Friday 29th February 2008 Reculver & Wickhambreaux

The female Scaup was still present this morning at the Oar Farm Reservoir, near Reculver, & I also located a Mediterranean Gull in a ploughed field, en route there. I drove over to check the geese flock by Supperton Farm, near Wickhambreaux, again & was rewarded with approx 10 White Fronted & 3 Bar Headed Geese amongst the 50 or so Greylags. (Ben Ring)

Friday 29th February 2008 Foreness

29/2.  A Woodlark flew west along the cliff-top at Foreness this morning and there were about 100 Linnets and 25 Meadow Pipits (mostly new arrivals) between Foreness and North Foreland. Otherwise very much the usual junk - 2 Eider, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, a scattering of Stonechats etc. (F Solly)

Wednesday 27th February 2008 Grove Ferry & Stodmarsh NNR

A lovely sunny morning & a few degrees warmer of late, with a light wind.8:30am -12:15pm. I started at the Grove end & walked clockwise around the circuit. My first stop at the Ramp produced 12 Ruff, 2 Redshank & a Spotted Redshank. As I made my way to the Turf Hide I at last spotted my first Bearded Tit of the year as it pinged its way past! Several Greylag Geese to be seen at the hide, as well as the expected duck species. A single Common Snipe skulked at the back of the now much expanded pool. The many scrapes that have now been excavated around the reserve look very promising for 'occupation' over the coming months & it is very commendable to Natural England (& Volunteers!) as to how much work has been done. A Grey Heron was accompanied by another & 2 Little Egret at the Marsh Hide. Making my way to Stodmarsh I stayed awhile in the alder wood listening to the many Robin & Great Tit songs - Great Tits seemed to be trying to establish territories all around the reserve! I noted singles of Siskin, Common Redpoll & Goldcrest but I'm sure there were others. The main lake provided resting areas for a good many gulls but my scan only realised the Black-headed variety. I counted up to 6 Marsh Harriers in the sky at one time from the Lampen Wall, indulging in displays with varying degrees of enthusiasm. My return along the river was largely uneventful, save for some 30 or so Greylags Geese grazing near the Ox-bow (Wigeon, 30 & Teal 20, there) & 2 male & 1 fem Bullfinch adding a dash of colour. Detouring slightly on my way home, I scanned a flock of Geese grazing in a field opposite Supperton Farm, near Wickhambreaux, but again they proved to be all Greylag, save for 3 Bar Headed Geese. (Ben Ring)

Wednesday 27th February 2008 Chamber's Wall & Reculver Marshes

A very enjoyable stroll around the Reculver Marshes started at Chamber's Wall where I failed to find any of the Bramblings that had been present on my previous visit. Seeing a large number (500+) of Brent Geese land by the Wantsum outflow, beyond the seawall, I made my way across to the coast. Using my scope, I made sure that I had recorded the Pale-bellied Brent Goose from the Thanet side of the Wantsum before walking along the coast to get some nice pics in the bright morning sunlight. There were at least 30 Stonechats around the area, which ties in nicely with a reported influx at Portland and a bird on the fence of Ellington Girl's School as I made my way to work yesterday. The female Scaup was still present on the farm reservoir along with 1 Great Crested & 3 Little Grebe, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Shoveler, Gadwall, Mallard and Teal. I walked back, via the Oyster Farm where I found a winter plumage Spotted Redshank and watched a pair of Marsh Harriers hunting over the adjacent fields. Linnet, Meadow Pipit, Reed Bunting and Goldfinch were noted along with several singing Skylarks which gave the morning a very spring-like ambience. (Dylan)

Monday 25th February 2008 Southfleet and Oare Marshes KWT Res

We set off in brilliant sunshine, headed for a "plastic" duck! For the non-birding readers of this page, "plastic" is birder's slang for a bird that is an escape or of unknown, yet almost certainly captive, origin. A Falcated Duck had been resident on small pond in Southfleet for several weeks. Pictures, posted on other websites, revealed the bird to be a stunning adult drake - we decided to go to see it for ourselves. We found Broad Ditch duck pond without any fuss and the Falcated Duck was easily located on this muddy puddle. Fully winged and un-ringed, basically "you pays your money and takes your choice!" Whatever the origins, it performed superbly in the dappled light of the tree-lined venue and we enjoyed our visit, the cameras getting a good work out. Pictures secured, we headed back down the A2/M2 towards Thanet, taking a detour to have a look around the excellent KWT reserve at Oare Marshes. The East Flood held the usual mix of Shoveler, Gadwall, Mallard, Pintail, Teal and Tufted Duck. The islands hosted good numbers of resting Lapwing, Black-headed and Common Gulls with Redshank and Black-tailed Godwits arriving as the rising tide covered the mud on the Swale. A pair of Skylarks showed really well from a gateway along the main track, before we continued around the reserve. Views from the Seawall Hide allowed us to note 2 drake Red-breasted Mergansers and 70+ Avocet around the mouth of Faversham Creek. A Rock Pipit was on the metal sluice and 2 Stonechats were feeding in the ditch beside the track to the East Flood Hide. 2 Marsh Harriers were displaying high above the West Scrape and a Peregrine was spotted circling about Mocket's Hill over on Sheppey. (Gadget & Dylan)

Sunday 24th February 2008 Margate Cemetery

on a trip to Margate Cemetery this afternoon i saw big flocks of Goldfinches and Greenfinches the odd Chaffinch heard and small flock of  Linnets in tree tops Green Woodpecker and Great Spotted Woodpecker flying over highlight was watching pair of Great Tits eating nuts of floor amongst Squirrels feeding including white squirrel. (S Moulder)

Sunday 24th February 2008 north-east Thanet Coast

23/2. An attempted shorebird count of the north-east Thanet coast - kids on the beach below North Foreland and then just before getting to Kingsgate Bay, the Sea King arrived, hovered about, disturbed everything and then conveniently moved along to Botany Bay just ahead of me and then finished the job by flying along the Foreness beach! Once things had settled down, I again did Foreness-North Foreland and had the following rather unimpressive totals; 233 Turnstone, 223 Sanderling, 57 Purple Sandpiper, 48 Redshank, 56 Curlew and 253 Oystercatcher, 2 Knot, only 1 Grey Plover and 14 Ringed Plover - the latter two being particularly intolerant of disturbance. (F Solly)

Sunday 24th February 2008 Foreness

Just a couple of hours to spare, so I headed over to the coast at Foreness. Not much about in reality. The gulls were a mix of Black-headed, Common and Herring Gull with a fair number of Fulmar patrolling the cliffs and sitting on the sea. Waders noted feeding out on the mussel beds were Oystercatcher, Curlew, Ringed Plover, Turnstone, Grey Plover, 6 Purple Sandpiper and 5 Knot. On the clifftop there were a few Skylarks moving along the coast with another 12 feeding in the vegetation next to the pumping station. Meadow Pipit and Linnet were in fine voice and a handful of Pied Wagtail were scattered about the "pitch & putt" (Dylan)

Saturday 23rd February 2008 Reculver

An afternoon trip over to Chamber’s Wall, under murky grey skies with a brisk SW wind. Parking in the fishermen’s carpark we crossed the railway and made our way to the Black Poplars where a nice mixed flock of Chaffinch and Brambling are in residence. Although rather flighty, we did manage good views of the birds as they moved between the trees and an adjacent area of set-a-side. A female Kestrel perched in a low bush, 3 Marsh Harrier (1 ad male & 2 female) and a ring-tailed Hen Harrier provided the raptor highlights. 2 Stonechat perched prominently in a reeded ditch and a prolonged scan through the massed Dark-bellied Brent Geese revealed the presence of a Pale-bellied Brent Goose that Chris Hindle had reported on Friday. (Gadget & Dylan)

Saturday 23rd February 2008 Restharrow Scrape

I was in the hide, overlooking the scrape, before 07.40hrs. The adult Whooper was present in the company of 11 Mute Swans. Mallard, Teal, Tufted Duck and Shoveler shared the pool with Coot, Moorhen and 3 pairs of Greylag Geese. Francis joined me in the hide and we spent a while enjoying the Whooper Swan and discussing how scarce they are in the county considering the numbers that winter in Norfolk. Francis disappeared to search for the goose flock whilst I remained as the fog descended. A Canada Goose swam into view; assumedly it had been resting out of sight behind one of the islands. I was struck by just how small the bird was - about 15% smaller than the accompanying Greylags - the short neck gave the bird a very stocky appearance. I managed a few record pics before the bird swam into the closest right hand corner and walked into the thick grass. It was only when I had chance to study my pics at home that I realised that this bird showed many features of the race Branta canadensis parvipes or Lesser Canada Goose as it is known in the U.S.  I had checked this bird for features of Richardson's Canada Goose, but dismissed it due to the structure of the bill and I knew it wasn't Cackling Goose so just ran out of ideas and interest! (Dylan)

Friday 22nd February 2008 Dumpton to Broadstairs

A walk along the seawall, dodging the various dog-walkers, joggers and kids on half-term holidays. Oh the joys of Thanet birding! The tide was just beginning to drop as I reached Dumpton Gap. A Rock Pipit, feeding on the concrete apron, proved to be a "littoralis" (Scandinavian) individual. The strong supercillium and grey/blue nape providing the clinching evidence. Not a common visitor to the Thanet coast. I found 12 Purple Sandpipers along my route. 10 were together in a loose flock with Turnstones feeding along the steps of the sea defences between Dumpton Gap and Broadstairs, the other two were with another group of Turnstones just beyond the carpark by the Tartar Frigate in Viking Bay. A Great Crested Grebe, 2 Oystercatcher, 3 Pied Wagtail and an assortment of gulls provided the only other sightings. (Dylan)

Thursday 21st February 2008 Dungeness RSPB

Long overdue visit to Dungeness today from 8:30am - 3:30pm.Plenty of birds to watch, particularly gulls, in the largely overcast, murky conditions - a strong wind combined with the birds reluctance to come close to the hides didn't help with the photos (that's my excuse anyway!) but still managed a few record shots. Highlights for me were Goosander (male & female), Merlin (female - ringed), Smew (both drake & Redheads) 2 Bewick's Swans, smart drake Goldeneye & a Slavonian Grebe. A Red Throated Diver swam right past me & I don't know who was more surprised! Suffice to say that by the time I'd clamped the camera on the scope it had long gone! How much are DSLR's?! I also saw several of the much maligned Ruddy Ducks - is a RSPB reserve the best place to seek sanctuary?! (Ben Ring)

Tuesday 19th February 2008 Fowlmead

I spent 2 hr walking around the edge of Fowlmead looking out over Worth Marshes, not much about on a sunny but chilly afternoon.2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Lapwing, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Wood Pigeon, lose flocks of Starling, 1 female Reed Bunting, 6 Chaffinch, 10 Goldfinch, 1Kestrel, 2 Black Birds, 1 Wren, I stood watching 5 Great Tits feeding on pine cone seed along with the Chaffinch, there was also 5 Mallard on a small scrape with 1white Duck with orange bill and a small   black Duck with a white breast. Maybe it could be domestic! (Mike D)

Tuesday 19th February 2008 Sandwich Bay

We walked the footpath from Sandwich Bay Obs, across the fields, to Dickson's Corner. Lapwing, Starling and Golden Plover being disturbed as we made our way through the sheep, a scan of the adjacent fields revealed the Whooper Swan to be present amidst the closest group of Mute Swans. The light wasn't good but, using the digi-scoping gear, a reasonable series of images were obtained. Reed Bunting, Stonechat, Common Snipe and a rather irate cock Pheasant were recorded before we reached the Ancient Highway. 2 Lapland Bunting and a Skylark were on the seeded track and a flock of distant geese proved to be nothing more than Greylags. A quick stop at Restharrow Scrape revealed 1 Redshank, 7 Teal, 4 Shoveler, 8 Pied Wagtail, Coot, Moorhen, 2 Shelduck and more Pheasants. A small flock of Lapwing attempted to land on one of the islands but were spooked, along with the Pied Wagtails, and a scan of the surrounding fences found the culprit. A Merlin was picked out in the gloom, surveying the scrape from a distant fencepost. (Gadget & Dylan)

Tuesday 19th February 2008 Garden Ash

The increasingly severe overnight frost has boosted my Brambling flock; both yesterday and today at least 12-14 birds were present and there may have been more. Chaffinch numbers had also gone up; at one time I counted nearly 40 birds perched in the treetops. Checking my notebooks I found that the first Brambling appeared on 20 December and for the first week only appeared sporadically. From Christmas Day onwards numbers built up to the usual 5-6, but since 16 February every day seems to bring a few others. Not that I am complaining you understand, but I still cannot quite get over seeing more Bramblings on the bird table together than in the previous 12 years combined! (Norman M)

Monday 18th February 2008 Western Undercliff Ramsgate

As a result of our conversation a few weeks ago regarding Purple Sandpipers being reported Ramsgate's Western Undercliff. I have been taking extra care in searching the roosting Turnstones in this area ever since, and today (Sunday 17-02.08) I can report that I too have, for the first time, found three Purple Sandpipers amongst a small group of seventeen Turnstones. This in itself may seem insignificant to most people, but for me, these represent a new bird for this area and I have amended my monthly Webs count reporting sheet accordingly to reflect this, and thanks for bringing these birds to my attention. (Phil Charlton)

Monday 18th February 2008 Minster Marshes

We arrived at the fishermen's carpark around 15.00hrs. The brilliant sunshine making the afternoon look very spring-like, although ice on the surface of many of the dykes told a different story. A Marsh Harrier flew towards us, skimming the surface of the river before we were spotted and it headed back towards the power station. Moorhen, Cormorant, Chaffinch, Cetti's Warbler, Stonechat, Meadow Pipit, Yellowhammer (6+) and Common Snipe were noted at various points around the marsh. A massive flock of Wood Pigeons was disturbed from a distant field and flew into the wooded area of Weatherlees Hill. A Peregrine perched on the furthest cooling tower and we were fortunate to encounter two Barn Owls, although neither was particularly cooperative when the cameras came out! A few Grey Heron and a Little Egret about ends the birding highlights. We walked back towards the car, bumping in to Phil Smith en route, accompanied by the staccato calls of roosting Pheasants and the chattering of flocks of Fieldfares as they flew into the surrounding hedgerows. (Gadget & Dylan)

Monday 18th February 2008 River Walk Sandwich to Pluck’s Gutter & Back

A long dawn till dusk walk from Sandwich along the south side of the Stour to Pluck’s Gutter, and then back again. Although it was very frosty at first it soon became a fantastic sunny day with no cloud and barely any wind. The highlight was undoubtedly getting superb views of 4 Barn Owls in three discrete areas, whilst duck and wader numbers were rather higher than I was expecting. Counts included 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Pintail, 2 Pochard, 2 Gadwall, 8 Shoveler, 15 Little Grebes, 80 Wigeon, 100+ Mallard and 250 Teal, whilst waders included 5 Green Sandpipers, 70 Snipe, 20 Curlew, 150 Golden Plovers and 400 Lapwings. Other bits included 2 Water Rails, 2 Grey Wagtails, 9 Cetti’s Warblers, 1 Kingfisher, 8 Corn Buntings, 30 Linnets, 25 Goldfinches, 2 Marsh Harriers, 8 Kestrels, 1 Peregrine, 2 Sparrowhawks, 3 Little Egrets, 5 Grey Herons, 50 Fieldfares, 24 Pied Wagtails, 15 Reed Buntings, 1 Yellowhammer, 3 Bullfinches, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers and 1 Siskin. (Tim H)

Monday 18th February 2008 Grove Ferry

Spent a quite chilly hour or so this morning from 8 sitting in the Turf Hide watching the assembled 50ish assorted ducks (& Lapwing) as they huddled around the only ice-free bit of water on this part of the reserve - the Ramp pool being completely iced-over & devoid of birds when I looked on first arriving. An obliging Water Pipit turned up for a few minutes scratch around & an adult male & juvenile Marsh Harrier had a mock tussle ,which made great viewing in the beautiful scenery. I heard Bearded Tits 'pinging' from low in the reeds & also a Water Rail 'squealed' but it also remained elusive. A Snipe flew past, calling, as did a Green Sandpiper as I was leaving around 3:30. (Ben Ring)

Sunday 17th February 2008 Seaton GPs

A very enjoyable morning spent, in the splendid company of Norman McCanch, wandering around the complex. Birding was very leisurely, as we conversed about subjects many and various. 2 Smew (male & red-head), 5 Goldeneye (adult male & 4 red-heads), 6+ Kingfisher, 2 Green Sandpiper, 1 Water Rail, 3 Little Egret, 1 Grey Wagtail and, at least 5, Cetti's Warbler were recorded as we made our way around. The flock of geese, feeding on winter wheat to the SE of Supperton Farm, consisted of c110 Greylag, 18 White-fronted, 1 Pink-footed and 4 hybrid (Canada x Greylag) Geese. The brilliant sunshine allowing superb views as they fed on the hillside, adjacent to the North Pit. We spent quite a time just watching the flock, Norman commenting on the numbers of Golden Plover (50+) flighting in to join the Lapwing and Starling that were also present on the field. As we made our way back towards Wickhambreaux a Tawny Owl "hooted" twice - quite bizarre to hear this species at 10.30hrs in glorious sunlight! A Little Owl was sunning itself in the regular spot along the northern boundary hedge and a few Fieldfare were out on the meadow. (Dylan)

Saturday 16th February 2008 Garden Ash

Despite the fine weather I was confined to my garden in Ash today.  Not such a problem as my Brambling flock has now reached at least 6 birds amongst 20-30 Chaffinches and probably 30 Greenfinches which seem to be present everyday. Also of note today were 2 Jays and a Great Spotted Woodpecker but probably best of all was a male Blackcap, first seen briefly on Thursday but feeding on ivy berries most of the morning. (Norman M)

Saturday 16th February 2008 Seaton GPs

A glorious afternoon so I went over to Seaton GP's to get some more practice with my cameras. Apparently the fishing syndicate have applied herbicide to both the main pit and the south lake and as a consequence Coot numbers have dropped considerably. Other birds recorded included 3 Smew (ad male & 2 red-heads), 2 Goldeneye (male & female), Ruddy Duck (female), 2 Kingfisher, 1 Grey Wagtail and 2 Lesser Redpoll. A Grey Heron over flew the back pit causing a large flock of Greylag Geese to fly around for a couple of circuits revealing 2 Canada Geese and 2 hybrid (Canada x Greylag) to be present. A couple of Little Egret, a Chiffchaff and 3 Cetti's Warbler were also noted amongst the regular mix of Tufted Duck, Pochard, Wigeon, Teal, Gadwall and Shoveler that are winter residents at this site. (Dylan)

Saturday 16th February 2008 Chambers Wall & Grove Ferry

On the hunt for Bramblings so I headed for Chambers Wall this am, parking at Shuart at 7:30. Plenty of finches en route but they were only of the Greenfinches & Chaffinches variety. As I walked along the railway embankment, I flushed 2 Red-legged Partridge & spotted a Ring Tail Hen Harrier, purposefully skimming along the tops of the reeds, scattering birds here & there - fantastic to watch in the bright sunshine. Reaching the intersection with the Chambers Wall path, the Bramblings were located in the Poplar trees just a little further on; I estimate the flock size to have been 50+ birds. Sadly, they very 'flighty' but I managed a couple of images. I then returned to the car, via the seawall, & drove to Grove for a couple of hours on the Ramp, the most noteworthy bird being a Spotted Redshank. (Ben Ring)

Friday 15th February 2008 Grove Ferry

7am - 11am.For once no fog but dreary all the same - the cold Easterly wind made the 5ºC feel a lot lower! I was pleased to catch the Bewick's Swans just before they left the pool in front of the Ramp at 7:20am - 9 birds headed East & I took a couple of record shots. Otherwise, my walk around the reserve was largely uneventful but enabled me to see the progress with the 'excavations' - a great improvement, with lots of interesting scrapes & cleared areas. The main lake had the expected species, including 7 drake & 5 duck Pintails, the drakes looking very dapper alongside some of the still quite scruffy Shoveler!  (Ben Ring)

Thursday 14th February 2008 Newland's Farm

Murky grey skies and a cold easterly is not a recipe for good birding in February, so I decided to have a stroll around the fields behind our garden. The fact that they are ploughing in the cauliflower stubble means that there are good numbers of Black-headed Gulls in the area. Dunnock, Wren, Robin, Great Tit and Song Thrush were all recorded singing as I walked the footpath to the farm. I could see a large flock of gulls (400+) behind the plough over by Park Avenue, so off I went. 2 Skylark and a Meadow Pipit being flushed as I made my way towards the white throng. Good numbers of Carrion Crow and Wood Pigeon were on an area of the field that had already been harrowed with a few Stock Dove also present. A scan through a small group of Black-headed Gulls revealed a leucistic bird in their midst. I managed to get a few pics of the bird, on the ground and in flight, that show how different it looked. A Grey Partridge and 2 Linnet were about the best of the rest as I made my way back home. (Dylan)

Wednesday 13th February 2008 River Stour Boat Trip

An afternoon boat trip along the Stour from Sandwich Quayside to Pegwell started out in lovely sunshine but soon turned foggy. Nothing unexpected was seen, but nice views were obtained of 3-4 Common Sandpipers, 2 Kingfishers, 4 Little Egrets, 10 Little Grebes, 12 Brent Geese, 40 Teal and 14 Snipe, whilst the wintering Sandwich Tern was present amongst the 650 Oystercatchers at the point. (Tim H)

Wednesday 13th February 2008 A Day for the Wallcreeper

A day over in France hoping to locate the Wallcreeper, arriving at Wimereux we the group of seven walked along the beach towards the cliffs after about 300meters the bird was located on the cliff face great views were had by all, Thanks to Sara, Amanda, Ian, Graham, Chris & John for there company for the a great day out. (Gadget)   

Wednesday 13th February 2008 Ramsgate Harbour

I had to go into town, so the fact that the whole area was shrouded in thick fog meant that I wouldn't be missing out on any birding. I carried my bins and camera - just in case! Card & chocolates purchased, I wandered down to the harbour, a Grey Wagtail flew over the rooftops as the sun attempted to break through. 2 Shag and 2 "sinensis" Cormorant were fishing in the outer harbour, allowing nice comparisons of head shape. A couple of pairs of Rock Pipit were engaged in courtship rituals which included the spectacular "parachute" display flight of the males. I was trying to get some pics of a pair behind the Maritime Museum when I found a Black Redstart feeding along the fence of the A&P Shipyard. Other than the regular gulls and Turnstones, there was little else to report, but at least I haven't forgotten Valentine's Day! (Dylan)

Tuesday 12th February 2008 SBBOT Restharrow Scrape

I called over to the Sandwich this morning to see if the White-Fronted Geese were showing, the Restharrow Scrape was mostly covered with a misty fog, I located the Geese out over the back of the scrape 6 White-Fronted Geese with Greylag & Canada Geese other birds noted were Curlews, Shelduck, Teal, Shoveler, Moorhens, Little Grebe with a flock of  40+ Linnets and 30+ Corn Buntings around the scrape, A chap turn up and told me that I had left my lights on the Car (who's the dope!) on my return to the car I noted the Battery was dead, as I waited for help from Ian and Amanda from SBBOT to start my car with jump leads, 2 Stonechats drop in on the side of the road. thanks to you both (Gadget) 

Tuesday 12th February 2008 Ramsgate Cemetery

Another splendid morning so I decided to attempt to relocate the mystery C-R Herring Gull that I had seen earlier in the month. The first gull I saw was the Belgian C-R female - Blue CBAN and after several minutes I found the bird I was after. Despite the dodgy light I was able to read the ring through my scope (White ring/Black A3LN) and get a few pics. It is from the Malydams RSPCA Wildlife Rescue Centre in East Sussex. I will post more info when I receive all the details. It had a very Spring-like feel as I wandered around. Mistle Thrush, Greenfinch, Great & Blue Tit, Robin and Dunnock all in fine voice whilst a couple of Great Spotted Woodpeckers were "drumming" in the mature trees along the central walkway. I found 5 Firecrests, including 2 singing males but, as usual, they were very camera shy, the dappled light in the thick foliage making it almost impossible to get an image. Stock Dove, Green Woodpecker, Jay, Magpie, Chaffinch and Long-tailed Tit kept the pencil busy as I made my way around. (Dylan)

Monday 11th February 2008 Prince of Wales Pier Dover

A chance to get across to Dover was a pleasant change. The presence of a Glaucous Gull being the particular attraction, however, despite being on the pier over high water, this arctic wanderer failed to appear. A few other bits to keep my interest included 2 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Guillemot, 1 Lesser Black-backed, 50+ Great Black-backed, Black-headed & Herring Gulls, 30+ Cormorant plus a nice sprinkling of 1st winter Kittiwakes. At least 3 Rock Pipits were noted and a smart, adult winter, Mediterranean Gull flew overhead, just as I started to leave. Shame about the Glauc, but you can't have everything! (Dylan)

Sunday 10th February 2008 Seaton GPs

A fantastic morning spent wandering around the complex. A group of SE Kent RSPB members and Norman McCanch were also enjoying the morning. Birds seen included 6 Smew (2 adult male & 4 red-heads), 5 Goldeneye (3 adult male & 2 red-heads), 1 Ruddy Duck (female), 3 Kingfisher, 2 Little Egret, 3 Little Grebe, 2 Great Crested Grebe plus good numbers of Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Wigeon, Tufted Duck and Pochard. A couple of Cetti's Warbler called from the reeded bank of the main pit and whilst I had stopped to attempt some pics I located a 1st yr Bittern standing on the far bank, also enjoying the glorious conditions. Luckily the RSPB group were passing, thus were able to share the moment before we all headed off, back towards the cars, detouring slightly to catch up with a Little Owl sunning itself in an oak, in the hedgerow, at the northern edge of the meadow. I am experiencing some computer gremlins at present, more pics will be posted when the  problems have been sorted! (Dylan)

Sunday 10th February 2008 Ebbsfleet Area Thanet

I observed a Ring tailed Hen Harrier hunting over fields around Ebbsfleet farms this late afternoon. (Gadget)

Saturday 9th February 2008 Fowlmead & North Foreland

Went to Fowlmead for a quick walk this afternoon, at c.13:30 a flock of 55 White-fronted Geese flew over at some height in the classic `v` and headed NE out to sea without altering their bearing, at North Foreland this evening a Peregrine moving through, Just one Diver heading South and no sign of any auks or Great Crested Grebes unlike the large numbers of recent weeks. (Simon Mount)

Saturday 9th February 2008 Minster Marshes Thanet

On a beautiful sunny afternoon looking out over the Minster Marshes some of the birds noted included 1 Barn Owl, 2 Kestrel, 1 Merlin, 2 Peregrine, 2 Grey Heron, 6 Yellowhammers, 25+ Meadow Pipits, 3 Snipe, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 8 Great Tits, 5 Blue Tits, 5 Long tailed Tits, 9 Chaffinches, and an assortment of Thrushes 1 Song, 2 Mistle, 50 + Fieldfares the only Ducks were 4 Mallard flying over the marsh. (Don Wilks & Gadget)

Friday 8th February 2008 Undisclosed Site Thanet

I popped out this morning to do a count for the BTO Winter Atlas and bumped into a Black-necked Grebe on a private farm reservoir on Thanet. Also there were no fewer than 259 Gadwall, plus lesser numbers of Pochard, Tufted Ducks, Little Grebes and Coot plus a sprinkling of Siskins and Goldfinches and a Goldcrest.  A covey of Red-legged Partridge at Brooksend almost came close enough for some decent photographs.  (Tim H)

Thursday 7th February 2008 Grove Ferry

A pleasant surprise at Grove today as a machine was cutting reeds and opening out pools along the pathway, were once upon a time Spotted Crake and the Baillon’s Crake were observed, it had also been out in front of the Turf hide and down behind Harrisons Drove hide, this can only be a good thing for the reserve overall, but only time will tell, for me it was just nice to see the pools opened up once again. Birds noted from the ramp were Lapwings, Golden Plover, Teal, Gadwall, Mallards, Mute Swans but the smoke from the burning reeds wasn’t helping my breathing so I decided to leave. (Gadget)

Wednesday 6th February 2008 Fayreness Area

At the high-tide roost at Fayreness today were 130 Oystercatchers, 29 Grey Plovers, 4 Curlew and 1 Sanderling. At the roost at Foreness were a Labrador, a Retriever and a small Cairn (with owners) enthusiastically chasing the few remaining Turnstones, offshore were about a dozen Great Crested Grebes, 1 Guillemot and a Scoter being hassled by a juvenile gull. (Steve Coates)

Tuesday 5th February 2008 Foreness Area & Palm Bay Late News

I noted a Sandwich Tern from the apron at Foreness on Sunday 3rd February roosting with the Gulls. (10am) also 7+ Purple Sandpipers, out at sea 5-6 Red-throated Divers go by and a Great Northern Diver, with 1 adult winter Mediterranean Gull on grass - Palm Bay. (Keith Cutting)

Monday 4th February 2008 Dumpton to Broadstairs

In bright sunshine, I took a walk along the coast to meet Bev from work. A male Sparrowhawk was sparring with a Carrion Crow over West Dumpton Lane and my first scan of the sea, on reaching Dumpton Gap, revealed a Red-throated Diver flying south. Good numbers of Turnstone were accompanied by 2 Oystercatcher, 5 Purple Sandpiper, 1 Grey Plover, 3 Curlew and a Rock Pipit, all recorded as I slowly walked the shoreline. The usual mix of Herring, Black-headed and Great Black-backed Gulls were spread out along the shore with a couple of adult Common Gulls providing a bit of interest - well almost! (Dylan)

Monday 4th February 2008 Ramsgate East Coast Area

Very good numbers of birds on the rocks as the tide was coming in this afternoon, Oystercatchers, Turnstones, Curlews, Grey Plovers, Ringed Plovers, were noted and an assortment of Gulls scattered around but only 3 Pied Wagtails, (Gadget)

Sunday 3rd February 2008 Shuart

A cold and windy visit to Shuart this morning was enlivened by a Hawfinch, a long overdue first for me in that area after 24 years of watching there! (Tim H)

Saturday 2nd February 2008 Sandwich Bay

It was a superb morning for a stroll along the coast. Parking by Sir Roger Manwood's School, I made my way across to the Prince's old clubhouse, via the riverbank. A Water Rail and Cetti's Warbler called whilst I flushed 7 Common and 1 Jack Snipe from an area of wet grass on a bend opposite the boat yard. My fist pair of Stonechat were seen on the practice ground, but I failed to locate any Snow Buntings on the shingle as I reached the coast. Heading towards the point, more Stonechat and a 1st winter female Dartford Warbler were located in the strip of sea buckthorn. The point provided nice views across into Pegwell Bay where Curlew, Bar-tailed Godwit, Oystercatcher, Sanderling, Dunlin, Grey, Golden and Ringed Plover could be seen. A brief search around the saltmarsh failed to find any Short-eared Owls, but I did get fleeting views of a Wood Lark as one flushed with a small group of Skylark near the Sampher. A pair of Green Woodpecker looked distinctly out of place, pecking around on the dunes, whilst my return walk provided me the opportunity to record 3 Red-throated Diver close in to the shore, 17 Great Crested Grebe and a flock of 13 Snow Bunting on the shingle by the car-parking area. Great stuff (Dylan)

Friday 1st February 2008 Stodmarsh NNR

What a splendid day out in the sunshine, as I walked around the alder wood taking photographs, birds noted: Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Chaffinches,  Robins, Dunnocks, Wrens, Tree Creepers, Siskins, Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, Green & Great Spotted Woodpecker, and from the reedbed hide Mallard, Teal, Snipe, Marsh Harrier it was great to be out in the sunshine. (Gadget)

Friday 1st February 2008 Minster Marshes

A very quick trip down Marsh Farm Road this afternoon produced a Ring Tail Hen Harrier in full hunting mode on the Ash side of the river. Very spectacular as it made it's way towards the Richborough PS, attracting the unwanted attention of a Crow, of course! (Ben Ring)

Friday 1st February 2008 Ramsgate Cemetery

Just a quick stroll around to the cemetery before work, I found 4 Firecrest spread out around the site, but strangely I didn't locate a single Goldcrest. Several pairs of Blue Tit were displaying whilst overhead 2 male Sparrowhawk were engaged in some sort of territorial dispute. Green & Great Spotted Woodpecker, Stock Dove, Jay, Magpie, Blackbird and Song Thrush all present within the cemetery boundaries whilst a check of the surrounding rooftops revealed C-R Herring Gull (Blue CBAN) to be paired with another C-R bird (white ring/black code), however the distance was such that I was unable to read the code through my binoculars. I will be investigating this 2nd bird over the weekend, weather permitting. (Dylan)