Wednesday 30th November 2011 Pegwell Bay
I spent a couple of hours watching the incoming
tide from midday in changeable weather with three brief heavy showers before
having a look/listen around for Bearded Tits and Waxwings on my way home as
the wind had dropped away to nothing by mid afternoon and the sun was
beaming in the sky ... I saw nowt! There was little save the obvious on the
tide today - my notes being: 3 Diver species - south, 4 Great
Crested Grebe, 32 Cormorant, 15 Shelduck, 140 Mallard,
2 Pintail, 31 Teal, 370 Wigeon, 1 Hen Harrier,
1140 Lapwing, 1230 Golden Plover, 125 Sanderling, 'the'
Whimbrel and 1 adult Yellow Legged Gull. (Phil M)
Wednesday 30th November
2011 Louisa Bay Broadstairs
Walking
from Dumpton Gap to Broadstairs along the seawall, I found a small flock of
Purple Sandpipers feeding at the bottom of the wall at high tide
which has now increased to 8 in number. Unusually, they were on their own
and not accompanied by any Turnstones. There was also a single Rock Pipit
feeding there plus one also seen at Dumpton Gap. (Ron Dubbins)
Tuesday 29th November 2011 Pegwell Bay
Another short session today, just watching the
incoming tide. Two bits of quality showed up while I was in situ between
11.30 and 2.00pm - another Caspian Gull, this one another third
winter bird and then at 12.35 a Grey Phalarope flew across the Bay
from the north and landed right on the tip of Shellness where it stayed for
exactly five minutes before heading off south down Sandwich Bay beach. Other
bits and pieces included a Merlin, 2 adult Yellow Legged Gulls,
'the' Whimbrel, 3600 Lapwing, 2440 Golden Plover,
175 Grey Plover, 141 Bar Tailed Godwit, 240 Knot, 510
Dunlin, 101 Sanderling, 18 Shelduck and 200 Wigeon.
(Phil M)
Monday 28th November 2011 Pegwell Bay
I watched from 11.00am for a few hours, watching
only the incoming tide and the sea from the Bay until high water which was
it happened was a good move as we saw a few good bits and pieces today. Bird
of the day went to a Long Tailed Duck seen flying up out of the Bay
about 12.30 before heading off out to sea. This was the first sighting in
the area since 13th November 2004 and one of only a few that I've ever seen.
Views were such that it couldn't be sexed but I presume it was a female or a
juvenile as I saw no tail or white scapulars but by the time I'd fixed onto
it the bird was fairly distant but given the good light at the time and the
rear end views I would have expected to see this marking? A few other sea
going birds were seen staring out into the distance - a few Diver
species and Great Crested Grebes, a female/juvenile type Goldeneye,
3 Common Scoters, 4 Brent arrived in off and a group of 3 grey
Geese heading north went unidentified as they flew towards the harbour at
long range. Amongst the Gulls were 2 Caspian Gulls - a 1st winter and
an adult and 3 Yellow Legged Gulls, a flock of 15+ Snow Bunting
were seen across the river and on my way home I could hear Bearded Tits
calling from the reed bed up near to the Hover Port. I almost stopped to
have a look but as this would have meant ditching the bike and wandering
around the wind blown reed bed whilst being psyched up for the ride home I
gave it a miss. One other thing was that on arrival there were hardly any
Lapwing or Golden Plover on the mud which was a mystery? The only other
notes I took were of 27 Shelduck, 430 Wigeon, 40 Teal,
560 Oystercatcher, 136 Bar Tailed Godwit, 'the' Whimbrel,
30 Golden Plover, 170 Lapwing, 77 Sanderling and a male
Sparrowhawk. Also at home, a Common Buzzard flew north over
the garden around 9.30 this morning and the Grey Wagtail is still
being seen around the roof tops on and off. (Phil M)
Saturday 26th November 2011 Pegwell Bay Area
The morning started well as after getting off
the bus at Richborough Power Station I spotted a weasel crossing the road
from the Stonelees side. It had to move fast as it was nearly hit by the
Cliffs End bus! On the way through the Country Park I spotted 2 Green
Woodpecker and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker as well as large flocks
of Goldfinch. I thought I was going to be in plenty time for the
incoming tide but as it was particularly high today it was already in by the
time i got to the hide. I did however see 4 Great Crested Grebe and a
nice Reed Bunting close up. On my way back to Stonelees I bumped into
some other birdwatchers who had spotted a Hen Harrier and Marsh
Harrier over towards the Sandwich side of the river. I then headed over
to the Richorough stream to see if I could get a better video of the
Kingfisher which i did ;-) I then headed back over to the bird hide to
catch the outgoing tide. Other birdwatchers pointed out the Great
Northern Diver that had joined the Grebes I saw earlier along with
hundreds of Golden Plover and Lapwing. Close up video of
Kingfisher here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJOksx60K3Y
(Keith Ross)
Saturday 26th November 2011 North Foreland
A mid-afternoon wander on my usual patch was generally quiet. No
shortage of Tit flocks and Goldcrests to be seen and heard. There
were some Curlew in with the horses and sheep on Elmwood Ave, the
first time I have seen them there this winter. Unusual sighting of the
afternoon though was a single House Martin flying around the cliff
top and houses near the Fayreness. (Simon Piggott)
Friday 25th November 2011 Ramsgate Harbour
A Common Buzzard heading South at 12:15 today. (Simon Mount)
Friday 25th November 2011 Pegwell Bay
I watched between 11.00 and 14.45 today in sunny
but blustery conditions. I mainly concentrated on the dropping tide seeing:
1 Diver species - south, 2 Little Egrets, 9 Brent, 200
Wigeon, 2 Pintail, 60 Teal, 1 Hen Harrier, 1
Common Buzzard - in off the sea, 1500 Golden Plover, 3000
Lapwing, 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 adult Caspian Gull on
Shellness for 20 minutes, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 4 Goldcrest and 3
Twite. I'm fairly sure a Raven was hanging around the 100 acre field
mid afternoon but it was a bit too distant to be certain? (Phil M)
Thursday 24th November 2011 Pegwell Bay
A short 'look' between 11.00 and 1.30 taking in
the dropping tide plus a bit of bush bashing turned up: 1 Diver
species - south, 14 Great Crested Grebe - offshore, 12 Shelduck,
130 Mallard, 370 Wigeon, 4 Pintail, 8 Shoveler,
65 Teal, 3 Common Scoter - south, 1 Goldeneye - south,
1 Hen Harrier, 1 Merlin, 2700 Golden Plover, 2600
Lapwing, 118 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Black-tailed Godwit,
'the' Whimbrel, 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Swallow, 1
Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest and 2 Firecrest. (Phil M)
Wednesday 23rd November 2011 Shuart
and Reculver
Today I walked from Shuart to Reculver towers
and back. The birding wasn't great but I enjoyed being back in the area.
Most notable things were a strikingly pale Common Buzzard, 2 Marsh
Harriers, a ring-tail Hen Harrier (in at 3:55 pm) and 2 Black
Redstarts (one on the rocks at the towers and one on the beach just
north of the riding stables). (Scott)
Wednesday 23rd November 2011 Pegwell Bay
I popped down this morning for a couple of hours
in glorious weather to watch the dropping tide. The weather was so nice that
I saw a very late male Common Darter and a male Vapourer Moth
too ... insane eh? My notes included: 4 Red-throated Divers - north,
3 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Little Egret, 10 Shelduck, 60
Mallard, 3 Gadwall, 172 Wigeon, 16 Teal, 1 drake
Tufted Duck, 4 Red-breasted Merganser, 3000 Lapwing,
2000 Golden Plover, 100 Grey Plover, 24 Ringed Plover,
540 Oystercatcher, 116 Bar-tailed Godwit, 220 Knot, 450
Dunlin, 70 Sanderling, 6 Snipe, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1
adult Yellow Legged Gull, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Goldcrest
and 3 Twite. (Phil M)
Tuesday 22nd November 2011 Sandwich Bay Area
Started my long run in Sandwich with a Little Grebe on
the river and a Cetti's Warbler heard near Sandwich Marina. A
Great Spotted Woodpecker was calling on New Downs and on the beach along
side Royal St Georges I flushed a Short-eared Owl and then
encountered a flock of about 22 Snow Buntings. (Nick Lever)
Monday 21st November 2011 Pegwell Bay
I popped down for an hour and a half in the late
morning. There were lots of birds on the mud but I couldn't even be bothered
to count most of them today. There were 2260 Golden Plover, 3750
Lapwing, 180 Wigeon, 25 Teal, 1 Shoveler and 3
Pintail but the only other thing that made it as far as my notepad was
an adult Yellow Legged Gull. (Phil M)
Sunday 20th November 2011 Sandwich Bay
Called in briefly late morning and saw a Northern Wheatear on the
beach towards Princes Golf Course. Yesterday I was at Fowlmead 2.30 to
3.30pm. A falconer was flying a Goshawk which upset the corvids and
succeeded in flushing a Raven, 1 Little Egret and 2 Snipe.
Also a Kingfisher did a lap of the car park. (Nick Lever)
Sunday 20th November 2011 North Foreland
At 7:50 over 700 Wood Pigeons flew South at great height. I
presume this must be a roost dispersal. Other than that only a few
Goldfinches and Meadow Pipits flying over and the bushes were
very quiet. I then did a seawatch with Rae and the totals as follows of
birds heading South:- 45 Divers, 25 Gannets, 6 Mallard,
3 Wigeon, 20 Guillemot/Razorbill and 180+ Kittiwakes. A
flock of 20 Golden Plover flew North and there were 26 Curlew
feeding on the fields. The Fulmars have returned with up to 10
offshore. (Simon Mount)
Saturday 19th November 2011 Ramsgate Harbour
I saw good views in outer harbour by slip way
of the Red Breasted Merganser that has been they since Wednesday also
beautiful Kittiwake flying with Black-headed Gulls. (Stephen
Moulder)
Saturday 19th November 2011 Richborough stream and cattle track
Was great to witness the King Fisher actually diving into the
stream twice today. Also spotted was 1 Peregrine diving off the
chimney, 1 Buzzard, 1 Little Egret, 2 Bullfinch, 1
Great Spotted and 1 Green Woodpecker and a lot of Redwing.
Video of Bullfinch here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SELzul_i7CQ
(Keith Ross)
Saturday 19th November 2011 Pegwell Bay
I went down for the evening tide - the weather
was lovely and there were lots of birds but nothing unusual was seen today.
I stayed until dusk the highlights being: c6 Little Egrets, 3
Brent, 200 Wigeon, 1500+ Golden Plover, 3000+ Lapwing,
'the' Whimbrel, 1 Hen Harrier, 1 Peregrine and 1
Yellow Legged Gull. (Phil M)
Friday 18th November 2011 Pegwell Bay
Yet another nice day and being a lot more sunny,
a touch milder even that yesterday. The wind had swung round to the south a
bit more and was slightly more blustery which made walking the bushes pretty
hard work (not that there was anything worth looking at in them anyway) but
the bay was full of birds once more so I stayed quite late this for me of
late, waiting for the late afternoon tide. A few bits of note were seen, c15
White Fronts, a few Crossbills and Redpoll overhead, a
3rd winter Caspian Gull (with one foot) was on the mud and on the way
home I stumbled across a group of 4 Waxwing flying aimlessly around
over the houses at Cliffsend at 15.55 ... eventually they went south but as
I say for a while they were flying around in circles. Just as unusual was a
Shag seen sitting on the point amongst a flock of 20+ Cormorants. My
other notes for the day included: 6 Little Egret, 3 Brent, 160
Mallard, 270 Wigeon, 60 Teal, 4000+ Lapwing,
1830 Golden Plover, 1 Merlin, 1+ Sparrowhawk, 3
Yellow-legged Gull, 4 Goldcrest, 14 Redpoll - north and 4
Crossbill - north. (Phil M)
Thursday 17th November 2011
Ramsgate West and East Cliffs
I walked the local under cliffs from about
9:30 to midday today, starting out on the West Cliff where I only saw one
Rock Pipit, two Pied Wagtails and a few Turnstones. The
East Cliff was better though, and during my walk from below King George VI
park to Louisa Bay I notched up a respectable 4 Black Redstarts (plus
more pipits and wagtails). (Scott)
Thursday 17th November 2011 Pegwell Bay
A very nice little session was had today ...
quite peaceful and enjoyable. I watched between 10.30 and 14.15 in pleasant
weather, the wind was more round to the south and the sun broke through from
time to time. The birding was okay, nothing too unusual turned up but a nice
mixed bag was on show and numbers of birds on the mud flat were bordering on
the spectacular ... well you know what I mean. My notes included 8 Little
Egrets, 3 Brent, 8 Shelduck, 1 Pintail, 220
Mallard, 2 Shoveler, 170 Teal, 720 Wigeon, 1
Peregrine, 1 Merlin, 2+ Sparrowhawks, 5120 Lapwing,
1870 Golden Plover, 160 Grey Plover, 97 Bar-tailed Godwit,
1 Spotted Redshank, 100 Redshank, 170 Knot, 620
Dunlin, 70 Sanderling, 1 juvenile Kittiwake, 1 x 1st
winter Caspian Gull, 2 x 1st winter Yellow Legged Gull, 6
Goldcrest, 1 Firecrest, 1 Tree Sparrow, 1 Brambling
- west, 40 Goldfinch - s/west, 3 Redpoll - west and 3 Twite.
(Phil M)
Wednesday
16th November 2011 Sandwich bay (Princes Golf Club End)
Sandwich bay was really quiet this morning, arrived
just before 9am and left at 12:30pm. We walk as far as we were allowed in
the Ramsgate direction and back Twice only seeing 2 Shore Lark's, 3
Stonechat's, 1 Reed Bunting, about 15 Skylark's, 1
Kestrel & a large flock of Starlings. We went in search of
Snow Buntings as my friend has never seen one (he still hasn't) they
were nowhere to be seen.. (Mark Milham)
Wednesday 16th
November 2011 Ramsgate Harbour
Took a walk down to Ramsgate Harbour in the hope of seeing the
Red-breasted Merganser as reported here. Well it was still there on
Wednesday afternoon. It looked a bit scruffy but it was nice to see it up
close swimming and diving at the boat repair slipway next to the museum My
video of it can be seen at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PR2GoExosOQ
(Keith Ross)
Wednesday 16th November 2011
Ramsgate and Margate
I went to Nethercourt Park first thing (which
for me is around 9:20) hoping to see the Waxwings again. Yesterday I missed
them but a chap planting trees reported 6 in there when he arrived (earlier
than me) but they had flown off before I got there. Today I was early enough
to see them again and enjoyed good views of 6 Waxwings feeding (?) in the
sycamore by the gate house. A quick text to Craig and he arrived to see them
before they flew off again. Well only 3 flew off (we couldn't see the other
3) so they must have sneaked off a bit earlier. We had a quick look around
the park but it was otherwise quiet so we decided to go and see the very
special Redstart in Margate. It's definitely a stunning bird and gave
amazing views, together with at least one standard Black Redstart. We got
great views of a Twite too which flew in and landed close, then flew off
again. After that we went onto Northdown Park where we saw 3 Chiffchaffs and
a few other bits. After dropping Craig off back in Ramsgate, I went down to
the West Cliff, seeing a Red Throated Diver sitting on the sea. Following a
short walk along the under cliff (just Turnstones and a single Rock Pipit) I
went to Courtstairs park where a few finches and thrushes were gathering to
roost. I also saw another Chiffchaff, a Firecrest and a Goldcrest. An
enjoyable day. (Scott)
Tuesday 15th November 2011 North Foreland and Ramsgate Harbour
At 7:30 over 600 Wood Pigeons flew high and South in a large
group split in a few flocks. They did not reappear so whether they were
migrants or just a roost dispersal I will have to check over the next few
days. There were also over 250 present along Convent Road that were put to
flight by gunfire. Elsewhere in the bushes just Robins, Blackbirds, a
handful of Goldcrests and 4 Siskins heading West. Offshore, I
saw a Great Skua going South and a flock of 6 Divers. The
Red-breasted Merganser is still in Ramsgate outer harbour by the East
Pier. (Simon Mount)
Tuesday 15th November 2011 Foreness Point
Should be renamed Eastern Black Redstart World......great views
of both types this afternoon 3 to 3.30pm. Also a good flock of about 240
Sanderling giving very close views. I’m pretty sure there was also a
Scandinavian Rock Pipit on the seaweed but it got flushed by a dog
walker before I could get a proper look at it. (Nick Lever)
Tuesday 15th November 2011 Pegwell Bay
A bit clearer visibility wise and for the most
part sunnier than of late but also a fair bit colder as the light east wind
had a tad more bite to it this morning. The birding was slightly hard work
and although it still had that feeling that something good might well show
up ... it didn't today unfortunately. I watched from 07.15 - 10.45 seeing: 1
Little Grebe, 6 Little Egret, 2 Brent, 1000+ Golden
Plover, 2000 Lapwing, 1 Merlin, 20 Fieldfare -
west, 2 Redwing - west, 1 Stonechat, 14 Skylark -
s/west, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 7 Goldcrest, 1 Firecrest, 40
Chaffinch - s/west, 23 Redpoll - 21 north and 2 west, 2
Siskin - north, 2 Crossbill - north and 1 Corn Bunting.
(Phil M)
Monday 14th November 2011 Stodmarsh NNR
Walked to Marsh Hide where the Glossy Ibis was showing well in
company with a Little Egret and Grey Heron. Also close views
of a Water Pipit before the whole flock of pipits took off and landed
out of view. There were at least 24 pipits. On the walk back 3 more
Little Egret flew over and there were 6 Gadwall, 50
Fieldfare and a few Redwing on view. In the large field near the
car park the flock of Greylags contained 3 European White Fronted
Geese. (Nick Lever)
Monday 14th November 2011 Ramsgate Harbour
A Red-breasted Merganser in the outer harbour by the East Pier at
midday. (Simon Mount)
Monday 14th November 2011 Pegwell Bay
A dull, misty old day with a cold easterly wind
... brrrr. I arrived at the rather tardy hour of 08.30 meeting Craig who'd
been on site for an hour prior. He'd already seen 3 Firecrest and 250
Redwings and soon after we met up we stumbled across a very obliging
Grey Phalarope just off the southern edge of the hover port. We
stayed until 1.45pm, watching the tide (or what we could see of it) and
wandering around most of bushes where we saw very little of any note at all.
Our combined notes for the day included 1 Little Grebe, 13 Brent,
70 Shelduck, 50 Mallard, 2 Gadwall, 20 Teal, 300
Wigeon, 3000 Lapwing, 1350 Golden Plover, 2 Avocet,
8 Goldcrest and 1 Chiffchaff. (Phil M)
Monday 14th November 2011 Foreness Point
While watching the obliging Eastern Black
Redstart noted 2 Slavonian Grebe offshore today. Of note
yesterday a very approachable Grey Phalarope was present at the
Pegwell Bay hoverport area feeding frantically close to shore. (Rae Boulden)
Monday 14th November 2011 Sandwich Bay
Had a walk in the fog this morning in search of the
Snow buntings as i had never seen one, starting from princes golf course in
the direction of Ramsgate i saw 2 Shore Larks (poor shot added, (Also
a first for me) 32 Snow Buntings, 9 Skylarks, 7 Meadow
Pipits, 1 Rock Pipit, 3 Wheatears & 7 Stonechats. I
was only looking for small birds so no numbers of Gulls or Waders were noted
although there were a fair few about .
(Mark Milham)
Monday 14th November 2011 Ramsgate Area
/ Pegwell Cliff Top
A look on the West Cliff 9:10 to 10:40
yielded a couple of Firecrests, a Goldcrest and a "abietinus"
type Chiffchaff. Onto Nethercourt park where on arrival at 10:45 I
immediately saw 5 (maybe 6) Waxwings. They weren't feeding on berries
but were in a tree where I have seen many Bramblings before. Not sure
what the food source is there. I stayed in the park until 12:25. The
Waxwings left at 11:25 and didn't return whilst I was there. In addition I
found 2 Goldcrests and a good candidate for a "tristis" Chiffchaff
although it wasn't heard to call. St. Lawrence Churchyard was quiet and a
quick drive around the Nethercourt estate did not provide any further
Waxwing sightings. I did the cliff top 1-3 pm seeing very little in poor
light. (Scott)
Sunday
13th November 2011 Pegwell Bay
Thanks to a heads up from other birdwatchers
I eventually tracked down the 3 Waxwings they had spotted earlier.
They were enjoying the plentiful supply of fruit in the trees behind the
bird hide at Pegwell Bay. Photo attached and video at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naE7Dvfo33o
(Keith Ross)
Sunday 13th November 2011
North Foreland and Westbrook
Only a brief look at North Foreland this morning and saw 6 Crossbills
heading West, 1 Brambling and 3 Skylarks going South. At
Westbrook Bay this afternoon there were 2 smart and very tame Snow
Buntings by the beach hunts on the promenade car park. There were 75
Redshanks roosting at high tide on the seawall. (Simon Mount)
Sunday
13th November 2011 North Foreland
A swift walk wit de mutt and a few bits and pieces. 6
Skylark heading east. A Grey Heron on the groyne marker at
Palm bay. Six Red Divers and two Swallow. Four pints at the
Foreness. (John Carnell)
Saturday 12th November 2011
Foreness
Went round to Walpole Bay to see the Eastern Black Redstart this
morning. A very smart bird and a very important `insurance` tick. On the way
I had 3 Black Redstarts, 2 Skylarks and also 6 Dunlin
fly at height in off the sea and head inland. Spent the next 45 minutes
chatting to Barry and Francis and admiring the rarity found the day before
by Barry. Francis spotted 3 Little Grebes off the bay that gradually
came in very close. They are quite a rarity locally now, something that the
twitches may not have realised. Things really then picked up as all 3 of us
started spotting stuff left, right and centre. A drake Wigeon swooped
in to join the grebes just after a Little Egret flew gracefully past.
Three flocks of Common Scoter totalling 75 went East, in among them a
single Velvet Scoter. A Swallow drifted up and down the bay,
later to be joined by another. A Wheatear feeding on the seaweed was
another late migrant. A single Red-throated Diver was offshore and
just while we were admiring this, the gulls went up and a Short-eared Owl
went through, mobbed by Parakeets. We did not know where to look
next.....the `Foreness Drug` was working its evil again. Fifteen minutes
later, another Short-eared Owl went through, these 2 taking Francis
bird day total this Autumn from 87 to 104. Francis disappeared off to find
more.....watch this space. (Simon Mount)
Saturday 12th November 2011
Margate Cemetery
Quick look from 14.00 to 14.45 but very quiet. 1 Fieldfare, 1
Redwing and about 15 Goldcrest. (Nick Lever)
Saturday 12th November
2011
Richborough Power Station - stream and cattle track
Decided this week to give most of Pegwell Nature Reserve a miss and
explore a bit more around the power station stream and along the cattle
track past the wind turbine. On my first stroll upstream I came across a
couple of Moorhen and swimming next to then was 2 Little Grebes.
They swam off round the river bend at the solar array before I could get a
really good look at them. I then took a walk up the old cattle track next to
the cooling towers. There were lots of Redwing and Goldfinch
hanging around the puddles on the track as well as Chaffinch,
Long-tailed Tits and quite a few Pheasant. On the way back I saw
a fox running through the field and spotted a Marsh Harrier. Over
head a large noisy formation of 55 Canada Geese headed for the point
at Pegwell Bay I expect. By the time I took my second stroll up the river
bank the King Fisher had turned up. I was able to see it perch now
rather than the fleeting glimpses I saw last week. One of its regular
perches appears to be on the railings at the steps down to the stream just
next to the road and bus stop! The light by this time was very gloomy but i
did manage to get a couple of grainy photos. To finish the day of the
Grey Heron landed in the stream right in front of me. It must be getting
used to me :-)
(Keith Ross)
Saturday 12th November
2011 Dumpton Gap Thanet
Walking
along the seawall just before high tide, I found that the Purple
Sandpipers had risen from 1 to 5 birds this week. With this flock was a
small flock of 7 Turnstones. Also, flitting around the cliff sides
were 3 Rock Pipits. (Ron Dubbins)
Friday 11th November 2011 Palm Bay Margate
I Was walking the Dogs early this afternoon at Palm bay
where i meet two birders, they pointed out a bird they were watching & told
me it was a Eastern Black Redstart, I went home and returned with
Camera, Photo added.. while there i noted 1 wheatear, 7 Rock Pipits,
& 2 (more common) Black Redstarts. (Mark Milham)
Friday 11th November 2011 Ramsgate area
/ Pegwell
A quiet few days Wed-Fri. So much so I
actually went all the way down to the bay on Wednesday afternoon, which I
don't usually do (unless I am out running). Well the sun came out and it was
still, calm and dry, so I fancied my chances with an owl or two over the
marsh. I spent 90 mins there from 3pm. It didn't take long before a nice
Ring-tail Hen Harrier appeared. A Short-eared Owl did eventually
show but stayed on the other side of the river (Sandwich side). All I
remember about yesterday (bird wise) is seeing a nice male Sparrowhawk
chasing the Thrushes and Starlings on the cliff top. Most days I have
encountered a smart Firecrest in Courtstairs park (presumably the
same one) and today it was with a single Chiffchaff. (Scott)
Friday 11th November 2011 Pegwell Bay
I overslept this morning and didn't arrive until
10.00am which meant that I'd missed the incoming tide which would have been
the main focus of my attention today had I been able to get out of bed. The
weather was ultra misty with a cold south east wind that was hard to stand
around in for too long on the coast although just 100 yards inland it was
quite pleasant behind whatever cover was available. The birding was
generally slow but I did get a couple of good birds today .. a nice male
Black Redstart was spotted on my way down near the back of the garage
and at 11.30 when making my way back across the Country Park after a walk
around Stone Lees, I spotted a group of a dozen or so Fieldfare flying low
south and at the head of the flock was a much smaller bird - on lifting my
bins I was immediately met with a small chunky finch with a broad wing bar
... no mistaking that - it was a Hawfinch. Very nice too. I only
stayed until 12.30 as I was hungry and needed a cup of tea (or two) the rest
of my notes were: 1 Red Throated Diver - south, 12 Little Egrets,
22 Brent, 100 Wigeon, 1000 Golden Plover, 1500+
Lapwing, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Merlin, 100+ Redwing -
present and s/west, 20+ Fieldfare - s/west, 1 Chiffchaff, 6
Goldcrest, 4 Siskin - north, 5 Redpoll - north and 1
Corn Bunting. Also a group of 6 Redpolls flew north over my
garden when I was outside checking my moth traps this afternoon. (Phil M)
Friday 11th November 2011
Walpole Bay
Margate
(Male) Eastern Black Redstart was found
today around the Walpole Bay and
between the Palm Bay
medical centre Margate, some record photos
were taken, (Barry Hunt)
Thursday 10th November 2011 Pegwell Bay
I went down early, soon to be joined by Craig ...
we stayed until 12.45 seeing: 1 Little Grebe, 8 Little Egret,
30 Brent, 100 Wigeon, 3 Gadwall, 1 Teal, 1
Peregrine, 1 Merlin, the Whimbrel, 2000 Lapwing,
800 Golden Plover, 130 Grey Plover, 500 Dunlin, 120
Sanderling, 2 Yellow Legged Gulls whilst an Arctic Skua
chased a Black-headed Gull around the Car Park at 08.30! The vismig turned
up 4 Swallows, 15 Skylark, 24 Meadow Pipit, 17
Chaffinch, 120 Goldfinch, 32 Siskin, 26 Redpoll and
20 Crossbills. We also heard a Lapland Bunting down near the
gully where the main path bends on the Country Park and two more flocks of
Crossbill went over unseen during the morning. (Phil M)
Thursday 10th November 2011 Fairness Clifftop
After early morning fog and sea mist had lifted,
I did a 2 hour sea watch from the Margate Waste-water Plant where I saw the
following birds flying past eastwards: 3 Red-throated Divers ( + 1
westwards), 1 Black-throated Diver, 4 Gannets, 1 Razorbill,
2 Guillemots, 4 Red-breasted Mergansers, 8 Eider, 11
Kittiwakes, 3 Brent Geese, 3 Ringed Plover, 1 juvenile
Peregrine over the sea. On the sea was 1 female Common Scoter and
1 Common Seal. Flying around the clifftop were 12 Linnets, 5
Meadow Pipits and a single Common Wheatear. Quite a few of these
birds were close to shore giving some good views. (Ron Dubbins)
Wednesday 9th November 2011 Pegwell Bay
A nice morning out today with a few good birds
thrown in. I arrived at 06.45 in cloudy conditions that gave way to rain for
an hour or more. A little bit of vismig was noted before and after the rain
mainly from the cliff top but also from the Country Park too. I spent most
of the session staring out over the mud flat and sea after high tide, the
highlights being a Slavonia Grebe which flew around the bay prior to
landing offshore, a female/juvenile Goosander on the sea in the bay,
6 Snow Buntings in off (others were heard too) plus 2 adult
Caspian Gulls - the first of autumn/winter. Other 'stuff' included 2+
Yellow Legged Gulls, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Hen Harrier,
a Little Grebe, 1 Swallow, 2 House Martin and a
Firecrest. My other counts included 3 Great Crested Grebe, 1
Greylag, 30 Brent, 3 Gadwall, 6 Pintail, 300
Wigeon, 2 Teal, 1600 Lapwing, 750 Golden Plover,
120 Grey Plover, 4 Ringed Plover, 660 Dunlin, 100+
Knot, 90 Sanderling, 23 Bar-tailed Godwit, 15 alba
Wagtail and a calling Bullfinch heard along the ancient hedgerow.
The vismig turned up: 12 Redwing, 800 Wood Pigeon, 20+
Skylark, 12 Meadow Pipit, 32 Chaffinch, 2 Brambling,
165 Goldfinch, 33 Siskin and 8 Redpoll. (Phil M)
Wednesday 9th November 2011 Foreness Point
Yet another Short-eared Owl in off the sea
mid morning and a few Wheatears on the putting green. Feeding over
the cliffs were 6 Swallows and off shore a drake Goosander
flew east. (Rae Boulden)
Tuesday 8th November2011 Elmwood and Joss Bay
A short walk with the dog today about 11-12am. The
bushes of Elmwood, opposite the farm were alive with thrushes, about thirty
Redwing, twelve Fieldfare, six Mistle and eight Song
Thrushes Amongst the twenty plus Blackbirds were two jet black
males with jet black beaks and eye rings. Very Handsome. In the bushes on
the golf course were a nice flock of mixed Tits. The same strolling
on the fairway. (boom boom) The lone Little Egret was at Joss again.
A small flock of six Skylarks came in off, followed by a male
Peregrine. I wish I could have stayed out for longer. (John Carnell)
Tuesday 8th November 2011 Ramsgate area / Pegwell Cliff Top
Not as many thrushes around today but
Courtstairs park was buzzing with around 20 Goldcrests (newly arrived
I presume). They moved through quickly, and I couldn't find anything more
interesting tagging along with them. Next stop Nethercourt park, where the
bird of the day was found - an Osprey which flew over at 11 am. Yes
it surprised me too. It was heading south so I texted Phil and Craig hoping
they might connect with it in Pegwell bay. Craig sent a text back - he'd
also seen it (independently) over the water tower on his way down. I then
went onto the cliff top which got gloomier and gloomier in the time I was
there, with nothing notable to be seen. For info, there's a flock of Long
Tailed Tits hanging around the Shell garage bushes which is getting
bigger ever day - around 25 birds at present, but no Northern ones or any
other interesting companions (so far). (Scott)
Tuesday 8th November 2011 Ramsgate & Pegwell Area
I cycled from the harbour to Little Cliffs End Farm and back between
8.45 and 10.15am. A Black Redstart was on the roofs up Minster Rd and
3 Swallow along the West Cliff. 3 Redpoll flew West and 20
Siskin East. Plenty of Goldfinch and Chaffinch around and
Thrushes were obvious but not in great numbers; 40 Fieldfare and 10
Redwing. Also seen were 1 Blackcap, 3 Goldcrest and 6
Brents. (Nick Lever)
Monday 7th November 2011 Westcliff
Ramsgate
Three Swallows at Westcliff flying
around bowling green and the boating pool. looked like young ones short tail
feathers . Really awful weather for them . Hope they make it. (Roger
Chantler)
Monday 7th November 2011
Ramsgate Station
While waiting for my train at 9am 2 Waxwing flew low heading West
and about 20 Fieldfares headed South West. (Nick Lever)
Monday 7th November 2011 West Cliff
Ramsgate / Cliff top Pegwell
Just a single Firecrest in Courtstairs
park today. On the Cliff Top, large numbers of Redwings and
Fieldfares were still moving (all west). Many Blackbirds and
Song Thrushes too. I also saw 3 Mistle Thrushes, another
Woodcock and 2 Swallows. Chaffinches aside, not many
finches at all. (Scott)
Sunday 6th November
2011 Ramsgate harbour
This morning (Sunday 6 November 2011)
there was a Grebe sp diving in the inner basin of Ramsgate harbour.
We saw it briefly yesterday, and then had a short view this morning. It
could have been a Black-necked Grebe, but it never showed itself long enough
for a positive identification. There were also Blackbirds and a
Fieldfare at the harbour this morning: they had possibly just come in
off the sea.
(Marianne & Steve Harper)
Sunday 6th November 2011 Clifftop Pegwell
I had a look at the West
Cliff, parks and churchyard this morning but nothing doing. This afternoon I
didn't do the whole circuit but found a sheltered spot on the cliff top. I
just watched the winter thrushes arriving - nice to see them moving again in
the northerly wind. A few were hanging around in the relative calmness of
the under cliff scrub to feed up. I didn't do any counts (as usual) but saw
good numbers of the usual suspects. The bay was full of birds but nothing
out of the ordinary was seen during my scans. I did get a spectacular view
of a Peregrine as it flew past though, putting up a flock of Brent
Geese as it did so. On the way home I flushed my first Woodcock
of the season from the cliff top scrub. (Scott)
Sunday 6th November
2011 North Foreland
With the wind still in the
North and a little stronger embarked on a morning seawatch which produced
mainly a variety of wild fowl north as follows from 8.30 to 10pm.198
Wigeon 56 Teal, 10 Gadwall, 2 Eider, 35
Shelduck, 5 Mallard, 15 Scoter/ S 125 Brent, 12
Red Breasted Mergansers, 6 Red throated Divers, 25 Golden
Plovers, 18 Lapwings, 155 Dunlin, 10 Knot. 42 L
/ Auks, 2 Peregrines. 160 Starlings.
(Rae Boulden)
Sunday 6th November
2011 King George VI Park, Ramsgate
Spent an hour or so in the park this afternoon in very gloomy conditions.
Most notable were the thrushes that seemed to be arriving while I was there,
although in small numbers. A couple of Fieldfares showed well on the
deck while several Redwing buzzed around the treetops and there were
plenty of Blackbirds mixed in with them. Only heard a couple of
Goldcrest and saw 3 Long-tailed Tit. The wind made seeing small
stuff pretty difficult. (Nick Lever)
Sunday 6th November 2011
Foreness
A 4-hour seawatch from 7:15 produced a
good variety of birds. Conditions were testing for Gideon Beale and myself,
especially in the first hour or so, with misty rain into our faces. The wind
also made using scopes difficult in our exposed spot outside the `RSPB` hide
-which was unoccupied throughout our session of course. Totals as follows of
birds heading East:- 6 Divers, 134 Gannets, 44
Guillemot/Razorbill, 4 Great Skuas, 6 Arctic Skuas, 4
Little Gulls and 125 Kittiwakes. Wildfowl heading West were :-
250 Brent Geese, 7 Tufted Duck, 315 Wigeon, 82
Shelduck, 8 Mallard, 4 Pintail, 27 Teal, 8
Red-breasted Mergansers, 6 Eider, 10 Gadwall. Also 9
Common Scoter East plus a single bird offshore. We did have other duck
that we could not identify as they were too far into the mist and we could
not use our scopes properly. There were probably more Mallard and Gadwall in
hindsight. This problem also meant some distant flocks of waders went
through, probably Dunlin, Knot and Grey/Golden Plovers. When
light conditions improved, I did see some Dunlin heading West but in smaller
numbers. I hope nothing small and rare slipped through that might have been
seen if we had been able to have access to the shelter of the hide. One of
the highlights was 4 Avocets going West at fairly close range.
Lapwings were also moving with a total of 124 heading West including an
impressive single drawn out flock of 80 low over the sea. Passerines going
over included some Redwings, Blackbirds and 8 Skylarks just
after dawn. A lone Fieldfare came in off the sea and landed in the
first clump of bushes behind the headland. Also, 30 Starlings moved
through low over the sea and there were 200 present on the putting greens.
On the clifftop on my departure there was a smart Snow Bunting. In a
group of 4 Brent Geese was a bird noticeably larger than the other
birds, probably by a third! Through the scope Gideon could see a very
pronounced white neck band. (Simon Mount)
Sunday 6th
November 2011 Grove Ferry / Stodmarsh NNR
In a very grey morning
with almost constant drizzle it was back to starting at Grove Ferry meeting
Chiddy at the entrance at first light and, being joined by Adam an hour
later. Cetti’s Warblers were vocal this morning with 6 heard and the
(large) flock of Greylag Geese were leaving the pool in the early
morning gloom. There were 12 Marsh Harriers seen leaving roost with
possible another 3 seen late morning at the Stodmarsh end, 1 ringtail Hen
Harrier that hung around for some time, 8 Wigeon, 4
Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Ruff with a further 5 at Marsh Hide, 1
Spotted Redshank and 3 Dunlin. Several Fieldfare were
noted but not counted and there were 2 Little Egrets, 4 Grey
Herons, 9 Snipe, 3 Little Grebes, 1 Redshank, 3
Water Rails, 1 Green Sandpiper and approximately 6000
Starlings in two large flocks from the ramp. The 1st winter
Glossy Ibis was still at Marsh Hide as were 16 Water Pipits
plus another 6 Water Pipits at Harrison’s around midday. On the lake
at Stodmarsh there were 196 Pochard, 1 Ruddy Duck, 169
Tufted Ducks (the largest amount I’ve ever seen here), 9
Great-crested Grebes plus large numbers of Teal, Shoveler and
Gadwall. In front of the Lake Tower Hide a small flock of Long-tailed
Tits also had a Chiffchaff with them, at least 2 Bullfinches
at the ‘Jungle’ plus 2 Sparrowhawks, 12 Siskins, 1 Kestrel
and 1 Ring-necked Parakeet. (Martyn Wilson)
Saturday 5th November 2011 Pegwell Bay
Although it was a pretty miserable day weather wise there did seem to be
a few more birds about than usual. On my way through Stonelees were a few
Redwing, Long-tailed Tits and Goldcrest.
As I approached the outgoing tide a small flock of around 30 Canada
Geese few past down the river and landed on the point. In among
them was I think 4 Greylag Geese. The mud flats were
covered by hundreds of Lapwing and Golden Plover.
I also spotted a few female Reed Buntings and some quite
large flocks of Goldfinch. On my way back to catch the bus
I came across the Grey Heron again at the stream next to
Richborough Power Station and a couple of Brambling but
best of all was that I caught 3 fleeting glimpses of a Kingfisher
flying up and down the stream. (Keith Ross)
Saturday
5th November 2011
Ramsgate
Area
A few Redwings coming over
this morning plus a few Goldfinches and Siskins made me think
it would be a good day, but everywhere was generally quiet. I did come
across a few flocks of mixed Tits and Goldcrests on my travels
but apart from a nice Firecrest in St. Lawrence churchyard, there was
nothing too exciting with them. However, a mixed flock of Finches
hanging around the Shell garage trees contained a Tree Sparrow, which
was nice. (Scott)
Saturday 5th November
2011 North Foreland
Sea watching on a light
northerly winds between 1pm and 3pm before the heavy rain set in produced
the following birds. south. 625 Gannets , 360 kittiwakes, 11
Little Gulls, 5 Red Throated Divers, 3 Arctic Skuas, 2
Great Skuas, 28 Common Scoter, 2 Teal, 32 Wigeon
82 Brent Geese with further 46N, (Raphael Boulden)
Saturday 5th November
2011 Stodmarsh NNR
Alan Ashdown and I park
at the Stodmarsh car park today and walked to the Marsh hide just as it was
getting light and spent the whole morning until just after midday in the
hide joined by Steve Ashton sheltering from wind and showers. Cetti’s
Warbler, Greylag Goose and Fieldfare were all heard as we made
our way along the track and from the hide there were 2 Little Egrets,
2 Green Sandpipers, 1 Water Rail, 6 Ruff, 180
Lapwings and eventually the 1st/winter Glossy Ibis
showed itself. It spent most of the morning in the pool to the left of the
hide but did venture in front on a couple occasions plus several fly rounds
when spooked, chased by a Marsh Harrier at one point. There were 8 Marsh
Harriers with 4 together on the ground in front of the hide at one
point, 2 Hen Harriers (1 male), 3 Grey Herons, 3 Bitterns,
2 Jays, 11 Snipe and 3 Stock Doves. Eventually the
Pipits started to show with at Least 18 Water Pipits and 24 Meadow
Pipits plus 9 Pied Wagtails. Two Sparrowhawks were on show
with a nice female on the dead tree to the left of the hide for quite a
while allowing several photos to be taken plus a brief male also on the same
tree, a single Kestrel came over the marsh and at 11.48 a large
raptor, assumed to be the female Sparrowhawk flew in low from the east
flushing everything before turning in front of us and landing on the ground
about 200yards out. This bird turned out to be an adult male Goshawk.
A couple of poor record shots later it was off again flying west towards the
lake. (Martyn Wilson)
Friday 4th November 2011 Pegwell Bay
I really didn't fancy it this morning but
eventually dragged myself out and had a really nice mornings birding ...
quite a surprise and a nice surprise at that. The highlights were 4
Shorelarks which flew along the sea wall, across the mud flat towards
Shellness (with a smaller bird in tow which I'm fairly sure was a Lapland
Bunting?), a flock of 13 Twite, 1 Water Pipit, a Bullfinch
heard calling from the hover port, 4 very late newly arrived Greenshank,
the late staying Whimbrel, 3 Tree Sparrow plus 2 each of
Swallow and House Martin. Other 'bits' included 22 Brent,
1700 Lapwing, 1630 Golden Plover, 100 Grey Plover, 1
Ringed Plover, 44 Dunlin, 134 Sanderling, 50 Knot,
420 Great Black-backed Gulls and 4 Siskin over. (Phil M)
Friday 4th November 2011
Foreness
1 Wheatear and 2 Tree Sparrows West. (Simon Mount)
Friday 4th November 2011 Restharrow Scrape
While passing through Sandwich at lunch time
today i stopped in at Restharrow Scrape where Sue Morton and Alan Ashdown
were already sheltering from the wind. Not a great deal of note although the
Curlew Sandpiper was still present as were several Teal and at
least 14 Snipe. At around 12.40 Sue noticed a Swift over the
telegraph wires between the scrape and the Observatory Building, while
watching this distant Swift a second bird joined it and we watched for about
10 minutes as the two birds hawked over the fields opposite before moving
off east. Although a little distant some features suggested one or both may
have been Pallid Swifts but we have just noted them down as two Swift spp.
(Martyn Wilson)
Friday 4th November 2011 Restharrow Scrape & Elms
The Curlew Sandpiper was still present this afternoon plus 16
Snipe and 30 Teal. A Blackcap and a couple of
Goldcrests in The Elms where a Firecrest had been seen earlier. (Nick
Lever)
Friday 4th November 2011 Chilton Lane
Area
HI I was Surprised to see a French Red
Legged Partridge strutting around my neighbours garden for about 1 hour
before a cat frightened it. I live 68 Chilton Lane. this was on November 2nd
(R Chantler)
Thursday 3rd November 2011 North Foreland
Nothing going overhead or in the bushes so I did a seawatch for 1 hour.
The following were seen heading South:- 1 Red-Throated Diver, 1
Gannet, 7 Brent Geese, 7 Common Scoters, 4 Red-breasted
Mergansers, and 3 Guillemots. There was an adult Peregrine
hanging around. (Simon Mount)
Wednesday 2nd November 2011 Restharrow Scrape
I visited Restharrow to be given a excellent show by a Short-Eared
Owl, I managed a few nice pictures which I've included and also one of a
Curlew Sandpiper. This little bird kept his distance but I managed a
reasonable shot, so I hope you enjoy.
(Roly Wells-Colyer)
Wednesday 2nd November 2011 North Foreland / Foreness
Rather quiet today with just a trickle overhead of Siskins and
Redpolls plus a few Skylarks. However a Twite heading
South and a Short-eared Owl off the sea added some variety. A single
flock of 15 Tree Sparrows also flew over heading west along the
coast. At Foreness I bumped into Neil Faulkner and we saw a Shag and
an Eider offshore plus a Wheatear on the clifftop. Heading
back, I had a few Goldcrests and a single Firecrest near the
golf club. (Simon Mount)
Wednesday 2nd November 2011 Pegwell Bay
A three hour walk around the area from mid
morning proved hard work on the bird finding front today, for the first time
it had that sort of feel about it that the autumn was sort of over ...
hopefully it's not. Things that made it as far as my notepad included 6
Little Egret, 1200 Lapwing, 1030 Golden Plover, 'the'
Whimbrel, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Peregrine, 1+ Merlin,
6 Redwing, 1 Swallow - south, 1 Chiffchaff, 6
Goldcrest, 1 Firecrest, 3 Redpoll - north, 6 Siskin
- 1 west and 5 north plus a group of 6 Crossbills - north. (Phil M)
Tuesday 1st November 2011 Pegwell Bay
I didn't go down until late morning and to waste
a bit of time as I waited for the tide to come in a bit I popped up the
cliff top and was quite surprised to get a little 'dabble' of vismig. Birds
heading west included 1 Brambling, 170 Goldfinch, 6 Siskin,
2 Redpoll and 8 Crossbills - I also saw another 30 Siskins
and 2 Redpolls head north over the Country Park later on whilst
watching the mud flat. Other late (ish) bits and pieces included 2 Small
White Butterfly's, 2 Swallows - south, 1 Chiffchaff and a
Wheatear. Another late happening was a flock of 70 Ringed Plovers
sat out on the mud flat, I think it's safe to assume that they were late
migrants which is a bit silly for a day in November. My other notes
included: 10 Little Egrets, 9 Brent, 180 Wigeon, 70
Mallard, 1 Peregrine, 2 Merlin (1 male), 1170 Lapwing,
960 Golden Plover, 130 Grey Plover, 'the' Whimbrel,
5 Bar-tailed Godwit, 360 Dunlin, 20 Knot, 70
Sanderling, 1 adult Yellow Legged Gull, 1 Short Eared Owl
and 6+ Goldcrests. (Phil M)
Tuesday 1st November 2011
Foreness/North Foreland
There seemed to be a few extra Goldcrests in the bushes today but
that was about it other than singles of Swallow and Wheatear
plus a couple of flyover Skylarks, Redpolls and Siskins. At
Joss Bay there was a colour-ringed Herring Gull black KT8T on orange
if anybody would know where to send this to. I only seem to get replies when
birds are ringed outside UK. (Simon Mount)
Tuesday 1st November 2011
Sheppey
We
arrived near Shellness at 09.45 and decided to make the trek to the hide
even though the weather looked threatening. Needless to say after reaching
the half way point the heavens opened, but despite a soaking we were cheered
up by the sighting of a male Hen Harrier, 7 Bearded Tit, 8
Red-legged Partridge, a late Wheatear and a Rough-legged
Buzzard. An afternoon visit to the Capel Street viewing point we noted
the following raptors:-Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Peregrine, Marsh Harrier,
Merlin, Common Buzzard and ringtail Hen Harrier. Other birds of
note during our trip: - 12 Corn Bunting, an albino Starling
and 4 Short-eared Owl.
(Barry Woolhouse and Malcolm McVail)
Monday 31st October 2011 Grove Ferry / Stodmarsh / NNR
Went to Grove Ferry today and saw - in addition to all
the usual ducks and coots - the following birds from the Feast Hide: 2
Little Grebes, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Hen Harrier (photo
attached), 1 Pheasant, 2 Little Egrets, plus 2 Bearded Tits
flitting around the path between the hide and the ramp. I moved on to the
Marsh Hide to see if the Glossy Ibis was showing. It did come out
into the open eventually (photo attached), but by this time the light was
extremely poor. Other birds of interest included 1 Little Egret
(which was keeping the Ibis company), 1 Peregrine Falcon, another
Hen Harrier (an adult male), 1 Kestrel, 3 Marsh Harriers
and a couple of Fieldfares. The bad light aside, it was a pretty good
day. (Mark Kilner)
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