dunlin, 16 Grey Plover, 1 Whimbrel
and 11 Knot. Pete Forrest saw 2 Avocet, 2 Sandwich
Tern and the 1st Lesser Whitethroat of the year earlier on
today. (Phil M)
Saturday 15th April 2006 Late News
Hi, very
impressed with your site, being new to the world of birding i have found
it to be a great source of information, discovered a Black Redstart
on my fence post Thursday 13th April 2006 and I'm submit a photo for
your site also on the same day a walk around Gazen salts produced, a pair
of Jays, 1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Red Crested Pochard,
2 Tufted Ducks, Goldfinches, Great Tits and a
Mistle Thrush. (Simon D)
Saturday
15th April 2006 Corn Mill, Kearsney Abbey River Nr Dover
An early morning walk by the mill produced a pair of Grey Wagtail;
these appear to be nesting in a hole in the wall by the wheel. On the mill
pond were Moorhen, Coot, Mallard and the resident
pair of Swans, there was also a Chiffchaff singing. I
then walked by the old ruins and waterfall in lower road River. I was
first greeted by another pair of Grey Wagtail, Song Thrush,
Blackcap, Goldcrest, Blackbird, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Dunnock and a Grey
Heron. Moving on into Kearsney Abbey were another pair of Grey
Wagtail, also apart from the usual Swans, Ducks etc, there was
the Wood Duck and a new arrival, a Mandarin Duck that I was
able to get a photo of before it flew off to another part of the lake.
(Graham Crick)
Saturday
15th April 2006 Reculver area
Although it was rather cool and murky, there had obviously been a small
arrival overnight, and Barry Matlock and I had an enjoyable morning’s
birding in the Reculver area. The star bird was a male Kentish Plover,
which gave superb views when first seen on the mud just off the Oyster
farm. It then moved steadily east along the beach, and was seen both at
Coldharbour and then at
Minnis
Bay
before flying off high to the east. Other sightings included 2 Ring
Ouzels (with a third at Minnis Bay), 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Cuckoo,
1 Redstart, 3 Whitethroats, 17 Willow Warblers, 3 Spotted
Redshanks, 1 Greenshank, 1 Whimbrel, 8 White Wagtails,
7 Wheatears, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Little Egrets,
1 Siskin, 3 Brambling, 1 Water Rail, 6 Snipe,
1 Rock Pipit, 15 Yellow Wagtails, 4 Blackcaps, 15 Swallows
and 1 Cetti’s Warbler.
(Tim Hodge)
Saturday
15th April 2006 Pegwell Bay
A 3 hour session from first light (not that there was any light this
morning - a real pea-supper) covering the whole are between the Cliff/Farm
and the Country Park/Stone Lees turned up: 14 singing Blackcap, 2 Whitethroat,
11 Willow Warbler, 15+ Chiffchaff, 1 Coal Tit, 2 Redwing,
1 Ring Ouzel, 1 Swallow and 1 Yellow Wagtail. I did
hear a Common Sandpiper calling from somewhere over the salt marsh
but visibility was probably about 50 metres so no chance of seeing the
blighter. (Phil M)
Friday 14th April 2006 Chamber’s Wall->Oyster Farm
I walked the Chamber’s Wall->Oyster Farm loop early this morning,
and for some unaccountable reason did it again this afternoon. I’ve been
away for a few days, but didn’t miss much. Mind you, didn’t see much
today either. The best bits were a group of 15 White Wagtails and
20 Yellow Wagtails feeding on the Oyster Farm, giving particularly
nice views in the sunshine this afternoon. Waders there included 14 Snipe,
46 Redshank, 30 Turnstones, 1 Knot, 20 Dunlin and
18 Ringed Plovers. Offshore was quiet apart from 1 Great Crested
Grebe, 55 Common Scoter and 8 Sandwich Terns, whilst a
trickle of visible migration included 30 Swallows, 16 Sand
Martins and 2 House Martins. A pair of Stonechats was
present near Chamber’s Wall, whilst Sedge Warblers had increased
to 15. (Tim Hodge)
Friday 14th April 2006 Swanton Lane & Trenley Park Woods
A much-needed change from bashing around the coastal fringes and local
parks, instead I headed across to Swanton Lane for a bit of woodland
birding. Migrants are still a bit thin on the ground, but at least the
trees and coppice were already territory to a few early arrivals. Chiffchaff,
Willow Warbler and Blackcap were all present in fair numbers,
one pair of Chiffchaffs were already nest building in a tangle of
dense bramble scrub. Goldcrest, Chaffinch, Bullfinch, Coal Tit,
Treecreeper, Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker added to
the morning's enjoyment. A Tawny Owl hooted from somewhere deep
within the woodland and the harsh screech of Jays could also
be heard - maybe they had discovered its' daytime roost? Up near the
Swanton Lane Sewage Farm I found a pair of Lesser Redpolls feeding
in a silver birch and, just as I was preparing to leave, caught a snatch
of the wonderful song of a Nightingale. A fabulous morning in
habitat that I should visit more often! (Dylan)
Friday
14th April 2006 Pegwell Bay
Very little around the Farm/Clifftop this morning - only a White
Wagtail in one of the horse paddocks - before I went down to watch the
incoming tide and do a bit of raptor / vismiging etc. Overhead a trickle
of Linnets (north) and 3-400 Wood Pigeons (west and s/west)
plus 30 Swallow and 6 House Martins north. Also a single
flyover Yellow Wagtail plus a couple of Blackcap, 1 Whitethroat
and a Sedge Warbler on the Country Park. The most unusual sighting
was a single flyover 'white thing' which may have been an albino Linnet
- or something along those lines? On the mud: 22 Grey Plover, 15 Dunlin,
6 Knot and 1 Whimbrel. (Phil M)
Thursday 13th April 2006 Margate Cemetery area
with Late News
Wednesday 12th April 2006Very quiet all round, just 2 House Martins,
1 Wheatear, 5 Swallow, 1 White Wagtail and 2 Chiffchaff,
4 Sparrowhawk. Saturday
slight movement of raptors produced an
excellent Black Kite which showed excellent for 10 minutes at 11.20
above the horse paddocks being mobbed by Herring Gulls, slowly
headed west at 11.20 also 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Marsh Harrier,
2 Willow Warbler, 2 White Wagtail and a male Wheatear.
Tuesday 4th April 2006 1 Black Redstart showed well in
the horse paddocks and a Peregrine above the pylons late morning.
9 Brambling west and 4 Sand Martins above the cement works.
1 Wheatear and 2 Firecrest in the garden of rest. Monday
3rd April 2006 2 Woodlark headed north with a male Ring
Ouzel in the horse paddocks. 3 Firecrest and a single Coal
Tit showed in the crematorium with 8 Siskin east, and 1 White
Wagtail by the allotments. (Steve Tomlinson)
Thursday
13th April 2006 Pegwell Bay & Stone Lees
After a leg aching walk around most of the area for very little (c8 Willow
Warbler, 10 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap etc) I watched the
dropping tide seeing: 27 Grey Plover, 1 Little Ringed Plover,
4 Dunlin, 2 Whimbrel, 3 Knot, 5 Turnstone, 2 Brent,
2 Teal, 2 Little Egret etc.3 Swallows flew north and
a Brambling flew S/west whilst I was there. (Phil M)
Thursday 13th April 2006 Pegwell Bay 07.00
–12.00hrs
A nice walk after work, from Chilton lane to the hide
and back, with the highlights being. Clifftop: - 1 Crossbill over
calling at 7.30am, 2 Brambling west, 2 Swallows, 4 Great
Tits,
C90 Woodpigeons west, 4 Magpies dropped in to the clifftop
bushes, 30 mobile Linnets, and a pair of Grey Partridges in
the top fields. Hoverpad: -1 Singing Chiffchaff, another pair of Grey
Partridges, 2 Great Tits and a Green woodpecker.
Country park: -1 Short-eared Owl hunting between the garage pools
and the carpark, 2 Whitethroats, 4 Willow Warblers, 2 Chiffchaffs,
1 singing Blackcap in the carpark, 1 Swallow north, 4 Parakeets
south, 3 Pheasants and the Moorhen still at the Garage
pools, on the bay: - c50 Oystercatchers, 15 Grey Plovers, 5 Snipe,
70 Black-headed Gulls south, 31 Great Black-backed Gulls and
a Brent Goose. (Craig S)
Wednesday 12th April 2006 North
Foreland
A Common Buzzard flew in off the sea at 9.00am
before moving South (Rae Boulden)
Wednesday 12th April 2006 Pegwell Bay This
Afternoon
I popped back down in the afternoon, spending 2 hours
watching the dropping tide from the Country Park. Waders included - 17 Grey
Plover, 110 Curlew, 2 Dunlin and 5 Whimbrel (1st
ones here) also 2 Brent, 33 Shelduck, 5 Mallard plus
2 Great Crested Grebe offshore. Overhead - 29 Swallow and 7 Sand
Martin flew north as did the 1st Tree Pipit of the year. There
were
3 Peregrine also migrant Marsh Harrier and Sparrowhawk
plus the Little Grebe and 2 Moorhens were still showing on
the garage pool. (Phil M)
Wednesday 12th April 2006 North Foreland & Fayreness area
It was a lovely sunny morning compared to yesterday so I took my usual
birding route to check what the spring could throw at me. Starting at
Reading Street I headed down the hill to Joss Bay. Green Finch, Gold
Finch, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Chiffchaff and Long Tailed Tit were
all seen. Goldcrest, Dunnock and Robin could be heard. A Kestrel
posed on a lamppost and a Green Woodpecker repeatedly called from
the other side of the golf course. Along the edge of the course I saw my
third and fourth Swallow and my first House Martin of the
year. In the wooded area at the corner of the course I saw and heard a
large Warbler but I am not experienced enough to identify it, all I can
say is it wasn't one I recognised. Along past the Captain Digby and a Cormorant
was fishing in the bay and Curlew was seen and was calling from a
small inaccessible beach. Along towards the Fayreness were Pied Wagtail
and a Skylark that vanished vertically, calling all the way
up. On the beach along towards the new waterworks were a few Turnstones
and a lonely Dunlin. Up along the top were many Pipits but
not the Wheatear I was hoping to see. Then through the estate and
into Northdown Park, just several Mistle Thrushes here to note.
All in all, a nice couple of hours in the warm spring sunshine. Simon
P)
Wednesday 12th April 2006 Newland's Farm & Broadstairs Cricket
Ground
A very short session walking around Newland's Farm, then on to the
cricket ground. Still a complete lack of migrants, yet the majority of
resident species are well into their annual breeding routines. Linnets
are back around the farm in good numbers and Dunnocks seem to have
set up territories in all the available habitat, some males singing from
the tops of cauliflowers! A pair of Sparrowhawks were putting on a
fabulous show as they went through their elaborate "butterfly"
display flight, high over West Dumpton Lane. The cricket ground produced a
"drumming" Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Blackcap, 1 Firecrest
plus all the regular species expected around this parkland habitat.
(Dylan)
Wednesday
12th April 2006 Pegwell Bay
A
chilly but bright morning but still very few birds on show. I spent and
hour or two waddling around the cliff / Hoverport seeing: 6+ Chiffchaff,
3 Willow Warbler, 3 Blackcap, 1 Firecrest plus a Green
Sandpiper dropped in just before I came home. (Phil M)
Tuesday
11th April 2006 Stodmarsh NNR &Grove Ferry
A
nice frosty sunny start soon made way for increasing cloud & a
strengthening breeze. 2 - 9ºC. Stodmarsh car park had a couple of singing
Blackcap at 6:30am & a trip to the Reedbed hide provided my
first Nightingale sighting of the year, albeit brief!
The wooded Nature Trail provided at least 2 other m Blackcaps &
a fem as well. Chiffchaffs were obviously resenting the competition
& were very vocal & visual today, with Cetti’s providing
support! A 'gang' of 4 Jays screeched around the main lake & I
assume the same bunch appeared later on my return from the Grove end
around noon. Otherwise the day provided no real surprises, with those few Sedge
Warblers keeping low in the reeds & Bearded Tits likewise.
A few Swallows present but in groups of no more than 3, although
larger groups reported from the ramp area well after I had left there.
Harrison’s provided 2 Green Sandpipers & the Marsh Hide had a
single Black Tailed Godwit in bright summer plumage. I managed to
miss a Peregrine by a few minutes here & a Merlin shot
through a few minutes after I arrived, heading in the boatyard direction.
Plenty of Marsh harrier activity from early on & I witnessed
several ariel tussles with both Crows & Lapwings. (Ben Ring)
Tuesday
11th April 2006 Pegwell Bay
Still awful - a single male Yellow Wagtail on the approach road to
the farm the best of a bad bunch on the clifftop then another poor tide
where I came across 32 Sandwich Tern, 16 Turnstone, 15 Sanderling,
3 Dunlin, 8 Knot, 1 Ringed Plover and 5 Grey
Plover. A Little Grebe was still on the garage pool. (Phil M)
Tuesday 11th April 2006 Grove Ferry
During a circular walk between 9.50 and 11.15am I saw / heard 12 Swallow,
10 House Martin, 3 Marsh Harrier, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2
Sedge Warbler, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff,
2 Blackcap, 5 Cetti’s Warbler, 1 Bullfinch, 2 Green
Sandpiper, 1 Ruff, 2 Redshank. (Nick Lever)
Tuesday 11th April 2006 Broadstairs to King George VI Park
Still this awful spring continues. I went across to Broadstairs with Bev,
and then walked back along the coast, via King George VI Park, before
heading inland to Dumpton. The coastal path provided very little, just 2 Rock
Pipits and a few groups of Turnstones. Leaving the beach,
at Dumpton Gap, I then headed along the cliff-top to the park. Nothing
much had changed, but I did locate 2 singing Firecrests, 3 Siskins
- flying overhead, as well as the usual mix of Blue, Great &
Long-tailed Tits, a nice female Great Spotted Woodpecker,
several pairs of Stock Doves and the ever noisy Parakeets.
Walking along West Dumpton Lane, a small flock of Chaffinches flew
south and, nearing our bungalow, I watched a smart adult female Sparrowhawk
glide menacingly over the rooftops. (Dylan)
Monday 10th April 2006 Margate Cemetery
I went to Margate Cemetery this evening. Didn't do too badly there
either, with a Black Redstart in bushes by the border with the
allotments and a Ring Ouzel flying from tree to tree by the border
with the horse paddocks. Also Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff.
Rather unexpectedly, a Little Owl was seen while I was scanning
into the woodland / parkland that surrounds the stables across the road
from the horse paddocks. (Scott)
Monday 10th April 2006 R/gate Cemetery, Synagogue & K/ George
VI Park
I had a walk around the circuit this morning. Despite the bright sunshine
there was a chilly Northerly blowing and I am beginning to doubt if Thanet
will see any migrants this spring? The cemetery held just one Blackcap
and Chiffchaff amidst the usual mix of resident species. I must
admit to being quite surprised to find a pair of Blackbirds feeding
well-grown young in a nest near the southern boundary wall. How did they
manage to find enough food during the recent cold snap? Onwards to
the Synagogue and another Blackcap and Chiffchaff. Why is it
that any time there is an area of nicely overgrown scrub, so beloved by
migrant warblers, some group of well - intentioned do gooders have to
"tidy" it up in order to make it a local nature
reserve/conservation area? Hey-ho, more of the joys of Thanet birding.
King George VI Park was a total waste of time, the wind along the
cliff-top meant that the three plantation areas were completely
"blown out" and the hedgerow along the garden boundary and the
mature sycamores held nothing more exciting than Blue, Great and
Long-tailed Tits, Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, Dunnocks, Robins and
Wrens with the constant accompaniment of screeching Parakeets.
(Dylan)
Sunday April 9th 2006 Monks’ Wall Nature
Reserve
Had a couple of hours down at Monks’ Wall NR this
morning, hoping for a few migrants. Leaving the car I
headed down towards the hide without seeing anything out of the ordinary,
although there seemed to be a fair few Dunnock about, I spotted at least 8 during
my walk. Most of the waterfowl have now gone but about a dozen each
of Shoveler and Coot
do remain along with 2 Teal. There are several pairs of Lapwing
on the reserve, but I've seen the fox on numerous occasions recently so I
don't give them much chance of raising any young - last year he had every
single chick. Two Swallow flew over, my first for
2006, followed by 2 Sand Martin. Just as I was about to leave the hide, I
spotted 2 Redshank and heard a Cetti's,
although some distance away. A Skylark was singing
above the hide as I left. I wandered around to the other
hide and heard, then saw, my first Sedge Warbler of the year, and
shortly thereafter a nice male Blackcap. A little further on
a came across 4 Bullfinch, in the bright sunshine the males seemed to be
impossibly pink. All the usual species were seen but it was soon
time to head back to the car. As I walked back along the first field
a movement in the hedge caught my eye - a bird flew through hedge and
landed on a fence post. It flew down to the grass, pecked
at something and flew back to the post. A quick
glance through the bins told me all I needed to know - a truly fantastic
male Common
Redstart. Not only another first for the year but
also a first for the reserve, and one of the best views of this species I
think I've ever had. Magic. (Jerry)
Saturday 8th April 2006 North Foreland
Today at North Foreland: - 1 Wheatear, 2 Swallows,
11 Siskin W. - so very quiet first thing in the morning. At
11:50 a Peregrine heading NW at fair height after coming in from
the East. (Simon Mount)
Friday
7th April 2006 Pegwell Bay
I had a quick scout around the farm/hoverport prior to going down for the
evening tide which was once again rubbish! I really should have expected
it I suppose?? The farm / hoverport was a bird-free zone and the mudflat
held few waders present, the only change from yesterday being 41 Sanderling,
18 Dunlin (i don't know why I'm even writing this? Desperation?) 5 Ringed
Plover, 4 Grey Plover blah blah etc. New' birds included
singles of Merlin, Hen Harrier, 36 Lesser Black Backed Gull,
a Sandwich Tern and a Shoveler!! Otherwise an Egret and
yesterdays Short-eared Owl. I'm fed up with this weather too!
Springs always-hard work locally but this ones taking the biscuit! (Phil
M)
Friday 7th April 2006 North Foreland
A very quick stroll around the fields below the lighthouse. The work on
the pipeline is now completed and the area restored to something
approaching normality. A nice mixed group of 30+ Meadow Pipits and
13 Pied Wagtails had 2 superb White Wagtails associating
with them and I finally found my first 2 Wheatears on the ploughed
field by the pumping station. 2 pairs of Grey Partridge, 3 Ringed
Plover, 1 Kestrel and a large mixed flock of Herring &
Lesser Black-backed Gulls were noted as I made my way around the area,
but it remains rather quiet for early April. (Dylan)
Friday
7th April 2006 Pegwell Bay update
I’ve been offline since last weekend - hence the lack of Pegwell
information available for insomniacs worldwide. Please accept my very
humble apologies - you should get some kip after this posting. Well in a
word this week has been 'dire! 'The freezing cold conditions haven’t
helped things mentally or physically. The over wintering birds have had a
complete clear out this week (only non-breeders left wader wise) and
there’s hardly been any migration to talk about. I’ve been raptor
watching for between 1 - 3 hours everyday as the conditions have been
clear though a little too windy. The only migrant raptors I’ve seen have
been an Osprey and 2 Buzzards last monday and a ring-tail
Hen Harrier yesterday (Thursday) Passerine wise the only unusual thing
I’ve seen was a cracking male Serin which flew west over the
clifftop at Cliffsend on Tuesday. Otherwise there has been 4 Black
Redstarts (2 on monday 3rd) a handful only of Wheatear (max.
only 2 birds) 5 White Wagtail, 1 Yellow Wagtail (3rd) 3
continental Coal Tit on 4th, Short-eared Owl on 6th plus
Craig saw a male Redstart near Chiltern Lane
this morning. A few Hirundines have been seen most days - mainly Swallow
and Sand Martin though Pete Forrest saw a House Martin fly
over on the 3rd plus He's seen a couple of Firecrest this past
week. A few Linnets and
Meadow Pipit have been moving in very small numbers most days and
there have been up to a dozen Willow Warblers scattered around the
area. ...yawn! (Phil M)
Friday 7th April 2006 Reculver area
Barry and I had a morning amble around the Reculver area and saw 1 Ruff,
3 Green Sandpipers, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Sedge Warbler,
1 Little Gull, 4 White Wagtails, 12 Yellow Wagtails,
12 Swallows, 2 Sandwich Terns, 1 Wheatear, 3 Willow
Warblers, 4 Pintail, 40 Common Scoter, 25 Sand
Martins, 1 Sparrowhawk in off, 2 Red-throated Divers, 4 Little
Egrets, 14 Brent Geese, 70 Meadow Pipits W, 40 Linnets
W, 300 Wood Pigeons W and 1 Snipe. A saw-bill flying
east a long way offshore was probably a Goosander but was too far
away to be certain. Chris and Mat Hindle added a Jack Snipe at
Reculver and 2 Sedge Warblers at Shuart. (Tim Hodge)
Thursday 6th April 2006
North Foreland
Still cold and bleak this morning at North Foreland
with no sign of Spring migrants. The only sighting of note being a party
of 5 Coal Tits. (Simon Mount)
Thursday 6th April 2006 Grove Ferry
I finished my shift at 14.00hrs, so headed over to Grove Ferry for a walk
around the reserve. A Blackcap was in fine voice as I parked the
car and the soft mix of whistles and slurred notes, that passes as a song
for Bullfinch, could be heard as I walked along the entrance track.
The view from the ramp was fairly predictable, but a couple of Sand
Martins buzzed overhead and a male Garganey was glimpsed as it
moved between pools beyond the main lake. I continued along to Harrison's
Drove where there were two Little Egrets feeding in front of the
hide. Ever onwards, I headed over to the Marsh Hide, where a Bittern
had been showing earlier in the day. Sadly no sign of this enigmatic
reedbed dweller, but there were 4 Pintail and a Curlew on
show and a disturbance amongst the resident Redshank and Lapwings
was caused by a marauding Sparrowhawk. Retracing my steps, I
got some great views of displaying Meadow Pipits and Skylarks,
while two pairs of Marsh Harriers were "sky dancing" high
over the reedbeds. Two male Ruddy Ducks were on the pool in front
of the Green hide whilst another scan from the ramp revealed nothing more
than the usual mix of Teal, Gadwall, Shelduck, Mallard, Shoveler and
Greylags, plus a fabulous male Pied Wagtail in immaculate
breeding plumage. (Dylan)
Thursday 6th April 2006 Minnis Bay &
Reculver area
Well, after 36 years of birding in Kent I finally saw a Red Kite
in the county today when Barry Matlock and I saw one fly north over the
fields at Minnis Bay and head out to sea before deciding to head SW over
towards Reculver, where it was seen circling the area. I know you hardened
east Thanet birders will be accuse me of needing glasses, and you may well
be correct. Unfortunately I already have them. Other bits included 1 Hen
Harrier, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Common Buzzard, 4 Marsh
Harriers, 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Wheatear, 1 Whimbrel,
2 Firecrests, 1 Water Rail, 26 Common Scoter, 4 Pintail,
11 Brent Geese, 3 Little Egrets, 1 Red-breasted Merganser
and a small number of Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers and Blackcaps.
A reasonable westerly movement of migrants included 12 Sand Martins,
12 Swallows, 265 Meadow Pipits, 7 Yellow Wagtails, 76
Linnets, 35 Greenfinches, 22 Goldfinches, 15 Chaffinches
and 1040 Wood Pigeons. (Tim Hodge)
Tuesday
4th April 2006 Stodmarsh NR & Grove Ferry
A
very leisurely amble round the reserve from 6:30 - 12:30 on a sunny but
cool morning. Light breeze. Rewarded with a few 'firsts' migrants -
started at Stodmarsh end with 2 singing Blackcap in the car park,
followed by a vocal Willow Warbler near Reedbed Hide. Still a
handful of Redpoll & Siskin about as well. Chiffchaffs &
Cetti’s making themselves more obvious now, one of the latter nearly
bursting my eardrum as I passed along the Lampen Wall! As I walked by the
Stour, a familiar chattering heralded 4 Swallows & at the
Turf Fields Hide, a bright m Ruddy Duck showed itself. Spent some
time at the Marsh Hide as there was a bit going on, including a m Marsh
harrier flying in low over the water in front of me & getting seen
off on two occasions by a pair of Lapwing. Also spotted a distant Yellow
Wagtail from here as well as an m & f Pintail amongst the Shoveler
& Teal. A solitary Little Egret was joined by another &
after engaging in 'some verbals', the late arrival departed. A Little
Grebe also put in a brief appearance. A lovely walk if not spectacular
& thankfully quiet people-wise despite it being half term! (Ben Ring)
Tuesday
4th April 2006 Netherhale
I
popped over to Netherhale at lunchtime for a look around. There was a Coal
Tit singing away near the Paddocks, plus a House Martin, 2 Swallows,
2 Blackcaps, 5 Goldcrests, 3 Brambling and 1 Wheatear.
I also saw something, which I’ve never seen before. A shooter had placed
about 30 dead Wood Pigeons (I’m pretty sure they were actual Wood
Pigeons and not realistic decoys, but I may be wrong) in various poses
in a freshly tilled field, including one which was stuck on top of a metal
pole with wires attached which made the wings go up and down. Not my cup
of tea, but there we are. (Tim Hodge)
Tuesday
4th April 2006 Langdon
Hole Dover
At Langdon
Hole this morning in additional to the more common birds there were 4 Yellowhammer,
2 Swallow, a male Blackcap, 10+ Linnets, several Chiffchaff,
at least 2 Willow Warbler, and a Green Woodpecker. Also
well over 100 Wood Pigeons about. I bumped into Ron and Jean
and we were chatting when Ron pointed out a Black Redstart, which
was showing well on and around the top boundary fence. Walking
back, just near the kissing gate in front of the Coast Guard station, I
found my first Wheatear for this year.
(Pauline McKenzie Lloyd)
Tuesday
4th April 2006 Reculver
An early morning walk was fairly quiet in cool, sunny conditions, but
included a Little Ringed Plover at the Oyster Farm. Other bits
included 2 Wheatears, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Swallow, 4 Pintail
and a small number of Meadow Pipits and Linnets moving west.
A look down
West
Brook
Valley
produced a couple of Cetti’s Warblers, 3 Willow Warblers and
8 Chiffchaffs. (Tim Hodge)
Monday 3rd April 2006 Pegwell Bay
I
left Dylan looking out across the bay, as we had been unable to see any Sandwich
Terns, and walked the long way back to the carpark. A Sparrowhawk
flew low across the scrub, and at least five Little Egrets were
seen at different parts of the river. Although Chiffchaffs were
singing, I heard no Willow Warblers, but a bonus was a quick song
of a Whitethroat before he dived for cover. (Steve Coates)
Monday 3rd April 2006 Kearsney, Russell Gardens & Bushy Ruff
Nr Dover
I thought as the weather looked fairly promising I would try out my new
Nikon D100 camera. As I passed through Kearsney Abbey a female Black
Bird was gathering nesting material. I then went through into Russell
Gardens where I was treated to Whitethroat singing his heart out;
he was going from tree to tree announcing his presence. There was also Chiff
Chaff, Gold Crest and a Blackcap. As I made my way
through to Russell Gardens there was a Song Thrush trying to have a
wash and brush up in the little stream. On Bushy Ruff lake there were
several Little Grebe, Moorhen, Coot, Mallard and the resident pair
of Swans. As I headed back home via the lower path near the
waterfall, I had Robins, Wrens, Chaffinch and a pair of Grey
Wagtail. (Graham Crick)
Monday 3rd April 2006 Pegwell Bay
I
spent a couple of hours, this evening, watching the dropping tide. Steve
Coates and Francis put in appearances whilst I was there, so I didn't have
to endure the boredom on my own! Nothing much to fire the imagination, yet
I did see 3 Swallows - north, 1 Sandwich Tern, 7 Twite
(quite late for Kent? I'll have to check with Phil M), a splendid 1st
summer Yellow-legged Gull and a nice migrant male Marsh Harrier
- north and watched flying over Stanner Court at 18.10hrs. Waders are thin
on the ground but included 1 Black-tailed Godwit, Grey
& Ringed Plover, Curlew, Redshank, Dunlin, Sanderling, Turnstone and
Oystercatcher. Wood Pigeons continue to trickle north and I was
interested to note that the majority of Lesser Black-backed Gulls
present were of the race "intermedius". It sounds
much better than it was - believe me. Still no Wheatears, although
Pete Forrest did report a Black Redstart on the hoverpad as I
walked back to my car. (Dylan
Monday 3rd April 2006 Minnis Bay & Chamber’s
Wall
Much fresher this morning, and not so much about, although there was a
steady movement of birds west which was still continuing when I left. The
male Redstart was still present at the railway crossing at
Chamber’s Wall. Visible migration included 285 Meadow Pipits, 132
Linnets, 26 Greenfinches, 18 Chaffinches, 2 Reed
Buntings, 4 Swallows, 1 Sand Martin, 6 Goldfinches,
46 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 1020 Wood Pigeons. Other
bits included 1 Knot, 2 Wheatears, 1 Willow Warbler,
3 Chiffchaffs, 32 Gadwall, 24 Teal, 6 Shoveler,
1 Wigeon, 8 Tufted Ducks, 60 Common Scoter, 2 Marsh
Harriers and 1 Sparrowhawk. There were two pairs of Pintail on
the Oyster Farm at Reculver. (Tim Hodge)
Sunday 2nd April 2006 Foreness area
I went over to Foreness in the hope of finding a Wheatear or two - silly
me, what was I thinking? It wasn't a wasted effort, however, as I found 2
Black Redstarts around the building site that is Foreness pumping
station and also noted my first Yellow Wagtail of the year when one
flew west along the cliff-top. "Vis-mig" was quite special and
involved some surprising species, the majority moving NW along
the coastal strip. 37 Great Tits (2 flocks 14 & 23), 70+ Magpies
in/off (the largest flock being 33 birds) provided an unusual spectacle as
they descended from a great height and assembled in the trees beside the
golf course at Kingsgate, 1200+ Wood Pigeons, 240+ corvids (mainly Carrion
Crows, but several small groups of Jackdaws and a few Rooks
involved), 3 Common Redpolls - perched briefly by the Captain
Digby, 30+ "alba" Wagtails, 45+ Linnets, 1 singing
Chiffchaff plus a few Meadow Pipits and Greenfinches
for good measure. Good fun, shame about the Wheatears. (Dylan)
Sunday
2nd April 2006 Shuart/Reculver/Chamber's Wall
Another enjoyable morning’s birding, with summer visitors still
arriving. A walk round the Shuart area included a Crossbill flying
west and a Common Buzzard, whilst the Reculver area included 4 Yellow
Wagtails, 4 Wheatears, 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Siskins,
3 Marsh Harriers, 2 Sparrowhawks, 12 Fieldfares W, 1 Ruddy
Duck, a trickle of Swallows and Sand Martins and 1150 Wood
Pigeons W. Migrants at Chamber’s Wall included a cracking male
Redstart, 1 Firecrest and 5 Willow Warblers, with an
immature male Hen Harrier, whilst a brief look at Epple Bay on the
way home produced another Willow Warbler. Mat and Chris Hindle were
ringing at Shuart and added a couple more Firecrests, 2 Blackcaps,
1 Tree Sparrow, 2 Bullfinches and 12 Brambling. (Tim
Hodge)
Saturday 1st April 2006 Grove Ferry
You may have noticed that I've been away - you won't believe what I've
been up to - so I won't say! Suffice, that it was wonderful to be out
and about with my birding gear today. The strong winds meant that I stayed
away from the exposed coastline, instead opting for the relative calm of
the reserve at Grove. A couple of hours (in good company) resulted in my
first 4 Swallows of 2006, 2 Little Egrets, one each of Ringed
and Little Ringed Plover, 2 Water Pipits, 5+ Marsh Harriers
and a nice assortment of the regular species around the various pools and
reedbeds. Spring has definitely started, just what effect these awful
weather patterns had upon the birds heading north from sub-Saharan
Africa? Only time will tell - oh yeah, absolutely gutted about missing the
Bluethroats, as I still need them for the UK! It's great to be
home. (Dylan)
Saturday 1st April 2006 Minnis
Bay & Grenham
Very brief visit on breezy sunny afternoon. At Minnis only things apart
from Herring Gulls were lone Brent Goose and Common Tern
west. Between Minnis & Grenham 2 Swallows west. At Grenham just
in time for uncovering of rocks - all that flew in were 120 Oystercatcher,
100 Turnstone, 3 Curlew, 2 Grey Plover, 20 Redshank,
20 Sanderling, 5 Dunlin. (Bob Hinge)
Saturday 1st April 2006 Reculver
An enjoyable morning, with a definite increase in the number of spring
migrants. The best bird was an Osprey seen by Barry Matlock flying
east offshore at Bishopstone, but I’m a raptor free zone so missed it.
There was a fair westerly passage of birds at the Towers, with counts of
22 Sand Martins (plus 14 present), 13 Swallows, 92 Linnets,
1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Brambling, 1060 Wood Pigeons, 3 Corn
Buntings, 3 Skylarks, 1 Marsh Harrier NW out to sea
(plus 4 others present), 20 Fieldfares, 65 Meadow Pipits, 1 Rock
Pipit, 14 Goldfinches, 12 Greenfinches and most
surprisingly a Spotted Redshank, always a scarce bird in this area.
Other bits included 3 Willow Warblers scattered about, 3 Red-throated
Divers, 1 Merlin and 1 Sparrowhawk. (Tim Hodge)
Saturday 1st April 2006 King George VI Park Ramsgate
I went out to King George VI Park around 11am today. The usual
residents were noted but I did not see any spring migrants. On my
was back to the car 3 hirundines came off the sea - I was pleasantly
surprised to see they were house Martins when I raised my bins.
(Scott)
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