News and Updates

Birds News and Updates 2009

Last update: Tuesday 30th June 2009 at 18-30hrs

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Day Listing April 2009

Tuesday 30th June 2009 Grove Ferry

A few hours wondering around for nothing unspectacular from 10.00-12.30 produced 13 Cormorant, 15 Little Egrets (with a further 4 a Stodmarsh, per Ian H) 8 Grey Heron, Shelduck with there 3 now large young, ducks in eclipse inc Mallard, Teal & single Shoveler, female Tufted Duck with 3 young Feast Hide, 2 Hobby, 3 Marsh Harrier 2m 1f,Lapwing c20, 23 Green Sandpiper (8 ramp, 15 Harrison's), 27 Black-headed Gulls inc 1 juv from the ramp & 10-15 over, 8 Common Tern, 4 Turtle Dove, 2 Cuckoo, few Swifts, singles of Green & Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 15 Swallows, 1Meadow pipit, 4 Wren, 3 Garden Warblers, 4 Blackcaps, 4 Whitethroat, 2 Cetti's Warblers, few Reed & Sedge Warblers still singing as was a Chiffchaff, 3 family groups? of Bearded Tits, with finches in the form of Chaffinch, Goldfinch & Greenfinch and lastly 5 Reed Buntings Noted (Craig Sammels)

Monday 29th June 2009 Pegwell Bay

After an aborted first light visit due to thick mist I eventually arrived in the evening for the dropping tide. The mist was a real problem on and off for the first hour and half but afterwards the visibility was fantastic. I stayed between 6.00 and 9.00pm and took a few counts which were: 3 Little Egret, 5 Grey Heron, 1 Brent, 17 Mallard, 46 Shelduck, 106 Curlew, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Lapwing, 1 Greenshank, 70 Sandwich Tern and a Peregrine. Quite a few post breeding adult Black-headed Gulls and the odd juvenile built up on the mud during the evening. On my way home I'm pretty sure that I could hear a Quail calling from the field opposite Little Cliffsend Farm? As I cycled up the hill I heard it calling a few times in the distance off the left hand side of the road but it was hard to pin down over the noise of all the traffic. I'm not certain - I will check it out later on this week. (Phil M)

Sunday 28th June 2009 Clowes Wood

Having spent some of the morning with Gadget over at Sandwich Bay Obs, to meet up with Ross (one of the young birders from the 2002 autumn course) We arranged an evening session in Clowes Wood for a spot of Nightjar watching. Almost perfect conditions, a male Nightjar putting on a very good show accompanied by a couple of Woodcock. With the light fading rapidly we retired to the pub, in Tyler Hill, where we enjoyed a beer and some excellent banter. Ross is a great example of the benefits of sharing this wonderful hobby - we should all try to encourage youngsters to take an interest in the wildlife that is so easily seen, if only someone takes the time to show them! (Dylan & Gadget)

Sunday 28th June 2009 Pegwell Bay

I went down for the dropping tide this evening. A cold sea mist blew in off the sea making visibility quite awkward from time to time. I did take a few counts which were 1 Little Egret, 1 Whimbrel, 54 Curlew, 1 Greenshank, 2 Turnstone, 1 Ringed Plover and 39 Sandwich Terns. I did hear a Green Sandpiper calling from the river area at one point too. I haven't been down the bay since last Monday when I came across very little out on the mud though there was a Barn Owl hunting over the salt marsh at dawn plus 6 Little Egret, 1 Hobby, 4 Peregrine, 1 Brent, 2 Teal etc. (Phil M)

Sunday 28th June 2009 Pegwell Bay

A quick cycle down to the Country Park and back 06.45 to 07.45 was fairly uneventful.The adult Mediterranean Gull was still present.I also noted 2 Common Gulls and 11 Little Egrets. (Nick Lever)

Saturday 27th June 2009 Pegwell Bay

Whilst having a pint at the Belle Vue this evening there was an adult Mediterranean Gull among the gulls along the tide line, I casually counted at least 80 Curlew and 50 Sandwich Tern. (Nick Lever)

Friday 26th June 2009 Stodmarsh NNR

The booming Bittern could be heard every 3 or 4 minutes from the Lampen Wall & the Marsh Hide trail this morning. Other bits include 4 Little Egret on the grazing marsh (I counted 7 on Wednesday) at least 6 Turtle Dove 'purring' away & 2 Cuckoo, Four Marsh Harrier were in the air at the same time in the Marsh Hide vicinity, only individual Hobby seen, & on leaving the reserve a Buzzard was being mobbed by a Crow. (Ben Ring)

Monday 22nd June 2009 Grove Ferry

A couple of hours spent on the ramp from 15.00-17.00 in nice warm sunshine yielded;7 Cormorant, 4 Little Egrets, 5 Grey Heron, the pair of Shelduck with 3 young, small numbers of Gadwall & Teal, 6 Marsh Harrier inc 3m 2f 1juv, 2 Kestrel, 1m Peregrine with a successful kill, 3 Hobby, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Ringed Plover, numbers of Lapwing seem to be on the up with at least 120 taken to flight with the Peregrine attack, 8+ Green Sandpipers (a visit to Harrison's may have produced more), 2 Black-tailed Godwit, some 30+ Black-headed Gulls on pool to the right, 2 Cuckoo's and a family of Bearded Tits noted. (Craig Sammels)

Monday 22nd June 2009 Minnis Bay

5 Gannets flying towards Westgate also 1 Shelduck, I then spotted one Ringed Plover running on shingle (Will Miles)

Monday 22nd June 2009 Upstreet to Minnis Bay via Chislet and Reculver

Today was a great day for a nature walk and the birds seemed to agree. I managed to see 65 species today and notable among them was a very obliging Turtle Dove on the Marshside road, a Buzzard enjoying the thermals near Chislet, a perched female Marsh Harrier at Grove Ferry, several Cuckoos (I counted around six individuals throughout the day), two Greenshank ambling about at the Grove Ferry scrape and a female Eider and juvenile Shag along the sea wall at Reculver. Bird of the day for me though was the adult Mediterranean Gull which alighted on the pools along from the towers and gave some great views before flying off towards Herne Bay. (Richard Jermy)

Friday 19th June 2009 Wickhambreaux Late News

On our way to Grove Ferry in search of the Red Necked Phalarope (not seen) we made a brief visit to Wickhambreaux church. Although access to the churchyard is prohibited we did manage, from the main gate area, excellent views of a male Spotted Flycatcher. (Barry Woolhouse & Malcolm McVail)

Friday 19th June 2009 Preston

I decided to check whether the Spotted Flycatchers had returned to Preston churchyard this morning & was rewarded with a sighting within 3 minutes of arriving. Afforded only distant, shadow-surrounded views of one bird but pleasing all the same as a month earlier than my first sighting of last year. (Ben Ring)

Friday 19th June 2009 North Foreland

A very tatty and dull Red Kite went through at 8:20 this morning heading SW. (Simon Mount)

Monday 15th June 2009 Pegwell Bay

I went down at 4.30 this morning and after a quick wander around I watched the dropping tide. There was a Garden Warbler singing on the country park plus 4 scattered purring Turtle Doves but little else of note around the bushes. The tide turned up 1 Brent, 31 Mallard, 4 Gadwall, 3 Teal, 8 Little Egret, 12 Curlew, 104 Oystercatcher, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Ringed Plover, 1 Lapwing, 1 Spotted Redshank and 4 Sandwich Tern. (Phil M)

Sunday 14th June 2009 Newington Thanet

About 12.00hrs today 2 Avocet were seen near Rushbourne sea wall Reculver area, (Will Miles)

Saturday 13th June 2009 North Foreland

This morning a flock of 10 Lapwings were roosting in the tractor furrows in one of the fields. Very early autumn migrants! Also a Skylark was singing which is most unusual as they haven’t bred in the area for at least 5 years and I have not heard one all Spring. (Simon Mount)

Saturday 13th June 2003 Chillenden

Dad's birthday, so Bev & I were invited for lunch at the King's Arms in Sandwich - spot on! After our meal, we all headed across to Chillenden, where my son-in-law, Berne, has an exhibition of his paintings on display in the village hall. If you've nothing better to do, please go to view his work tomorrow (10.00 - 16.00hrs) it is really very good! A Little Owl was enjoying the afternoon sunshine, allowing me a chance to grab a few images before family duties called a halt. (Dylan)

Friday 12th June 2009 Clowes Wood

A very enjoyable session around the woodland enabled me to add Nightjar to the year-list, although it wasn't until 21.45hrs that the male decided to play ball! Hobby, Woodcock, Tawny Owl, Willow & Garden Warbler, Chiffchaff and Nightingale provided the bulk of the soundtrack with the occasional burst of Turtle Dove just for good measure. Bullfinch and Song Thrush were surprisingly numerous around the woodland and I had some fun with several family parties of Long-tailed Tits, as they moved along the woodland fringe. (Dylan)

Friday 12th June 2009 Pegwell Bay

I went down after dinner to watch the incoming tide - not expecting much. A sub adult Spoonbill dropped in and spent about 20 minutes or so feeding, preening and sleeping just offshore before flying off to the south as the tide covered the mud flat. Otherwise I noted 1 Brent, 11 Little Egret, 24 Curlew, 2 Dunlin, 11 Ringed Plover, 1 Peregrine and 13 Sandwich Terns. I haven't been doing much birding lately though I did pop down yesterday (twice) but there wasn't much about - 1 Greenshank, 11 Sandwich Tern etc. (Phil M)

Monday 8th June 2009 North Foreland

Some signs of some migration today with Blackcap, Spotted Flycatcher and Reed Warbler. Yesterday on a brief seawatch I saw a trickle of Common Scoter, Gannets and Kittiwakes heading south. The best thing was a pair of superb adult Mediterranean Gulls that slowly went past after landing close offshore for 10 minutes. (Simon Mount)

Monday 8th June 2009 Many Thanks

I would just like to thank those individuals who took the time to e-mail me with suggestions, as to the id of the mystery bird I had photographed in Greece. The general consensus being that the bird is a Shrike, most likely a hybrid between Red-backed x Masked (Lanius collurio x L. nubicus) I can find no references to such a pairing being recorded previously, BWP & the internet both coming up blank! If I get any further information I will up-date the situation as and when! (Dylan)

Monday 8th June 2009 Pegwell Bay 16-35hrs

I've just seen the strangest avian sight overhead the Hoverport. From the Richborough direction flying about 100ft up was a Canada goose and about two feet behind and just off its starboard wing was a Swan (type unknown) not harassing, not attacking, but just flying in close formation. The goose was completely unfazed, not calling or jinking - just flying in a straight line, and seemed very used to the situation. Last saw them disappearing overhead Nethercourt area, Unusual imprinting perhaps? (Philip Hayes)

Monday 8th June 2009 Pegwell Bay

I combined a one hour walk with a one hour count of what wasn't out on the mud flat very early this morning. Very few waders on the mud as you might expect at this time of the year in clear overhead conditions but the 2 newly arrived Brent’s that I noticed the other day were still present. I did get a half decent passerine mind you when a Serin flew s/east over Stone Lees at about 06.00am, Otherwise the only notes I took were of 2 Brent, 35 Mallard, 13 Little Egret, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 3 Ringed Plover, 1 Curlew, 10 Redshank, 2 Peregrine, 3 Sandwich Tern and there were 4 purring Turtle Doves between the hover pad and Stone Lees. There are now 2 family groups of Shelduck containing 12 and 8 ducklings. We could be in for a record year given the amount of Shelduck present in the bay this spring. (Phil M)

Sunday 7th June 2009 Pegwell Bay

Had a quick look from 9.35 to 10.30am, I was surprised to see a drake Pintail among the moulting Mallards, Waders comprised 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Turnstone, 7 Ringed Plover, 4 Curlew and 4 Redshank, There was also a flock of at least 40 small waders that disappeared beyond Shellness and avoided definite identification. 9 Sandwich Terns were also present. (Nick Lever)

Sunday 7th June 2009 Sandwich Bay

The first Sunday in the month meant that there was a gathering of the "camera club" at SBBOT. I tagged along with Gadget, as I hoped to see Ian Hodgson - the warden, to seek help with a mystery bird that I'd photographed in Greece. Sadly, Ian, John Hollyer, Keith Ellis, et al, were unable to shed any light on this particular conundrum and I am still no closer to sorting out this problem. I then had a walk up to Restharrow Scrape where I spent a while watching the local House Martins collecting nesting material from the nearest island. Several 1st summer Black-headed Gull, 2 Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Tufted Duck, Little Grebe, Shelduck, Gadwall, Coot and Stock Dove provided some variety as I sat in the hide. (Dylan)

P.S. If anyone has an opinion on the id of this bird would they please contact me click on the name for e-mail Dylan

Sunday 7th June 2009 Ash Area

Who needs Gigrin Farm when you live in Ash! My neighbourhood Gull-guards kindly alerted me to another garden flyover Red Kite around 10am.This individual headed NE. (Ben Ring)

Saturday 6th June 2009 Minster Marshes

Just a quick session along the track from Minster Station to the water treatment works provided a few bits. At least 5 male Turtle Doves "purring" from various points and two family parties of Lesser Whitethroat were a pleasant sign of how the breeding season is progressing. Sedge & Reed Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blackcap and Common Whitethroat were all noted, as I wandered around the area. A large group of Swallows and House Martins were feeding over the settlement beds within the water works and I was happy to see that the local Robin, Great Tit and Bullfinch had produced broods that successfully fledged. The various youngsters encountered along the hedgerows, still calling for food, whenever an adult was sighted. A male Nightingale scolded me from within some dense vegetation, a bit of "pishing" persuaded him to pop up on a bare branch, to see what all the fuss was about. ISO 800 & 1/640 sec exposure was required, but I got my photo! A large gathering of Swifts was feeding in the lea of the railway embankment as I drove back towards Cliffsend. (Dylan)

Friday 5th June 2009 Pegwell Bay

I had a look this evening after the rain had stopped. It was pretty gloomy and cold. The Avocet was still present in the main channel plus 4 Grey Plover and 3 Knot feeding on the close salt marsh. (Nick Lever)

Friday 5th June 2009 Pegwell Bay

Another very early morning session enjoying a few soakings and insect attacks came and went in a jiffy. I checked pretty much the whole area as for some reason I felt quite upbeat about getting something out of the ordinary this morning - it just 'felt' a bit birdy? Of course I saw naff all!!! Quite why I felt so optimistic is anyone's guess? Other than a few new Reed Warblers since my last visit (on Monday) 2 new Brent Geese to go with the resident 'one' plus a few bits and bobs of wildfowl, an Avocet and a few Gannets moving south offshore it was rather dull - much as it has been of late. I took a few counts which were: 38 Gannet - south, 14 Little Egret, 3 Brent, 66 Shelduck, 71 Mallard,1 Gadwall, 1 Whimbrel, 3 Curlew, 3 Sanderling, 4 Dunlin, 94 Oystercatcher, 5 Ringed Plover, 1 Lapwing, 1 Peregrine, 2 Sparrowhawk, 9 Sandwich Tern, 1 Cuckoo, 2 Turtle Dove, 12 singing Reed Warbler, 1 Corn Bunting and 17 Badger Finch Herons. (Phil M)

Wednesday 3rd June 2009 Garden Dumpton Thanet

The garden was full of birds this lunchtime, juveniles everywhere 5 Blue Tits, 4 Great Tits, 3 Goldfinches, 5 Green Finches, 23 House Sparrows and 43 Starlings plus some very tatty parents, fantastic to watch the feeding frenzy (Gadget)

Wednesday 3rd June 2009 Ash Area

A Red Kite flew NW over my house in Ash this morning at 09:30hrs. It was 'escorted' over the airspace by ,initially, a Herring Gull, & then a Crow - didn't seem too bothered by either! (Ben Ring)

Monday 1st June 2009 Pegwell Bay

I went down just after first light this morning concentrating mostly on the incoming tide but I did a little bush walking which as normal turned up only the usual suspects. I took a few counts which were: 1 Brent, 56 Shelduck, 22 Mallard, 2 Common Scoter - south, 98 Oystercatcher, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 4 Whimbrel, 9 Curlew, 10 Redshank, 1 Sanderling, 5 Grey Plover, 1 Ringed Plover, 2 Knot, 1 Hobby, 1 Peregrine, 1 Sparrowhawk, 12 Sandwich Tern, 2 singing Turtle Dove, 1 Corn Bunting and 1 Yellow Wagtail. There were still a few Swallow, House Martin and Swifts moving northwards. (Phil M)