Friday 30th November 2007 Stodmarsh NNR
A little time spent at the reserve this morning,
recorded a flock of 20+ Siskin 1 Redpoll, 1 Goldcrest
and a few Goldfinches & Greenfinches and Blue and Great
Tits in the small wooded area, from the bitten hide I observed 4 or
possible 5 Marsh Harriers 2males and 2 or 3 Females out in front of
the hide rain stopped play so I came home. (Gadget)
Thursday 29th November 2007 Southwall marshes to
Fowlmead (Deal)
A mild sunny afternoon walk
from Southwall to Fowlmead 1300-15 30 11 Blackbirds ,1 Robin,
3 Song Thrush, 1 Dunnock, 6 Magpie, 5 Moorhen,
20 Chaffinches, 4 Blue Tit, 4 Pheasant, 2 Jay, 1
Kestrel,20+ Wood Pigeon, 1 Kingfisher, and 30+
Greylag geese grazing on a grass bank. A very pleasant afternoon, (Mike
D)
Wednesday 28th November 2007 Ramsgate Harbour
At Ramsgate Harbour nothing to report other than
excellent views of 1st winter Great Black-backed Gull JX11 where I
was able to read Norwegian metal ring 388421. (Simon Mount)
Wednesday
28th November 2007 Foreness & Kingsgate Area
An early morning
whizz along the Foreness cliff-top to the Kingsgate Moth Trap produced a
birding bonanza. 24 Great-crested Grebes, 1Shag and 2 Eider
were floating around offshore. 3 adult Med Gulls on the Putting Green
- including a couple of the usual ringed birds, which I was able to read –
1BOR and ING2. An adult Peregrine, 6 Stonechat, 1 Black
Redstart, 80 Linnets, 1 Brambling and 1 Snow Bunting,
What a morning! (F Solly)
Sunday 25th November 2007 North Foreland Area
At North Foreland this morning a Snipe flew in
off the sea and landed in the cauliflower fields, over the sea just one
Red-throated Diver, 7 Common Scoter and a Kittiwake, over
the fields 1 male Stonechat, a Skylark and again 56 Curlew
at roost and a Swallow heading slowly south at 10:00hrs (Simon Mount)
Friday 23rd November 2007 Foreness
A flutter of snowflakes alerted me to a small flock of
eight Snow Buntings on the bare earth by the water works.
They seemed to be comfortable feeding there, so may hang around for the
weekend. The number of waders at the roost is slowly increasing after the
storm surge, with all the usual species there, albeit in smaller numbers
than usual - only two Purple Sandpipers were seen.
Yesterday there were three Mediterranean Gulls on the rocks
at the point, amongst large numbers of the commoner gulls - there were also
half a dozen Fulmars, returned after their brief trip out
to sea. (Steve Coates)
Friday 23rd November 2007 Sandwich Bay SBBOT
I called over to the SBBOT this afternoon to have a
word with Ian Hodgson and while looking out of a window a Swallow
flew North/East out to sea at 14-45hrs (Gadget)
Thursday 22nd November 2007 North Foreland
At North Foreland at 12:30hrs a ring-tail Hen
Harrier hunting over the cauliflower fields. An incredible site for the
area as it quartered low over the cauliflowers, landing briefly on one
occasion. Twice it flew close round the lighthouse and also, dangerously,
crossed low over the busy road. However, after several minutes, it was soon
chased by the local Crows and it headed up the farmland gaining in height
and disappearing SW inland, being harassed by Gulls. I also saw a
Firecrest. Yesterday, the Curlew flock in the sheep field
numbered 56 at high tide. (Simon Mount)
Thursday 22nd November 2007 Fishing Carpark to
Coldharbour
Birds to note: 1 (male) Sparrowhawk, 2
Kestrels, over the fields at Coldharbour 1 Little Egret, 5
Little Grebes, 11 Snow Buntings around Coldharbour area on the
shingle 7 Stonechats 23 Fieldfares, 7 Redwing, and 1
Corn Bunting were observed along the way. (Gadget)
Wednesday 21st November 2007 outback of Minster
Thanet
A look over the Minster Marshes this morning 70+Meadow
Pipits, with a few Redwings good numbers of Blackbirds and
Magpies around the bushes 4 Skylarks out over the fields, 1
Grey Heron in one of the dikes and Grey Wagtails down the
roadside 60+Woodpigeons down by the river I kicked a Jack Snipe
on the way back in the car and at the gate crossing small birds made
up of Blue & Great Tits and over 30 Robins. (Gadget)
Sunday 18th November 2007 Pegwell Bay
A very brief visit to Pegwell this morning - it's not
worth doing longer as it is now un-birdable. It did give me an opportunity
to photograph the Golden Plover and Lapwing roost - typically
both being in multiple thousands at this time of year and quite a spectacle.
Unfortunately thanks to no effort from KWT and Thanet Coastal Project you
will have to take my word for that and use your imagination. There was no
Golden Plovers or Lapwing in the bay during my visit. The event of the
month at Pegwell is on the 25th, when KWT will be doing a walk 'to watch the
spectacle of thousands of birds coming in to roost' - oh yeah, to avoid
disappointment I would advise not going. Unless you want to admire the
bait-diggers. (F Solly)
Saturday
17th November 2007 Sandwich Bay
A change of scenery! Parking near Manwood's School, I
walked the riverbank before heading across to the Old Clubhouse on Prince's
GC then along the beach to Shelness Point. Overnight frost gave way to a
still, grey dawn, the wind increased during the morning making it feel quite
cold by the time I had completed my walk. Along the river I noted 4
Little Grebe and 2 Cetti's Warbler - one of which
was singing from the scrub behind the new housing development. 2
Kingfishers put in typically brief appearances. 1 by the sluice on
the North Stream the other in a ditch by the old practice ground. A
Green Sandpiper called loudly as it flew overhead and I was
wondering how the green-keeper was going to explain the mole-hills until a
scan with my telescope revealed the brown dots to be 8 Grey
Partridge. Skylark, Meadow Pipit
and Reed Bunting were very numerous and widespread across
the whole area. I found a total of 5 Stonechat and 3
Corn Bunting. A male Merlin was chasing a
Skylark over the 100 acre field whilst a Green
Woodpecker looked completely out of place as it clung to a fence
post out in the salt marsh. My scan over Pegwell Bay, from the point,
revealed many 1000's of birds to be present, distant dots right on the
tideline. The middle of the Bay right up to the edge of the spartina was
dotted with bait-diggers - 14 in total. Whilst I have no problem with
these guys digging for bait, it is where they are doing it that is cause for
concern. I am confident that a sensible compromise can be achieved by simply
marking the edge of the Nature Reserve with a series of marker posts or
buoys! As for the Magna Carta - I'm bloody sure that the use of carbon fibre
rods, graphite bodied multipliers, monofilament nylon and stainless steel
hooks isn't mentioned anywhere in this historical document thus, cannot be
used as an excuse to ignore the various EU legislation in place to protect
this reserve! Surely the anglers covered by the Magna Carta used nets - rod
& line not yet being invented? Anyway, I digress, I had hoped to find Snow
Bunting or better, yet failed dismally. My walk along the dunes did however,
reveal the presence of 3 Dartford Warblers. 1 in company of
2 Stonechat on Prince's GC and 2, together, in Sea
Buckthorn near the start of the Nature Reserve. (Dylan)
Friday
16th November 2007 Dumpton to Ramsgate Harbour
Glorious sunshine and an early finish meant that I was
on my way before 13.30hrs. Absolutely nothing of note until I reached King
George VI Park where a few Goldcrests could be heard
calling from the Holme Oaks by Montefiorre Avenue. Descending Winterstoke
Steps onto the seawall I was rewarded for my optimism when a flock of 31
Common Scoter flew past, looking quite stunning in the
autumn sunlight. The tide was right in but, the lack of any discernable wind
ensured that, the pontoons were not particularly crowded. Herring
Gulls dominated the area, yet there were also plenty of
Black-headed & Common Gulls to be scanned. There
were less than 20 Great Black-backed Gulls but they did
include a new C-R 1st winter (Black JX11) and an old friend in the form of
adult - Blue J9G6. Both birds were on the slipway where the fishing nets are
stowed. The "sinensis" Cormorant - Red T/O was also
present. Turnstones, Rock Pipits,
Pied Wagtails plus a lone Sanderling were actively
foraging around the site and a Kingfisher flashed across
the outer harbour as I chatted to one of the fishermen. My walk back allowed
me to watch a Little Auk swimming just a few metres off of
the main beach. It may, or may not, have been the bird that Gadget released
this morning? A male Kestrel flying along the cliffs, in
the fading light, completed my notes - very nice! (Dylan)
Friday 16th November 2007 Ramsgate Rescued Little
Auk
A Little Auk was picked up, out of Margate road,
Ramsgate, on Thursday and taken to Francis's house for safe keeping. I went
to see the bird and it was decided that I would take the Little Auk to
release it in the morning. I took it down to the Western Undercliff and am
glad to report that, after a little swim in the boating pool, it took flight
out to sea. (Gadget)
Friday 16th November 2007 Kent Wildlife Trust
Statement
In order
to allow an un-biased viewpoint, I have posted a copy of what has been
posted on KOSnet bird group forum, by Tony Swandale, KWT warden for Pegwell Bay. Please
follow the high-lighted link. Kent Wildlife Trust wishes to make the
following statement:
(Click Here) It
seems strange that KWT chose to use a limited access bird forum to air this
statement instead of Planetthanet.org? (Gadget)
Thursday 15th November 2007 Ramsgate
As I was driving along St Augustine's Road in Ramsgate
at 11.30 this morning, a Woodcock flew across the road and over a
garden wall. (Julie Childs)
Thursday 15th November 2007 Foreness Area
A walk around Foreness at lunchtime produced a Short-eared
Owl flying west offshore (to add to one I saw at Kingsdown this
morning), a female Eider drifting west and diving, and an adult
Mediterranean Gull on the lawns. The Med Gull is presumably the one
seen in September, with a green ring on the right leg and a metal one on the
left. (Steve Coates)
Thursday 15th November
2007 North Foreland Area Josh Bay
A Little Auk was
just off the beach, giving good views at 9am before flying off towards
Foreness (Nick Lever)
Wednesday 14th November
2007 Dumpton Thanet
My early morning
(05.35hrs) walk across to Pyson's Road was made more bearable when a
Long-eared Owl flew over the bungalows and landed, on the top of a
Leylandii, in a Vine Close garden. Under the street lights, I had nice views
before it flew off towards the gardens of Park Avenue. Blackbirds and
Redwings were moving overhead and I flushed a small group of
Lapwings from the newly sown winter wheat, as I neared Sericol, just 10
minutes later. (Dylan)
Monday
12th November 2007
Re
the following posted by Dylan:
There is legislation,
already in place, to deal with the wilful disturbance of roosting/feeding
birds. It's called the Wildlife & Countryside Act. If someone is breaking
the law, don't call the KWT
or Thanet Council - ring the police! I am sure that the Kent constabulary
have a wildlife crimes officer who might be better placed to sort this
nonsense out.'
There
is indeed a small team (8 in fact) of officers who deal specifically with
rural and wildlife crime, which is headed by Sgt Andy Small. He can be
contacted at Police Headquarters in Maidstone - or via any local police
station. (David FG)
Monday
12th November 2007 Dumpton Gap Road Thanet
This morning on my way to work I flushed a Woodcock
at the top of Dumpton Gap road that then hurtled towards the railway
cutting. Nothing to report from the Harbour today (Simon Mount)
Monday 12th November 2007 Fayreness / Botany Bay
& Foreness
While checking on the high tide roost at Fayreness,
three birds flew over that, even to my unskilled eye, were clearly
Snow Buntings. They seemed to drop into Botany Bay so I followed,
hoping that they might have landed, and that there weren't too many dogs
around. Fortunately they were feeding on the strandline, and lived up to
their trusting reputation. They were still there when I left. As for the
roosts, the 'surge' has scoured much of the sand away, so there's not much
beach left at high tide. At Fayreness the sea comes in so far that no birds
(if any) are visible below the cliffs - at Foreness there were only 33
Ringed Plovers to accompany the Turnstones that were dotted
around. (Steve Coates)
Monday
12th November 2007 Dumpton to Ramsgate Harbour
An early shift doesn't allow much time for birding at
this time of the year. After work I was home and out again before 14.25hrs
walking briskly along West Dumpton Lane. King George VI Park held a few
Goldcrest and a couple of Goldfinch but,
with no time to spare, I didn't linger. Descending Winterstoke Steps I had
the good fortune to spot a lone Little Auk bobbing about on
the sea, some 80m off shore. I quickly grabbed a few record pics before
continuing on my way towards the harbour. Pied Wagtail and
Rock Pipit were seen around the carparks and a group of 5
Sanderling were busily feeding along the water's edge. The
harbour proved to be a bit of a let down. I found two C-R Great
Black-backed Gulls (both having been recorded already this autumn)
amidst the large numbers of gulls present and really enjoyed a sighting of
Cormorant - Red T/O, as it was the first colour ringed bird
I found when I moved to Thanet. That was it. As the sun began to dip behind
the Port buildings the temperatures dropped quickly and I endured a chilly
walk as I retraced my steps. A Sparrowhawk, over the Racing
Greyhound, was the highlight of my homeward journey. (Dylan)
Monday 12th November 2007 Sandwich Bay
A seawatch today between 07.45 - 11.20 at Sandwich bay
produced 82 Brent Geese (N), 56 Shelduck (N), 8
Kittiwake (N) 3 Great Crested Grebe off shore, 1 Purple
Sandpiper, 3 Ad Med Gull (N), 1 1st winter Glaucous Gull
(S) and 32 Snow Buntings on the beach, a cold but really enjoyable
morning. Incidentally yesterday there were no Bait diggers at the point !!!,
over the last two weeks there have been between 3 and 12 everyday allowing a
peak daily total of 16 Sanderling. Yesterday however there were 75!
The research i am conducting currently on the Sanderling will be
incorporating disturbance levels that occur daily to the birds in what ever
form it takes, the final report is being sent to KWT and will provide some
further evidence that the disturbance to the wading birds at both the point
and Pegwell is really effecting the behaviour and feeding levels of these
birds. (Ashley P)
Monday 12th
November 2007 Ramsgate
Six Bewick/Whooper Swans flew
south-west over Ramsgate Train Station at 10.17 yesterday (11/11),
unfortunately by the time I was able to get out of the car, the angle/range
was such that I could not determine which. (F Solly)
Sunday 11th November 2007 North Foreland
A pleasant albeit breezy 90 minutes spent in the North
Foreland area this morning. I was rather surprised to see two Woodlarks
sitting in the middle of the road along Cliff Promenade, giving cracking
views down to 10 yards before flying off west. A Little Auk flew N
close inshore at 0850, whilst 21 Shelduck, 70 Brent Geese, 1
Gannet and 3 Common Scoter were moving offshore. (Tim H)
Sunday
11th November 2007 Broadstairs
A very enjoyable 45 minutes (07.45 - 08.30hrs) were
spent watching the sea from the carpark by the Tartar Frigate. A
Little Auk flew north at 07.54 and I watched a Short-eared
Owl struggle to make the coast, constantly harassed by gulls as it
skimmed the waves. 6 Common Scoter, 2 Gannet,
4 Eider, 4 Shelduck and 2
Red-throated Diver kept my pencil busy. Kittiwakes
were numerous, if somewhat distant, making light work of the stiff NW
breeze. Plenty of common waders along the shoreline which brings me,
nicely, to the frustrating situation at Pegwell Bay. Obviously Francis is
concerned by the lack of action. There is legislation, already in place, to
deal with the wilful disturbance of roosting/feeding birds. It's called the
Wildlife & Countryside Act. If someone is breaking the law, don't call the
KWT or Thanet Council - ring the police! I am sure that the
Kent constabulary have a wildlife crimes officer who might be better placed
to sort this nonsense out. P.S. I see that Chris Abram's is moaning about
the shooters along the seawall at Oare Marshes KWT Res. Can
anyone spot the common denominator in these two situations? (Dylan)
Saturday 10th November 2007
Pegwell Update
Well folks, panic over! We can all
sleep easy tonight. Its official, after what can only be described as a
monumental effort by KWT regarding the on-going problem of the bait-diggers
at Pegwell, in which every possible avenue to resolve the issue was
apparently explored, absolutely nothing has been achieved. In fact this week
has been worse and this morning in particular was appalling – a total
disgrace. Any organisation involved with Pegwell should be ashamed. It would
be wrong to not also congratulate Thanet District Council and their quango
the Thanet Coastal Project for their intervention with the invaluable
Coastal Codes, which have proved to be nothing more than token symbols to be
waved around at various meetings, without the need of actually doing
anything. My only regret is that places such as Oare, Elmley, Minsmere etc
do not adopt the enlightened Pegwell approach and rid themselves of their
avian vermin – just think of the carbon savings by removing the need to go
to such places. Apparently your pound goes towards wildlife conservation –
so the various literature from Wildlife Trusts invariably states – or does
it? Nice four wheel drive vehicles and flashy HQ buildings don’t really
count....do they?
--------------------------------
If anyone is at all concerned
about birds and in particular Pegwell, I would suggest that you either
e-mail or write to KWT and the Thanet Coastal Project and complain about the
current issue with the bait-diggers. (F Solly)
Friday 9th
November 2007 Winterstoke & Ramsgate Harbour
I was at Winterstoke Steps just after 07.00hrs.
Scanning the beach I noted a pale-looking gull, which turned out to be a
trick of the light, but did allow me to locate a C-R 1st w Herring
Gull from the RSPCA Mallydams Wood Wildlife Rescue Centre,
Fairlight, E. Sussex. (Details will be posted when I have heard from Richard
Thompson - scheme coordinator) A seawatch was a brief affair, between 07.15
& 07.40 hrs I recorded 1 Pomarine Skua, 39 Common
Scoter, 1 Gannet, 1 Diver sp. and
a steady passage of Kittiwake. I then walked along the
coast to check the harbour. A Purple Sandpiper was amidst
the Turnstones on the A&P Shipyard slipway, the
"white-winged" Great Black-back was on the
net storage ramp and a Kingfisher was by the sluice. I
checked through the large number of gulls, but failed to find any colour
rings because the vast majority were sitting down, attempting to shelter
from the strong wind. A Bar-tailed Godwit headed north over
the Harbour Lights Cafe and a couple of Rock Pipits fed in
the lea of the Casino. (Dylan)
Thursday 8th November 2007 Canterbury Area
I was informed yesterday that two Firecrest
remained for their fourth day between Hales place estate and the tip in
Canterbury, (Ashley P)
Wednesday 7th November 2007 Cecilia Road,
Ramsgate Thanet
At 0930 this morning (Wednesday 7 November 2007) there
was a Woodcock squashed on the tarmac in Cecilia road
Ramsgate where the eastern approach road to the cemetery meets Cecilia road
by the allotments. It was still there at 1430. The plumage and beak clearly
showed that this was a Woodcock. It did not have a ring. (Marianne &
Steve Harper)
Wednesday 7th November
2007 Westgate Thanet
An obliging Purple
Sandpiper at Westgate this morning allowed me to take some reasonable
photos. (Tim H)
Tuesday
6th November 2007 Kingsgate & North Foreland Area
Dead-mans held 3
Goldcrest and a
number of Great Tits & Blue Tits
onward down along side Port-Regis and another 2 Goldcrest
with more Blue Tits,
around to the Captain Digby then along the cliff top 2 Stonechats, 1
Pied Wagtail with 30
Herring Gulls on the top
end of the golf course, about turn and back down to Elmwood Avenue 1
Kestrel hunting
over the fields and a few Blackbirds
in the hedgerow, in the hoses paddock 56 Curlew
resting and 300+ Starlings
were feeding around the sheep. (Gadget)
Tuesday
6th November 2007 Seawatch from Winterstoke Steps
I had been waiting for this morning since Saturday. The
5-day forecast had predicted a decent northerly and accompanying cloud. As
it turned out, the cloud was non-existent and there was a little too much
west in the wind to produce classic conditions, the guys at Reculver will do
much better, but it was still a very enjoyable session. I could only spare a
couple of hours, so started at 07.00hrs, finishing at 08.45hrs. Birds seen
included 11 Brent Geese, 1 Black-throated Diver,
1 Red-throated Diver (on the sea), 4 Diver Sp.,
2 Dunlin, 116 Common Scoter, 9
Teal, 2 Shelduck, 1 Razorbill, 2
large auk sp. 28 Oystercatcher, 1
Sanderling, 1 Woodcock - in/off at 07.20hrs and a
superb male Peregrine hunting the feral pigeons along the
cliffs below King George VI Park. An Arctic Tern was
probably the bird from Ramsgate Harbour, but the highlight of the morning
was provided by the 3 Little Auk that flew north at
07.24hrs. Other bits seen as I walked to and from the sea included a few
Redwing and Fieldfare plus 2
Siskin, north over the park, as I headed back home. (Dylan)
Monday 5th November 2007 Pegwell Bay
Made a quick visit to Pegwell this afternoon and like
Phil said the place was infested with bait diggers, I counted 7 on the mud
and numerous other people milling about in the weed beds by the garage pools
so consequently didn't see anything of interest. (Mick S)
Monday 5th November 2007 Ramsgate & Harbour
Ramsgate this morning a Marsh Harrier heading W
inland at 08:30 over the town centre, lunchtime at the harbour I had brief
views of what I presume was the Arctic Tern from yesterday. I also
saw a 1st winter Herring Gull with colour ring A (on white) 67 (on
black) but no standard metal ring. (Simon Mount)
Monday 5th November
2007 Pegwell Bay
I popped down this
afternoon for what turned out to be a very short stay. It wasn't worth
watching the Bay area due to disturbance (the
close areas of salt marsh being festooned with bait diggers) and
the fact that there wasn't a single Golden Plover around their
daytime roost area tells it's own story. There should be many thousands at
this time of the year. The only counts worth taking were Snipe and
Jack Snipe (there were c40 and 3 respectively) though I did see 3
Little Egrets, 2 Stonechat and 3 Rock Pipits. There was a
mint condition dead Little Grebe sitting in the salt marsh just off
the garage pools - a lovely little thing but a shame it was 'pushing up the
daisies'! (Phil M)
Monday 5th
November 2007 Kingsgate Area
Slightly more eventful
cruise along the cliff-top this morning, an adult Great Northern Diver,
still with a bit of summer plumage, feeding close offshore, a very
approachable Snow Bunting and a Dartford Warbler in the
cliff-top weeds. (F Solly)
Sunday 4th
November 2007 Ramsgate Harbour
An e-mail from Jerry Lanfear had alerted me to the
presence of a couple of interesting gulls in the harbour this morning.
A particularly curious bird, with white primaries, was the catalyst for my
afternoon visit. Luckily both birds were still present. One was a C-R
Herring Gull, from a new French project; the other was an
aberrant Great Black-backed Gull. It had an asymmetrical
wing pattern with pure white primaries (p7 - 10 right wing & p 9 - 10 left
wing). The bill pattern was also abnormal, the lower mandible being pink,
thus producing a strange appearance. Closer inspection, however, revealed
the bill structure to be typical Great Black-back. Better was to follow,
when I discovered a 1st winter Arctic Tern, fishing in the
outer harbour. It settled briefly, thus allowing me a photo opportunity,
before continuing to fish around the pontoons. A Kingfisher,
5 Rock Pipit and a few Pied
Wagtail provided a little variety and I noted a couple of small
skeins of Brent Geese moving along the coast towards
Broadstairs. (Dylan)
Sunday 4th November 2007 Reculver & Chamber’s
Wall
A seawatch at the Towers from 0700-1015 this morning in
light northerly winds produced 17 Pomarine Skuas heading west, plus a
few other bits including a Bonxie, a few Little Gulls, 3
Red-breasted Mergansers, 150 Kittiwakes, 3 Sparrowhawks W
and 2 Grey Wagtails W. The 30 White-fronted Geese commuting
between Grove and Reculver in the last few days were present near the white
poplars yesterday evening, plus a Short-eared Owl. (Tim H)
Saturday 3rd November 2007 Pegwell Bay
Having done the Pegwell trap earlier than usual, I
intended to take in the dropping tide, the mud just being exposed and lots
of birds busily feeding. I only had an instant to take this in. The flock of
several thousand Golden Plover was already airborne and rather
agitated - looking rather impressive in the early morning sun. The other
waders, that were feeding on the freshly uncovered mudflat took flight and
were unable to return to their preferred feeding area. A ha, I hear you say,
perhaps there is a Peregrine or some other Raptor hunting in the Bay? But
no, this is Pegwell. The first of the 'problem' Bait-diggers had arrived.
The Golden Plovers departed and the other waders constantly
disturbed. The bait-digger of course walked the flats just off the edge of
the saltmarsh and began digging close inshore up towards the old hide
location. Fear not and do not be disheartened, my previous comments on this
issue have galvanised those at Pegwell into inaction. There are of course a
number of ways of dealing with the issue of bait-digging just off the
saltmarsh which could include a) ignoring it, b) approaching the diggers,
explaining the situation and request that they dig further out or c)
ignoring the issue and ignoring anyone who raises the issue. Sadly those at
Pegwell have chosen the sensible and well reasoned latter option (just as
well that I was already unpopular, as being such a sensitive person it would
have hurt my feelings!). It’s not all bad news at Pegwell though, after an
absent of a week (and wasn't that good) the burger van is back - see it’s
not a National Nature Reserve for nothing. Sorry, I wasn't going to write
any more on Pegwell as its like flogging a dead horse - but it annoys me.
Feel free not to put it up. (F Solly)
Saturday
3rd November 2007 Grove Ferry & Stodmarsh
A walk around the circuit was a fairly leisurely
affair. The first scan from the ramp revealed little of note, although there
were plenty of Lapwing, Mallard and
Black-headed Gulls on display. Making my way along to
Harrison's Drove, with the Martyn, Marc & Norman, it was more of the same
when we surveyed the pool from behind the modified viewing screen, 2
Green Sandpipers were the only additions to my notebook. A couple
of Sky Larks were chasing about over the meadows, one
breaking into song briefly. Meadow Pipit, Pied
Wagtail and Stonechat keeping the pencil busy as I
left the others and headed off to the Alder wood at Stodmarsh. Two more
Green Sandpipers, 10+ Goldcrest, 3
Siskin, 6 Wigeon, 2 Treecreeper,
1 Grey Wagtail and 3 Sparrowhawk made up
the bulk of my sightings. Redwing and Fieldfare
were present in reasonable numbers, feeding on the various berries around
the hedgerows. A 3rd yr Lesser Black-backed Gull caused me
some head scratching as it retained its' juvenile/1st yr tail pattern -
really weird. A Chiffchaff and a few Bullfinches
were in the bushes by the River Stour at the end of the Lampern
Wall. A male Marsh Harrier was pestered by a
Carrion Crow as it hunted over the reedbed. Water Rail,
Cetti's Warbler, Bearded Tit and
Reed Bunting meant that there was always something to see as I made
my way back along the riverbank. Approaching Grove all of the
Lapwing, Golden Plover and Snipe
were milling about the sky. A Peregrine causing the mayhem.
Back on the ramp, again in the company of the Stour Valley regulars, there
were 30 Eurasian White-fronted Geese on the main pool.
Careful scrutiny allowed us to pick out 14 juveniles amidst the adults. I
noted single Ruff, Little Stint
and Redshank were picked out amongst the hoards of
Lapwing and Golden Plover. Sparrowhawks
were very active with at least 3 birds seen from the ramp in little more
than 45 minutes. (Dylan)
Friday 2nd
November 2007 Shuart & Reculver
A long walk from Shuart to
Reculver and back today was very quiet but enjoyable. The best bird by far
was a fine male Hen Harrier which I saw being mobbed by crows at
about 1pm. It showed again later and intermittently from about 3pm - 4pm,
last seen settled in a field. (Scott)
Friday 2nd November 2007 North Foreland
Still very quiet at North Foreland this morning, a few
Bramblings, Goldfinches and Chaffinches moving W
overhead, 3 Stonechats present and 2 Swallows passed through
heading S. There were 2 Knot feeding on the rocks which is unusual.
The Fulmars have returned with a party of 6 offshore. (Simon Mount)
Friday 2nd November 2007 Dumpton Garden
I have observed Rose-Ringed Parakeets flying
over my houses morning and night for more than thirty years, today was the
fist time that one of them decided to land in one of the trees, it didn't
stay long just enough time to eye up the peanuts. Will he be Back? (Gadget)
Thursday 1st November 2007 North Foreland
Very quiet at North Foreland this morning with little
moving overhead or present. The only sightings I noted being a Swallow
and 4 Fieldfare. (Simon Mount)
Thursday 1st November
2007 Foreness Point
A Short Eared Owl
came in off the sea late afternoon unsettling the local gull population (Rae
Boulden)
Thursday 1st November 2007 Chamber's Wall &
Coldharbour
A quick look along Chamber's Wall today was very quiet
at fist birds of note were 34 Mute Swans, 1 Marsh Harrier
3 Kestrels 1 Sparrow Hawk and a small flock of Meadow
Pipits out over the fields and in the bushes Long-tailed Tits, Blue Tit,
Blackbirds and Redwings down towards the Stables 3 Stonechats,
7 Corn Buntings, 9 Pied Wagtails, 1 Green Woodpecker, and 300+
Starlings along the sea wall towards Coldharbour waders seen at the
shoreline, Oystercatchers, Ring Plovers, Grey Plovers, Redshanks,
Sanderlings, Turnstones, 130 + Lapwing and 1 Bar-tailed Godwit,
at Coldharbour Lagoon 3 Little Grebes and a flock of 50+ Linnets
with a few Meadow Pipits on the sea there were 14 Brent
Geese with Black Headed Gulls, Herring Gulls and 7 Cormorants
out on the outflow pipe. (Gadget)
