Friday 20th April 2007 Stone Lees
Visited the CP & Stone Lees site between 7 &
10 this am. A largely overcast sky & easterly breeze made things a
little cool to start with but the sun eventually poked its head through
the clouds, encouraging the birds to sing a little harder! New arrivals
from my visit last Friday included Sedge Warbler, Common Whitethroat
(including one carrying nest material, whilst, presumably it's partner,
was doing a nice display!), Lesser Whitethroat (noted 6 singing,
between the CP & Stone Lees) & there was also a Cetti’s singing
near the 'red gate' in the roadside scrub. Otherwise, several 'noisy' Blackcap
and Willow Warbler but only a couple of Chiffchaff noted. Swallows
amounted to one! A flyover calling Whimbrel meant that I managed to
add another 2 to my year list (Common W being the other 'first'). For a
while I watched a male Kestrel on the Salt Marsh ripping up a small
mammal barely 50' away before it got fed up with me & took off still
clutching its victim. (Ben Ring)
Thursday
19th April 2007 Kingsgate
Bay
A very brief walk around Kingsgate bay at 1745 - with
wife and baby in tow wanting dinner at the Digby!! - Produced one Rock
Pipit, two Pied Wagtails, two Redshank, one Turnstone,
88 Herring Gull, 7 Great Black Backed Gulls, 6 Fulmars,
20+ Starlings, a Cormorant, and a Robin and a Blackbird
singing beautifully at the top of the stairs. Still being new to
birdwatching, it was my first Rock Pipit, so a glorious day with the
family was made even better. (Baz)
Thursday
19th April 2007 Grove Ferry
An unexpected opportunity to visit Grove, one not to
be missed! I drove through the rush-hour madness arriving just after
17.45hrs. A pair of Swallows perched on the wires above
the entrance track whilst Willow Warbler and Blackcap
sang from the paddocks. The view from the ramp revealed little more than
16 Shelduck, 4 Lapwing, 9 Teal
plus Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler,
Greylag Geese and a single Great Crested Grebe.
Onward towards Harrison's Drove accompanied by the frenzied song of Sedge
Warbler and "pinging" Bearded Tits. Water
Rail "squealed" from the dense reed beds and Cetti's
Warbler assaulted my ears with their deafening songs. Harrison's
Drove hide was a little disappointing, but a Green Sandpiper
flew overhead calling. A "drumming" Snipe
performed its' aerobatics over the water meadows, as I approached the
river. My walk to the Ox-bow was rewarded with a calling Little
Owl and a fabulous pair of Garganey. As the
light began to fade I made my way back to the car encountering my first Cuckoo,
3 Reed Warbler and 20+ Sand Martin
of 2007. I also noted several large parties of Yellow
Wagtails dropping into the reedbed, between the Green hide and
the ramp, as I passed. (Dylan)
Thursday 19th April 2007 North Foreland
At
North Foreland this morning: - 1 Ring Ouzel, I Yellow Wagtail,
3 Wheatears, 8 Swallows and 2 Little Egrets at fair
height heading West.
(Simon
Mount)
Thursday 19th April 2007 Cliffsend Thanet
I did intend to have a wander around the clifftop
then go down to Pegwell but there was so little going on around the
clifftop/hoverport that I thought better of it after just over an hour and
gave up. There were 3 singing Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap,
1 Swallow and not much else - a few Linnets and Goldfinches
over, the two Peregrines were seen in the normal spot and I did
hear Whimbrel calling from somewhere out on the mudflat. (Phil M)
Thursday 19th April 2007 Ash Levels
Spent a very pleasant morning walking around the Ash
Levels without any startling discoveries. Noted 9 Swallows, first House
Martin at Goldstone, a Yellow Wag & 2 Red Legged
Partridge near Sandhills Farm, a very dark juvenile Marsh Harrier
near the Stour &, 5 Green Woodpeckers. As I walked back
home alongside the Ash bypass, a Lesser Whitethroat showed briefly.
(Ben Ring)
Thursday
19th April 2007 Newland's Farm
My early morning stroll, across to Pyson's Road, was enlivened when I
flushed a female Ring Ouzel from the hedgerow at the end of Vine
Close. (Dylan)
Wednesday 18th April 2007 Sandwich Bay
Just one of the Swallows around the SBBOT
carpark this afternoon. (Gadget)
Wednesday 18th April 2007 Grove Ferry
7 Nightingales, 1 Whitethroat and 1 Garden
Warbler. 1 Black Kite which showed for 10 minute at
distances ranging from 20 ft to 1000 ft, drifted from riverbank towards
Canterbury at 12.05pm. (Ashley and Mark Powell)
Tuesday 17th April 2007 Pegwell area
I went down early this morning and walked the entire area between the
clifftop and Stonelees. Migrants included: 2 White Wagtail, 1 Wheatear
(at long last!), 22 Blackcaps, 6 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat,
3 Sedge
Warbler, 8 Willow Warbler, 5 Chiffchaff and 8 Swallows.
There were 3 Red-breasted Merganser offshore and a singing Cetti's
Warbler heard off the cycle path at the back of the Country Park.
Other 'bits' included - 1
Little Egret, 4 Brent, 1 Grey Plover, 22 Ringed
Plover, 44 Dunlin, 1 Peregrine, 2 Sparrowhawk
etc. (Phil M)
Monday
16th April 2007 Newland's Farm
Having seen a pair of Grey Partridge,
as I made my way across the fields this morning, I chose to walk the same
route home after my shift finished. I'm really glad I did, as it resulted
in my first sighting of Wheatear this year. There were two
(1st summer) males flitting about the cauliflower stubble. I had to rush
home to collect my digi-scoping gear before I was able to get a few shots.
Well worth the effort! (Dylan)
Monday 16th April 2007 Pegwell area
A couple of hours walk around the general area turned up: 4 Brent,
1 Little Egret, 1 Peregrine, 8 Sandwich Tern, 4 Whimbrel,
3 Whitethroat, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, c10 Blackcap, 1 Sedge
Warbler and 10 Willow Warblers. (Phil M)
Monday 16th April 2007 North Foreland
At North Foreland this morning: - 1 Fieldfare,
1 Whitethroat and a male Ring Ouzel. (Simon Mount)
Monday 16th April 2007 Grove Ferry &
Stodmarsh NNR
Inspired by yesterday's reports, I went to Grove,
walking along the river as far as Stodmarsh lake & back between 7:30
& 11am. A warming sunshine & light breeze made conditions very
enjoyable & the birds didn't disappoint. As I made my way along the
entrance track I heard a distant Cuckoo & later twice saw what
may have been the same bird. Also ,3 Nightingales heard (2 seen
across the river) & 3 Lesser Whitethroats seen (2 in the
brambles at the base of the Ramp). Otherwise, an obvious increase in Sedge
Warblers & heard 1 Reed Warbler. Blackcap & Chiffchaff very
vocal, as of course, Cetti’s. Four Bullfinch spotted (two
pairs) & 5 Swallows. Again for me, a distant brief song from a Willow
Warbler across the river failed to materialise but a very enjoyable
morning. (Ben Ring)
Monday 16th April 2007 Monkton Thanet
Turtle Dove purring in Monkton on Sunday
(15th) (Dave Mairs)
Monday 16th April 2007 Ash Levels
A walk around our Patch walk late Sunday morning
produced our first Yellow Wagtail & Turtle Dove, both
near Sandhills Farm. Otherwise, just a handful of singing Chiffchaff
& 2 Swallows made up the 'migrants'. A single Tree Sparrow
was seen at Goldstone Drove. (Ben Ring)
Sunday April 15th 2007 Grove
Ferry
A
couple of hours walk prior to 8am produced 1 Nightingale, 1 Common
Whitethroat, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 12+ Sedge Warbler, 1 Cuckoo
and 1 Kingfisher. (Nick Lever)
Sunday April 15th 2007 Reculver /
Coldharbour & Blean
Woods
I
decided to twitch the Shore Larks as I was in the area (quick off
the mark as usual - I think they were first reported in December) and when
found they gave great views. Also at the lagoon were 2 Ringed
Plovers and 3 Yellow Wagtails, while on the walk from the
towers were 2 Sedge Warblers and a Whimbrel, which
obligingly landed on the grass track beside the sea wall. Two Marsh
Harriers, a string of Swallows and a House Martin flew
over. A visit to Blean Woods showed that the Willow Warblers had
arrived in force, and their calls dominated the woodlands. A Lesser
Spotted Woodpecker's call was heard, and a Tree Pipit flew into
a tree just above the sign that pointed out that they are seen here. Back
at home, two Blackcaps are singing, and a Holly Blue is flying
around. (Steve Coates)
Saturday
& Sunday 14th/15th April 2007 Minster Marshes
Two very enjoyable early morning sessions on the
Minster Marshes. Both days, early mist was quickly burnt off by the sun
and a superb day followed. Saturday I recorded 5 Cetti's Warbler
(including one singing from a garden by the station!), 2 Sedge
Warbler, 7 Yellow Wagtail and a few Swallows
moving north-west. The first Yellowhammer was back on
territory around the Fishermen's carpark where 2 Chiffchaff
and a Blackcap were in full song. 2 Little Egrets
were feeding amongst some sheep raising hopes of something rarer. A flock
of 10 Fieldfare lingered in the hawthorn hedgerow over on
the Ash Levels. Sunday morning was much the same. 3 Fieldfare
flew over my garden, as I switched off the moth trap. On the marsh Sedge
Warblers had increased to 4 birds, including a migrant singing
from the middle of a field of oilseed rape. A female Marsh Harrier
drifted along the Abbott's Wall and I flushed a pair of Shoveler
from a small dyke near Pluck's Gutter. A Sparrowhawk spiraled
high up over the village church and I couldn't resist the chance of
getting a few pics of a particularly confiding Wren as it
declared its' territorial rites. Swallows continued to
trickle through and I had a brief glimpse of a Kingfisher
as it sped over the River Stour heading downstream towards Richborough.
(Dylan)
Sunday April 15th 2007 Monks' Wall nature Reserve
Had a brief visit to Monks' Wall, which as it turned out was well
worthwhile. In addition to the usual birds. 2 Grey Partridge
were seen in the first field near the gate, followed by a Green
Sandpiper on the temporary pool near the bye pass, a Stock
Dove was there too. A Cetti's Warbler was
calling and 2 Sedge Warbler were heard as I walked
towards the hide. On reaching the hide it's clear the water levels
are dropping rapidly, which might be bad news for the resident Lapwing.
A Curlew was spotted but all of the rest of
the winter wildfowl have departed and in fact 1 of the Mallard
already has 3 fairly large young. Little Grebe, Coot
and Moorhen were all showing well. Best of
all though was a fine male Ring Ouzel, in the field to
the right of the hide; the bird gave great views and was also reserve
first for me - great stuff! A short walk further down the track
added good views of Lesser Whitethroat and Willow
Warbler, both additions to the year list. Finally, several Swallows
were feeding over the fields as I made my way back to the
car. All in all not bad for a 45 minute stroll. (Jerry Lanfear)
Sunday April 15th 2007 Sandwich Bay
I
spent two hours in good company looking over fields and the sea birds
noted in the field were Corn Buntings, Meadow Pipits, Linnets, Skylarks,
2 Wheatears 1 Yellow Wagtail a per of Stonechat’s 1
Black Redstart and 1 Ring Ouzel which all gave good views
from the seawall, there were also 2 Mediterranean Gulls heading
round the shoreline towards Pegwell Bay the only raptor seen was a Kestrel.
Swallows and Martins were also seen. (Gadget)
Thursday
12th April 2007 Pegwell Bay
Nothing around the farm/clifftop for the umpteenth time this spring. The
tide was relatively awful too 42 Shelduck,1 Little Egret,2 Grey
Plover,7 Ringed Plover,26 Dunlin,1 Whimbrel etc.
Singles of Sparrowhawk and Peregrine showed up. (Phil M)
Thursday 12th April 2007
Botany Bay
31
Purple Sandpiper still present, roosting on the beach at Botany Bay
this morning. (Neil F)
Thursday 12th April 2007 Grove Ferry
7am - 11am.Had a slow wander from the Grove Ferry
end, taking in the Ramp, Turf & Harrison’s Hides then up to the
river as far as Paddy's bench then back to the Ramp. Quite hazy but bright
with a light breeze making things very comfortable for me but obviously
not so for my hoped for 'flood' of migrants. Nevertheless, I recorded my
first Sedge Warbler from the Ramp at 7am, followed by another 4 on
my travels. 3 Blackcap were heard singing across the river &
the 'old faithfuls' of Cetti’s (19 heard, 4 seen)& Chiffchaff
(14 heard, 4 seen). I Did not add those heard or seen on my return along
the river in case of repeat birds. I did hear a distant short song from a Willow
Warbler by the river but unable to locate. Hirundine-wise, totals of 5
Swallows, 5 Sand Martins, & another group of 6 birds,
which I assume, were Sand Martins but not close enough to confirm.
Plenty of Bearded Tits in small groups, a male & fem Ruddy
Duck from the Ramp & 3 Snipe & 1 Redshank at the
Oxbow. Marsh Harriers very active (with a brief mating occurring in
a tree (!)), a single m Sparrowhawk & 2 Kestrels making
up the raptor contingent. (Ben Ring)
Wednesday 11th April 2007 North Foreland
This morning 3 Wheatears and 3 Swallows
- the 1st records of the Spring. Also 2 Chiffchaffs and the flock
of Carrion Crows on the fields numbered 75+. Still very quiet and
the habitat at this location is very barren at present. (Simon Mount)
Wednesday
11th April 2007 Reculver Area
At
least two Sedge Warblers singing at Reculver this morning, as well
as one Willow Warbler. There was also a single Wheatear
(female) on the sea wall towards Plum Pudding Island and two Canada
Goose sitting on the sea. (Neil F)
Wednesday
11th April 2007 Pegwell area
I popped down for the incoming tide this afternoon, taking in some of the
better Wheatear spots on the way down via the Farm and the Hoverport but
still didn't see any. Even more amazing was the complete lack of Sandwich
Terns on the incoming tide. They should be flooding through by now. 9
newly arrived Whimbrel (in off) 2 Avocet and a single Swallow
were the only signs of any migration. The only other thing of note was a
2nd summer Yellow-legged Gull - otherwise: c80 Redshank, 4 Bar-tailed
Godwit, 9 Sanderling, c12 Dunlin, 96 Curlew, 221 Oystercatcher,
4 Grey Plover, 4 Brent, c50 Shelduck and 1 Peregrine.
(Phil M)
Wednesday 11th April 2007 Dumpton Thanet &
Stonelees
The first Swallow over the field behind my
house this morning, I went to Stonelees lunchtime today and there were at
lest 4 Chiffchaff singing and 2
Blackcap on the way back to the car a Peregrine few
overhead. (Gadget)
Tuesday 10th April 2007 Grove Ferry &
Westbrook (Late News)
There
was a Bittern booming at Grove on Sunday evening, also 1 Swallow
and 1 Sand Martin, (Monday) in Westbrook 2 Willow Warbler
singing (males) (Neil F)
Monday 9th April 2007 Monkton NR & Preston
Marshes
Two singing Chiffchaff on the reserve today a companied
by Chaffinches, Robins, Blue, Great and
long-tailed Tits, small flock of Linnets and 2 Green
Woodpeckers, I headed off to Grove Ferry at lunchtime not such a good idea
on arrival there were possibly more people than birds in the carpark and picnic
area, so on to Preston Marshes along the Little Stour not much to shout about
there was 2 Cetti’s
and 1 Chiffchaff singing and a few Meadow Pipits on the way
back to the car I had my 1st Cuckoo of 2007 (Gadget)
Monday 9th April 2007 North Foreland
At North Foreland one Red Kite heading SW at
10:35
(Simon Mount)
Monday 9th April 2007 Langdon Cliffs Dover
2 Black Redstart in Langdon Hole first thing
this morning (Pauline L
Sunday
8th April 2007 Pegwell Bay
I only went down for the dropping tide today. It was fairly quiet - still
no Sandwich Terns!! I saw: 95 Curlew, 1 Avocet, 212 Oystercatcher,
1 Lapwing, 1 Sanderling, c10 Dunlin, 5 Grey Plover,
19 Brent, 50 Shelduck and 1 Peregrine. There was a Blackcap
singing somewhere near the Car Park on arrival. (Phil M)
Sunday 8th April 2007 Langdon Cliffs Dover
We took a walk along Langdon cliffs as the sea fret
was clearing, to see the Kittiwakes. About 30 flew off the cliff at
some disturbance but the numbers seem to be tumbling each year. The recent
pair of Ravens was seen, and of migrants only a Wheatear was
reported. (Steve Coates)
Saturday 7th April 2007 Margate Cemetery and Shuart area
The cemetery was rather quiet this morning but I did see a White
Wagtail in the horse paddocks plus a singing Chiffchaff near
the allotments. I was about to leave early afternoon but I saw Steve
Tomlinson arriving and decided to join him for a raptor watch, which
turned up nothing but the odd Sparrowhawk and a Swallow.
I went over to the Shuart area for the rest of the afternoon and evening,
which was again quiet. A couple of singing Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps
were seen. The resident Marsh Harriers and a dashing Merlin
provided some interest. I'm glad I came over though because at about
7:30 I had my first ever definite sighting of a hunting Long-eared
Owl. It was quartering the fields in good light just east of
Shuart lane where the bushes start to thin out at the northern
end. Overall impression was of a slightly smaller, darker Owl than a
Short-eared (less sandy coloured) with slightly shorter wings.
Confirmation was provided when it got harassed by a female Marsh
Harrier and flew very close allowing me to see the completely
different face and orange eyes. (Scott)
Saturday 7th April 2007 Pegwell area
Nothing at all between the farm/cliff/hoverport so I raptor watched until
13.15 from the Country Park but nothing at all was moving today.
Presumably the wind direction being slightly east of north put paid to any
raptor action. The incoming tide was also reasonably awful. Still not a
single Sandwich Tern, which is remarkable, the only things present being
28 Brent, 51 Shelduck, c200 Oystercatcher, c200 Curlew,
1Knot, 9 Dunlin, a few Grey Plover and a handful of Redshank.
No Hirundines today which was surprising and I'm wondering if I'm going to
see a single Wheatear this spring? (Phil M)
Friday
6th April 2007 Foreness Point
There
were 19 Purple Sandpipers roosting at Foreness Point at 15-00hrs
today. (Tony Morris)
Friday
6th April 2007 Folkestone
Thought I'll let you know I was down at Folkestone today and had a pair
of Blackcap's along the toll road just by the tollhouse. Someone might like to have a look if they are
down that way. (Pete
Young)
Friday
6th April 2007 Pegwell area
The early morning was dull in the extreme with not a single summer migrant
seen after an arduous walk around the hoverport/farm/clifftop - the best
thing I came across was a decked Redwing in one of the horse
paddocks. I had planned to raptor watch anyway - so by just after 10.00 I
was in position but there was nothing happening - not even a migrant
Sparrowhawk -
zilcho!! Zilcharooni in fact! Then at 12.15 a Red Kite wandered
into the area from the western edge of Thanet. It was carrying part of a
dead bird (on which it was feeding on from time to time in flight) and
loitered overhead for ages at very low altitude. I almost packed up at
12.30 - even putting the lens caps on the scope but then thought I may as
well give it
another 15 - 20 minutes as the tide was whizzing in. I reset the scope and
repositioned the tripod then spotted a Marsh Harrier circling
downriver after flushing 100+ Curlews. 5 minutes later all the waders out
on the mudflat went up as a low flying Common Buzzard flew north
across the mud causing an almighty commotion. It soon dawned on me that
there were a few Buzzards. At one point I could see at least two
flying north plus there was another one circling inland of me. This bird
showed a brick red upper tail and contrasting coverts and flight feathers
on the upper side of the wings - I've never seen a Buzzard anything
like it and pondered whether there was a chance of it being a something a
little more exotic?? In all this time the Red Kite from earlier
kept on wandering back into the area. I was trying to keep one eye on it's
movements and at 13.01 I noticed it gliding off strongly towards the south
side of Richborough then at 13.10 saw 'it' flying strongly n/west on a
completely different line?? Suspecting there might be two birds I
concentrated my attentions on the Richborough area eventually spotting the
first bird flying aimlessly around on the edge of the
cooling towers so there were two birds. Other 'bits' seen included: 14 Brent,
6 Avocet, 3 Swallow, 2 House Martin, 4 Sand Martin
and a flyover White Wagtail. Still no Wheatears and yet another
tide without a single Sandwich Tern. (Phil M)
Friday 6th April 2007 Shuart
A
90 minute raptor watch with Derek Smith at Shuart this morning produced a Red
Kite which flew NE at 11.25. Not a lot else, a lone Brambling
which flew W was the only other species of note. (Tim Hodge)
Thursday 4th April 2007 The Eastcliff &
Ramsgate Cemetery Late News
There were 2 dark bellied Brent Geese feeding
on the main groin at Eastcliff today at 16:40 (a first tick for me
for Ramsgate for this bird) there were also 13 Turnstone plus the
two Cormorants that usually rest on the wooden triangular structure a
little further out. Also four Fulmars, two Carrion Crows
calling from the cliff top railing (another first for me for this
bird on the concrete clifftop itself) and 42 Herring Gulls.
Also reading on your site about the Buzzards was interesting as i went to Ramsgate
Cemetery for the first time today - a great place indeed - and around 1350
-1400 the Gulls were going absolutely nuts but i could not find anything
with my bins - i think i probably did not look high enough as i was
expecting to see hunting Sparrowhawks. In fact seeing anything with my
daughter on my shoulders trying to steal my bins was difficult enough!!
Between 1330 and 1415 i did manage though 24 Carrion Crows, 5 Jays,
11 Magpies, a singing Chiffchaff, a Kestrel, 2 Green
Woodpeckers - one yaffling, three Great spotted Woodpeckers-one
drumming, singing Greenfinches, Chaffinch x 4, Blue and
Great Tits in abundance, several singing Robin, Dunnocks and Wren,
loads of Blackbirds (at least 16) Feral Pigeons, Herring
Gulls and 1 Song Thrush, all to the accompaniment of 'postman
pat' - definitely going back probably without me daughter though! (Baz)
Thursday 5th April 2007 Ramsgate
Craig phoned mid afternoon as he had all the gulls up and going potty over
the east side of Ramsgate. I couldn’t hear much going on from indoors
(roughly one and half miles west on the other side of Ramsgate) but as I
wandered out onto the drive the local Gulls were up both to the east and
the south of my house too. Anyway - after about 5 minutes I noticed the
culprits a flock of 5 circling Buzzards, very high and eventually
moving off south. Quite late in the day when I spotted them - it was 14.45
or thereabouts. (Phil M)
Thursday 5th April 2007 Pegwell
Cliff-top
The usual lunchtime jaunt along Pegwell Cliff-top produced a Common
Buzzard - west at 13.43 and a Common Scoter and Canada Goose
loafing on the sea off Cliffsend Farm. Great birding on gloriously sunny
afternoon, light winds, 16C, in some superb habitat in one of the best
parts of Kent! (F Solly)
Thursday 5th April 2007 Pegwell area
At last that 'stinking' 'putrid' (you get the picture?) n/easterly wind
had stopped, which made my day out almost enjoyable. No Wheatears or
Hirundines as yet but I did see a few bits today. I started off by
wandering around the hoverport and the clifftop. There was virtually naff
all going on though I did eventually come across 2 decked White
Wagtails then had another flyover a bit later on. Some nice insects on
view today though, with 'Midgus smallicus' in profusion whilst the
occasional 'Bumbleicus what’s all the fuss about icus' wandered into my
line of vision from time to time. Ah - the spring a time for rejoicing and
wonderment. Anyway, next stop the Country Park. The tide was still miles
out and my mind was turning to the skies as it appeared there were a few
migrant Sparrowhawks on the move. It was still a tad early for a
proper raptor watch so I popped down to see if any of the breeding Willow
Warblers had turned up in Stonelees - which as it happened they had,
with at least 2 birds singing their heads off. I also flushed a Ring
Ouzel (twice), which was an unexpected bonus. I ended off the day by
setting up my stall from my raptor viewing spot on the Country Park
keeping one eye on the mud flat. Between about 10.30 and 1.00pm I saw: 2 Little
Egret, 18 Brent, 1 Canada Goose, 36 Shelduck, 8 Mallard,
2 Marsh Harriers, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Peregrine, 3 Avocet,
145 Curlew, 290 Oystercatcher, 60 Dunlin, 3 Lapwing,
c10 Grey Plover, 4 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Black-tailed
Godwit, 2 Knot etc. The migrant Sparrowhawks from the
whole day added up to about 10 or so birds. A flock of 4 moved west at one
point, which is unusual for migrant Sparrowhawks which I normally see in
only ones and twos. Also overhead during the day 180 Wood Pigeon,
40 Chaffinch, 30 Linnets and a single Yellow Wagtail.
Phil Charlton had another Buzzard over Ramsgate between 09.00 and
10.00 this morning. I saw my bird at 11.20 so presumably this was a
different one. (Phil M)
Thursday
5th April 2007 Chamber's Wall
A
wander along the railway embankment from Chamber's Wall to the Stables and
back along the sea-wall and then a raptor watch at Shuart with Derek Smith
included 3 Swallows, 5 Common Buzzards, 6 Sparrowhawks,
1 Merlin, 5 Marsh Harriers, 10 Shoveler, 12 Teal,
110 Mute Swans and 3 Tufted Ducks, but all in all not a lot
about. (Tim Hodge)
Wednesday 4th April 2007 Eastwell Ashford
Been
over to my favourite haunt today thought I'll send you a few shots the
male Red-crested Pochard was still there but no sign of the female
but that's not to say it has gone. Also I had a Common Buzzard fly
over. Other birds there Ruddy Duck 1male 2 females good numbers of Tufted
Duck, 2 pairs of Great Crested Grebe at least 8 pairs of Little
Grebe 1 or 2 Pochard half a dozen Greylag and about 8 Canadian
Geese. (Pete Young)
Wednesday 4th April 2007 Minster Marshes
The only birds noteworthy today that was different to
what Dylan had Monday was my 1st Swallow of this year going up
river 3 Kestrels and 1 Marsh Harrier the rest was more or
less the same. (Gadget)
Wednesday 4th April 2007 Langdon Cliffs
Over 400 Chaffinches through in an hour
yesterday (3rd) and my first Swallow of the year today. (Pauline
McKenzie Lloyd)
Wednesday 4th April 2007 Grove Ferry &
Stodmarsh NNR
Grove
Ferry/Stodmarsh circuit, anti-clockwise, 8:25 - noon.
Yesterday's comparative 'high' was quashed today with an almost fruitless
walk around the reserve, the only obvious migrants being a grand total of
6 Sand Martins. Marc Heath counted 21 singing Cetti’s in
total & there were also numerous singing Chiffchaff during our
walk around the reserve. Just before I turned off the bypass into Ash on
my way home, a single Swallow flew across the road in front of me.
Pretty hard-going today! (Ben Ring)
Tuesday 3rd April 2007 North Foreland
Still very bleak at North Foreland in the cold wind.
The only things of note in the last 3 days have been 1 Chiffchaff
and a flock of 27 Magpies heading South at 07:50 at considerable
height yesterday. (Simon Mount)
Tuesday 3rd April 2007 Park & Stone Lees
A
trip to the Park this am between 7 & 10 was rewarded with a splendid
male Ring Ouzel (8:30) initially calling from an unseen point, then
emerging to land in a small bush on the seaward side of the path, near the
old hide site. Affording great views, it was shortly confronted by an male
Blackbird, giving a real comparison opportunity. The Blackbird
soon backed down & flew back from where it came, whilst the Ring
Ouzel then flew off, heading SE towards the Sandwich. We had just seen
a non-singing male Blackcap (another year first) & after
dropping down into Stone Lees, a single Swallow flew over us in a
haphazard fashion, heading towards the Golf Course. Three year 'firsts' in
the space of half an hour, with obviously the Ring Ouzel being rather
special! Otherwise, there were a good many Chaffinches, mainly
female, in the area in keeping with the large numbers sighted over the
last day or so. Wrens, Dunnocks & Robins were forcefully
establishing their territories & a couple of groups of Brent Geese could
be seen at sea, one flock being approx 50 birds. (Ben Ring)
Monday 2nd April 2007 Minster Marshes
Having been stuck at home all day yesterday it was
nice to take a stroll around the Minster Marshes after my shift had
finished. Nothing particularly noteworthy as I walked the circuit. 3 Cetti's
Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron,
4 Cormorant, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Grey Partridge plus
the usual Meadow Pipit, Skylark and Reed Bunting. The stiff
N/NE breeze putting pay to any chance of an owl or two. I walked the
Abbott's Wall towards the power station and was pleased to find 2 pairs of
Shelduck. I got some nice views, in the sunshine, as one pair
dropped onto a pool in a flooded field. (Dylan)
Monday 2nd
April 2007 Old Hoverpad Pegwell
Once again no Wheatears the fact is not much around the
hoverpad today at tall, I only had 2 Chiffchaff, 5 Long-tailed
Tits, 5 Great Tits, 4 Blue Tits, 9 Blackbirds,
and 1 Song Thrush and as the tide was high there was no mud
showing, just off shore were 23 Brent Geese and not much else, on
my return home I observed 1 Grey Partridge at the top of the road
in the field, (Gadget)
Sunday 1st
April 2007 Westcliff Clifftop & Restharrow Scrape
Still no Wheatears along the clifftop in Ramsgate; the old
hoverpad was just bustling with people, i.e. dog walkers, so i decided to
go over the Sandwich Bay Bird Obs. Nothing much had been reported so I
moved on to Restharrow Scrape. There I observed, Mute Swan,
Shoveler, Tufted Duck, Lapwing, Snipe and Curlew.
The three species that held my interest were Little Ringed Plover,
on the nearest island, Lapwings chasing off any thing that
came near them, on the second island, and a duck sp. which
I have no idea as to the ID. I have posted a photograph. If anyone
has any ideas please let me know. (Gadget)
