Monday 30th October 2006 Shuart to Reculver,
Oare Marshes & R/gate/H
A bit of a mish-mash today. I have been given a week's holiday but, as Bev
& I are unable to get away, I’ll have to content myself doing
the local circuit. I parked the car at Shuart just after 07.30hrs and
spent a very pleasant morning walking the railway embankment and coastal
track. Besides all the regular species I recorded 3 Tree Sparrow, 2
Brambling, 1 f Merlin, 3 Stonechat, 45 Redwing
and a Great Crested Grebe. Brents were arriving from the north, as
were several parties of Skylark and Lapwing. The only other
sign of movement was provided by large flocks of Starlings, headed
west and a few Chaffinches passing in the opposite direction.
Onward to Oare Marshes - a complete waste of time! Tony Swandale and a
large group of volunteers were busy ensuring this fabulous reserve remains
as attractive to birders as it does to birds - something the English
Nature crowd could consider at Stodmarsh? No complaints, just wish they'd
chosen another day!! Well after mid-day, so I headed off back to Ramsgate
Harbour. Crazy that I should be spending my time "ring-reading"
when, in any other year, I should be searching the coastal scrub for Dusky
Warblers. The harbour was a seething mass of activity, there is some
real heavyweight engineering being carried out by the lifeboat station. It
didn't seem to upset the gulls, 130+ Great Black-back Gulls were on
the central pontoon and included Blue J9G6 and a new 1st w - Black
JJ20. I was frustrated by an adult Herring Gull with an Orange ring
on its' right leg. I could only get 31 on the top of the ring and feel
sure that it is a bird from a Finnish project based in Russia! I will be
back for another look in the morning. The Red-throated Diver was
also present and gave prolonged views as it fed around the fishing boats
in the outer harbour (Dylan)
Monday 30th October 2006 Chislet area Late
News
I came across a Red Kite Sunday 29th October
2006 in the afternoon at Chislet mushroom farm, as well as a hunting Barn
Owl, both allowing pictures to be taken. (Steve Ashton)
Monday 30th October 2006 Chamber’s
Wall
A Woodlark flew SW over Chamber’s Wall this morning.
(Tim Hodge)
Monday 30th October 2006 Grove Ferry &
Stodmarsh NNR
Took
a leisurely clockwise stroll around the reserve, starting at the
Grove Ferry end, on a largely sunny morning, with increasing breeze. 7:50
- 11:15am - the pleasant conditions proving only good for the soul rather
than the birds! Bearded Tits cropped up at a number of points on my
walk, even in the wooded nature trail (together with a very nimble Sparrowhawk).
Other raptors seen were m & f Marsh Harrier, & 3 Kestrels
(2 m & 1 f). The large numbers of berries on the trees paid testimony
to the fact that the winter thrushes are still to arrive en masse & I
failed to spot either Redwing or Fieldfare today. The
feeders by The Ramp attracted a Great Spotted Woodpecker while I
was there, together with Greenfinches, Blue, & Great Tits.
Hopefully will pick up on my next visit! (Ben Ring)
Sunday
29th October 2006 Acol Thanet
Male Black Redstart near Acol on Saturday afternoon October 28th
2006 (Dave
Mairs)
Saturday 28th October 2006 Oare Marshes KWT Reserve
I didn't arrive until after 09.30hrs, just one of those days! The light
was hopeless for photography and the tide was as low as it could get!
Loads of ducks on the East Flood included 100's Teal, 80+ Wigeon,
m&f Pintail, and 5 Gadwall amongst the regular Mallards
and Shoveler. I did a couple of circuits of the East Flood noting
good numbers of Grey Plover and Dunlin out on the mud, in
the Swale, and 50+ Avocets concentrated around the mouth of
Faversham Creek. In the distance there was a large flock of Brent Geese
feeding along the shoreline towards Castle Coot and over on Sheppey I
noted 2 Marsh Harriers and a Buzzard sp. (almost certainly Common
Buzzard) over Harty Hill. Bearded Tits noisily announced
their presence, as did 2 Water Rail, whilst Rock & Meadow
Pipit, Skylark, Greenfinch and Reed Buntings were all giving
good views at various points around my walk. A Cetti's Warbler
uttered a short burst of song near the carpark. As the clock passed
13.00hrs, Black-tailed Godwits and Redshanks began to
descend onto the flood. I managed to locate 3 C-R godwits, including one
with a Yellow Flag (Dutch scheme marker). The Long-billed Dowitcher
gave several cameo appearances, feeding in a shallow pool with Common
Snipe, and I also noted 3 Ruff, 2 Greenshank and a
single Green Sandpiper (on the new West Scrape) before I headed off
home. The only other sighting of note was of the "Tattooed Two"
- now there is a sighting you don't forget in a hurry! (Dylan)
Saturday 28th October 2006 Ellington Park
& Ellington Road
In the half light this morning walking home from
work, 2 Brambling calling from the tree tops in the park (7.25am)
and a Grey Wagtail west calling over Ellington Road. (Craig S)
Friday 27th October 2006 Ramsgate Town
Area
Possibly up to 3 Grey Wagtails are wintering
on the rooftops but mobile. (Craig S)
Thursday 26th October 2006 Nethercourt
Park and Ellington Park
A detour home this morning taking in another
under watched site in the form of Nethercourt Park. Not a great deal going
on apart from small numbers of Redwings and Song Thrushes
on from birds passing over night, both Green & Great Spotted
Woodpeckers present, single Meadow Pipit and c150 Ring-necked
Parakeets over west leaving the roost site of nearby Ramsgate Train
Station. Also 2 Goldcrests calling by the entrance. On to Ellington
Park with still the odd Redwing passing over head as i made my way
to the site. Seemed to be more in the way of birds on entering the park
with 4 Mistle Thrushes calling from tree tops, 2 Goldcrests
on the west side. Redwings were dropping in for a stop over with a
flock of 24, as they landed i noticed a late House Martin as it
slowly made its way west (8.45am), and 2 Chaffinches near the
band-stand. (Craig S)
Wednesday the 25th October 2006 Dumpton
Thanet
Overcast but mild this morning I counted 700+ Woodpigeons out on
the field with the usual 150+ Carrion Crows, 100+Starlings
this afternoon 4 Blue Tits, 2 Great Tits,4 Dunnocks,7
Blackbirds, 1 Robin and with 17 Greenfinches in the
garden gave me a chance to try out a new lens on my camera the light was
rubbish but the reroutes not to bad in my opinion
just before dusk I recorded 300+ Herring Gulls and 270 Carrion Crows out over the field. (Gadget)
Wednesday the 25th October 2006 St
Laurence Church & Ellington Park
A brief check on the walk home from work produced
very little as expected, 5 Goldcrests, 2 Jays, 2 Chaffinches
and a hand full of Blackbirds feeding on some Berry's at St
Laurence and 2 Goldcrests plus 6 Redwing, 4 Meadow Pipits
and a single Mistle Thrush over Ellington Park. (Craig S).
Wednesday 25th October 2006 K/George VI Park & Ramsgate
Synagogue
An overcast, grey, dawn with a SE breeze saw me leaving the bungalow just
before 07.45hrs. Straight away a male Sparrowhawk drifted over the
rooftops, accompanied by a small bunch of Starlings - clearly upset
by its' presence, yet always keeping a respectful distance above it! Meadow
Pipits and Redwings were noted flying over as I made my way
along West Dumpton Lane, the Redwings may have been leaving a roost
site by Broadstairs Cricket Ground? There was a small group of
Goldcrests feeding by the entrance to the park, but the wind noise on
the exposed clifftop made detection of birdcalls quite difficult. A mixed
flock of Great, Blue & Long-tailed Tits had 2 Goldcrest
and 2 Chiffchaffs for company and I located a single Firecrest in
some dense ivy by the 2nd plantation. Leaving the park, a quick check of
the sea revealed "zilch". Absolutely nothing moving out at sea,
although a trickle of Greenfinches, Meadow Pipits and Song
Thrushes were passing overhead along the coast. Ramsgate Synagogue was
predictably quiet. A Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Jay
providing a splash of colour on this grey day. Odd thrushes continued
to pass overhead. I walked back towards home, encountering another Sparrowhawk,
this time a female, accompanied by a noisy entourage of screeching Parakeets!
(Dylan)
Wednesday 25th October
2006 Margate Cemetery Late News Below
Tuesday 24th October 2006
Margate Cemetery records
A good start to the day with 50 Golden Plovers
and a single Brambling heading south early on. 25 Redwings
several Goldcrests and 4 Chiffchaffs were in the cemetery,
but it soon quietened down with the other birds of note being 8 Pied
Wagtails, 6 Chaffinches and 1 Sparrowhawk. (Steve
Tomlinson)
Monday
23rd October 2006 Margate Cemetery records
This was certainly a strange days birding, a blustery
start to early proceedings produced very little as birds that were present
seemed to stay put, and was not till late morning that a sudden burst of a
15 minute activity took place. Meeting my, at present rather depressed
Charlton football fan Dave over the cemetery, we both wondered whether or
not it was worth bothering at all. At around 11:00am, it suddenly changed
with the wind dropping and the sudden appearance of several Chiffchaffs,
Goldcrests and Redwings which began to show, along with a
slight movement of Meadow Pipits, Linnets and Goldfinches.
At around 11:15am, several Skylarks headed north but mixed with them was 2
large pipits sp, unfortunately neither bird called but were seen to land
in a large overgrown allotment behind the garden of rest. Straight away we
checked the area and even though we both scanned the allotment/s and
nearby fields we were unsuccessful, and was not until 4:15pm, thinking by
then that both birds had slipped away unnoticed, they were finally nailed.
One last trip around the allotments/garden of rest finally produced the
award as one of the birds was flushed from long grass believe it or not
from the same allotment to where it had originally landed but again did
not call. From there It landed in a nearby field behind the crematorium
and was joined by a second bird which was briefly seen feeding by the
hedgerow and may have been around there all the time. Eventually both
birds now identified as 2 Richard’s Pipits were heard calling to
each other for a good minute but showed only briefly before heading of
strongly in a westerly direction. A good bird here with only one other
previous record. The rest of the day produced 1 Siskin, 1 Reed
Bunting, 4 Sparrowhawks, 15 Pied Wagtails and 8 Chaffinches.
(Steve Tomlinson & Dave Gilbert)
Monday 23rd October 2006
N/Foreland, Ramsgate Harbour & Town Centre
North Foreland this morning, a Short-eared Owl
heading west at 08:00.
At Ramsgate Harbour at midday, 2 Kingfishers chasing one
another in the outer harbour. Also 3 Rock Pipits. In Ramsgate town
centre, the usual Grey Wagtail feeding on the rooftops. (Simon
Mount)
Monday 23rd October 2006 Late News
Dylan's report of 21 October mentions he saw 2 groups of visiting
birders, and he hoped they had a good day. As a member of the Medway
RSPB group visiting Margate on Saturday I thought you might like to know
what we saw.
We met by the eastern end of Palm Bay Ave, and in the general area by
Foreness Point we saw Swallow, House Martin, various gulls -
including Mediterranean thanks to a local birder who may well have
been Dylan - Cormorant, Pied Wagtail, Rock Pipit and Sandwich
Tern. As we made our way towards Kingsgate we saw Wheatear,
Starling, Kestrel, Stonechat, Linnet and Crow. We looked
over the cliff at one point to see a beach at high tide with Redshank,
Sanderling, Ringed Plover, Curlew and Purple Sandpiper.
Kingsgate Bay produced Oystercatcher and further excellent views of
Sanderling on the beach and in flight. Unfortunately we could
not get into the Captain Digby as they had a power cut. As we
returned we added Ring-necked Parakeet, Meadow Pipit and Woodpigeon
to our list. We then dispersed to find suitable places for
refreshment, and later some of us reconvened to go to Northdown Park to
look for migrants. We got good views of the Parakeets but
nothing else of note. All
in all a very pleasant few hours. (Warren Mann)
Monday 23rd October 2006 Ramsgate
Harbour/Cemetery 7.45am-11.15am
After a poor nights sleep due to a cold i decided to
go for a walk, i started at the harbour just a few minutes away. Not
expecting to see a great deal due to the tide being out but managed
to see the Red-throated Diver around the lifeboat station that's
been present since last Thursday. Other things of note were 2 Grey
Wagtails, a handful each of Meadow Pipits and Goldfinches
west. The Kingfisher was calling from somewhere along the west pier
but not seen. I proceeded to the east pier after being asked if i was
trying to nick something!! A juv Sandwich Tern was feeding of the
old hover pad in the middle harbour, 12 Turnstones and a lone Rock
Pipit was on the slipway near the clock tower. I was looking forward
to a nice breakfast and made my way to the Albion Cafe, which was
closed, drat!! Onward to the KG VI park then i saw this blonde walking
towards me yep...Dylan, been along time matey. (Read below). As we parted
company the only other thing i had was a fly over Siskin heading
inland.
I then made my way to Ramsgate cemetery: - highlight being vocal Ring
Ouzel as it pasted from tree to tree at the north end, c20 Blackbirds,
1 Chiffchaff, 6 Goldcrest, 2 Redwings over. (Craig S)
Monday 23rd
October 2006 King George VI Park & Dumpton Gap
A walk to the park was a very pleasant waste of effort. A couple of
Goldcrest called from gardens along West Dumpton Lane and the first, of
six, Sparrowhawks drifted west over the tennis courts as I
approached the park entrance. Robin and Song Thrush numbers
are noticeably high, but can't sustain my interest much longer than a
nano-second! Overhead a few Meadow Pipits called as they flew west
into the gentle breeze. I managed to locate 2 Chiffchaffs in the
plantations beside the cycle track. The excitement was too much to cope
with so I decided to walk the beach back to Dumpton Gap, as I
approached the top of Winterstoke steps the rarest sighting of 2006 was
approaching from the opposite direction! Craig S, complete with Lieca 10 x
50’s! We walked the beach together, noting a dozen or so Swallows,
a few Pied Wagtails and 3 Rock Pipits. It was great to see
him back out birding. We parted company back at the park, Craig heading
for the harbour and me off home for a pre-work kip! (Dylan)
Saturday 21st October 2006 King George VI Park & Foreness
An early morning stroll around the park was a fairly quiet affair. 4 Chiffchaff
& 15+ Goldcrest were the only birds of any note around the
hedgerows and plantations. Overhead, a trickle of Meadow Pipits,
Chaffinches, Gold Finches, 3 Redwing and a Redpoll were
the only signs of vis-mig. As the dog-walking activity increased, in
direct proportion to the reduction in bird activity, I headed back to the
car and drove across to Foreness. A Sparrowhawk hunted over the
rooftops of the Northdown Estate and the first bird I saw, as I parked
opposite Palm Bay School, was an adult Mediterranean Gull flying
west along the clifftop. A Wheatear was along the fence posts by
the "pitch & putt" whilst a Black Redstart foraged
around the debris on the apron below the pumping station and a couple of Swallows
flew through, headed SW. A scan through the assembled gulls produced
nothing of note, although I was pleased to re-locate the Dutch C-R Turnstone
as it fed on the seawall between the pumping station and the slipway. Back
up on the clifftop, I met up with John Websper and we had a walk around
the perimeter of the "pitch & putt" finding another Wheatear,
on the beach, and 4 Mediterranean Gulls, including ad winter Green
3EVO. It was great to see two groups of visiting birders exploring
the potential of the area; I hope that they had a good day. (Dylan)
Saturday
21st October 2006 Pegwell Bay
A little bit of westward flying vismig soon after first light fizzled out
to virtual nothingness by 09.00am so I left. Oh yeah - the birds - there
were: 205 Goldfinch, 57 Greenfinch, 45 Chaffinch, 1 Brambling,
80 Linnet, 1 Siskin, 5 Redpoll, 51 Meadow Pipit,
8 Skylark, 7 Swallow, 1 Yellowhammer and 15 Reed
Bunting. 20 Rooks flew east quite early on plus other bits seen
included 6+ Goldcrest, 110 Brent, c200 Wigeon, 15 Little
Egret and 1 Sandwich Tern. (Phil M)
Friday 20th October 2006 Coldharbour & Reculver
A Shorelark was present on the beach just west of Coldharbour late
this afternoon and the Pallas’s Warbler was still in the caravan
park at Reculver. (Tim Hodge)
Friday 20th October 2006 Ramsgate Harbour
An early finish on Friday so off I walked, to Ramsgate Harbour, with the
sole intention of looking for C-R gulls amidst the birds gathered on the
central pontoon. The tide was just starting to drop as I arrived. A
fishing boat was cleaning its' nets, thus causing a great deal of activity
amongst the scavenging hoards. Still large numbers of Great Black-backs
present, with birds arriving (and leaving!) all of time. I set up my scope
by the Lifeboat Station and started to go through the flock. First bird I
located was the Cormorant - Red T/O, followed quickly by yesterdays
Great Black-back - Blue J9G6. The flock was very active, with new
birds landing on the wooden boards at regular intervals. I found another Great
Black-back, this time a 1st yr bird with a Black ring which I
eventually managed to read as JL80. It is still of Norwegian origin, but
from a scheme that I have not encountered before. The last bird was
another old friend, Herring Gull - White A3GX, found perched
by the fishing boats, confirming that RSPCA rescue centre in Sussex is
doing a great job caring for and releasing the waifs and strays
brought into them. Rock Pipits were very active around the site and
both the Red-throated Diver and Guillemot provided nice
views in the late afternoon sunshine. The most unusual sighting of the
session was an adult Great Black-back that had distinctly
"YELLOW" legs! (Dylan)
Thursday 19th October 2006 Ramsgate Harbour
After my shift finished, I couldn't wait to get back to the harbour. Bev
dropped me off, just after 15.00 hrs, before heading off for some retail
therapy in compensation for me "going birding again!" There was
a brisk SE wind and the first bird I focused my bins on was a juvenile Cormorant
of the race "P.c.carbo" - my first record in the
harbour (What do I know about Cormorants?). 70+ Great Black-backed
Gulls were gathered on the central pontoon of the outer harbour. A
scan revealed 2 Norwegian C-R birds, a 1st winter, that flew off as
soon as I focused the scope on it, and an adult-type bird that promptly
sat down. I stuck to my task and my patience was rewarded when the bird
stood up and started to preen, allowing me to read the code J9G6 -
amazing, as it was the first ever C-R Great Black Backed Gull that I found on 24th November
2003! The Guillemot and the Red-throated Diver New
Photo were both
still present and I caught a glimpse of F. Solly Esq. as he cycled along
the marina wall, a rare sighting indeed! I then headed for home along the
seawall and stumbled across a smart 1st winter Caspian Gull on the
shingle spit below Winterstoke Steps. Wind made digi-scoping very
difficult, but I did manage to get a few record shots before an unruly
pooch scared it off! The only other birds of note were an adult pair of Eiders
on the sea below King George VI Park. (Dylan)
Thursday 19th October 2006 Reculver
I popped over to Reculver this morning to see a Pallas’s Warbler
that Derek Smith had found at the eastern end of the caravan park. A jolly
little thing it was, if a touch elusive at times. (Tim Hodge)
Thursday 19th October 2006 King George VI Park
and Ramsgate Cemetery
From 9.20am to 11.05am.The
strong southerly wind meant conditions for seeing small birds in bushes
were pretty difficult. I heard and glimpsed a probable Firecrest in
the middle copse of the park and there were about 8 Long-tailed Tits
in the North copse. Other than that just a Goldcrest, 3 Chaffinch
and a Jay in the North West corner. The Cemetery wasn't any better.
There were plenty of Jays and a male Sparrowhawk but other
than that 1 Goldcrest and 2 Redwing were all I noted. (Nick
Lever)
Wednesday 18th October 2006 King George VI Park
& Ramsgate Harbour
It seems like an age since I last went birding so, this afternoon, I took
advantage of the break in the weather and headed off to King George VI
Park. I must admit that I wished I hadn't bothered, dog-walkers, kids
playing football and other, assorted, distractions meant that I failed to
locate a single migrant passerine (Robins excepted!) On two
occasions I thought that I heard Yellow-browed Warbler, yet am
unable to be certain, as the level of background noise was too much of a
distraction. If anyone has time tomorrow, an early morning check, around
the vicinity of the middle plantation, might be able to confirm my
suspicions?
I then made the decision to head off to the harbour, with every intention
of returning later. WRONG - the Harbour was excellent value. The first
surprise was provided by the sighting of the colour-ringed Dutch Cormorant
(Red T/O), now present for its' 4th winter. Loads of gulls to scan through
proved to be an enjoyable waste of effort, but Great Black-backs
are present in good numbers, so it won't be long before a Norwegian bird
is found. I walked around to the central wall, noting several Rock
Pipits, 1 Grey Wagtail and a Sparrowhawk circling high
above Ramsgate town centre. I stood, looking across towards the Harbour
Lights Cafe, hoping to get a few pics of the gulls as they flew out of the
harbour. A Tern flying the opposite way proved to be a 1st winter
Common and I found a second, along with 2 Sandwich Terns, as I
scanned around the outer harbour. Walking back to the central sluice &
Marina entrance, I was happy to locate an adult Guillemot in the
Inner Harbour, although the recent reports of starving auks all along the
East Coast is only made more clear when you find one on your doorstep!
Looking back out into the outer harbour, I discovered a juv Red-throated
Diver, then, after getting a few record images, I stumbled across a
superb 1st yr Arctic Tern, fishing around the moored boats behind
the Lifeboat Station. A Kingfisher called as I walked towards the
Casino and several flocks of Oystercatchers flew south as I walked
along the seawall in the rapidly fading light. (Dylan)
Wednesday 18th October 2006 Margate Cemetery
Some Wryneck photo's taken on the 11th October
2006 at Margate Cemetery and Late News.
Link to new Wryneck
Photo's
Tuesday
17th October 2006 Margate Cemetery
A 2nd Winter Mediterranean Gull was found heading over the garden
of rest at 2:30pm, with a slight movement of 30 Chaffinches, 30 Redwings
and a single Brambling. Warblers today were non-existent with only
a single Chiffchaff, but 1 Siskin and 2 Sparrowhawks
showed in the cemetery. (Steve Tomlinson & Dave Gilbert)
Sunday 15th October 2006 Margate Cemetery
Highlights today included 2 Little Egrets heading East at 5:00pm,
with a total of 36 Siskin moving through during the morning. 2 Brambling
and 10 Redwing were also noted. (Steve Tomlinson)
Friday 13th October 2006 Margate Cemetery
A nice little movement today with a Tree Sparrow heading East early
morning, and 2 Brambling in the Crematorium. Others of note
included 3 Grey Wagtails all north, 3 Siskin, 1 Stonechat,
1 Lesser Whitethroat and 4 Redwing. 1 Curlew was
found feeding in the paddocks and a Reed Bunting in nearby fields.
At least 2,500 Starlings were moving through as was 10 Meadow
Pipits, 15 Skylarks, 5 Pied Wagtails and 3 Sparrowhawks.
6 Goldcrest, 3 Chiffchaffs and 7 Blackcaps showed
near the main entrance. (Steve Tomlinson)
Tuesday
17th October 2006 Fields Dumpton Thanet
This
afternoon at 16-45hrs a small flock of 7 Pied Wagtails and 2 White
wagtails landed in the field behind my house the Starling
numbers out in the field are about 250+ with150 Black Headed Gulls,
180+Carion Crows, 5 Jackdaws and 4 Mistle Thrushes. (Gadget)
Tuesday
17th October 2006 Dumpton Thanet
Good
numbers of Starlings in and around the garden this morning, the
fatballs were taking a hammering, other birds in the garden Greenfinches,
Blue Tits, Great Tits, Robin, Dunnocks, house Sparrows with Blackbirds,
Song Thrushes, numbers up within the past two days and Collard
Doves and Woodpigeons gathering over in the fields,
(Gadget)
Monday
16th October 2006 Minster marsh
OF NOTE, 3 Swallows, 6 Goldcrest, 4 Fieldfare, 12 Redwing,
Little Owl and the Mistle Thrush flock has grown to 32.
(Ashley Powell)
Monday 16th October 2006 Minnis Bay
Ian Harding and I spent the morning standing by the seawall at the
stables at
Minnis
Bay
. Sightings included 3 Black-throated Divers, 1 Red-throated
Diver, 6 Wigeon, 3 Gadwall, 5 Shoveler, 5 Eider,
24 Common Scoter, 30 Gannets, 3 Little Egrets, 2 Sparrowhawks,
1 Common Buzzard, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 1 Pomarine Skua,
1 Arctic Skua, 1 Bonxie, 5 Little Gulls, 1 Ring
Ouzel in off the sea, 1 Fieldfare, 4 Redwings, 1 Siskin,
1 Brambling and 20 Corn Buntings. (Tim Hodge)
Sunday
15th October 2006 Pegwell Bay
I went down for the late afternoon tide - it was cold and quite boring.
Especially annoying were the 2 berks flying around over the mud on two
Hovercrafts. Bird wise - 720 Golden Plover, 250 Lapwing, 70 Brent,
200
Wigeon, 100 Mallard, 30 Teal, 1 Pintail, 20 Little
Egret, 1080 Great Black-backed Gull, 1 Merlin etc showed
up plus I heard a Spotted Redshank in amongst all the Hovercraft
commotion and a few flocks of Redwing flew s/east just before we left.
(Phil M)
Saturday 14th October 2006 North Foreland
At
North Foreland this morning 3 Great Skuas south, overhead a few Siskin
and Meadow Pipits. One Stonechat and a Firecrest and
a trickle of Song Thrushes.
(Simon
M)
Saturday 14th October 2006 Minnis Bay
I did a couple of seawatches totaling two and a half hours this morning.
During the second session Ian Harding and I had a fantastic view of a Balearic
Shearwater as it passed by close inshore, going east. Other bits
included 3 Bonxies E and 1 W, 152 Gannets E, 4 Red-throated
Divers E and 1 sitting offshore, 2 Razorbills, 2 Kittiwakes
E, 65 Common Scoter E, 6 Sandwich Terns E, 1 Peregrine,
2 Greenshanks, 2 Siskin and 75 Brent Geese W. (Tim
Hodge)
Saturday
14th October 2006 Pegwell Bay
Another disappointing session. I checked the entire area between the
clifftop and the Hoverport - a few Thrushes over at first light
then as the morning developed the odd Finch (a few Brambling, Redpoll,
Siskin) 1 Grey Wagtail, 3 Tree Sparrow etc followed
suit. Dave found a Bullfinch and a Woodcock but the only
grounded things I could find were about 20 - 30 Meadow Pipit, 12 Rock
Pipit, 8+ Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap and a late Pied
Flycatcher. In the Bay there were 60 Brent, 15+ Little Egret,
100 Lapwing and 3-400 Grey Plover. Absolute rubbish given
the almost perfect looking conditions. On returning home a flock of c20 Siskin
flew north over my garden. (Phil M)
Friday 13th October 2006 Minnis Bay
I stood by the sea wall at the Stables from 0700-1130 this morning, Bits
included 1 juvenile Pomarine Skua E, 2 Bonxies W, 21 Little
Gulls (4 W and 17 SW inland), 1 Ruff W, 1 Greenshank W,
1 Brambling W, 120 Reed Buntings (60 W plus 60 present), 8 Grey
Wagtails W, 6 Rock Pipits, 80 Brent Geese, 18 C Scoter,
6 Eider (usual 5 plus a drake W), 1 Red-throated Diver, 130 Skylarks
W, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Sparrowhawks, 2 Stonechats, 1 Bar-tailed
Godwit, 3 Snipe, 1 Kingfisher, 20 Gannets, 1 Yellowhammer
and 1 Sandwich Tern. (Tim Hodge)
Friday 13th October 2006 Margate Cemetery records
(Late
News)
Thursday
12th October 2006 Margate Cemetery records
No sign of the Wryneck today and generally a lot more quieter, the
main point of interest was a good total of 8 Grey Herons heading
south at 9.40am with at least 2 Brambling and 4 Redwings in
the cemetery, and a single Grey Wagtail by the cement works.
Warblers today included 7 Chiffchaffs and 2 Blackcaps and 13
Pied Wagtails in the paddocks.1 Swallow was noted and 200 Black
Headed Gulls around nearby fields. (Steve Tomlinson)
Wednesday
11th October 2006 Margate Cemetery records
Out of all previous records over the years for Wryneck in Margate
Cemetery this individual a record 4th different bird this autumn was
certainly the best showing. At 12.10pm I flushed the bird from an
area of long grass under some bramble, unfortunately at this time the
weather was not good and for the next 25 minutes I proceeded to watch the
bird on and off in heavy rain. At 12.35pm, both the Wryneck and
I disappeared to get some welcomed shelter as the weather got gradually
worse. Knowing the bird was not going anywhere I waited until the weather
cleared before resuming my search and at 1.40pm the bird was relocated in
the same area flying from bramble onto a nearby footpath showing extremely
well feeding on a large ants nest. Unbelievably it was no more than
8ft away thinking that any minute it is clearly going to be disturbed but
not the case as it tolerated my presence for an hour and 20 minutes
staying in exactly the same location feeling on the local ants. If
this wasn't enough of a view the bird actually got closer for 10 minutes
feeding a mere 5 ft from my feet. At 3pm the bird eventually
disappeared under a hedgerow. Certainly an unforgettable experience
to be that close and especially for that long. Also toady a Little
Egret headed East at 1.50pm with a juvenile Redstart and Whinchat
in the paddocks. Late autumn visitors included 1 Brambling
and 10 Redwings, with 4 Swallows East late on. Of
interest 6 Green Woodpeckers were noted in the garden of rest.
(Steve Tomlinson)
Friday 13th October 2006 Pegwell Bay
Afternoon
I went back down in the early afternoon to watch the incoming tide. The
weather was glorious - better than the birding anyway. I took a few counts
which were as follows: 1 Little Grebe (garage pool), 108 Brent,
24 Shelduck, 130 Mallard, 310 Wigeon, 6 Gadwall,
1 Pintail, 12 Teal, 780 Golden Plover, c800 Lapwing,
870 Oystercatcher, 385 Curlew, 90 Dunlin, 2 Black-tailed
Godwit, 28 Little Egret, 3 Sandwich Tern and a juvenile Marsh
Harrier amongst other bits and pieces. (Phil M)
Friday 13th October 2006 King George VI Park
& Synagogue
A misty dawn gave way to a gloriously sunny morning. I started the day in
the garden, counting over flying migrants, as I emptied the moth-trap. 2 Grey
Wagtail, 13 Song Thrush, 2 Redwing, 17 Meadow Pipit
and a Grey Heron were recorded between 06.50 & 07.15hrs, all
birds headed SW. I then went for a walk over to King George VI Park where
there has been a complete clear out of birds. Absolutely no migrants to be
seen or heard, unless you get a kick out of Robins - there were 40+
birds "ticking" from the various areas of thick vegetation
around the park. I then went over to the Synagogue, encountering a rather
smart Black Redstart in a Winterstoke Crescent garden as I passed.
I should have known better, another complete waste of effort. I had
planned to continue on to Ramsgate Cemetery, but gave it up as a bad
idea. If I had noticed the date, before I left, I could have probably have
predicted the outcome! (Dylan)
Friday
13th October 2006 Pegwell Bay Morning
Very quiet this morning. Only 4 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 5 Rock
Pipit, 30 - 40 Meadow Pipit and a Wheatear grounded plus
overhead a handful of Song
Thrushes, Blackbirds and Redwing also 3 Grey Wagtail, 20
Alba Wagtail, 2 Swallow, 4 Siskin, 30 Goldfinch,
30 Meadow Pipit and 40 Skylark. There were 45 Brent
out on the mud in the Bay. (Phil M)
Thursday 12th October 2006 Pegwell Bay
A few new arrivals today - Dave Beadle saw 3 Ring Ouzels on the
clifftop this morning - plus overhead a Brambling, 280 Song
Thrush and 14 Redwing. Otherwise it was very quiet by the
sounds of it. I popped down for the incoming tide in the afternoon where
there was an increase in Lapwing and Wildfowl plus a couple of Little
Stint and a 1st winter Yellow-legged Gull. The bird counts
turned up: 12 Cormorant, 3 Grey Heron, 21 Little Egret,
1 Gannet (south), 258 Brent, 31 Shelduck, 190 Wigeon,
8 Pintail, 13 Gadwall, 17 Teal, 40 Mallard, 1 Peregrine,
3 Sandwich Tern, 275 Curlew, 570 Oystercatcher, 32 Snipe,
28 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Ringed
Plover, 80 Grey Plover, 400+ Golden Plover, 1000+ Lapwing,
300 Dunlin, 22 Sanderling, 15 Knot, 4 Greenshank
and 1 Peregrine. (Phil M)
Thursday 12th October 2006 Ramsgate to Broadstairs
I cycled along the cliff top from Ramsgate to
Broadstairs and back between 1.30 and 2.30pm. There was a Firecrest
by the middle copse in King George VI park and 5 Eider plus 3 Brent
on the sea close in at Dumpton Gap. Off shore a further 19 Brent
flew South and 4 Sandwich Terns headed North. What a lovely
afternoon to be out and about. (Nick Lever)
Thursday 12th October 2006 King George VI Park
The news of Yellow-browed Warblers at Reculver was enough to
see me spending time scouring the sycamores and hedges around KG VI Park
this morning. Although I failed to locate any Yellow-broweds, it
wasn't a wasted journey. Chiffchaffs (30+) were in all the
likely spots, often associating with the wandering flocks of Blue,
Great & Long-tailed Tits. 2m & 1f Blackcap were in the
hedge on the northern boundary, whilst I found 2 Firecrest on the
clifftop, with another (possibly 2) in the sycamores behind the cafe. 15 Goldfinch
and 6 Skylark passed overhead with a male Sparrowhawk
soaring over the tennis courts as I made my way back home. A few Redwings
were passing overhead, as were Meadow Pipits, although numbers of
each would have barely made double figures. Song Thrush
numbers are up, with several small groups flushed from the clifftop
bushes. Easterlies promised for tomorrow - let's hope it's enough to
kick-start the autumn. (Dylan)
Thursday 12th October 2006 Duncan Rd & Ellington Park
A passage of Song Thrushes this morning.
I stood in the garden in Duncan Rd between 7.10 and 7.40 during which time
I counted 226 Thrushes flying SW. The majority were Song Thrushes
with only about 10 Redwing and 1 Blackbird. Also 5 Chaffinches
and 1 Meadow Pipit. I then went up to Ellington Park at 7.50 and
immediately saw a Treecreeper exactly where P M Charlton described
in yesterday's sighting. I spent 10 minutes watching it but only saw
the one. The park was full of Song Thrushes but I didn't have
time to estimate numbers. (Nick Lever)
Wednesday 11th October 2006 Ellington
Park Ramsgate
Four Treecreeper’s (and I suspect there are more)
found in Ellington Park Ramsgate at 14.00 today (Wed 11.10.06) amongst the
group of Maple trees by the small model railway, also there is a large
group of Chaffinches, amongst the same trees. (P M
Charlton)
Wednesday 11th October 2006 Minnis
Bay & Reculver
Quite a few birds arriving today, but the birding was interrupted by the
rain and various taxi duties. At Minnis Bay I has a Short-eared Owl
in off the sea, a flock of 23 Grey Herons flying W offshore, 340 Brent
Geese arriving from the NE and congregating around Coldharbour, 35 Skylarks
W, 230 Chaffinches W, 1 Wheatear, 1 Stonechat, 3 Chiffchaffs,
10 Sandwich Terns, 26 Gannets E, 48 Common Scoter E,
1 Common Tern, 29 Teal W, 18 Wigeon W, 1 adult Mediterranean
Gull, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 House
Martins and 4 Grey Wagtails W. Derek Smith found a Yellow-browed
Warbler in the caravan park at Reculver, plus there were 5 Wheatears,
a Black Redstart, 1 Green Sandpiper and a Razorbill
there, plus quite a few Redwings and Stonechats. (Tim Hodge)
Wednesday
11th October 2006 Pegwell Bay
A little bit more vismig this morning but once again very little on the
grounded migrant front with only 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Wheatear,
1 Rock Pipit and a scattering of Meadow Pipits and Skylarks
on the area between the Hoverport and the clifftop. Overhead - 50+ Song
Thrush, 25 Redwing, 30 Linnet, 25 Chaffinch, 12 Goldfinch,
1 Redpoll, 4 Siskin, 20 Meadow Pipit and 30 Skylarks
plus from the clifftop we saw an adult Mediterranean Gull, 30+ Brent,
50+ Wigeon and about 15 Teal. (Phil M)
Tuesday 10th October 2006 King George VI Park
Thanet
I
spent an hour in the park this morning but recorded just 5 Goldcrest
and 4 Chiffchaff. Also, heard flying over, were 1 each of Meadow
Pipit and Skylark plus 2 Siskin. (Nick Lever)
Monday 9th
October 2006 Photos Update
Photographs of Wryneck from Margate
Cemetery 20th September 2006 & 26th of September 2006. (Steve
Tomlinson)
Monday 9th
October 2006 Nethercourt Park Thanet
I managed a couple of short
trips down the hill where I live to Nethercourt Touring Park over the
weekend. 2 Chiffchaffs, my first Goldcrest and Redwing
of the autumn, plus a Sparrowhawk soaring over. (Scott)
Sunday 8th October 2006 Palm Bay to North
Foreland & back
This excruciatingly boring autumn continues and, for the second Sunday in
a row, I spent the majority of my morning sifting through the gulls along
the coast. At first light I parked my car opposite Palm Bay Primary
School, but was far from alone - there was a huge Boot Fair on the
adjacent playing field and cars were queuing for as far as I could see
back towards Margate! As the gloom brightened I became aware of large
numbers of House Martins feeding along the cliff-top with other
flocks passing directly SW overhead, at considerable height. My rough
estimates gave a figure of c1700 in little more than 20 minutes, but it
soon fizzled out and I had to content myself with a marauding Sparrowhawk,
a few coasting flocks of Linnet & Goldfinch and a
trickle of Meadow Pipits arriving in/off. The first, of four, Chiffchaff
was in the hedge by the Captain Digby and I found my first Goldcrest
of the autumn, when 2 appeared in the Holme Oaks at the end of Convent
Road. I continued on to Elmwood Avenue and Joss Bay seeing nothing
more exciting than a pair of Jays and a Song Thrush! My walk
back was a very leisurely affair, 3 Sandwich Terns were watched
fishing off of Whiteness, whilst a scan through the birds below Foreness
pumping station revealed several groups of Pied Wagtails, Meadow
and Rock Pipits plus a bonus 1st yr Yellow Wagtail. The
gulls assembled by the ski-club slipway contained 8 Mediterranean Gulls
(3x Ad w, 3x 2nd w & 2x 1st w), I found a lone Wheatear on the
beach by the Jet-ski cafe and a small flock of Swallows were
feeding in the lea of the cliffs as I prepared to leave. That's yer lot!
(Dylan)
Sunday
8th October 2006 Minnis Thanet
I spent a few hours at the Stables at Plum Pudding this morning, but it
was all rather quiet. A few bits included 1 Little Owl, 1 Razorbill,
1 Red-throated Diver, 1 Arctic Skua, 12 Common Terns,
10 Sandwich Terns, 1 Guillemot, 5 Eider, 1 Shelduck,
8 Gannets, 28 Corn Buntings, 3 Marsh Harriers,
1 Merlin, 2 Sparrowhawks, 9 Golden Plovers W,
1 Snipe W, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 2 Great Spotted
Woodpeckers, 19 Skylarks NW, 140 Lapwings, 5 Grey
Wagtails W, 60 Reed Buntings, 70 Meadow Pipits W and 1
Siskin W. (Tim Hodge)
Thursday 5th October 2006 King George VI
Park & R/gate Cemetery
I cycled up to King George VI Park this morning after
the school run. A Wheatear on the East Cliff was a good sign
but the park was fairly quiet. There were about 200 House Martins
and 10 Swallows feeding overhead and a few Meadow Pipits
were heard flying over. I counted about 15 Chiffchaffs and 4 Goldcrest
among the resident species. At Dumpton Gap there were another 60 House
Martins. I went on to have a quick look around Ramsgate Cemetery but
it seemed pretty quiet
(Nick Lever)
Thursday 5th October 2006 Oare Marshes KWT
Reserve
After a phone call from a friend, I managed an hour
at Oare marshes this morning, to try and connect with the Long billed
Dowitcher. I managed a few snaps from a distance, but was pleased, as
this was my first sighting of this bird. (Steve Ashton)
Wednesday 4th October 2006 Oare Marshes KWT
Reserve
Frustrated by the lack of migrants around Thanet, news of a Long-billed
Dowitcher at Oare Marshes was enough to see me make the drive across
after my shift ended. The bird was putting on a tremendous show, on the
new West Scrape, but the bright afternoon sunshine and the stiff breeze
meant that conditions were far from perfect for digi-scoping. I did manage
to record a few record shots of this smart bird as it actively fed around
the pool, often venturing into open water where it was completely at ease
swimming. The East Flood had a nice flock of 13 Little Stints
feeding in the margins close to the road, so I managed to get a few nice
images of these diminutive waders. There was also a nice group of Golden
Plover roosting on the mud and several Ruff, including a Dutch
C-R bird, were feeding close to the road. I only stayed for 90 minutes,
but my drive home was enlivened by the sighting of a Hobby, hunting
overhead, as I got some petrol at the Shell garage in Faversham.
(Dylan)
Wednesday 4th October 2006 Garden in
Birchington Thanet
Pied Flycatcher still in our Garden today (Bob Hinge)
Wednesday 4th October 2006 Margate Cemetery
Bird records for Margate Cemetery (Late News)
Tuesday 3rd October 2006 Margate Cemetery
My 5th record here of Little Egret north over the allotments at
11.15am and a nice total of 23 Blackcaps and 23 Chiffchaffs.
A spotted Flycatcher was noted late on. (Steve Tomlinson)
Monday 2nd October 2006 Margate Cemetery
1 Yellow Wagtail was in the paddocks with only a small passage of
20 House Martins and 2 Swallows. 5 Blackcaps
and 3 Chiffchaffs were also recorded. (Steve Tomlinson)
Thursday 28th September 2006 Margate Cemetery
1 Brambling was heard calling over the garden of rest early morning
with a total of 22 Blackcaps around the cemetery. Another
good movement of Swallows and House Martins with at least
5,000 recorded for each. Other birds of note include a single Wheatear
in the paddocks. (Steve Tomlinson)
Wednesday 27th September 2006 Margate
Cemetery
No sign of the Wryneck today but an excellent movement of at least
10,000 Swallows and 10,000 House Martins. A total of
17 Blackcaps were noted, with 2 Wheatears and 33 Meadow
Pipits in the horse paddocks. (Steve Tomlinson)
Tuesday 26th September 2006 Margate Cemetery
A Wryneck was showing well on and off for its third day, this is
the 3rd different bird recorded here this month, considering it has been
so dead in other places in Kent this is pretty remarkable. Also
today was 1 Tree Pipit, Spotted Flycatcher, Whinchat, Lesser
Whitethroat and 7 Blackcaps. (Steve Tomlinson)
Tuesday
3rd October 2006 North Foreland
An arrival of Chiffchaffs at North Foreland
this morning with 12 present close to the clifftop.
(Simon Mount)
Tuesday
3rd October 2006 Dumpton Thanet
Chiffchaff
in my garden in and out of the trees taking fly's (Gadget)
Tuesday
3rd October 2006 Birchington Thanet
A Pied Flycatcher in the Garden - it was first seen on Saturday
30th, then again yesterday and today. Looks like a winter-plumage male.
Performing well, sometimes from tree, more often from the beanpoles. Quite
confiding had a bath on the patio while we were lunching there today. (Bob
H)
Monday 2nd October 2006 Dumpton Thanet
Surely we can't still have a hosepipe ban? An early shift, combined
with torrential rain for most of the afternoon, meant that my birding
opportunities were very restricted. A Firecrest was in the tangled
vegetation of the garden hedgerow, at the north end of Vine Close, as I
walked home along the footpath from Pyson's Road. Bit of a gripper; I
still need it for my garden list! (Dylan)
Sunday 1st October 2006 Oare Marsh
Straying from my local patch at Grove Ferry, a friend and i
had a morning at the Oare marsh site. It made a welcome change to count 18
different waders in 1 session. Birds noted were as follows, in no
particular order, 7 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Herons, 3 Green
Sandpipers, 6 Grey Plovers, numerous Curlew, Redshank and
Lapwings. Also noted were 8 Little Stints, 1 Curlew
Sandpiper, 14 Golden Plover, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 80 + Black-tailed
Godwits, 3 Oystercatchers, 4 Common Snipe, 2 Knots,
12 Dunlin, 5 Avocets, and several Ruff. Also noted
were 5 Meadow Pipits, 6 + Reed Buntings, 5 Pied Wagtails,
1 Kingfisher and 2 Kestrels. There were fair numbers of
Swallows overhead, and a flock of at least 40 Common Terns
early on in the swale estuary. A thoroughly enjoyable morning, made better
by the closeness of the birds, due to high water, which was more luck than
judgment on our part. (Steve Ashton & Jim Johnson)
Sunday 1st October 2006 Ash Levels
Took a leisurely, if not breezy, walk around my usual
Patch from Ash to Goldstone between 10:30 & 1 today - fortunately
missing the frequent showers! Whilst very little of note, did see approx
100 Swallows in a ploughed field along Cop St, & a good number
of these birds were actually on the ground. I thought they may be taking a
dust bath but did not see any
evidence of it. Heading toward Lower Goldstone a long line of 70 Collared
Doves were perched on telegraph wires - an unusual sight. Heading
back towards home at Brooke St. a fast moving raptor shot across in front
of us & this proved to be a Peregrine. It darted over a line of
trees & then reappeared with its quarry in its talons. Unfortunately
it
decided to strip its hapless victim on a fence post some distance away
from us - if only I had my scope with me! A couple of male Kestrels
also entered the arena & engaged in a half hearted bout of ariel
combat before disappearing from view, enabling us to watch the Peregrine
for a little longer before we moved on. (Ben Ring)
Sunday 1st October 2006 Foreness Point to Palm
Bay
I went over to the Foreness area in the hope of finding the Canadian C-R Turnstone
that had been present last autumn. I failed to find it, but I did have
a very enjoyable session none the less. The first bird of note was a
Norwegian C-R Great Black-backed Gull amidst the flock out on
the rocks below the pumping station. Plenty of Herring and Lesser
Black-backs present with a few Black-headed and Common Gulls
in a separate flock closer to the shoreline. Swallows and House
Martins were quite numerous along the cliffs, although they seemed
intent on feeding rather than any movement through the area. I checked all
the gull and wader flocks as I walked towards Palm Bay finding 6
Mediterranean Gulls (2x 1st w, 1x 2nd w & 3x ad w) none of
which were colour ringed! A few Sanderling and Ringed Plover
were noted as I casually made my way along the beach and I got some nice
views of Sandwich Terns as they rested amongst the smaller gulls
near to Palm Bay. (Dylan)
