Tuesday 31st March 2009 Shell Ness point area

A few grounded migrants about today plus some others were heading north: Ring-tail Hen Harrier, three Swallows, Wheatear, Brambling and three Song Thrush, also a flock of eight Corn Bunting occasionally giving a few bursts of song, (Jason M)

Tuesday 31st March 2009 Eastling & Oare Marshes

Pastures new for me as I took a long overdue trip to the woods near Eastling (Pett Dane) & was rewarded with 3 Hawfinch sitting quietly in the treetops. A Common Buzzard was seen from a clearing in Barn Wood. On to Oare Marshes where a migrant in the form of a Wheatear showed on the west flood. Five Bearded Tits 'pinged' by the sea wall hide. (Ben Ring)

Tuesday 31st March 2009 Pegwell Bay

A three and a half hour walk around the entire area this morning turned up:1 Little Egret, 31 Shelduck, 2 Red-breasted Mergansers, 17 Dunlin, 1 Hen Harrier, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Peregrine, 2 Sandwich Tern, 9 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Coal Tit, 3 White Wagtail, 2 Sand Martin, 1 Tree Sparrow, 4 Siskin etc. Surprise of the day came when scanning the sampher I picked up a distant Barn Owl flying along the bank on the opposite side of the river. More surprising as it was 10.50! I would assume it had been flushed from it's roost by something or other? (Phil M)

Tuesday 31st March 2009 Ramsgate Cemetery

A gentle stroll around the ''old'' original patch for an hour this morning between 09.30-10.30hrs was very pleasant in the early spring sunshine, most of the commoner species present and singing well, migrants coming in the form of single Chiffchaff and Blackcap with a nice mobile flock of 7 Coal Tits which are always cracking to see as coastal migrants. However at 10.15am i heard a distant call, me thinking that something was mimicking, and then i heard it again but much closer this time, i still believed it to be a Great Tit, then again but the bird was in flight; i then clamped eyes on it, a Waxwing smart! But unfortunately it carried on flying west. Only my second record for the site, the first was back in the big winter of 95/96!        (Craig Sammels)

Monday 30th March 2009 North Foreland

At North Foreland this morning 9 Coal Tits flying high NW along the clifftop with 12 Great Tits. This was at 08:00 after I had seen them earlier in the bushes nearby. Another Coal Tit up by the lighthouse, also 2 Chiffchaff. (Simon Mount)

Monday 30th March 2009 Pegwell Bay

I wandered around most of the area today but other than about 12 Chiffchaffs no other grounded passerines could be found. Visible migration was slightly better today - I watched up until 13.45hrs seeing: 3 Sparrowhawk north, 1 Osprey west at 12.25hrs, 1 Marsh Harrier north, 2 Common Buzzards west at 1.00pm, 360 Wood Pigeon n/west, 2 Sand Martin north, 11 Swallow north and 10 Siskin north. There were also a few finches and Meadow Pipits moving - I thought I heard a Tree Pipit calling overhead at one point too? If so it was very early? I've just noticed there was one at Saint Margarets yesterday so 'perhaps' it was one after all? The tide and 'extra added bits' included 1 Grey Heron south,1 Little Egret, 1 Avocet, 5 Bar-tailed Godwit, 260 Curlew, 210 Oystercatcher, 13 Dunlin, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 7 Ringed Plover, 2 Grey Plover, 2 Peregrine and 4+ more Sparrowhawks and 2 more Marsh Harriers. (Phil M)

Monday 30th March 2009 Hugin Avenue to Botany Bay

On the estate today were 13 Jackdaw, 2 Green Woodpeckers and a  Skylark singing over the allotments, Elmwood was quiet as was the  beach, I saw a Common Buzzard and Marsh Harrier circling very high over  Botany Bay and a Willow Warbler in Convent road, (John C)

Monday 30th March 2009 North Foreland & Foreness Area

An interesting sighting this morning at North Foreland (09-50hrs) 15 Coal Tits arrived off the sea dived into one of the two remaining bushes by the pump station stayed for about 60 seconds then flew off towards Broadstairs, also 2 Swallows at Foreness. (John Websper)

Monday 30th March 2009 Harts-down Area Thanet

Two Wheatears are in the Recreation area by Harts Down School reported at 10-25hrs by (Dave Kirkadie)

Monday 30th March 2009 Fields Dane Court Rd Area Thanet

A Stone Curlew was seen in the Fields from footpath behind St Georges School at 08-30hrs this morning, It took flight heading across Dane Court Rd heading Margate / Kingsgate Area Thanet, reported to the website by,  (Dave Kirkadie)

Sunday 29th March 2009 Pegwell Bay

I braved Pegwell today - it was quite annoying as you might imagine on a Sunday during nice weather and there wasn't too much going on. I decided on a raptor watch so I could take in the far more important Grand Prix - a man must have his priorities surely? This meant I didn't arrive until 9.30 - I really shouldn't have bothered at all. A few finches flying west along the cliff top included 2 each of Brambling and Siskin - then raptor watching / mud watching until 12.00 turned up: 1 Little Egret, 2 Pintail, 1 Common Buzzard south at 10.05, 3 Marsh Harrier, 5+ Sparrowhawk, 7 Dunlin, 3 Knot, 2 Grey Plover, 3 Bar-tailed Godwit, c160 Oystercatcher, c220 Curlew - ZZZzzzzz ZZZzzzzz etc. I almost lost the will to live at the end of that last sentence. (Phil M)

Sunday 29th March 2009 Minster Marshes

Another early morning start was brightened by the sighting of 2 Swallows hunting in the lea of the hedge besides the water treatment works. The sun shone and it was a very pleasant session around the marshes. A male Stonechat, showing a streaked white rump, was just a normal male "hibernans". Quite what the presence of a white rump has to do with the id of "rubicola" Stonechat is a bit of a puzzle; surely it is the sum of the parts, not just this one feature? Still, the bods running (or did I mean ruining?) our hobby know best - not! There was a male Marsh Harrier hunting over the Ash Levels and a conversation, with the water bailiff, revealed that both Osprey and Red Kite had been seen in the passed week. A Cetti's Warbler blasted out its' trademark song and a pair of Bullfinch fed quietly in the hawthorns around the car park. There were quite a few Chiffchaffs around the area, one individual being particularly "cold" looking. Starkly grey and white, it refused to call, yet it was obviously different to the accompanying Chiffchaffs, showing little olive in the mantle. 2 Grey Partridge, Green Woodpecker, Cormorant, 1 Siskin, Linnet and a Grey Heron filled a few lines in the notebook. No sign of the Grey Seal this morning, but a Grass Snake did swim across the dyke that runs besides the water treatment works. (Dylan)

Saturday 28th March 2009 Faversham Area

Of interested but I live in Faversham, and on a walk around the local gravel pits yesterday 28th I saw at least 5 Swallows, there may have been more but I did count 5 in sight at one time. (Ian Parker)

Friday 27th March 2009 Restharrow Scrape SBBOT

A seat in the hide at Restharrow Scrape was the best i could do today, the adult male Garganey was still out on the Scrape and at times showing quite well, other ducks on the Scrape were 34 Shoveler, 8 Teal, 2 Gadwall, 4 Shelduck, 12 Tufted Duck, 4 Little Grebes and 12 Mallard, also noted 3 Common Snipe, 14 Lapwing, 4 Oystercatchers, 9 Coots, 7 Moorhens, Herring, Black-headed and Common Gulls were present and a lone Starling out on the first island showing fantastic colours, just a few Meadow Pipits about and 1 Marsh Harrier and 1 Kestrel, (Gadget)

Friday 27th March 2009 Pegwell Bay

I popped down for a couple of hours today. I did see a few migrants which included a flock of 6 Whimbrel and 2 Marsh Harriers in-off the sea,1 Common Buzzard - south,6 Brent Geese plus 7 Chaffinch, 37 Linnet, 1 Siskin, 8 Meadow Pipits and 1 Grey Wagtail flew west over the cliff top during the morning. Other 'bits' included 1 Eider, 1 Hen Harrier, 2 Sparrowhawk, 2 Peregrine, 4 Chiffchaff etc (Phil M)

Thursday 26th March 2009 Pegwell Bay

After a quiche breeze around the hoverport and farm in the morning I went down for the incoming tide. There wasn't much about - 24 Meadow Pipits, 1 Siskin and a few Chaffinches flew west and there wasn't anything other than 2 Goldcrests grounded. I didn't even see or hear any Chiffchaffs. The tide was dull in the extreme - I did take a few counts which were: 6 Brent Geese, 27 Shelduck. 1 Eider, 2 Teal, 8 Bar-tailed Godwit, 8 Knot, 2 Grey Plover, 13 Ringed Plover, 37 Dunlin, 25 Sanderling, 190 Oystercatcher, 80 Curlew, 40 Redshank, 20 Turnstone, 1 Sandwich Tern and 2 Kittiwake. (Phil M)

Thursday 26th March 2009 Greenfield Road Ramsgate

Early morning walking the dog 06.30hrs saw a Male Black Redstart, Great way to start the day. (Pete Upson)

Wednesday 25th March 2009 North Foreland

An early morning stroll along the cliff top provided a Merlin dashing over the fields and a Common Buzzard moving West at 9.45. Also overhead a light movement of Siskins (Rae Boulden)

Wednesday 25th March 2009 Pegwell Bay

Taking into account the blustery wind and overcast conditions I had a bit of a lay in and just went down only for the incoming tide this morning. One the whole there wasn't much going on but I did come across a few new arrivals - there was a red-head Red-breasted Merganser in the river mouth, plus another Black-tailed Godwit and 12 Sandwich Terns. There was also a summer plumaged Sanderling which I would presume wasn't one of our overwintering birds? Pretty much all the winter waders other than Curlew and Oystercatchers have hopped it already so perhaps what was on view today would be birds passing through? I almost forgot to mention there was a 'huge' movement of Brent’s this morning (two birds!) plus another goodie showed up today when a Hooded Crow flew close past the hide at 09.20 then veered off west as it flew low over the country park. Lucky that another observer spotted it (Phil Smith) as I was scanning the sea at the time or else I'd have missed it. It's only the second 'Hoodie' I've ever seen in the area. The only other things worth mentioning were a Red-throated Diver south over the sea, 1 Eider, 2 Peregrines and one of the Water Pipits is still hanging about on the scrape near the hide. (Phil M)

Tuesday 24th March 2009 Pegwell Bay

A cold and windy morning was brightened up (metaphorically speaking) by a couple of birds - whatever next!! My normal early morning 'mooch' around the hoverport, clifftop and farm where I came across virtually naff all made me give up earlier than normal and head for the country park to take in the delights of the incoming tide. I had seen a newly arrived Black-tailed Godwit feeding in the pools just off the hover port apron first thing so I thought my best chance of anything 'migrant' might be seen out on the mud flat giving the weather conditions. Much of the cliff top was completely blown out. As I walked west along the cliff I decided to set up my telescope in front of the horse paddocks and have a look along the tideline - I could see a new group of 12 Brent Geese and 2 Sandwich Terns right underneath the cliff through my binoculars which probably wouldn't have been viewable from the country park (as you are looking into the sun from the bay) but early on it's a good place to look from when the tides coming in or going out. Anyway right across in the mouth of the river amongst a flock of 100 or so Oystercatchers there was a Spoonbill kipping up against the salt marsh. I packed away the scope and headed on towards my trusty steed (My Bicycle which was locked up down near the hover port) and as I approached the low trees and bushes just past Little Cliffsend Farm there was a bird calling from the tree tops and it was a brown Tit! I watched it for only about ten seconds before it went right to the top of the tree and flew over my head and landed right up near the steps at the other end of the farm - calling as it went. Before I could give chase it flew off again and carried on going eastwards. I assumed it to be a Marsh Tit but hadn't seen it well enough to be certain. However the call didn't remind me of Willow Tit - anyway after getting home later on and trawling through my tapes and CD ROM I eventually found the rather obvious call and it was as I suspected a Marsh Tit. I haven't heard either Marsh or Willow Tit for quiet a few years but I knew they were not very similar anyway - I just wanted to be sure given how scarce a bird this is in Thanet. A red letter day as it's the first new specie I've had on my patch since a Short-toed Lark way back in the autumn of 2004. A most unexpected bird - I think it's only the second ever site record? I believe Dave Beadle had another in roughly the same area well over twenty tears ago? No doubting he will let me know when he see's this! I then watched the incoming tide from the country park - the Spoonbill wasn't all that visible from the sea wall as it was behind the salt marsh slightly upriver only showing about 6 inches of its head and back! At one point it did flap its wings briefly showing the dark wingtip of a juvenile bird - otherwise all I saw of it was the back of its head whilst it slept and just one other time when it lifted its head. Other new arrivals included 15 Brent Geese, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 8 Black-tailed Godwit and 5 Sandwich Terns. Offshore 12 Kittiwake flew south plus a Grey Heron flew in off at one point. Today’s wader counts were: 3 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Ringed Plover, 52 Sanderling, 80 Dunlin, c90 Turnstone, 23 Grey Plover, 70 Redshank and 4 Knot. (Phil M)

Monday 23rd March 2009 Kingsgate & North Foreland Area

Saw a female Black Redstart on the steps at Kingsgate Bay and a Blackcap was singing in Elwood Avenue. (John C)

Monday 23rd March 2009St Margarets Bay/ Bockhill area

Three hours spent mainly watching the sea over the high tide period this morning produced only a couple of Great Crested Grebes & a Cormorant with more than it's fair share of white head feathers! Even the Fulmars couldn't be bothered to spit at me so I took a wander along The Leas & was rewarded with a brief sighting of a Black Redstart. (Ben Ring)

Monday 23rd March 2009 Pegwell Bay

I did my normal route (excluding Stonelees and much of the country park) starting off at 6.30.There wasn't much going on though I did find a Willow Warbler in the trees on the east side of Little Cliffsend Farm. Otherwise there were 2 White Wagtail, 4 Chiffchaff plus a few Blue Tits and 5 Siskin on the move. I ended up on the country park to watch the incoming tide where I stayed until 09.30 seeing: 1 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron - south, 2 Brent, 35 Shelduck, 1 Eider, 1 Avocet, c80 Redshank, 48 Sanderling, 7 Dunlin, 2 Knot, 2 Grey Plover, 140 Curlew, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit, 175 Oystercatcher, 7 Sandwich Tern, 2 Peregrine and 8 Corn Bunting.      (Phil M)

Sunday 22nd March 2009 North Foreland

At North Foreland today, one Common Buzzard heading west at 12:01hrs then at 13:30hrs 3 birds together circling and heading East. They gained in height and drifted due East out to sea at great height until I could barely see them with binoculars. Then they turned round and came back, heading west inland. One bird was creamy white underneath except for the trailing edge to the wing, outer 2-3 primaries and a small smudge on each carpal. They were the highest I have ever seen raptors over the area. Also saw a Coal Tit and 1 Redwing present, overhead a few Chaffinches moving all morning. (Simon Mount)

Sunday 22nd March 2009 St Peters Broadstairs

I saw two, Common Buzzard circling high over St Peters at 12-00hrs noon (John C)

Sunday 22nd March 2009 Minster Marshes & Dumpton

I spent a little over an hour around the fishermen's car park area this morning. I'd hoped to find a Yellowhammer or Sand Martin but, instead, had to make do with 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 3 Cetti's Warbler and a Kingfisher! A noticeable increase in the numbers of Linnets around the area with a few Redwing seen over on the Ash Levels. A quick chat with Don Wilks alerted me to the presence of a Common Seal in the River Stour, apparently very approachable, regularly hauling out onto the bank a few hundred metres to the west of the car park. Back home before 09.30hrs, I spent a while sky watching being rewarded with 5 Common Buzzards (4 north & 1 west - including one very pale immature bird) between 11.00 - 12.10hrs. (Dylan)

Sunday 22nd March 2009 Pegwell Bay

I was going to have a day off today but ended up watching the sky from mid morning until midday from the country park. I saw 3 Buzzards today - 1 west at 11.00 then 2 more s/west half an hour later. Other extra added 'bits' included 4 Brent Geese,9 Teal, 4 Avocet, 2 Marsh Harrier, 2 Peregrine and a flock of 7 Siskin flew north. (Phil and Oliver M)

Saturday 21st March 2009 North Foreland & Broadstairs

At North Foreland and Broadstairs today a few Chaffinches and Siskins heading North, Also 2 Grey Wagtails, and the gulls were regularly on full alert between 10:30 and 12:30 and I managed to see 2 Common Buzzards at 11:00. They were both very high heading east. one was a very pale bird. At other times I could not locate the culprit only seeing one more Common Buzzard at 11:45. (Simon Mount)

Saturday 21st March 2009 Pegwell Bay

We arrived at 7.30 and had a near bird-less mooch around the hoverpad, clifftop and Stonelees. Birds seen included 12 Redwing, 1 Fieldfare, 5 Chiffchaffs plus a few Blue Tits were moving east along the cliff top which isn't too unexpected and north over the country park which you don't often see. I settled in for a sky-watching session in my normal spot on the country park at about 9.30 and stayed until 12.00 seeing 4 Common Buzzards, 240 Starling, 3 Siskin, 1 Grey Wagtail and 2 Lapwing all heading north. There were also 3 Ruff in the river and 2 Avocet on the tideline first thing. Other 'bits' included 2 Brent Geese, 2 Eider, 2+ Marsh Harrier and 2 Peregrine. Just after arriving home at 12.20 the local Gulls went nuts - the culprit was a Peregrine heading south over the estate. (Phil and Oliver Milton)

Friday 20th March 2009 Foreness Point

No sign of any Wheatears on the putting green only 30 Meadow Pipits present and 2 Common Buzzards moving SW at 11.10am.(Rae Boulden)

Friday 20th March 2009 Stodmarsh NNR

Starting at the Stodmarsh end at 7:30 in a thickish fog & birding was slow .A pair of copulating Coot in front of the Marsh Hide were the only birds present there & they probably wished the fog was thicker to hide their' antics'! By the time I reached Harrisons Hide however the fog hade made way for warming sunshine & I had noted Bullfinch, Common Snipe, Meadow Pipit, Skylark, Linnet & a ringtail Hen Harrier, The view in front of the hide produced 6 Green Sandpiper, 2 Little Ringed Plover & 6+ Water Pipit. My return along the river was enriched by a dozing pair of Garganey at the oxbow (thanks, John C) Otherwise, plenty of bird song to enjoy & certainly the Chiffchaffs have found their voices now! The Great Crested Grebes on the main lake are engaging in plenty of head waggling now - truly beautiful to watch, as is the occasional sky dance of the Marsh Harriers. (Ben Ring)

Friday 20th March 2009 Ramsgate

Although immensely busy at work, I did notice 3 single Common Buzzards move west past the office during the course of the morning, the 2-3 Sparrowhawks were probably 'locals' (F Solly)

Friday 20th March 2009 St Peters Broadstairs

Saw a pale Buzzard sp. flying north, high over Reading Street at 11am didn’t have bins with me (doh!) but looked longer in the wing and tail, possible immature Honey Buzzard? (John C)

Friday 20th March 2009 Pegwell Bay

An absolutely beautiful morning to be out - very few birds though, I started off at 6.30 and did my normal route taking in the delights of The hoverport, cliff top, farm, country park and Stonelees. Hardly any passerine vismig in the clear skies though I did see yet another flyover Yellowhammer along the cliff top. Otherwise just 5 Alba Wagtails north, 2 Siskin west and nothing else! After checking all the reserve etc where I came across only 3 Redwing and a few Chiffchaffs (7 in total today) I watched the skies until 11.00 when I got bored and left. It was quite chilly once again whilst standing around anyway. The only notes I took were:7 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Brent, 38 Shelduck, 1 Eider, 2 Teal, 114 Sanderling, c80 Dunlin, 4 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 stunning adult Mediterranean Gulls, 1 Sandwich Tern, 1 Water Pipit, 860 Starling (340 s/west and 520 north),2+ Sparrowhawks,1 Marsh Harrier and 2 Peregrine. I did get a few migrant raptors - 4 Sparrowhawks flew north plus a very pale Buzzard went north at 10.30.I should have stayed a bit longer as it looked like there might have been a few more Buzzards today? (Phil M)

A Day In France 17th March 2009 Click Here

Thursday 19th March 2009 Pegwell Bay

My daily 'trudge' took place between 06.30 and 10.00am - starting off on the clifftop before moving down onto the Country Park and Stonelees. It was very quiet first thing with nothing much going on overhead which surprised me as I thought the low thin cloud might have been enough to make things low enough to see today? There were a few new Goldcrests, 1 Firecrest, 3 White Wagtail, 1 Redwing and 4 Chiffchaffs around the farm and cliff top. Eventually on my way back towards the hoverport I noticed there was a bit of vismig going on with a movement of mainly high flying Chaffinches heading through northwards on avery thin front pretty much within about 100 yards either side of Little Cliffsend Farm. Either side of this and it was dead as a dodo. I watched for a bit and was just thinking about giving up and moving on at 8.20 when a Woodlark flew over, another 5 minutes and I'd have missed it. The totals of the small movement were 280 Chaffinch, 23 Siskin, 24 Linnet, 5 Reed Bunting, 3 Alba Wagtail, 230 Starling and 22 Meadow Pipit all north. Later on I also had a Grey Wagtail and a Redpoll heading south. Hardly anything showed on my walk around the Country Park and Stonelees - there were 6 more Redwings which landed in the Poplars along the cycle path - one of which burst into song at one point. It's the second Redwing I've heard singing lately. My various scans of the mud between 6.30 when I just about caught the dropping tide and 10.00 turned up: 1 Little Egret, 1 Brent, 28 Shelduck, 4 Mallard, c120 Oystercatcher, c150 Curlew, 4 Bar-tailed Godwit, 93 Sanderling, 110 Dunlin, c20 Knot, c30 Grey Plover, 70 Redshank, 3 Avocet, 1 Sandwich Tern plus a long range Wheatear which I saw perched on a fencepost across on Shellness. There were also 1 Peregrine and a Marsh Harrier kicking about the area. (Phil M)

Wednesday 18th March 2009 Monk’s Wall NR Reserve

Not been to this little reserve before, I should have, what a nice little place, weather great, spotting rewarding. Running the bins picked up 3 Grey Heron 6 Mallard all feeding on the large splash, watched by 1 Kestrel admiring their efforts from a fence-post, closer to me 2 dabchicks fishing together right under the hide, until 4 Coots spotted them and that was that. 3 Lapwings glided in and went about their business, only to be disturbed by a Peregrine winging its way to the power-station, out on the field 30 Woodpigeon were gleaning with 5 Herring-Gulls fighting over a crust probably scavenged from the car breakers, other notables 1 Kingfisher, 2 Long tailed Tit, 2 Great Tit, 4 Jackdaw, 5 Carrion Crow, 4 Starling, 3 Reed Bunting, 2 Water Pipit (Roly W-C)

Wednesday 18th March 2009 North Foreland

At North Foreland this morning a few Blue Tits and Great Tits moving North, Also there has been lots of Jackdaws circling around in the last few days. A the top of Elmwood, one Coal Tit. (Simon Mount)

Wednesday 18th March 2009 Captain Digby area & Foreness

Found a Black Redstart enjoying lunch at the Captain Digby today (photos attached) Not much else to report; there were at least a dozen Meadow Pipits feeding on the mini golf course at Foreness, but no sign of any Wheatears yet (Mark Kilner)

Wednesday 18th March 2009 Pegwell Bay

It was dead as a Dodo in the morning when I checked the hoverpad/cliff top. There wasn't anything moving overhead and the only thing of any note was a single White Wagtail on one of the farm fields. Afterwards I went down onto the country park where I watched the skies from just before 10.00 until 11.30 when I left due to a mixture of boredom and exposure. It was extremely cold standing about down on the coast and I'm getting a bit too old for it perhaps? There was a bit more going on from my last vantage point - I came across a Common Buzzard virtually straight away then another one at 10.45 plus a migrant Hen harrier heading high n/west at 10.50.Whether or not the Buzzards were migrants is open to debate - easterlies are the worst conditions for migrants in Thanet though they were behaving in migrant fashion - both heading n/west inland quite high in the sky. There were lots of Starlings on the move today - I had 2650 migrants flying n/west plus an enormous flock of over 3000 birds heading n/west behind Richborough where they appeared to land? After this there was still a 1000+ flock seen knocking around the sampher at Sandwich. Other 'bits' included 1 Avocet, 3 Marsh Harriers, 4+ Sparrowhawk, 2 Peregrine, 1 Merlin, 11 Siskin north,1 Water Pipit, 2 alba Wagtails north and there were 2 Tree Sparrows hanging around the country park between the car park and the bird hide. Bird of the day was yet another Yellowhammer that flew over at one point - my fifth sighting of the year which is about two years worth in a normal period these days. (Phil M)

Tuesday 17th March 2009 Pegwell Bay

I watched the area today between 7.00 and 10.15 - trudging the area between the Hoverpad, Farm, Country Park and Stonelees. Hardly anything moving overhead early on though a few Chaffinch (74) and Siskin (24) showed as the morning wore on. There were 4 Avocet out on the tideline and 4 Tree Sparrows flew north over the country park - 2 landing briefly before heading off into the unknown. There were also 2 new Chiffchaffs today - plus another in Stonelees - otherwise it was quiet. Other bits and pieces seen included 2 Marsh Harriers, 2+ Sparrowhawk, 2 Peregrine, 1 Redwing west, 3 Wigeon, 1 Gadwall and 10 Greylag (Phil M)

Monday 16th March 2009 Pegwell Bay

A watched the area from 06.30 then raptor watched from the country park between 9.45 and 13.45.Very few passerines were seen today no doubt due to the clear skies as there were many near invisible dots moving mainly north during the morning - many of the closer ones were Chaffinches so no doubt many of the others were these too? Migrants on the move today included 9 Siskin,100+ Chaffinch, 1 Brambling, 15 Redwing, 3 Lapwing (clutching at straws here), 1280 Starling, 9 Common Buzzard, 1 Marsh Harrier and 1+ Sparrowhawk. The grounded stuff was down to 1 Chiffchaff, 5 Golden Plover, 2 White Wagtails, 9 Wigeon and 2 red-head Red-breasted Mergansers offshore. Other stuff included 2 Little Egret, 3 Marsh Harrier, 6+ Sparrowhawk, 2 Peregrine and I can't be bothered to write any more of this rubbish. The Buzzards were moving mainly north with 4 together at 10.05 then another 5 (not all together) at 10.50/10.55.I did have another enormous reaction from the Gulls out on the shoreline at one point but couldn't see what had caused it? I hope I didn't overlook anything good? (Phil M)

Monday 16th March 2009 St Peters Thanet

Saw a single Common Buzzard flying west over St Peters, about 1 o'clock.  (John C)

Sunday 15th March 2009 Sandwich Bay Area

A bright and sunny day with a feeling of spring had me out and about looking for new arrivals along the beach. One Wheatear was located down by the old clubhouse, and Reed Buntings, Meadow Pipits and Skylarks were in good numbers, only 2 Stonecats noted on the side of the golf course, but 300+ Great Crested Grebes, was scattered out on the sea, also Starlings were every in groups of between 500 to 1000 strong, other bits seen were 4 Kestrels, 2 Sparrowhawks and 1 Common Buzzard, but the best bird of the day for me was a Raven off shore heading towards Pegwell. (Gadget)

Sunday 15th March 2009 Pegwell Bay

I watched on and off from mid morning until 2.00pm.I was expecting a bit of Buzzard movement given the conditions but the hoped for big Buzzard day didn't really happen today. I did get 3 Common Buzzards - 1 west at 11.50 and another 2 together heading high south at 13.15.There wasn't much else going on overhead other than 580 Starlings and 500+ Black-headed Gulls moving mainly northwest. Other than a scattering of finches overhead the only other signs of migration were 17 Lapwings north,19 Wigeon, 30+ Common Scoter south, 2 Sparrowhawks west and there were 2 singing Chiffchaffs today - 1 near the car park and another on the country park. The only other 'stuff' I took note of were:19 Shelduck, 210 Oystercatchers, 230 Curlew,8 Bar-tailed Godwit, 60 Grey Plover, 50 Knot, 50+ Redshank,120+ Linnets,1 Peregrine, 3+ more Sparrowhawks present, 4 Marsh Harriers and 1 Water Pipit. (Phil M)

Sunday 15th March 2009 Sandwich Bay

7:30 to 10:30am.A circuit walk in glorious sunshine starting from the Obs produced plenty of birdsong with displaying from Meadow Pipit & Lapwing, of note (excuse pun!) were 2 singing Corn Bunting & 2 Grey Partridge near Mary Bax's stone, distant views of a splendid male Wheatear by the sailing clubhouse and a ringtail Hen Harrier swooping low across the golf course, several hundred Great Crested Grebe could be seen bobbing about offshore. (Ben Ring)

Saturday 14th March 2009 Pegwell Bay

Popped down at 15:30 and saw all the usual bits as well as a 1st Winter Ring - Billed Gull at 16:15 sat on the shoreline. The bird moved along the bay during the next thirty minutes. Whilst viewing the bird Andre Molenkamp arrived to do 'a spot of birding' and also saw the bird. (Chris Solly)

Saturday 14th March 2009 Pegwell Bay

We went down this morning and had a 2 hour walk around the farm and cliff top etc. There wasn't much going on - other than a geriatric Hippy and a hairy twitchier (with a rubbishy back garden for moths) the only things we saw were 3 Redwings, 1 Goldcrest plus a handful of Chaffinches and Alba Wagtails overhead. There were 70+ Lesser Black-backed Gulls out on the shoreline plus a short burst of Blackcap song was heard in the sunken garden. Tatty bye (Phil M)

Saturday 14th March 2009 Foreness Area Late News

Weather was nice on Tuesday (12th) so I went to Foreness to get some pictures of the Purple Sandpipers and Sanderling. I was successful and got some good ones. For once a walker (without a dog) saw what I was doing and gave me and the birds a wide birth. For the record there was still 32 Purple Sandpipers around then. (Steve Ray)

Friday 13th March 2009 Pegwell Bay

A dawn till 09.00 am jaunt around the area this morning turned up: 6 Brent Geese, 1 Grey Heron - s/west, 1 Little Egret, 410 Redwing (310 west), 5 Fieldfare, 1 Grey Wagtail - south, 3 White Wagtail on the farm, 6+ Alba Wagtails - south, 1 littoralis Rock Pipit on the hoverpad, 16 Chaffinch west, 1 Brambling on farm and a prize record these days of 3 Yellowhammers!! Yes Three!! I came across the 1st one sitting in the garden of the end coastguard’s house then I had two more flyovers heading west. (Phil M)

Friday 13th March 2009 Minnis Bay area

I wandered around the Minnis Bay area for a couple of hours or so this morning. Nice to be out in hazy sunshine and light winds, A few bits included 4 Chiffchaffs, 1 Brambling flying west, 2 Stonechats, 1 Woodcock, 105 Sanderling, 24 Teal, 24 Lapwing (including about 8 pairs displaying), 1 Golden Plover, 2 Shoveler, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Marsh Harriers, 85 Linnets and 6 Corn Buntings. The male of the pair of Stonechats was one of these white-rumped birds that some people seem to call rubicola; as I understand it there is a great deal of variation between individuals within each subspecies and also a cline between hibernans (the British race) and rubicola (the European race), so it’s probably not safe to call it one thing or the other. Unless someone else knows different, (Tim H)

Thursday 12th March 2009 North Foreland & Forness Area

A very brief lunchtime visit to "your" local area today produced 35 Linnets on cliff-top area at Forness Point 23 Pied Wagtails feeding around various working agricultural, preparation, and sowing vehicles, in a ploughed field, adjacent to Elmwood Avenue, accompanied by, 2 White Wagtails in such pristine spring plumage, they literally were white looking, when initially picked up feeding in association with the Pied Wagtails. (Sean O'Donnell)

Thursday 12th March 2009 Pegwell Bay

I spent between 9.00 and 11.15 in the in the main being driven potty by dogs and their illustrious walkers that swarm around the coast ruining it for all and sundry. I was bitten by an Alsatian on the knee and mounted by another mutt whilst looking unawares by my telescope - both incidents were brushed off by their owners - incredibly the woman whose dog bit me just turned her back on me when I tried to complain about the attack. Just two of four doggy incidents this morning that drives us all potty. The birding was slow but I did get a few migrants including a flock of 40 Brent Geese north out at sea, 2 Avocet, a summer plumage Golden Plover, 5 Siskin,1 White Wagtail and a Fieldfare. The mud is virtually devoid of winter waders with only Oystercatcher, Knot and Grey Plover present in three figures today. One lone Bar-tailed Godwit gives you an idea of how barren it is out there all of a sudden. Other 'bits' included 2 Goldcrest, 2 more Brent Geese present, a Peregrine and a handful of Rock Pipits. A large Raptor passed s/west over my estate at 12.15.It wasn't a Buzzard - the wing shape was all wrong. I only had distant rear end views as it flew down towards Pegwell. (Phil M)

Wednesday 11th March 2009 Ramsgate

I was having an early tea break on the flat roof behind my workplace when the gulls started going crazy. I looked up and saw an Osprey flying high above Ramsgate town centre. This was approximately 9.50am on Wednesday 11/03/09 and it was heading in the general direction of Pegwell. I was surprised, because I thought it might be a bit too early in the passage season, but it was unmistakeable. I wonder if anyone else saw it,      (Richard Jermy)

Wednesday 11th March 2009 Pegwell Bay

I watched the area between 07.30 and 1.15 today spending an hour and a half looking for 'bits' around the hoverpad, cliff top and farm before spending the rest of the time looking for 'raptory things' from the grassy knoll on the country park. No Buzzards today but consolation came in the shape of a Raven which showed awesomely well as it flew south virtually overhead at 10.00 - calling its head off as it went. After disappearing out of view in the direction of Pfizer’s I saw it flying back north 50 minutes later heading up towards the farm on the cliff. I was pretty sure I'd heard it from the cliff top two days ago too - I'm certain I did now after picking it up on its obvious call. Also of note today was a very early Sand Martin heading n/west over the country park. Other migrants included:26 Redwing, 1+ Littoralis Rock Pipit, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1+ White Wagtail,  2+ Alba Wagtail, 1 Brambling, 74 Chaffinch, 13 Skylark, 80 Starling, 1 Stonechat, 3 Grey Heron, 2 Sparrowhawk and 11 Golden Plover, Other stuff included 2 Brent Geese, 2 Eider, 1 Lapwing, 34 Bar-tailed Godwit, 95 Grey Plover, 120 Knot, 102 Dunlin, 111 Curlew, 42 Sanderling, 230 Oystercatcher, 2 Marsh Harrier, 3 Peregrine and 3-4 more Sparrowhawks. There was one Sandwich Tern which I would presume was the overwintering bird as it roosted at high tide in amongst the Oystercatcher across on Shellness which has been its normal routine this winter/spring. (Phil M)

Monday 9th March 2009 Pegwell Bay

I went down insanely early again - arriving at first light. There wasn't much going on today though I did see a very nice male Black Redstart that was kicking about on the rocky shoreline/beach below the cliff top just north of the hover pad. Otherwise it was quiet and incredibly cold for the first hour or two. I stayed between 6.00 and 9.30 checking the cliff top, hover pad and mud flat on the incoming tide seeing:4 migrant Grey Herons - southwest, 5 Brant Geese, 27 Shelduck, 2 Eider, 70 Redshank, 280 Dunlin, 135 Grey Plover, 70 Curlew,125 Knot, 35 Sanderling, 22 Bar-tailed Godwit, 90 Turnstone etc. Migrants included 2 Stonechats on the country park, 2 Redwing, 40 Chaffinch west, 1 Siskin west and 2 Meadow Pipits - south. There was also at least 1 littoralis Rock Pipit on the hover pad and a single Grey Wagtail flew south over the country park which may have been a migrant but probably wasn't? The first displaying Meadow Pipit was going through its parachute display out in the salt marsh today too. (Phil M)

Sunday 8th February 2009 Sandwich Bay Estate