News and Updates

Birds News and Updates 2008

Last update: Sunday 30th November 2008 at 20-30hrs

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October 2008 Report has been Archived

Ringed Bird Reports

Bird Trip Reports

Pegwell Bay Report

Colour-Ring studies

RSPB Lydden Valley Appeal

Owls, Shrikes & Raptors

Red Kites in the Chilterns

Sunday 30th November 2008 Ramsgate Garden

Dull and over cast but active in back garden midday on feeders, table and ground Greenfinches, Starlings, and 6 Blackbirds including 3 Continental Blackbirds (Stephen Mould)

Sunday 30th November 2008 Monkton & Pluck's Gutter

I returned to this, under watched, area for a couple of hours. Nothing much to report. Fieldfare outnumbered Redwing at a ratio of 30:1 and there were at least 240 Redwing. An incredible spectacle as they moved across the marsh - feeding in the various hawthorns around the area. 2 Marsh Harrier, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Little Owl, 1 Green Sandpiper and a Grey Wagtail were the best of my other sightings. I did my best to find something of interest, yet had to resort to distant views of a Peregrine on a pylon and odd Grey Herons fishing in the ditches that criss-cross the marshland. (Dylan)

Sunday 30th November 2008 St Nicholas roundabout Thanet

While driving down the Thanet Way at 2:30 am, a Barn Owl flew low across the road as we approached the St Nicholas roundabout. (Simon Piggott)

Saturday 29th November 2008 Joss Bay & Foreness

A plan to visit Thanet (which seemed to be the centre of birding interest this week) sounded fine in the pub last night, but the reality of trying to find elusive little brown birds in the murk and drizzle of a cabbage patch was starkly different. There was a reasonable amount of birdlife around - Stonechats, Wrens and Meadow Pipits all perched on the tops of cabbages and three Chiffchaffs were seen, but the target Dartford Warblers were not showing. Further along the coast, a single Snow Bunting was on the path above Botany Bay (in precisely the same place that I saw my first one, a few years ago) and a female Black Redstart was below on the beach. The tide came in on cue, with the usual cast of waders including an impressive 47 Purple Sandpipers. 41 of the Purps were on one lump of concrete below the waterworks. (Steve Coates)

Saturday 29th November 2008 Minster Marshes

A short session around the water treatment works! The murky conditions didn't make for good pics, although I did try! Stacks of birds, although of very few species, Fieldfare and Redwing being present in spectacular numbers with Blackbirds & Song Thrushes also noted. Goldfinch, Reed Bunting, Cetti's Warbler, Water Rail, Lesser Redpoll, 1 Curlew, 60+ Wigeon and a gaggle of Greylags were about the best of it. (Dylan)

Friday 28th November 2008 Stodmarsh NNR

A sighting of a splendid male Hen Harrier flying over the alder wood at 12:30pm made working in the steady drizzle/rain most acceptable today! (Ben Ring)

Friday 28th November 2008 Ramsgate

I forgot to mention on yesterdays entry that I saw one of the Common Buzzard sitting on the large mud mound off the side of the Haine Road opposite the boot fare site, just after 3.00pm.I noticed it as it as I cycled back home from Pegwell. (Phil M)

Thursday 27th November 2008 Joss Bay

I been allowed to have a couple of days holiday, so I can decorate the spare bedroom - "what a result!". Whilst I was waiting for the filler to go off, I made my way across to the council tip before I detoured to the cliff-top at Joss Bay. There were plenty of birds on view. 5 Stonechat, 2 Chiffchaff, 20+ Linnet, 13 Pied Wagtail, 11 Meadow Pipit, 3+ Redpoll (sp) and 2 Dartford Warbler made for a rather enjoyable 90 minutes - Gadget joining me just after noon. (Dylan) (Dartford Warbler Photograph added)

Thursday 27th November 2008 Pegwell Bay

I popped down for the outgoing tide this afternoon. I spent two and a half hours down there and it was actually ... wait for it ... quite peaceful!! Whatever next? As the tide started to drop I was initially disappointed with the amounts of Duck and Gulls present (after a week or so of northerlies) as there were very few of either on show. Eventually a few larger Gulls did start to move into the bay and it was evident there had been a small influx of Yellow-legged Gulls as there were at least 4 birds present during the first hour (3 x 1st winter and a 2nd/3rd winter) plus I saw another one (an adult) in the last half hour before I left when there were far more Gulls in the Bay. Amongst the Gulls there was also a 1st winter Caspian Gull. There were very few Ducks in the Bay this afternoon. I took a few counts only, they were: 156 Bar-tailed Godwit, 230 Knot, 2300 Lapwing, c1000 Golden Plover, 1 Avocet, 1150 Dunlin, 15 Brent, 1 Eider, 3 Pintail,9 Gadwall and 3 Little Egrets. There were 2 Waxwings in Stone Lees today so I popped down to see if I could see them. I failed. I also tried out some of the Country Park Dartford Warbler spots too - another failure! Other 'bits' seen included: 1 Peregrine, 50+ Redwing, 3 Corn Bunting, 7 Stonechat and 570 Wood Pigeons moving south. There were also about 100 Turnstones on the rocks near the west cliff roost at high tide. (Phil M)

Thursday 27th November 2008 Botany Bay and Joss Bay

27/11. 1 Dartford Warbler and Botany Bay and 2 at Joss Bay were the only early morning birds of note. (F Solly)

Wednesday 26th November 2008 Ramsgate Harbour & Joss Bay

An hour spent in the mist at Ramsgate Harbour this morning proved uneventful, with a cast of the expected Turnstone, 2 Rock Pipits, 2 Fulmar, Cormorant, Great Black Backed, Black Headed & Herring Gull, with supporting progeny. On to Joss Bay to 'twitch' a Dartford Warbler (thanks, Gadget). Having parked at Elmwood Avenue as soon as I walked back to the road junction opposite the Bay car park, then my quarry presented itself - easy, huh?! It's call being mimicked across the road, suggesting a second bird. Try as I might I could not get a good, clear 'snap', not helped by the by-now heavier drizzle. A pair of Stonechat busied themselves & 4 Blackbirds flitted amongst the bushes, pausing briefly to scold a Rat that ran along the footpath - a quite comical interlude! A brief examination of the Bay produced a Shag. (Ben Ring)

Wednesday 26th November 2008 North Foreland Area

18 Bewick Swans in off at Joss Bay at 08-15hrs heading south west, (Steve Ashton)

Tuesday 25th November 2008 Dumpton to Broadstairs

A very enjoyable, after shift, stroll to Dumpton Gap then along the beach to Broadstairs. I was half expecting to find a Waxwing or two along the way to the coast, many gardens and hedgerows containing many suitable berry-laden shrubs. Sadly I failed, but it is only a matter of time! A Stonechat was at Dumpton Gap, feeding along the pathway down to the beach. A few gulls along the shoreline, Herring, Black-headed and Great Black-backed being all I could find. A few waders were feeding on the exposed rocks, I counted 3 Oystercatcher, 1 Curlew, 41 Turnstone, 5 Grey Plover and 4 Purple Sandpiper. Absolutely nothing moving out at sea, yet with this recent run of northerlies it can't be too long before we see a few Little Auks, can it? (Dylan)

Tuesday 25th November 2008 North Foreland Area

A few hours spent around North Foreland area, trying to obtain a photograph of a Dartford Warbler, two individuals were observed simultaneously one on the cliff top and one in thick undergrowth around small bushes along the pathway, a third bird was seen out in the Cabbages along Elmwood Avenue, this might suggest three birds in the area, other birds of note: 2 Wrens, 8 Stonechats, 4 Robins, 3 Dunnocks, 7 Pied Wagtails,9 Meadow Pipits, 23 Blackbirds, 2 Song Thrushes, on leaving the area at 14.00hrs 300+ Starlings landed in the paddock field along Elmwood Avenue, and 7 Waxwings flew across the golf course heading towards the clubhouse. (Gadget)

Tuesday 25th November 2008 Pegwell Bay Area

Out today 1330 hours Tuesday 25th of November 2008 at Pegwell walking along the outer rim cycle path / walk at the junction with the coastal footpath and saw in the trees thereat a flock I counted ten birds which of course were Waxwings. Obviously the attraction of plentiful berries in that area, watched them for about twenty minutes before they flew off in the direction of Manston. (Tony Redfern)

Monday 24th November 2008 Stodmarsh NNR

Female Hen Harrier spotted as I left the Marsh Hide at around 11am & when leaving the reserve at 3:30pm,some 5 Marsh Harrier were seen, from the entrance track ,facing into the strong wind over the stubble field at the Stodmarsh end. (Ben Ring)

Sunday 23rd November 2008 Stodmarsh NNR

Just a quick late afternoon session in the Marsh Hide. 3 Lesser Redpoll were feeding on the main path along with a nice group of Chaffinches. The Marsh Hide was rather disappointing, birds very much at a premium. I managed to record 7 Marsh (3 adult males) & 1 Hen Harrier (1st cy female) along with good numbers of Cormorant, Fieldfare and Woodpigeons that flew into the reserve at dusk, presumably to roost. There were 3 Stonechats feeding around the recently grubbed out hawthorns, looking east towards Grove. As I made my way back to the carpark I stumbled across a nice mixed flock of Long-tailed & Blue Tits that had 2 Firecrests in attendance, whilst a Brambling perched, briefly, in the carpark hedge before flying off towards the alder wood. (Dylan)

Saturday 22nd November 2008 North Foreland & Seaton GP's

A free morning, so an early start on the cliff-top at North Foreland. Simon Mount joined me, and we spent 90 minutes watching the sea from the relative comfort of my car! (Franny was obviously braving the elements in a bin-liner and on his push bike!) It was quite good fun, Simon getting rather animated at each passing Knot or Bar-wit and almost hysterical at the arrival of a lone Siskin, right above the car! It was great to spend time with a kindred spirit, Simon enjoying the simple pleasure of watching birds moving because of the prevailing weather conditions. We noted Gannet, Wigeon, Teal, Common Scoter, Brent Geese, Fulmar and Lesser Black-backed Gull heading into the strengthening NW winds. 4 Goldeneye, 1 Golden Plover and 4 Shelduck provided the highlights, if that is the correct perception (ask Franny) - Simon & I enjoyed it all the same!!! Simon headed towards Broadstairs, in search of a chicken?, I drove across to Seaton GP's. Nothing much to report - 3 Kingfisher, 19 Little Egret, 350+ Greylag Geese, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Common Buzzard plus Wigeon, Tufted Duck, Pochard, Mallard, Gadwall, Shoveler, Teal and Great Crested Grebe. Home by 13.00hrs - flat pack assembly, Oh! What joy! (Dylan)

Saturday 22nd November 2008 North Foreland & Kingsgate Area

A lovely winter’s day! I flushed a Woodcock by the golf course, not much else. 2 Stonechat, a few Brent Geese heading west and a nice flock of 200 Sanderling, (John C)

Thursday 20th November 2008 Pegwell Bay

I watched the incoming tide this afternoon seeing: 142 Bar-tailed Godwit, 270 Grey Plover, 1590 Golden Plover, c2000 Lapwing, 240 Knot, 960 Dunlin, 1 Hen Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Peregrine, 7 Twite, 1 1st winter Caspian Gull, 920 Common Gull, 2500 Black-headed Gull, 230 Wigeon, 27 Teal, 2 Little Egret etc. The Caspian Gull turned up at 3.10 - no sign of it prior to this. I would assume it was the same bird as yesterday? (Phil M)

Wednesday 19th November 2008 Pegwell Bay

I went down for the incoming tide this afternoon to 'try' and gather some counts. As ever this proved slightly tricky. Anyway - other than a 1st winter Caspian Gull nothing too exciting showed up. I did see the Sandwich Tern offshore plus a Red-throated Diver just offshore and a Merlin was hunting over the gardens at Cliffsend when I left at 3.00pm.I also heard a Spotted Redshank during a particularly bad episode of birds being scared by people out on the mud. I haven't seen much lately though I did see a flock of 21 Twite on the 7th, though these don't appear to have hung around? I certainly haven't seen or heard of any since? Numbers of Golden Plover are still very low. Half of the thousand or so that are hanging around were decked about 100 yards off the hoverport clambering for a bit of space on the mud. They wouldn't be anywhere near this area if they could get any peace and quiet out there. I know how they feel. (Phil M)

Wednesday 19th November 2008 Dumpton Gap Thanet

While I was at the beach down at Dumpton Gap today I saw 3 Swallows heading south, (John C)

Tuesday 18th November 2008 Joss Bay North Foreland Area

A short walk with the dog turned up a Woodcock and a Dartford Warbler, the latter of which was observed with the naked eye at a distance of about five foot! (John C)

Tuesday 18th November 2008 Eastry

A pair of Common Cranes flying south over Eastry at 08-00hrs today. (Bill Martin)

Monday 17th November 2008 North Foreland Area

This afternoon at 1.40 pm 2 Cranes were observed flying over Reading Street heading south. (Mike Longdon)

Monday 17th November 2008 Ramsgate Harbour

Spent a couple of hours around Ramsgate harbour this morning, not bothering to check the tide before I set out & it served me right that it was low! Watched a Cormorant attempting to gulp down a fair size flatfish with a Great Black Backed Gull in close attendance but surprisingly it managed it without having to surrender its prize. Herring Gull made up the majority of the adult Gull population, with only a handful of Black Headed & Great Black Backed Gulls present - didn't notice any rings. Adults were way outnumbered by juvenile / immature birds. A couple of Rock Pipits were spotted by the Harbour Lights cafe. Walking around the inner harbour, a Kingfisher dashed across the pontoons & a handful of Turnstone picking about on the harbour wall was just about it. I walked back along the sand as far as the Granville theatre & saw 3 separate flocks of Brent Geese (2 North & 1 South) the largest of which contained 30 birds. (Ben Ring)

Sunday 16th November 2008 Joss Bay & Elmwood Avenue

Just 90 minutes to spare, I parked at the bottom of Elmwood Avenue and spent my time wandering around the immediate vicinity. I eventually caught up with a Dartford Warbler in the hedgerow besides the 17th hole of North Foreland GC. Very little else of note, 2 Brambling, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Sparrowhawk (in/off?) plus a few small groups of Chaffinch and Linnet along the cycle track. 5 Common Scoter in the bay were the only sighting of any interest out at sea. (Dylan)

Saturday 15th November 2008 Monkton & Pluck's Gutter

By way of a change I decided to spend some time around the marsh between Monkton and Pluck's Gutter. I walked the area, using the well marked network of public footpaths, yet only saw two other souls in nearly two hours - both walking their dogs. Redwing, Fieldfare and Blackbird were present in good numbers along the various hawthorn hedgerows. 2 Marsh Harrier, 1 Common Buzzard and a Sparrowhawk were the only raptors, 2 Grey Wagtail, 2 Little Egret, 3 Stonechat, 7 Skylark and a Yellowhammer were the best of the rest. Quite a bit of movement of swans and geese around the area, I checked through several skeins of Greylags, locating a single Eurasian White-front tagging along with one small group. Mute Swans were very active and the grey skies made them rather attractive subjects for a few images to be fired off. (Dylan)

Friday 14th November 2008 Foreness / North Foreland

A pre work jaunt along the cliff-top, primarily to meet my OCD needs to do the moff trap produced 4 Dartford Warblers - 2 west of Botany Bay and 2 at Joss Bay, Other than that just 6 Stonechats a few Meadow pipits and 20 Scoter loitering offshore. (F Solly)

Friday 14th November 2008 Joss bay to Botany bay

A pleasant stroll from Joss to Botany this lunchtime - a nice pair of Stonechats and a Dartford warbler showing well along the path by the golf course at Joss bay, another pair of Stonechats near the flint folly, on the beach opposite the Fairness, 15 Grey Plover, 13 Purple Sandpipers, 50+ Sanderling, 36 Redshank, 18 Ringed Plover, 7 Whimbrel, 4 Curlew and, although I'm tempted here to sing ' and a partridge in a pear tree' - 120+ Oystercatchers. (John C)

Thursday 13th November 2008 Minster Marshes Thanet

An unexpected chance to grab an afternoon session was gratefully accepted. I parked the car just before 14.45hrs and spent the next 90 minutes wandering the riverbank between the fishermen's carpark and the power station. Plenty of birds to keep me interested included 400+ Redwing, c 70 Blackbird, c 30 Song Thrush, yet only 13 Fieldfare? A male Marsh Harrier hunted the riverbank and a male Sparrowhawk dashed across the set-a-side in pursuit of a small passerine. A Peregrine, perched on the cooling towers, 1 Yellowhammer, 1 Brambling, 5 Meadow Pipit, 2 Skylark, 7 Little Grebe, 1 Curlew and a Green Sandpiper helped keep my interest, with 3 Barn Owl and 2 Woodcock providing the highlights. (Dylan)

Wednesday 12th November 2008 Shell Ness Point area

Four Crossbills flew north and a Snow Bunting was calling from the beach. Also at Pegwell Bay Country Park, one Spotted Redshank, a female Red-breasted Merganser at the mouth of the Stour and three Redpolls flew north. A good selection of finches including Brambling and Redpoll have recently been feeding on the flush of annual saltmarsh plants that have grown up on the landward side of the hide. (Jason Mitchell)

Wednesday 12th November 2008 Southwall Marshes to Fowlmead C. P

I walked over the marsh to Fowlmead C. P 13.00 to15.30hr more like a spring afternoon then autumn; every day seems different these days. birds spotted today 1 Water Rail, 4 Blue Tit, 10 Long-tailed Tit, 6 Goldcrest, 3 Kestrels, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1Hen Harrier 10 Redwings, 20 Lapwings, 4 Jays, 1 Gray Heron, 8 Chaffinch, 2 Chiffchaff, 5 Robins8 Mallard, on a pool of flood water in the middle of a field, 20 Blackbirds, 10 Moorhens, 2 Stonechats, 1 Short-eared Owl small flocks of Starling, 8 Magpies, 300+ Wood Pigeon, 50+ Black-headed Gulls and all the usual Corvus, (Mike D)

Tuesday 11th November 2008 North Foreland and Kingsgate Area

A quick jaunt around North Foreland and Kingsgate was just what I needed today after yesterdays appalling weather. A large flock of Long Tailed Tits and Blue Tits were in the usual bushes on Elmwood Avenue, no sign of the Dartford Warbler in the cabbages that I saw on Friday though there were plenty of Pied Wagtails in with the sheep. A few Goldcrest and Chaffinch were on the path up the side of the golf course. A quick glimpse over the cliffs saw some sheltering Curlew, Ringed Plover, Turnstone and Oystercatcher. A nice pair of Stonechats posed for a pic near Botany Bay but other than that, just the usual commoner birds were also enjoying the sunshine. (Simon Piggott)

Tuesday 11th November 2008 Dumpton Thanet

After the past two days weather it was pleasant to see the sun come up at first light with no wind, the garden had lots of birds in the trees and on the feeding stations, 9 Goldfinches, 7 Greenfinches, 2 Great Tits, 2 Blue Tits, 1 Dunnock, 1 Robin, 1 Wren, 5 House Sparrows, 3 Starlings, 2 Blackbirds 5 Collard Doves and 3 Bramblings what a difference a day makes. (Gadget)

Monday 10th November 2008 Newland's Farm

Continuing the recent run of nice local sightings, there was a lone Brent Goose feeding on the winter wheat behind Vine Close. I managed a dodgy record pic with the dig-scoping gear. Wind, rain and all the other usual excuses for the poor quality of the image. (Dylan)

Sunday 9th November 2008 North Foreland Area

At North Foreland this morning, 2 Dartford Warblers chasing one another at Joss Bay. Other than that, a few Goldcrests and 49 Curlews in the fields. (Simon Mount)

Saturday 8th November 2008 North Foreland

The 2nd area tick in a week, that doesn't happen to often these days. A Penduline Tit moved through the cliff-top weeds at North Foreland before zipping off into the Estate. A Lapland Bunting flew west at Whiteness as did 2-3 Swallows. The bushes were blown out by an ever freshening wind and a cursory glance revealed just a few Goldcrests, the odd Firecrest and Chiffchaff and 2 Woodcock. (F Solly)

Saturday 8th November 2008 North Deal

One adult male Black Redstart spotted flitting around gardens and rooftops in North Deal. (Simon Divito)

Friday 7th November 2008 Sandwich Bay

A text from Ian Hodgson to say that a Desert Wheatear was showing well on the golf course south of the chequers pub and out by the old pillbox, also over the golf course were Swallows, House Martins and a Green Woodpecker (Gadget)

Friday 7th November 2008 Monkton Thanet

Two Common Buzzard flying over Monkton and a single Swallow were the odd bits seen from a moving car today. (John Carnell)

Friday 7th November 2008 Westgate Thanet

I spent an hour this morning doing a BTO Atlas survey around Westgate and recorded 37 species, including 2 Swallows, 1 Snipe, 4 Purple Sandpipers, 3 Redwings, 1 Rock Pipit, 377 Herring Gulls, 269 Feral Pigeons and 15 Goldfinches. I had a few minutes left at the end of the hour so I popped into my back garden, and was pleasantly surprised to record a Chiffchaff and a Pallas’s Warbler! (Tim Hodge)

Thursday 6th November 2008 North Foreland

At North Foreland this morning a few Siskins and Redpolls moving overhead, 1 Brambling and 12 Swallows heading south. At the bottom of Elmwood Avenue, a very active Dartford Warbler calling regularly, one unusual sighting was a tight flock of 40+ Collared Doves feeding on crushed seeds at the edge of the road. (Simon Mount)

Thursday 6th November 2008 Dumpton Thanet

Lunchtime today 9 Chaffinches dropt into the garden and started feeding on the peanuts on the lawn, also Blackbirds and Redwings still moving west over the field behind my house in small numbers for most of the day. (Gadget)

Thursday 6th November 2008 R/gate Cemetery & King George VI Park

In the Cemetery there were 2 continental Coal Tit, 20+ Long-tailed Tit, 2 Chiffchaff, c15 Goldcrest and overhead 10 Redpoll, 2 Siskin and 3 Redwing, on to King George VI Park where 6 Firecrest, c25 Goldcrest, 1 Chiffchaff, c20 Chaffinch and 7 Swallows flew south. (Nick Lever)

Wednesday 5th November 2008 East cliff Ramsgate

Went down the East cliff this afternoon for no particular reason, didn't See anything special but on the way back by the entrance to the old railway tunnel was a Black Redstart sitting on the fence. (Mick Schroeper)

Wednesday 5th November 2008 North Foreland & Kingsgate

This morning at 10:05, there were 3 drake Eider flying north over the sea, just out from the beach below North Foreland private estate, and at 10:30 over the green at the seaward end of Fitzroy Avenue, Kingsgate, one Swallow flew over me, heading southeast. (Steve Harper)

Wednesday 5th November 2008 Late News

Sunday 2nd November 2008 Foreness area A Radde's Warbler seen and heard briefly early afternoon, but could not be relocated. (Andrew Duff, Ann Lawson, Marcus Lawson)

Wednesday 5th November 2008 Shuart & Coldharbour Area

Undeterred by the heavy drizzle & dark skies, I took a circular route, starting from Shuart Lane, passing the farm & heading for the sea. Fieldfares & Redwings clattered (?) from the bushes as I passed & there also were quite a number of other thrushes - Blackbird, Song Thrush, Robins, - present. As I looked west over the Wade Marsh I spotted 3 distant raptors, 2 on the ground being harassed by a male Marsh Harrier. The' ground' birds proved to be the pale juvenile Common Buzzard together with a more usual dark bird - the latter clearly having enough of the Harrier's attention & flying off strongly towards Birchington. I saw the pale bird fly off a short distance where it sat at the top of a tree - at first glance easily being confused with an Osprey at that distance. A Sparrowhawk flew over & a couple of Kestrels hunted along the railway embankment making it a mini raptor-fest! I later saw a female Marsh Harrier in the same area. Turning left when I reached the sea I stopped occasionally to scan the birds on the tide line but could not make out anything other than Herring, Black Headed, Great Black Backed & Common Gulls. Insignificant amounts of Brent Geese were there & also a single Grey Plover, a few Turnstone, Sanderling & Oystercatcher were present. Stonechat & Goldfinch were noted along the seawall, together with the occasional Bearded Tit 'ping' (birds not seen though). On reaching Coldharbour lagoon, I turned inland once more & retraced my route back to Shuart via the railway embankment, noting 2 Goldcrest & 2 Cetti’s en route. (Ben Ring)

Wednesday 5th November 2008 King George VI Park & Newland's Farm

The weather didn't quite match the predicted forecast so, instead of a seawatch, I headed over to the park for a spot of bush-bashing! 50+ Goldcrest, 3 Firecrest, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Brambling and a steady procession of Goldfinches (400+) were the best I could manage. 5 Common Scoter were on the sea off Dumpton Gap and I saw another 2 flying north from the Winterstoke end of the park. I checked the Rowans in Avebury Avenue for Waxwings - no joy. I then made my way back to Newland's Farm in the hope of re-locating the Bean Goose that I had found on my way to work yesterday. Gadget's pics revealing it to be of the race "fabalis" thus a Taiga Bean Goose, a much rarer visitor to Kent than the "rossicus" race. My efforts were in vain and I had to content myself with a few Meadow Pipit, 1 Firecrest and a small flock of Chaffinch. (Dylan)

Tuesday 4th November 2008 Kingsgate Area

There were two Woodlark heading North West over the Captain Digby early afternoon. (Stephen Message & Alan Pavey)

Tuesday 4th November 2008 A day around Thanet

Today I was joined by Nigel Driver, Gary Taylor, John Tilbrook & Barry Wright. The light easterlies were still bringing some birds in although the same calm conditions were also responsible for allowing others to leave, it seems. We started at Foreness which was fairly quiet although we recorded most of our Redpolls here. Bumped into Francis and exchanged sightings before he cycled off only to return seconds later to kindly put us onto a Dartford warbler that we had missed in the clifftop scrub at Botany Bay. A Snow Bunting also showed well at the Captain Digby. The Waxwings flew over George Hill Road near to Kingsgate College and 8 Firecrests were also present there along with a Ring Ouzel nearby. Firecrests were also seen at Cliffs End (3) and King George VI Park with the day’s only Yellow-browed Warbler being noted at the latter site in a flock of 100+ Goldcrest. A Tree Sparrow showed well at Cliffs End. Overall, not too bad with the following totals being recorded by us: Goldfinch 200+, Redpoll 31, Siskin 14, Chaffinch 100+, Brambling 3, Greenfinch 10+, Redwing 50+, Blackbird 200-300, Song Thrush 10+, Ring Ouzel 1, Goldcrest 250+ (including Gary Taylor’s & Stephen Message’s numbers from Northdown & Port Regis), Firecrest 14, Chiffchaff 4, Yellow-browed warbler 1, Dartford Warbler 1, Stonechat 5, Robin 100+, Meadow Pipit 50+, Skylark 7, Snow Bunting 1, Tree Sparrow 1, Waxwing 3, Sparrowhawk 5, Pink-footed Goose 21, Little Gull 2ad. 7 Swallows (Andrew Lawson, Nigel Driver, Gary Taylor, John Tilbrook & Barry Wright)

Tuesday 4th November 2008 Foreness area

A day off from the relentless toil, largely spent in the Foreness area. Given the conditions a bit of a slog and didn't live up to expectations. I did get an area tick (if you discount the infamous 'talking' bird) in the form of 3 Ravens that noisily moved south over North Foreland. A Dartford Warbler in the cliff-top weeds at Botany Bay and Common Redpoll at Joss Bay were the only other things of note. The bushes were rather quiet with numbers well down. Goldcrests scattered around, the odd Firecrest, 10 Chiffchaff, 4 Blackcap and a late Garden Warbler. Other bits included 2 Woodcock, 15 Swallows, 1 House Martin, 1 Ring Ouzel and 1 Snow Bunting. Bits flying over, mostly south, 40 White-fronted Geese, 1 Short-eared Owl, 170 Redpoll and 10 Brambling, I started to count the high tide wader roost but failed to complete thanks to a Peregrine, although I did manage to count; 424 Sanderling, 135 Ringed Plover, 35 Grey Plover, 39 Purple Sandpiper, 43 Redshank and 42 Curlew. (F Solly)

Tuesday 4th November 2008 Elmwood Avenue & Northdown Park

Of note today, at Elmwood Avenue 42 White-fronted Geese flew down the valley and out to sea at 9.05am and a Short-eared Owl harassed by a crow before pitching down in the cabbage field at 9.25. At Northdown Park 3 Swallow and a House Martin. (Nick Lever)

Tuesday 4th November 2008 King George VI Park

After years of looking I have finally seen Firecrests, two of them in an ally just outside the park opposite the tennis courts, thanks to the guy who pointed out the ally, which I never knew that it was there. Mick Schroepfer)

Tuesday 4th November 2008 Dumpton Thanet

Redwing with a few Fieldfare, moving along the gardens and 14 Lapwings, 22 Golden Plover out on the field behind my house, 9 Goldfinches, 8 Greenfinches, 22 Blackbirds, 2 Song Thrushes, 2 Blue Tits, 2 Great Tits,1 Robin, 1 Dunnock, a lone Bean Goose (fabalis) was out in the field and 7 White-fronted Geese flew over heading north, 2 Sparrowhawks drifted up and down the Gardens most of the day. (Gadget)

Tuesday 4th November 2008 Newland's Farm

My walk home across the fields, at 22.00hrs yesterday, revealed a few Redwing moving overhead, a Fieldfare flushed from an isolated hawthorn and a Golden Plover calling out in the darkness. I was out in the garden by 07.00hrs to check for signs of vis-mig. Odd Meadow Pipit and Redwing could be heard before, at 07.10hrs, a flock of 14 White-fronted Geese flew south directly over Vine Close. I had a quick walk along West Dumpton Lane, no crests and no sign of the Yellow-browed Warbler. Back home I remained in the garden, noting increasing numbers of Redwing, Chaffinch, Starling and Woodpigeons as the light intensified. Bev left for work at 08.20hrs and I headed out for a quick scan around the fields. Several small flocks of Fieldfare were descending onto the last remaining stubble area and I kicked a group of 6 Lapwing from the ploughed field besides Pyson's Road. The Old Rose Garden held 17 Blackbird, 5 Song Thrush and 5 Robin but nothing better. I decided to walk the stubble in the hope of locating something a little more interesting. Skylark, Meadow Pipit and more thrushes being my meagre return. I had just reached the footpath when the calls of wild geese alerted me to a flock of 40 White-fronts flying north over Sericol - I would have been right underneath them at the Old Rose Garden! I fired off a few token shots, just for the record. (Dylan)

Monday 3rd November 2008 Foreness area

Only time for a quick pre work canter around the Foreness area. A single Leach's Petrel and adult Pomarine Skua flew east and 3 Snow Buntings along the cliff-top. Most of the bushes were blown out, however the few sheltered spots were dripping with Goldcrests -250 but in my limited time I found nothing amongst them. (F Solly)

Monday 3rd November 2008 King George VI Park

An early morning stroll back to the park was as much as I had time for. A Yellow-browed Warbler called loudly from the gardens, opposite the shops, along West Dumpton Lane and a few Chaffinches were moving north, overhead, as I made my way towards Montefiorre Ave. Once in the park it was clear that many of the crests had moved on. A few birders were looking for the "Bluetail" but were unsuccessful. I bumped into Ben Ring and we had a walk around the area finding 2 Brambling, 3+ Firecrest and several small flocks of Goldcrest. Odd Meadow Pipit flew over and a Sparrowhawk drifted north into the brisk wind. I had to be home by 09.30hrs, so left the others still searching the park but had the luck to find a Chiffchaff in a garden. The call was very strange, something that Richard Bonser, Ray Turley & myself, had discussed yesterday (quality bit of name dropping - if I do say so myself!) Very brown, the bird was nothing special, but the call was certainly different! (Dylan)

Monday 3rd November 2008 Captain Digby

02/11/2008 08.30hrs 2 Snow Buntings by the old fort and golf course behind Captain Digby (John & Clare)

Sunday 2nd November 2008 Photos

Red-flanked Bluetail Photos added today

Sunday 2nd November 2008 King George VI Park & private site

For the second Sunday, on the trot, I found myself "twitching". Being the decent chap, that I am, I was helping Bev's dad decorate his spare bedroom when the news of Andy Lawson's excellent discovery came through on Saturday. Quite what Andy was doing wandering around in a dirty old raincoat, bag of sweets and binoculars right next to the kiddies playground is less clear - but fair play, a superb find and much appreciated by all those pilgrims who have visited the area since. A wonderful time, early this morning, many of Kent's finest assembled to pay homage to the Red-flanked Bluetail. I have to admit to finding it quite difficult to bite my lip when I overheard a couple of visiting birders saying how unusual it was to get news from Thanet! What? Do they come from a part of the UK that the internet has failed to reach? Anyway, who cares? Gadget's phone rang and Franny gave details of a Dusky Warbler at a private site near one of his (many) moth traps. Oh the very thought of it! Thanet birders suppressing news - how dare you. Off we went to be given the run around by this particularly un-cooperative individual. Great day, great birds and great company (Dylan)

Sunday 2nd November 2008 Foreness area

An ‘eastern’ Lesser Whitethroat In the Foreness area, mid morning only.(Stephen Message)

Sunday 2nd November 2008 Foreness Area

I spent the bulk of the day in the hell that is my local patch - doubly hellish on a Sunday. Very little along the Foreness section of the cliff-top first thing. Onto the Golf Course and whilst standing next to a small hawthorn, about to check a small flock of Crests, a Dusky Warbler started calling about three foot away from within the bush. It proved to be a very showy and typically vocal individual. Lots of Godcrests (120) and Robins (200) about and the usual Thrushes scattered around in reasonable numbers. Viz mig was mostly Starling - 3000 coming in off the sea, 130 Siskin and 200 Redpoll, unusually for up here a few landed to reveal in total 3 Common Redpolls. 12 Brambings is fairly notable for this autumn. 12 Fireccrest, 10 Chiffchaff and 2 Blackcap were also lurking in the bushes. A total of 6 Woodcock, including 2 in off the sea is I guess a reasonable count. Other bits and pieces included 50 + Jays present, 6 Stonechat and 2 Black Redstarts. A Dartford Warbler was lurking in the Cauliflowers at North Foreland and another in the cliff-top weeds at Foreness late morning. The only Yellow-browed Warbler that I saw was in the Park at lunchtime. I didn't do any seawatching as such but scans when on the coast suggested that there was a steady trickle of movement all morning which included; 2 Long-tailed Ducks, 220 Scoter, 3 Velvet Scoter, 4 Red-breasted Mergansers, 80 Gannets and 32 Little Gulls. I did a mid afternoon jaunt over to King George VI Park to see the Red Flanked Bluetail in better light, after-which a 3/4 hour wander only produced Goldcrests, 8 Fireccrest, 5 Chiffchaff and 2 Blackcap. I then became a dude and went home for a coffee and a biscuit - dispelling Phil's android theory. Having had my first sustenance since a shot of electricity, I mean cereal at 6am, I returned to North Foreland for a quick late afternoon anything new session. A Pallas's Warbler was showing well in the triangle at the seaward end of Convent Road but other than Crests not much activity. (F Solly)

Sunday 2nd November 2008 King George VI Park Foreness / Sandwich

At 07-00hrs this morning the Red-Flanked Blue Tail was still showing in the rain other birds noted was Redwings on the ground and many Goldcrests with a few Firecrests around the park, I left the park with Dylan to get on a Dusky Warbler that Francis had found over Foreness Area, other bit seen were more Goldcrests, Chaffinches, Long-tailed Tits, Dylan had to go home so I went over to Sandwich bay where a Hume's Leaf Warbler had been seen by a few birders in the morning, once again lots of Goldcrests, with 3 Fireccrest seen also 2 Chiffchaff a Yellow-browed Warbler reported by other in the area mid afternoon, (Gadget)

Saturday 1st November 2008 A Day at the Coast

Myself and Richard Bonser started at the Caravan Park at Reculver at dawn where we found 14 Goldcrest actively feeding in small flocks; a good sign that birds were arriving on the freshening easterlies. We headed onwards towards Thanet and arrived just as the rain started so we stopped off at the café at Palm Bay and had a huge breakfast whilst watching the occasional flock of Brent’s, Kittiwakes and Scoter passing by our window. Next stop Northdown Park. The rain was becoming heavier and more persistent and this was to become a feature of our day but, undeterred, we managed to find 2 Yellow-browed Warblers, 25+ Goldcrest (nearly all in one roving flock), 4 Chiffchaff and a Brambling amongst the dozen or so Chaffinch. Redwings headed over. We split up in Broadstairs with Richard dropping me off at Rectory Road for a quick seawatch whilst he checked the area around Port Regis. I scored 3 Arctic Skua, 2 Bonxies and a fine adult Pom along with 5 Tufted Duck, 50+ Common Scoter, 1 Teal, 50+ Kittiwake, 5 Gannet, 1 Guillemot and 3 Fulmar. Rich arrived back and pointed out 3 mergs flying south before informing me that he had seen another Yellow-browed Warbler and a Firecrest amongst the many Goldcrest. To be fair, my seawatch was a bit of a folly and so it was back to the bushes at our next stop, King George VI park at Ramsgate. The weather was atrocious. But it still looked good for rares so we persevered. Again, more Goldcrest. 2 Firecrest and a Chiffchaff were also present. Richard phoned me to say that he’d glimpsed a Yellow-browed so I headed over to have a look and after waiting for it to show, we decided to split up again in order to relocate it. I walked about 10 yards and then cut back along a path atop a narrow chalk embankment. A Robin sp hopped onto the path in front of me and I raised my bins to confirm the ID. However, this bird was rather orange-flanked and seemed to be pale on its belly and…….throat! I systematically noted all the other features before shouting ‘Bluetail, Bluetail, Bluetail!’ Richard ran over but hadn’t heard exactly what I said so he was equally surprised to find that he was watching a Red-flanked Bluetail. "I immediately phoned my brother Marcus and a few seconds later I phoned Gadget whilst Rich phoned the news out to the info services". and then waited for a few others to turn up and Gadget and Tim Hodge were quickly on the scene. We then headed off to St Margaret’s where the Sibe Stonechat was still showing on and off. (Andrew Lawson & Richard Bonser)

Saturday 1st November 2008 Minnis Bay Thanet

The threatened N/Easterlies forecast felt distinctly more E/SE at 07:15 at the shelter at Minnis Bay this morning and got off to a very slow start with a couple of Arctic Skuas and a few Brent's & Common Scoter etc. Today though persistence was to be rewarded as at 09:30 a Drake Long-Tailed-Duck flew east and during the next three hours 2 Short Eared Owls flew in-off, a Great Northern Diver headed east closely followed by Leach's Petrel 2, Great Skua 1, Gannet 31, Wigeon 4, Common Scoter 60, Fulmar 1, Red Breasted Merganser 2, Auk Sp. 2, Kittiwake 4, Great crested Grebe 4, and Rock Pipit 2. A single Little Egret travelled west as did Little Gull 17, Brent Goose 581. Took a break in a local cafe but returned for one last hour at 13:00 and had another Leach's Petrel & Velvet Scoter 3, going east, (Chris Solly Andy Lipjinsky)

Saturday 1st November 2008 King George VI Park Ramsgate

I received a phone call from Andy Lawson this morning saying he was down in Thanet he ask if there was any thing about in the area, i told him that Yellow-Browed Warbler had been reported but no Pallas's I suggested he have a look in King George VI Park Ramsgate, he called me back an hour latter to say he had located a Red-Flanked Blue Tail in the park, i text the Thanet lads before i left for the park, I met up with Andy and his friend Richard Bonser in the heavy rain to observe this stunning bird i obtained a record photo in less than good conditions, a first for me and a few others, thanks to Andy and his friend with there persistence in the rain. other birds noted: Goldcrest, Yellow-Browed Warbler, Robin, Bramblings, Blackbirds, Redwings, i would like to say Just how well behaved everyone was and even out in the rain patience for this bird was respected, and shown by everyone. (Gadget)

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