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Last update: Tuesday 30th May 2006 at 21-00hrs

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Tuesday 30th May 2006 Ramsgate Cemetery

The last couple of tours around the cemetery have turned up two interesting sightings over and above all the usual stuff that's around at this time of year. On Sunday 28th I stumbled across a superb female Ring Ouzel that was quietly feeding on the grass around the edge of some trees in the SW corner. It was very scaly and quite obviously of the 'alpestris' race. On Monday 29th a very unseasonal Redwing was sheltering from the heavy showers, also in the SW corner. (Phil B)

Sunday 28th May 2006 North Foreland

At North Foreland this morning, a constant trickle of Swifts and House Martins heading SW. Also 2 Hobbies. (Simon Mount)

Saturday 27th May 2006 North Foreland

At North Foreland this morning very quiet. 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Hobby and 2 Siskins heading South. (Simon Mount)

Saturday 27th May 2006 North Foreland to Whiteness

A very quiet session along the coastal footpath. A few Sandwich Terns were patrolling off shore and the local Fulmars could be seen gliding along the cliffs or sat on the sea in small groups. Linnets and Meadow Pipits were fairly numerous around the golf course, whilst Swallows, House Martins and a few Swifts were hawking insects overhead. A scan through the various groups of gulls failed to locate any colour rings, the gulls being a mix of Herring, Lesser and Greater Black-backed. I bumped into Francis who had also seen very little. (Dylan)

Wednesday 24th May 2006 Pyson's Road Industrial Estate.

Crazy weather - crazy birding! At 09.50hrs a Fulmar flew over the Sericol carpark, the first time I've seen one so far from the coast, although I do recall watching them over Ramsgate town centre on odd occasions. A Lesser Whitethroat was singing from the remnants of the scrub in the old rose garden opposite the factory and a male Pied Wagtail was advertising for a mate from a stack of pallets in the yard. On my way home I disturbed a pair of Grey Partridges from besides the footpath near Newland's Farm. Summer? Hosepipe ban! Much more rain and I'll need a boat to get to work. (Dylan)

Wednesday 24th May 2006 Kingsdown Late News

Half-hour evening sea watches at Kingsdown in the last couple of days have had constant streams of Sandwich Terns flying south into the breeze, feeding as they go. With these and numerous immature gulls, there were good views of Kittiwakes, including two zigzagged juveniles. (Steve Coates)

Tuesday 23rd May 2006 Pegwell Bay

Completely screwed up by changing shifts, I went back down to Pegwell, this evening, in the hope of connecting with the Spoonbills. I had studied Gadget's pics from yesterday and could make out at least 2 colour-ringed birds. I arrived around 17.00hrs and stayed until 19.30 hrs. Sadly the Spoonbills hadn't read the script! However, several locals did arrive during the session and good humour prevailed. I recorded 51 Shelduck (55 by Phil Beraet - now retired!), 6 Ringed Plover, 10 Grey Plover, 16 Curlew, 3 Whimbrel, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit, 5 Dunlin, 2 Little Egret, 4 Black-headed Gull, a 1st summer Common Gull and 50+ Sandwich Tern. Shortly after Steve Coates had departed I picked out a c-r Spoonbill feeding in the mouth of the river, beyond the Point. Although I could make out the colours to be yellow / orange on both legs, the exact combination was not recorded. As the bird was flushed by an aggressive 2nd yr Great Black-back, it was clear that this individual was a 1st yr - no breast band and prominent dark tips to the primaries. Nothing much else to report apart from bumping into Francis Solly, complete with an Eastern Bordered Straw (a rare moth - the 12th for UK) and stories of Storm Petrels off of Foreness earlier in the week - boring! (Dylan)

Tuesday 23rd May 2006 Late News

22/5 - North Foreland A 3-hour seawatch in the morning was somewhat disappointing given the Petrels that are about. 65 Gannets South, 373 Sandwich Terns and 23 Auks.

An hour in the afternoon produced 3 single Storm Petrels South but nothing else other than the odd Sandwich Tern. (F Solly)

Tuesday 23rd May 2006 Oare Marshes NR

Got down to Oare at about 9:00 this morning plenty of Sand Martins, Little Egret (feeding on the pool) Peregrine, Marsh Harrier, Shelduck, Gadwall, Wigeon, Ringed Plover, Godwit (but distant) Avocet, Reed Warblers, Reed Bunting and Spoonbill which dropped in roundabout noon. Not that many birds but a nice days birding. (Pete Young)

Monday 22nd May 2006 Pegwell Bay

There were still 11 Spoonbills at Pegwell bay in front of the hide this evening at 20-00hrs. (Gadget)

Monday 22nd May 2006 Ramsgate Harbour at 12:15hrs today

A flock of 9 Spoonbills flying against the gale South then suddenly changing direction and heading NW overhead inland. (Simon Mount)

Monday 22nd May 2006 Minnis Bay

Barry phoned me this morning to say that he had just seen a Honey Buzzard at Bishopstone, but that it had flown northeast out to sea. I thought there might be a chance of seeing it at Minnis Bay so I drove over there and immediately found the bird being mobbed by Herring Gulls low over the sea off Coldharbour. It continued to fly low to the east and came in at 0800 at Plum Pudding, probably heading south, although I couldn’t see it after it went behind the sea wall. Other than that, I’ve been doing virtually no local birding recently. There were 210 Common Scoter and 1 Eider sitting on the sea off Westgate yesterday evening. (Tim Hodge)

Monday 22nd May 2006 Pegwell, Manston & Margate Cemetery

I was out of the house before 05.00 hrs and headed off to Pegwell Bay in the hope of getting some pics of the Spoonbills that Pete Forrest had found the previous evening. Nothing doing, I'm afraid. I had to content myself with 1 Little Egret and a mixed bunch of distant waders. Curlew, Redshank, Oystercatcher and Dunlin were all I could manage. A Cuckoo called from various points around the hide, but the weather was lousy and I gave up very quickly. My next plan was to check the various horse paddocks around Manston, in the hope that Phil's Cattle Egret might have taken up residence - again, although I visited every group of horses that I know, I failed to connect with the egret. As I was awake, and not wishing to further disturb Bev's sleep, I drove over to Margate Cemetery. It is a wonderful piece of habitat, the tangle of overgrown vegetation in some of the older areas of the site are superb. However, this morning I had to make do with the very ordinary species that inhabit Thanet. Linnets, Jays, Woodpigeons, Collared Doves, Dunnocks, Wrens, Robins and the compulsory Parakeets were all I could muster. Home by 08.00 hrs - back in bed by 10.00 hrs. (Dylan)

Monday 22nd May 2006 Reculver

I must admit i did not hold out much hope for this morning but a Honey Buzzard which appeared off the cliffs at 7.30 and then headed east along the coast did a lot to change the recent gloom. Other birds of interest were 2 Little Terns, 46 Sandwich Terns, 8 Gannets, 36 Common Scoters, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Hobby and 40+ House Martins west. (Barry Matlock)

Sunday 21st May 2006 Pegwell Bay

at 20-30hrs 11 Spoonbills were in front of the hide at Pegwell, (Pete Forrest)

Sunday 21st May 2006 Newington Ramsgate Thanet

After playing around on and off all afternoon with a broken bulb holder on one of the moth traps in the back garden (dodging the showers) I popped out just to see if the new one was working at 18.50 - to see an Egret flying west over the houses at the back of the house - after a double take (I could hardly believe it) it was a Cattle Egret! I’ve seen Little Egret over the estate before and had assumed it to be one of those, Brilliant! It was heading (quite low - probably less than 100 feet?) towards Manston. Can’t see it going too far in this weather? (Phil M)

Sunday 21st May 2006 Minster Water Treatment Works Thanet

Been nothing but a struggle since the exertion of last weekend. I finally made the decision and drove across to Minster for a couple of hours walking around the area. Despite the overcast conditions, birds were quite active amongst the vegetation of the hedgerows and scrub. I recorded 3 Blackcap, 5 Reed Warbler, 2 Sedge Warbler, 5 Turtle Dove, 11 Common Whitethroat, 1 Yellowhammer, 3 Goldfinch, 1 Cuckoo and a Nightingale. I couldn't buy a picture - all the birds remained unco-operative and hidden amidst the ever-thickening foliage. Overhead Swallows and House Martins were feeding in the lea of some of the larger trees, whilst Swifts were very active across the whole area, skimming over the arable crops. My session was given a sense of interest with the continued presence of the "mixed singer" Willow Warbler. I made a further 8 minutes worth of sound recordings (still using my digital voice recorder, thus of a very poor quality) and am really confused by this bird. The earlier recording was dominated by Willow Warbler song; today it was Chiffchaff that was prominent. Hopefully Gadget will be able to post a few samples of this extraordinary song on the website? (Dylan)

Saturday 20th May 2006 Grove Ferry & Seaton and Deerson

Only did Grove from 4.30-10.00am in the wind rain this morning, with occasional sunshine. There was the usual array of Warblers, Reed, Sedge, Cetti's & Common Whitethroats, 2 Cuckoos, 5 Shelducks, 3 Redshanks, 7 Pochards and the Spoonbill is still present, 6 Marsh Harriers (4 males) braved the winds and 2 Great crested Grebes displaying from the ramp. There were 6 Ruddy Ducks, 2 Kestrels and 3 Chiffchaffs. There were 27 Common Terns on the main lake at Stodmarsh a Spotted Flycatcher in the alder wood and a Sparrowhawk over Collard's. A Sparrowhawk was at Grove along with a Little-ringed Plover, a Pied Wagtail and 2 Grey Herons. A 1000+ Swifts were low over the reserve as well as several hundred House Martins and Swallows but not so many Sand Martins. There was a drake Tufted Duck, a couple of Bearded Tits, a female Wigeon, 1 Great spotted Woodpecker, a couple of Blackcaps, one or two Turtle Doves in the paddock and a Corn Bunting on wires by Stodmarsh village. At 1.40 i got a phone call off Norman McCanch who had just found a Black Kite over Seaton gravel pits flying towards Stodmarsh. Unfortunately i was at home but, dropped everything and sped out to the valley in the hope of connecting but not holding out much luck, after numerous phone calls to and from Brendan, Gadget et al i finally caught up with it over the wood between Seaton and Deerson. Then another phone call to Brendan from St Margaret's had me driving down there for a British Storm Petrel but, unfortunately did not connect with but, was then off to Folkestone to try for another one. Again no luck but i did see my first Sandwich Terns and Gannets of the year (to much time at grove) plus three or four Manx Shearwaters flew past as well. (Martyn Wilson)

Saturday 20th May 2006 Pegwell Bay

An unremarkable visit to Pegwell in blustery and showery conditions for the tide up produced nothing better than 85 Sandwich, 3 Common and 2 Arctic Terns. (F Solly)

Friday 19th May 2006 North Foreland

1 Turtle Dove and 15 Stock Doves feeding in the horse field. At 17:50 a Marsh Harrier heading SW into the strong gale. (Simon Mount)

Friday 19th May 2006 North Foreland

Unusual records of a Spoonbill circling near the lighthouse before moving SW at 3.15pm presumably to roost at Pegwell Bay. Offshore a light movement of Sandwich Terns N with the occasional Gannet. (Rae Boulden)

Thursday 18th May 2006 North Foreland

At North Foreland this morning 1 Spotted Flycatcher and 1 Whinchat the only migrants of note seen. (Simon Mount)

Thursday 18th May 2006 Pegwell Bay

A short walk around Pegwell Bay this morning produced no real surprises; the Whitethroats, Linnets and Sedge Warblers were singing for all they were worth, Swifts swooping down and occasionally screaming. The tide seemed to be out about 15 miles! So not much to see on the mud apart from Shelducks, Redshanks, Grey Plovers, Oystercatchers and lots of distant, hazy blobs and specks. The only 'unexpected' bird was a rather splendid Whinchat that perched on the tops of several bushes and posed for a few photos. Of interest, the blue-colour-ringed Herring Gull CBAN (or more accurately Mrs. CBAN I kind of assume the one on the bottom of a copulating pair is the female) is nesting on a chimneystack next to Ramsgate Cemetery, thereby doing its bit for Anglo-Belgian relations. (Phil B)

Wednesday 17th May 2006 Herne Bay East Cliff

An early morning walk starting at 5.25 along the coast did not produce much. A single Lesser Redpoll flew west as did 2 Turtle Doves. 49 Sandwich Terns flew east. 6 Blackcaps, 2 Lesser Whitethroats and 16 Whitethroats in the bushes. A lone Greenland Wheatear on the beach rocks below the Miramar. In the Glen 2 Green Woodpeckers and a couple of Sparrowhawks. (Barry Matlock)

Wednesday 17th May 2006 Pegwell Bay

I popped down for a short Raptor watch/incoming tide session. Surprise of the day happened at 13.50 when on a quick raptor scan I picked up a female Golden Oriole flying across the Country Park - it landed briefly, before flying on towards the Car Park area. I did have a quick scout about for it (until 14.45) but no further sign. The only Raptors I saw were singles of Peregrine and Hobby and on the tide there were: 1 Brent, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Whimbrel, 5 Grey Plover, 16 Ringed Plover, 28 Dunlin, 2 Turnstone, 2 Greenshank, 3 Bar-tailed Godwit, 42 Sandwich Tern, 1
Common Tern and 1 Little Egret. No sign either of Mondays Kentish Plover, which was still present yesterday by the sound of it. (Phil M)

Tuesday 16th May 2006 Stodmarsh NR & Grove Ferry

A comparatively quiet trip around the reserve this morning between 6:45 & 11:30am,with nothing of great note & all the usual expected species present. Did seem that the Reed & Sedge Warblers & Bearded Tits were becoming a bit more adventurous in their climbing up the reeds, almost allowing a clear view! Three Hobbies along the Lampern Wall & the Spoonbill could be seen from the Ramp on the R/H pool.
A Wheatear was sitting on top of Harrison’s Hide for a short while. Attached Photos of Garden & Sedge Warbler (Ben Ring)

Monday 15th May 2006 Pegwell Bay

2 noteworthy birds at Pegwell this afternoon - a male Kentish Plover (14.00-14.15 then re-appeared @14.50) and more surprising a Pink-footed Goose! The Goose may have had a gammy right wing - it certainly wasn’t
ringed anyway? Other bits included: 1 Brent, 4 Greylag (plus 6 chicks) 2 Peregrine, 2-3 Hobby, 1 Common Sandpiper, 13 Whimbrel, 61 Dunlin, 6 Sanderling, 14 Sandwich and 6 Little Terns. (Phil M)

Monday 15th May 2006 Minster Thanet

Birds recorded this morning included 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Sedge Warblers, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Blackcaps, 1 Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Whitethroat 2 Green Wodpeckers,1 Grey Heron, 5 Cuckoos, 3 Greenfinches, 2 Linnets, 3 Swallows, 6 Parakeets, and the odd House Martin. (Don Wilks & Gadget)

Sunday 14th May 2006 North Foreland

A very quiet weekend at North Foreland with the only migrants of note being 2 Hobbies, 2 Reed Warblers and 2 Spotted Flycatchers. (Simon Mount)

Sunday 14th May 2006 River Stour

A Spoonbill was observed in the River Stour by Stonelees this evening by (Pete Forrest)

Sunday 14th May 2006 Grove Ferry

A Spoonbill was in front of Harrison Drove hide this afternoon at 16-00hrs photograph taken by (Dave Coppen)

Sunday 14th May 2006 Dumpton garden Thanet

After the lunacy of yesterday's walk, I didn't have the energy to cross the road - so had to make do with what was on offer from the back garden. A male Yellow Wagtail is holding territory on the potato field beyond the garden hedge whilst 3 Sparrowhawks, overhead, caused mild panic amongst the local gulls. A Hobby, 2 Kestrels plus several Swallow, House Martins and Swifts were noted as I rested my aching legs and planned next year's route. Parakeets were particularly active, almost as if they knew that we had missed them yesterday and were rubbing it in! The highlight, however, was the discovery that a pair of Great Tits have decided to use the nest box, on my shed. The first time it has been occupied since Bev and I moved in - 5 years ago! (Dylan)

Saturday 13th May 2006 Foreness Point To Botany Bay 20.20hrs

Out on my bike between Foreness Point and Botany Bay more in hope than real expectation. Nothing on the beach until 2 Grey Partridge run out right in front of the bike from the edge of the cliff top across the cycle path onto the grassland opposite The Ridings

Saturday 13th May 2006 Kingsgate

A walk around Whiteness produced 2 Hobbies moving south together with female. Golden Oriole flying across golf course into Port Regis at 7.30am. (Rae Boulden)

Friday 12th May 2006 Sandwich Bay

Kentish Plover was on the beach at Sandwich Bay by the old Clubhouse this evening (Pete Forrest)

Friday 12th May 2006 Netherhale

After my 36-year drought of Red Kites in Kent , I am now being deluged with them. Three were circling together low over Netherhale at 13-45hrs today, all untagged birds, they drifted off NE. That’s five in the last few weeks! (Tim Hodge)

Friday 12th May 2006 Sandwich Bay & Restharrow scrape

An early morning visit to the scrape produced 11 Greylag and 6 young, 2 Oystercatchers, 3 Lapwing with 3 young, 1 Redshank, 2 Yellow Wagtail and 9 Swallow. Moving on to Dixon's corner was a Corn Bunting posing for me on a post, 1 male Stonechat was on a nearby gorse bush, in the field opposite was 1 Whimbrel, 2 Sky Lark, 14 Meadow Pipit, there were also several vocal Whitethroat and Blackcap on various bushes, 1 Sparrow Hawk and numerous House Martins. (Graham Crick)

Friday 12th May 2006 Kingsgate Area

A few bits on the early morning Kingsgate round, single Montagu's Harrier and Hobby west, 5 Crossbills west and a singing Golden Oriole. (F Solly)

Thursday 11th May 2006 Reculver & Coldharbour

A phone call from Mat and Chris had me chasing a Montagu’s Harrier along the Wantsum this evening. The bird, a first year male, showed well over the Oyster Farm for a period before flying east over to the Wantsum. It seems likely that this was the same bird seen by Mat a couple of days ago in the same area. (Tim Hodge)

Thursday 11th May 2006 Shuart

An immature, untagged Red Kite flew west at Shuart at 1:30 this afternoon. Chris Hindle saw an Osprey flying east earlier, whilst yesterday there was a Merlin at Coldharbour. On Tuesday there was an adult male Hen Harrier at Coldharbour and Mat Hindle saw a female Montagu’s Harrier near the White Poplars flying east towards Minnis Bay. (Tim Hodge)

Thursday 11th May 2006 Pegwell Bay

A couple of hours around midday on the dropping tide turned up: 66 Shelduck, 7 Greylag, 1 Mute Swan, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Marsh Harrier, 1-2 Peregrine, 3+ Hobby, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1+ Little Egret, 7 Sandwich Tern, 10 Lesser Black Backed Gull, c50 Black-headed Gull, 1 Greenshank, 1 Turnstone, 15 Dunlin, 17 Sanderling, 12 Knot, 2 Whimbrel, 12 Ringed Plover plus c80 Swallows and 200+ Swifts moved through flying north. (Phil M)

Thursday 11th May 2006 Elvington

12.05 Red Kite with yellow tags both wings over Elvington Garden Heading N.N.E (TRP)

Thursday 11th May 2006 Ramsgate Harbour to Monk’s Wall NR

Ramsgate Harbour 09.05 to 09.30; 1 Rock Pipit, 12 Turnstone, 4 Sandwich Terns, 2 Swallows in off. Pegwell Bay ; 1 Greenshank, 2 Whimbrel, 2 Common Sandpipers Monk’s Wall; 2 Little Egret (Nick Lever)

Thursday 11th May 2006 Bishopstone

The early morning walk did not produce a lot, best bird was a Hobby which flew West. A single Gannet drifted West and 30+ Sandwich Terns flew East. A trickle of Swallows headed north westwards and so did a lone Turtle Dove. Not great deal but a lovely morning to be out and about. (Barry Matlock)

Wednesday 10th May 2006 Stood Marsh NNR &Grove Ferry

Just to add to the earlier report from Grove/Stodmarsh, a walk around during the afternoon in the lovely sunshine produced 11 Hobbies, 1 Spoonbill, 30+ Swifts and 1 Osprey. (Graham Crick)

Wednesday 10th May 2006 Grove Ferry

I woke up early so I thought I’d take in the dawn chorus at Grove Ferry. I arrived at 4.25am to be greeted by a cacophony of bird song. Conditions were perfect, calm, clear and mild. I walked along the river, enjoying 6 singing Nightingales and 2 or 3 Cuckoos to a background of Sedge and Reed Warblers, Reed Buntings, Turtle Dove, Cetti’s Warbler, Whitethroat, Blackcap etc. A single Hobby was hunting at 05.00 and a couple of male Marsh Harriers quartered the marsh. At Turf Fields Hide there was a pair of Kingfishers, one of which was fishing from the posts in front of the hide. From the ramp I saw 1 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Redshank, 2 Yellow Wagtail and another pair of Marsh Harriers plus 6 Common Terns but it was pretty quiet. As I left at 06.35 2 Black-tailed Godwits flew up the valley. (Nick Lever)

Wednesday 10th May 2006 West Blean / Thornden Woods and Reculver

An early morning look at West Blean and Thornden Woods with Ian Harding included a churring Nightjar, a rather dinky Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Crossbill, 1 Redpoll and a couple of Tawny Owls. A look at Reculver later on didn’t produce much but included a Merlin, 1 White Wagtail, 2 Guillemots, 3 Greenshanks, 140 Sanderling, 9 Gannets, 1 Kittiwake, 80 Common Scoter and 5 Wheatears. About 10 Cuckoos were seen in the Reculver/Chislet area. (Tim Hodge)

Wednesday 10th May 2006 Stood Marsh NNR &Grove Ferry

Another trip to Stood Marsh NNR &Grove Ferry this morning produced the usual suspects plus I actually sighted the Little Owl that has for so long eluded me every time I headed along the river toward Grove Ferry - yeah, it was across the river, up a hill, in a now quite leafy tree, & in the gloom, but I'm happy!! A Spoonbill made an appearance at about 10am, initially sighted from the Ramp & then flew off to by Harrison’s Hide, were it stayed for some time before flying to the next, mostly hidden pool. On my way to the Marsh Hide & Stood carpark at about 11am, I counted 9 Hobby fly catching, taking advantage of the now sunny conditions. (Ben Ring)

Wednesday 10th May 2006 Pegwell Bay

Back to the daily grind today. I popped down just after 12.30 and gave up half an hour later. Quite a few migrant waders out there in the haze - some probably overlooked? I did see: 1 Brent, 53 Shelduck, 2 Sandwich Tern, 2 Little Tern, c30 Great Black Backed Gull, 2 Lesser Black Backed Gulls, 100+ Herring Gulls, 6 Common Gulls, 20 Black-headed Gulls, 1 Avocet, 60 Dunlin, 2 Sanderling, 8 Grey Plover, 18 Ringed Plover, 30+ Bar-tailed Godwit, 61 Oystercatcher, 1 Whimbrel, 100+ Curlew, 1 Little Egret, 1 Peregrine, 1 Sparrowhawk, 9 Cormorant plus a few Swallows and Swifts were moving north and I heard Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Reed Warbler and Yellow Wagtail as I cycled there and back. There were 2 Golden Oriole in Stonelees yesterday morning. (Phil M)

Wednesday 10th May 2006 Bishopstone

My pre-work walk along the cliffs was pretty uneventful but did include a calling Little Ringed Plover west at 6.30, only my second record at this site, a Peregrine came in off the sea circled the cliffs then headed off south. Vismig was almost non-existent apart from 30 or so Woodpigeons. Other bits included 4-5 Shelduck, 2 Gannets, 32 Sandwich Terns, 2 Common Terns, 2 Fulmars, 1 Bar-wit and a distant pair of displaying Marsh Harriers. (Barry Matlock)

Tuesday 9th May 2006 Stonelees 16.45 hrs

Two female Golden Orioles flew over, perched and then flew towards Pfizer sports ground. (CW)

Tuesday 9th May 2006 North Foreland & Ramsgate

This morning at North Foreland, 2 Tree Pipits heading west but little else. Over Ramsgate town centre at 14:42 an Osprey heading ENE along the coast and then presumably the same bird suddenly reappeared even lower over the town at 14:52 from the S heading NW inland. (Simon Mount)

Tuesday 9th May 2006 Grove Ferry

Highlights from a lunchtime trip to the Ramp at Grove Ferry included a bit of a raptor fest with an Osprey (1pm) Common Buzzard (1:15pm) a reported fem Goshawk just before I arrived, as well as 4 Hobby m & f Marsh Harrier & a male Kestrel. Two Little Stint could be seen from the Ramp, a single summer plumage Dunlin & a male Garganey (one was also present at the Marsh Hide at 7am). (Ben Ring)

Tuesday 9th May 2006 Bishopstone 05.50 – 07.00hrs

My early morning walk around the cliffs at Bishopstone on a cloudy, drizzly start to the day did not produce too much. A bit of vismig included 30 Swallows, 16 Swifts, 4 Yellow Wags, 1 House Martin and few Woodpigeons all West. The bushes held plenty of resident breeding birds with Sylvia warblers the main occupants 15 or so Whitethroats, 4 Lesser Whitethroats and 6 Blackcaps. A singing Reed Warbler was a migrant. A lone Hobby drifted East along the clifftop, no doubt eyeing up the local Sand Martins. Other bits included 1 Jay, 2 pairs of Grey Partridge and a calling Green Woodpecker. In the last ten days or so I’ve found a male Golden Oriole, Osprey and 26 Black-tailed Godwits at this site. (Barry Matlock)

Monday 8th May 2006 Foreness Point

Evening walk with the dog at 1920hrs saw a lone Black Tailed Godwit surrounded by half-dozen Turnstones and half-dozen Sanderlings (Darren Wilmshurst)

Monday 8th May 2006 Reculver

A couple of hours sea watching early in the morning produced a small easterly movement, including 241 Sandwich Terns, 5 Common Terns, 2 Guillemots, 1 Auk sp, 46 Gannets, 2 Kittiwakes, 2 Common Scoter and 1 Whimbrel. Six Bar-tailed Godwits flew west. A few waders around the Oyster Farm included 1 Greenshank, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Knot, 6 Grey Plovers, 1 Lapwing and 15 Dunlin, whilst a couple of Wheatears were on the beach. (Tim Hodge)

Sunday 7th May 2006 Minnis Bay Area

I couldn’t get out until 11:00 a.m. this morning, but an hour’s sea watching off Minnis Bay produced a flock of 29 Black Terns, which were initially feeding offshore then headed off east. Other bits included 26 Little Terns E, 15 Common Terns, 10 Sandwich Terns, 5 Kittiwakes E and 9 Gannets E. An evening look at the Oyster farm included 1 Greenshank, 1 Green Sandpiper, 3 Common Sandpipers, 3 Knot, 5 Bar-tailed Godwits and 10 Grey Plovers, whilst a pair of Pochard was on Brook. Mat and Chris saw an Arctic Skua, a Red-throated Diver, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 1 Black Redstart and 2 Black Terns off Reculver. (Tim Hodge)

Sunday 7th May 2006 North Foreland

4 Crossbills present, then heading off West at 18:45hrs (Simon Mount)

Sunday 7th May 2006 Minster Water Treatment Works

Just a couple of hours to spare, so I took the easy option and had a stroll along Marsh Farm Lane to the treatment works. 5 Swifts were over the marsh and a Little Grebe was on the main drain. My first Garden Warbler for the site was singing from a dense tangle of hawthorn and sallows, apart from that, very little has changed. The Willow Warbler with "schizophrenic" tendencies was still singing its' mixed up ditty, but I was able to note that it is paired with a very normal looking (female?) Willow Warbler. My walk back to the car was brought to a sudden stop when I picked out a superb 3rd cy male Hen Harrier hunting over the set-a-side next to the track. It looked magnificent against the greens of the fields and hedgerows and the bright yellow of the distant oilseed rape - magic! (Dylan)

Saturday 6th May 2006 Minnis & Reculver Area

An early start and then long walk round most of the area produced a Bonxie flying west off Coldharbour, 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls, single Short-eared and Long-eared Owls in the Shuart area, 2 Hobbies, 140 Common Scoter feeding offshore, 5 Common Sandpipers, 2 Little Terns, 12 Turtle Doves, 2 Wheatears, 108 Sanderling and 1 Stonechat. (Tim Hodge)

Saturday 6th May 2006 Pegwell Garden Thanet

A Hoopoe in the Pegwell 'Moth' Garden on 6^th May 2006 (Eileen Randall)

Saturday 6th May 2006 Foreness Point

This morning at about 0900hrs saw 2 Grey Partridge on the cliff top just behind the sewage works at Foreness Point. On the beach just after high tide, a lone Purple Sandpiper surrounded by Turnstones and Dunlins, some of the latter starting to display summer plumage (square black belly patch). (Darren Wilmshurst)

Friday 5th May 2006 Minster Water Treatment Works & River Stour

With Gadget & Co away in sunny Spain, I've been taking it easy and birding the local area in preparation for my annual bout of madness - The May Big Day! The Stodmarsh NNR & Grove Ferry area has been very enjoyable, my sightings have been posted on the KOS website (Stour Valley page) However, the Minster Marshes have provided some excellent birding over the past week, or so and the continued presence of the singing Willow Warbler/Chiffchaff has provided plenty of material for interesting debate. So, on a very pleasant sunny afternoon, Frank and I spent four hours birding the area. Swallows and House Martins were very numerous around the fishing lake and settling beds, whilst warblers were in all available habitat. Common & Lesser Whitethroat, Sedge & Reed Warbler, Blackcap and the "mystery" bird. Turtle Doves are now back in good numbers and a scan across the River Stour revealed a lone Wheatear and several small parties of Yellow Wagtails. At least 3 Cuckoos were singing from various hedges around the area and a distant raptor proved to be a thermal ling Marsh Harrier, away over by King's End Farm. Our walk also allowed us to get great views of Goldfinch, Yellowhammer, Lapwing - a scarce bird away from the Grove Ferry area, Linnet and Meadow Pipit. As we were thinking of returning to the car, we came across the singing Willow/Chiffchaff and were able to get nice views of the bird. I managed to get a few digital images of it and make a very primitive sound recording on my digital voice recorder. Subsequent E-mail exchanges have been very useful (many thanks to Tim, Marcus & Andy for their input) with the consensus being that this bird is a Willow Warbler - described by Marcus as a "mixed singer". There have been 4 other records of similar birds in Kent this Spring - are they becoming regular or are birders that much more aware? (Dylan)

Friday 5th May 2006 North Foreland

Golden Oriole, 1 (male) flying through at 07:35 Serin 1 - at clifftop Turtle Dove 1 Whinchat 1 Blackcap 3 Corn Bunting 1 At Northdown Farm at 18:00 75 Carrion Crows following tractors ploughing. (Simon Mount)

Wednesday 3rd May 2006 Garden Broadstairs Thanet

Picture taken by the husband of a teacher from a local school in their back garden which is situated in the Chessboard area of Broadstairs - Sparrowhawk devouring a Blackbird round about 24 April 2006. (Chris & Chris Turner)

Wednesday 3rd May 2006 North Foreland

Golden Oriole 1 - male and in song at 05:40 Wheatear 12, Turtle Dove 1, Tree Pipit 1, obvious further arrival of Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroat, Siskin 2. Also a significant arrival of Swifts with 30+ over Broadstairs. (Simon Mount)

Wednesday 3rd May 2006 Elmley RSPB Reserve

We visited Elmley RSPB Reserve on the isle of Sheppey where we saw a Black Winged Stilt. It can be seen from the Well-marsh Hide and as i understand quite a rarity. (Frank Lynch)

Wednesday 3rd May 2006 Margate cemetery

Margate cemetery bird records for Wednesday 3rd May - 2 Spotted Flycatchers were the first this year also 3 Hobbies, 1 female Ring Ouzel, 1 White Wagtail, 3 Blackcap, 3 Wheatear, 8 Whitethroat and 2 Yellow Wagtail. Also 5 Sparrowhawks (east), 30 Swifts and a late Redwing. (Steve Tomlinson)

Wednesday 3rd May 2006 Reculver

An early morning wander around the Reculver end of the Marsh included 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Tree Pipits W, 5 Wheatears, 8 Willow Warblers, 4 Garden Warblers, 10 Blackcaps, 8 Lesser Whitethroats, 30 Swifts W, 44 Sandwich Terns, 95 Common Scoter, 16 Dunlin, 3 Bar-tailed Godwits, 1 Common Sandpiper, 3 Little Egrets, 6 Greylags, 1 Curlew, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Corn Bunting, 250 Wood Pigeons W, 1 ringtail Hen Harrier and 1 Hobby. Mat and Chris added a Pied Flycatcher and 2 Spotted Flycatchers at the White Poplars and Derek saw a Spotted Flycatcher at Shuart.