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Last update: Tuesday 31st January 2006 at 18-40hrs

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December 2005 Report has been Archived

Tuesday 31st January 2006 Dover

The Water Rail was again along Barton Path for the 8th successive day. Also noticed an increase in song from the Dunnocks, with at least 3 singing in the area. Wellington Dock held Moorhen, 2 Little Grebe, Rock Pipit and Kingfisher. Lunchtime walk along Prince of Wales at high tide only had a single Ringed Plover and 4 Turnstone. (Keith Shepherd)

Tuesday 31st January 2006 Reculver 

I popped into Reculver briefly in the late morning to see 3 Pintail on the Oyster Farm. On the way back to the Towers I noticed a huge line of Cormorants offshore, totaling an exceptional 822 birds.  (Tim Hodge)

Tuesday 31st January 2006 Ramsgate Cemetery

Another grey day in downtown Thanet. Best I could manage was a pedal around to Ramsgate Cemetery, which, as it turned out, wasn't a bad decision. A small party of Long-tailed Tits greeted me as I made my way up the entrance slope. Leaving my bike by the warden's cottage, I walked the complete circuit. Blue & Great Tits were very numerous, with many birds already paired up and going through the early stages of looking for nest sites and establishing territories. Ring-necked Parakeets dominated the airwaves, with raucous screeching, although a pair of Jays did their best to compete. Several pairs of Stock Doves were performing elaborate display flights and it was nice to spend time watching two pairs of Great Spotted Woodpeckers engaged in territorial dispute rituals. Some of the calls used were new to me - they even used a soft churring note similar to a scolding Dartford Warbler! A single Green Woodpecker "yaffled" from the Newland's boundary and I found 4 Goldcrests along the central walkway and 2 Firecrests - 1 in the north-west corner, the other by the allotments. A pair of Mistle Thrushes are defending an area in the southeast corner, chasing any Magpies and Carrion Crows that encroach on their chosen space. Several Song Thrushes were proclaiming territorial rites - perched on exposed branches and T/V aerials. A grey day indeed, still the birds did their best to make me realise that spring is just around the corner! (Dylan) 

Tuesday 31st January 2006 Late News Monday Dover

A noticeable increase in the number of Pied Wagtail in the B&Q car park this morning, 15 at least. Lunchtime saw a Kingfisher in Wellington Dock on the way out to a very cold Prince of Wales pier, where on the hoverpad saw 12 Purple Sandpiper, 3 Ringed Plover, a very good 17 Common Gull in amongst the large numbers of Black-headed and Herring Gulls, plus a lone 1st winter Great Black-back Gull. Decided to brave the top end of the pier and saw 3 Red-throated Diver fly past just off the harbour entrance with a good number of Cormorant on the sea at the entrance wall. (Keith Shepherd)

Monday 30th January 2006 Dungeness RSPB Reserve

Monday 30th January 2006 Minnis Bay & Shuart

The persistent NE winds are producing quite a lot of divers, but not much else. A two hour seawatch at Minnis Bay included 790 Red-throated Divers E, 58 Great Crested Grebes E, 2 Common Scoter E, 1 Kittiwake E (just the one, Phillip), 3 auks E and the usual 3 Eiders offshore. A quick look around Shuart included 1 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Redpoll, 2 Goldcrests, 40 Chaffinches, 4 Linnets and 11 Goldfinches.  (Tim Hodge)

Monday 30th January 2006 Ramsgate Harbour

I had a short session in the harbour, this morning. A bitterly cold easterly made my eyes water every time I attempted to look through my scope. A fairly predictable array of birds on show. Large numbers of Black-headed and Herring Gulls were gathered on the slipway and there were 5 Great Black-back Gulls and a single Lesser Black- back Gull noted as the tide rose. Rock Pipits were seen at several points around the site, with as many as 7 birds being present. Turnstones were busily picking about the stowed fishing nets and had a single Ringed Plover for company. Just as I was getting ready to pedal home, my final scan through the gulls revealed an adult winter Mediterranean Gull - my first record for the harbour! I managed to get a few pics before the whole flock rose into the air and flew over towards the Casino to squabble over a loaf of bread being dished out by one of the harbour regulars. (Dylan)

Sunday 29th January 2006 Stodmarsh NNR

Despite the partially frozen lake, still plenty of Teals about (200+) and a few Shelduck too. The Marsh Harriers seemed quite active. Still searching for the elusive Firecrest seen by those obviously more sharp-eyed than myself! But plenty of Goldcrests about and a few Redpolls and Siskins too, although there didn't seem as many this weekend? (Maybe I should clean the lens on my binoculars!) Saw quite a few Bullfinches as we approached the reedbed hide, but once settled inside the hide, we were lucky enough to see 5 Bearded tits feeding from the seed heads on the reeds only a few feet in front of us! They kept us entertained as they hung on for dear life for at least half an hour, seemingly oblivious to the prevailing wind! Having only caught brief glimpses of them before now, it was a very rewarding afternoon! (Jude Walters)

Sunday 29th January 2006 Garden Feeding Station

Having seen a news item on the BBC, I did an hours stint, watching the garden feeding station whilst I prepared the vegetables for our lunch! As our view is directly to the west, there is a bit of a problem with the harsh winter sunlight during the afternoon, but it didn't spoil the effort. I counted all the birds that visited the garden between 13.25 - 14.25 hrs, recording the maximum number seen, but I also counted all the other birds that I could see from my vantage point, quite an interesting experience. The cold northeasterly wind and exposed position of my garden didn't help! Garden - 21 House Sparrow, 2 Blue Tit, 6 Collared Dove, 4 Carrion Crow, 3 Blackbird & 1 Starling (a very poor showing, in my opinion) Over/from the garden - 43 Carrion Crow, 132 Herring Gull, 25 Black-headed Gull, 7 Common Gull, 29 Starling, 11 Feral Pigeon, 66 Wood Pigeon, 3 Collared Dove & 1 Blackbird (Dylan)

Sunday 29th January 2006 Grove Ferry & Seaton Gravel Pits

A bit of a mish-mash today. I drove across to Grove Ferry, hoping that I would be able to get a few pics! Conditions were bright, yet chilly, with most of the pools completely frozen over. I did manage to see a smart pair of Stonechats feeding around the base of the ramp and by walking along to the "Green" hide was able to get fabulous views of 3 Marsh Harriers (ad M, ad F & imm) The highlight was meeting up with Ned, an American birder whom I had previously met during "bird-race days" At my suggestion we drove across to Seaton Gravel Pits and enjoyed the rest of a splendid morning. As we parked our cars by the children's play area, there was a Firecrest calling in the beech hedge by the wooden entrance style. Plenty of Fieldfare, Redwing and Lapwing on the meadow, as we walked across towards the main lake. It was still very cold and much of the surface was covered in ice! A Great Spotted Woodpecker perched high in the top of a large Willow and initial scans of the waterfowl revealed good numbers of Wigeon, Teal, Mallard, Shoveler and Gadwall. By walking further around the pit we were able to add Tufted Duck, Pochard, Smew (3 ad M & 5 imm/F), Goldeneye (1 ad M & 1 imm/F), Chiffchaff, Treecreeper, 2 Kingfisher, Little Egret, Great Crested & Little Grebe. Gulls resting out on the ice were mainly Black-headed and Common, but we did manage to id 3 Herring and an adult Lesser Black-back amidst the throng. Great to be out in the sunshine - good company only added to the experience. As we left a Grey Wagtail flew overhead, calling loudly, what a great way to end a fabulous morning. (Dylan)

Sunday 29th January 2006 Ash Levels

A chilly but sunny morning saw us take a lengthened walk from usual between 8:30 & midday. 2ºC with light breeze. Starting along Cop St, Ash, we were surprised that the Golden Plover way outnumbered the Lapwings in the Cabbage fields (30 to 2!) & also noted 6 Red Legged Partridge, a male Yellowhammer, & a Corn Bunting there. Progressing through Goldstone Orchards, we were treated to a 40 or so mixed finch flock (Goldcrest, Chiffchaffs, Siskin) looking splendid in the sunshine & chattering loudly. Fieldfare flock sizes were certainly up on last Sunday, with some 300 birds present here, & similar size flocks seen later in our walk. Redwings also seemed more numerous. Goldstone Drove produced amongst others, 2 Little Grebe, a Green Sandpiper, & a Sparrowhawk. Returning towards Ash via Guston, we encountered a Kingfisher & some 9 Curlew at Cooper St. Five Linnets were bouncing around on the leafless tree branches alongside the Ash by-pass & a fem Sparrowhawk was gliding around quite low over our house as we arrived back. (Ben Ring)

Sunday 29th January 2006 Barton Path & River / Kearsney

Decided to stroll out along Lower Road to Kearsney this morning, although checked on the Water Rail on Barton Path first which was still present. First bird seen on Lower Road was a female Blackcap, whilst other birds of note included 4 Kingfisher, 5 Grey Wagtail, a single Little Grebe on Crabble Mill pond, plus lots of Great and Blue Tit with a couple of Coal Tit also seen, as well as good numbers of Goldcrest. A lone Common Gull amongst the hundreds of Black-headed on the Abbey ponds, and 2 Bullfinch and lone Goldfinch over the back of Bushy Ruff. My son, Damien, also saw a Sparrowhawk, which I managed to miss! A total of 41 species seen overall. (Keith Shepherd)

Saturday 28th January 2006 Connaught Park & St Margaret's Bay

In the hope of locating the Firecrest seen earlier by Keith, I went to Connaught Park. I was unable to find it, but saw the Nuthatch twice. On to St Margaret's Bay in the hope of adding Razorbill to the year list. Couldn't find one but did see 1 Red-throated Diver east, 10 Guillemots, 4 on the sea and 6 flying east, a Gannet further out, three groups of Oystercatchers total 15 flying East. A Diver I was unable to identify on the sea, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Cormorant. Best of all was a female Eider in with a flock of 32 Wigeon on the sea, until 2.15pm at least. There was also a seal quite close in. (Pauline McKenzie Lloyd)

Saturday 28th January 2006 Deal Pier (08.25 to10.20hrs)

I had arranged to meet up with Steve Coates, so drove across to Deal Pier. The brisk Northeasterly made for a biting wind-chill, but we got tucked in by the disabled toilet and remained comfortable, if not warm, for the time we were there. The birds recorded were Red-throated Diver (7S & 4N), Fulmar (4N & 1S), Kittiwake (1S), Guillemot (1 on & 2N), Common Scoter (3N), Shelduck (4N) and 2 Great Created Grebes on. Obviously there were a few Herring, Great Black-backed, Common and Black-headed Gulls visible from the pier, but hardly birding to inspire others out into the field. However, we did enjoy a pleasant morning, this was made even more pleasurable when John Hollyer turned up! (Dylan)

Saturday 28th January 2006 Dover

Water Rail again in the gully by River Dour along Barton Path, plus Grey Wagtail along river. Decided to do a quick round of Connaught Park this morning, provided 2 Green Woodpecker, several Redwing, small flocks of Goldfinch, Greenfinch and Chaffinch, plus first Treecreeper I've seen at the site for a couple of years. Also my first sighting of Coal Tit this year! Star bird was on the lower path by the pond when I heard a Nuthatch calling, turned round to find it and was face to face with a stunning male Firecrest! Didn't locate the Nuthatch. (Keith Shepherd)

Friday 27th January 2006 Dover

The Water Rail was again along Barton Path for a fourth day in a row, at least, with 2 Little Egrets on the River along with 15 Mallard and 5 Moorhen. An immature Grey Heron was sitting it out on the vegetation by B&Q. Opposite bowls club was a Chiffchaff feeding low down by the waters edge. Another Grey Heron, this time an adult, was again in Pencester Gardens, first time I can remember seeing 2 along the river on the same day. The Starling roost in the two pines in the park must have been in the hundreds by the amount of noise they were making. After yesterdays Peregrine along Snargate Street was amazed to see not one, but two together along there this morning, couldn't decide if they were
hunting together or trying to see each other off, both looked to be males and they were calling really loudly. Lunchtime visit along a very cold and windswept Prince of Wales pier produced Rock Pipit, 4 Purple Sandpiper, 14 Turnstone, 5 Ringed Plover.  (Keith Shepherd)

Friday 27th January 2006 Minnis Bay

Another chilly day, but I didn’t see much in a two-hour seawatch apart from a lot of divers and Cormorants. Counts included 570 Red-throated Divers E, 372 Cormorants feeding offshore, 200 Teal offshore, 3 Eider offshore, 1 Kittiwake E, 3 Common Scoter E and 2 Guillemots E. Ken Lodge and Dave Sutton saw a Slavonian Grebe offshore before I got there, but I couldn’t relocate it. (Tim Hodge)

Thursday 26th January 2006 Dover

The walk into work this morning provided the same Water Rail along Barton Path, this bird is very confiding and has now been seen within 5 meters of the same place for the last 3 days. I expect it’s the same bird that showed very well a couple of hundred meters further up on the main river just before Christmas. Not much else apart from the expected dozen or so Mallard and a few Moorhen. Pencester Gardens had the Grey Heron again, until it saw me that is, and the rookery has a good number of Rook and Jackdaw in the two main trees. Best bird of the morning undoubtedly a Peregrine with a Feral Pigeon in its talons flying over the harbour being mobbed by a dozen or more of the local Herring Gulls, all this whilst I was strolling along Snargate Street. (Keith Shepherd)

Thursday 26th January 2006 Minnis Bay

Brrr, a bit chilly today. I managed to last two hours sea-watching between 08:00-10:00 before my feet gave out. A Great Northern Diver was the pick of the birds, flying in from the west and landing offshore. Not really much else, with 1 Razorbill, 1 Guillemot, 8 auks, 1 Kittiwake E, 196 Red-throated Divers E and 20 Great Crested Grebes and 4 Eider knocking about. (Tim Hodge)

Wednesday 25th January 2006 Ramsgate Harbour

Nothing terribly exciting, just a very pleasant sojourn on a seat at the back of the Maritime Museum in the late afternoon sun after a very satisfactory home cooked meal at the Albion Cafe. Two Ringed Plover, a Purple Sandpiper and a motley collection of gulls Herring, Greater Black-Back and Black-Headed (some in smart summer attire) and a Rock Pipit and nine Turnstones almost running over my feet, the Turnstones surprisingly competing for a large piece of bread that some previous occupier of the seat had discarded. (Brian Conn)

Wednesday 25th January 2006 Dover

An interesting walk to work included Water Rail (first seen in same place yesterday) and Little Egret along Barton Path, River Dour and another Little Egret with Grey Heron in Pencester Gardens. Lunchtime walk out to Admiralty Pier saw my first Razorbill close in on the sea, plus 3 Rock Pipit on the pier itself whilst a 20 minute seawatch had over 100 auk (most looked to be Guillemots). (Keith Shepherd)

Tuesday 24th January 2006 Stodmarsh NNR &

The hard overnight frost turned Stodmarsh into a bit of a winter
wonderland again and I arrived at the carpark at 7:50am with the temp at  -5ºC! Every step I took sounded like a gunshot & those birds that could be bothered sought cover swiftly! I ticked my first visible Water Rail of the year just before the Reed Bed Hide path & also saw m & f Bullfinch  (this species featured quite regularly on my walk) but again remained out of clear camera shot - indeed so low was the temp that my camera actually jammed, rendering it inoperable for a couple of hours! The Reed Bed hide water was completely frozen as was large sections of the main lake. The Siskin/Redpoll flock numbered about 30 & flitted in & out of the alders, pausing briefly before setting off en masse .Saw probably 10 Great Spotted Woodpeckers but no Green (heard one only) & plenty of drumming activity. Nothing of any note on the main lake, even the Marsh Harriers kept a low profile until later in the morning when a pair made use of the thermals & soared high above me calling frequently. Decided against going on to the Ramp & turned off to return across the pastures, pausing briefly (very!) at the Marsh Hide - 0 birds. The trail back to the carpark produced small numbers of mixed Chaffinch  & Goldcrests & a splendid male Kestrel, looking brilliant in the sunshine. As it was only 11:30am by now I decided to head over to Seaton to look for the Black-necked Grebe, without success, but did note Bittern, Kingfisher, Little Egret, 2 Chiffchaff, Cetti’s, as well as the masses of common duck species. The Goldeneye pair were very visual, albeit at a distance, & the Smew kept to the far bank (at least 4 male & 3 Redheads). Finished at 2pm,the temp having risen to +5ºC, & 61 species. (Ben Ring)

Tuesday 24th January 2006 Reculver to Coldharbour and back

A lovely sunny morning, so Derek Smith and I walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and back. In reality, not much about, but we did waste a pleasant few hours trying to get some photos, without much success. The few bits we saw included 1 Kingfisher, 6 Snow Buntings, 2 Pochard offshore, 1 Common Scoter, 6 Shelduck and two Snipe. (Tim Hodge)

Tuesday 24th January 2006  Oare Marshes

I decided that I would go Oare Marshes today as the sun was shinning and I felt in good spirits, also I haven’t been there for some time as I drove down towards the carpark it became clear that there were very few birds to be seen on the pools ether side of the road, so I went up on the seawall which turn out to be the better option surprisingly, the tide was out but from the advantage point on top of the wall I could observe what birds that were about Redshank, Curlew, Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Oystercatcher, Little Egret, Wigeon, Black Headed Gulls, 120+ Brent Geese, good numbers of Reed Buntings, 1 Marsh Harrier, a Buzzard (SP) and a Merlin hunting a Reed Bunting which gave the Merlin the slip then a Carrion Crow began chasing the Merlin this was just amassing to watch. (Gadget)

Monday 23rd January 2006 Pegwell Bay

I popped down for the incoming tide in bitterly cold weather - eventually staying until dusk. Pretty quiet overall - at least 2 Merlin, 2 Peregrine, male Hen Harrier, 1 Short-eared Owl etc.5 flyover Mute Swans got the old heart fluttering for a bit (I hoped they might be wild Swans!) plus there was a group of 14 newly arrived Pintails amongst the ducks offshore. Today’s
counts were: 2 Little Grebe (garage pools), 33 Shelduck, 640 Wigeon, 14 Pintail, 41 Teal, 2 Shoveler, 2 Sparrowhawk, 4500 Lapwing, c3000 Golden Plover, 82 Snipe (He he) 2600 Black-headed Gull, 720 Common Gull, 1040 Herring Gull, c200 Great Black Backed Gull plus a group of about 30 Fieldfare flew southwest over the Country Park mid-afternoon. (Phil M)

Monday 23rd January 2006 Garden Dumpton Thanet

A Chiffchaff, in the garden hedge was the first of the year and 4 Fieldfares flew south as the sun went down over St. Lawrence. Carrion Crows are still using the Ramsgate Cemetery roost in large numbers; I counted 189 flying over Vine Close from the Broadstairs St Peters direction in less than 15 minutes around dusk. (Dylan)

Monday 23rd January 2006 Minnis Bay & Grenham Bay

A very quick look offshore this morning revealed 4 Eider at Minnis Bay and 246 Great Crested Grebes, 3 Shelduck and 3 Common Scoter off Grenham Bay. A lone Gannet also flew east.  (Tim Hodge)  

Monday 23rd January 2006 Late News

Tuesday 17th Stodmarsh  Another great day for a novice spotter! Plenty of Redpoll, Siskin and Long tailed Tits in the woodland area, but they were easily spooked by a rather persistent low flying kestrel!! As I drove towards the Grove Ferry end, I witnessed a Mute Swan electrocuted as it flew into the power cables, sadly killed instantly. I noticed a pile of white feathers in the same place a week earlier, so I assume it's NOT a rare sight in this area?  (Jude Walters)

Sunday 22nd January 2006 Pegwell Bay

Sunday 22nd January 2006 Dumpton to Margate

I had a gentle pedal across to Margate this morning. I followed the coast, for the most part, but didn't really see that much. A dull, dank day with a gentle Northerly kept me moving, as any period of inactivity soon resulted in feeling the chill. Apart from the usual suspects along the coast, I noted 1 Great Crested Grebe on the sea & 3 Red-breasted Mergansers south off North Foreland, 2 Shelduck north past Whiteness Point and a few Red-throated Divers moving about the area, usually way out at sea. A Firecrest was in the Holme Oaks at the end of Convent Road and is quite possibly the same bird that I saw on 1st Jan. A nice surprise was a singing male Black Redstart on the blue boarding around the Foreness Water Treatment site. There was also a lone Fieldfare in the area and I located 3 Mediterranean Gulls (2 ad & 1 2nd W) amidst the masses of Black-headed Gulls feeding on the cliff-top grass. Fulmars put on an excellent display as I pedalled along the seawall towards Margate and I recorded my only Rock Pipit by the Wintergardens. There you have it - the most exciting thing I saw on my travels was the guys launching the Margate Lifeboat - sod driving that tractor unit for a living! (Dylan)

Saturday 21st January 2006 Stodmarsh NNR

I couldn't get out until mid-afternoon, so decided to check out the harrier roost at Stodmarsh. The weather was excellent and it was a very pleasant couple of hours. Strangely, I only located a small group of Siskins in the Nature Trail woodland and can only assume that the rest of the flock is feeding somewhere else along the valley? Bearded Tits, Cetti's Warblers and Water Rails called from deep within the reedbeds and I had great views of Great Spotted Woodpecker, Goldcrest and Treecreeper near the wooden bridge. I had a walk across to the Marsh Hide, but apart from a few Reed Bunting and Meadow Pipit, it was rather a muddy waste of effort. My return walk, to the Lampern Wall, was rewarded with nice views of a Little Owl in trees behind Undertrees Farm. As the light started to fade the harriers performed to an appreciative audience and the counts were 14+ Marsh and 5 (2 m & 3 r-t) Hen Harriers. Good numbers of Fieldfare, Redwing and Cormorants into roost and the drive home was made more bearable when a Barn Owl flew over the road, from Grove Ferry towards the Boat Yard. (Dylan)

Saturday 21st January 2005 Pegwell Bay

I went down at 1.00pm to watch the incoming tide. It would appear there are quite a few Caspian Gulls about at the moment as I found 2 adults even though there were not all that many big Gulls present. One of the birds was a hulking great brute - not an awful lot smaller than some of the Great Black-backs. Other 'bits' included - 71 Sanderling, 1130 Dunlin, 460
Oystercatcher, 360 Curlew, 2 Spotted Redshank, 3400 Golden Plover, c5000 Lapwing, 1 Woodcock, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 80 Snipe, 1 male Hen Harrier, 1 Peregrine, 2-3 Sparrowhawk, 480 Wigeon, 110 Mallard, 21 Shelduck, 28 Teal,c300 Great Black Backed Gull, 48 Lesser Black Backed Gull, 1 adult Yellow-legged Gull and 15 Corn Bunting. A 10-15 minute burst of Diver activity offshore turned up 214 flying north and 1 south with a group of 120 birds on a single scan. There were still 2 Little Grebe on the garage pools plus the pre-roost turned up a mere 650 Starlings flying north and 26 Pied Wagtail flying south. (Phil M)

Saturday 21stJanuary 2006 Grove Ferry today from 6.35 - 11.30am

started with a Barn Owl over the road just as i was pulling up at 6.35. The rest of the morning from the ramp saw: - 7 Marsh Harriers, 2 Sparrowhawks, a superb male Hen Harrier over reed bed in front of green hide from 7.50-7.56 before flying over the houses towards Reculver, plus a Ringtail east through 10.30-10.35, 2 Wigeon, 7 Shelducks, 3 Little Egrets (north), 4 Tufted Ducks, 43 Golden Plovers, 1 Ruff, 2 Grey Herons, 1 Stock Dove, 15 Snipe, 2 Pintail (west), 2 Cetti's Warblers, 8+ Reed Buntings, 2100+ Teal, 1+ Kingfisher, 2 Gadwall, 4 Shoveler, 1 Bittern, 10 Meadow Pipits, 2800+ Lapwings, 3 Redshanks, and 1 Peregrine Falcon (albeit distantly over Stodmarsh). 4 Mistle Thrushes were in the paddock, 77 Fieldfares left roost and 144 Cormorants flew east as did 42 Jackdaws, 88 Carrion Crows & 2 Rooks. 121 Mute Swans flew out this morning. (Martyn Wilson, Alan Ashdown & Steve Ashton)

Saturday 21stJanuary 2006 Reculver & Coldharbour

8:30 - 11:45am. Sunny with stiff breeze, 4-8ºC. Took a walk along the Sea Wall from the Reculver Towers, as far as Coldharbour & back. While nothing remarkable, it was good to get a number of new ticks for the year. The receding tide meant the birds were at distance but easily spotted Dunlin, Sanderling, Redshank, Turnstone, Grey Plover, Curlew, Oystercatcher, & Ringed Plover amongst the Gulls (Black Headed & Herring predominately, with 4 Lesser Black Backed & 1 Great Black Backed out to sea). The fields side produced the expected several hundred Brent Geese, distant Mute Swans, 6 Little Grebe, & 4 Little Egret. A pair of Stonechat provided nice close up views, as did 4 Reed Bunting. A small flock (20 or so birds) made a brief appearance & I located the flock of some 30 Snow Buntings at Coldharbour Lagoon (Thanks Mick & Tim for the pointer) A very enjoyable, bracing walk in the sunshine. (Ben Ring)

Friday 20th January 2006 Pegwell Bay

I did a 12.15 till 3.30 session today to watch the incoming tide. I was hoping to see a Caspian Gull or two and wasn’t disappointed as there was an adult
showing for aver an hour offshore plus a probable 1st winter which escaped proper identification when it got lost amongst all the other large Gulls as the tide pushed up. There were also adult and first winter Yellow-legged Gulls present this afternoon. A flurry of activity offshore turned up 52 Red-throated Divers flying south and another 14 north also 2 Kittiwakes
north. Other bits included 104 Curlew, c4000 Golden Plover, c5000 Lapwing, 450 Wigeon, 1 Pintail, 1 Gadwall, 2 Shoveler, 120 Lesser Black Backed Gull, 250 Great Black Backed Gull, 1 Merlin etc plus earlier on I stomped out 3 Jack Snipe - one of which I very nearly trod on and made me jump out of my skin. (Phil M)

Thursday 19th January 2006 Pegwell Bay 12.30 - 14.45

A midday session on the incoming tide turned up most of the normal stuff plus 2 nice 1st winter Caspian Gulls - 1 of which hung around offshore for over half an hour. There were 2 Little Grebe in the garage pool
plus a third bird in the river as the tide came up. The wildfowl/wader counts turned up: 240 Oystercatcher, 970 Dunlin, 410 Knot, 240 Grey Plover, 3000 Golden Plover, 5500 Lapwing, 138 Bar-tailed Godwit, 60 Curlew, 90 Turnstone, 90 Redshank, 100+ Snipe, 13 Brent, 870 Wigeon, 7 Gadwall and 2 Shoveler. There were 20+ Great Crested Grebe offshore and at least 15 Corn Bunting on the Country Park. (Phil M)

Thursday 19th January 2006 Reculver, Shuart & Minnis Bay

I have seen very little in the last couple of days, a Merlin at Reculver yesterday and a Merlin at Shuart this afternoon. Eider have increased to 5 at Minnis Bay , including a very smart adult male today in full plumage. (Tim Hodge)

Thursday 19th January 2006 Foreland & Foreness

I had to get up early to put the rubbish out and once I'd sorted Bev a cuppa, I was away on my bike for a cycle across to Foreness. Can't claim to have seen much birding. I walked my bike along the tideline, looking for corpses, but all I managed to find was a rather small Conger Eel. This is not particularly interesting in itself, but does highlight the complete lack of birds wintering off of the Thanet coast this winter. No food? Wind Farm? Who knows? Even in a winter without oil pollution, in the Channel, we would expect to find a few dead auks and seabirds washed ashore as part of the natural mortality of the avian "survival of the fittest" strategy. Questions, questions! What did I see? There were good numbers of common waders and gulls along the shoreline and I did note 2 Great Crested Grebes off of North Foreland pumping station and a lone Red-throated Diver, flying east, past the Foreness treatment works. I scanned through the gulls in a vain attempt at finding a ringed bird, or two, but managed nothing better than 2-adult & a 2nd winter Mediterranean Gull and a nice "omissus" (yellow-legged) Northern Herring Gull. My return journey was equally un-eventful, with just a Jay at North Foreland and a Sparrowhawk over Dumpton Gap providing anything approaching interest. (Dylan)

Wednesday 18th January 2006 Pegwell Bay

I popped down for the incoming tide - late morning. Birds of the session were 4 White-fronted Geese, which flew in off the sea at 11.30 and carried straight on inland. The 3 regular Twite showed well, just off the main path perched atop a bit of low hawthorn plus there was an adult Yellow-legged Gull and a single Spotted Redshank amongst the more noteworthy stuff. Other bits included: 1 Little Egret, 2 Peregrine, 560 Wigeon, 2 1st winter Kittiwakes, 3000 Golden Plover, 138 Bar-tailed Godwit etc. A group of 5 Red-throated Divers flew up off the sea just the other side of Shellness and flew off north. (Phil M)

Tuesday 17thJanuary 2006 Stodmarsh NNR

8am - 12:30pm. 7ºC. With every intention of 'doing the circuit' I ended up just 'doing the Lampen wall' - aahh, the lure of trying to 'digiscope' Bullfinches! Once again, I decided on trying to get some blur-free images on a very overcast day, with light drizzle - at least it wasn't too breezy! The mixed Siskin/Redpoll flock of some 100 birds continued to buzz around the nature trail area, but refused to settle for any time. The Penduline
Tit naturally eluded me & the ducks on the main lake obviously thought I was gonna mow-em- down with my scope &  scarpered as far away as possible! I could make out Teal, Shoveler, Mallard, Pochard, Shelduck, & 2 Great Crested Grebe. Gadwall & Coot cowered in the channels. A bold
male Kingfisher allowed me to drain my camera batteries - a welcome dash of colour in the drabness. Across the main lake, Stodmarsh side, I could make out 6 fem Marsh Harriers & 1 male, either perched in trees or annoying the Teal. A Bittern flew across the Lake towards Stodmarsh at 8:15am given good lengthy views & a fem Hen Harrier flew out of the reeds & headed towards Grove at around 10:30. I then embarked on the great Bullfinch hunt with obvious (for me!) results - zilch images, loads of sightings at the back of bushes/trees! Next time then? Wondering where the morning went, I arrived back at the car to tick a fem Sparrowhawk.
(Ben Ring)

Tuesday 17thJanuary 2006 Brooksend

It all feels a bit quiet at the moment. A morning walk around Brooksend revealed 1 Siskin, 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Water Rails and a Cetti’s Warbler but not a lot else. There seem to be quite a few Chiffchaffs about this winter, with at least 18 birds in the Minnis/Reculver area over the last couple of weeks. (Tim Hodge)

Monday 16th January 2006 Ramsgate Harbour

A short visit to the harbour on a damp, grey morning revealed nothing out of the ordinary around the pontoons and storage areas. A Kingfisher was perched on the wooden walkway by the M.V. Kalimera and a couple of Rock Pipits called as they flew towards the Lifeboat Station. I had a quick scan across the ferry turning circle before cycling around to the Harbour Lights Cafe for a seawatch. I spent an hour, before cold and boredom got too much and I packed it in. All birds recorded were flying down channel towards Sandwich/Deal. 26 Red-throated Diver, 1 Black-throated Diver, 13 Auk sp. (99% Guillemots this time of year), 5 adult Kittiwake, 3 Brent Geese, 1 Curlew, 1 Great Crested Grebe and 4 Grey Plover. (Dylan)

Sunday 15th January 2005 Grenham Bay

Very little birding for me this weekend. A quick look at the sea off Grenham Bay revealed 206 Great Crested Grebes.

Saturday 14th January 2006 Stodmarsh NNR

Planet-Thanet is one of the best websites I've seen for keeping up to date with bird spotting in this area, I'm very much a novice bird spotter, but I learn so much from web sites like this one!  I went to Stodmarsh today (14th Jan) and as well as seeing most of the birds you mentioned, I also saw three Goldcrests in the woodland nature trail and approx 15 Long-tailed tits bathing from a branch dangling in the water. I also went there on Thursday (12th) Jan and spotted 2 Treecreeper in the same area and from the reedbed hide, I spotted 100+ Teals, a Bearded Tit and a low flying Bittern. There were 3 Marsh Harriers swooping over the water, which really spooked the Teals! (Jude Walters)

Saturday 14th January 2006 Ramsgate Harbour/West Cliff

I started off on the east pier at 07.40am intending to watch the sea for Auks and Divers. Conditions were poor the sun was up (so viewing was hazy as you're looking east) plus the wind had no east in it whatsoever which didn’t help. Nowhere near the volume of birds as yesterday though we did manage to pick out 1 Black-throated Diver (well just about) in amongst the bits passing through. I packed up at 09.00 having seen: 137 Large Auks, 43 Red-throated Diver, 1 Black-throated Diver, 8 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Kittiwake and 2 Gannets all flying south. Craig and I did have a wander around the Harbour for half an hour afterwards there was a single Kingfisher but not a lot else. (Phil M and little Craigy Sammuels)

Saturday 14th January 2006 Stodmarsh NNR

A return visit to Stodmarsh this morning. I had noted a bird amidst the Redpoll flock yesterday, that I felt sure was a Mealy (Common) Redpoll, but left the area without getting good enough views (dodgy light and an active bird) to be positive. So, today, my mission was to get better views and, hopefully, record a few images. It was a lovely morning and a large mixed flock of Siskin, Redpoll and Goldfinches were feeding in the alders of the Nature Trail wood, where I was also fortunate to have a lone male Crossbill fly overhead, calling loudly. Norman, Brendan and John Cantelo were holding vigil near the boathouse, ever watchful for the Penduline Tit (again with no success). A smart adult male Goosander caused raised voices and I walked down to join them for a while. I picked out a winter plumaged Slavonian Grebe, swimming amidst the huge rafts of Teal I walked further down the path in an attempt to record a pic. The bird allowed me to set up my gear before flying away, across the lake, to land besides the reeds beyond the "Cormorant Trees". I continued down to the hide on stilts where I managed to get a couple of record images before it was airborne again. This time it went much higher and flew away from the lake towards the river and Collard's beyond. Back at the Nature Trail wood, I finally managed to get some excellent views of at least 3 Mealies along with large numbers of Lesser Redpoll, Siskin and Goldfinches. The flocks were very active and frequently left the alders to fly down to drink from the Lampern Stream, obviously the seeds are a very dry diet. I took loads of pics, but the light still wasn't conducive to much more than record shots, I'm afraid. Quite a few Marsh Harriers soaring over the reedbeds, with one ring-tailed Hen Harrier and a superb Bittern - flying towards us, over the lake, before turning back to drop into the channel by the Reedbed Hide. All in all, a very pleasant morning. (Dylan)

Friday 13th January 2006 Stodmarsh NNR

I have to confess; it was the news of a female Penduline Tit (a bird that I have not seen) that saw me drive across to Stodmarsh NNR after I'd finished my shift. I arrived at around 14.45hrs and spent the next two hours enjoying the experience, although I didn't have any success with the bird I had hoped for. There were large numbers of Siskin, Lesser Redpoll and Goldfinches feeding on the alder catkins - around the Nature Trail Woodland and I recorded 12+ Marsh & 5 Hen Harriers (2m & 3 f/imm), 2 Sparrowhawk and good numbers of the common duck species - Teal, Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Pochard and Shelduck with several 1000's of Fieldfare & 800+ Redwing into roost as the light levels fell. Cormorants were particularly obvious, perched in the trees on the far side of the main lake. Surprisingly, I didn't find a single C-R bird (this species is heavily studied), but it was also noticeable that all the birds I could id were of the southern "sinensis" race - including a couple of adults in full breeding attire! Cetti's Warblers were quite numerous and active whilst Water Rails continued to avoid being spotted despite their frequent vocalizations (Dylan)

Friday 13th January 2006 Minnis Bay to Reculver

Another gloomy day, but Barry Matlock and I decided to have a wander round a few sites in the area. We had very nice views of a Barn Owl along the West Brook Valley , whilst quite a few birds were on the sea off Reculver, including 125 Teal, 260 Cormorants, 6 Shoveler, 52 Gadwall, 60 Red-throated Divers, 45 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Shelduck and 20 Wigeon. A look at Shuart produced a couple of Brambling and three Marsh Harriers together, whilst the sea off Minnis Bay included a Pomarine Skua flying east, a drake Red-breasted Merganser, 4 Eiders and 20 Red-throated Divers. There were the usual waders in Grenham Bay , including a lone Purple Sandpiper. (Tim Hodge)

Friday 13th January 2006 Botany Bay  

Black Redstart and Stonechat (both female) above Botany Bay today, and 17 possible Twite at the point. (Steve Coates)

Friday 13th January 2006 Ramsgate Harbour & Westcliff

I watched the sea off the east pier from first light until 9.45am - the conditions were near perfect with a stiffish south/south-easterly with cloud cover and all the birds were at close to mid-range which makes a nice change for the pier. Quite a few 'large' Divers passing through - at least 5 Black-throated Divers and a probable Great Northern flew south plus there was a definite Great Northern Diver sitting on the sea at one point. Other bits of interest included a Puffin (plus almost certainly another distant pair?) and 10-20 Razorbill in amongst the other large Auks. The totals were: 2 Great Crested Grebe, 1+ Great Northern Diver, 5+ Black-throated Diver, 187 Red-throated Diver, 1 Shag, 2 Gannet, 524 Auks/Guillemot, 10+ Razorbill, 1-3 Puffin, 170 Kittiwake, 3 Purple Sandpiper and 6 Grey Plover all south. I did have a wander around the Harbour but saw nothing other than the obvious stuff then onto the equally bird less west cliff where about another 20 Divers passed by offshore. From the end of the groyne at high tide there were about 500 Great Black-backed Gulls, 300 Oystercatcher etc across on Shellness plus 1000+ Lapwing flying around in Pegwell. (Phil M)

Friday 13th January 2006 Deal to Thanet

A hazardous journey from Deal to Thanet this morning – buzzed by a Short-eared Owl on Worth marshes, clouds of Lapwings and? Golden Plovers, Kestrels hovering (including an optimistic one over Westwood car-park), Gulls everywhere. Too many distractions for a driver. (Steve Coates)

Thursday 12th January 2006 Pegwell Bay

Pete Forrest saw 2 Bearded Tits in the big reed bed near the Hoverport this afternoon. A good Thanet record, as they are not annual in the area. (Phil M)

Wednesday 11th January 2006 R/gate Cemetery/Synagogue/R/gate beach

Started with a stroll around the cemetery with all the normal species peasant with higher numbers of Blue Tits than normal, then on to the main beach via the synagogue where a Great spotted Woodpecker was calling, and a mixed feeding flock of Goldcrests, Long-tailed and Blue Tits plus a lone male Chaffinch. On to the main beach where there was a group of 4 Great Crested Grebes feeding just of shore from the park, nothing much out for the norm apart from a high flock of 60 Lapwing going out to sea just before dusk. (Craig)

Wednesday 11th January 2006 Foreness Point

At last an afternoon when the sun managed to break through the murk! I grabbed the opportunity for a short (90 minute) session over at Foreness Point. I had hoped that there might be a C-R gull, but failed to locate any. An adult winter Mediterranean Gull was on the grass besides the "pitch & putt" as I got out of my car. Several large flocks of gulls were viewable from the cliff-top, so I chose to grill to the largest group, below the Water Treatment Works. Once down on the beach, it was obvious that the bulk of the gulls were feeding out at sea, huge numbers, in a seething mass, a mile, or so, out (where the pumping station discharges!) Of the birds gathered on the rocks, Herring Gulls were the most numerous species, the ranks of the resident "argenteus" birds swelled by a good number of the larger and darker mantled northern "argentatus" race. Common Gulls were also present in large numbers and it was easy to pick out several of the much darker Eastern European birds (Larus canus heinei) However, there were an awful lot of birds that showed intermediate characteristics - how little I know and how much more to be discovered? I only noted 3 Lesser Black-backs - all adults, 1 Great Black-back - a 1st winter and an adult Kittiwake. Black-headed Gulls made up the last of the seven gull species on display. Waders were well represented with Curlew, Redshank, Sanderling, Turnstone, Oystercatcher, Grey and Ringed Plover all recorded. I thought that there might be a diver, or two, out at sea but, instead, had to be content with a rather smart adult male Eider that swam in to join the gulls as the sun slowly disappeared beyond the cliff-top towards Cliftonville. Nothing much else to report, just a few Fulmars and a lonely Rock Pipit near the apron of the pumping station. (Dylan)

Tuesday 10th January 2006 Ramsgate to Broadstairs

Tuesday 10th January 2006 Results 2005

RESULTS OF THE KELOWNA CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT 2005

Tuesday 10th January 2006 Doreen Wierenga (ex-Thaneteer) 

CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT  - KELOWNA CANADA

Tuesday 10th January 2006 Dumpton Thanet

I didn't get out, but thought that this might be of interest? Having already noted 100+ Carrion Crows around West Dumpton Lane, I recorded a further 237 birds flying towards Ramsgate Cemetery between 13.10 & 16.00 hrs. Gadget had commented upon the numbers roosting there, so it might be quite a prudent move to attempt to make an accurate count of the birds using this site. We think that there are in excess of 450 birds using this roost - so possibly the largest gathering of Carrion Crows in Kent? I did record a few other bits from my kitchen window! 2 Pied Wagtail, 600+ Starling - towards Ramsgate Town Centre, 70+ Ring-necked Parakeets - towards Ramsgate Station, 4 Magpies plus a few gulls and Wood Pigeons headed south. I must get out soon - this weather is driving me nuts! (Dylan)

Tuesday 10th January 2006 Seaton 

9 -12 noon. Overcast with light to strong gusts. 6ºC. Took a trip over to Seaton this morning to see if any Smew were showing & wasn't disappointed. Although keeping their distance, spotted 2 male & 3 females, but not in any grouping, Good numbers of Wigeon, Tufted Duck, & Coot to give something to aim at with my second attempt at 'digiscoping'. Also sighted m & f Goldeneye, a fem Ruddy Duck, a single Pochard (m) & had a great extended view of a Bittern (11:10am) flying left to right by the far bank before it disappeared over the trees. A pair of Grey Wagtails flew over my head, as did a Little Egret, & over the main pit. Also saw a Kingfisher shoot along on the nearside of the pit & a solitary drab Great Crested Grebe patrolled quite close by. (Ben Ring)

Tuesday 10th January 2006 Late News

It may be of interest to some that a stroll in Thornden Woods over the weekend produced a flock of about 10 Crossbills coming in (presumably to roost?) about 2.30 pm.  They landed in conifers by the metal gate along the main entrance track before they moved on. (Scott)

Monday 9th January 2006 Minnis Bay

A 45 minute seawatch at Minnis Bay included 9 Little Gulls E, 80 Kittiwakes E, 7 Guillemots E, 45 Red-throated Divers E, 4 Eider offshore and 7 Common Scoter, including 5 E.

  Sunday 8th January 2006 North Foreland & Northdown Park

I had an hour to kill this afternoon in Cliftonville so I went for a walk to the pumping station, I shouldn't have bothered it was so gloomy I wouldn't have seen anything if it was there, I did however have a nice view of a pair of Fulmars on their usual niche. Because of the gloom I abandoned the pumping station and decided to pop into my favourite bit of Northdown Park, the little wooded part by the old paddock, parked by the hole in the wall and entered the park, well things couldn't have been different the park was alive with birds, standing by the cricket pitch I scanned round and saw about 200 Starlings and with them, 60 Redwings the most I have ever seen at once, counted them 3 times to be sure, then I heard a sound I recognised coming from behind, it was 18 Goldfinch in a tree, looking round a bit further I saw 8 Chaffinches in another tree. Also present but not counted where Mistle thrush, Song Thrush and Blue tits and a few I couldn't ID, not bad for standing more or less in one spot for 20 minutes, wonder what I missed? (Mick S)

Sunday 8th January 2006 Deal Pier

I managed to grab a couple of hours this morning and went over to Deal Pier for a seawatch. It might not be the most productive spot along the East Coast, but it does offer shelter and have the added bonus of toilets and a cafe! From 08.00 to 09.30hrs I scanned the gloomy sea and was able to record 219 Kittiwake (S), 1 Razorbill (on), 2 Curlew (S), 3 Red-throated Diver (1N & 2S), 2 Common Gull (S), 1 Cormorant (N), 2 Guillemot (1S & 1 on) and 6 Common Scoter (5 f/imm & 1m -South). - (Dylan)

Sunday 8th January 2006 Shuart &

A walk round Shuart this morning in gloomy weather produced a Long-eared Owl, 2 Common Buzzards, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Marsh Harrier and 2 Goldcrests, whilst a quick look around Minnis Bay included 28 (or so) Snow Buntings, 3 Common Scoter, 3 Little Egrets and a Chiffchaff. Derek Smith met a birder yesterday who saw a grey goose, probably Bean Goose, in with the Mute Swans at the bottom of Shuart Lane , but there was no sign of it there today. (Tim Hodge)

Sunday 8th January 2006 Manston Airport Thanet

I had to drive over to the Manston doctor’s surgery, just after 06.00hrs. My reward, for this heroic act, was fantastic views of a Barn Owl as it flew over the road and landed on the perimeter fence of the airport between the new Somerfield’s and the Industrial Estate. (Dylan)

Saturday 7th January 2006 Grove Ferry & Stodmarsh

A miserable, drab, dawn saw me park the car just before 07.40hrs and make my way across to the ramp; where Martyn Wilson was already in position. A Green Woodpecker flew across the field towards the boat yard and several small groups of Redwing & Fieldfare noisily left their overnight roost, in the paddock hawthorns, before I reached the elevated viewpoint. It was great to see Ross Crates out and about (he was already on the ramp with Martyn) and we had a short chat about Sandwich Bay Obs, the reported  Scops Owl and the lessons to be gleaned. Ross openly admitted that he didn't know the call, that he had heard and brought to the attention of Simon Mitchell, at 04.20hrs New Year's Day morning. Subsequently he became sucked in by the momentum of the whole experience, at no time was caution an option. Nuff sed! I had no desire to spend the entire morning staring across the pools and reedbeds, so bid my farewells and headed off for a muddy circuit around the reserve. A Water Pipit called, as it flew overhead, and I recorded several Cetti's Warblers and Bearded Tits as I squelched my way across towards the Marsh Hide. Water Rails were very vocal (I actually saw six birds during the course of the morning); Greylag Geese numbered 350+ and Reed Buntings were widespread around the marsh. My approach to Stodmarsh was enlivened by a small, mobile, flock of Siskin and Redpoll, 7 Goldcrest, 4 Bullfinch, a calling Little Owl and a drumming Great Spotted Woodpecker. Arriving at the Lampern Wall, I was able to scan the main lake, where there were good numbers of Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Pochard, Shoveler and Tufted Duck. I also located 2 female Marsh Harriers perched in the isolated bushes out in the reedbeds. A Jay was seen along the riverbank as I started to make my way back towards Grove. Flooded fields by the Ox-bow provided the opportunity to study a large flock of Lapwing along with 1 Ruff, 7 Redshank, 1 Pied Wagtail and a fly over Green Sandpiper. Before I reached the reedbeds at Grove, I had also noted a lone Little Grebe on the River Stour. Back at the Grove Ferry end of the reserve, I called in to the "Green" hide and was rewarded with fantastic views of Teal, Mallard and a female Tufted Duck. Returning to the ramp provided good views of several 100's Lapwing and Golden Plover, 9 Ruff, 17 Common Snipe and a superb adult male Marsh Harrier. 3rd round of the 125th FA Cup - so I had to be home by mid-day, under orders from "Her indoors" NOT!  (Dylan)

Friday 6th January 2005 Minnis Bay & Stuarts

A few bits today included 20 Tree Sparrows, 1 Water Rail, 1 Pochard, 1 Peregrine, 1 Merlin, 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Brambling, 3 Redpoll and 40 Gadwall. Derek Smith saw two Long-eared Owls at Shuart yesterday, but I couldn’t find them today. (Tim Hodge)

Friday 6th January 2005 Ramsgate Cemetery

I had a look around the cemetery at lunchtime today there were good numbers of birds all over 30+ Rose-Ringed Parakeets which at times there sound was all you could here, 18 Blackbirds, 2 Song Thrushes, 4 Mistle Thrushes, 6 Magpies, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpecker, 3 Jay’s, with Collard Doves, Woodpigeons, and Carrion Crows in all parts of the cemetery, on the west side running into the corner and along the wall I noticed good movement of small the mixed flock of 5 Blue Tits, 7 Long-tailed Tits, 3 Goldcrest, 2 Chiffchaff, and 1 Firecrest, on leaving the cemetery I noted 2 Robin and 3 Dunnock. (Gadget)

Thursday 4th January 2006 Ramsgate Harbour

On sandbank in Ramsgate Harbour at low tide, 8.00am, a male Red Breasted Merganser. (Arnie)

Thursday 5th January 2006 Herne Bay Thanet

A Black-necked Grebe was drifting west with the tide off Herne Bay this afternoon. (Tim Hodge)

Thursday 5th January 2006 Pegwell Bay Bird Report 2005

The updated Pegwell Bay Bird Report 2005 is now posted for those who wish to read, or download. Once again, an excellent piece of work.

Thursday 5th January 2006 Reculver

A sea watch this morning was rather disappointing but did include a group of 9 Little Gulls flying east. Other bits included a drake Red-breasted Merganser offshore, 4 Common Scoter E, 90 Teal W, 1 Guillemot E and 40 Red-throated Divers E. Green Sandpipers were present near Chamber’s Wall and at Brook and a Common Buzzard was sitting in a tree at Netherhale as I drove home. (Tim Hodge)  

Thursday 5th January 2006 Foreness

I had to get up before dawn to ensure that the mountain of Christmas debris could be put out for the dustmen. A Song Thrush, singing from Newland's Farm, did a fantastic impression of Oystercatcher and I also noted a small flock of Lapwings leaving their roost on the ploughed field beyond the garden. I didn't have much time this morning, so drove over to Foreness Point to have a check through the gulls. A raw easterly wind meant freezing hands; any time gloves were removed, so I kept on the move for the most part. 3 adult winter Mediterranean Gulls were seen on the cliff-top grass (2 of them the usual colour-ringed birds) and I found 2 Black Redstarts feeding around the site entrance to the new Water Treatment Works. Down on the rocks, below Foreness Point, there was a nice mix of Oystercatcher, Curlew, Turnstone, Redshank and 4 Purple Sandpiper whilst the gulls were a mix of Herring, Black-headed and a high number of Commons. Offshore there was a steady procession of Red-throated Divers headed east into the wind, but that was about it. I had a token search for the Canadian C-R Turnstone, without success, before calling it a day. I was back indoors before 10.30hrs. (Dylan)

Thursday 5th January 2006 Western undercliff Ramsgate

A quick cold look from the harbour approach showed a Purple Sandpiper and a Grey Plover among Oystercatchers, Turnstones and Redshanks. (Steve Coates)

Wednesday 4th January 2006 Brooksend (Birchington)

An early morning walk in very gloomy conditions produced 1 Cetti’s Warbler, 1 Redpoll, 1 Chiffchaff, 18 Shoveler, 15 Gadwall, 20 Teal, 25 Greylag Geese, 32 Fieldfares, 12 Redwings, 30 Moorhens, 88 Jackdaws and 1 Snipe (Tim Hodge)

Tuesday 3rd January 2006 Stodmarsh & Grove Ferry

08:25 -13:30hrs. Despite the miserable light, I decided to 'christen' my new digiscoping equipment, probably not the best day for it as I took a slow meander around the reserve to take (quite) a few pictures, with varying degrees of success. A party of 50 or so Siskin invaded the trees by the start of the trail to the Reed Bed Hide & were still in the vicinity when I returned to the car 5 hours later. I could pick out a few Common Redpoll & Goldfinch amongst them. Aside from that 'excitement', only the common species showed themselves to me & I was pleased to see both an m & f Bullfinch, 2 Kingfishers, Treecreeper, 4 Goldcrest, 2 Green & 1 Great Spotted Woodpeckers. An m Marsh Harrier showed briefly, as did an f Sparrowhawk. A m Kestrel adopted a much more casual approach as it sat in a distant tree preening, allowing me to get some, sadly, slightly out of focus shots! The Ramp hosted views of hundreds of Lapwing & a few less Golden Plover. A solitary Ruff was picked out & perhaps 5 Common Snipe skulked on the edges. My return to Stodmarsh was a predictably muddy affair with very little of note. (Ben Ring)

Tuesday 3rd January 2006 Ramsgate Cemetery & Harbour

The dreaded "reality slap" that is going back to work! Thankfully, I am on lates this week so at least I can get some birding in before the toil begins. I pedalled around to Ramsgate Cemetery in the hope of relocating Phil B's Hawfinch - no such luck, I'm afraid. Most of the usual birds were present and included 17 Magpie, 5 Jay, 2 Mistle Thrush, 2 Stock Dove, 3 Green & 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Chaffinch, 8 Greenfinch plus the usual mix of Blue, Great & Long-tailed Tits and 4 Goldcrest. The most obvious birds around the area were the Ring-necked Parakeets, their continual raucous calls providing a constant assault on the ears! I stayed for about an hour before continuing onwards to the Harbour. Absolutely nothing new to report. The same mix of Rock Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Turnstone and Herring Gulls providing the bulk of the birds on display. Utterly bored, I cycled back home noting an increase in the Fulmar activity along the chalk cliffs and finished my session getting decent views of a female Sparrowhawk hunting the field behind my garden, as I parked my bike! (Dylan)

Tuesday 3rd January 2006 Shuart & Reculver

A few bits today included 7 Brambling and 140 Stock Doves at Shuart, the Black Brant, 20 White-fronted Geese NW, a Kingfisher and 8 Little Egrets at Reculver and 8 Chiffchaffs, a Grey Wagtail, 4 Goldcrests and 1-2 Bullfinches along West Brook Valley. (Tim Hodge)

Tuesday 3rd January 2006 Stodmarsh & Seaton

Stodmarsh 2^nd January /06 late afternoon until dusk
At least 18 Marsh Harriers (17 up together) came into roost together with 3 Ringtail and one male Hen Harrier. 3 Sparrowhawks were also half heartily chasing the 800 or so Fieldfares that also came in. The other usual suspects included 2 Bittern, 1 Water Pipit, 1 Green Sandpiper, a few Cetti's Warblers and Bearded Tits but surprisingly few Water Rails. A brief look at Seaton prior to Stodmarsh produced 3 Redhead and 1-2 male Smew, 1 male 2 female Goldeneye, 3 Ruddy Duck, 2 Kingfishers, 1 Grey Wagtail and 3 Little Egrets. (F Solly)

Monday 2nd January 2006 Grove Ferry

Today from 6.50am till 12.30pm started with the 2 Bewick's Swans again on the main flood until 7.26 when they flew out eastwards towards ash levels, then 2 Whooper Swans came out of the right hand pool flew east past the ramp turned & flew back west passing close to the ramp heading down the valley towards Stodmarsh/Collards! 81 Mute Swans left to pasture, there were 5 Marsh Harriers, 2 Water Rails, 3 Redshanks, 1 Pheasant, 4 Bearded Tits, 27+ Snipe, 7 Redwings, 264 Golden Plovers, 2 Shelduck, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Cetti's Warbler. Feeding on the ramp were 8 Reed Buntings, 1 female Chaffinch & a Dunnock. A Peregrine Falcon flew through at 9.20, 1 Pied Wagtail, 3 Common Gulls, 24 Black Headed Gulls, a pair of Kingfishers, 2 Stonechats, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Tufted Duck, 350+ Teal, 1800+ Lapwings, 1 Little Egret, 3 Ruff, 2 Kestrels, 1 Pintail, 1 Bittern and 24 Fieldfares. With 120 Jackdaws east, 11 Carrion Crows east and 8 Rooks east but only 5 Cormorants east. (Martyn Wilson)

Monday 2nd January 2006 Ramsgate Harbour

I popped down the Harbour this afternoon - I couldn’t find any Shag's but there was a Kingfisher on the central wall between the inner and outer basins. (Phil M)

Monday 2nd January 2006 Ramsgate harbour to Broadstairs harbour

I finally had a few hours to spend bird watching so off I trotted starting at Ramsgate harbour. A lovely winters day but very busy, seems everyone else was out for a walk too. Remembering all the tips heard previously I headed for the lifeboat station and laundry area. Success, the was the Kingfisher. Also in the area were various Gulls and Turnstones. The following were seen as I walked from the Harbour along the seafront to the George V park, Pied Wagtail, Cormorant, and Oystercatcher. Then onwards through the park and into Broadstairs were Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Blackbird, Robin, Wren, Crow with calls from Blue Tit, Great Tit and Goldcrest. Nothing spectacular but I finally saw what I had wanted and now know where to go in future. (Simon P)

Monday 2nd January 2006 Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory

It's been a funny sort of day. It started at a party on Sunday evening where Gadget & I had a chat about the Scops Owl reported by Sandwich Bay Obs over few "light ales". It must have been pure farce, as it ended with us hatching a conspiracy theory involving an ex-Warden - with a grudge! The use of electronic broadcasting systems and the perpetration of an extravagant hoax! Oh the joys of Stella Artois. At 04.30hrs we were headed off to the Obs where we found a few other die-hard (or desperate?) birders gathered in the hope of a snippet of sound from this diminutive owl. Up in the tower, we managed to have a chat with Simon Mitchell (the birder who made the original id) where it transpired that the call was not the "usual" call, but a variation with an upward inflection to the whistled note! Whilst I accept that an extra-limital occurrence may result in extra-ordinary behaviour, this information did raise a few concerns. Although my heart hopes that a Scops Owl is present in the vicinity of Sandwich Bay Obs, my head just will not allow me to believe it. I would love nothing more than see cynical me proved wrong; it would be a brilliant record for the Obs and Kent. However, this will only be achieved by a sight record or, better still, the SBBOT ringers capturing it in a net! Like many other owl species they readily respond to taped calls. Gadget and I left Sandwich Bay just after 06.00 hrs having heard nothing more than a few Lapwings and 3 Little Owls calling from beyond the farmyard, in the Whitehouse and over by the Oasis. (Dylan)

Monday 2nd January 2006 Grove Ferry & Shuart

The dreary grey conditions didn't bode well for birding anywhere, so we decided to head over to Grove Ferry to pick up a few bits unlikely to be seen on Thanet. Martyn Wilson was on duty up on the ramp (no surprises there then!) and after the exchange of New Year greetings we set about scanning across the reedbeds and pools. Cetti's Warblers called from within the reeds and Reed Buntings were quite numerous around the patches of Sallow and Brambles. Away in the distance, a Little Egret - resting on a field beside the Little Stour, was the first of 3 recorded. A Bittern provided nice views as it had a prolonged flight over the pools by Harrison's Drove and a female Marsh Harrier patrolled the far edge of the reeds, causing panic amongst the assembled masses of Lapwing, Golden Plover, Common Snipe and 3 Ruff. Walking on, toward the Green Hide, Bearded Tits could be heard in the reedbeds on both sides of the path whilst views from the hide revealed a lone female Tufted Duck and a fly-by Kingfisher. Greylag Geese were constantly on the move around the reserve and we also noted a couple of Redshank, a calling Green Woodpecker and large numbers of Blackbirds feeding on the grass of the paddock and meadow beside the entrance track. We then drove across to Shuart, via Chitty Lane and Marshside - in the vain hope of a swan flock or a few geese, where we walked out across the marsh along the lane. Again we noted a large number of Blackbirds present along with Song Thrush, Blue & Great Tits and several large flocks of Wood Pigeons. A Kestrel hovered overhead and a dark female Sparrowhawk flew low across the farmland looking for a meal. Nothing much else to report, just a couple of cock Pheasants and a Stock Dove making it onto the day-list as we returned to the car. The conditions were so dull that we didn't even attempt to get a picture! (Gadget & Dylan)

Monday 2nd January 2006 Ramsgate Cemetery

The first walk around the cemetery in the new year turned up a couple of good birds to start the 'patch' list off. A cool, damp morning under leaden skies saw me ticking common species, including Green and Great-spotted Woodpeckers, Chaffinches, Redwing and Sparrowhawk. A bird seen out of the corner of my eye landing in the top of a beech tree stayed long enough to confirm it as a Hawfinch before it flew off low behind a holm oak. The cemetery seems to be the 'hot spot' in Thanet for this species! A nice tit flock appeared, always a welcome distraction, and careful scrutiny identified Blue, Great and Long-tailed along with a handful of Goldcrests.
One 'crest' skulking in lower shrubs revealed the striking head pattern of Firecrest - what a jewel on a grey morning in a cemetery!  (Phil B)

Sunday 1st January 2006 Minnis Bay & Reculver

Barry Matlock and I started very early and had a pleasant walk round various parts of the area. The highlight was a group of 3 Barn Owls flying around Shuart Lane together early in the morning, but no great surprises otherwise, with a Little Owl at Shuart, a male Blackcap in Birchington and reasonable numbers of Fieldfares and Redwings. The weather deteriorated during the morning and we went to the pub at 12 noon and called it a day thereafter. (Tim Hodge)

Sunday 1st January 2006 Sandwich Bay & Pegwell Bay

A phone call early this morning from Andy Lawson saying "(Eurasian) Scops Owl at Sandwich Bay" I arrived at the SBBOT about 07-20hrs Just behind Ian Harding who had received the same phone call from Andy, the three birders, S Mitchell, W Soar and R Crates that had reported the Scops Owl were on the roadside searching though trees along the hedgerows, Ian & myself joined the search but the Owl was not relocated, before I left the SBBOT and headed to Pegwell Bay I did record some of the more normal specie associated with the area i.e. Corn Bunting extra. when I arrived at pegwell Ian Harding was already setup looking across to the point for Snow buntings which were not located, however Sanderling, Curlew, Redshank, Ring Plover, Dunlin, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Wigeon, Mallard, Teal, Grey Heron, good numbers of Gulls i.e. Herring Gulls, Great Black Backed Gulls, Black Headed Gulls extra, Stonechat, and Twite were also recorded, Then the rain stop play as I had left my coat at home, (Gadget)

Sunday 1st January 2006 Dumpton Gap to Foreness and back

I only managed to get a short session in today. I walked the coast from Dumpton Gap to Foreness and back, but should have known better! Just as yesterday, the birding was dour with the highlights being a single Red-breasted Merganser - south at Dumpton Gap, Purple Sandpiper at Whiteness, Brent Goose and adult winter Mediterranean Gull at Foreness and a fabulous male Firecrest in the Holme Oaks at the end of Convent Road, near the Captain Digby. Grey skies, patchy drizzle and less than 50 species recorded. Hey - ho; there's always tomorrow! (Dylan)

Mediterranean Gull 

30th January 2006

Ringed Plover

30th January 2006

Collared Dove

29th January 2006

Smew

29th January 2006

Brent Geese

24th January 2006

Reed Bunting

24th January 2006

Little Owl

21st January 2006

Stonechat

21st January 2006

Mediterranean Gull

19th January 2006

Siskin

14th January 2006

 Redpoll

14th January 2006

Slavonian Grebe

14th January 2006

Lesser Redpoll

13th January 2006

Eider Duck

11th January 2006

Fulmars

8th January 2006

Teal

7th January 2006

Rose-Ringed Parakeet

6th January 2006

Purple Sandpiper

5th January 2006

Greylag Goose

3rd January 2006

Fulmar

3rd January 2006