Friday 31st July 2009 Pegwell Bay

I had the honour of watching the incoming tide between 5.00 and 8.00pm with a hairy person and we shared the excitement of another Mediterranean Gull fest. After checking the western undercliff on the way home I settled on a day total of 55 birds though no doubt there were a few more. The most staggering thing was that today there were at least 31 juveniles which is about two years worth in a normal year here. Otherwise there were 2 first summers, 3 second summers and around 20 adults. Other bits and pieces seen included 25 Little Egret, 50+ Dunlin, 1 adult Curlew Sandpiper, 320 Curlew, 35 Whimbrel, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Grey Plover, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Common Sandpiper, 200 Sandwich Tern, 10 Common Tern, 1 Arctic Tern, 1 Sparrowhawk and there was a scattering of Willow Warblers around the bushes both on the country park and the hover port/cliff top (Phil M)

Friday 31st July 2009 Sandwich Bay Restharrow Scrape

A little time spent over at Sandwich Bay and Worth Marshes this morning, not much to report on the Restharrow Scrape noted: 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Wood Sandpiper, Little Grebes, Black headed Gulls and 1 Common Snipe, along the roadside a movement of Willow Warbles & Chiffchaff were observed. (Gadget)

Thursday 30th July 2009 Pegwell Bay

I went back down in the afternoon to watch the incoming tide. There were 19 Mediterranean Gulls (7 adults and 12 juveniles) present even though the mass of Gulls hadn't yet even arrived in the bay it being so early in the evening. Otherwise it was fairly quiet there being I Teal, 4 Greenshank, 18 Dunlin, 10 Whimbrel, 315 Curlew, 3 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Common Sandpiper, 330 Sandwich Tern and 26 Common Tern. (Phil M)

Thursday 30th July 2009 Pegwell Bay

I watched the tide from dawn until 6.30 this morning counting the Mediterranean Gulls in seawatch style as they passed south into SBBOT land. Fantastic stuff - I quiet enjoyed it even though it was freezing cold - more akin to an autumn morning than mid summer. On arrival the mud was packed with Gulls (some were already leaving well before the light was good enough for identification) so I just watched the birds moving as the tide came up. There were very few waders but the rain came through far too early for a drop of 'wadery things' or 'wadery stuff'. I was hoping it would hold on until later on in the night but when I got up (at 04.00) it was clear as a bell unfortunately. My counts for the morning turned up 14 Little Egrets,1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 6 Dunlin, 2 Grey Plover,1 Green Sandpiper,17 Whimbrel, 600+ Sandwich Tern, 6 Common Tern, 53 Mediterranean Gull, 3500 Black Headed Gull, 1000 Herring Gull etc. The breakdown of the Mediterranean Gulls this morning was: 10+ juveniles, 2 second summers and 41 adult birds. The largest flock was of 8 adults though many of the birds passed through the area in groups of 1 to 3 birds intermingled with the Black Headed Gulls flying off after roosting in the area. 41 of the birds flew south towards Sandwich - there were still a dozen plus birds still present when I left around 06.30 which included at least 6 of the juvenile birds and one of the second summers. An unprecedented arrival of birds for the area. (Phil M)

Wednesday 29th July 2009 Pegwell Bay

 We witnessed a more interesting incoming tide today. There was a nice movement of Mediterranean Gulls through the bay today with birds continuing to arrive until just before 6.30 when we left. On arrival at 2.30 there were only 3 birds present but a steady procession of birds passed through heading south as the tide came in. Quite how many birds were involved is hard to estimate accurately - we had 11 juvenile birds alone and quite a lot more adults so there must have been at least 25 birds which is a very good number for the area. Bird of the day went to the Mediterranean Shearwater that flew south through the bay at 5.10 - a really good bird for Pegwell. Otherwise the tide turned up c15 Little Egret, 2 Knot, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Grey Plover, 1 Greenshank, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit, 20 Whimbrel, 8 Dunlin, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Hobby, 300 Sandwich Tern and 10 Common Terns. Can I add at this juncture that a splendid time was had with the other birders present on and off during the afternoon. Francis Solley is a wonderful chap - so full of wit and wisdom and then there's young Craig Sammels surely the future of Thanet birding is in good hands!! The highest accolade of the day must go to that minefield of mirth none other than old Mick Shrimpfarmer ... what a bloke ... what a bloke!!                    (Phil M) (all out of medication now)

 Tuesday 28th July 2009 Pegwell Bay

I braved a silly season session and just about stuck it out until the tide came up in the afternoon. I took a few counts which were 18 Little Egret, 520 Curlew, 8 Whimbrel, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 230 Oystercatcher, 1 Peregrine, 1 Hobby, 370 Sandwich Tern, 2 Common Tern, 1 Roseate Tern, 12 Lesser Black Backed Gull, 1 juvenile Mediterranean Gull, 150 Swift, 150 Swallow and about 30 Sand Martin. (Phil M)

Monday 27th July 2009 Pegwell Bay

Being the glutton for punishment that I am I went back down to Pegwell this evening for another look at the dropping tide. I wouldn't have bothered but as Craig has just bought a new bike (after about 2 years of promising to buy one) and I quite fancied seeing his extreme slow motion Eddie Merckx impersonation on the way down. I wasn't to be disappointed. The evening weather had turned rather nice and there was a bit of hirundine and swift movement going on as soon as we arrived. About 1000 Swifts flew west as did a few hundred plus Swallow and a few Sand Martins. Other 'bits' included 9 Little Egret, 200 Sandwich Tern, 9 Common Tern, 5 Mediterranean Gull, 340 Curlew, 2 Whimbrel, 36 Dunlin and 1 Peregrine. A small gathering of the 'old crowd' happened later on - a flashback to the halcyon days of Pegwell evenings past. Old fogies present included the old fog horn himself Antonius Caeser Jolley and a rather haggard looking Francis Solly - he's looking so old these days isn't he? Anyway - fun was had by one and all. Phil M. (sober ... ish)

Monday 27th July 2009 Pegwell Bay

The tide was quite a long way out when I arrived (about 12.00) and 20 or so Redshanks could be seen on the mud looking towards the hover port but try as I might I couldn't find a spotted redshank in amongst them. As the tide came up these birds all but disappeared into the vegetation. Curlews (100+) were obvious throughout the session first on the open mud then in the vegetation in front of the hide and after a lot of searching I managed to find 2 Whimbrel in amongst them, Sandwich Terns were scarce to start but slowly built up as the tide came up (2-300?) with a number of Common Terns in amongst them. I couldn't find a Roseate Tern but as one group of terns was pushed off the mud a Bar-tailed Godwit could be seen in amongst them, Little Egrets were well represented throughout the session with 13 being seen. (Steve Ray)

Monday 27th July 2009 Pegwell Bay

I went down just after first light to watch the dropping tide. There was a slight increase of Whimbrel (8) and Dunlin (36) but otherwise it was quiet out on the mud flat. Only 4 Little Egrets,1 Common Sandpiper and a handful of Terns were seen amongst a mud flat full of early morning Gulls. One of the Barn Owls was showing well as it hunted the marsh on the north side of the hide right down to the hover port until 05.30 or thereabouts. (Phil M)

Sunday 26th July 2009 St Margarets Bay

Early returning Wheatear around the lighthouse and steady trickle of Swallows and Swifts overhead (Rae Boulden)

Saturday 25th July 2009 Sandwich Bay Estate

With high tide at 13.40hrs, it was a little after 10.30hrs when Bev dropped me off in Sandwich. I walked the river walk to the "polly tunnels" before heading across to Backsand Scrape. Although clouds did hide the sun for part of my session, it remained dry and the light was very good. I started with a Turtle Dove "purring" from the riverside Poplars before I reached the Green Wall. Three Mediterranean Gulls flew overhead (2 ad & a 2nd summer) all in heavy wing moult. I found another 9 Meds on the fields by Newdowns Farm, again a mixture of adults and 2nd summers - one with a French C-R that I was unable to read. Yellow Wagtail, Stock Dove, Common Whitethroat, Sedge & Reed Warbler provided a bit of interest as I walked the track towards the scrape. Lifting the shutters in the southern hide revealed Steve Ashton & Alan Ashdown to be present in the opposite one. Greenshank, Common & Green Sandpiper jostled to provide decent images amidst a rather static bunch of Lapwings. The Grove Ferry exiles joined me and we spent a couple of hours in good-humoured banter. Little Egret, Peregrine, Oystercatcher and a small passage of Common Swifts kept us entertained, whilst the walk back to the cars allowed a gull identification master class (for the Grove Chaps) and another 2 adult Meds added to the tally. (Dylan)

Friday 24th July 2009 Pegwell Bay

 I watched the incoming tide today - taking in the Mediterranean style weather not!! The rain was so strong at times that I swear I saw a lost Russian submarine heading down the main path towards the car park? There wasn't much going on other than the Tern flock which contained 340 Sandwich and 20+ Commons plus 2 juvenile Mediterranean Gulls, 12 Egrets, a few Dunlin, 1 Greenshank, 60 Redshank, 1 Sanderling, 1 Common Sandpiper, 3 Whimbrel, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit etc. Yesterday’s tide turned up 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Common Sandpiper, and 290 Sandwich Terns amongst all the usual stuff. (Phil M)

Thursday 23rd July 2009 Pegwell Bay

A slightly nicer morning today. I watched the incoming tide until midday seeing 14 Little Egret, 2+ Peregrine, 240 Curlew, 4 Whimbrel, 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 7 Dunlin, 1 Common Sandpiper, 290 Sandwich Tern, 120 Swallows and 300 Swift. (Phil M)

Thursday 23rd July 2009 Restharrow Scrape Late News

Sunday 19 July 2009 Adult Mediterranean Gull for the website my first photo contribution!  (John van der Dol)

Wednesday 22nd July 2009 Pegwell Bay

No Blue Cheeked Bee-eaters at Peggers today unfortunately - I had to make do with a few waders, terns and hirundines. I watched the incoming tide during the morning in the usual summer gales - though at least the rain held off. Mind you a bit of rain might have helped? There were a few more birds today - not many though. Silly season is in full swing of course so I need a few birds just to mentally ward off the comings and goings of Joe public shouting and hollering and flying things that cause offence to one as perfect as my good self. Oh if only there were more like me about eh? Anyway - today’s birds were as follows: 6 Gannet - south, 4 Grey Heron, 15 Little Egret, 20 Common Scoter - south, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Peregrine, 220 Curlew, 5 Whimbrel, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 35 Redshank, 6 Dunlin, 1 Turnstone, 2 Common Sandpiper, 1 juvenile Mediterranean Gull, 460 Sandwich Tern, 17 Common Tern, 40 Swift, 130 Swallows and 205 Sand Martin.     (Phil M)

Tuesday 21st July 2009 Pegwell Bay

A stroll along the sea wall near Stonelees after tea was halted for twenty minutes or so while we marvelled at a Barn Owl hunting over the salt marsh. Three successful round trips towards the power station area every five minutes or so. Hungry youngsters obviously (Bill Martin)

Tuesday 21st July 2009 Pegwell Bay

I tried a morning visit today in blustery conditions with light rain - the summers gone missing this year. I'm still wearing winter clothes for my birding trips. I watched the incoming tide and watched the sea for two hours as there were a few Gannets moving offshore in the South East wind. I took a few counts/notes which were 109 Gannet - south, 11 Little Egret, 1 Peregrine, 175 Oystercatcher, 209 Curlew, 3 Whimbrel, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 12 Redshank, 19 Dunlin, 1 adult Curlew Sandpiper, 1 second summer Mediterranean Gull, 240 Sandwich Tern, 3 Common Tern, 2 Little Tern, 60 Swift and 12 Swallows. (Phil M)

Monday 20th July 2009 Pegwell Bay

We watched the evening tide until nearly dusk today seeing 9 Little Egrets, 780 Sandwich Terns, 16 Common Terns, 1 Roseate Tern, 3500 Black Headed Gulls, 2 Mediterranean Gulls and 4 Sand Martins flew south.
(Phil and Oli M)

Sunday 19th July 2009 Pegwell Bay

This evenings tide turned up the normal Sandwich Terns as you'd expect at this time of the year plus a half decent influx of Common Terns and Mediterranean Gulls. My counts/notes were 5 Gannet -south, 1 Dunlin, 4 Whimbrel, 1 Knot, 800 Sandwich Tern, 140 Common Tern, 44 Great Black-backed Gull, 8 Mediterranean Gull and c150 Swifts.
(Phil and Oli M)

Sunday 19th July 2009 Sandwich Bay

My first trip out for over a week! Such has been the paucity of local birds (Kent in general); I have taken to photographing Bumblebees in the garden. At 05.30hrs I arrived at the Restharrow Scrape to be met by messers Ashton, Ashdown and Ray. Banter was excellent, as always, however the sighting of a lone juvenile Little Ringed Plover was the only distraction. The heavy mob decided on a sojourn to Blacksand whilst I had a wander over to the sea. Meadow Pipit, Skylark, Corn Bunting, Linnet and Common Whitethroat provided some nice photo opportunities as I walked around. Out at sea there were a large number of Gannets feeding off shore but very little else. As the clouds started to cover the early morning sun, I went back for another look at Restharrow Scrape (07.00hrs), only to discover a Stone Curlew on the left bank as I opened the shutter. A few record images were obtained before the resident Moorhen made it quite obvious that the visitor wasn't welcome. Once airborne two Lapwings joined the attack and the Stone Curlew flew off, over the hide, before dropping down into the field between the scrape and the Ancient Highway. (Dylan)

Monday 13th July 2009 Pegwell Bay

I watched the dropping tide this evening. The Sandwich Tern flock had increased to 425 birds which included at least 53 juveniles which was encouraging. No Roseates as yet - just one Common Tern was seen during the two hours or so I was there. Other bits of movement included a few Swifts and hirundines - a flock of about 40 Sand Martins passed over at one point in amongst the occasional Swallow. My notes for the day included 11 Little Egret, 160 Oystercatcher, 3 Whimbrel, 360 Curlew, c30 Redshank, 1 Dunlin, 1 Lapwing and 3+ Peregrine. (Phil M)

Monday 13th July 2009 Blean Wood

A long overdue visit this morning, I followed the red route for a couple of hours in warm sunshine, Noted amongst other common species, 2 Treecreeper, a Nuthatch, Coal Tit & Marsh Tit & the real prize, was a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Am now applying ice-pack to strained neck muscles! (Ben Ring)

Friday 10th July 2009 Pegwell Bay

I watched the incoming tide today. There was a little bit of movement with a half decent passage of hirundines and the first Common Terns I've seen in the bay this summer. Prior to my arrival a Great White Egret had flown south over the salt marsh and was seen to land in the large creek on the east side of the river Stour. I stayed until 2.15 but there was no further sign. Chris Solly and another chap had originally seen the bird some time between 11.15 and 11.30.Another bit of quality came later on when scanning the sea for Terns I managed to pick up a distant Manx Shearwater flying north. My counts for the day were:10 Little Egret,150 Oystercatcher,15 Dunlin,1 Grey Plover, 270 Curlew, 5 Whimbrel, 1 Common Sandpiper, 3 Peregrine, 150 Sandwich Tern, 7 Common Tern, 2 adult Mediterranean Gull plus 150+ Swallows n/west and 780 Sand Martins n/west. (Phil M)

Thursday 9th July 2009 Pegwell Bay

I watched the incoming tide today. A few more 'bits' had turned up since yesterday which included a local scarcity in the shape of a decked Wood Sandpiper. Other new birds included a flock of 6 Avocets, 4 things and a wotsit. My counts for today were 17 Little Egret, 240 Curlew, 4 Whimbrel, 7 Dunlin, 1 Grey Plover, 163 Oystercatcher, 15 Redshank, 3 Greenshank, 2 Peregrine and 140 Sandwich Tern. (Phil M)

Thursday 9th July 2009 Fan-Bay & Langdon

A distinctly clearer day than Dylan experienced on Saturday & I was rewarded with the pair of Ravens performing a flypast as I approached the Coastguard Station from the St Margarets direction. Similar to him, I watched the Kittiwakes from a fairly precarious position at Langdon & counted a minimum of 5 chicks being shielded by their parents from a free-fall into the briny! Otherwise, an albino Magpie was the only thing of note as I busied myself taking far too many blurry pictures of the masses of common butterflies! (Ben Ring)

Wednesday 8th July 2009 Pegwell Bay

I watched the outgoing tide this afternoon. It's still a tad early for any numbers of birds on the mud flat - I took a few notes which were: 9 Little Egret, 13 Shelduck,105 Oystercatcher, 6 Whimbrel, 45 Curlew, 26 Redshank, 7 Dunlin, 1 Turnstone and 260 Sandwich Terns. A few early Swallows were moving north too - I counted roughly 110 during the afternoon. I also saw 1 Marsh Harrier and 3 Gannet passed south offshore, I did pop down yesterday too but other than a Hobby and c200 Sandwich Terns there wasn't much going on. (Phil M)

Tuesday 7th July 2009 Pegwell Bay

I went down for the rising tide, 10.15 to 11.15am.  What I assume was a family party of 3 juvenile Little Ringed Plover were present plus 2  Whimbrel, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 8 Redshank, 150+ Curlew, 180+  Oystercatcher, 200+ Sandwich Tern and 6 Little Egrets, 5 Sand Martins  were feeding over the salt marsh.  At 3pm there were 34 Turnstone on the beach at Ramsgate West Cliff. (Nick Lever)

Monday 6th July 2009 Pegwell Bay

I popped down for the incoming tide after dinner. There has a been a slight increase in Tern and small Gull numbers but very few new waders were to be seen.2 Mediterranean Gulls dropped into the salt marsh roost one a newly fledged juvenile the other a second summer. My other counts for the day were 12 Little Egrets, 120 Curlew, 1 Whimbrel, 115 Oystercatcher, 4 Peregrine and 260 Sandwich Tern. (Phil M)

Sunday 5th July 2009 Ramsgate Beach

Non-bird watching day today but, as I was paddling in the sea I was treated to an adult Mediterranean Gull feeding off the water mere feet from me off Ramsgate Main Sands. Considering the beach was packed and there were a lot of people in the water, I was surprised to see it - especially when it flew off a matter of ten feet above my head towards the harbour, giving great views. (Richard Jermy)

Saturday 4th July 2009 Fan Bay & Langdon

With the brilliant news of successful breeding by a pair of Ravens (fledging three chicks on/around 7th May) I took a drive over to Reach Road to have a look along the cliff-top. I arrived at 13.00hrs to be confronted by billowing fog rolling in off the sea. It was bloody freezing! I walked to Langdon Cliffs with the fog dispersing to reveal a brilliant summer afternoon. Carrion Crow, Jackdaw and Rook were seen, but no sign of their big cousins! A pair of Peregrines flew across an adjacent wheat field, as I struggled to get the camera from the back-pack. Back at Fan Bay I watched the antics of several pairs of Kittiwakes that were nesting on the chalk cliffs. It is good to see them back along the coast, as they have been struggling for the past few years. Whilst I sat on the cliff-top, I enjoyed superb views of the local Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gulls as they cruised the up draught along the coastal footpath. (Dylan)

Wednesday 1st July 2009 Dumpton Thanet

With most of the garden birds fledged now, It's a bit quite around the garden, we still have the Parent Goldfinches, Green Finches and Great Tits coming to the feeders daily, and the House Sparrows are in wait first thing in the morning for when i do the moth trap in hope of an escapee, a Dunnock and Wren are in and out of the Ivy around the back wall most day's and the male Blackbird has a look around the bushes,  Gadget)