Friday 30th January 2009 Pegwell Bay

I watched the mudflat between 10.00 and 1.15pm in a stiff south-easterly wind that would cut less muscle-bound mortals in half in minutes. Other than the day to day stuff the highlight of my little watch would be the 12 'rubrirostris' Greylags which flew south at close range across the bay just after midday. It's only the second time I've seen them in the bay and the first time was many years ago. There is one other record during the past decade or so. Other 'bits' included 5 White-fronted Geese south at 12.25hrs, 2 Water Pipits together on the scrape near the hide,1 adult Yellow-legged Gull, the Sandwich Tern and a Hen Harrier. I also saw a Spotted Redshank for only the second time this month. There were good numbers of Teal offshore as the tide rose - I wouldn't be surprised if there were well over 500 today which is a huge amount for Pegwell? I counted 420 in three flocks at one point but I'm not sure that they were all in view during that scan as the sea was still quite choppy? My other counts included: 26 Shelduck, 280 Wigeon, 110 Mallard, 2 Pintail, 2 Eider, 2 Peregrine, 13 Ringed Plover, 114 Grey Plover, 60 Golden Plover, 750 Lapwing, 136 Bar-tailed Godwit, 830 Dunlin, 180 Knot, 510 Oystercatcher and 85 Curlew. (Phil M)

Friday 30th January 2009 Botany Bay  

An intended quick visit to the Bay this morning turned into 2 hours as I inspected the rocks for any 'different' waders. Despite the sunshine the breeze felt cold as I watched the antics of the Turnstone, Common Redshanks, Oystercatchers, Curlews & a solitary Grey Plover. Of greater interest was the patrolling Fulmar, buzzing the cliff dwelling feral Pigeons, seemingly attempting to dislodge the latter from their perches. Three Gannet flew east & a single Great Crested Grebe bobbed around in the choppy water. I could make out the occasional distant diver but without the scope wouldn't like to call the specie. (Ben Ring)

Thursday 29th January 2009 Dungeness

Taking up Gadget's kind offer of a lift dahn sarf (Dungeness), a wounded DM was ferried to the RSPB reserve by the owner of this website, an altogether older, wiser and smaller fellow. A fresh south-easterly was blowing as we pitched up at ARC and enjoyed two red-head Smew and a Goosander before heading for the RSPB reserve. News that a Ruddy Duck shoot had been held prior to our arrival (shame on you, RSPB) did not bode well and indeed we struggled early on, although a Slavonian Grebe (on New Excavations), eight or nine Pintail and a mightily relieved Ruddy Duck were visual. We wound our way through the hides, being distracted by little other than a pair of Stonechats which prompted Gadget to take some award-winning photographs (these were two of five stonechats we saw during the day). Denge Marsh hide brought a Black-necked Grebe and a pair of displaying Great Crested which also precipitated much taking of fine images. A distant Marsh Harrier will not, however, be gracing the picture archives. Our ganders up, we soon rattled up three Red-crested Pochards. All were drowsy - or maybe just huddling up from the cold - although the male of the triumvirate did eventually show us his splendidly luminous pink bill.  A nearby Little Grebe pleased the little peep, but his desire to make it five out of five with Red-necked was not to be fulfilled. No matter, it was time for lunch at The Britannia. A mixture of cod, burger, chips and beer propelled us into the afternoon and an impressive movement of Guillemots, a handful of Kittiwakes, a Common Scoter and a few Gannets from the beach. Sadly, whatever it is that makes the Patch the Patch wasn't working today, so we decided not to linger longer. The final phase of our little adventure took us across Walland Marsh. The tiny one scoffed, but he was soon to eat his words as we feasted on excellent views of a Barn Owl, 30-odd Corn Buntings and a couple of cracking Yellowhammers at Midley barns, although the Bewick's Swan flock was absent today. A little further on, a Common Buzzard was in a field eating something - the feathers suggested a bird - and a couple of Marsh Harriers drifted towards the Woolpack roost. It had been a wholly enjoyable day and so, happy with our lot, we elected to return to the planet of love.       (Dave M and Gadget) 

Thursday 29th January 2009 Ramsgate Harbour and Pegwell Bay

It was bitterly cold down on the coast at first light. I sheltered out of the freezing south east wind on the east pier where I thought there might be a little bit of Diver movement, but there was very little going on over the sea at all. I endured it for a whole hour - packing up at 08.45 by which time I'd seen a massive 14 Divers, 65 large Auks, 1 Gannet, 5 Great Crested Grebe, 5 Kittiwake and a Shelduck all flying south except for one of the Auks and the Duck. After a quick look around the harbour where there was naff all - I took a slow poodle down to Pegwell via the west cliff and cliff top where I stayed until 11.30 waiting for the incoming tide. Having to shelter on the north side of the bird-hide out of the arctic wind where it was in the shade meant standing in a patch of gloopy slippy mud where the air temperature didn't rise much above freezing even when the sun started shining through. I was almost hypothermic by mid morning. Never mind eh? The birding didn't set the world on fire either. I took a few counts amongst them were 29 newly arrived Brent, 23 Shelduck, 220 Wigeon, 65 Mallard, 5 Pintail, 2 Eider, 160 Teal, 146 Grey Plover, 3200 Lapwing, 750 Golden Plover, 1040 Dunlin, 310 Knot, 140 Curlew, 184 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Hen Harrier, 3 Peregrine, 1 Water Pipit (once again perched at one point in a bush on the country park)1 Little Grebe, 1 adult Yellow-legged Gull, the Sandwich Tern and there were 13 Corn Buntings in the salt marsh down near the garage. Gull numbers are still pathetically low unfortunately. (Phil M)

Thursday 29th January 2009 Pegwell Bay

A Ringtail Hen Harrier was hunting on the salt marsh at first light, together with 2 Sparrowhawk and one Fox, making the Lapwing, Curlew, Grey and Golden Plover restless. Two Peregrines were on the chimney.  A lone bait digger had the entire bay to choose from, and began digging right in front of the hide… (Peter Loudon)

Wednesday 28th January 2009 Stodmarsh NNR

I met a guy called Ben Ring at reedbed hide, he came in and we chatted like you do when out of the left hand reedbed, out came Mr or Mrs Bittern and flew across in front of us and went over the footpath into the reeds, my first Bittern in the wild, wow!!   (Roly Wells- Colyer) 

Wednesday 28th January 2009 Stodmarsh NNR

Just a couple of birds of note on my wanderings today - a Spotted Redshank from the Marsh Hide & a very lengthy flight from a Bittern setting off from left of the Reedbed Hide, as far as the Lampen Wall, & then seemingly following the path right & over the boathouse. (Ben Ring)

Wednesday 28th January 2009 Pegwell Bay

A misty manky old morning today, I only stayed for an hour and a quarter after watching the incoming tide, seeing pretty much the same stuff as what was present yesterday. I did take a few counts which were: 260 Wigeon, 230 Teal, 3 Pintail, 1 Kittiwake, 188 Grey Plover, 900 Golden Plover, 3000 Lapwing, 3 Ringed Plover, 250 Knot, 500 Dunlin, 159 Bar-tailed Godwit etc. As I cycled home I disturbed a Corn Bunting off the cycle path up near the garage plus a Merlin was hunting over the fields of Little Cliffsend Farm. (Phil M)

Wednesday 28th January 2009 Thanet Way Area

While driving in the direction towards London just past the St Nickolas Roundabout on the Thanet Way a Common Buzzard was observed sitting on a post. (Steve Ashton)

Tuesday 27th January 2009 Stodmarsh NNR

A chance to spend 5 1/2 hours birding saw me head over to Stodmarsh. The news of a "possible" Pied - billed Grebe had me intrigued, even before Richard Collins had released the additional report from Seaton GP's. Sadly neither the grebe or my Penduline Tit were re-located but, there were still plenty of birds to enjoy. The Alder Wood held a nice mix of Siskin, Lesser Redpoll, Goldfinch, Chaffinch and (9+) Brambling. 2 male Treecreeper were singing, although I failed to see either. Cetti's Warbler, Water Rail, Little Grebe, Marsh Harrier and Greylag Geese kept the list moving with several Bullfinches seen at various points along the Lampern Wall. Marc Heath, Mike Gould, Steve Ashton, Uncle Tom Cobbly and all were visitors today, drawn by the news of this extra-ordinary sighting. Hopefully, someone will have the good fortune to confirm the presence with decent views. (Dylan)

Tuesday 27th January 2009 Pegwell Bay

I watched the incoming tide between 10.00 and 12.15 today in glorious sunshine and not a breath of wind. I took a few counts which were: 35 Divers south and 4 north, 71 Great Crested Grebe - offshore, 1 Little Grebe, 5 Brent,41 Shelduck, 2 Eider, 240 Wigeon, 6 Pintail, 260 Teal, 5 Shoveler, 2500 Lapwing, 900 Golden Plover, 135 Grey Plover, 220 Knot, 470 Dunlin, 170 Bar-tailed Godwit, 70 Curlew, 1 Merlin, 2 Peregrine and 1 Sparrowhawk. I also saw at least 1 Water Pipit - once again perched atop a bush on the country park, so it's perhaps not that unusual an occurrence as I used to think plus a single Crossbill flew north over the country park at 11.15 (Phil M)

Monday 26th January 2009 Pegwell Bay

Spotted a few good birds while about the Country Park today, A Water Rail was squealing from deep in a bramble bush (no wonder) and a Merlin spooked the waders as it flew across the bay mid-morning. As Phil says, in the afternoon there were thousands of Lapwings and Golden Plovers on the mud and a Water Pipit showed well as it skulked around the scrape in front of the hide. The finch flock was dominated by around 100 Linnets. The proceedings were all noted by a Peregrine sat atop the Richborough chimney. (Jason Mitchell)

Monday 26th January 2009 Ramsgate Harbour and Pegwell Bay

Nice weather and a couple of half decent birds to boot today. I started off at first light on the east pier where to be quite honest it wasn't looking very good. I was hoping for a bit more wind (Ooh matron!) but it was flat calm first thing. I stayed until 08.45 but it was awfully slow going - 72 Divers (64 south),95 large Auks all south plus 19 Gannet,10 Kittiwake,13 Great Crested Grebe,4 Brent and 5 Common Scoter past plus 20+ Great Crested Grebes offshore, makes it sound an awful lot better than it was at the time. I then whizzed off to Pegwell for the incoming tide where I stayed until 2.00pm - an enormous winter session for me of late. The tide wasn't too exciting initially with wader numbers being very low - though there were reasonable numbers of Ducks present offshore - 48 Shelduck, 2 Eider, 70+ Mallard, 380 Wigeon, 340 Teal, 1 Pintail, 4 Gadwall and 2 Shoveler. At high tide I started scanning across the sea where a slow trickle of Divers were mainly heading south. There were high numbers of Great Crested Grebes offshore sitting around in small flocks - over 100 birds. Best of all a large Diver swam around into the bay from behind the point and it was a Great Northern Diver - the third sighting this winter. I'm sure I've not ever seen 3 during one winter period? Other 'bits' included a Water Pipit,1 oiled Kittiwake, the Sandwich Tern, a Merlin, 3 Peregrine, 2 Sparrowhawk, 2 Stonechat, 4 Corn Bunting and 7 Brent. Offshore another 68 Divers went south and 9 north plus a flock of about 30 Common Scoter went south too. Top bird of the day occurred at 1.25 when I picked up a 1st winter Iceland Gull whilst looking for divers which flew close south eventually behind shellness and joined in amongst about 100 large Gulls flying around a small fishing boat chugging towards Ramsgate. By mid afternoon wader numbers had picked up considerably from the morning too. By then there were 6000+ Lapwing, 2200 Golden Plover, 160 Bar-tailed Godwit etc to go with the 115 Grey Plover, 235 Curlew, 53 Sanderling, 270 Knot, and 640 Oystercatcher I'd counted earlier. This winter has surely been the best for scarce birds in quite a few years locally? (Phil M)

Monday 26th January 2009 Stodmarsh NNR

I spent 4 hours at Stodmarsh NNR this morning but could not locate Pied-billed Grebe, Did see Norman Mccanch and other birders maybe they had better luck than me, 1 Bittern and 2 Mash Harrier were observed other birds around the alder wood Siskins, Lesser Redpolls, Goldfinches, Chaffinches, Long-tailed Tits and Great Tits, Great & Green Woodpeckers, Greylag Geese and Lapwings Dominated the sky and around the reedbed Hide Cetti’s Warblers Water Rail, Wren, Reed Bunting Dunnock, Jay’s out in front of the hide Gadwall, Pintail, Shelduck, Teal, Mallard (Gadget)

Monday 26th January 2009 Broadstairs to Ramsgate

I went across to Broadstairs, with Bev, so that I could see the scale of the clean up that had taken place. I would like to say what a fantastic job has been done. Thanet Council, the contractors and the 1000's of "beach combers" have achieved a wonderful result, with very limited damage to the marine chalk reef, the habitat, of International importance that surrounds the Isle of Thanet - my congratulations and thanks to all involved. Birding was pretty much as expected. Oystercatcher, Turnstone, Curlew and Grey Plover along the shoreline, Fulmars patrolling the cliffs and a couple of Rock Pipit foraging along the seawall. Out at sea there were just a few auks and Red - throated Divers moving south. The adult male Black Redstart was still in situ, along Marina Parade. (Dylan)

Sunday 25th January 2009 Garden Ramsgate

Whilst looking in back garden in today’s awful weather after yesterdays big bird garden birdwatch, had better result with a total of 13 Greenfinches feeding on canary mix i put on ground together with 2 Dunnocks (S Mould)

Sunday 25th January 2009 North Foreland

A seawatch for 1 hour at North Foreland this morning failed to produce the goods as expected. Seen heading South I saw 61 Auks (all those close were Guillemots), 3 Divers, 2 Kittiwakes and 1 Gannet. Offshore there were 8 Great Crested Grebes and 28 Grey Plovers at the roost. (Simon Mount)

Saturday 24th January 2009 Stodmarsh NNR

Spent a little time out at Stodmarsh NNR this morning the Alder wood held Blue Tits, Siskins, Redpolls and Great Spotted Woodpecker, Chaffinches and Great Tits were observed along the Lampen wall from the Reedbed hide Greylag Geese and Teal were seen coming into land on the lake and Mallard were in front of the hide with Mash Harrier and Bittern flying over the reeds on leaving the reserve I was told that a Drake Smew had been seen from the Reedbed Hide. (Gadget)

Saturday 24th January 2009 Deal Pier

I arrived at the pier just before 07.30hrs, setting up by the newly renovated cafe. I spent the next 3 hours watching the sea, the last hour in the company of Steve (Kingsdowner) Coates. A fair bit to see, although the gentle westerly was hardly ideal for a decent movement. In no particular order, I recorded 14 Cormorant (13s 1n), c 300 Great Crested Grebe - drifting north on the rising tide, 9 Auk sp / Guillemot, 180 Red - throated Diver (51n, 116s & 13on), Lapwing 31 s/east towards the French coast, 1 Brent Goose, 3 Common Scoter, 3 adult Gannet, 2 Ringed Plover, 33 Dunlin, 1 Kittiwake and the 2nd winter Mediterranean Gull. Never hectic, it was still very enjoyable and Steve's company (& coffee) was most appreciated. (Dylan)

Saturday 24th January 2009 Broadstairs Garden

We did our duty for the RSPB garden birdwatch this morning and saw the following in the allotted hour:  3 Blackbird, 3 Collared Dove, 2 Dunnock, 2 Blue Tit, 2 Great Tit, 2 Woodpigeon, 1 Greenfinch, 1 Pheasant, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Herring Gull, 1 Wren and 1 Robin.  Rose-ringed Parakeet, Mistle Thrush, Stock Dove, Chaffinch and Magpie were seen either as flyovers or just outside the time limit, so they never made it to our list.      (Jerry Lanfear)

Thursday 22nd January 2009 Broadstairs to Foreness Point

 

I had absolutely no idea of the sight that was to greet me as I arrived at Viking Bay. The cargo of wood that had been lost from a Russian ship, in the Channel off of Newhaven, was strewn for as far as the eye could see. Other observers relaying tales of even more spectacular deposits back towards Ramsgate. I walked the beach all the way to Joss Bay, before continuing my journey along the cliff top path. The scale of the problem is unable to be conveyed with my images. Luckily the southerly wind meant that Whiteness Point was the furthest north the timber had been deposited, the remainder obviously headed across the Thames Estuary destined for the Essex coast given the forecast. Birding was a secondary pastime, as I made my way north. 5 Stonechat, 2 Kestrel, several Meadow Pipit and a nice flock of 30+ Linnet being the best of the land birds, waders being represented by Curlew, Oystercatcher, Turnstone, Grey Plover, Purple Sandpiper, Redshank and Sanderling. Out at sea there was a steady procession of Red - throated Divers and Auk sp. (mainly Guillemots). Fulmars patrolled the cliffs and mixed with the gulls that were constantly put to flight by the antics of the Coastguard spotter plane. Quite why it needed to fly at less than cliff height is a mystery, especially as the BBC News helicopter was doing a similar job, of surveying the wreckage, from a more reasonable altitude. Police vehicles were placed strategically at all easy access points to the beaches, although there was no attempt to stop the locals from taking timber away. The more the merrier in my opinion, because Thanet Council will not have the resources to move this amount of tide line debris and the fragile eco-system that exists on the marine chalk reef is unable to protect itself against a prolonged battering from this floating mass. If you come to join in the fun, think of yourselves as beach cleaners, not scavengers or salvage crews! (Dylan)

Wednesday 21st January 2009 Stodmarsh NNR

Popped into Stodmarsh at 15:15, Spoke to another fellow just leaving who had seen Redpoll, Siskin & Bullfinch in the Alder Woods. Alas no sign of the aforementioned probably due to a Sparrowhawk. Also had been informed that 2 Bittern were seen earlier from the hide nearest the car park. After an hours vigil from the hide had the briefest of views as a Bittern exited the reeds from the left side of the pool to travel 5 yards to the right hand edge. Spent another half hour but no better views to be had. Other birds were Jay 2, Great Spotted Woodpecker 2, Green Woodpecker 1, Marsh Harrier 6 & 30 Fieldfare going to roost. Heard Cetti's 2 & Water Rail 2. In the Red Lion pub garden earlier was a cracking Male Brambling (Chris Solly)

Wednesday 21st  January 2009 Ramsgate Harbour

 

With a couple of hours of daylight remaining, after my shift, I cycled across to the coast. The harbour was very quiet, not even any gulls on the slipway! A Kingfisher, 11 Turnstone, 1 Sanderling, 1 Ringed Plover and 2 Rock Pipit being as good as it got. With the sun shining brightly, I made my way along the seawall back towards Winterstoke Steps where several pairs of Fulmar have already laid claim to their nesting ledges. I was treated to a spectacular display of their flying prowess. A few Pied Wagtails scurried around the car park and a Rock Pipit posed nicely at the base of the cliffs. (Dylan)

Not being able to get out today i spent an half hour observing the birds in the garden, 5 Blackbirds, 1 Robin, 1 Dunnock, 1 Wren, 16 Goldfinches, 8 Greenfinches, 6 Collard Doves, 8 Feral Pigeons, out on the field behind my house were 2 Pied Wagtails, 25 Starlings, 12 Linnets, 9 House Sparrows, 20+ Carrion Crows, 30+ Woodpigeons 15 Black-headed Gulls, 17 Herring Gulls, 2 Sparrowhawk were seen hunting along the back gardens and a Kestrel was  hovering over by Newlands Farm. (Gadget)

Thursday 15th January 2009 Deal Pier

 

Just 75 minutes sea watching this morning. As Phil has reported from Ramsgate Harbour, it is slow going! My meagre return on my efforts were 7 Red - throated Diver (6s 1n), 4 Great Crested Grebe, 6 Common Scoter, 1 Teal, 4 Cormorant and a 2nd winter Mediterranean Gull. A steady trickle of Common Gulls headed south during my stay but, unless the finer points of gull plumage variation is of interest, you were better off watching paint dry! (Dylan)