Friday 30th April 2004 R/gate
Cemetery/Synagogue/K/George VI Park.
Started up the Cemetery around midday, soon after the
rain had stopped. The only new arrivals hear where 2 Willow
Warblers singing along the north side of the central wall, apart from
that nothing else hear. So on to the synagogue in the hope of a rain
battered migrant, but little to suggest this with just 2 Chiffchaff,
2 Blackcaps and a small mob of Long-tailed Tits. The
final stop of the tour, King George VI Park produced 6 Chiffchaff,
single Blackcap, Green Woodpecker and the usual decibels
from the Parakeets. (Craig)
Friday 30th April 2004 Stodmarsh NNR
We had to meet with David Feast in Stodmarsh NNR
carpark, so used the trip to have a quick walk around to the Alder Wood
and along the track towards the Marsh Hide. A Sparrowhawk was
soaring overhead and there seems to have been a significant arrival of Garden
Warblers, with three singing around the carpark. Plenty of Blackcap,
Common Whitethroat and Chiffchaff to be seen and
heard around the woodland. Snippets of Nightingale song came from a
tangle of dense cover and Cetti's Warblers were vocal in many
places. We attempted to locate the Yellow-browed Warbler but failed
miserably! A ring-tailed Hen Harrier was hunting the field
alongside the entrance track and would be a real bonus bird if it hangs
around until tomorrow! Plenty of Reed And Sedge Warblers
back in their reedbed breeding
habitat.
(Gadget & Dylan)
Thursday 29th April 2004 Ramsgate Cemetery
I went to the cemetery as the second band of rain
finished. Stupidly I thought that there might be a chance of a grounded
migrant, or two! All I could find were 2 singing Chiffchaff
and 3 Blackcap. There was much activity amongst the resident
species with 2 male Green Woodpeckers "Yaffling"
for territorial dominance. 200+ Woodpigeons were loafing in the
tree tops and Magpie numbers appeared to be very high. I counted at
least 17 birds in the area. Jays, Blue & Great Tits, Robins,
Dunnock, Blackbirds, Mistle & Song Thrushes, Wrens and Greenfinches
all seem to be present in good numbers and their songs filled the air
as I walked around. Very enjoyable despite the overcast skies! (Dylan)
Thursday 29th April 2004 Pegwell Bay
Just to check out the birds for my May 1st
extravaganza, I was pleased to find reasonable numbers of waders still
present on the mud. I didn't make any accurate counts but there were good
numbers of Bar-tailed Godwit, Dunlin and Ringed
Plover around the bay, with lesser numbers of Grey Plover (some
in full summer plumage), Curlew, Redshank, Oystercatcher and
7 Knot. The bushes were full of warblers. Whitethroats
and Sedge Warblers most numerous but, Blackcap and Lesser
Whitethroat were also noted. 6 Wheatears along the rocks in
front of the hide were a mixture of nominate and "Greenland" and
a few Swallows headed north into the drizzle. Didn't learn much
that I wasn't already aware of but it was good to see so many waders on
the mud! (Dylan)
Thursday 29th April 2004 North Foreland and
Foreness Point
I went over to North Foreland and Foreness Point this morning. Despite
the abysmal conditions, there were a few bits around to make it worth the
effort. At North Foreland a handful of Swallows battled gamely on
into the wind and drizzle, while there were a few Gannets passing
off shore. 3 "Greenland" Wheatear, 2 Ring Ouzel, a
rather bedraggled Willow Warbler and a pair of Grey Partridge
were in the "triangle" on the golf course. The star bird,
however, was a female Crossbill. It allowed me to set up the scope,
while remaining in full view atop a small fir tree, before flying
off north as I attached the camera. I'm bloody sure it poked it's tongue
out as it departed! The pitch & putt at Foreness had a splendid
male Whinchat and a further 12 "Greenland" Wheatear
and there were 5 Purple Sandpipers amongst the Turnstones at
the roost site below the pumping station. (Dylan)
Wednesday 28th April 2004 Broadstairs Garden
Heard a lesser whitethroat calling in a garden at
Broadstairs end of Salisbury Avenue at 12:30 pm today. (Marianne Harper)
Wednesday 28th April 2004 Stodmarsh NNR(16:45-18:30hrs)
Quick trip over to Stodmarsh late this afternoon
produced 30+ Swift over the main lake, 2 Common Whitethroat,
3 Chiffchaff, 2 Cettis,2 male Blackcap, m & f Bullfinch,
10 Common Tern, Swallow & House Martin in
single figs, and a Cuckoo. Heard plenty of other warblers,
including Reed & Sedge Warbler, and a very elusive Nightingale
near the Reedbed hide. Spotted a fem and male Marsh Harrier
hunting independently. Also had a report of several Hobby mid way
between Stodmarsh & Grove Ferry end ,together with a Greenshank .
(Ben Ring)
Wednesday 28th April 2004 Grove Ferry
Called in at Grove on my way home. The weather had
been grotty in Ashford but, as the afternoon progressed, brightened
up. I stopped in the hope of a Hobby or two. The reality was
three over the Grove Ferry end and a further FOURTEEN over the Lampern
Wall. Nice work if you can get it!!. Plenty of Sand Martins hawking
over the reedbeds, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Ruff, 2 Dunlin and a
female Marsh Harrier from the ramp, with a pair of Garganey seen
later. It was quite interesting to note the passage of adult Lesser
Black-backed Gulls headed north and the occasional flurry of Common
Swifts drifting west. Migration in the raw; not quite the spectacle of
the Serengeti, but impressive, non the less! (Dylan)
Wednesday 28th April 2004 Dumpton Cricket
ground 8.15am
The first migrating raptor seen this spring over my
house at Dumpton Cricket ground was a rather tatty female Marsh Harrier
this morning at 8.15am (R Boulden)
Wednesday 28th April 2004 Ramsgate Cemetery
07.50-09.00
After early morning rain and overnight rumbles
of thunder, decided to pop up the cemetery and see if anything mite of
dropped in. One or two bits was my answer with a singing Firecrest near
the east entrance, a singing Willow Warbler in the northeast
corner, a rattling Lesser Whitethroat along the central wall
and good numbers of Blackcaps with c10 present and a single Chiffchaff.
A quick scan over Ramsgate from the east side produced the first 5 Common
Swifts and a single House Martin of the year for me at
this site. They have been around my house since yesterday, but this
morning numbers where up to c10 House Martins and 6 Common
Swifts, summer is hear! (Craig)
Tuesday
27th April 2004
Grove Ferry / Stodmarsh circuit
Had a quick walk around the Grove Ferry/Stodmarsh
circuit, about 2 1/2 hours. There has been a big influx of Common Swift
and Sand Martin, with both species present in good numbers. I saw 5
Garganey (4 m & 1 f), 2 Ruff, 2 Little Ringed Plover,
4 Dunlin, 2 Cuckoo, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Kingfisher
and 1 Greenshank (my first of the year!) Plenty of the common
migrants around the reserve, at least 3 Nightingales back on
territory, so a very nice way to spend a couple of hours. (Dylan)
Tuesday
27th April 2004 Ramsgate Cemetery
Had
a quick look around the Cemetery this afternoon, there seem to be good
numbers of Blackbirds, Magpies,
Woodpigeons, Collard Dove, Crows, scattered throughout the cemetery. I also recorded 3 male Blackcap,
on the eastern side, with 5 Great
Tits, 3 Blue Tits & 2 Robin.
As I walked back towards the car, I had, 2 Green
Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted
Woodpecker, 5 Parakeets, 2 Mistle Thrushes, and 2 Chiffchaff,
(Gadget)
Monday 26th
April 2004 Ash
Absolute chaos at the soup-mine this morning, so I ended
up walking the Ash Levels (how bad is that?) The weather was glorious and
the birding matched it. 56 species logged in a couple of hours, bodes well
for the "Big Day" effort on 1st May. All the usual summer
migrants are back on territories except I couldn't find a Garden
Warbler. Common Whitethroat, Blackcap and Chiffchaff
are very numerous, but the hirundines are still a little thin on the
ground. Highlights today included 3 Cuckoo, 3 Turtle Dove, 5
Lesser Whitethroat, 40+ Yellow Wagtail, 2 Green Sandpiper,
1 Common Snipe, 2 prs of Shelduck and plenty of Reed
& Sedge Warblers along the dykes. Despite the perfect conditions,
I didn't see a single raptor! Really looking forward to the 1st May,
it promises to be very interesting; with quite a few species unavailable,
yet the potential for plenty of surprises. (Dylan)
Monday 26th
April 2004 Shuart Farm track to the
coast
I had a slow walk down the track from the farm
to the coast, and back again, There were plenty of birds to be seen
with 9 Chiffchaff,
7 Blackcap, 9 Common Whitethroat,16 Sedge Warbler,
3 Yellow Wagtail, 7 Swallow and 2 Wheatear. 23
Linnets,1 Willow
Warbler, 3 Greenfinches, 7 Chaffinches,
5 Great Tits, 3 Blue Tits, 5 Long-tailed Tits,
5 Skylarks, 7 Reed Buntings,
3 Song Thrushes, 1 Marsh
Harrier, 7 Grey Partridge, 5 Pheasants. (Gadget)
Monday 26th
April 2004 Clifftop - Pegwell Bay C /Park 07.05 to 11.15hrs
Started on the top fields down to the sunken garden, along the clifftop
to the hoverpad and then on to Pegwell Bay. Still a trickle of finches
passing over head, with the highlight being a Serin calling
three time's but my eye's being unable to connect at 07- 40hrs also 32 Linnet
and 9 Goldfinch, other fly-over were 19 Swallow, 4 Sand
Martin, 3 House Martin, 6 Common Swift, 2 Grey Heron,
5 Yellow Wagtail and 2 Meadow Pipit. On the land a
few Blackcaps and Chiffchaff's back on territory as are good
numbers of Common Whitethroat, 9 Sedge Warbler, my
first Reed Warbler and 5 Lesser Whitethroat of the
year, 3 pairs of Grey Partridge, 1 Wheatear, 2 Sparrowhawks
and a Peregrine on Richborough Power Station. (Craig)
Sunday
25th April Ash Levels
A late
start for a trip around The Patch from 11:55am – 2:30pm on a lovely
bright day with hazy sunshine and temp of approx 140C.Migrants certainly
seemed to be the order of the day as we saw our first House Martins
and Common Whitethroats of the year. Also heard our
first Cuckoo in the Sandhills Farm area but could not locate. Noted
5 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Common Whitethroat, a male &
female Blackcap, 2 Yellowhammers, approx 20 each of House
Martin & Swallow, & a Chiffchaff (showing
extremely well and close up, despite all the blossom now on the trees). A
pair of male Kestrels briefly ‘battled’ for supremacy of the
skies. 37 Species seen. (Ben
Ring)
Sunday 25th April 2004 Monks' Wall NR 07-30 to 09-30hrs
As I walked down the track, towards the hide, a Sparrowhawk
glided overhead towards Stonar Lake. Its’ presence brought my attention
to the amount of birds that were along the hedgerows. 3 Blackcaps
(2 males and a female), 5 Whitethroats,
2 Wren, 7 Linnets, 5 Greenfinches,
7 Goldfinches, 2 Great
Tits & 14 Blackbirds.
Once in the hide, I notice that water levels had receded. Birds observed
were 6 Shelduck, 2 Greylag,
1 Canada Goose, 4 Teal, 3 Cormorants,
waders consisted of 4 Snipe, 2 Redshank, 14 Lapwing, 2 Little
Ringed Plover, a very pleasant walk back to the car in the warming
sunshine and the sound of wonderful bird songs. (Gadget)
Sunday 25th April 2004 North Foreland 06-00 to 07-00hrs
A run over to North Foreland this morning found 2 Wheatear
on the golf course with 22 Woodpigeons,
and 11 Linnets in the tops of
the bushes along Elmwood Avenue. Blackbirds,
Song Thrushes, Blue Tits & Great Tits,
also present. Arriving at the pump house I found 14 more Linnets, on the ground, with
1 Ringed Plover, 1 Jay,
9 Goldfinch & 11 Meadow
Pipits (Gadget)
Saturday 24th April 2004 Lesser Spotted
Woodpecker
Had to attend the soup-mine overnight so, not wishing
to waste the opportunity, I called in at a small woodland site after
receiving news of a drumming Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. My
information was spot on and I heard the bird drumming almost immediately.
A very difficult bird to get on "Big Days" in recent years, so I
hope that this one has the good manners to remain for another week. My recognizance
over, I headed off to Grove Ferry for a very brief stop. The Ring
Ouzel was performing wonderfully in the paddock and a Spoonbill
was on show, although quite distant, from the ramp. A party of 12 Black-tailed
Godwit flew west and 2 Common Terns were fishing the main pool.
All the other regular species seemed to be present as were many birders
enjoying the weather and the wealth of bird life on display. (Dylan)
Friday 23rd April 2004 Grove Ferry this
evening
Popped over to Grove Ferry this evening for a couple
of hours from 17-30hrs and well worth it. From the Ramp saw 2 Ruff,
1 Yellow Wagtail,1 Little Ringed Plover,2 LBB
Gulls, and numerous Sand Martins, interspersed with the odd Swallow
(Later, on leaving around 19-30hrs, we received a report of 2 Red
Rumped Swallows seen from the Ramp-confirmed on the KOSNET). There
were also a variety of the 'usual' Duck & Geese species.
Moving on, we passed Harrison's Hide and managed to view the 2 Spoonbills
quite clearly on the next lake along that trail. Retracing our steps to
the river we first heard, then saw, a drumming Snipe, which
displayed for several minutes overhead. The lake to our right produced a
fine m & f Garganey and the walk back to the Grove carpark
allowed us a great view of both a hunting male Marsh Harrier and a Peregrine heading
towards Stodmarsh village.
The river end of the paddock by the Ramp produced
a female Ring Ouzel. We also recorded Reed, Sedge, Cetti’s
Warbler song, as well as 2 fleeting Nightingale songs. Cuckoo,
Redstart, & Nightingale were reported as seen from the
Stodmarsh end. A great way to spend a couple of hours on a lovely, sunny Friday
evening with plenty of activity. (Ben Ring
Friday 23rd April 2004 Grove Ferry
Nothing much to report. Frank and I went to Grove,
arriving around 07.50hrs. A Blackcap sang in the carpark and
several Nightingales could heard across on the reserve. No sign of
the Spoonbills today, although they are quite probably hidden
somewhere amidst the dense reedbeds. We had a nice walk seeing 3 Little
Ringed Plover, 3 Ringed Plover, 2 Ruff, several Marsh
Harrier and plenty of Sedge and Reed Warblers. A Cuckoo
and Turtle Dove were heard along the river walk, yet we didn't
manage to see them and the female Ring Ouzel was performing nicely
in the paddock below the ramp. A very pleasant way to spend a couple of
hours. (Dylan)
Thursday 22nd April 2004 Grove Ferry this evening
Went back to Grove Ferry this evening to have another
bash at the Spoonbills. 3 Wheatear were on the meadow
immediately in front of the carpark. A Common Swift was spotted
overhead, feeding amidst a large flock of mixed hirundines, with a
2nd bird seen later. We tried for the Ring Ouzel, failing dismally
but, Gadget did manage a glimpse of the Redstart as compensation. Nightingale
and Cetti's Warbler competed for domination of the air waves with Sedge
and Reed Warblers coming a poor second. 2 Little Ringed
Plover, 6 Yellow Wagtail and 4 Green Sandpiper
were noted from various places around the reserve but, sadly, we didn't
manage to relocate the Spoonbills. A very pleasant evening session
with plenty to look at despite our obvious failure. (Gadget, Dylan
& Frank)
Thursday 22nd April 2004 Ramsgate
Early morning.
I
was rudely awoken at 5.30am by the local breeding Gulls going potty
outside. Somehow I staggered into my jeans and T-shirt, grabbed the bins
and shot out onto the front pavement - to see 200+ large Gulls
going absolutely nuts! For about a minute (not sure - I was a bit bleary
eyed) I couldn't make anything out in amongst the frenzy of Gulls -
then I saw a bird shoot through low in and out of the rooftops across the
road - a dark bird with pointed wings and a pale breast - "what is
it?" I said under my breathe. I had a better glimpse as it flew
through a bigger gap in the houses ... Its a Skua ... It's a flipping
Pom Skua!! A Pomarine Skua at 5.30am over a housing estate -
over half mile inland! Unbelievable! I have had an Arctic Skua fly in off
the sea at Pegwell and head off west high inland - on one occasion - also
one May evening about 7 or 8 years ago another Pom - come straight
into the bay, fly over the Country Park just north of the bird hide -
before changing direction and heading off back out to sea eventually going
north past Ramsgate Harbour. The sea was very misty at first light today
so perhaps this had something to do with it? Anyway - as I was by now
fully awake I decided to go down and do a bit of vismiging off the
Westcliff. There wasn't too much going on first thing so I made my way
down onto the Country Park which was alive with Whitethroats, Sedge
Warblers, Blackcaps etc plus a decent trickle of Hirundines
and Finches going north and west. Just before 8.00am I picked up a
large dark blob flying n/east about half way between Pegwell and Manston
Airport. Through the bins it looked a bit weird (though obviously a Heron
Sp.) so I hurriedly set up the telescope re-found the bird to see a
nice adult type Purple Heron by now half way towards Ramsgate. It
eventually veered off north straight over the town and I last saw it about
8.05ish.(Phil)
Thursday 22nd April 2004 Purple Heron
The day started with a sighting of a Purple Heron
flying north over Pegwell Bay around 08.10hrs. We both attempted to see
the bird from our respective Dumpton gardens, but were unsuccessful.
Thursday 22nd April 2004 Grove Ferry
We arrived at 09.00hrs and were immediately aware of
a Nightingale singing from the dense vegetation along the entrance
track. Whitethroats and Sedge Warblers were also very
numerous and vocal. From the ramp 2 Spoonbills (adult & imm)
were just visible through the reeds on the pool to the left. Ringed
and Little Ringed Plover were on the mud around the main pool and
Mark Heath spotted a distant Turtle Dove. There were plenty
of birds to be seen and heard around the reserve with all the usual
species present in good numbers. Several Snipe were drumming
overhead, with a pair of Garganey, a few newly arrived Reed
Warblers, a calling Cuckoo and female Ring Ouzel
all adding to the spectacle. Two Common Terns were seen arriving
from the east, there were good numbers of hirundines around
the area and a Common Sandpiper was flushed from the river
bank as we walked back to the car. Marsh Harriers were excellent
value as they patrolled the reedbeds in the glorious sunshine. (Dylan
& Gadget)
Thursday 22nd April 2004 Chambers Wall -
Reculver
As we were standing up on the ramp, another birder
informed us that the Woodchat Shrike was still at Chambers Wall.
Gadget hadn't seen one, so we decided to call in on our way back to
Dumpton. We made our way along the track to the railway embankment and
walked left, towards the Towers. The Shrike put on a
tremendous display, perching on rail-side wires and bushes. We both got
some lovely images before leaving the bird. Common migrants were very much
in evidence, with Whitethroats most numerous. A singing Garden
Warbler, by the Fishermen's carpark, was a year tick for us both! All
in all an excellent morning in the field. (Dylan & Gadget)
Wednesday
21st April 2004 Grove Ferry 19.00hrs
Two Spoonbills still at Grove. Viewable from
Harrison’s Drove. Swallows & Sand Martins in good
numbers + a few House Martins. At least four drumming Snipe
(John W)
Tuesday 20th April 2004 Eureka B P
Had to pick up my son from fishing at the Eureka B P
so took the scope and camera for a few shots.
No mega's but managed to see Chiffchaff,
Goldcrest, Grey Wagtail, no picture of these as still to slow
getting camera on scope Linnets, at least 10 Mallards, Coots,
Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Tufted Duck, Reed Bunting, (Pete part time
birder)
Tuesday 20th April 2004 Grove Ferry &
Stodmarsh
Birds included, Nightingale, Cuckoo, many Sedges
and Whitethroats, 15 Fieldfares. (John W)
Tuesday 20th April 2004 Ash Levels
Arrived about 08.30hrs and walked onto the marsh. The
conditions were excellent, with bright sunshine and little wind. I walked
from the top of Goldstone Drove to the Power Station, and beyond!
This is what I recorded. 4 Blackcap, 5 Chiffchaff, 1 Tree
Sparrow (a real bonus!) 7 Common Whitethroat, 2 Sedge
Warbler, 3 Swallow, 5 Fieldfare, 7 Yellow Wagtail,
1 (Female) Wheatear, 1 Common Snipe, 2 Little Egret,
2 Grey Partridge, 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler, 2
Jay, 2 Tufted Duck and 2 House Martin. I had a great
time wandering around on the "Levels". Plenty of birds to look
at but, sadly, nothing out of the ordinary. I saw Sparrowhawk on 4
occasions, but feel sure that there were only 2 birds involved. Plenty of Skylark
and Meadow Pipit around the area but the, "hoped for",
biggie still hasn't materialized! (Dylan)
Tuesday 20th April 2004 Ramsgate Cemetery
8.50-10.30
A cold and frosty start to the day soon made way
to a lovely sunny morning, my walk started with council men cutting the
grass near the entrance, so I made my way to the east side where a Cockatiel
was on one of the path, later it was being harassed by the local
Magpies. As I continued my walk around the Cemetery I observed 2 Blackcap,
1 Chiffchaff, 2 Meadow Pipit, 2 Jackdaw, 9 Linnet, and
3 Goldfinch over head. (Craig)
Monday 19th April 2004 Pegwell Bay Clifftop
07.15-10.00 Late News
Popped
down after work to see what might of dropped in after heavy overnight
rain. A cold start to proceedings, with patchy clouds and a sharp breeze,
giving way to sunshine. My haul, this
morning, was 1 Firecrest,
1 Blackcap, 5 Chiffchaff, 3 Common
Whitethroat, 14 Magpie, 4 Song Thrush, 15 Blackbird &
1 Little Egret. Around the
hoverpad there were 4 Grey
Partridge and 3 Fulmars patrolling
the cliff edge. Continuing along the cliff-top, my first Common
Swift of the year went west, 1 House
Martin north over Cliffsend, 1 Greenshank
north, 6 Swallow, 1 White
Wagtail west, 3 Pied Wagtail,
3 Yellow Wagtail west, 8 Meadow
Pipit, also a steady trickle of finches with c130 Linnets, 46 Goldfinch and
86 Greenfinch. (Craig)
Monday 19th April 2004 Sandwich Bay
I went for a pedal to Sandwich Bay today in
preparation for our May 1st "Big Day" attempt. There are a
few species which needed a back up site, should we fail to locate them
during our efforts. My main quarry were
Corn Bunting and Grey Partridge, both species being
something of a Sandwich specialty and, happily, I had no problem locating
either. Other birds seen included 5 Wheatear, 3 Chiffchaff,
1 Sedge Warbler, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1
Common Whitethroat, 6 Swallow and 3 Sand Martin.
Plenty of Skylarks and Meadow Pipits were performing ritual
song flights around the golf courses and several Lapwings going
through their erratic mix of aerial acrobatics and evocative calls
over the adjoining farmland. Best birds of the day were two beautiful
adult summer Mediterranean Gulls that flew over Royal St.
George's golf course at 09.45hrs. Their nasal calls alerting me, as the
pair made their way steadily north towards Pegwell. (Dylan)
Sunday 18th April 2004 Grove Ferry 17.00 -
18.15hrs
From the ramp I observed 26 Gadwall, 29 Shoveler,
3 Ruddy Duck, the only bird that was a surprise was a Wheatear just
of the ramp a few House martin over head and 2 Marsh harrier.
(Gadget)
Saturday 17th April 2004 The new scrape, SBBOT
Took this picture of this adult Mediterranean Gull today
at the new scrape, (TRP)
Saturday 17th April 2004 Ashford
A male Black Redstart was singing around the
bailer shed at Campbell's factory early this morning, although I haven't
seen or heard it since 08.30hrs. There is a newly arrived Sedge Warbler
back on territory and a Kingfisher was seen flying low over
the River Stour that forms the western boundary of the site. Also, at
least 2 Blackcaps and 3 Chiffchaffs can be heard singing
from the trees along the railway line beyond. (Dylan)
Friday 16th April 2004 Pegwell Village to
Stonelees 12.00-18.45hrs
Starting at Pegwell Village/cliff-top to the hoverpad
and then on to the Pegwell bay/Stonelees, these are the highlights, on the
mud.
4 Whimbrel, 3 Greenshank, 1 Wheatear 132 Redshank,
9 Sanderling, 21 Dunlin, 69 Sandwich Tern, 2 Little
Egrets one with plumes 56 Turnstone high tide roost 18 Bar-tailed
Godwits, 3 Knot, 3 Grey Plover, 10 Ringed Plover
wrapped things up there, on the land things fared a little better with 1 Ring
Ouzel, 24 Wheatear, 4 Sedge Warbler, 14 Blackcap,
2 Whitethroat, 33 Meadow Pipit, 7 Willow Warbler, 6 Chiffchaff,
1 Bullfinch, and over-head better still with a Serin south
at 16.00, c100 Linnets, 13 Goldfinch, 6 Swallow,
1 House Martin, 3 Sand Martin, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 1 White
Wagtail, 1 Rock Pipit, 3 Stock Dove, single Peregrine
and 2 Sparrowhawk. A great day in the field. (Craig)
Friday 16th April 2004 Shuart Farm track to the
coast
We had an great time walking the track from the farm
to the coast, and back again! There were plenty of migrants to be seen
with 15+ Chiffchaff, 12 Blackcap, 5 Sedge Warbler, 2 Willow
Warbler, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Common Whitethroat,
1 Ring Ouzel, 2 Swallow and 5 Wheatear. The
supporting cast was equally impressive with plenty of Linnets, Skylarks,
Reed Buntings and Song Thrushes around. We also noted 1 Marsh
Harrier, 1 Green Sandpiper, 3 Grey Heron, 2 Grey Partridge
and a single Corn Bunting. (Dylan & Gadget)
Friday 16th April 2004 Stodmarsh NNR &
Grove Ferry
We had arranged to meet Ashley and co at 12.30hrs in
the carpark at Stodmarsh NNR. We had a nice walk but, apart from the usual
Cetti's Warblers and Marsh Harriers, the sighting of
a Lesser Redpoll and hearing the Yellow-browed Warbler
constituted the highlights. When we arrived at Grove Ferry we only had
time to walk to the ramp. A Fieldfare was seen in the paddock, 7 Yellow
Wagtail, 1 Ruff (with a limp), 2 Garganey, 1 Little
Ringed Plover and a Peregrine, high overhead, were the bulk of
newsworthy birds. However, we all got a year tick when a House Martin
appeared over the ramp (Marc Reid had already seen 4 before he joined us -
bloody suppresser! Dylan & Gadget)
Thursday 15th April 2004 Garden & Ramsgate
Cemetery
The day got off to an excellent start when, whilst
emptying the moth trap, I had a Willow Warbler singing from the
apple tree in the garden. A few fly over Meadow Pipits and a Yellow
Wagtail were also noted. With this in mind I went around to Ramsgate
Cemetery. All the usual species were present but, try as I might, I didn't
see or hear a single migrant.
Thursday 15th April 2004 Pegwell Village to
Stonelees
I parked outside the Sir Stanley Grey and walked
along the clifftop to the Hoverpad then on, through Pegwell Bay, into
Stonelees. A Cuckoo greeted me along the clifftop path raising my
hopes, but it wasn't to be. Linnets and Meadow Pipits
were on the move, but in very small numbers. Only on reaching the Hoverpad
did I see my next migrant when a Yellow Wagtail went over heading
north. I spent some time around the country park and the hide seeing
several Willow Warblers and Blackcaps, 30+ Sandwich Terns,
2 migrant Hen Harriers - 1 north @ 11.45hrs & 1 west @
12.18hrs, 9 Sand Martin and 4 Swallows. Stonelees had still
more Willow Warblers, Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs, but
little else save a calling Little Owl from across the road near the
Farm Shop. I walked back to the car in glorious sunshine. A nice walk even
if the birding was very ordinary. (Dylan)
Wednesday 14th April 2004 Westcliffe-clifftop
to Park
A very misty, murky start, but to the north signs of a
brighter day. My walk started with 2 'Alba' Wagtails and a steady
trickle of Linnets overhead. Next to the Park is a clump of
trees where 3 Blackcap were in song also a male Sparrowhawk
over there. On from there to the Park 3 Chiffchaff greeted
me by song and, best of all, a flock of 6 Brambling feeding on
the buds of sycamore trees, including a few males in near full summer
plumage. With this in mind, and the fact that they were showing so well, I
phoned Gadget for the chance of a photo or two. By the time he arrived
the flock had risen to 12 birds with a blinding male. Also noted here were
a male Blackcap a few more fly-over Linnets, another Sparrowhawk
and 3 Grey Squirrels in the garden on the west side, one of which was
happily on the peanut feeders, great stuff. From here we headed off to
Foreness. (Craig)
Wednesday 14th April 2004 Foreness Point
We arrived at the site to hordes of people on the
putting green, so we headed straight for the water station, in the hope of
more grounded migrants or any vis-mig that maybe taking place. A single White
Wagtail flew over and headed off over the houses, a pair of Kestrels
were hovering for prey, 3 Swallows, 13 Meadow Pipits and 17 Linnets
passed over-head. 3 Wheatears [2 males and 1 female] were up
and down along one of the paths, 2 Sandwich Terns passed through on
the sea. Only other birds of note were 8 Blackbirds and 6 Song Thrush
lurking in vegetation next to the putting green. (Craig & Gadget)
Wednesday 14th April 2004 Sandwich bay 7,00 t0
8.30hrs
New Scrape 7.00 to 7.20hrs
This being the first visit to the new scrape since the
redesigning. In view of the fact that I haven't been over to Sandwich Bay
for some time, I was pleased to see a new gate and path to the hide. Once in
the hide I observed 1 Shelduck & 1 Mallard on a good
size lake. On the small island to the far right 1 Black-headed Gull, on
the fringes of the lake a Common Snipe, 2 Oystercatchers, 2 Lapwings,
1 Redshank, & group of 6 pheasant. On leaving, a Skylark
took to the sky. (Gadget)
The Elms and Little Gully 7.30 to 8.30hrs
In the Elms I found Firecrest with 2 Great Tits, 2 Robins,
then out though the other side and down along the little Gully 2 Chiffchaff,
and as, has been reported, the Ring Ouzel. My 1st, was on a
fence post at the end of the gully but it dropped down, though the gully, and
was away. 2 Swallows went over and a Green Woodpecker was on
a telegraph poll. (Gadget)
Wednesday 14th April 2004 Grove
Ferry & Stodmarsh NNR
Another fantastic spring day, so I went down to Grove
Ferry and walked the complete Stodmarsh NNR circuit. There are now plenty
of Sedge Warblers around the reserve but, Chiffchaffs
and Blackcaps are the only other summer migrants that appear to
have arrived in any number, as yet. Only 1 Sand Martin and 2 Swallows
were seen on my jaunt. A large female Peregrine was spotted
circling high up overhead and a few Marsh Harriers were visible
around the reedbeds. I went along the Nature Trail to pay my
respects to the resident Yellow-browed Warbler. My reward was
excellent views and the added bonus of it singing! Cetti's
Warblers and Bearded Tits are very conspicuous at the moment as
is the increase in the number of Canada Geese around the area. No
sign of the Garganey at the Ox -bow or Little Ringed Plover
from the ramp. If things continue like this, we could really struggle on
May 1st with our "non-motorized" Big Day! (Dylan)
Tuesday 13th April 2004 Ash Levels
Had a walk across the "Levels" hoping that
the overnight rain might have caused a few migrants to drop in. I wasn't
disappointed as I recorded 2 Ring Ouzel, 30+ Yellow Wagtail,
9 Swallow, 3 Sand Martin, 17 Fieldfare, 4 Blackcap,
1 White Wagtail (with 3 Pied) and 15+ Chiffchaff
around the area. Other species seen were 4 Sparrowhawk, 2 Peregrine,
1 ring-tailed Hen Harrier, 21 Teal, 3 Curlew, 2 Shelduck
with plenty of Meadow Pipits, Skylarks and Reed Buntings
around the water meadows. (Dylan)
Tuesday 13th April 2004 Fields at Dumpton
Thanet 15.05
Noticing that the farmer was spraying the field
behind my house this afternoon while I was observing the tractor he
flushed 20 Woodpigeon 40+ Starlings,6 Grey Partridge.
(Gadget)
Monday 12th April 2004 Ramsgate Cemetery 17.50-18.30
Another lovely day, and again, in the hope of some
different summer migrants, a walk around the cemetery seemed in
order. Very quiet, apart from a singing Firecrest (near the
toilet block in SW corner) Blackcap and a group of 6 migrant Great
Tits. A single Redwing was the only other bird
worthy of note! (Craig)
Monday
12th April-Easter Monday Ash Levels
A lovely
sunny day with little or no breeze and temp rising to approx 10oC after a
frost overnight. We decided on a lengthy walk after yesterday’s
‘excesses’ and left home at 8:45am to take a walk over the Ash Levels.
The route through to Goldstone was full of birdsong and we passed the Corn
Bunting at its usual haunt after again listening to the Chiffchaff
at the Ash bypass. We headed over the Levels for the Stour via Goldstone
Drove, noting a pair of Tree Sparrows (my first of the year), a
female Blackcap, & a Little Egret. Here we were also
fortunate to see first a splendid male Hen Harrier, followed a few
minutes later by a female sweeping low across the ground in the Goldstone
direction. I was surprised to see a flock of some 30 Fieldfare just
before the river and also noted 2 Tree Pipit. We then followed the
Stour along the Saxon Shore Way towards Sandwich and flushed a pair of Green
Sandpipers. There were large numbers of Linnets along the route
and several Grey Herons. By the sewage works we first head a Cetti's
Warbler then a Sedge Warbler and after several minutes saw the
latter. Chiffchaff sang along many parts of our route and I counted
5 without particularly trying to see them.
On to
the towers at Richborough Power Station, pausing to scan the ponds and
spying a pair of Little Grebe as well as 6 Tufted Duck
before being treated to the pair of Peregrine Falcons flying
individually then one pursuing the other briefly before dispersing out of
sight behind the towers! Terrific stuff.
We then headed back to Ash following the Stour Valley Walk after passing
Richborough Fort where a second Blackcap (male) was heard &
seen, as well as a Sparrowhawk over towards Pfizer. Two Swallows
made a welcome appearance. A splendid male Kestrel rested in a
short tree before we got too close causing it to fly off. Some 20 or so Mute
Swan were grazing in the open fields.
The final leg of our
walk was mainly dominated by Greenfinch song although another 2
individual Swallows showed and another female Blackcap in
the short trees at the bypass.
A smashing walk of
approx 11 miles and a great day’s birding, producing 56 species. We set
foot indoors at 4:10pm,some 7 hours later!
(Ben Ring)
Monday 12th April 2004 North Foreland
(08.10 - 8.50 hrs)
Linnets were the main feature of the morning;
although never in massive numbers, there was a steady movement north
involving 100's of birds. A female Sparrowhawk drifted south and a Swallow
went north across the Golf Course as I stood at the Pumping Station. 2 Sandwich
Terns were fishing off shore and a pair of Pied Wagtails
spent a bit of time fly catching before moving off inland. (Dylan)
Monday 12th April 2004 Foreness (09.00 -
09.40 hrs)
Just 2 White Wagtails on the "pitch &
putt" with still more Linnets moving along the coast. Nothing
else of importance to report, but the Starlings were on top form
displaying from many prominent perches around the area. They really are
magnificent in full breeding plumage. (Dylan)
Sunday 11th April 2004 Ash Levels
We had a walk across the Ash Levels this morning, as
Simon was staying with our parents in Ash. Parking the car at Goldstone
crossroads, we waked down to the marsh. A singing Blackcap
greeted us as we reached Lower Goldstone and almost the first bird I
raised my bins at, turned out to be a fine male Ring Ouzel. We
spent about 4 1/2 hours out on the marsh recording 3 Swallow,
3 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Wheatear (male), 1 Green Sandpiper, 1
Merlin, 1 Fieldfare and a Little Egret. We walked
under the railway bridge, allowing us to look at the small reservoir
behind Richborough Power Station. 2 Little Grebe and a pair of Tufted
Duck were on the water with a fine female Marsh Harrier
overhead. A Peregrine was noted around the cooling towers and there
were many Chiffchaff and 3 Cetti's Warbler singing
around the area.
Our return walk yielded yet more nice records, two
local rarities, Canada Goose and Water Pipit were added to
the day list as were a ring-tailed Hen Harrier and a Common
Snipe. At least 10 Yellowhammers were seen today, with good
numbers of Linnet and Meadow Pipit also noted. A lovely walk
around a wonderful part of East Kent. (Dylan & Simon)
Saturday 10th April Stodmarsh NNR & Grove Ferry
A visit to Stodmarsh this morning, starting at 8am.
Temp 7oC.It was overcast and threatening with rain all the way around and
indeed there was some heavy drizzle by the time I reached the river. A
light breeze also got up at this stage. The omens were good as from the car park, the first bird I saw was a Cetti’s
Warbler, sitting in a bush and singing by way of a greeting. I
followed the nature trail to the first bench with every confidence of
seeing the Yellow Browed Warbler – I was not disappointed. A high
pitched ‘seep’ attracted to me a flitting bird with 2 very obvious
cream-colored wing bars and at last I had seen it, albeit for all of 10
seconds before it disappeared - a
first nonetheless. You could hear Chiffchaff and Cetti’s calls
frequently and all told I saw 6 of the latter and 2 of the former with no
effort during the morning. The wood walk and Lake produced very little
save for 16 or so Great Crested Grebes paired and
displaying. A Blackcap could be heard further along the Wall and
this was seen just before the river was reached, together with a solitary Firecrest
which showed very well. A Willow Warbler sang from across the river
and another was seen on the reserve side further on. I also heard 4 Sedge
Warblers but failed to connect with any. Bearded Tits were
frequently heard on the way round and seen now & again. The Ramp at
Grove Ferry had a good variety of birds incl. 7 Sand Martins, 2 LBB
Gulls, a Golden Plover, and a female Sparrowhawk (which
somewhat alarmed the Teal), together with the usual numerous Lapwing,
Shoveler, Gadwall, Greylag & Canada’s. Looking back
towards Stodmarsh a pair of Marsh Harriers were engaged in a ritual
of sorts and showed for several minutes.
Making my way back to
Stodmarsh, I saw my first Swallows of the year (5) and by way of a
(another) bonus I scanned a field near Harrison’s Hide to see a Spotted
Redshank and a pair of Little Ringed Plovers nearby – also
‘firsts’ for me!! The Common Buzzard seen yesterday was also
viewed from the Marsh Hide at around 12:30pm I was informed. By the time I
reached the nature trail again there was a little gathering by the first
bench and this obviously meant the YBW was ‘performing’. This
time I had very good lengthy views.
A thoroughly
enjoyable trip, despite the soaking, finishing at 1pm at the car park and
62 species (without seeing some ‘commoners’ such as Green Woodpecker
(heard only), Goldcrest, Mistle Thrush, Black Headed Gull, & Wigeon
(!!)).
(Ben Ring)
Friday
9th April 2004 Grove Ferry 18.00- 19.30 hrs
In
the field beside the boathouse 62 Mute Swans still present, from
the ramp besides the usual Ducks I observed 2 Little Ringed Plover,
1 Ruff and 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Reed Bunting, 3 Bearded
Tit, over the reeds 2 Marsh Harrier, a very nice end to
the day. Gadget)
Friday
9th April 2004 Ramsgate Cemetery 17.20-18.25 hrs
I arrived at the site in glorious sunshine and not a
breath of wind with a Goldcrest feeding on insects on the buds
of the sycamore trees at the cemetery entrance, surprisingly this was to
be the only bird on the walk round. Generally it was very quite with just
the resident species around although a Grey Squirrel on top of
the chapel was unusual. Jay numbers were up again now at ten, 3 Chiffchaff
included two birds singing, 5 Greenfinch and a single Goldfinch
passed over head. As I was leaving via the eastern entrance a Firecrest
was feeding also on insects on the buds of sycamores trees.
(Craig)
Friday
9th April 2004 Ash Levels Good Friday
A later
start than normal (9:25am) to walk around The Patch. Still felt quite
chilly in the light breeze, 7oC,with increasing cloud but mostly sunshine.
Birdsong was abundant; the Corn Bunting was patrolling its usual
‘haunt’ along Cop Street and Great and Blue Tits vied for chief
vocalists. A Chiffchaff sang from an unseen perch along the trees
by the bypass and a pair of Yellowhammers ‘chipped’ in
(sorry!). Proceeding through Upper Goldstone orchards it was becoming
obvious that this mornings walk was not going to produce a great many
species as the trees and hedges were very quiet – the Fieldfares
& Redwings seemingly long gone. Walking on towards Brooke
street we were treated to large flocks of Wood Pigeons, probably in
excess of 200 birds that ‘littered’ the trees (cruel but deserved
expression) and almost every bird that flew over, causing momentary
interest, ended up a ‘Woody’. Four male Kestrels hunted
in different areas en route and aside from these the only other birds of
note were two more singing Chiffchaffs. Yet again I only saw one gull
in the far distance, which could not be positively I’d.
Rather sadly we came across a forlorn looking Robin, apparently
stunned, sitting on the road at Weddington. I placed it in the hedgerow
out of immediate harms way in the hope it recovered. We got arrived
home at 11.35am with a rather paltry 30 species counted. (Ben
Ring)
Friday 9th April 2004 The White Stork Saga
continued.....
I drove past Pfizer along the A256 just after
06.15hrs. I had been told that the White Stork had been seen in
fields off of the flyover, but I didn't know whether it was Monks' Wall or
Coleman's Fields. I found the stork wandering around on Coleman's Field,
so parked the car near the Farm Shop and walked up the track to get a
better view. I got a few pix as the bird strutted around the turf,
regularly stabbing its' beak into the earth and catching large worms! The
bird looks very similar to the Ashford bird, but the missing primary 7 or
8 on the left wing doesn't correspond to the missing p1 on the right wing
of the bird that I've watched around Kennington Sewage Farm.
I had a quick look at Monks' Wall while I was
in the area and had a Blackcap singing from Gazen Salts, single Redshank,
Little Ringed and Ringed Plover. 6 Wigeon, 14 Teal,
7 Shoveler and 2 Canada Geese about summed up the wildfowl,
with 3 Pied Wagtail and a Cetti's Warbler the best of the
supporting cast. (Dylan)
Thursday 8th. April Westbere White Stork
The White Stork flew over Westbere Lake at
about 11.45 this morning, causing great disturbance amongst the
geese. It flew around the lake area for about 10 mins before
drifting off, gaining height as it went, down the Stour Valley towards
Stodmarsh. (Susan Morton)
Thursday 8th April 2004 Ash Levels (09.10 -
13.30 hrs)
I arrived on the Ash Levels around 09.10hrs, seeing a
female Sparrowhawk almost immediately. 3 Swallows were noted
making steady progress north, into the prevailing wind, at 09.30, 09.38
and 10.22 hrs. I saw the pair of Yellowhammers that I had noted
last week and was overjoyed to come across a second pair later on my walk.
7 Fieldfare and a lone Redwing were the only thrushes of
note. At least 3 Green Sandpipers were frequenting the ditches and a
superb male Hen Harrier gave a dazzling display as it slowly
quartered the riverside meadows. A single Yellow Wagtail was seen
flying west and there were quite a few "alba" Wagtails
around including at least 1 White Wagtail. I only heard one Cetti's
Warbler today, but was pleased to stumble across a pair of Pochard,
as they are quite scarce on the "Levels". A pair of Wigeon and
17 Teal were on the flashes next to the railway line and a female Merlin
was seen perched on a ploughed field behind King's End Farm. As I started
to make my way back to my car, around 12.40hrs, I spotted a White Stork
circling high overhead. I watched this bird drift off east getting as far
away as Blacksand & the Sampher before heading steadily north beyond
the Power Station and Pegwell Bay. I gave up when the bird became nothing
more than a speck at 12.54hrs. I then continued my walk back. (Dylan)
Thursday 8th April 2004 Monks' Wall NR
(14.05 - 15.15hrs)
I had already noted that the gulls were up as
I drove into Sandwich. Parking the car, I was immediately aware that
something was going on because of the commotion being made by the gulls
over at Pfizer and Stonar Lake. It took a few minutes before I located the
cause of the uproar and yes, you've guessed it, the White Stork was
headed towards me from Blacksand. For the next 30 or so minutes the bird
drifted to and fro between Sandwich, Pfizer and Monks' Wall, all the time
being harassed by gulls. At one stage there must have been 500+
gulls in the air with the Stork right at the center of it all. The Stork
is the same individual that has been seen around the Stodmarsh area
recently. It has primary 7 (or 8?) missing from it's left wing. It also
has quite heavy staining around it's neck. I didn't see any rings,
but the conditions were not ideal. The bird was lost from sight as it
drifted back to the north and it may have been preparing to land somewhere
around the Sampher, I didn't see it go in as I had a serious amount of
Pfizer real estate between me and the bird! Excitement over, I walked up
to the hide for a quick look. A few gulls had started to drop back
in and there was a nice group of 11 Pied Wagtails accompanied by a
single Yellow Wagtail feeding around the pools. 230(ish) Wood
Pigeons were feeding on the grass away to my right and several Jackdaws
were collecting nesting material to block some unfortunate soul's chimney,
no doubt. Still a few ducks around and the Canada Geese have
now been joined by a second pair. No sign of any Little Ringed Plover
or Snipe but still well worth the walk. (Dylan)
Thursday 8th April 2004 Ramsgate Harbour &
Undercliff
Went for a run out on the power-bike down to the
Harbour and along the undercliff this morning. The tide was very low with
mud banks showing in the outer harbour. Only a few Herring Gulls
about, 3 Turnstones on the slipway but, other than that, just the
normal tatty pigeons around the place. Along the undercliff a count
of 8 Fulmars, sitting high up under the arches, and a small number
of Linnets on the cliff face. The wader numbers are well down.
Just a few 3 Redshank Oystercatchers, and 5 Curlew.
As I approached the end of the undercliff, or is that the undercliff road?
What ever; I was looking back towards Pegwell Bay when a Peregrine
came straight towards me, giving fantastic views as it turned just in
front of me and headed off towards Sandwich (Gadget)
Wednesday
7th April 2004 Stodmarsh
I called in at Stodmarsh on my way home from the
soup-mine. I was hoping for a few hirundines or a Willow Warbler but,
sadly, I was once again disappointed. I quick scan across the main lake
was enough to convince me that the frequent showers had not deposited any
migrants. I then headed off to the Marsh Hide. A singing male Treecreeper
and several Chiffchaffs were around the Nature Trail. A Green
Woodpecker announced it's presence with a loud "yaffle"
from an isolated willow. Water Rails "squealed", Bearded
Tits "pinged" and Cetti's Warbler simply exploded
into song as I made my way to the hide. Once inside, there were very few
birds to be seen but, a Yellow Wagtail flew over and 3 Little
Grebes were involved in some sort of territorial dispute. I enjoyed my
little jaunt, but wish that the weather had been kinder! (Dylan)
Wednesday
7th April 2004 Grove Ferry
I stopped off at Grove Ferry for an hour, or so, on my
way to the soup-mine. Despite the cold northwesterly wind there were a few
nice bits to be seen. 3 Little Ringed Plover were on the mud
by the main pool below the ramp. Several Marsh Harriers were watched,
one female was involved in a dramatic display flight high above the
reedbed. 2 Yellow Wagtails flew over and there were 4 Sedge Warblers
singing around the reserve. The drake Garganey is still to be found
on the Ox-bow, although it is very skittish and takes flight readily. A
summer plumaged Water Pipit and a lone Sand Martin were the
best of the rest. The sound of birdsong from many resident species is now
the background noise all around the area, with Skylarks
particularly dominant along Harrison's Drove. Spring is well on its way
even if I did have to resort to coat and gloves again today! (Dylan)
Tuesday 6th
April 2004 North Foreland and Foreness Point
Extremely windy and cold. Not surprising that there
were very few birds to be found. Highlights were a Merlin at North
Foreland with 2 Carrion Crows struggling in/off the sea. A male Wheatear
on the "pitch & putt" at Foreness and a tickle of Linnets
overhead about sums up our efforts. (Dylan & Gadget)
Tuesday 6th April 2004 Monks' Wall NR
We fare a little better here, well at least it wasn't
as windy and we did have the added shelter of the hide. Not as many birds
as were present yesterday but we did manage to see 4 Little Ringed
Plover, 20 Lesser Black Backs, 6 Curlew, 2 Chiffchaff,
6 Pied & 2 White Wagtail and the usual assortment
of ducks, Lapwings and gulls. Just as we were
thinking of leaving a very obliging Green Sandpiper flew in and
landed just in front of the hide. We took maximum advantage of the
situation, both of us getting some nice pix.
(Dylan & Gadget)
Tuesday 6th April 2004 Westcliff to the Harbour
A walk from Westcliff to the Harbour was another
wasted effort. 9 Turnstone on the beach by the Port entrance
and 4 Pied Wagtails along the connecting road were as good as it
got. The harbour had a few large gulls loafing on the pontoons, but
try as we might, not a colour ring amongst them! There were a few Linnets
moving overhead, but that was about it. (Craig, Dylan & Gadget)
Monday 5th April 2004 Monks' Wall NR
this afternoon
The walk out to the hide was a battle against the wind and holding my
hat on but once in the hide all was fine, 34 Black-headed,7 Common,
12 Lesser
& 3 Greater Black-backed Gulls, 2 Canada Geese,9 Common Snipe, 1 Little Ringed Plover,
2 Ringed Plover and
11 Lapwing, and very nice views of 3 Black-tailed Godwits, 3
Pied Wagtail, and a long the hedgerows a 1 Sparrowhawk, the Stock
Doves were in good numbers along with Woodpigeons, Jackdaws,
and Crows. (Gadget)
Monday 5th April 2004 Ramsgate Cemetery
A quick walk around the Cemetery revealed very little. " Coal
Tit & 2 Goldcrests were the only birds of note. 30+ Magpies
was a shock, but probably explained by immigration? 7 Jays, 3 Green
Woodpeckers, 4 Stock Dove and 2 two separate female Sparrowhawks
sum up my best efforts. A male Song Thrush was singing. (Dylan)
Monday 5th April 2004 Monks' Wall NR this morning
I went across to Monks' Wall NR this morning. I was
confident that there would be a few bits for me but, alas, I was to be
disappointed. A singing Chiffchaff in Gazen Salts greeted me as I
walked to the hide and a male Sparrowhawk over flew the site as I
reached the start of the boardwalk. The loafing gulls were mainly Herring,
but there were 15 Black-headed, 1 Common, 6 Lesser
& 5 Greater Black-backed Gulls in the flock. Waders were
represented by 14 Common Snipe, 1 Little Ringed Plover and
11 Lapwing. A pair of Moorhens were performing admirably in
front of the hide, A pair of Canada Geese seem to have set up
residence on the reserve and I saw a cock Pheasant, with 2 hen
birds, as I made my way back to the car. (Dylan)
Sunday
4th April Ash Levels
After
heavy overnight rain was pleased to find a sunny start albeit with gusting
wind which meant it felt colder than the 10oC it was. Set of for a Patch
walk from Ash to Goldstone then Brooks St at 8:15am and was treated to
numerous bird songs. A Chiffchaff sang its limited piece from a
tree on the bypass (the first time I’ve heard it in Ash this year) and
we encountered 3 more of its kind during our walk. The Corn Bunting
was in its usual place along Cop Street and several Skylarks seemed
to be in skittish mood. It was surprising to find an almost complete lack
of Gulls, particularly as it was so windy as they usually come inland
here. At Goldstone orchards heard a Yellowhammer in fine voice and
saw up to 6 in a frantic game of chase (both M & F present, the males
looking particularly colorful). No sign of any Fieldfare or Redwing today
and likewise I must await the arrival of the true summer migrants here.
The real bonus came by Brooke street farmhouse as, pecking about near a Robin
& a Blackbird, an ‘unusual’ bird turned out to be a female Brambling
– a first for this year and the Patch! A lone female Reed Bunting
‘chipped’ from a short tree a little further on but the lack of Ring
neck Paris meant it wasn’t drowned out! We returned home at 10:30 and
‘amassed’ 33 species quality rather than quantity! The
‘delights’ of Tesco shopping followed but, on the way home, we at last
saw one of the Peregrines based at Richborough Power Station, it
afforded a good but lofty view as it glided from the Pegwell side of the
road across and over to one of the towers (initially I thought it was a
giant Swift – oops!). (Ben Ring)
Saturday 3rd April 2004 Pegwell
Bay
A
quick visit to Pegwell just after mid day produced 40 Sandwich and
2 Common Terns in amongst the usual gulls and waders.
(Dave Brown)
Saturday 3rd April 2004 White Stork
The White Stork flew into roost on the
telegraph pole next to the Campbell's factory at 18.45hrs. Details are the
same as last week, best viewed from the Conning Brooke Estate looking
towards the railway line & Kennington Sewage Works. (Dylan)
Saturday 3rd April 2004 North Foreland &
Foreness
I didn't have much time to spare, so I went across to
North Foreland to see if there was anything going on at sea. Nothing doing
was the answer. No grounded migrants to be seen either, so I headed off to
Foreness. There were 2 Pied and 1 White Wagtail on the
"pitch & putt" with a motley crew of Herring Gulls, of
various ages, for company. On the sea, from the pumping station, there
were 3 male Eider (2 ads & 1 imm) and 17 Purple Sandpipers
were roosting with 70+ Turnstone. (Dylan)
Saturday 3rd April 2004 Garden Dumpton Thanet 12.20 to
12.45hrs
Lunch time today 2 Black Redstart dropped into
the garden and stayed just long enough to have there photo taken. (Gadget)
Saturday 3rd April 2004 Barn Owl
I saw a Barn Owl hunting a roadside
meadow between Shalmsford Street and Crossroads Motors as I drove to work
this morning. It is the first Barn Owl I've seen along this stretch of
road since I started work at Ashford in 1993! (Dylan)
Friday 2nd April 2004 Ramsgate Cemetery
14.30 -15.05hrs
Little to report again, 3 Coal Tits on the
west side, 2 singing Chiffchaffs, 4 Goldcrests, and 2 Redwing
on the east side, over head a 3 Meadow Pipits, 2 Goldfinch and
2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls. (Craig)
Friday
2nd April 2004 Ash Levels
I had a few hours to spare, so went across to my old
stomping ground for a wander. Weather conditions were less than brilliant
to start with, but improved as the day progressed. I had 5 Chiffchaff,
3 Common Snipe, 2 Yellowhammer (M & F), 37 Fieldfare,
2 Green Sandpiper, 7 Jay (a site record!), female Marsh
Harrier, male Wheatear, 2 Pied Wagtail, 1 Siskin,
1 Kingfisher and a bonus Little Ringed Plover flying towards
Pegwell. I had fantastic views of a female Peregrine hunting a Mallard.
The duck was quacking frantically as the falcon stooped. The duck avoided
capture by crashing straight into a reedy dyke, leaving the frustrated
Peregrine to dash off across the marsh in search of some other, hapless,
individual. My bird of prey encounters didn't finish there, as I found a
stunning adult male Merlin perched on a ploughed field near to the
Power Station. Sadly, this bird was not as co-operative as the North
Foreland individual and was up and away before I could get my scope and
camera set up. There were 3 Cetti's singing around the area and at
least 80 Teal remain on and around the flooded fields by the
railway bridge. I had a really pleasant time, without getting any of the
birds that I had set out for. Ring Ouzel, Yellow Wagtail, Little Owl and
Tree Sparrow all eluded me today, still there's always next week! (Dylan)
Friday
2nd April 2004 Garden Dumpton Thanet 11.20 to 11.30hrs
while sitting having a coffee with my wife we were
looking out into the garden watching 2 Dunnock, and our resident Blue
Tits, when 3 Chiffchaff dropped in to the tree in the Centre of
the lawn, and started to fly catch after 10 minuets they took flight up
along the back of the fields. (Gadget)
Thursday 1st April 2004 Good evening
As going seems to be slow thought I'd mention that on
my drive home this afternoon on the M2 just before Brenley roundabout
caught sight of what I thought was a raptor in classic 'mantling'
pose. Slowing to take a good look as I passed I was surprised to find it
was a Crow tucking in to a 'road kill' cock Pheasant.
Delusions of grandeur? (Ben Ring)
Thursday 1st April 2004 Ramsgate Cemetery
17.10-18.00
A very peaceful walk round this evening in calm but
cloudy weather started with a flock of 20 Chaffinch among them a
female Brambling, feeding in the garden at the entrance. A nice
start. A Firecrest was another new arrival near the north end, just
a single fly-over Meadow Pipit and 5 Goldcrests in
the row of pines, plus scattered numbers of Jays and Green
and Great Spotted Woodpeckers, little else before the onset of
rain. (Craig)
Thursday 1st April 2004 Monks' Wall NR
Despite the wonderful weather, migrants were
conspicuous by their absence. We heard a Chiffchaff singing over in
Gazen Salts and that was about it for the walk to the hide. An adult
summer Mediterranean Gull was with the loafing gulls, so a
nice bonus. 11 Curlews were feeding on the meadow to the right
accompanied by 2 summer plumaged Black-tailed Godwit. A Pied
Wagtail and a few Shoveler and Gadwall were about all
there was to report. Around 13.00hrs, all the gulls left the pools and the
birds from Pfizer also went up. Sadly we were unable to locate the cause
of the disruption. (Dylan & Gadget)
Thursday 1st April 2004 North Foreland and
Foreness Point
I spent about 90 minutes, from 09.00hrs, looking
around North Foreland and Foreness Point. I had high hopes for a few
migrants, but was out of luck, there were no grounded migrants and zero
viz mig! The only bird of note was a Merlin on the ploughed field
behind North Foreland pumping station. It was all down hill from there. 14
Linnets and a few Meadow Pipits were around the
"Triangle" and an "alba" Wagtail went north
over Joss Bay. The only notable birds at Foreness were 25+ Purple Sandpipers
in the wader roost below the pumping station. (Dylan)
