Saturday 30th April 2011 Pegwell Bay
Down around 6.00am and home by 11.00 today as the strong wind made life a
bit difficult for the bushes and even standing around trying to watch any
visible migration was hard work today in the n/east wind. I did check the
cliff top (nothing!) the hover port ... 1 Wheatear and more nothing
though I did get a Swift, heard a Green Sandpiper calling from
below the cliff and saw a flock of 8 flyover Greenshanks (12 in total
today) up that end. Offshore just after 6.00 there was a huge flock of
Bar-tailed Godwits (900 birds) plus a few others were scattered around
too. My next port of call was Stone Lees where there were 2 Nightingales
but only 1 Garden Warbler today. By 8.00 was in position to watch the
incoming tide and after a while I decided to give the Bar-tailed Godwits
a second count as there were two large groups in view by then and counted
1240 birds! There were still 500 or thereabout still left at high tide -
perhaps more as the strong sunlight making it difficult to see properly.
Other stuff seen during the morning included 3 Brent, 7 Greylag,
1 ring-tail Hen Harrier, 55 Grey Plover, 2 Ringed Plover,
8 Whimbrel, 12 Knot, 20 Dunlin, 2 Common Tern, 2
Little Tern, 1 Sandwich Tern whilst 1 Sand Martin and
35 Swallows flew north. I forgot to mention on yesterdays entry (as
well as the flyover Short-toed Lark initially!) that I saw a Monk
Parakeet flying north along the cycle path yesterday ... another
invader? I didn't see any sign of the Montagu's Harrier today though it may
still be around as I wasn't concentrating on that area very much today.
(Phil M)
Friday 29th April 2011 Grove Ferry
I finished my week on call this afternoon, hate that
duty. Anyhow having a couple of hours spare and it being a nice day I
thought I would go to Grove and see if I could find a Cuckoo or two, drew a
blank on them but it was more than made up for by the Hobby’s, I
counted 5 at one time and chap I was talking to said he had counted 15 so
well worth a look right now. (Mick S)
Friday 29th April 2011 Pegwell Bay
I arrived at 06.30 and seeing the tide was still quite a way out had enough
time to check all the bushes between the Hover Port, Cliff Top and Stone
Lees before settling in for wader watch. I could see a few hundred or more
Bar-tailed Godwits already present on the mud as I wandered around
the north end but apart from these birds and 80 Grey Plovers there was
little going on the flats. The bushes were a bit more lively today as the
wind had dropped considerably - a record count of Whitethroats (82)
and a few more Lesser Whitethroats (9) were around as were singles of
Nightingale, Redstart (a female), 25 Blackcaps, 2
Garden Warblers, 5 Reed Warblers, 3 Sedge Warblers, 2
Cetti's Warblers and 4 Willow Warblers. A Cuckoo was on
the hover pad first thing and 4 - 5 more were seen during the day from the
Country Park. A late Fieldfare was chacking away in the wooded
paddock on the cliff top, a Siskin was heard and a few more
hirundines were moving north all session. A rarity showed up today at long
last - after leaving Stone Lees on my way up to watch the tide a call
overhead caught my attention as a small bird went west ... a Short-toed
Lark. It did the obvious flight call a few times as it went over but at
one point it did another a call that I couldn't quite put my finger on - no
mistaking it though, it was not only very vocal but very close too which
helped. The second Pegwell record in the last six months after Craig's bird
last October ... what is going on? The tide was good for Bar-tailed
Godwits - there being at least 800 between the mud flat and the beach at
the back of Shellness, which was a high count for the area as far as I know?
There were almost seven and a half thousand past Dunge yesterday so we're
deep in a purple patch for Bar-tailed Godwits it would seem. Other waders
seen today included 10 Whimbrel, 20 Knot, 80 Grey Plover,
10 Ringed Plover, 3 Turnstone and 4 Greenshanks. Other
extra added bits at no added cost were singles of Common and
Sandwich Tern, 3 Brent, a pair of Greylags were waddling
about upriver with 8 newly hatched Goslings and single Hen Harrier,
Montagu's Harrier and Short-eared Owl were seen hunting across
the river. Around mid morning the weather was changing - much of the cloud
had broken up so we headed for the mound where we spent quite a few hours
sky watching seeing amongst other things a Hobby and a northward movement of
14 Common Buzzards plus another pair were seen circling about inland
too. I can't think of anything else - Craig spotted that two of today's
Barwits were carrying colour rings (calm down Dyl) and the best news of was
that John Buge (aka Man in shorts) very kindly brought a Northern Drab over
for us to look at - he'd taken it from the SBBO moth trap ... excellent as
it was a new moth for me and even our Franny had only ever seen one before -
cheers John. (Phil M)
Thursday 28th April 2011 Pegwell Bay
The day got off to a bad start when I awoke with
a start at 5.45 realising it was already light outside - I'd forgotten to
press the button on my alarm clock. The second faux pas from the man, King
of all idiots-ville occurred later on when I realised I'd also forgotten my
phone too ... such is the life of a dullard. I covered my toothbrush in
squirty soap instead of squirty toothpaste the other night, only noticing
just prior to poking the brush into my big stupid gob - my life is a
never-ending cycle of idiocy. Anyway .. I arrived 'eventually' at the
extremely late hour of 6.30 am ... I was expecting some waders looking at
the weather and as it happened I got some. It was properly cold standing
about today - if I'd had the foresight have taken a woolly hat then I'd have
made use of it. Gloves I had actually remembered and I kept them on all the
time as the brisk northerly and lack of any currant bun made these essential
items today. On arrival there were already 363 Bar-tailed Godwits on
the mud and except for lots of Shelduck (95), 5 Brent and 130
Oystercatchers, not much else. Eventually a few more waders did show
as the tide slowly rolled in - another 80 Bar-tailed Godwits, 2
Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 27
Grey Plovers, 26 Knot, 41 Dunlin, 3 Turnstone, 1
Common Sandpiper and 37 Whimbrel showed before I left about
11.30. Other 'bits' included 4 Greylag, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1
Marsh Harrier, 2 Peregrine, 8 Sandwich Terns, 2
Ravens and best of all a nice showy male Montagu's Harrier which
was presumably yesterdays mystery Harrier (in fact I'm pretty certain it was
now) and not the hoped for Pallid that I'd imagined seeing yesterday! It's
alright when your slightly disappointed seeing a Monty's isn't it? As I'd
arrived late, it was blowing a proper gale and the tide was fairly
interesting today I didn't even bother checking many of the bushes. I did
hear Cetti's Warbler, Reed Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat
and a Yellow Wagtail and about 20 Swallows and a single
Sand Martin went north against the wind but that was about it. (Phil M)
Wednesday 27th April 2011 Stodmarsh NNR
A nice hour (at the village end) of the reserve this
morning. Everything was singing - Blackcaps, Whitethroats, Chiffchaffs,
Willow and Garden Warbler, Sedge Warblers, Cetti's and two
Nightingales. A couple of Swifts passed over high. Sand
Martins and two Common Terns over the lakes. Male Marsh
Harriers were showing well and a Cormorant was entertaining as it
tried to eat a 14 inch eel and then keep it down! A pair of Bullfinches
added a splash of colour. (John Carnell)
Wednesday 27th April 2011 Elmwood Area
In a 20-minute spell at the Elmwood Farm paddock today,
I saw (in addition to the resident goats, donkeys and alpacas) 4
Blackbirds, 4 Starlings, 3 Pied Wagtails, 2 Wood
Pigeons, 2 Collared Doves (mating), 2 Long-tailed Tits, 1
Robin, 1 Swallow, 1 Chaffinch and, perhaps most
pleasing of all, a pair of Mistle Thrushes. (Mark Kilner)
Wednesday 27th April 2011 Pegwell Bay
I arrived at 5.30 (am) hoping for waders today as
the conditions were not too good for land birds with a blustery northerly
blowing making the bushes hard work. It was 100% cloud first thing but this
gradually broke - I even felt about 14 spots of rain hit me as as I cycled
down just after first light but it didn't come to anything. After a quick
look along the cliff top and the hover port I had a look at the mud coming
across a flock of 40+ newly arrived Bar-tailed Godwits hanging around the
river mouth. There wasn't mush more out there initially but after a walk
around Stone Lees I stopped off for another look and a few waders were still
arriving in off the sea. Passerines seen during the day included 13
Crossbills flying north in two groups, a Garden Warbler in Stone
Lees and at least 5 rattling Lesser Whitethroats. Other non daily
sightings included a male Hen Harrier, a Spotted Redshank (a
nice black one) and a Caspian Gull which was either a 1st or second
summer ... I'd guess a 1st summer as I didn't really look at it for too long
and haven't as yet checked the video footage - it was quite grotty looking
for a Casper. I took a few counts which were: 4 Brent, 102
Shelduck, 112 Bar-tailed Godwits, 11 Whimbrel, 1
Greenshank, 4 Grey Plover, 1 Ringed Plover, 3 Knot,
44 Great Black-backed Gulls, 187 Common Gulls, 11 Swallows
and 2 Yellow Wagtails. (Phil M)
Monday 25th April 2011 North Foreland
The first thing I saw this morning was a large female Peregrine
perched in the distance on the clifftop. It totally foxed me at first since
it was soaking wet and looked like a Crow, or even a Marsh Harrier. The
feathers were so wet and bedraggled it looked almost black. It remained with
its back facing the sun to dry out. Goodness knows whether the soaking was
intentional or accidental and whether it was sea or fresh water! At 10:05 a
moulting Red Kite came in over the farm from the South and then
headed West. It was soon followed by 2 Common Buzzards which scared
up a pair of Sparrowhawks and a Kestrel. Having seen 5 species
of raptor in 30 minutes, I was hoping to achieve the difficult 6-in-day at
Foreness - but it was not to be. Other than a few resident singing warblers,
the only other birds seen of note were 2 Yellow Wagtails and a
Brambling. (Simon Mount)
Monday 25th April 2011 Ramsgate
2 Common Buzzards flew NE over the garden in Duncan Rd at
12.15pm. Also a Fulmar flapping around over the garden yesterday.
(Nick Lever)
Monday 25th April 2011 Ramsgate
12.00 noon watched a few Common Buzzards
and Sparrowhawks flying around over Margate road whilst gardening
then ten minutes later to my surprise looked up and saw a pair of Common
Cranes circling whilst being mobbed by Gulls then they gently flew
towards train station way. (Steven Moulder)
Monday 25th April 2011 Shuart - Plum
Pudding
Had an enjoyable couple of hours this morning walking between Shuart and
Plum Pudding and back. Saw some nice birds including: a Cuckoo,
several Chiffchaffs, a Blackcap, numerous Whitethroats
and Sedge Warblers, a Lesser Whitethroat, several Skylarks,
a Kestrel, 3 Yellow Wagtails and a Marsh Harrier. (John
Slade)
Sunday 24th April 2011 Pegwell Bay
I arrived at silly o'clock once again ... very
silly o'clock ... even sillier o'clock than usual today and had a wander
around the area for a few hours before coming home early in preparation for
the Royal Wedding next week. Yeah ... I have quite a bit to get through ...
sending wedding presents (how does one package a second hand grey import
washing machine for the Royal couple?) and of course there is the Royal
wedding hat that needs tidying up after I fell over outside the palace after
the rush mid way through Charles and Di's balcony appearance. The home made
'Kiss me quick m'lord' hat fell into the crowd and got stomped upon which
rendered some of the neon letters into reading 'K--- -E --CK M'Lord' during
darkness on my week long stint outside the palace and I still to this day
haven't got around to fixing it. Anyway ... I did see some birds but other
than Whitethroats and Herring Gulls very few today. My note-taking included:
2 Brent, 87 Shelduck, 2 Avocet, 4 Whimbrel, 1
Grey Plover, 13 Ringed Plover, 2 Greenshank, 17
Bar-tailed Godwits (migrants), 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 26
Dunlin, 3 Mediterranean Gull, 22 Sandwich Tern, 3
Common Tern, 1 Cuckoo, 7 Sedge Warbler, 12 Reed Warbler,
2 Cetti's Warbler and 5 Lesser Whitethroat whilst overhead
passerines were down to 2 Yellow Wagtails and a single Redpoll
which flew east along the cliff top. (Phil M)
Saturday 23rd April 2011 Pegwell Bay
I arrived just after 6.00am and then went through
the usual routine of a quick look at the dropping tide from the hover port,
a walk around the hover pad, cliff top, Stone Lees and the Country Park
before setting up mid morning for a sky-watch. The weather was incredibly
hot for day in late April and by 11.30 by which time I was far too hot,
thirsty, bored and stunningly muscle-bound, I left after a half hearted
effort to watch what was (or wasn't) going on. A few bits did show up but
not enough to make me stay any longer I'm afraid. The only notes that I took
for the day were: 2 Brent, 2 Greylag, 1+ Little Egret,
3 Common Sandpiper, 3+ Greenshank, c6 Whimbrel, 9
Bar-tailed Godwit, 6 Dunlin, 28 Sandwich Tern, 2
Mediterranean Gull, 2 Cuckoo, 8 Swallow, 1 House Martin,
4 Sedge Warbler, 8 Reed Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat,
4 Willow Warbler etc. (Phil M)
Friday 22nd April
2011 Minster Thanet
A late stroll along the river this evening was rewarded with, 3 Reed
warbler, 10 Sedge warbler, 3 Cetti's warbler, 5 Yellow
wagtail, 3 Blackcap, 4 Whitethroat, 2 Lesser Whitethroat,
2 Nightingale, 1 Yellow hammer, 4 Blue Tit, 7 Great
Tit, 13 Chaffinch, 5 Wren, 2 Cuckoos and 17 Swallows.
What a lovely evening! (Dave Parker)
Friday 22nd April 2011 Stone Bay Broadstairs
Whilst walking with family between North Foreland and Broadstairs
today I had a pleasant surprise seeing 5 Bee-eaters flying out to sea
over Bleak House calling continuously at 3.15pm.My first for the area. (Rae
Boulden)
Friday 22nd April 2011 Pegwell Bay
I arrived at 6.00am in rather wonderful weather - quite clear (the fog, like
the fog in my head had cleared ... they will both return of course) flat
calm and warm with some light patchy cloud to the east ... lovely. I decided
to set up the scope and check the tide before taking the usual route and was
surprised with what was on offer given the weather - 2 Brents, 1
Avocet, 14 Golden Plover, 4 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Common
Sandpipers, 16 Dunlin, 1 Sanderling, 2 Whimbrel and
a local rarity in the shape of a spring Wood Sandpiper were noted as
was a really nice summer plumaged Red-throated Diver which was
feeding close offshore. I kept one eye on the shoreline as I made my way
along the cliff top and also saw 13 Sandwich Terns and 2 each of
Common and Little Terns which had only just arrived. The cliff
top turned up a Cuckoo (one of quite a few about today) a Garden
Warbler and two stunning Fieldfares in one of the horse paddocks.
There seem to be very good numbers of Orange Tip Butterfly's around this
spring - Craig had 2 on the cliff top this morning and we saw another from
the car park and I even had one in my back garden this afternoon. Anyway ...
back at the birds ... the rest of the day was a bit of a trudge if I'm
honest ... after wandering around the Country Park and Stone Lees I set up
for a sky watch eventually getting completely out of the area by 1.00pm.
Other 'bits' seen during the day included: 2 Little Egrets, 1
Hobby, 1 Common Buzzard, 8 Whimbrel, 1 Greenshank,
8 Swallows, 1 House Martin, 2 Sand Martins, 2
Wheatears, 4 Sedge Warblers, 6 Reed Warblers, 50+
Whitethroats, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 25+ Blackcaps, 1
Cetti's Warbler, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Blue-headed Wagtail
and 3 Redpoll flew north early on. (Phil M)
Thursday 21st April 2011 Pegwell Bay
I trudged the usual route then watched the sky from the usual spot between
6.10 and 1.00pm today. It was quiet on the whole with only a few new
Sedge and Reed Warblers, the first Turtle Dove of spring
in Stone Lees, a few Cuckoo's and best of all an adult male
Montagu's Harrier which arrived in off mid-morning before flying north
inland. This is the earliest ever area record (previous April 25th 2001) and
possibly only my second ever Pegwell adult male? Anyway - the rest of the
day was hard work, 6 Yellow Wagtails and 19 Swallows flew
north and 3 Greenshanks and 6+ Whimbrel were seen too. The mud
was poor - 1 Brent, 2 Sandwich Tern, 21 Ringed Plover,
5 Dunlin and 8 Bar-tailed Godwits being the only notes taken.
There were still lots of Blackcaps and Whitethroats (40+)
though far less than yesterday. Craig also saw the only Lesser
Whitethroat and House Martin of the day on his way down. (Phil M)
Thursday 21st April 2011 Cowles Wood
Had a very pleasant early morning stroll for
about 3+ hours from 7 am from the car park to the Winding Pond and back
vainly looking for Crossbills. Obviously, too early! However, I did get some
good birds which included 2 Turtle Doves (excellent views & 1st. for
me this year), 3 singing Nightingales, 2 Sparrowhawks, 4
Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Green Woodpecker, 8 Blackcaps,
6 Chiffchaffs, 5 Willow Warblers, 3 Common Whitethroats,
4 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Coal Tits, 5 Great Tits, 7
Blue Tits, 2 Jays and several Crows, Collared Doves, Robins,
Wrens, Blackbirds, Wood Pigeons. (Ron Dubbins)
Wednesday 20th April 2011 Margate
Sitting outside the Turner Centre in Margate pondering
what art is when 5 Little Terns flew over the harbour. (John Carnell)
Wednesday 20th April 2011 Pegwell Bay
Back out this morning after a mini sabbatical (severe mental problems
combined with over excitement caused by the oncoming Royal Wedding) and
guess what? I went down to Pegwell for a change. What a shock eh? The
weather remains to be more akin to the Algarve than Thanet but I endured
another six plus hours amongst the holiday attitude smitten general public
in the hope of a few half decent birds. I covered the entire area and after
waiting for the tide to arrive left, slightly more tanned and ever so
slightly more fed up with the area during the holiday period. A few new
migrants showed - a stunning male Redstart which I spooked along the
cliff top the top bird though there were single Ring Ouzel, Hobby
and Cuckoo bringing up the rear. I also booted a pair of
Red-legged Partridges off the Country Park early on ... I don't know
where they came from? Newly arrived common migrants included 5 Sedge
Warblers, 8 Reed Warblers and the count of Whitethroats
today topped 60 birds. Other non-birdy 'bits' included one male Emperor Moth
and 2 nice male Orange-tips. After hearing a singing Lesser Whitethroat
rattling away from the hawthorns on the grassy bank on the top of Haine
Industrial estate on my way down at 6.10am, I was quiet surprised to
see/hear none today down at Pegwell? As we watched the tide coming in we
spotted a small pale Plover in amongst 4 Ringed Plovers which was
obviously a Kentish but the distance and shimmer made a conclusive
identification impossible. It flew north into the bay and unfortunately
didn't re-show. Other 'bits' seen during the session included: 1 Little
Egret, 1 Common Buzzard, 10+ Whimbrel, 14 Bar-tailed
Godwits, 2 Greenshank, 9 Sanderling, 1 Grey Plover,
4 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Wheatear, 1 Cetti's Warbler and 1
Brambling. (Phil M)
Wednesday 20th April
2011 North Foreland Area
An early morning session around the area was fairly quiet but 1 Coal
Tit present which was probably a Continental bird and looking at the
photo I obtained the bird is ringed. I wonder where? A Hooded Crow
also briefly present which then flew off high to the North East out to sea.
2 Swallows and a trickle of Linnets were about the only other
notable bits. (Barry Hunt)
Monday 18th April 2011 Ash Levels
A few hours down on the Ash Levels this morning, over all good number of
common birds were recorded and with the Yellow Wagtails, arriving in
small flocks of between 8 to 14 birds on three different locations, It was
very pleasant, also Linnets were in good number the biggest flock of
21 down by the river Stour, with 8 Swallows being around one of the
farms, also 3 Blackcaps in one small wood area, lots of Skylarks
all over but sadly only 1 Sedge Warbler was found amongst the Reed
Buntings, which are in good number the only raptors seen were 3
Kestrels hunting the fields, (Gadget)
Sunday 17th April 2011 North Foreland
There were 4 "All Stars" in the area this morning but not much to
report. The warblers were much the same as yesterday with 4 Blackcaps,
1 Whitethroat and 2 Chiffchaffs. There were 3 Yellow
Wagtails and a White Wagtail plus 2 Wheatears on the golf
course. Flying over 1 Brambling and a Green Sandpiper, At
2:30, a lone Common Buzzard drifted over before heading back SW.
(Simon Mount)
Sunday 17 April 2011 North Foreland
Again a clear, cloudless morning didn't produce much but a Green
Sandpiper was heard over Convent Road, 14 Yellow Wagtails over
plus 3 decked in the cauliflower field, 2 Brambling over and 1
Redpoll. 3 Wheatears along the cliff-top and a handful of
Swallows drifting through, 2 Whitethroat along the cycle track
and plenty of singing Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs in the area
now. Still a lovely morning to be out and about. (Barry Hunt)
Sunday 17 April 2011 Pegwell Bay Area
Whilst having an adventure dog dodging on the country park, at 09.23 I
had my first Cuckoo for this year in Stonelees. A few minutes later I
heard a Cuckoo again Sandwich side of the sports ground, which may probably
have been the same bird. Seconds later (definitely) a second Cuckoo was
heard calling across the river in the SBBOT area. (Phil
Charlton)
Saturday 16th April 2011 North Foreland and Foreness
In the morning at North Foreland 3 Blackcaps, 2 Willow
Warblers, 4 Chiffchaffs, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Yellow
Wagtails and a smart male Brambling. At 11:15, 5 Common
Buzzards appeared at height from the SW and after heading NE to the
Foreland, headed back W. Despite the large numbers elsewhere in Thanet over
the last 2 weeks, this is the first flock I have seen here. Joining in the
fun were 2 Peregrines and a pair of Sparrowhawks. At Foreness
in the afternoon, 5 Wheatears and a few Swallows. (Simon
Mount)
Friday 15th April 2011 North Foreland
Seemed to be a few more things around this morning. On the clifftop and
up Elmwood I recorded 5 Blackcaps, 1 Willow Warbler, 2
Chiffchaffs, 1 Fieldfare and 5 Swallows. Not a huge haul
but an increase on the last 2 days. (Simon Mount)
Friday 15th April 2011 St Peters Broadstairs
Just one Common Buzzard and a Sparrowhawk
circling high above my back garden, St Peters at 12.00 (John Carnell)
Friday 15th April 2011 Pegwell Bay
I went down very, very early again but unlike the past few sessions there
were actually a few newly arrived migrants about today (hooray!) ... all
common stuff though ... Boo! I walked the entire area as is customary then
watched the tide (then another walk round) then watched the sky until dinner
time (then scratched my left ear) before leaving in need of a cup of tea. My
notes for the day were: 3 Brent, 2 Greylag, 2 Wigeon, 2
Little Egrets, 2 Green Sandpipers, 3 Avocets, 1
Whimbrel, 2 Knot, 24 Bar-tailed Godwits, 1 Grey Plover,
5 Ringed Plover, 1 Greenshank, 5 Common Buzzards,15
Sandwich Terns, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 130 Common Gulls,
15 Swallows, 2 Sand Martins, 4 Fieldfares, 2 Redwing,
2 Wheatear, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 4 Willow Warblers, 35+
Whitethroats, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 20 Blackcaps, 1
Reed Warbler, 3 Sedge Warblers, 1 Cetti's Warbler etc.
Yawn! (Phil M)
Friday 15th April 2011 Sandwich
A flock of 7 Common Buzzards circled to quite a height over
Sandwich Town Centre at 12.05 am before drifting off in a SE direction. I
don't think there were any local birds involved. They looked like migrants
to me. I was alerted to them by the local gulls. Three House Martins
were present too. (John van der Dol)
Thursday 14th April 2011 Pegwell Bay
Well the good news was that I went all day without getting attacked by a dog
(like I did yesterday) so all was well on the dog attack front ... I didn't
even get barked at which is quite good for me. The birding however was a bit
... er um ... slow and once again slightly disappointing. The weather was
quite nice for birds - 100% cloud cover, a light to non-existent wind and
being mid April I'd have expected more. I started off in rather chilly
conditions at 6.45 walking the area between the cliff top and the hover port
where I didn't even get a sniff of a new bird. Zilch! Naff all ... nothing.
The resident Cetti's was in full song as usual and out on the mud there were
a few waders but even they looked like the same birds that I saw out there
yesterday? The Country Park was slightly better - a very vocal (and very
skulking) Ring Ouzel gave me the run around for a few minutes as I
tried to get a photo ... unsuccessfully and there were 5 new Willow
Warblers singing between the Car Park and Stone Lees. I did boot another
Green Sandpiper out of the salt marsh pools adjacent to Stone Lees
but otherwise all I saw were single flyover White and Yellow Wagtail (two
separate species - the White and Yellow Wagtail does not exist as a single
entity as far as I'm aware?) and the on the dropping tide 54 Sandwich
Terns arrived. My other notes for the day included 1+ Little Egret,
4 Brent, 21 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Knot, 40 Dunlin,
6 Sanderling, 2 Whimbrel, 35 Curlew, 4 Grey Plover,
110 Redshank and 6 migrant Turnstones. During my third walk
around the area in-between the light showers I counted 20 singing male
Whitethroats. (Phil M)
Thursday 14th April 2011 Sandwich Bay
I decided to walk from the observatory to Backsand Scrape because I have
not been there for a while, as I approached Royal St George's Clubhouse
there was a small flock of 10+ House Martins, and to my surprise in
with them was a Red-rumped Swallow, which hung around for about 10
minutes or so before going north across the Golf Course. Unfortunately
Backsand was rubbish apart from an Avocet, which noisily dropped in
for a minute then continued heading north. Other birds in the area were
Common Sandpiper on the river, male Goldeneye still on the
reservoir, Hen Harrier (ringtail), 7 Blackcap, 4 Sedge
Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler, 18 Common Whitethroat, 8
Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler, and a Cetti's Warbler.
(Colin Fisher)
Wednesday 13th April 2011 Kingsdown Area
I was lucky to be in the right place this afternoon and
found a Red-Rumped Swallow flying around, I managed to obtain a few
photos before it disappeared down the coast, (Steve Ray)
Wednesday 13th April 2011 Minster Marshes Wednesday
A circular walk from Minster to Plucks Gutter this morning seemed very
quiet at first but as usual, spring, like a virgin, touched for the very
first time, burst into life with at least 15 Sedge Warblers singing
along the river bank. 3 Yellow Wagtails dashing about over the
fields, Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps singing and scattered about
all over the place. Cetti's Warblers were shouting like
market traders and there were 2 Whitethroats near the treatment
works. The highlight however was a Red Kite being shown off the
premises by an angry Marsh Harrier. What a show! (Dave Parker)
Wednesday 13th April 2011 Pegwell Bay
A disappointing day today as the weather gave the area a nice 'feel' though
in actual fact there was very little on show other than the obvious. I had
already seen a Raven flying south over Cliffsend at 6.30 even before
I'd jumped off my bike but that virtually it for the whole day. I took a few
counts which were: 3 Little Egret, 5 Brent, 3 Greylag,
2 Common Scoter (south), 21 Bar-tailed Godwit, 60+ Redshank,
54 Dunlin, 7 Sanderling, 1 Green Sandpiper, 34
Sandwich Terns, 59 Common Gulls, 2 Wheatear, 2 White
Wagtails, 1 Reed Warbler and 1 Sedge Warbler. (Phil M)
Wednesday 13th April 2011 Dumpton Gap / Louisa
Bay
Whilst walking along the seawall on a falling
tide, I was surprised to count at least 10 Turnstones , 7 Purple
Sandpipers feeding on a group of weed covered rocks between the above
two places, that had just been uncovered by the receding tide. This was a
higher number than recently so they haven't all moved on yet! (Ron Dubbins)
Tuesday 12th April 2011 Pegwell Bay
In complete contrast to yesterday it was cold and really windy and the
birding suffered to boot. I watched between 6.00 and 10.30 taking in the
wonders of the dropping tide before moving on for a quick look around the
bushes which was almost a waste of time today. The only proper news is that
Claire heard another Nightingale singing from the southern end of the
Country Park yesterday. Today's stuff that we saw included: 5 Brent,
30 Redshank, 25 Bar-tailed Godwits, 1 Knot, 175
Oystercatchers, 30 Curlew, 22 Sanderling, 18 Dunlin,
6 Grey Plover, 2 Ringed Plover, 27 Turnstone, 8
Sandwich Terns, 1 alba Wagtail, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 4
Swallows plus a few Linnets were moving north etc. (Phil M)
Tuesday 12th April
2011 Westgate Thanet
A flock of 5 Mediterranean Gulls flew high to the NE over my
garden in Westgate this morning. (Tim Hodge)
Monday 11th April 2011 Pegwell Bay
Another 6.30 - 1.30 session today. I creaked around the area in usual
fashion before settling on the 'mound' for a touch of sky watching in mind
boggling weather better suited to the Mediterranean that stinking old worn
out Thanet. Early on things were fairly poor with no vismig (as expected)
and very little new grounded stuff (once again as expected) - I had a quick
look at the dropping tide off the hover port before moving onto the cliff
top, back onto 'the pad' for a better look then down to the Country Park
etc. Top sighting were of a pair of Grey Partridges - the first we've
seen since last autumn! I flushed them off the hover port down onto the
beach and after my jaunt along the cliff top they whizzed over the cliff and
landed in the field opposite me. I was getting worried they were all gone
after these past two winters when numbers dropped from 20+ to only 6 birds
by last autumn. Other extra added bits seen up that end included 5 Siskin,
1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Wheatears, 2 Avocet, 2
Mediterranean Gulls, 90 Sandwich Terns, 5 Brent, 1
Cetti's Warbler and the Raven with the damaged tail flew low
s/west calling it's little head off across the hover port at 6.45 or
thereabouts. Numbers of Warblers were down to what had arrived last week.
My next stop was Stone Lees (5 Whitethroat and 1 Sedge Warbler)
then the Country Park (numerous Whitethroats and 3 more Wheatears)
before I settled in for the sky watch from my usual spot. The company was
transient today ... Sid and Penny showed up for their usual Monday walk dose
of stupidly from me and the Like-minded Soul (not sole) better known as
Allan, King of all things shiny spent an hour or so waffling about this and
that whilst the Buzzards put on a show like only they can. These
Buzzards are getting silly nowadays - I saw flocks of 5 at 11.05, 6 at 11.30
then 22 in one group at 12.00 as well as few stragglers (note: not the 70's
Punk Rock group) which were heading north every now and then. The total bird
numbers were easy to explain in two short words... I just don't know! Okay -
four words. I only saw birds heading north and n/west so perhaps there was
no duplication today? That said, who knows - I recorded 38 Buzzards for what
it's worth? The only other raptors that I saw today other than the obvious (Peregrine,
Kestrel, Sparrowhawk) were a pair of Hen Harriers flying high
n/west ... migrants? I presume so ... certainly on the move anyway. The only
other things worthy of mention were 2 flyover Yellow Wagtails, 12
Swallows, 6 Sand Martins, 1+ Marsh Harrier and a things
with a wotsit on its leg. (Phil M)
Monday 11th April 2011 North Foreland
A very good 2 hours this morning with highlights being Serin, Hooded
Crow, Tree Pipit, Yellow Wagtail, Black Redstart, 8 Wheatears, Tree
Sparrow, 2 Peregrines, 2 Sand Martins, 5 Swallows
and the odd Siskin. A small Bunting seen going over Whiteness didn't
land and with the call and proportions of the bird I would have to say it
was a probable Little Bunting but it circled back round and headed South.
Frustrating but when you consider this was all in half an hour it was a real
treat. (Barry Hunt)
Monday 11th April 2011 Newington Ramsgate
A further 7 Buzzards over the area at 11-45 today, Quite a spring
passage,(Rae Boulden)
Sunday 10th April 2011 Minster Thanet
Over the garden today, at least 15 Common Buzzards circling high
and leisurely heading north east. In the garden. Chaffinch 18.Greenfinch
12 Goldfinch 20 Wren 2 Blackbird 6 Songthrush.1
.Dunnock 2. Starling 50! Collared Dove 10. Blackcap.1.
Willow Warbler 1. Chiffchaff 2. House Sparrow 10.
Blue Tit 3. Great Tit 2. (Dave Parker)
Sunday 10th April 2011 Reculver
Spent a few hours today out at Reculver, mainly the Chambers Wall area
and Shuart. Saw some nice birds including a Ring Ouzel, 2
Stonechats, 2 Chiffchaff, 4 Blackcaps, plenty of
Swallows, a Whitethroat, a Reed Warbler and a Marsh
Harrier. (John Slade)
Sunday 10th April 2011 Newington Ramsgate
Two or four Common Buzzards were hanging around the estate from just
after midday today. Rather worrying was the fact that after a while the
local Gulls decided to virtually ignore them which isn't good news for those
of us who listen out for the Gull alarm calls in anticipation of spotting
larger raptors flying around near our houses. (Phil
M)
Sunday 10th April 2011 Pegwell Bay
Walked the whole area this morning before the hoards turned up to spoil
it. Most of the area was very quite to be honest with the only non-daily
things including 1 Wheatear, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 1
Greenshank. My only other notes for the session were:- 1 Little Egret,
32 Bar-tailed Godwit still, 12 Mallard, 3 Swallow
(north), 18 Blackcap, 11 Whitethroat, 6 Chiffchaff, 3
Willow Warbler, 8 Goldfinch (north), 10 Linnets
(north), 1 Siskin (over), also 5 Rooks (north), 12 Magpies
(south) etc. (Craig Sammels)
Saturday 9th April 2011
Kingsdown Area
This morning, at around 10.10 am, 2 Red Kites spotted over
Kingsdown village before heading out towards Deal closely followed by a
Sparrowhawk. (Barry Woolhouse)
Friday 8th April 2011 Ramsgate Area
At the dreaded Westwood Cross, alerted by the gulls I
saw two high flying Buzzards and what looked like a Harrier
(possibly Hen). No binoculars! (John Carnell)
Friday 8th April 2011 Pegwell Bay
The normal route and places were visited around the normal time (6.30 -
1.30) in glorious weather once more but there were far less birds on show
today. The cliff top and Hover port were virtually devoid of any new
arrivals (1 Redpoll and 1 Green Sandpiper) and the rest of the
bushes between the Country Park and Stone Lees were quiet also. Craig and I
raptor watched from about 9.30 seeing the usual Buzzard fest (Flocks of 9,
7, 5 etc and a migrant Hen Harrier went high s/west at some
point. I took my usual few notes which were: 1 Little Egret, 4
Brent, 54 Shelduck, 1 Teal, 1 Red Kite (n/west),
20+ Common Buzzards, 2 Peregrines, 2 Avocets, 3
Ringed Plover, 32 Bar-tailed Godwits, 1 Black-tailed Godwit,
13 Dunlin, 2 Sandwich Terns, 12 Swallows (north), 31
Sand Martins (North), 6 Whitethroat, 15 Blackcap, 12
Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 93
Linnets (north), 1 Siskin (north), 15 Goldfinch (north)
and 2 Redpoll. (1 west and 1 north) A few Rooks, Jays
and Magpies were seen on the move too today. Phil M.
Thursday 7th April 2011 Pegwell Bay
I had a good 'mooch' around the area from 6.30 and was joined by young Craig
for the sky watch after he'd had his own 'mooch' around the farm after his
night-shift. There were quite a few new arrivals today - many Blackcaps
(perhaps 40+?), a few new Whitethroats to add to the few already in
situ, a Nightingale in the sunken garden of all places, 2 Grey
Wagtails, 6 White Wagtails, 4 Yellow Wagtails, 8
Wheatears, 1 Ring Ouzel, 1 Redwing and an extremely early
Hobby which flew in over the mud flat at some point around mid
morning. My earliest ever previous bird was seen the 18th of April 2002. The
sky watching turned up 49 Meadow Pipits, 7 Swallows, 55
Sand Martins, 5 Brambling, 80 Linnets, 9 Siskin, 15
Goldfinches plus a few Marsh Harriers, 1 migrant Hen
Harrier and a half decent northerly movement of 24 Common Buzzards
between 10.20 and 1.30. There were also 2 or 3 other Buzzards kicking about
inland of us. The tide was poor as you'd expect in Mediterranean conditions
such as were enjoying this spring - other than 100+ Curlew,
Oystercatchers and a handful of Redshanks the only waders on
offer were the remnant flock of 32 Bar-tailed Godwits, 2 Dunlin,
1 Grey Plover, 1 Lapwing and 2 Avocets. (Phil M)
Wednesday 6th April 2011 Minster Marshes
An afternoon session had been planned for a while, hoping to catch up
with a few newly arrived summer migrants. As it turned out, it was a bit of
an anti-climax, just a few Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, 5 Yellow
Wagtail and 2 Swallows as indications of the changing season.
However, we didn’t waste our time completely, there was a single Common
Buzzard, (male) Marsh Harrier and 2 (?) ring tail Hen Harrier
hunting the area and we spotted a Merlin, perched by the new scrapes,
across the river on the Ash Levels, whilst Cetti’s Warbler,
Yellowhammer, 2 Bullfinch and numerous Linnets ensured
that we were kept entertained. Still no sign of Barn Owls, have they become
totally nocturnal or have they moved away from the area? (Dylan & Gadget)
Wednesday 6th April 2011 Pegwell Bay
The entire area was covered again today from first light until 12.45 in
absolutely lovely weather - a very light s/west breeze cooled our sweating
brows as it must have been getting up towards 20 degrees or so out of the
breeze around midday no doubt? There were a few common migrants arrivals
today and a bit of finch and hirundine passage plus a few Wagtails and
Pipits overhead. The only semi unusual stuff seen today were single flyover
Tree Pipit and Crossbill and the raptor watch/tide turned up
very little save a handful of Buzzards etc. My notes for the day included: 1
Little Grebe, 1 Little Egret, 1 Brent, 1 Hen Harrier,
1 Marsh Harrier (n/west), 6 Common Buzzards (3 loitering
inland and 3 migrants south), 2 Peregrines, 6+ Sparrowhawks, 1
Lapwing (west), 2 Green Sandpiper, 8 Sandwich Tern, 1
Fieldfare (west), 24 Meadow Pipit (west), 60+ Swallows
(north), 49 Sand Martin (north), 3 Whitethroat, 22 Blackcap,
16 Willow Warbler, 25 Chiffchaff, 2 Cetti's Warblers,
27 Chaffinch (south), 2 Brambling (south), 9 Siskin
(south), 114 Linnets (north), 2 alba Wagtail (north) 2
White Wagtail, 3 Yellow Wagtails (north) and 17 Magpie-nosed
Finch Buzzards. There was no sign of yesterdays Kentish Plover in fact
the only new wader I saw at all other than the two Green sands that I
flushed from the hover port pools at 6.30 was a single Turnstone. There were
still 32 Bar-tailed Godwits left and another 40 Turnstones
flushed off the roost. (Phil M)
Wednesday 6th April 2011 Dumpton Gap / Louisa Bay
Whilst walking along the seawall at high tide
today, with the numbers of waders present decreasing on a daily basis, I
counted only 4 Purple Sandpipers & 2 Turnstones and nothing
else of interest. (Ron Dubbins)
Tuesday 5th April 2011 Pegwell Bay
I didn't even arrive until 8.30 and headed off along the cliff top having
already seen a Wheatear fly south across the hover port approach road
on my way in. About two minutes later after locking up my bike I then
flushed a Ring Ouzel off the west horse paddock ... 'this is
al-right' my stupid inner being said to equally stupid and equally gullible
listen part of my brain as I walked the entire area around all the farm
fields and hover port and saw exactly naff all else! Then the rain returned
and it turned the day into a damp squib so my hoped for wander around the
rest of the area before taking in the incoming tide was cut down to rushing
down to the rabbit hutch bird-hide for shelter with the tide still being way
too far out for viewing. Luckily on opening the door a familiar face greeted
me ... it was Pete Forrest and we waffled on about his trip down under and
his moving back to Dorset (tomorrow) for half an hour which helped with the
'stuck in the hide boredom syndrome' which affects those of us who like to
see a bit of sky when we go out. I feel like a caged animal when I'm in
there for too long .... growl! In-between the heaviest of the showers I made
regular excursions into the country park to see if anything had arrived - 5
Swallows flew south and 2 Sand Martin north whilst a churr
from a bush in the middle of the park alerted me to the presence of the
first Pegwell Whitethroat of 2011. They'll be loads of them soon. As
the tide pushed up it was apparent that the inclement weather had forced
some new migrant waders and Terns into the bay - a Green Sandpiper
flew noisily over the hide at one point and a Whimbrel called from
the estuary mouth and the Dunlin and Sandwich Tern numbers
steadily increased up they reached 91 and 80+ respectively. The other newly
arrived waders included 5 Ringed Plovers, 11 Grey Plovers, 8
Turnstone, 13 Sanderling and a nice little male Kentish
Plover which I had in view for about ten minutes (from about 11.00am)
before flying off south along the beach at Sandwich. Just about as scarce
was a drake Velvet Scoter which was bobbing about in and out of view
every now and again (plus one short flight south before re-landing again)
and far rarer still than the Kentish was to come when after packing up I
heard a Redpoll call ... a flight call ... then I spotted this small bird on
the top of a tree right in front of me and saw a whitish Redpoll with a
lovely pink flushed breast - a Mealy Redpoll in full summer regalia
which is only the second one that I've ever set bins on locally. It was
easily close enough for a photo but as I reached into my pocket for the
camera it flew off south along the cycle path. Other bits included 6
Brent, 1 Goldcrest, 32 Bar-tailed Godwits, 2 Peregrines
and Pete saw a Marsh Harrier before I arrived. A few Willow
Warblers were around and the hover port end Cetti's Warbler
continues to sing. (Phil M)
Tuesday 5th April 2011 Stodmarsh
Visited Reedbed then Marsh Hides in the rain, 9.45 to
11.45am, 5 Swallow, 1 House Martin passed through up
river. Songsters included 3+ Sedge Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler
(from Marsh Hide) 2+ Willow Warbler, several Cetti's,
Blackcap and Chiffchaff. Also heard 1 Yellow Wagtail, a
couple of Water Rail and a Bearded Tit. 8+ Marsh Harriers provided
most of the entertainment and a perched male Sparrowhawk was a
cracker. (Nick Lever)
Monday 4th April 2011 Kingsgate Bay & North
Foreland
I missed out on the Reculver Snow Buntings this
year, so I was rather pleased to catch up with the one at Kingsgate Bay this
morning other bits Curlew, Swallow and a female Black Redstart
at North Foreland, and a single Brent Goose in the sea at Kingsgate
Bay. (Mark Kilner)
Monday 4th April 2011 Mockett's Wood St Peters
A quick walk through this evening to the coop resulted in a male
Blackcap being seen with at least one other heard. There is also a
Goldcrest singing in the trees in the garden of the big house behind the
coop, first heard in Friday. All the regulars were very vocal too. (Simon
Piggott)
Monday 4th April 2011 Foreness Area
Two hours scratching about the coastal walk in clear conditions was
never going to be great but I did have a few bits, 1 Yellow Wagtail,
1 White Wagtail, 1 Coal Tit, which was in a flock of 8
presumed migrant Great Tits, 2 Sandwich Terns, 2 Brambling, 1
Swallow, 1 Wheatear, 1 Peregrine and a few corvids
again on the move. (Barry Hunt)
Monday 4th April 2011 Pegwell Bay
Another early start ... arriving at the rather silly hour of 06.20. I didn't
expect much looking at the overhead conditions - the forecast cloud being
clearly visible 20 miles away on the French coast , well I suppose being
only 20 miles out with the weather is better than it can be at times? The
birding was slow but I did see (and hear) a Serin fly west along the
cliff top and off over the farm at 06.40. The only other vismig bits that I
came across up there were a few Chaffinch, Linnet,
Goldfinch and a Brambling flying west, 2 alba Wagtails
north and a calling Coal Tit bush hopped it's way west along the
stunted cliff-top hawthorns. There were also 2 newly arrived singing
Blackcaps between the sunken garden and the moth trap garden and 2
Goldcrest in the Sunken Garden itself. Craig arrived about 7.00am and we
proceeded to walk the hover port, Country Park and Stone Lees before
settling down for a watch of the tide and sky from the usual spot. 5 or 6
Common Buzzards flew around the normal areas as did at least two
Marsh Harriers, 2 Peregrines etc. We were both bored within about
half an hour of setting up by stayed until 12.30 seeing: 1 Little Egret,
1 Greylag, 3 Brent, 40+ Shelduck, 160 Oystercatcher,
34 Bar-tailed Godwit, 6 Dunlin, 3 Knot, 6 Swallows
(north), 13 Sand Martin (north), 1 House Martin (north), 5
migrant Sparrowhawks (west), 10 Chiffchaffs, 2 Willow
Warblers, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 8 Blackcaps and 2 Siskins.
(Phil M)
Sunday 3rd April 2011 Sandwich Bay Area
Arrived 2.30 at the Elms SBBOT this
afternoon, after a walk around trying to find Goldcrest's I sat down
on the wooden bench along the middle track. I didn't have to wait long
before a couple of Blackcaps as well as Great Tits, Blue Tits
and a Wren gave me some enjoyment. I then moved on to Restharrow
Scrape. In my stay of an hour and a half my sightings were 4 Canada Geese,
a pair were nest building, also there were 4 Shelduck,1 Black
backed Gull, 1 Snipe, 5 Curlew, 1 Little Ring Plover,
1 Reed Bunting, along with several Tufted Duck, Teal, Shovels
and Wigeon. Then to my surprise a female Mandarin Duck
flew in at 4.30pm (Nigel May)
Sunday 3rd April 2011 Pegwell Bay
The normal route was taken in today - the cliff top, hover pad, Stone Lees
and the Country Park between 7.00 and 12.30. The weather at first light was
cloudy but eventually it changed and turned into the most lovely day
imaginable. It felt a bit 'birdie' and while we did get a few bits and pieces
it was not exactly hectic. A couple of Ring Ouzels and a stunning
male Black Redstart topping the bill but probably more noteworthy was
a mixed singer Chiffchaff/Willow Warbler which was frequenting the
southern edge of the Car Park. It looked like a Willow Warbler and
the contact call was far more Willow Warbler like but it did far more
Chiffchaff than Whispy Willow Warbler singing. There were a few more
Blackcaps around today (10+ singing males) plus 6 newly arrived
Willow Warblers were scattered here and there. Other new stuff included
a few Swallows flying north, 9 Siskins, 3 Brambling, 3
Fieldfares, 17 Redwing, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 White
Wagtail, 2 Jays - south etc. A Raven flew south at about
12.00 - incredibly it appeared to be a third bird being scruffy looking
without having the tail damage of the second bird we've been seeing this
past week (the first bird is mint) and Craig heard a second or third (?)
Cetti's Warbler singing up near the reed bed near the hover port. The
raptor watch turned up at least 9 Common Buzzards (up to 7 up
together inland) and 3 Marsh Harriers. The other counts were: 2
Little Grebe, 5 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Egret, 7
Brent, 1 Wigeon, 32 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Knot, 7
Dunlin, 1 Grey Plover and 1 Ringed Plover. Craig also
heard a Green Sandpiper calling from the farm reservoir in the
morning. (Phil M)
Sunday 3rd April 2011 Reculver
Decided on a last minute trip this afternoon, to the Towers, and take
the circle route around the seawater farm. First show was a Swallow,
followed by 3 Redshank, 6 Oystercatcher, 5 Shelduck, 1
lone Brent Goose, 2 Meadow Pipit, 20+ Black Headed. Gulls,
2 Common Gull and my first Reed Warbler of the year, singing
in the reeds. Walking back along the sea-wall 3 Cormorant. To cap off
an excellent little session I went to find the Sand Martins, and boy
did I find them, there was about 50 of them. I've seen them in man-made
nest holes but on the cliffs, in natural made homes, "wow" I sat on the
beach and watched them for about an hour, fantastic little birds (Roly W C)
Sunday 3rd April 2011 Dumpton Gap / Louisa Bay
Whilst walking along the sea wall at full
tide I counted 6 Purple Sandpipers & 10 Turnstones between
Dumpton & Louisa Bay, but nothing else of any interest.
(Ron Dubbins)
Sunday 3rd April 2011 Foreness to North Foreland
Spent a few hours between Foreness and North Foreland this morning. Saw a
female Blackcap in the bushes at Kingsgate Bay, several
Chiffchaffs along Covent Road and Elmwood Avenue, a Goldcrest, 2
Wheatears (one at Joss Bay and one on the horse paddock) and on the
way back a Snow Bunting feeding on the strand line at Kingsgate Bay.
(John Slade)
Saturday 2nd April 2011 Pegwell Bay
Another early start but it was very slow first thing. I did see one of the
Ravens fly south over the hover pad at 7.30 and there were a few
Siskins, Chaffinches and Linnets moving overhead but nothing much to get the
pulse racing. It was immediately apparent that there had been a small
arrival of Blackcaps (8+ singing male present today) and the first
Yellow Wagtail of spring flew north over Stone Lees but otherwise it was
hard work for the first couple of hours. Craig turned up at 09.00 is and
immediately things picked up - he found a Hooded Crow in the farm
fields on his way down after his night shift and soon after the/one of the
Ravens which we are seeing with increasing regularity. The Hoodie was
looked for at 11.00 (by Franny who was down to check his moth trap) and us
when we left after 2.00pm but it failed to show after Craig's initial
sighting. We watched the sky and the mud flat until gone 1.30 from the
normal spot on the Country Park where there were quite a few passerines
passing by overhead also 16 migrant Common Buzzards - 14 birds which
went s/west between 11.20 and 11.40. The vismig totals were c6
Sparrowhawks, 1 Marsh Harrier - north, 7 Swallows, 16
Sand Martin, 4 House Martin, 3 Yellow Wagtail - north,
100+ Linnets - north, 27 Siskin - s/west and 96 Chaffinches
- s/west. Other bits included 2 Little Egrets, 1 Merlin, 2
Peregrine, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 29 Bar-tailed Godwit,
150+ Curlew, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Little Ringed Plover,
40 Turnstone, 7 Sandwich Terns, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 1
White Wagtail, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 10 Chiffchaffs and 2
Goldcrest. Sighting of the day was seeing Johnny Websper wandering
around chalk lane on our way home. (Phil M)
Saturday 2nd April 2011 Foreness and North Foreland
On the clifftop between Foreness and North Foreland, 15 Wheatears,
100 Meadow Pipits and a Black Redstart. Also present a female
Serin. Another local rarity in the form of a Greylag Goose
heading South offshore. (Simon Mount)
Saturday 2nd April 2011 Shuart area (Reculver)
I walked from Shuart down to the sea and back. Highlights were a male
Hen Harrier hunting over the fields and a Peregrine which gained
height, then accelerated towards Brookend where it scattered a group of
Wood Pigeons. Also spotted a couple of Swallows and some Sand
Martins. (John Slade)
Saturday 2nd April
2011 Dumpton Thanet
While I was watching
the Blue Tits gathering nesting material and taking it into the nest
box this morning a Cock Pheasant came off the field and into the
garden for a drink of water then left and run over the field towards the
playing fields for the college, latter in the morning a very nice looking
Sparrowhawk paid a visit also a Green Woodpecker briefly before
heading over to the farm, (Gadget)
Friday 1st April 2011 Pegwell Bay
Ah ... April arrives at last - dead on cue of course (after March and before
May) and the thought of migration at full tilt was at the forefront of my
mind etc. Unfortunately the birds were not playing ball today and to get
technical for one moment it was ... semi cack! I went down far too early
today anyway - arriving on the cliff top for 06.15. I spent 45 minutes
watching the sky for over flying migrants but had to make do with only a
handful of Chaffinches, 1 Brambling and a Siskin to
show for my up with the lark efforts. The area was quite blown out and the
only decked birds that I saw at all were 2 Redwings which dropped in
at some time before I flushed them off towards the south. The normal
trudge/procession then started - the hover port, the Country Park and Stone
Lees were covered where I saw exactly zilch and on arrival at the mud to
watch the incoming tide it was dead as a dodo out there too. Not the day I
was hoping for. Craig arrived around 09.00 after work and it got a little
better as 19 Sandwich Terns arrived from in off, a White Wagtail
flew south, a Swallow and 2 Sand Martin flew north and Craig
picked up a Little Ringed Plover which flew off high in the sky as
the tide covered the mud. A (probable male) Merlin was hunting across
on Shellness as was a ring-tailed Hen Harrier and a Yellowhammer
flew south across the cycle path as we left but that was it for today. My
other notes included: 1 Little Grebe, 1 Little Egret, 24
Shelduck, 6 Mallard, 35 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Ringed
Plover, 4 Grey Plover, 30 Knot, 43 Sanderling, 165
Oystercatcher, 60 Curlew, 8 migrant Turnstone, 3+
Peregrine, c4 Sparrowhawk and there were 1 or more probably 2
singing male Cetti's Warblers heard around the normal area in the
ditch along the cycle path. (Phil M)
Friday 1st April 2011 Newlands Farm Dumpton
Thanet
The tractors have been busy out in the field for the
past few days, this always increases in bird activity especially Gulls,
Corvids and Woodpigeons, Collard Doves, on scanning the Gulls yesterday I
fist picked out Lesser Black-backed Gull, then a, Herring Gull
which had an (Orange ring on left leg with black GG9.T & BTO type on the
right leg) continuing scanning I the picked out a adult Yellow Legged
Gull other bits this morning included 15 Chaffinches, 4
Greenfinches, 2 Blue Tits busy in & out of the nest box 4
Great Tits, 1 Robin, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackbirds
with nesting marital, 60 Starlings and a Sparrowhawk
patrolling the field and hedgerows, (Gadget)
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