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Last update: Monday 27th February 2006 at 22-35hrs

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January 2006 Report has been Archived

Monday 27th February 2006 Oare Marshes

Finally got a day free and decided to spend a few hours at Oare. On arrival I first stopped at the lay-by and counted 60 Coot on the grass near the south end of the reserve.  24 Black tailed Godwit and a dozen Pintail caught my eye, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Teal, Wigeon, Pochard, Redshank, Dunlin and Lapwing were all showing well.  A very close Shoveler, in the ditch next to the road allowed me to take quite a nice pic by leaning out of the car window.  I then parked up and walked around the reserve, not seeing much until I reached the river where a flock of 80 Shelduck could be seen on the opposite bank.   Stopping at the Seawall hide, 2 Great crested grebes allowed excellent views as they came within a few feet.  Saw 2 Marsh Harrier and Brent Goose from the hide too, the latter in large numbers over Sheppey.  Heading west along the sea wall I saw 60 Redshank on the east flood, as well as 27 Curlew and a single Snipe.  In the distance large flocks of Starling were visible, I hesitate to estimate how many but well over 1000, surely.  Reed Bunting was very evident, with at least 60 being present, including a flock of 40 in the NW corner.  Walking back to the car I spied 4 Rock Pipits 6 Meadow Pipits, 2 Stonechat, 6 Linnets and a flock of 22 Skylark.  Finally back at the car 2 Goldfinch posed helpfully the tree, allowing another decent pic. It was cold today, but it did feel like spring might not be too far away. (Jerry)

Monday 27th February 2006 Ash by-pass 

The Monday morning blues were lifted briefly as I started my journey to work this morning by a Short Eared Owl flying low over the Ash by-pass near Molland Farm at 6am. (Ben Ring)

Sunday Feb 26th February 2006 South Swale and Graveney 10:30 - 16:30hrs

Despite the high winds I decided pop down to the coast to see if anything interesting had been blown in. There were of course hundreds of Black-Headed Gull around (quite a lot with their eponymous 'black' heads already present). By the quay at the east end of Seasalter Beach there was a mixed flock of about 200 Ringed Plover, 200 Dunlin, 12 Redshank and a couple of Grey Plover - plus the usual selection of Turnstone all along the beach. I little further along the beach was a pair of Sanderling (odd, considering how little sand there is here, but they've been here all winter) and I watched a Knot skillfully extracting a winkle (I think) from its shell. Near the west end of the beach were 20 Snow Bunting. Across on the fields was a very large mixed flock of about 2,000 each of Lapwing and Golden Plover and nearby I counted 27 Curlew. Heading further west, past the Sportsman Inn I passed several pairs of Stonechat and a few Reed Bunting. There was only a small flock of about 200 Brent Geese today, I optimistically scanned them, but as usual there were no Black Brandt. The Marsh Harriers were keeping very low, but were interacting - though I saw no food passing and it was too cold to stand still for a long time to watch. Castle Coote boasted 3 Shelduck, 6 Mallard, 4 Oystercatcher, 12 Dunlin, 4 Ringed Plover and a Grey Plover; also a couple of Cormorant flew overhead, struggling against the wind. I arrived a Faversham Creek at about 1pm - just right for watching the receding tide expose fresh mud, I waited for half an hour, but there was not much about - 6 Bar-tailed Godwits, and some more Ringed and Grey Plover (or probably the same ones as earlier. A Sparrowhawk flew past, but there was no sign of the Peregrine on the pylon. I decided to take a different walk back through the farms and Graveney village. There were plenty of Fieldfare and Redwing about on the fields, and there was a Green Woodpecker hopping around between rows of currant bushes, I also saw 16 Widgeon in a dyke near the Monkshill Road level crossing, but apart from that just the usual garden birds. (Keith Pankhurst)

Sunday 26th February 2006 Worth Marshes Late News

Out on the Worth Marshes this morning were 150 White-fronts, 21 Barnacle, 1 Bean Goose, 150 Golden Plover and 17 Mute Swans. (Graham Crick)

Sunday 26th February 2006 Ash Levels

Although the weather didn't look too clever, at the risk of getting cabin fever, we took our usual route from Ash through Goldstone & back via Brookestreet.  8:30 - 11am. 2ºC with strong wind & occasional light sleet/snow   Most self respecting birds were keeping their heads down & only Crows, Gulls & Wood Pigeons abounded. A pair of Red Legged Partridge was flushed in Goldstone orchards  & Fieldfare/Redwing flocks were sparse here. A couple of male Kestrels battled against the elements near the Europa Nursery & a pair of Curlew & single Little Egret & Cormorant were seen here as well. Two GS & one Green Woodpecker were noted at Brookestreet. Probably a hundred mixed Fieldfare & Redwing grubbed in the field here, together with a similar number of Starling-the first time this winter I’ve seen birds in any number in the field in this immediate area-may have something to do with the greater number of sheep present. Typically as we got home the sun came out! (Ben Ring)

Thursday 23rd February 2006  Ancient Highway Mary Bax's Stone SBBOT

Took the ancient highway to work this morning, as had to pick up a couple of parcels from Deal Post Office. As i was passing Mary Bax's Stone a Short Eared Owl flew across the road, scaring the life out of a Rabbit before dropping into the long grass by 'the Stone'. I didn't stop to look for any Geese as a) it was sleeting & b) i should have opened up at 7.00am.

Wednesday 22nd February 2006 Pegwell Bay

A late afternoon visit to Pegwell in a 'refreshing' brisk North-easterly produced a fine 1st Winter Glaucous Gull showing well throughout and a rather weak looking Dartford Warbler on the tip. (F Solly)  

Wednesday 22nd February 2006 Ramsgate Harbour

As I left home, Bev asked if I had taken leave of my senses? After nearly two hours in the freezing blast of a biting easterly I was beginning to question this myself! Masses of Herring Gulls assembled on the pontoons and slipway - I counted 430+, of which 100 - ish were of the northern "argentatus" race. With so many new birds, surely I would find a c-r individual, but no! The only ringed individual I located had a metal BTO-type ring - gutted! Black - headed and Common Gulls were gathered in a loose flock, feeding in the lea of the breakwater beyond the Harbour Lights Cafe. I was really hoping for a "white-winged gull" or, at least, a "Casper" but I failed on both counts. 3 Rock Pipits were noted, the Great Crested Grebe was still by the ESL Pilot boats and I had fabulous views of the male Kingfisher by the M.V Kalimera - I even saw it catch and devour a tiny mullet, very pleasant. An optimistic Starling was singing and displaying by the Seamen's Chapel, whilst Turnstones picked about various sheltered spots, particularly the ones near litterbins! (Dylan)

Wednesday 22nd February 2006 Mary Bax's SBBOT

Called in briefly on my way back from Deal, 2 to 2.30pm.  The geese were roosting on the flooded fields and I counted 190 White fronts, 10 Barnacles and 1 Tundra Been Goose.  Back towards Deal there were 40 Greylags, 5 Ruff, c.200 Golden Plover, c.200 Fieldfare, 20 Corn Buntings and 13 Grey Partridge. (Nick Lever)

Wednesday 22nd February 2006 Sholden and Sandwich

A Barn Owl was hunting over the marshy fields south of Ham Fen view from the road between Sholden and Sandwich on my way to work at 6.50 this morning. There was 150+ Greylag Geese in the fields by Cottington Lakes on the way home at 3.30pm. (Martyn W)

Tuesday 21st February Ramsgate Harbour

Tuesday 21st February 2006 Newland's Farm & Garden

The conditions are lousy - my walk across to Sericol, at 05.30 hrs, was rewarded with the flushing of a pair of (Grey) Partridges from besides the footpath. Song Thrushes were singing from several vantage points around West Dumpton - despite it still being dark and very cold! At tea break, I noted several pairs of Herring Gulls prospecting for nest sites on the factory roofs around the Pyson's Road Industrial Estate, yet strangely no Lesser Black-backs, so far? After my shift, the return walk was enlivened by the sight of 2 Skylarks chasing about over a field of winter wheat, then, on arriving home, I had the good fortune to spot a Peregrine soaring over the field beyond my garden, causing noisy alarm amongst the local Carrion Crows. (Dylan)

Monday 20th February 2006 Foreness

Just to get out of the house, I had a quick look at the sea (from the big shelter in Palm Bay) in the afternoon but there was naff all going on. I only saw 2 Gannets, 1 Red-throated Diver and a Kittiwake and just to round off a bad afternoon - my telescope blew over in the wind - landing on concrete and badly damaged it. I’ve patched it up but it's none too clever. (Phil M)

Monday 20th February 2006 Minnis Bay

Cold north-easterlies in February – my favourite. An hour’s seawatch from 07:30 produced a huge movement of birds, with 6 Common Scoter, 12 Kittiwakes, 3 Gannets, 70 Red-throated Divers (including a nice close bird in summer plumage), 4 Great Crested Grebes, 32 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 3 Fulmars. A feeding flock of 356 Cormorants was present offshore. (Tim Hodge)

Sunday 19th February 2006 Late News Below

Saturday 18th February Westgate, Pegwell Bay, and Sandwich

Part of our Saturday Birding trip included several stops in the Thanet area, something we don't do very often. We stopped off on the coast between Westgate and Westbrook and had a stroll. It was High Tide and there were 4 Purple Sandpipers on a groyne with about 40 Turnstone. Close offshore there were 310 Brent Geese and on the rough grass alongside the promenade 5 very tame Snow Buntings. We then went to Pegwell Bay to have lunch, and saw from the car a female Marsh Harrier and Short Eared Owl towards the mouth of the Stour. The tide was still well up and most of the birds had been displaced; a large flock of Golden Plover whirling about on the other side of the Stour were the only birds of note. We then left to look for the Goose flock at Sandwich, which was found quickly after parking at Mary Bax's. The flock consisted of about 190 White-fronted Geese, 10 Barnacles Geese, and a single Bean Goose. Also in the area were 2 Short Eared Owls, 2 Marsh Harriers, 1Ruff, 6 Corn Buntings and a couple of Grey Partridge. (John Tilbrook and Mike Cottrell)

Sunday 19th February 2006 Ramsgate Harbour

A real grotty day - drizzle & grey skies meant that my planned trip to Pegwell was thwarted and, instead, I had a session around the harbour. High tide was at 15.00 hrs, which, combined with the S-Easterly, meant that the pontoons had a nice mix of gulls sitting out the conditions. I carefully scanned through the flock, looking for colour - ringed birds, but found nothing more than the 1st year Herring Gull (White A3GX). The gulls present were 157 Black-headed, 230+ Herring, 3 Lesser Black-backed, 14 Great Black-backed and a smart adult Kittiwake. Turnstone numbers were up on recent days with 31 present, along with 3 Sanderling and a Ringed Plover. The Great Crested Grebe remains in the outer harbour, although mobile, and there was a lone Rock Pipit scratching about in the shelter of the stored fishing nets on the slipway. A Cormorant, perched on a post along the outer pontoon, was quite interesting - showing many characteristics of the nominate P.c.carbo race, yet having a gular pouch angle outside of that Newson et al. describe for that race - an intergraded /hybrid perhaps? (Dylan)

Sunday 19th February 2006 Chambers Wall, Coldharbour & Reculver

I parked at Chambers Wall at 9.15am, walked to Coldharbour and along towards Reculver. There were about 25 Snow Buntings on the shingle bank at Coldharbour. The adult Black Brant was with about 250 Brent Geese on the foreshore a bit further along towards Reculver along with a Little Egret. 1 Marsh Harrier was hunting near Chambers Wall and as I was driving along the track away from Chambers Wall a male 
Hen Harrier showed well before soaring up and heading over the other side of the A299. (Nick Lever)

Saturday 18th February 2006 West Brook Valley

Barry Matlock and I had a wander down West Brook Valley near Reculver. Although we didn’t see a great deal it was a pleasant morning with little wind. A few bits included 1 Cetti’s Warbler, 8 Chiffchaffs, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Yellowhammer, 4 Goldcrests and 1 Gadwall. (Tim Hodge)

Friday 17th February 2006 Pegwell Bay

Back down for the dropping tide in the evening. Not much you wouldn’t expect - the best bits a Short-eared Owl in the 100 acre field, 70 Lesser Black Backed Gulls, a Little Grebe in the river (another in the garage pool) 1 Pintail and a funny looking 1st winter Gull showing signs of Caspian - possibly a hybrid?? It defiantly wasn’t a pure Caspian anyway. (Phil M)

Friday 17th February 2006 Pegwell Bay incoming tide

I popped down for the incoming tide - no sign of yesterdays American Herring Gull but I did get stunning views of an adult Caspian Gull (1 hanging
around?) at 12.15.Otherwise quiet - singles of Peregrine, Short-eared Owl, Sparrowhawk, Little Egret plus 15 Brent, 92 Wigeon, 4 Shoveler, 260 Curlew, 430 Knot, 207 Bar-tailed Godwit, 165 Grey Plover, 2500 Golden
Plover, 3500 Lapwing etc. The weather was lovely out of the wind - Greenfinch's were displaying and the birds have certainly become very vocal this past week. It wont be long before some spring migrants start turning up. (Phil M)

Friday 17th February 2006 Ramsgate Harbour & Undercliff

I left home just after 08.30 hrs and cycled down to the harbour. Conditions were quite pleasant and, although the tide was out, there were plenty of birds around the area. A Kingfisher was perched on a cable by the old dry dock and a quick scan around the pontoons revealed a noticeable increase in the numbers of Lesser Black-backed Gulls. Leaving my bike by the harbour office, I spent some time going through the gulls - 31 Black-headed, 56 Herring and 17 Lesser Black-backs being my counts. Plenty of activity amongst the local Turnstones plus 3 Cormorants and the Great Crested Grebe fishing in the outer harbour. I walked across the central bridge to view the inner harbour and check "Current Account" for the male Kingfisher (not present!) before walking up the central wall to look into the ferry turning circle. As I approached the 2nd set of metal stairs (that allows access down to the moored boats) I had a "de ja vu" moment. Right where I had seen one in December was a single Shore Lark - possibly the same bird? I got 3 pics before it flew back, over my head and landed in amongst the stored boats by the HGV Training area. Looking through the entrance I could see the bird feeding in an area of tussock grass before it flew again, over the metal fence into the Port lorry parking area beyond, and was lost from view. It would seem that this bird has wintered around the Port area, which is not a place that lends itself to birding. The security bods are a bit sensitive to people looking in with binoculars, scopes and cameras - "Terrorist Threat, can't be too careful", you know the sort of thing. Give a bloke a uniform and he turns into some power crazed "Jobs-worth". As a suggestion, it might be possible to scan the Port parking area from the cliff-top by the Churchill/Motor Museum viewpoint - it will be distant, so a scope is a must. I then carried on to the Port entrance and the Western Undercliff. I fancied my chances of a Black Redstart and I have to admit to a desire to relocate Phil's "smithsonianus" Herring Gull - neither of which occurred. The sound of squabbling Fulmars, high up on their nesting ledges, accompanied me as I made my way towards the undercliff. The mussel beds had a nice selection of waders present, Curlew, Redshank, Oystercatcher, Turnstone, Grey and Ringed Plover plus a bonus group of 25 dark-bellied Brent Geese. A Rock Pipit provided some brief amusement as it fed on a large piece of bread, before a Black-headed Gull took over proceedings. Rather enjoyable - it's amazing how one bird can make such a difference! (Dylan)

Thursday 16th February 2006  Pegwell Bay

Phew. I popped down at 2.30pm - the tide was still in but dropping. There were lots of birds on view as the tide dropped - an adult Caspian Gull then about 3.10 a very interesting Gull flew into view and disappeared in amongst the other Gulls. It seemed to be showing all the signs of a 1st winter Smithsonian us which was re-affirmed later on as it flew closer and landed right in front of me. The fully black tail and dark rump as well as the overall colour of the bird looked really good (to me) for a Smithsonian us. At about 3.30 it flew off out to sea then veered round and re-entered the bay near the western undercliff and was lost to view. I cycled home just to check the books then met Tim - sorry SLIM - back there about 4.30.We
stayed until dark but the bird didn’t re-show. There was a record count of roosting Pied Wagtail this evening too - with 301 birds flying south. We must have missed quite a few too as we were looking through the 1000's of Gulls on the mud. Tim seemed determined to break 'my' record and unfortunately he managed it despite me trying to shoo them off when we past the 250 birds mark. The 'old' record was 277.Now I'm only 'joint' record holder. Drat! No doubt Solly will top me with an old count anyway? He normally does! Other 'bits' seen included a 1st winter Mediterranean Gull, 1
Red-breasted Merganser etc. Pete Forrest saw a Blackcap in the sunken garden earlier on. (Phil M)

Thursday 16th February 2006 Stodmarsh NNR, Grove & Pegwell Bay

7:30 -11:30am. 6 - 9ºC. Arriving at the Stodmarsh car park in quite calm, dry conditions, I was hopeful of a good walk around the reserve but the weather soon turned wet & blustery. The first part of the nature trail is still closed & entering the wooded 2nd part, I noted a Treecreeper & a drumming Great Spotted Woodpecker, as well as the almost expected flock of 30 or so Siskin, with a handful of Goldcrest & Long-Tailed Tits amongst them. No Redpoll seen though. A Cetti’s showed briefly. Emerging at the Lampen wall, the rain started in earnest & I hurried along towards the Tower Hide, noting a pair of displaying Great Crested Grebes, & a pair of distant Marsh Harriers doing similar (although in the air, obviously)
A small group of 3 m & at least 2 fem Bullfinches brought a dash of colour to the proceedings but otherwise the walk to the Ramp produced little of note & the groups of Greylag Geese & Mute Swans were in the fields.
The Ramp produced the usual several hundred Lapwings facing into the wind, single Golden Plover & Snipe & a widely spread Teal/Mallard groups. Stopping briefly at the Turf hide (mostly to wait until the rain stopped), a Kingfisher shot past without stopping on 'the stick' sadly. Harrison's had a solitary Lapwing, & 2 Mallards & the Marsh Hide produced even less Mallards! A large flock of perhaps 500 Lapwing flew over Stodmarsh direction as the sun broke through & 2 Marsh Harriers rose in the thermals, seemingly through them without causing apparent concern. A fem Sparrowhawk also made an appearance, pausing briefly overhead before continuing on toward Grove. Stopping at home briefly for a sarnie, I drove over to Pegwell & enjoyed a mostly sunny afternoon from 1-4pm. Occasionally breezy 9ºC with high tide due around 1:30pm. Large numbers of Lapwing, Golden Plover & Curlew, as expected, & a handful of Shelduck amongst the Great Black Backed Gulls, Black Headed Gulls, Herring Gulls, Common Gulls on the sea. Took a stroll around Stonelees & the cattle there certainly give the dogs a run for their money as to which can defecate the most! Very few birds to be seen & only the traffic & a pair of Ring necked Parakeets providing any noise. My bonus came by way of the often-reported Short-Eared Owl, which showed really well, albeit at a distance, by the garage pools. I got good scope views if not good images when it did sit in the open for a couple of minutes & it was fascinating watching it patrol up & down, occasionally pouncing on unseen prey. A great end to my day. (Ben Ring)

Thursday 16th February 2006 Foreness

Superb views in the sunshine today, of a female Merlin hunting along the cliffs towards the building works. She was obviously successful, as she was later on a fence post and on the ground, plucking a victim. She was quite confiding, as I passed within 20 yards. (Steve Coates)

Wednesday 15th February 2006 Pegwell Bay

Pretty average bird wise today (the weather wasn’t too bad either as it goes) but at least I managed to get there and back without my bike falling to bits this time. I made note of a few bits - a 3rd year Yellow-legged Gull, c2000 each of Lapwing and Golden Plover, 2 Ruff, c100 Brent, 130 Wigeon, 2 Pintail, 1 male Hen Harrier, 1 Merlin etc. (Phil M)

Tuesday 14th February 2006 Mary Bax’s & Restharrow Scrape SBBOT

I had to visit the SBBOT this afternoon, so while I was over that way I decided to go along to Mary Bax’s to see if the Wild Geese were still about, looking out over the fields towards Worth I located the White-fronted Geese and Barnacle Geese, heading back towards the SBBOT I stopped off at the Restharrow Scrape the only bird to note was a Hen Harrier (male) crossing over the fields out towards Worth. (Gadget)

Tuesday 14th February 2006 Pegwell Bay

An uneventful session (other than the left pedal falling off my bike about 25 times on my way home!) with all the normal birds, at the normal times in the normal place. The only thing I made note of were - 6500 Lapwing, 3000+ Golden Plover, 210 Grey Plover, 195 Curlew, 72 Brent, 55 Wigeon, 1 Teal, 1 Shoveler, 1 Short-eared Owl, 2 Little Egret and 3 Twite.

Tuesday 14th February 2006 Hope Point, Broadstairs

Bright warm sunshine by lunchtime – fair weather birdwatcher, me. A tightly packed roost of waders at high tide, with 11 Purple Sandpipers, 5 Sanderling, 32 Turnstones, 6 Grey Plovers, 22 Oystercatchers and a Redshank, most with their bill under their wing. Also just one Great Crested Grebe visible offshore. (Steve Coates)

Tuesday 14th February 2006 Ramsgate Cemetery

Valentine's Day - so like a dutiful husband - I made Bev a cuppa (to be drunk in bed!) before heading out for session around Ramsgate Cemetery! Top geezer; eh? Weather is still crap! The chances of seeing any sunlight are akin to the odds of Sunderland avoiding relegation (Sorry!) The local Song Thrushes, Blue & Great Tits, Greenfinches and Dunnocks were all in fine voice, proclaiming their ownership of various tracts of the site. A Green Woodpecker added to the throng, "yaffling" from the railway hedgerow. Overhead, 3 Sparrowhawks (2m & 1f) put on a magnificent territorial display, whilst I noted 2 Redwing and a superb male Firecrest in the southern corner, close to the allotments. I was also aware that there was a small, but steady, passage of Chaffinches moving south.  (Dylan)

Monday 13th February 2006 Pegwell Bay

Grotty, manky, drizzly weather when I left the house but conditions were rather decent when I arrived in the Bay 10 minutes later. The tide was still in so I checked the Turnstone roost - where there were amongst the other bits 181 Brent Geese. From the reserve (ha ha) there were a few Brent arrivals too with 2 then 27 coming in off the sea then another 176 birds. There air was full of their calls - excellent. The first time I’ve seen so many Brents in the Bay (rather than fly by's) in many years.1000's of waders on the mud when the tide went out - 7500 Lapwing, 4000+ Golden Plover, 237
Bar-tailed Godwit etc plus singles of Black-tailed Godwit and Ruff, 2 Short-eared Owl, 2 Peregrine, 1 Sparrowhawk and the 3 resident Twite showed before the sea mist drifted in and I was forced to leave. (Phil M)

Monday 13th February 2006 Dumpton To Ramsgate Harbour

Still no let up in the murky grey, dank conditions, yet I had to go down into Ramsgate so I took a walk along the coastal path to the harbour. It was very noticeable that there is an increase in birdsong around the parks and gardens. Song Thrushes, in particular, are very vocal, but I also noted several Dunnock, Great Tit and Collared Dove - all in full song! A sinister looking female Sparrowhawk flew from the cemetery, towards Broadstairs Cricket Ground, causing panic amongst the local Starlings. Along the shoreline a few Turnstones scratched about, whilst overhead Fulmars were doing their thing - gliding up to nesting ledges, stalling, at the critically moment, then flying round in large circles before attempting the same manoeuvre all over again. They really are great value and give excellent views along the chalk cliffs between King George VI Park and the Granville Cinema. I noted a single Rock Pipit on the sea wall by Marine Terrace whilst the harbour produced little more than a mixed flock of Black-headed, Herring and 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 3 Cormorants and another Rock Pipit. 2 male Pied Wagtails were demonstrating amorous attention towards a rather uninterested female on the pavement outside the Ramada Jarvis Hotel - but this really was another grey day and if I hadn't needed to go shopping I probably would have stayed in bed! (Dylan)

Sunday 12th February 2006 Minster SF  & Preston Marshes

An absolutely abysmal morning, steady drizzle borne on a strengthening SW wind. I parked by the church and walked the track to the Water Treatment Works and the river beyond. I can't claim to have enjoyed the experience, as the rain soaked through my aging "Barbour" and generally made using optics a constant battle with rain-spattered lenses. There were good numbers of Lapwing and Black-headed Gulls around the area with a nice, tight, bunch of 23 Golden Plovers dropping in to join them as I neared the pumping station. A Kingfisher added a welcome splash of colour as it flew along a narrow ditch and I found 2 Little grebes and 31 Teal on the main River Stour. A mixed flock of Blue & Long-tailed Tits had a lone Goldcrest in tow and fed in the shelter of some ivy covered Ash trees. It was so obvious that I was wasting my time; I went back to the car and had a drive around the lanes on the lookout for swans and geese. Several flocks of swans were seen, but alas, I was unable to get near enough to give them any form of grilling. Passing the Salvatori yard, I found 2 Green Sandpipers feeding in the shallow water of the dyke besides the road and arriving at the "Blue Bridge" a large flock of geese were feeding on the winter wheat between the bridge and the boat yard, at Grove. I counted 107 White-fronted Geese, 142 Greylags and 2 Canada x Greylag (?) hybrids - all without leaving the car. Back home by 10.45hrs - so more "Brownie Points" in the bag! (Dylan)

Saturday 11th February 2006 Minnis Bay

I popped out a couple of times today as there were a few things going on. The best birds were a flock of 18 Bewick’s Swans that came in from the southeast calling and then kept going west. I reckon they must have gone straight over Phil’s head at Pegwell but the silly git didn’t see them. A flock of 53 White-fronted Geese came in off the sea from the NE and also kept going west. Other bits include the Black Brant, 760 Brent Geese, 178 Teal, 3 Shoveler, 5 Shelduck, 4 Eider, 2 Common Scoter, 65 Red-throated Divers, 15 Great Crested Grebes, 6 Wigeon, 79 Mallard, 14 Gadwall, 3 Marsh Harriers, 3 Stonechats, 15 Corn Buntings and 13 Snow Buntings. Phil very kindly texted me to say lots of geese were heading NW over Pegwell towards Minnis only to send another text about 1.3 seconds later saying they’d all turned round and gone back to Sandwich. But the thought was there. (Tim Hodge)

Saturday 11th February 2006 Pegwell Bay

Another fantastic day for Geese today with spectacular views of the Sandwich Geese (130 White-fronted and the 8 Barnacles) which flew low right across into Pegwell around over the car park then off inland and out of
sight at 11.35am.About 10 minutes later they re-appeared to the s/west over Richborough flying s/east back into Sandwich. I also saw other groups of White-fronts (C50 and 37 flyovers plus 27 that sat on the sea and the mudflat from 11.40 and were still present when I left at 13.00.I settled on a total of 240 birds - very nice, especially to see those Barnacles at such close range. Other bits included: 1 Mute Swan, c30 Brent, 236 Bar-tailed Godwit, 6500 Lapwing, c3000 Golden Plover, 217 Grey Plover, 17 Ringed Plover, 1 Peregrine, 1 Little Egret and an adult Yellow-legged Gull. (Phil M)

Saturday 11th February 2006 Chamber's Wall

A frosty start to an almost windless day. Parking in the fishermen's carpark at Chamber's Wall, the margins of the Wantsum had a covering of ice forcing the Moorhens to feed on the open fields. A cock Chaffinch was in fine voice and was the first I've heard this year. By walking along the track to the railway crossing I was able to scope a smart Red-legged Partridge, as it scratched about in the leaf litter below a stunted hawthorn. Making my way to Coldharbour Lagoon allowed me to note Skylark and 2 Little Grebes. A distant flock of "grey" geese dropped onto a field down by the riding stables. They turned out to be 54 White-fronted Geese, feeding with 200+ Brents, but they were all flushed by a guy & his dog checking the flight pond. The Brents went out to sea, the White-fronts did a couple of circuits of the fields before setting off west and I lost them as they flew over the brow of the hill beyond Reculver Towers. Out on the glassy sea I counted 130 Teal, 95 Mallard and 5 Great Crested Grebe, whilst a scan back inland allowed me brief views of a Common Buzzard. Approaching the stables I was happy to find a female Stonechat when I became aware of the evocative calls of wild swans (10.03hrs). A fantastic group of 15 Bewick's Swans flew over, heading southwest towards Stodmarsh, calling frequently - a superb wild chorus that always reminds me of my winter days fishing the drains in Fenland. Two Corn Buntings were feeding in the paddocks amidst the horses and, beyond the flock of 74 Mute Swans at Shuart, there was a female Marsh harrier gliding over the farmland. Along the railway embankment I was happy to note good numbers of Greenfinch, Linnet, House Sparrow and Reed Buntings. With my circuit almost complete, I picked out a distant r-t Hen Harrier hunting the ditches over by the Oyster Farm. A fabulous way to spent two and a half hours! (Dylan)

Friday 10th February 2006 Ramsgate Harbour & Stonar Lake

This afternoon I thought I'd take up Dylan's challenge and look for some 'carbos'. Alas, neither the inner nor outer harbour contained a scope able Cormorant. There were at least 8 out on the rocks outside the harbour, but at that distance the angle of their gular pouch was destined to remain a mystery. Still, by way of compensation, I'd 'banked' on seeing the Kingfisher, and there it was perched on the 'current Account'! I also amused myself, between scans for carbo/sinensis, by taking some 'arty' photo shots of Black-headed Gulls. Leaving the delights of the harbour, which had been somewhat, disturbed by the Fire Brigade practicing sqirting their hoses from their elevated platform lorry (which possibly explained the lack of Cormorants) I made my way along to Stonar. Parking at the back of the lake, I walked a few yards along the track alongside the river. Pretty quiet here too with Teal, Wigeon, Shelduck, Little Grebes, Redshank and an assortment of gulls. The trip was made worthwhile by the appearance of a duck Goldeneye that posed on a mound of mud by the riverbank for a few photos. (Phil Beraet)

Friday 10th February 2006 Pegwell Bay

I watched part of the dropping tide - not too much going on but at least the sun was shining. The Skylarks were singing for the first time this year and to looked like the sort of weather conditions that might entice an early Buzzard across the channel? It wont be long now no doubt. I only did a few counts - there were: 2 Little Grebe, 1 Greylag n/east out to sea, 42 Brent, 54 Shelduck, 4 Shoveler, 1 Peregrine, 440 Oystercatcher, 213 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1700 Lapwing, 1800 Golden Plover, 23 Ringed Plover, 2 Yellow-legged Gull, 530 Great Black Backed Gull, 61 Lesser Black Backed Gull, 2 Stonechat and the 3 Twite showed for the first time in about a week. (Phil M)

Thursday 9th February 2006 Ramsgate Harbour

I spent an hour on the east pier this morning from 07.15 watching the sea and left due to increasing levels of boredom, cold and old age. Birds were still moving when I left - I saw: 130 Divers, 44 Auks, 1 Kittiwake, 12 Great Crested Grebe and 2 Gannets with most of the birds moving southwards. (Phil M)

Wednesday 8th February 2006 River Stour and Chartham Pits

Went for a walk this morning from Canterbury along the Stour to Chartham, taking in the gravel pits en route, and back, starting at 6.45 and back by 11.30. Nothing really out of the ordinary, apart from a single male and female Smew on the second to last pit. Birds like Kingfishers, Chiffchaffs and Stonechat etc en route were all nice, with my first Treecreeper of the year. 60 species for the morning and quite balmy by the end, a pleasant walk. (Dan Chaney)

Wednesday 8th February 2006 Pegwell Bay

A good afternoon for Geese - though once again the big flocks went unidentified. A flock of 80 Brent flew south over the sea then 2 big flocks of Grey Geese showed over Sandwich (at 1-2 mile range) one of the flocks made an attempt to fly out to sea about 4.00pm. Each flock consisted of 70-80 birds. Then I had brilliant views of 3 Bean Geese, which flew north right over the salt marsh - closely followed by 5 Greylag. Loads of birds this evening though nothing else too exciting - a single Ruff, 9500 Lapwing, 3500 Golden Plover showed before dark plus a Grey Wagtail flew over and there were 2 Short-eared Owls showing across the river. (Phil M)

Wednesday 8th February 2006 Minnis Bay

An hour’s seawatch at Minnis Bay was predictably quiet, with 180 Red-throated Divers E, 3 Common Scoter E, 3 auks E and 4 Eider offshore. A Purple Sandpiper was roosting with the other waders at Westgate, whilst a stroll down West Brook Valley included 6 Chiffchaffs (with one in song), a Common Buzzard, 3 Sparrowhawks, 4 Gadwall and a Teal. The rookery there had lots of nests in it but no Rooks. I don’t know whether it’s been deserted or just not reoccupied yet? (Tim Hodge)

Tuesday 7th February 2006 Canterbury

Went for a short walk up the Stour this evening to look for Water Rail and anything else about. Started at Toddler's Cove at 5pm, some Little Grebe just upstream turned into a compact group of 11 individuals. Most I've seen together.  Joining together for a communal roost? A hundred yards further up and sure enough, a Water Rail swam across to the opposite bank and carried on doing it's stuff in the fading light. Otherwise just plenty of Moorhen and Mallard. (Dan Chaney)

  Tuesday 7th February 2006 Pegwell Bay

I went down at 3.00pm and stayed until about 5.15 - in the hope of seeing the Barn Owl - which unfortunately didn’t show. Quite a lot of Plovers today with 8400 Lapwing and 4370 Golden Plovers. Other bits included -
1700 Common Gull, 46 Brent, 14 Teal, 130 Wigeon, 3 Hen Harrier, a male Hen Harrier, 1 Merlin, 3 Little Egret, 380 Curlew and 12 Ruff. A large flock of Grey Geese (presumably White-fronts) jump up a couple of miles away over towards Sandwich in the late afternoon but only 18 birds came towards Pegwell and they were all White-fronted Geese (flocks of 13 and 5) as I would guess were a group of 30-40 which flew s/west at distance. A separate group of 10 Geese re-landed - I'm not sure what they were? All this took place between 3.50 and 4.07pm.The Wagtail roost turned up 277 birds
(all Pied), which flew s/west in the late evening. Francis saw 120 Brent there earlier on in the day. (Phil M)

Tuesday 7th February 2006 Ramsgate Harbour

Back down to the harbour, this afternoon, for another check through the Gulls and Cormorants plus the opportunity for a prolonged study of the male Kingfisher, seemingly obsessed (or totally confused?) by its' reflection in the tinted windows of the boat "Current Account" The light was awful, but I did manage to get a few digital images - at 1/4 second exposure, for all those techno-buffs! A pleasant surprise was the presence of a Great Crested Grebe in the outer harbour with a 2nd (female) Kingfisher also noted, perched on the lowest rung of a wall ladder, near the Lifeboat Station. An adult Kittiwake was the pick of the Gulls and Cormorants numbered just 2 - no surprise that they were both "sinensis" individuals! (Dylan)

Tuesday 7th February 2006 North Foreland

A brief look out from the cliffs showed 7 Great Crested Grebes just offshore, a Brent Goose N and a couple of divers S (ha! I can see them now, thanks to Dylan!) Fulmars were cruising along the cliff-tops, and there was a lost-looking ruff on the beach. (Steve Coates)

Monday 6th February 2006 Ramsgate Harbour

A funny sort of a session, this afternoon. I have been in correspondence with Ross Ahmed - a Durham birder - about the observable differences of the two races/sub-species of Cormorant - the nominate race Phalacrocorax carbo (a coastal/marine specialist) and the southern intruder P.c. sinensis (a race with freshwater habitat breeding requirements) So after my shift, I was away on my bike down to the harbour - minus my scope & camera, which Bev had taken to work in the boot of the car! - hoping to grill a few Cormorants. Rather than bore everyone with my thoughts on the news page - please click this link to read more about the Cormorant situation in East Kent. Link  

Back to the birding - sadly nothing much to see, although the tide was on the rise. A Sanderling was in the company of 17 Turnstone, that were pecking about the pontoons, and a nice mixed group of Herring & Black-headed Gulls contained the c-r Herring Gull (white A3GX) as they loafed on the slip-way. I had a slow walk across the site to scan the ferry turning circle. On the outer wall of the harbour, I counted 109 Greater Black-backed Gulls and 7 Cormorants. By the laundry block, 3 Rock Pipits were on the roof of the metal fabrication works and I watched some fascinating behaviour by a male Kingfisher. Obviously attracted by its' own reflection in the tinted glass windows of the boat "Current Account", the bird sat posturing at the reflected image, calling frequently. By the amount of droppings on the boat - this behaviour must have been going on for some time? (Dylan)

Monday 6th February 2006 Pegwell Bay

I popped down at 3.00pm and stayed until dark to check the passerine roost. The highlights were spectacular views of Short-eared Owl which was sitting on a bit of wood in the salt marsh 30 metres off the cycle path behind the garage as I arrived and a fantastic male Merlin fluttering around causing mayhem in amongst the thousands of large Plovers sitting out on the mud. The wader/wildfowl counts turned up amongst other things: 44 Brent, 34 Shelduck, 137 Wigeon, 6 Gadwall, 5200 Lapwing, 3300 Golden Plover and 46 Sanderling. Other 'bits' included 2 Merlins, 1 Peregrine and a single Little Egret. Pete Forrest saw a flock of 14 Siskins earlier on in the day plus Franny saw a Barn Owl hunting over the big field and Stone Lees plus a Long-eared Owl along the cycle path at Dusk. The Barn Owl is the first site record in 2-3 years. The pre-roost was quite good too as 208-Pied Wagtail, 2+ Grey Wagtail, 16 Meadow Pipit and 6 Corn Buntings went s/west. The Pied Wagtail count is the highest I've ever seen. (Phil M)

Monday 6th February 2006 Minnis Bay & Shuart

I did a walk from Minnis Bay to Shuart and back this morning. It still felt pretty cold, but going out without a coat may have contributed to this. A very smart drake Goldeneye flew west close inshore at Minnis Bay, and there were a few signs of spring, with 32 Lesser Black-backed Gulls W, 3 argentatus Herring Gulls moving west amongst several hundred argenteus Herring Gulls, 360 Lapwings NW plus a lone Linnet moving west. Of course, it might have been a local bird, but it’s nice to think not. Great and Blue Tits were very active around Shuart, and 21 Snow Buntings were along the sea wall at Minnis Bay . Two Marsh Harriers, a Sparrowhawk, 7 Teal, 1 Stonechat and 75 Mute Swans were also seen. (Tim Hodge)

Monday 6th February 2006 Late News Worth Marshes

Sunday 5th February 2006 Worth Marshes

I received e-mail this evening telling me of 121 White-fronted Geese with 11 Barnacle Geese on Worth Marshes. (G Crick)

Sunday 5th February 2006 Ramsgate Cemetery

A couple of 'whizzes' round the cemetery today turned up the following of note: 1 drumming Great-spotted Woodpecker, 4 Stock Doves, at least 4 Goldcrests with a Firecrest heard from dense scrub, 200+ Carrion Crows at roost, a couple of Sparrowhawks and a rather splendid Woodcock flushed from leaf litter in one of the thickets. (Phil Beraet)

Sunday 5th February 2006 Grove Ferry, Stodmarsh NNR & Seaton 

Did the Stodmarsh/ Grove Ferry circuit today, partly to look for some reedbed specialities for the year, partly to consider getting some new optics.  Ended up being extremely decisive and spent way too much on a pair of Nikon 10*42's (Which henceforth will be kept very clean and extremely well cared for!!)  Nothing much extra to report than already mentioned (Apart from large flock of Siskin/ Goldfinch/ Redpoll at the Stodmarsh end), however I bumped into a bloke who mentioned he'd just come from Seaton Gravel pit where some Smew were showing nicely, so about 3.30pm I popped around the corner to look for them.  A couple of Little Grebe were the first birds on show, but a bright white beacon on the water further out quickly resolved into a male Smew.  There were a total 3 drake and 8 Redhead, with good numbers of other duck such as 90+ Shoveler, 5 Goldeneye (2 drake), 50 or more Pochard and single female Ruddy Duck.  Other birds around included Kingfisher, Little Egrets, 200+ Fieldfare, Stonechat and Chiffchaff. (Dan Chaney)

Sunday 5th February 2006 Pegwell Bay

I popped down just after 2.00pm - the weather was bleak overhead but visibility was not too bad when I got into position at Pegwell. Lots of common stuff on view as you might expect but nothing of any note. No
good Gulls today even though there were plenty on show but I did see a Short-eared Owl, 1 Peregrine etc plus there were 3400 Lapwing, 1300 Golden Plover and c200 Bar-tailed Godwits on view. The first Little Egret I've seen all year actually in the Bay showed plus when I left just after 4.00pm - I stopped off near the garage pools to have a better look at the Short-eared Owl that was showing just the other side of the pool when
a flock of 16 White-fronted Geese flew over and disappeared in the gloom over towards Ramsgate. (Phil M)

Sunday 5th February 2006 Grove Ferry

I enjoyed a very murky session at Grove this morning. Hands up! - I was only at the reserve because of the wild geese, reported on the internet. So I had a pleasant stroll along the entrance track, noting 5 singing Song Thrushes in, and around, the paddocks. I by-passed the ramp, instead heading straight to the Green (Turf Fields) Hide. A scan across the pool & reedbeds revealed a few Teal, Coot, Mallard & 2 Grey Heron. A superb adult male Marsh Harrier had a fly past causing 3 Tufted Ducks to flush from a hidden pool, have a fly around the "Baillon's Pool" and relocate to the pool in front of the hide - immediately to fall asleep! I headed on, towards the fields by the Marsh Hide, bumping into Brendan - just in time to watch the whole flock (120 birds) flush from their feeding area and circle around the reserve, before dropping in by the Ox-bow. This was catalyst to a change of plan; fortuitously allowing us to locate 5 Water Pipits perched in a small hawthorn, en route. The White-fronted Geese provided an excellent spectacle, as they fed on grass around the Ox-bow, with a few Greylag and Wigeon associating with the flock. My walk back to the car allowed some cracking views of a pair of Stonechat, plus hearing Cetti's Warbler and Bearded Tit calling from deep within the reedbeds. The low cloud was so thick, that I needed headlights for my drive back home, yet it was great to be outdoors! (Dylan)

Sunday 5th February 2006 Ash Levels

Out on our usual Sunday ritual walk from Ash to Goldstone Drove & back, from 8:30-11:30am. Damp, gloomy & light breeze. 4ºC. Very little of note. Fieldfare numbers down on last week but still several hundred in the orchards. Bird song more to the fore, particularly Chaffinch & Great Tit.
A female Bullfinch was spotted briefly along the Drove, & also a small party of 5 Siskin. Two Grey Partridge were flushed near Sand hills & a Kingfisher was again seen at Cooper St, this time with a fish in its beak. A Common Snipe took off as we returned towards home by the footpath running alongside the Ash by-pass. (Ben Ring)

Sunday 5th February 2006 Late News A258 Sandwich bypass

A Barn Owl flew over the A258 Sandwich bypass near Southeast Water Gardens at 9.20 this evening of 4th February 2006. (Martyn W)

Saturday 4th February 2006 Pegwell Bay

I did a quick 1.30-3.30 pm session on the incoming tide. No definite Caspian Gulls today - though a likely candidate was flushed by two kids walking around on the mud just after I arrived. Quite a few large Gulls showed at relatively close range - I found 2+ adult and a 3rd winter Yellow-legged Gull plus an adult 'Omissus' yellow-legged Herring Gull in amongst the groups. When I left - a male Hen Harrier flushed 30+ Rock Pipits out of the salt marsh behind Stonelees plus on my wander around the Country Park on my way back home I came across a single Siskin and 6 Tree Sparrows. The wildfowl/wader counts turned up: 33 Brent, 120 Wigeon, 2 Pintail, 3 Shoveler, 1 Teal, 2 Gadwall, 380 Oystercatcher, 30+ Snipe, 63 Sanderling, 1060 Dunlin, 230 Grey Plover, c30 Golden Plover, 2000+ Lapwing, 240 Curlew, 150+ Bar-t Godwit etc plus there was a Little Grebe in the garage pools and 2 Stonechat down near the garage. (Phil M)

Saturday 4th February 2006 Minnis Bay

There were 172 White-fronted Geese at Minnis Bay this morning, 52 present in the Mute Swan flock near the Riding Stables, plus a flock of 120 which came in from the west and then headed back SW over St. Nicholas, presumably the same flock which was seen at Grove Ferry early this morning. (Tim Hodge)

Friday 3rd February 2006 Chamber's Wall->Oyster Farm

I enjoyed an afternoon walk with Derek Smith from Chamber’s Wall to the Oyster Farm and back. We saw a few bits, including 4 White-fronted Geese, which flew east over Coldharbour and landed on fields towards Minnis Bay , plus 21 Snow Buntings on the beach. Most of the walk was taken up with speculation as to what might turn up on the Oyster Farm this spring. One thing’s for sure, it ain’t going to be as good as the speculation was. (Tim Hodge)

Friday 3rd February 2006 Pegwell Bay

I spent 12.30 until 3.00pm watching the incoming tide I even had a few people for company, which made a change. Amongst the gathering throng Gap-toothed Yokel Pete 'ooh-arr' Laslett even showed up. A few bits and
pieces included good views of Short-eared Owl - perched and hunting over the close salt marsh right in front of us, the 3 normal Twite (plus 13-14 others at distance) a Woodcock, a Merlin, 2 Peregrine and single adult Yellow-legged and Caspian Gull. The Caspian Gull showed really well from 1.10pm and stayed offshore until at least 2.30.There was also a Red-throated Diver swimming about in the Bay just beyond the salt marsh at high tide. The wader/wildfowl counts were uneventful other than there were 410 Knot and the ever- increasing Bar-tailed Godwit flock was up to 231 today. (Phil M)

Thursday 2nd February 2006 Pegwell Bay and Ebbsfleet

I popped down for the incoming tide. It was extremely gloomy and there wasn’t much going on for about an hour - though yesterdays Little Stint was out on the mud near the old tree stump and there were 4 Black-tailed Godwit which is the most I've seen here in a while. To relieve the boredom I made a spur of the moment decision to cycle over to Ebbsfleet to see if there were any Geese there. Naff all there - so I popped back in at the Bay as by then the tide had pushed all the Gulls in to within checkable range. In amongst the 800+ larger Gulls was a single 1st winter Caspian Gull but little else. Before I left I also noticed a group of 15 or 16 Twite, a Spotted Redshank plus the Bar-tailed Godwit group numbered 207 birds today which although a low number for a normal winter is the most I've seen in this winter. Very few Plovers today - there were only 6 Golden Plover and 9 Lapwing out on the mud though there were 4-500 Lapwings on the north fields and around the farm. (Phil M)

Thursday 2nd February 2006 Minster Thanet

A drab, grey morning saw us taking a drive over to Minster, for the delights of a walk from the railway crossing to the sewage treatment plant. Everything seemed incredibly quiet, very little bird noise other than the screeching of Ring-necked Parakeets. A scan across the farmland resulted in distant views of a ringtail Hen Harrier and several small groups of Lapwing and Golden Plover. A pair of Bullfinches allowed a brief view before flying off along the hedgerow. Large numbers of Moorhens were feeding along the edge of the main dyke and when we arrived at the sewage works we got reasonable views of a Little Grebe and a Cetti's Warbler in the ditch besides the footpath. Around the rough ground, by the fishermen's carpark, we saw another 2 Bullfinches, 1 Goldfinch, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Meadow Pipits, 1 Yellowhammer - female, 4 Goldcrest and a nice flock of Fieldfares feeding on the water meadows across the river on the Ash Levels. A slow walk back allowed us to add Chiffchaff and 2 Redshank to the day-list. Rooks back at their nest site in the village completed our birding and we drove back to Dumpton. No great shakes, but we did manage to add 3 more species to the Thanet year-list! (Gadget & Dylan)

Wednesday 1st February 2006 King George IV Park

Wednesday 1st February 2006 Pegwell Bay

There was a Little Stint in the river at high water - a very rare winter bird locally and the first I've seen during winter in many years though I believe
there was a bird seen at Pegwell a few winters ago? There were 2 Caspian Gulls amongst the large Gulls across on Shellness - an adult and a sub-adult. The adult was still present when I left at about 4.00pm.Other bits included - the 3 Twite, 1 Peregrine, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Little Grebe etc. (Phil M)

Wednesday 1st February 2006 Brooksend Reculver & Grenham Bay

A look at various sites in the area this morning didn’t suggest a huge amount was going on, but a few bits included a Cetti’s Warbler at Brooksend, a ringtail Hen Harrier, 94 Linnets and 3 Pintail at Reculver and 176 Great Crested Grebes off Grenham Bay. (Tim Hodge)  

Goldfinch

27th February 2006

Shoveler

27th February 2006

Kittiwake

19th February 2006

 Shore Lark

17th February 2006

Short-Eared Owl

16th February 2006

Goldeneye

10th February 2006

Great Crested Grebe

7th February 2006

Kingfisher

7th February 2006

Sparrowhawk

5th February 2006

Stonechat

5th February 2006

Tufted Duck

5th February 2006

White-fronted Geese

4th February 2006

Mediterranean Gull 

30th January 2006