I would like to thank each of our visitors for the continued support. and wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy, Peaceful & Bird-filled 2008. Enjoy your holiday!

Monday 31st December 2007 Pegwell Bay

Afternoon/evening doing the rising tide at Pegwell - a rarity today in the form of Pegwell actually being full of birds, at least until the last 50 minutes when a moronic couple walked their dog from the north side of the hoverpad up to the river, through the roosting hoards and back again to successfully virtually empty the bay of birds. Seemingly the same couple did likewise yesterday. They were clearly admiring the large flocks of disturbed birds.  I decided to don my boots and have a chat. They were aware that it was a National Nature Reserve and of course came out with the old chestnut - we care about birds and even put food out in the garden, as well as allegedly being members of the RSPB. I asked why their caring about birds did not extend to the thousands of birds that they had just disturbed on the NNR and pointed out that the bay was now virtually devoid of birds, to be told that they were just walking their dog and doing no harm. After some further discussion they tired of my company at which point I referred to them as ignorant goons - which apparently caused offence - in the circumstances I thought it was quiet polite! Anyway the birds. The Slavonian Grebe remained on the garage pools along with 3 Little Grebes. The 6 Twite were on the seaward edge of the saltmarsh out from the Car Park which seems to be their regular location. A single Peregrine harassed the waders and a Short-eared Owl briefly quartered the saltmarsh. Out on the flats, 11,000 Lapwing, 5500 Golden Plover, 266 Knot, 1 Spotshank 584 Wigeon, 66 Shelduck, 1 Pintail, 32 Teal and 1 Brent were the only things that I could be bothered to write down. (F Solly)

Monday 31st December 2007 Pegwell Bay

After reading of the Slavonian Grebe on Planet-Thanet I took some time off work and twitched it this lunch time, found it straight away showing well. This was a lifer for me and a splendid way to end the year. one New Photo posted (Mick S)

Monday 31st December 2007 Pegwell Bay

The Slavonian Grebe was still showing well on the garage polls this afternoon  shared with1 Little Grebe and 8 Black-headed Gulls, the Lapwings and Golden Plovers were displaying once again out over the bay and the 2 Stonechats were by the side of the garage, a Sparrowhawk was being mobbed by Carrion Crows, Frances reported a small flock of Twite out over the saltmarsh and over all there were good numbers of bird out on the mud along the tideline, (Gadget)

Sunday 30th December 2007 Southwall Marshes (Deal)

Nice to get out for some birding and a bit of fresh air 8 Blackbirds, 2 Robin, 1 Kestrel, 10 Greenfinch, 2 Chaffinch, 6 Pheasant, 1 Great Tit, 1Blue Tit, 30+ Starlings, 4 Moorhen, 6 Magpie, 10 Carrion crow, 2 Wren, 5 Stonechat 50+ Woodpigeon, 5 Grey Partridge, 3 Reed Bunting, I wish you a happy new year for 2008 good birding. (Mike D)

Sunday 30th December 2007 Pegwell Bay

Slavonian Grebe on the garage polls still showing this morning with good numbers of Lapwings and Golden Plovers giving a nice display out over the bay 2 Stonechats showing well by the garage with Twite out over the saltmarsh. (Gadget)

Sunday 30th December 2007 Pegwell Bay

Tim & Gadget were already watching the Slavonian Grebe, on the "Garage Pools", when I arrived. It put on a fabulous show but, due to the poor light, getting a decent pic proved to be very tricky. Hopefully it will hang around and we will get a chance of some images in less gloomy conditions. (Dylan)

Saturday 29th December 2007 Stodmarsh NNR

An afternoon session spent standing on the Lampern Wall. Much of the time in the excellent company of Steve Ashton. The sun was shining and plenty of birds to be seen. A Treecreeper was the pick of the bunch as I walked past the Alder wood just in time to watch a large flock of geese land on the main lake. Careful scanning with my scope revealed a single Pink-foot & 3 White-fronted Geese to be present amidst the regular Greylags. A Bittern put on a spectacular flying display as it left the reserve and headed over to Collard's. A drake Pintail was the only notable duck to be found and we watched a Peregrine flying towards Preston, causing some commotion amongst the local corvids. The harrier roost comprised of 10+ Marsh and 2 ring-tailed Hen Harriers with a Sparrowhawk, 150+ Cormorant and large numbers of Fieldfare keeping us entertained. (Dylan)

Saturday 29th December 2007 Pegwell Bay

Slavonian Grebe on the garage polls still showing at Dusk. (Tony Swandale)

Friday 28th December 2007 Deal Pier

A session on the end of Deal Pier was a dour affair. I stayed for 2 1/4 hours (08.15 - 10.30 hrs) in the hope that the strengthening winds might bring a few birds within photographic distance. Gulls aside, it was a wasted effort with much of my time spent staring at a deserted sea. My list included 1 Great Crested Grebe, 4 large Auk sp., 3 Red-throated Diver, 2 Oystercatcher, 50+ Gannet with a smattering of Fulmar and Kittiwake for good measure. The birding highlight was provided by an imm Pomarine Skua that flew in from the east and was lost from sight as it disappeared into Sandwich Bay by the Cinque Ports GC. In truth there was just too much west in the wind to expect anything better. (Dylan) 

Thursday 27th December 2007 Ramsgate Harbour

A couple of hours around the harbour just playing with my camera. A very heavily streaked adult Lesser Black-backed Gull showed signs of being a graellsii / intermedius intergrade, thus probably of Dutch origin. Plenty of Herring, Great Black-backed, Common & Black-headed Gulls present with a few Turnstone and a couple of Rock Pipit for company. Plenty of opportunity to practice with my new gear, only going to highlight how much more I need to learn! Two sub-adult Shag were in the inner harbour, one fishing by the old dry-dock and the other perched on the pontoons by the sluice (Dylan)

Wednesday 26th December 2007 Westbere and Heresden Lakes

Intrigued by the recent upsurge of interest in the gull population along the Stour Valley, I headed over to Westbere for a couple of hours. Parking by the railway crossing I was scanning the water within a few minutes. Plenty of Black-headed Gulls dotted about amidst throngs of Coots and Tufted Ducks. However, the majority of the larger gulls were flying overhead to and from the direction of Heresden. I wandered over to the riverbank and made my way to the point where I could scan the surface of Heresden Lake. Gulls were arriving and departing continually, the vast majority being Herring Gulls of both argenteus and argentatus races. It was quite obvious that many of the argenteus adults were already in their summer breeding plumage - looking immaculate besides their darker continental cousins. What surprised me most was the large number of Great Black-backed Gulls that were present. It would be great to find a field where these gulls were loafing as the potential for ring reading is obvious. Apart from one particularly attenuated 3rd winter bird, which defied my very limited skills of identification, I found nothing of particular interest. 6 Chiffchaff - including a grey abientinus - type, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Water Pipit, 10+ Cetti's Warbler, 2 Treecreeper and several, very vocal, Water Rail gave me plenty to scribble in my notebook. The lone Pink-footed Goose was with a large flock of Greylags on the fields below Cow Corner - very enjoyable morning! (Dylan)

Monday 24th December 2007 Richborough to Pluck’s Gutter

Jane and I did a long walk today from the Richborough Road at Sandwich along the south side of the Stour all the way round to Pluck’s Gutter, and then back via the orchards and farms along the southern edge of the Ash Levels. Nothing unexpected was seen, but we did see several bits of interest. A flock of 14 Tree Sparrows were present just to the east of Guston Farm, whilst 132 Corn Buntings included a flock of 120 in fields to the east of Richborough Castle. I understand that 285 were seen there a couple of weeks ago; nice to know that a few larger flocks still occur in Kent. We also saw several Green Sandpipers, including a flock of 4, and probably had about 9 altogether. Other than that there was a female Pintail on the Richborough Ash Lagoon along with 76 Teal, 4 Gadwall up near Pluck’s Gutter, a couple of Merlin, lots of Sparrowhawk sightings (6+ birds), a Water Rail, several Cetti’s Warblers, a Chiffchaff, 2 Grey Wagtails and hundreds of thrushes (mainly Fieldfares) in the orchards along the Ash Levels. We arrived at the Dog and Duck at Pluck’s Gutter just in time for lunch. I did ask them if there were any taxis heading back to Richborough, but this was not the case, so Shank and his pony were called upon.  Have a good Christmas (Tim H)

Monday 24th December 2007 North Foreland

A light southerly breeze prompted a few Gannets  along with a single Great Skua to move South) At the lighthouse a Peregrine was perched on the radio mast surveying the flock of Wood Pigeon feeding on Elmwood Farm with intent. (Rae Boulden)

Monday 24th December 2007 Late News

Sunday 23rd I went for a walk along Monk's Wall Reserve and saw 6 Bullfinches, On Saturday 22^nd December behind Tesco extra Broadstairs in scrub land I saw 12 Stonechats. (Steven Mould)

Sunday 23rd December 2007 Pluck’s Gutter to Minster Marshes

I had a meander from Pluck’s Gutter along the north side of the River Stour along to Minster Marshes and back this morning. A bit misty and quiet in places, but I did see 4 Green Sandpipers, 2 Hen Harriers, 1 Merlin, 3 Marsh Harriers, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Corn Buntings, 2 Redshanks, 10 Snipe, 7 Golden Plovers, 4 Shelduck, 2 Gadwall, 30 Teal, c50 Moorhens, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Grey Wagtails, 1 Stonechat, 2 Siskins, 2 Redwings, 12 Little Grebes, 11 Grey Partridges and 6 Cetti’s Warblers. (Tim H)

Sunday 23rd December 2007 Chalk Hill, Pegwell

Whilst out running today along Chalk Hill, Pegwell, I flushed some Snow Buntings feeding on the ploughed field on the northern side of the road.  I came back a couple of hours later (around 3pm) with just bins and after spending some time scanning the rather large field, I located a flock of 9 birds feeding just east of the footpath that connects Chalk Hill with Canterbury Road.  A bit further east along Chalk Hill (towards the bridge over the lorry underpass) I found 16 birds in the same field - not sure if this flock included the first 9. Lovely birds, great to get them on my 2007 list, and still there at 3:45 pm. Merry Christmas Everybody! (Scott)

Sunday 23rd December 2007 Minster Marshes Thanet

Seasonal chores completed, I managed to grab a couple of hours for an afternoon session, walking from Minster to the River Stour. Armed with just bins and my new EOS d400 & Sigma 170 - 500mm lens, I was hoping that there would be a chance to find out what it could do. A few Magpie, Woodpigeon and Moorhen were obvious along the track with a party of Long-tailed Tits flitting along the hawthorn hedgerow. A Chiffchaff called from the water treatment works and a good number of Pied Wagtail were present around the sluice building. An adult and 1st yr Grey Heron were standing forlornly out on a field of winter wheat, whilst a scan over the surrounding marshes revealed 3 Shelduck, 5 Curlew, 5 Grey Partridge and a hunting Barn Owl. Camera setting on ISO 1600 I went off to get some pics. As you can see digital technology overcame the gloom and I was rewarded with fantastic views of the bird as it hunted the riverbank. A large number of Fieldfare dropped into the fishermen's carpark bushes, yet it was notable that there were no Redwings amongst them? A Long-eared Owl was in the traditional roost, a male Cetti's Warbler sang from a tangle of brambles and a female Marsh Harrier was noted as it drifted over the Ash Levels on the other side of the Stour. Finally, I would like to wish one & all a peaceful and happy holiday. (Dylan)

Saturday 22nd December 2007 Garden Minster Thanet

I have over twelve Blackbirds feeding in my garden at the moment, but this speckled one is my favourite, although it is rather nervous, there is also a female with a few white spots as well. (Don Wilks)

 Saturday 22nd December 2007 Pegwell Bay

As it was quite a nice afternoon I thought I'd ruin it and go down Pegwell... only joking but you know what I mean? The tide was all wrong but there were quite a lot of birds on view, mainly common stuff though there was an adult Yellow-legged Gull, adult Mediterranean Gull and a Sandwich Tern on view. Amongst the Gulls there was almost certainly an adult Caspian Gull too but distant was against me for identification. I took a few counts, they were:4 Brent, 46 Shelduck, 190 Mallard, 520 Wigeon, 70 Teal, 12 Shoveler, 2 Pintail, 6 Gadwall, 35+ Lesser BB Gull, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1900 Golden Plover, 800 Lapwing, 18 Snipe, 3 Ringed Plover, 1 Black-tailed Godwit and 2 Stonechat. (Phil M)

Saturday 22nd December 2007 Broadstairs Area

Whilst driving along passed Buddles farm 3 Pink Footed Geese flew overhead   at 9.30 moving towards North Foreland. In my garden at Dumpton recorded 2 Blackcaps male & female) (Rae Boulden).

Friday 21st December 2007 A Broadstairs Garden

Along with the usual House Sparrows, Greenfinch, Collared Dove, Blue Tit, Great Tit and Blackbirds I saw a Grey Wagtail in our Garden today, which was good to see. (Jerry Lanfear).

Friday 21st December 2007 Pegwell Bay

During my run in to work this morning, along the cycle track through Pegwell Country Park, what was almost certainly a Buzzard sp flew E, heading over the bay (no bins).  Probably 09:15hrs or so (no watch either!)  (Scott)

Thursday 20th December 2007 Pegwell Bay

A short session this afternoon turned up a few bits including: 17 Brent, 56 Shelduck, 150+ Wigeon,8 Teal, 2 + Sparrowhawk, 1 Merlin, 1070 Dunlin, 350 Golden Plover, 170 Grey Plover, 150 Lapwing, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 230 Knot, 220 Great BB Gull,1000+ Common Gull and 3000+ Black-headed Gull. 260 Wood Pigeon flew south over the country park during the hour and a half I was there. (Phil M)

Tuesday 18th December 2007 Margate Thanet

Just thought I would let you know that there was a pair of Snow Buntings on the Lido car park in Margate.  I first saw these on the 10th and they were still present there this morning.  There is an area of gravel with sparse vegetation between two walls towards the cliff edge where they are feeding, in exactly the same spot today and returned after being flushed by a dog.  (Jeremy)

Sunday 16th December 2007 Foreness

Just a couple of hours this morning, looking through the assembled gulls between the outflow and Walpole Bay.  No gulls of any note, yet there was quite a bit of movement out at sea. Red-throated Divers were moving east in reasonable numbers, as were large auks - all the close birds were Guillemots. 5 Avocets looked like they were going to rest on the rocks, but continued on their way at 08.20hrs followed a few minutes later by a skein of 43 White-fronted Geese. 4 Common Scoter flew west, as did a couple of Shelduck. Turnstone, Redshank, Curlew, Oystercatcher, Grey & Ringed Plover, Sanderling and Dunlin were all present along the shoreline. I'm sure that a proper seawatch would have produced some impressive totals, but I am still searching for a C-R Common Gull. No sign of either Purple Sandpiper or Mediterranean Gull today, but the 8 Mistle Thrushes are still commuting between the "pitch & putt" and the cliff-top grass by Palm Bay Primary School. (Dylan)

Saturday 15th December 2007 Seaton GPs

It's been nearly a month since I last went birding! I dropped my scope which resulted in a visit to "In Focus" at Colney Heath, Hertfordshire. Their repair service is superb, my Kowa returned in perfect working order within six days. I would recommend them to anyone looking for optical service or repairs. The Planetthanet gathering proved to be an enjoyable evening, in the Belle Vue on Friday. A good turn out and very nice to be able to put faces to the names of many of our contributors. So on to my morning spent wandering around the Seaton GP complex. A splendid selection of wildfowl on display. Shoveler, Wigeon, Mallard, Teal, Pochard and Tufted Duck present in large numbers with a redhead Smew and 3 Goldeneye (2 adult male + 1 female) for added interest. At least 6 Little Egret seen along with 2 Kingfisher, 2 Siskin, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Common Snipe and the Grove Ferry Pink-footed Goose - arriving in the company of a large flock of Greylag and Canada Geese. The highlight was provided by a very interesting female duck - if that is possible? In the company of a large flock of Tufted Duck at the eastern end of the main pit, it was approx 10% smaller than the Tufties with a distinctive rounded head and broad body. It was a shade lighter in colouration to the other female/1st yr male Tufties, thus making it quite easy to pick out. It was actively feeding, diving regularly and although I got reasonable views of the bill pattern at no time did I have a chance to see the wing pattern. It had a very small, pale loral spot, although several of the accompanying female Tufties also displayed white feathering at the base of their bills, none matched this particular individual. After the fiasco of the "Scaup sp." at Grove, I am making no claims as to the id of this bird. My advice is to go and see it for yourselves and don't let the "Great & Good" decide on your behalf. (Dylan)

Saturday 15th December 2007 Foreness area

A seawatch this morning in the Whiteness - Foreness area produced 89 Divers, 5 Gannets, 2 Brent Geese, 1 Common Scoter, 1 Kittiwake and 48 Auks heading East. There were 50+ Fulmars present offshore and 2 Stonechats along the clifftop. A young Peregrine flew over carrying what looked like a Turnstone. (Simon Mount)

Friday 14th December 2007 Pegwell Bay

I popped down at 2.00pm but left after an hour as the wind started to pick up so I didn't stay too long. The Gull flock held most of my attention though other than a single adult Yellow-legged Gull nothing else of any note was found. Otherwise 1000+ Lapwing, c1000 Golden Plover, 100 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Spotted Redshank and 300+ Wigeon, etc. (Phil M)

Friday 14th December 2007 Fairness Area

stopped for a quick for the Glaucous Gull but could not find it, all the usual waders on the rocks with Fulmars patrolling the clifftop and 2 Red-throated Divers, 1 Gannet out at sea, 2 Stonechats by the old pitch & Putt and inside the wire were 8 Mistle Thrushes and two flocks of Linnets 54 in total with 9 Meadow pipits amongst them, as i made my way back to the car a small flock of 15 Pied Wagtails dropped down on the green. (Gadget) 

Thursday 13th December 2007 Southwall marshes to Fowlmead

20 Black Birds,10 Moorhens,1 Robin,1 Song Thrush,1Pied Wagtail, 6 Pheasant 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Jays, 5 Chaffinch, 1Kestrel, 1Dunnock, 20+ Magpies, 15 Lapwing, Small flocks of Starlings, and Wood Pigeons. Looking from Fowlmead across the Worth marshes there were 14 Mute Swans,10 Siskins, 50+ Greylag geese,12 Brent geese flew over and joined them on a large pool of flood water The best sight for me was a pair of Peregrine Falcon, a good afternoon birding.  (Mike D)

Thursday 13th November 2007 Pegwell Bay

I popped down Pegwell about 1.30 this afternoon bumping into 'hairy' after a quick look off the clifftop. I spent the rest of the time down on the country park waiting for the tide to drop. Lots of birds showed up as the afternoon wore on. I did a few rough counts which included:1 Little Egret,1 Grey Heron, 2 Brent, c60 Mallard,15 Teal, 350+ Wigeon, 550 Oystercatcher, 320 Curlew,1 Black-tailed Godwit, 100+ Bar-tailed Godwit, 50 Turnstone, 1000+ Lapwing, 2000 Golden Plover, 140+ Grey Plover, 800 Dunlin,210 Knot,30 Sanderling, 100 Redshank, 1 Mediterranean Gull, c4000 Black-headed Gull,1000+ Common Gull, 500 Herring Gull, 20 Lesser Black Backed Gull and 250 Great Black Backed Gull. Other 'bits' included 1 Red-throated Diver, 6 Twite, 1 Snow Bunting, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Peregrine and many Merlin sightings including 2 perched birds about 300 yards apart over near the river. The Twite was hanging about in the salt marsh between the car park and the first wooden bench. The Snow Bunting flew over the salt marsh and landed on the edge of the mud flat. The evening pre roost stuff proved a bit odd as not one Pied Wagtail was seen even though I stayed on until after 4.00pm? I would have expected to see many hundreds which has been the norm the past couple of winter’s periods. I did see 52 Meadow Pipit, 8500+ Starlings and most surprising a flock of 25 Jackdaws which flew north over the country park near dusk. The new path is nearly finished - it's almost all the way up to where the old hide used to be. The new hide foundations are in place near there too. (Phil M)

Thursday 13th December 2007 Foreness

An early morning whizz along the Foreness cliff-top produced a steady movement of Red-throated Divers heading east but little else moving other than the odd Gannet and Kittiwake. The Glaucous Gull was loafing around by the outfall as were 2 Eider. A female Merlin had a go at one of the Stonechats before heading off inland. All very exciting! (F Solly)

Wednesday 12th December 2007 Restharrow Scrape SBBOT

I dropped into the Restharrow Scrape this afternoon about 15-00hrs I observed 10 Mute Swans, 5 Greylag Geese, 7 Moorhens, 3 Pheasants, 3 Little Grebes, 1 Redshank, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, and a Pied Wagtail that dropped in, on the way back to the car 2 Stone Chat along the path and a Green Woodpecker flyover. (Gadget)

Wednesday 12th December 2007 Harbour to Pegwell Bay

It was a lovely frosty morning so I decided to get wrapped up and go out. I popped down the harbour where there nothing moving offshore (a Kittiwake aside) and a quick cycle around the harbour walls looking for Shags or Kingfishers turned up naff all too. I did have a look off the undercliff as there were lots of birds distantly on the low tide edge but nothing too exciting. 55 Brent’s and 70 Shelduck were seen amongst all the common waders and Gulls. A single Grey Wagtail flew over - I saw another flyover on my estate as I cycled home as well as a pair of Redwings.  (Phil M)

Tuesday 11th December 2007 Ramsgate Harbour

At Ramsgate Harbour today one Shag feeding in the inner harbour. (Simon Mount)

Tuesday 11th December 2007 Pegwell Bay

My usual uneventful lunchtime jaunt along the cliff-top at Pegwell produced 4 Bewick's Swans in off the sea at 1.25 and then continuing West (F Solly)

Monday 10th December 2007 Palm Bay & Westgate

An hour’s seawatching in the hut at Palm Bay this morning produced 2 juvenile Pomarine Skuas and 1 Bonxie west plus a few ducks (including 2 Pochard), auks, divers, Kittiwakes etc, whilst a paler winter-plumage adult or sub-adult Pomarine Skua flew east at Westgate in the late morning.   (Tim H)