Friday 26th December 2008 Sandwich Bay Area

out in splendid sunshine over Sandwich Bay this afternoon hoping to connect with Short-Eared Owl again along the ancient highway, a few bit seen on  the Restharrow Scrape, It was very quite on the Scrape except for 4 Mute Swans,12 Teal, 5 Moorhens, 2 Coot, 3 Common Snipe, 4 Curlew 2 Redshank, 3 Pied Wagtail, 22 Linnet, 80 Lapwings, a large female Sparrowhawk tried to take a Redshank, just outside the obs Tree Sparrows, Chaffinches and Dunnocks on feeding station, 2 Short-Eared Owls were over the field towards the turf field then across to Restharrow Dunns 4 Stonechats were up by Mary Bax's area. (Gadget)

Thursday 25th December 2008 Margate Cemetery and Thanet coast

Bored with what's on the telly we decided to go out for a walk and a bit of a drive around. A quick jaunt around Margate Cemetery to feed the squirrels turned up 8 - 10 Goldcrest, 1 Firecrest and 2 Fieldfare etc. We did a long drive home around the coast looking for Waxwings etc where we stopped off at Margate Harbour where there were lots of Gulls out on the exposed mud (all common Larids) plus there was an adult Mediterranean Gull on the grassy bit of Foreness cliff top. I did have a 5 minute pish of the scrub and cabbage fields on North Foreland cliff top hoping to get one of the Dartford Warblers to show - but none did. It was a bit blown out up there this afternoon. There were a group of 5 Grey Herons sitting out in the ploughed field between the 19th Hole Pub and Northdown Park. (Phil M)

Thursday 25th December 2008 Ramsgate Harbour and West Cliff

My intention was to watch the incoming tide at Pegwell but as I was up so early I decided to have a look around the harbour for half an hour from first light before making my way down to the bay for the tide. The sea ended up mesmerizing me for the next two and a half hours as it gave up a few goodies - well until my tootsies started getting too frozen anyway and I came home for a brew! There was a light breeze when I left home but it was surprisingly windy down on the coast so I settled in on the east pier for a little look at the sea. Quality stuff included 4 single Skua's sightings and groups of 4 Barnacle Geese and 4 White-fronted Geese. I could only identify two of the Skua's as it was too windy for one of them even though it wasn't too distant (I'm pretty sure it was a Pom?) and the other one was so far away that I could just about say it was a Skua specie. The two others were firstly a juvenile Pomerine then the second one a Bonxie. Some of the bird were very close too - especially the Gannets and most of the Divers - I actually enjoyed myself! The total/counts were:81 Divers south and 4 north, 316 Auks south, 26 Gannet south, 23 Brent north, 2 Eider south,3 Common Scoter south and 4 north and 17 Kittiwake south. There were 2 Shags (an adult and a 1st winter) in the Harbour plus another adult off the western undercliff. There were also another pair of Eider there too. (Phil M)

Wednesday 24th December 2008 Pegwell Bay

I popped down for an hour and a half (which is a about as much as I could stand today - Pegwell was back to inglorious worst!) seeing very little other than what's been present for the past 4 to 5 days or so. There was a male Marsh Harrier hunting over the salt marsh; otherwise I did take a few counts more out of habit than interest. They were - 6 Brent, 67 Shelduck, 170 Mallard, 260 Wigeon, c40 Teal, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Peregrine, 1010 Dunlin, 1770 Golden Plover and about 8000 Lapwing. I did see and hear a Grey Wagtail flying south over the back garden at dusk - probably on its way through Pegwell to roost somewhere or other. There was no sign of the Haine Road Buzzard on the way down or the way back. (Phil M)

Tuesday 23rd December 2008 Pegwell Bay

I spent the afternoon down at the bay in the company of Craig Sammels (remember him?) - It was extremely good of me to put up with him wasn't it? The bay was peppered with Plovers as it has been of late with 8890 Lapwing and 2000+ Golden Plover in attendance. I only took a few counts/notes which were - 1 Brent, 360 Wigeon, 112 Teal, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 female Marsh Harrier, 1 Fieldfare and a Corn Bunting. 4550 Wood Pigeons flew south during the afternoon making me wonder just how many there were on the 8th of the month when I settled on an conservative 'estimate' of 3000+ which was absolutely miles out based on the amount I actually took the time to count today.1500+ Starlings were gathering for their pre-roost. No sign of yesterdays Brant, the Peregrines (once again) or the 'resident' Buzzard off the Haine road. (Phil M)

Tuesday 23rd December 2008 Ash Area A257

A flock of nine Tundra Bean Geese flew into an arable field between Sandwich and Ash in Kent at about 0900 this morning, just south of the A257 at TR313583 and were still there when I left 10 minutes later. (Tim H)

Monday 22nd December 2008 Bits of Ramsgate and Pegwell Bay

I spent a bit of time for whatever reason cycling around Ramsgate looking for Waxwings but couldn't find any. I ended up at Pegwell where I stayed between about 2.30 until dusk. There was a nice Black Brant present for about an hour or so after I arrived - only the fourth ever Pegwell record so not to be sniffed at. The bay was festooned with birds - mainly Plovers though Gull numbers were up a bit from recent visits. I took a few notes which were:5 Grey Heron,1 Little Egret, 2 Brent, 41 Shelduck, 260 Wigeon, 160 Mallard, 4 Pintail, 2 Eider, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, c1000 Dunlin, 2500 Golden Plover, 9430 Lapwing, 4300 Herring Gull, 1500 Common Gull, 2600 Black-headed Gull, 160 Great Black-backed Gull, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Merlin, 2800 Wood Pigeon - south, 1700 Starling, 1 Grey Wagtail - south, 60 Meadow Pipit - south,4+ Stonechat (inc the 'rubicola' male),1 Chiffchaff, 3 Goldcrest, 70 Goldfinch, 60 Linnet, 60 Chaffinch, 1 Brambling, 2 Fieldfare and 1 Redwing. (Phil M)

Monday 22nd December 2008 West Hythe & Folkestone

A day off, so shopping in Folkestone was the order of the day - taking in the Royal Military Canal and Park Farm Industrial Estate, en route! Dropping Bev in Broadstairs, I was on my way just before 9.00hrs. There were quite a few birders about, this morning, yet the Night Heron failed to perform. Having seen Steve Ashton's superb pix, I was hoping to get some better images and check out the condition of the feet. I had not wanted to put anyone off of going to see this bird with my comments on the feather condition. It is a fabulous bird - "you pay your money and take your choice!" - from a personal standpoint I simply have reservations about its' credentials. The canal produced 3 Kingfisher, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Firecrest and a flyover Marsh Harrier. Onwards to the Waxwings - no dice! They had been seen about 45 minutes before my arrival, a quick scan then off to brave the crowds in Folkestone High Street! Mission accomplished, I just had time for another visit to B&Q's carpark. Bingo! There they were (7 Waxwings) perched in a tree, a few happy birders gathered below them binoculars raised in their direction. Grabbing the camera, from the boot, I managed to obtain a few record images before they took flight and headed off to the south. (Dylan)

Monday 22nd December 2008 Stodmarsh NNR

The Harrier roost watched from the Lampen Wall this afternoon produced a peak of 13 Marsh Harriers & 2 Hen Harriers (one ringtail, one male) There was also a stunning performance from a flock in excess of a thousand Starlings over the lake, (Ben Ring)

Sunday 21st December 2008 North Foreland

Just for the record, there are still 2 (possibly 3) Dartford Warblers in, and around, the cliff top scrub and cabbages at Joss Bay & Elmwood Avenue. They should be a decent bet for any January 1st listers - after ticking the Purple Sandpipers at Foreness? (Dylan)

Saturday 20th December 2008 Dumpton to Broadstairs

I've been heavily involved in the run up to the festive season. My walk to the harbour, yesterday afternoon, was my way of wasting a few hours before meeting up with the guys, from work, for a few "light ales" in Broadstairs. A Kingfisher perched behind the laundry block was almost predictable, but the elderly lady, who sat on the bench enjoying the view, was overjoyed when I pointed it out. "It's nice to be nice!" I don't think that we birders do enough to share our enjoyment with the other users of the countryside. My walk this morning was very low key - a few cob-webs from the over indulgence of the previous evening. A Stonechat was along the cliff top at Dumpton Gap with 3 Purple Sandpiper, 14 Oystercatcher, 3 Curlew and a few Turnstone encountered as I made my way to Viking Bay. Out at sea I noted 7 Red-throated Diver (5 S & 2 N), 2 Great Crested Grebe and 3 Auk sp. The most unexpected sighting was of 3 juvenile Mute Swans flying towards Dumpton Gap. I first picked them up, way out to sea, flying high up in the grey sky. They landed, briefly, off Dumpton Gap, before continuing on their way. A quick scan around the carpark by the Tartar Frigate failed to produce the, hoped for, Black Redstart. All I managed was a further 7 Purple Sandpiper, 1 Grey Plover, 22 Turnstone and my only Rock Pipit of the session. Out in the back garden, this evening, I spent quite a while watching the Rose-ringed Parakeets on my neighbours feeding station. I recall some e-mail correspondence that claimed the birds were of African origin, I am happy that my pics demonstrate, quite clearly, the birds around Thanet are of the Indian race with the turquoise tail feathers being the clincher! (Dylan)

Saturday 20th December 2008 Pegwell Bay

I watched the incoming tide this afternoon until 3.30pm in the company of Mossier Hairy for the last hour or so. On the way down I had a quick look for the Common Buzzard off the southern end of the Haine road and could see it sitting on the mud mound edge of the quarry 2-300 yards away - at about 1.30.Once again there were lots of birds present in the bay though Gull numbers continue to be quite low unfortunately. I did take a few notes which were: 1 Red-throated Diver - flying north down the Stour then n/east out to sea, 1 Brent, 175 Mallard, 285 Wigeon, 8200 Lapwing, 2620 Golden Plover, 212 Curlew, 1 male Marsh Harrier, 1 Hen Harrier, 1 Short-eared Owl etc. The 'rubicola' type male Stonechat was seen on the sea wall and salt marsh up near the car park. (Phil M)

Saturday 20th December 2008 Seaton gravel Pits

There is one (possibly 2) male Smew at Seaton on the main lake.  Also 1female Goosander, 1female Goldeneye, 1 Buzzard and 2 Marsh Harriers (Peter Loudon)

Friday 19th December 2008 Southwall Marshes to Fowlmead C P

A look over my patch this afternoon the sun was out and a light breeze, its been freezing all this week up there. Bird count today 17 Common Snipe, 4 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 10 Moorhen, 1 Water rail, 10 Long-tail Tit. 2 Robins, 2 Coal Tits, 1 Bullfinch, 6 Goldfinch, 4 Chaffinch, 8 Greenfinch, 5 Mute Swan, 3 Pheasant, 1Cormorant, 1 Kestrel, 6 Magpies, 10 Blackbirds, fair number of Wood Pigeon, Carrion Crow,& Rooks, and a few Starling,  (Mike D)

Friday 19th December 2008 Pegwell Bay

Nice weather and lots of birds today though of as much variety as of late. I stayed between 1.30 and 3.30 and didn't see a single raptor and there were very few Gulls present. The only counts I took were: 280 Wigeon, 1 Little Egret, 131 Bar-tailed Godwit, 185 Grey Plover, 6600 Lapwing, 900 Golden Plover, 2 Ringed Plover, 1000 Dunlin, 220 Knot and 15 Rooks. The Common Buzzard was sitting in a bush in front of the mud mound off the Haine Road just after 3.30 this evening. There was a bloke filming this afternoon for the BBC so keep your eyes peeled for the item on 'Inside Out' in the near future. (Phil M)

Thursday 18th December 2008 Country Park Pegwell

A pair of Waxwing were present in the middle of the Park this morning, behind the new hide. Seemed quite approachable before getting 'buzzed' by a Wren - wimps! (Ben Ring)

Thursday 18th December 2008 Pegwell Bay

I watched the incoming tide between 12.30 and 15.30.There were good numbers of birds present though nothing too unusual.3 Red-throated Divers - including one hauled out on the riverbank, 2 Brent, 410 Wigeon, 1 Eider, 155 Mallard, 2 Pintail, 50 Teal, 143 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2180 Golden Plover, 6100 Lapwing, 190 Grey Plover, 230 Knot, 1 Sandwich Tern, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Peregrine etc. There was no sign of the Buzzard off Haine Road for the second consecutive day. (Phil M)

Thursday 18th December 2008 Kingsgate Area

After two weeks of working I managed a late afternoon walk around Kingsgate. A couple of Stonechats were by the folly on the way to look at the beach. A couple of Magpies were hassling a Kestrel on the roof of the Fayreness. On the beach were Turnstones, Oystercatchers, Crows, Herring Gulls, Greater Black Backed Gulls, a Sanderling and a Redshank. A Cormorant was just offshore a Black Redstart appeared in front of my just as I was getting dark and I started to walk home. (Simon Piggott)

Wednesday 17th December 2008 Pegwell Bay

Ah - with the wondrous 'yellow orb' giving forth it's light from the heavens for the first time in living memory (I have a very poor memory) coupled with light winds and an incoming tide - today proved one of the better days to enjoy being out in the field. A pair of Sandwichites did their best to ruin the experience but otherwise the whole afternoon was virtually harmless. I had taken most of my counts prior to the waffle we partook of as the afternoon progressed in the esteemed company of Chris 'Silly' and 'Hodgo' the two SBBOT bods. They were:1 Diver specie (north) 2 Little Egret, 2 Brent, 47 Shelduck, 285 Wigeon, 92 Mallard, c40 Teal, 2 Pintail, 6 Gadwall, 2 Common Scoter (north),1 sub adult male Marsh Harrier, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Peregrine, 1150 Dunlin, c120 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 4840 Lapwing, 1260 Golden Plover, 210 Grey Plover, 130 Curlew, 270 Knot, 94 Sanderling, 430 Oystercatcher, 1 Sandwich Tern, 1 Yellow-legged Gull, 3 Stonechat, 2 Goldcrest and 1 Chiffchaff. (Phil M)

Wednesday 17th December 2008 Sandwich Bay Area

A few hours spent in splendid sunshine over Sandwich Bay this afternoon hoping to connect with Short-Eared Owl along the ancient highway or over the Restharrow Scrape, It was very quite on the Scrape except for 20 Mute Swans,16 Teal, 5 Moorhens, 1 Tufted Duck, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Common Snipe, 9 Curlew few over and 300+ Lapwings loitering over the back of the scrape, about 15-00hrs a Barn Owl few in and then a Short-Eared Owl came though, stepping out of the hide door 2  Short-Eared Owls were over the field towards the turf field then across to Restharrow Dunns by then the light was fading fast 6 Stonechats were up by Mary Bax's area. (Gadget)

Wednesday 17th December 2008 Dumpton to Ramsgate Harbour

I was given the chance to swap shifts, so found time this afternoon, for a walk to Ramsgate Harbour. Very little of interest, as I made my way to the coast, just a few Greenfinch, around the gardens, and a Sparrowhawk over West Dumpton Lane. King George VI Park held little more than a the regular Parakeets, Mistle Thrush, Blackbird and Chaffinch. The walk to Winterstoke Steps revealed several Fulmars patrolling the cliff-tops and, as I descended the steps, an adult Shag flew west, close to the shore. 9 Turnstone and 2 Sanderling were feeding on the small beach below the steps, one Sanderling providing a few pics before I headed off towards the harbour. 2 Kingfisher, 5 Rock Pipit, Great Black-backed, Herring & Black-headed Gulls plus a spectacular display of Starlings, over Ramsgate Town Centre, were the bulk of my notes with a count of 241 Pied Wagtails, flighting in towards the Ferry Port being notable. (Dylan)

Wednesday 17th December 2008 Ash Levels

A lengthy 5 hour stomp around the Ash Levels this morning between 8 & 1pm failed to produce anything of real note but the sunshine was certainly appreciated. I walked from home in Ash, through Goldstone & the Drove as far as the Stour & then turned left to Plucks Gutter. Resisting the temptation of a 'cold one' in the pub, I continued to Stourmouth along the road (foolhardy) before taking the footpath through the orchards to Westmarsh village & back to Ash across country. All areas had varying amounts of Fieldfares & Redwings and I was pleased to see a flock of perhaps 400 Starling at Stourmouth. Other birds encountered along the way included a Grey Wagtail, 4 Bullfinch, 3 inland grazing Curlew, a male Sparrowhawk, 2 female Marsh Harriers & a Kestrel. A flock of 50+ grazing Swans that could be seen east of Goldstone Drove proved to be all Mutes. (Ben Ring)

Tuesday 16th December 2008 Pegwell Bay

I spent between 1.00 and 3.00pm either waddling around the coast or standing around the Country Park. There were 128 Turnstone in the high tide roost also 70 Chaffinch and 60 Goldfinch feeding in the salt marsh on the north side of the hover port/beach. Golden Plover numbers were up a bit as there were 3500+ flying around the area between Pegwell and 100 acre on the high tide. The only other counts I took were 2000+ Lapwing, c60 Teal, 120 Wigeon, 51 Shelduck, 2 things and a wotsit. The Sandwich Tern was sitting on a broken bit of the hover port sea wall plus the resident Common Buzzard was perched on the airport runway approach lights when I peddled past at about 3.10pm. (Phil M)

Monday 15th December 2008 Pegwell Bay

Anther nice little session today, not long after arriving a large Diver flew up off the sea on the Sandwich side of Shellness and flew n/east in the direction of the harbour. Luckily it turned round and flew back into the bay and landed roughly 100 yards (I should say meters?) offshore and was as I had ascertained by then a Great Northern Diver. It was a juvenile bird and was present offshore for at least ten minutes as it dived around the bay at high tide. Yet another Pegwell scarcity - it's been quite a nice little run of 'bits' this past week or so. Nothing else of such high quality - the only notes I took were 5 Brent, c250 Wigeon, 100+ Teal, 2 Pintail, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Peregrine, c1500 Lapwing, c800 Golden Plover, 3 Avocet etc amongst the thousands of birds present on the dropping tide. (Phil M)

Sunday 14th December 2008 Pegwell Bay

I watched the tide drop this afternoon. Of note - the Common Buzzard was perched on the mud mound off the Haine Road as I peddled past at 12.30,a 1st winter Caspian Gull flew in off the sea (from the n/east) and landed on Shellness plus a Waxwing flew n/west over the garage pools/St Augustine's Golf Course at 3.00pm.Other 'bits' included 8 Brent, 38 Shelduck, 360 Wigeon, 120 Teal, 3 Pintail, 2 Shoveler, 530 Oystercatcher, 3000+ Lapwing, 1800 Golden Plover, 220 Curlew, 36 Ringed Plover, 1 Red-throated Diver (south), 2 Peregrine, 1 Sparrowhawk etc. (Phil M)

Saturday 14th December 2008 West Hythe & Royal Military Canal

I was on my way by 06.30hrs and parked in the picnic carpark less than an hour later. Marc Heath and Phil Parker were already getting prepared to face the elements and we made our way to the dam in the semi-darkness. A quick scan revealed a large number of Cormorants and 2 Grey Heron concentrated around the dam, then we moved onto the bridge over the side stream and I immediately located the adult Night Heron, perched on the concrete weir, just a few metres below us. We had fantastic views, but conditions were hopeless for photography. We were able to watch the bird for the next 40 minutes, twice it was subjected to aggression from a Grey Heron. 2 Kingfisher and 3 Little Grebe being seen along the side stream as the light began to pick up. We had some fantastic flight views as the bird moved back onto the Royal Military Canal, perching a couple of times on the same fallen branch that had been used by the Green Heron in the previous month. I have my doubts as to the credentials of this individual, a missing secondary (S 10) and heavy abrasion of the primary tips of the left wing are not mirrored by the right wing, which is feather perfect. At 08.10hrs, for no obvious reason, the Night Heron took flight and headed of to the west. Adam Whitehouse arriving just in time to see it disappearing over the trees. Marc & Phil headed back for a Waxwing hunt, Adam & I walked the canal to the area that Steve Ashton had photographed it on Friday. Masses of Woodpigeon apart, there were very few birds to be seen. A Common Buzzard, 1 Bullfinch and a few Redwing being about it. Adam continued westward, as I chose to return to the car - "Brownie points" if I got home by mid-day! Strong wind and driving rain is not conducive to good birding and my return walk produced nothing until I neared the dam and relocated the Night Heron on the far bank of the canal, perched right in the open. Thankfully, my digi-scoping gear was able to capture a few record images, despite the dismal conditions. (Dylan)

Friday 12th December 2008 Shuart & Chambers Wall

Walked from the Hedgend Industrial Estate, through Shuart & along the railway embankment between 7:45 & 12:30pm.Had surprise encounter with a Ring-tail Hen Harrier just starting to pluck a Red Legged Partridge on the footpath just after Shuart farm. When I returned some 3 hours later there were just 3 piles of feathers! Numerous Fieldfare & Redwing in the bushes all along the embankment. Caught up with 2 Waxwings at the white poplars at around 10:30am & watched them feeding on the hawthorn berries for some ½ hour until they finally had had enough of the frequent passing trains! Other raptors seen: Kestrel, Marsh Harrier (male & female) & Sparrowhawk (1 juvenile, 1 adult female) (Ben Ring)

Friday 12th December 2008 Pegwell Bay

I spent the afternoon down the Bay today. If was cold. Hang on - there's more ... Weird thing of the day happened when a Black-necked Grebe flew south across the salt marsh and landed in one inch of water right in front of a rather startled Chris Solly and myself! It stayed for about ten seconds before flying off north and eventually inland somewhere up near the houses at Cliffsend! Otherwise my counts turned up 3 Red-throated Divers south,1 Brent, 40 Teal, 1 Avocet, 124 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Spotted Redshank, 1180 Golden Plover, 120 Grey Plover, 28 Ringed Plover, 280 Knot, 1010 Dunlin, 159 Curlew, 1 Peregrine, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Corn Bunting, 1000+ Herring Gull, 340 Great Black-backed Gull, 83 Lesser Black-backed Gull and 1 Yellow-legged Gull. I did leave at mid afternoon but after bumping into Mick Shrop - Mick Shiph - Mick Schzriphe ... 'Mick' up near the Sportsman I ended up having another walk around the area. I make mention of this as we came across 2 Bramblings amongst the large finch flock amongst the salt marsh plants behind the bird hide. We had a nice chat as always too of course. (Phil M)

Thursday 11th December 2008 Minster Marshes

I grabbed a couple of hours, after my shift, wandering the riverbank towards the power station from the fishermen's carpark. The light was very poor and all my attempts at getting pics met with failure! 2 Marsh Harrier (ad & imm females), 1 Hen Harrier (ad male), 1 Merlin (imm male), 250+ Fieldfare, 40+ Redwing, 2 Water Rail, 4 Little Grebe, 1 Little Egret and a Barn Owl were the bulk of my sightings. A Woodcock flew towards the Ash Levels, as the sun disappeared below the horizon, and a Curlew called from overhead as I made my way back to the car in the darkness - it was 16.45hrs! (Dylan)

Thursday 11th December 2008 Pegwell Bay

I spent much of the afternoon wobbling around the area between the Hoverport and Stonelees looking for 'bits' and 'things'.' Bits' included 1 Hen Harrier, 2 Sparrowhawk,1 Peregrine, 24 Redwing, 3 Fieldfare, 5 Stonechat, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1000 Lapwing, 800 Golden Plover etc and 'things' included a Woodcock that I flushed from Stonelees and a pair of Waxwing that I stumbled across at 3.15 sitting in the trees along the Stoneless section of the cycle path. The Waxwing were sitting in the trees - I don't mean I saw the Waxwings whilst I was sitting in the trees. The resident Common Buzzard was seen on the way down - it flew off the mud mound and relanded on the top of one of the Manston runway approach lights. (Phil M)

Wednesday 10th December 2008 Pegwell Bay

My annual 'big stomp' for wintering salt marsh species this afternoon turned up 91 Snipe, 2 Jack Snipe, 35 Rock Pipit, 12 Skylark, 20 Reed Bunting and a Water Rail. Other extra added bits included 4 Goldcrest, 1 Brambling, 2 Redwing, 2 Stonechat, 1 Little Egret, c1000 Golden Plover, c1000 Lapwing, 1 Merlin and 1 Sparrowhawk. (Phil M)

Tuesday 9th December 2008 Pegwell Bay

I did a short afternoon session today from mid afternoon until dusk. I stopped off on the way down to have a look for the Common Buzzard along the Haine road - or perhaps I should say to see if there were more than one. All I could see was a single bird which was sitting on the bank of the quarry about 200 yards off the side of the road. I haven't seen 2 birds there for weeks now. Anyway - Pegwell was quite slow. No Geese today and the only counts I took were of c1000 Golden Plover, c2000 Lapwing, 200+ Wigeon, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Peregrine etc plus 2710 Wood Pigeon south and 2550 Starling north to roost. I did also see 2 Merlin - a female out near the river then a fantastic little adult male which shot across the cycle path right in front of me up near the Viking Ship. With it being about 20 feet or less away at one point it was amazing to see just how small these little critters are. Probably the most unusual things I saw today were 70 Jackdaw which included a flock of 50 flying north. Martin Griffiths was down today doing a bit of work and he saw a Marsh Harrier and 70 Teal. (Phil M)

Monday 8th December 2008 Pegwell Bay

After a morning out in the field with Shorty I arrived at a mood for a little bit of extra birding. So as it was a nice day I decided to check out Pegwell this afternoon. I arrived at 2.00pm and stayed until dark so as I could check the winter Wagtail pre-roost numbers that pass by about half an hour prior to dark at this time of year. It was well worth the effort as I saw a whole ... one! In past winters there have been up to 700+ birds heading off southwest to roost near Richborough. I did also get 154 Meadow Pipits and 1600 Starlings as well as the single Wagtail. There was however a bit of wildfowl movement. A group of 3 Redhead Goosander flew around the bay eventually heading off towards the sea - they are not to be sniffed at these days. After this I saw 3 groups of wild Geese flying inland between 2.50 and 3.50 - the first group of 45 birds were almost certainly White-fronted Geese - they were half a mile south of me but I'm pretty sure this is what they were. The second group of 6 birds I didn't pick up until they were well inland of me so I couldn't identify them but the last group went almost overhead and were 5 Bean Geese - I was well pleased. It wasn't worth doing any proper wader counts as the birds were badly spooked by people out on the mud. I did take a few notes which were:7 Brent, 70+ Teal, b320 Wigeon, 60+ Snipe, 30+ Rock Pipit, 1 Merlin, 2 Peregrine,1 male Marsh Harrier, 2 ringtail Hen Harriers (in to roost) plus a long and boring evening Gull count that I will not bother you with here! see ya's – (Phil M)

Monday 8th December 2008 Minster Area & Garage Pools

Phil and I popped out to Minster today in nice calm conditions. A few birds were noted including 3 Green Sandpiper, over 1000 Golden Plover, 5 Grey Partridge, 1000+ Wood Pigeons, a Jay, 12 Mute Swans plus a handful of Meadow Pipits, Reed Buntings and Skylarks. A distant V winged raptor we saw was either a Common Buzzard or a Marsh Harrier. We popped into Pegwell on the way back to have a quick look for Jack Snipes but couldn't find any. There were c30 Common Snipe and c12 Rock Pipits around the salt marsh pools plus there were 2000+ Golden Plover, 1000 Lapwing, c250 Wigeon, 50 Teal and a Spotted Redshank was heard calling from the mud flats. The Common Buzzard that's been frequenting the area opposite the Boot Fare site off the side of the Haine Road was seen sitting in a small bush 80 yards off the side of the road on the way home just before 1.00pm. (Gadget)

Thursday 4th December 2008 Pegwell Bay

As the sun broke through in the early afternoon I decided to make an impromptu visit to the bay of hell to watch the incoming tide. As it happened - everything was extremely peaceful down there - very quiet indeed. I saw the Common Buzzard hunting from the mound area (off the side of the Haine Road) on the way down at about 1.00pm.I had a quick look off the hover pad (for some reason?) where I stumbled upon a Black Redstart which I flushed along the apron of the concrete pad. Wader/wildfowl numbers were quite low yet again. I took a few counts which were:c15 Brent, 44 Shelduck, c20 Mallard, c150 Wigeon,100 Curlew,470 Oystercatcher, 970 Dunlin, 67 Sanderling, 13 Ringed Plover, 650 Lapwing, 220 Golden Plover,120 Grey Plover, 190 Knot and 140 Bar-tailed Godwit. Amongst the assembled Gull flock I picked out 3 Yellow-legged Gulls and other 'bits' seen included a ring-tail Hen Harrier, a sub adult male Marsh Harrier and a Short-eared Owl. I did pop down on Monday but there wasn't much going on. There were 2200 Golden Plover - also 3 Yellow-legged Gulls and an Avocet etc. tatty bye – (Phil M)

Wednesday 3rd December 2008 Westmarsh area near Ash Late News

I received a phone call last night 1st December from a farmer friend who reported a Great Grey Shrike, seen very well during the day. He knows his birds and has seen them before*; apparently it was fairly mobile in the Westmarsh/ Sheerwater area near Ash, so it might be worth looking out for, good birding (Norman M)

Wednesday 3rd December 2008 Newland's Farm

A Woodcock flew over the garden, as I was supping on a cup of coffee, just after 07.20hrs. The first real frost of the winter set the scene and, after Bev had left for work, I headed across the fields to the Old Rose Garden. A few Chaffinch were in the hedgerow at the end of Vine Close. A flock of 30+ Linnet, feeding out amongst the recently harvested cauliflowers, were subjected to the attention of a smart little male Sparrowhawk, although he was unsuccessful. A Kestrel hovered over the adjacent stubble whilst the rose garden held little more than a few Blackbirds and a Reed Bunting. The recently harrowed field, besides Pyson's Road held a nice flock of 21 Stock Dove and I had flushed a Golden Plover from the same area as I walked home last night. (Dylan)

Tuesday 2nd December 2008 North Foreland & Chambers Wall

Only 1 Dartford Warbler was seen this morning 4 Stonechats, 2 Dunnocks, 7 Meadow Pipits, 3 Pied Wagtails, and 1 Hunting Kestrel, I went over to Chambers Wall and found Steve Ashton already in place, good number of  Blackbirds, Redwings and Fieldfare on the bushes 9 Meadow Pipits 6 Stonechats, and 50+ Mute Swans flying towards Reculver 6 Little Grebes and 3 Redshank in Coldharbour but the shore line was all but deserted but for 3 Grey Plover, 1 Ringed Plover 3 Turnstone, 14 Oystercatchers (Gadget) 

Monday 1st December 2008 Dumpton Thanet

With many things to be done at home today bird watching was one hour looking out in the garden and over the field behind my house, nothing out of the ordinary I'm afraid, birds noted: 7 Blackbirds, 5 House Sparrows, 18 Starlings, 9 Goldfinches, 5 Greenfinches, 2 Blue Tits, 2 Great Tits, 1 Robin, 1 Dunnock, 1 Wren, 4 Long-tailed Tits, 9 Collard Doves, out over the field 27 Woodpigeons, 17 Feral Pigeons, 37 Caron Crows, 22 Black-headed Gulls, 18 Herring Gulls 1 Green Woodpecker and 470+ Rose-Ringed Parakeets heading over the field towards there home roost, (Gadget)