Monday 31st May 2004 Grove Ferry 18:00-18:50
Grove Ferry mound and Harrison's Drove hide.
18:00-18:50
With the sun shining and in view of the weather forecast, I decided to
take a quick cycle over to Grove ferry for an hour or so. Unfortunately
there was nothing out of the ordinary to be seen, and the reserve was
unusually quiet considering it was a bank holiday. There was a distinct
lack of waders present; 2 ringed plovers and five lapwings
was all, but there was a large number of hirundines- mainly swifts
with a few house martins mixed in. All the usual ducks were
present, along with a lone little egret and a LBBG. No yellow
wagtails, although there were
several pied wags around. Walking to Harrison's Drove hide produced
decent views of bearded tit and sedge warbler, with plenty
of reed warblers singing, along with a meadow pipit
and two whitethroats. From the hide a pair of redshanks had
young with them as did a pair of lapwing. Another four little
egrets were floating around, bringing the total to at least five, and
a marsh harrier tussled with a crow overhead. A very
pleasant hour, even though I snapped the arm off of my glasses and had
them balancing on my nose which made looking through binoculars a little
more challenging!! (Ross)
Sunday
30th May 2004 Stodmarsh NNR & Grove Ferry
An early
visit to Stodmarsh (6:25am) on a bright, sunny day. 11oC rising to 15oC
& a light breeze. From the car park, took the wooded trail towards the
Reedbed Hide, Warblers sang along the trail, with the usual Garden
& Cetti’s warblers, Chiffchaff, & almost obligatory
‘ghost’ Nightingale! On to the wooded trail & along the
Lampen wall, with no real surprises: Common Tern, Great Crested Grebe,
Cormorant, Shelduck, Mallard, and Greylag Geese………etc.
Retracing my steps to the car park, I took the nature trail route & it
was noticeable how many Wrens were around this morning, closely
followed by quite a number of Common Whitethroat. It was now 8am
& I decided to drive over to Grove Ferry. The Ramp produced a solitary
Ringed Plover, a Little Egret, & assorted Greylags,
Lapwings, Ruddy Ducks. A male Marsh Harrier flew low
over the reeds in the Stodmarsh direction & a restless male Kestrel
hovered at a number of points. Harrison’s Hide was a ‘haven’ to a
couple of Redshank & assorted common duck species. Another Little
Egret fished at the far side of the pond. On to the river & a Kingfisher
literally brightened up the proceedings as it flew along a short stretch. Turtle
Doves could be heard at a number of points suggesting a fair size
population now. Another Nightingale could be heard from the trees
across the river.
As the people
arriving threatened to outnumber the bird population, I headed back to the
car at 9:30 & 59 Species. (Ben
Ring)
Sunday
30th May 2004 Campbell's Factory Ashford
As I'm on nights this weekend, I went out into the
factory yard at 04.30hrs this morning to see a small crake scurry
across the path and run behind our bailer shed. The light was not good but
my thoughts were of Corncrake. I ran round the pallets to
attempt to confirm my sighting only to be confronted with a rather
bemused Water Rail. OK, not quite the mega I had hoped, but still a
nice bird for the factory list. To add to my birding pleasure, a male Black
Redstart was singing from the overhead gantry. This is the third year
in a row that Black Redstart have held territory at the site.
I have never been able to confirm breeding but will try my best, so
watch this space. (Dylan)
Saturday 29th May 2004 Grove Ferry
I
went down to Grove Ferry around 09.30hrs for a quick walk about. Martyn
Wilson was already there and had little news of interest. 3 Black-tailed
Godwit and a Ringed Plover summed up the waders viewable from
the ramp. Reed Warbler song was dominant around the reedbeds, where
a few Bearded Tits were noted, flying low over the Norfolk Reed. I
saw a smart adult male Sparrowhawk skim across the reeds towards
the river and other raptors were a female Marsh Harrier, 3 Hobby
and 2 Kestrel. From Harrison's Drove Hide I counted 2 Redshank,
5 Lapwing, 1 drake Garganey and an assortment of Mallard,
Gadwall, Shoveler and Shelduck. 2 Little Egrets and 3
Common Terns were also seen but, in reality, not much
to get excited over (Dylan)
Friday 28th May 2004 Shelduck update
Thank you to Stephen Dunstan, first amongst others,
who pointed out that the Ruddy Shelduck reported at Oare Marshes
yesterday, was in fact, a South African (Cape) Shelduck. Guilty as
charged. I didn’t give it another thought after taking the picture –
dodgy ducks are just that DODGY! Great to know that people are taking
notice of our site. Many thanks (Dylan)
Friday 28th May 2004 North Foreland Golf Course
The only birds of note were single flyover Grey
Wagtail and Siskin - both unseasonable. (FS)
Friday 28th May 2004 Sandwich Bay
I went over to Sandwich Bay this morning because
the weather looked perfect for a spot of butterflying. (see non-avian
page). The walk from Sandwich across to Royal St. George's Golf Club was
very pleasant with House Martins overhead and Yellow Wagtails singing
in the young corn. A Cuckoo calling from the golf course caused me
to stop by the new practice area where a nice mixed flock of Linnet,
Greenfinch and House Sparrows were feeding on the short turf.
At 09.23hrs I was alerted to a raptor by the commotion caused by 3 Carrion
Crows which were harassing a fantastic female Montagu's Harrier.
The Crows succeeded in moving the harrier away and I watched it for
a couple of minutes as it gained height and drifted off to the south.
Almost immediately after I lost sight of the "Monty's" a Sparrowhawk
flew overhead. Excitement over, I continued on to New Downs and then back
to the Obs, with nothing much else to report than a further 4 Cuckoos
and a really stupid Lapwing sitting on 4 eggs right next to a
footpath! As I walked back to Sandwich, to get my car, I managed to get
another image for the photo challenge when a very confiding Rook
was watched feeding close to the Toll Booth. (Dylan)
Thursday 27th May 2004 Oare Marshes
Got away from work earlier than I had expected, so
went across to Oare Marshes for another look at the Red-necked
Phalarope. It showed in the same area as yesterday but, despite the
much improved light, the sun was in the west and made any picture taking a
waste of time. All was not lost, however, as there was a Ruddy Shelduck
from the viewing point, allowing me to get another pix for the
photo-challenge. I don't suppose, for a moment, that
it is of wild origin but it was still a nice surprise, even more so when
it flew off at 17.23hrs heading towards Graveney. There were lots of Swifts
and Sand Martins feeding over the East Flood and the drake Garganey
was still present near the grey sluice. Plenty of assorted ducks to be
seen and at least 3 Little Egret. 4 Ringed Plovers
were on the mud beyond the seawall and a couple of Bearded Tits
"buzzed" low over the reedbed. (Dylan)
Thursday 27th May 2004 Pegwell Bay and
Stonelees
I have had a very pleasant stroll around Pegwell Bay
and Stonelees. The weather was nothing to write home about, although it
had improved considerably by the time I left. The tide was well out and
apart from the resident Redshank, Oystercatcher, Shelduck, Curlew
and gulls there were 22 Sanderling and 12 Ringed Plover.
Linnets and Reed Buntings were conspicuous along the
pathway, where a Turtle Dove, several Common Whitethroat and
Reed Warblers were singing. A pair of Bullfinches were
feeding low down on seed heads near the hide and a Little Egret was
watched fishing in the pool behind Pfizer's sports ground. Stonelees had
several Willow Warblers singing and a pair of Cuckoos were
watched as they scanned the area for prospective foster parents. A Stock
Dove rested on an old concrete fencepost out on the saltings
accompanied by "parachuting" Meadow Pipits proclaiming
their territorial rights. My walk back to the car was accompanied by more
birdsong. Blackcap, Sedge Warbler and Goldfinches all adding
to my enjoyment. A cock Pheasant was on the old tip and looked
magnificent when the sun caught the multi-colored plumage. (Dylan)
Wednesday 26th May 2004 Oare Marshes KTNC
reserve
I got to work at some unearthly hour, so I was away
from the soup-mine about 10.20 hrs. I had contacted Gadget for news of the
Red-necked Phalarope at Oare Marshes KTNC reserve. The
news was positive, so I drove over for a look. I haven't been at the
reserve for over 2 years. It is a wonderful place and deserves far more
attention. The Phalarope behaved impeccably and was admired by many
visitors. I have never seen a spring bird, so enjoyed the experience even
more. A drake Garganey, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Little
Egret, 1 Blue-headed Wagtail and a Kingfisher
provided the back up to the "Star Turn”. However, John Cantelo and
Norman McCanch "pissed on my picnic" by hearing a Bee-eater,
but were unfortunate not to see the bird's Several other birders also
heard the calls, so we went around to the Ham Road Gravel Pits, hoping to
relocate the colorful migrant. We failed, but a strong N-E breeze and a
leaden sky did nothing to enhance our chances.
Wednesday 26th May 2004 Chamber's Wall
Leaving Faversham, I headed off along the Thanet Way
to Chamber's Wall. A Barn Owl laid dead on the central reservation
just before Herne Bay, a sorry sight. Chamber's Wall held no surprises
yet, provided a nice bit of birding as I made my way across the
fields to Coldharbour Lagoon. Skylarks were abundant and many
common warblers sang from the reeds and scrub along the track. A Turtle
Dove "purred" from the hawthorn hedgerow and a Lesser
Whitethroat rattled its' song from deep within a bush near the railway
line. A couple of summer plumage Dunlin, 1 Ringed Plover and
a pair of Redshank sums up the birds on the lagoon and I disturbed
a flock of 100+ Woodpigeons from a field of rape as I made my way
back. Plenty of Yellow Wagtails around and a Cuckoo sang
from a distant bush over towards Shuart! (Dylan)
Wednesday 26th May 2004 Grove Ferry
Had a trip down to Grove Ferry yesterday 25/05/04,
not that many souls were around the time of morning I got there. I saw a Turtle
Dove on my way to Grove and there was a Fox in the meadow as I walked
along the track towards the ramp. All the usual birds were about and a Marsh
Harrier on the wing. I did manage to see it perched in a dead tree
but, by the time I had the camera set up it was off ! From the ramp there
was a couple of Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Ruff (male), 2 Little
Egrets and some Ringed Plover. .A Common Tern was on the
wing by the Green Hide and I managed to take some pictures of Pochard and
Great Crested Grebe, with chicks. There was very little at
the Harrison’s Drove Hide. I walked along the river and back to the
ramp, hearing a Nightingale in the vegetation to my left. From
there I drove down to the Stodmarsh NNR. I had intended to go
directly to the Reedbed Hide, but there was a chap cutting the edges of
the path, so decided to walk to the Marsh Hide. A wasted effort, with
nothing to report but a chorus of Marsh Frogs. The walk back was good as I
managed to catch up with the Little Owl, in the same spot as
Dylan’s photo, and also a Kingfisher. (Pete part time
birder)
Tuesday 25th May 2004 Common
Just like to report that on way home this afternoon,
around 4:45,driving on the M2 coast bound just before the Junction 6
Faversham turn, a Buzzard was circling over the Motorway. Suspect
it to be a Common but have posted KOSNET just in case anyone else
saw it & can either confirm or suggest otherwise. (Ben Ring)
Tuesday 25th May 2004
As I was turning off my moth trap, around
05.30hrs, I could hear a male Yellow Wagtail singing from the
potato field beyond my garden. Using my "Minox" binoculars, that
are always on stand-by in the kitchen, I located a male Blue-headed
Wagtail perched on a potato plant over towards the footpath to Pyson's
Road. At 08.00hrs I noticed a tractor working the field just where the
bird had been singing! the farmer had just started to harvest the crop. I
am glad that the bird had not attracted a mate and started to breed, but I
would have liked the chance to get a picture for the website.
Tuesday 25th May 2004 Dumpton to the Hoverpad
I walked from Dumpton to the Hoverpad, then back
home, via St. Lawrence & Ramsgate Station. Although the weather was
glorious, the birding can be summed up as dire. The highlight of the day
being a Cockatiel flying over Dumpton Station! There were a lot of
family parties of common breeding species, Blue Tits, Robins and
Blackbirds all seem to be having a good year. There were a couple of
singing Common Whitethroat along the cliff-top path and a Yellow
Wagtail sang from a potato field near Chilton Lane. Plenty of
non-breeding Herring Gulls in the harbour allowing a chance to
study the vagaries of plumage over a period of 4 years from fledgling to
adult. A few Pied Wagtail, some Linnets &
Goldfinches and a singing Goldcrest (by Ramsgate Cemetery)
about covers all there is to report for the best of the rest! (Dylan)
Tuesday 25th May 2004 Whiteness Thanet
1 Long Tailed Duck and 60 Scoter west
past Whiteness at 07.15hrs (FS)
Monday 24th May 2004 Stodmarsh NNR and Grove
Ferry 05.30-09.30 hrs
I arrived really early and the dawn chorus was in
full swing. The Nightingales went quiet very quickly but most of
the other migrants were in fine voice. Plenty of Cetti's Warblers
along the Lampern Wall and riverside path, with a nice male Bullfinch
showing by the Lake Hide. Although the day got steadily warmer, I didn't
record a single Hobby. 3 Marsh Harriers and a Kestrel were
the only raptors and a nice Little Owl sat on a farm building
at Undertrees Farm. There were at least 4 male Cuckoos around the
reserve and I saw three family parties of Bearded Tits at
the Grove end. 4 male and 1 female Garganey were seen, 3 from
Harrison's Drove hide and 2 (males) from the Marsh Hide. A single Black-tailed
Godwit flew over the main pool below the ramp, where a Greenshank,
2 Ringed & 1 Little Ringed Plovers were also present.
(Dylan)
Monday 24th May 2004 Hover Pad
I
did see a Bee-eater twice At 11.50 flying south towards Pegwell Car
Park - then again flying high north towards the west cliff at Ramsgate at
12.15. (Phil M)
Monday 24th May 2004 Russell Gardens, Dover
There was a Spotted Flycatcher at Russell
Gardens, Dover this morning in the trees along the path from the
car park to the tennis courts this morning. (Pauline Lloyd)
Sunday
23rd May 2004 Sandwich Quay & The Bay
A sunny
early morning saw us at Sandwich Quay by 7:45am & a steady stroll down
towards the Bay. A moderate breeze accompanied the walk, which kept the
temp artificially low at around 12oC. The Reed Warblers were in
good voice by the river & the many Reed Buntings attempted to
improve the sound base. Following the Stour Valley Walk, the area near New
Downs Farm had numerous Skylark & Meadow Pipits present &
as we neared the Bay near the old Clubhouse it was good to see so many Swallows
& House Martins – Swifts were ever present through our
walk.
The tide was well down the beach & single figure LBB
& Herring Gull were all we could see on the immediate
shoreline although there were many Gulls left, towards Shell Ness.
As we walked back
over the Golf course, a pair of Kestrel was hunting the greens at a
low height, which afforded very good views, & by the clubhouse
numerous Linnet, interspersed with Greenfinch & Goldfinch,
could be seen on the short grass. Solitary Blackcap & Common
Whitethroat sang from the nearby trees. A very pleasant bracing walk,
albeit disappointing there was no hint of the Bee-eaters reported
over Stonar Lake yesterday. Back at the car at 10:15 & 36 Species.
(Ben Ring)
Saturday
22nd May 2004 Ash Levels
A pre-FA
Cup Final walk down to Goldstone Drove then returning via part of the
Stour Valley Walk & past the Europa Nursery. Set off at 8:15am on a
very cloudy (to start particularly) day with rain threatening but never
quite happening. Has turned cooler from the last few days, around 10oC,
and the strong breeze made it feel early rather than late Spring. No great
surprises with birds keeping fairly low profiles when not zipping past at
a rate of knots. A few warblers here & there, a couple of Cuckoos,
the usual Corn Bunting, and low numbers of hirundines, made
up the list – there did seem to be a lot of Greenfinch today
though. Rather annoyingly could not positively ID a warbler that flitted
about in densely leafed trees on the footpath running alongside the
bypass! Home by 11:30 & 40 Species.
(Ben Ring)
Friday 21st May 2004 Pegwell Bay Stonelees and
Weatherlees
I went down to Pegwell Bay early this morning. The
tide wasn't in my favor so I did the bushes, Stonelees and Weatherlees.
There were lots of Sedge Warblers and Common Whitethroats singing
around the Country Park, with 2 Willow Warblers holding territory
in Stonelees. A Blackcap was singing from the hawthorn scrub next
to Pfizer's sports ground with a couple of Turtle Doves and a Cuckoo
for company. Across in Weatherlees, there were 2 Peregrines on
the power station towers, a Willow Warbler, 4 Whitethroat, 2
Sedge & 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Nightingale and 2 Cetti's
Warblers all advertising their presence by song. A male Bullfinch sang
softly from a dense patch of Sallow and a pair of Swallow were feeding
overhead. I had great fun getting an image of the female Peregrine.
By using the digital zoom facility on the camera, I managed to get 150x
magnification from my scope and couldn't fit the whole bird in the frame.
Absolute madness, if only this technology had been available the day Jack
& I found the Booted Eagle, we would now be accredited with the
first record for Britain! (Dylan)
Friday 21st May 2004 Grove Ferry
Grove Ferry had a brief visit, as I had been told of
a Temminck's Stint. The bird was still present along with a Greenshank,
1 Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plover and an assortment of common
ducks. A Kestrel entertained by feeding on the wing, much like a Hobby,
but as hard as I tried, it was only a female Kestrel. All of
the other regular species were recorded and a pair of Goldfinches
were seen back at the carpark by the Grove Ferry Inn. (Dylan)
Friday 21st May 2004 Pegwell Bay
Popped down the bay to see the incoming tide and if
the overnight rain had knocked any waders down. Here are the counts: - 1
Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, c40 Shelduck, 2 Teal, 1
Peregrine 1 Hobby, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Grey Partridge, 120
Oystercatcher, 87 Ringed Plover, 11 Grey Plover, 9 Knot, 138 Sanderling, 2
Turnstone, c80 Dunlin, 6 Redshank, 2 Greenshank, 37 Bar-tailed Godwit, 26
Curlew, 3 Whimbrel, 8 Black-headed Gulls north, c800 Herring Gulls, c60
Lesser Black-backed Gulls, c150 Sandwich Tern, 4 Little Tern, 336 Common
Swifts north, 33 Swallows, 6 House Martins. Also some other birds seen,
not buy myself included a Spotted Flycatcher in Stonelees, 3 Cuckoo and 2
Nightingales. Left the site with a freshening northerly wind. (Craig)
Thursday 20th May 2004 Chamber's Wall
My soup-mine training course finished early so I
headed across to Chamber's Wall for an hour, or so, on my way home. The
weather had been glorious all day but, hortly after I arrived (15.45hrs)
the cloud cover became extensive and light levels dropped. Parking in the
Fishermen's carpark, I made my way north towards Coldharbour Lagoon. 2 Turtle
Doves and a Cuckoo competed for audible dominance, whilst the Reed
& Sedge Warbler provided the backing track! After crossing the
railway line, I was delighted to hear a Quail singing from the set
aside field immediately beyond the embankment. With the wind in the south,
I could still hear it when I arrived at Coldharbour Lagoon! The lagoon
held 4 Dunlin, 2 Common Sandpiper, 4 Redshank, 3 Ringed
Plover and a few, non-breeding, Black-headed Gulls. Yellow
Wagtails, Reed Buntings and Meadow Pipits were
conspicuous around the area and several species of duck were also
recorded. As I walked back towards the car, light levels dropped to such
an extent that I was unable to use the camera and the Quail had
ceased singing. Still, I was happy to get another year tick! (Dylan)
Wednesday
19th May 2004 Stodmarsh NNR & Grove Ferry
Took a
day’s holiday in view of the forecast and was not disappointed. It was a
lovely sunny morning and already 11oC by the time I got to Stodmarsh car
park at 6:40am.No Nightingale to greet me this time & indeed I
only heard a fleeting song from across the river on the way to Grove
Ferry. Plenty of bugs & therefore a lot of happy Warblers with the
usual species present, Reed & Sedge in abundance. Garden
Warblers very keen to sing almost outdoes the Cetti’s!
The Reedbed hide & woodland trail had no real surprises other
than few birds & the main lake, apart from Great Crested Grebes,
Common Terns, & Cormorants, was quiet as well – no
hirundines (indeed I only saw a handful of Swallows, Swifts, &
House Martins on the complete walk around the reserve, mainly at the
Grove Ferry end). Cuckoos were plentiful & I had a nice round
figure of 10 sightings in my travels – all males. It is debatable as to
how many of that species there are on the reserve currently. The temp was
rising & with the skies largely clear of cloud by mid morning raptors
took to the air with Marsh Harrier (m & f) being seen earlier
(including a ‘pass’) at Stodmarsh end & again single fem at Grove
end. From the Ramp
approx 15 Hobby could be seen looking back to Stodmarsh, along with
a closer male Kestrel (one tail feather missing), which joined in
the fun of catching insects. An accurate count was hampered as Cormorants
joined the fun by rising on the thermals, along with a Grey Heron!
There were 2 Common Sandpipers, a Ringed Plover, a Yellow
Wagtail, and 2-Pied Wagtail also from the Ramp. Harrison’s
Hide was a bit more interesting with 2 Greenshank and a male Garganey
amongst the Pochard, Shoveler, etc. A pair of Crow that
took a dislike to a Grey Heron, the tussle lasting about 5 mins,
enlivened the trail back to Stodmarsh! Then followed more views of Hobby
(& Cormorants!) but by now with the temp at around 23oC
& lunchtime there wasn’t any more ‘action’. I got back to the
car at 1pm and 64 species.
(Ben Ring)
Tuesday 18th May 2004
Un-disclosed East Kent venue. 05.30 - 05.50hrs)
On my way to Ashford this morning, I stopped off at an
East Kent venue, where a Grasshopper Warbler has been holding
territory. After a frustrating time not being able to see the bird, I
finally managed to get pix of the reeling male within the dense
vegetation. It's not brilliant, but I got immense pleasure in getting this
image, as the species is very scarce in our region these days! (Dylan)
Tuesday 18th May 2004 Grove Ferry (16.50 -
17.30hrs)
I called in at Grove on the way home, spending about 40
minutes on the ramp in the company of my cycling companion, Ross Crates.
There were a few waders on show with 1 Ruff, 1 Little Ringed &
4 Ringed Plover, 3 Common Sandpiper, 1 Avocet, 1 Redshank
and 2 Greenshank. Pied and Yellow Wagtails were fly
catching along the margins of the main pool and several Common
Terns were flying around the area. A few Swifts and hirundines
were feeding high up over the reserve and a female Marsh Harrier
drifted in from the south. (Dylan)
Tuesday 18th May 2004 Petham
Lesser Spot Woodpeckers @ Bonzai & 2 yellowhammers
at Petham. (J Websper, P Charlton, M Sykes)
Monday 17th May 2004 North Foreland
An absolutely cracking day to be out in the field. I
arrived at North Foreland just after 06.30 and walked to Joss Bay and the
Golf Course. Nothing much to report, 6 Eider flew north out at sea
and 4 Swallow & 1 Turtle Dove arrived in/off. Plenty of
common migrants and resident breeding species but nothing to get excited
about. (Dylan)
Monday 17th May 2004 Chamber's Wall/ Reculver
I got to the Fishermen's car park just before
07.50hrs. There were plenty of Yellow Wagtails
around the farmland and the ditches provided song posts for numerous Reed
& Sedge Warblers, as I made my way around. Common Whitethroats
and 4+ Cuckoo dominated the air waves as I walked along the railway
embankment before heading across to the seawall. A steady trickle of Swallow
went west with a single Swift for company. I noted 2 Greenshank
( 1 at Coldharbour & 1 West) with 3 Dunlin (summer plumage) and
a few Oystercatchers and Ringed Plover. 2 Sandwich Terns
were patrolling just off shore and a summer plumaged Black-headed Gull went
west. Grey Partridge numbers seem very buoyant with 3 pairs seen
and another (unseen) male calling. The only raptor I saw was a lone Kestrel
hovering near the Oyster Farm. A lovely walk in wonderful surroundings.
(Dylan)
As I drove towards Grove, I stopped at Marshside to
view a Cuckoo perched on roadside wires. As I got out of the car, a
Cetti's Warbler exploded into song from a densely vegetated garden!
Today East Kent, tomorrow the World!
Monday 17th May 2004 Grove Ferry
I parked in the main car park and walked across to
the ramp. A female Great Spotted Woodpecker, preening in a dead
tree, provided a little distraction as I passed the paddock. The usual mix
of Turtle Dove, Cetti's Warbler, Reed & Sedge Warbler provided
the soundtrack as I arrived at the ramp. From the vantage point 17+ Hobby
could be seen over the reedbed towards Stodmarsh. 3 Ringed & 1
Little Ringed Plover were around the margins of the main pool, where a
Wood Sandpiper had been seen earlier. A Little Egret,
resplendent in breeding plumes, spent a short time fishing at
the back of the main pool and 3 drake Garganey were on show from
Harrison's Drove Hide. (Dylan)
Sunday 16th May 2004 Grove Ferry & Elmley
Sheppy
On arriving at Grove Ferry we, Giblet Richard
Hoult & myself, were greeted by 2 Little Egret flying over and
landing in the back pools Cetti’s Warblers were singing with 2
showing on and off in the dead bush at the start of the ramp 4 ringed
Plover on the mud but no sign of any Little Rings, Common
Sandpiper, a scattering of duck 4 Pochard 2 Teal 1 Shoveler
a Pair of Ruddies & a couple of Mallard, Sedge
& Reed warblers much in evidence and Bearded Tits
low over the reeds. A count of 44 Hobbies was not as high as
Saturday but still very good a distant raptor being mobbed by male Marsh
Harrier was a dark Common Buzzard and text message from Phil
Milton announced a Red Rumped Swallow north through Pegwell
Bay at 11.40. We left Grove at 1.00 and travelled to the Isle of Sheppy to
see a Golden Oriole as both myself and Richard had not seen one in
Kent before, and after an initial frustrating wait we were rewarded with
excellent views also Firecrest & Little Owl were added
bonuses. A fantastic end to a fantastic day. (Martyn)
Saturday
15th May 2004 Margate Cemetery & Grove Ferry
After a fruitless trip to Margate Cemetery in the
hope of a fly over Black Kite, I called in at the great Grove for a
look around. The weather looked good for some raptors and that was to be
the case. I met Martin and Barry at the ramp who were having a competition
at count the Hobby and I think Martin won with about 56,
incredible. I could only manage 50!!!, the sight was fantastic and
everywhere you seemed to look there was a Hobby. Better things were
to come when Barry announced some raptors over Stodmarsh, we soon picked
out through the Hobby haze a Marsh Harrier, a Heron
and an Osprey. The Osprey continued towards Grove and
eventually performed in front of the ramp for the chosen few for 10 mins
or so. Soon after a Peregrine was seen and people didn't know where
to look, in fact we lost the Osprey ( if you can ). It's days like
these that make it all worth while, Brilliant. (Marc Heath)
Saturday
15th May 2004 Grove Ferry
Crept out of the soup-mine early, so had an hour on the ramp at Grove.
16 Black-tailed Godwits were feeding at the back of the main pool,
until flushed by a Sparrowhawk. 6 Greenshank were way over
on the back pool and only visible when I stood on a bench. A couple of Lapwing
and 2 Ringed Plovers made up the rest of the waders seen. Two
female Marsh Harriers patrolled the reedbeds and a pair of Kingfishers
provided a wonderful splash of colour as they chased over the reeds and
pools. Common Terns were watched perched on the islands and fishing
the pools. Ducks were a bit thin on the ground, just a few Mallards,
3 Pochard, 3 Ruddy Duck, 2 Gadwall, 2 Shelduck and 1 Teal.
Overhead there were good numbers of Sand Martins accompanied by a
few Swallows and Swifts. A Turtle Dove purred from a
dead tree in the paddock as I made my way back to the car. Not bad for a
quick stop. (Dylan)
Friday 14th May 2004
Grove Ferry/ Stodmarsh NNR loop
It has been a "great to be alive" day today.
The sun has shone and the birding been enjoyable without ever getting
exciting. I did the long walk around the Grove Ferry/ Stodmarsh NNR loop
and am so pleased I did. At least 3 Marsh Harriers at the Grove end
with 3 Little Ringed Plover & 2 drake Garganey
(from the Harrison's Drove Hide).
Sedge, Reed & Cetti's Warblers plus
Common Whitethroat dominating the sound scape. I had already counted
16 Hobbies between the ramp and the Marsh Hide, so when I arrived
at the Lampern Wall to see, at least, 50 more I was
"gobsmacked". There were about 10 other birders around the
reserve and none of them would offer an estimate of less than 50 birds
being present. I have not seen raptor numbers like this since I was in the
Pyranees, watching migrating Honey Buzzards! I truly believe that
there were in excess of 70 Hobbies around the reserve today! A
Little Owl perched on a farm building just long enough for me to
focus my scope, but no pix!. Bearded Tits gave frustratingly brief
glimpses and Cetti's Warblers just enjoyed the "wind-up"
(Now you see me, now you don't!) I had a great time walking along the
river with a couple of novice birders. The enjoyment they got from seeing
common species is in stark contrast to the "rarity hardened"
twitching brigade. To see the world through the eyes of a child, I for one
would love to start again from scratch! (Dylan)
Friday 14th May 2004 Ramsgate Cemetery
Got the Power bike today and a run up to the Cemetery
3 Green woodpeckers, 2 Jays 3 Sparrowhawks 40+
Crows 8 Magpies, a few Swallows over head the
odd Blue Tit & Great Tit and a good number of Woodpigeons
and a few Jackdaws (Craig & Gadget)
Thursday 13th May 2004 Monks' Wall NR
Managed to grab an hour at Monks' Wall NR before
heading off to Ashford and the soup-mine. Although nothing to get excited
about, I did mange 3 Whimbrel, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Cuckoo and
an assortment of common migrant warblers. Two broods of Mallard
ducklings and a Lapwing with four small chicks were signs of
successful incubation as was a Blue Tit collecting caterpillars in
a hawthorn behind the 2nd hide. Two male Cetti's Warblers
were singing around the reserve margins and a Skylark, high
overhead, brightened my mood as I headed back to the car and the dreaded
curse of working during daylight! (Dylan)
Thursday 13th May 2004 Fields Acol
I went to Acol after lunch where the male Montagu's
Harrier had Been seen a few time this week. But not by me today, a
report of a male Montagu's
Harrier over at Reculver this morning could of been the same
bird, still had Yellow Wagtail, Corn Bunting and lots of Skylark
and Linnets over the fields, a small number of Swifts
and Swallows also past over. (Gadget)
Wednesday 12th May 2004 Stodmarsh NNR &
Grove Ferry
The soup-mine called, so anything I managed today was
a bonus. I arrived at Stodmarsh NNR just in time to meet John Tilbrooke
and get news of a Red-rumped Swallow at Grove Ferry. A quick sortie
around the Stodmarsh carpark then off to Grove. Sadly no sign of the
Swallow but, an Osprey over the main pool before being moved off by
2 Marsh Harriers, at 14.40hrs, was ample compensation.
Plenty of other migrants around the reserve, mostly the regular warblers
species and 2 Yellow Wagtail were to be expected but, 3 Turtle
Doves and a singing Lesser Whitethroat were nice
surprises.
Wednesday 12th May 2004 Acol
Heading back home, I went via Acol where, the male Montagu's
Harrier put on a wonderful display. It's so frustrating to see the
bird but not be able to record it on digital imaging because of the
inadequacy of the equipment. My best effort leaves a lot to be desired
yet, it's better than nothing (just). (Dylan)
Tuesday 11th May 2004 S/ Bay, Samphire Hoe,
Stodmarsh & Grove
Visits to Sandwich Bay, Samphire Hoe, Stodmarsh &
Grove produced about 70 species in dull grey misty weather. Several
thousand Swifts & Sand Martins at Stodmarsh/Grove and
several Hobbies but little else to cheer the day. (John W &
Phil Charlton)
Tuesday 11th May 2004 Sandwich Bay
We spent a pleasant hour wandering around the Restharrow
area of Sandwich Bay, seeing very little of note. A few hirundines were
hawking insects over the fields and a Common Whitethroat sang from the
"Big Gully". Arriving at the "New Scrape" we met
a birder who reported a Black Tern and a Little Gull being present earlier
in the evening but, alas, they had departed. We had fantastic views of
Swallows and a Swift over the water, with 2 Dunlin, 2 Oystercatcher, a few
Lapwing around the margins. (Dylan & Gadget)
Tuesday 11th May 2004 Fields at Acol
We went across to Acol, just after 09.00hrs, in the
hope of seeing the male Montagu's Harrier. The low cloud and chilly
conditions made the task very unpleasant and we left the area seeing
nothing more than a few Yellow Wagtail, Corn Bunting and lots of Skylark.
Tuesday 11th May 2004 Monks' Wall NR
Time spent here was restricted to watching from the
first hide. Water levels have risen significantly over the past week and
the reserve looks really good. We counted 14+ Lapwing, 1 Gadwall
(drake), 1 Pied Wagtail, 2 Canada Geese, 50+ Wood
Pigeon, m & f Pheasant, 2 Mallard and numerous Swifts
& Swallows hunting over the open water. A Common Sandpiper
patrolled the margins close to the hide but there was little else to
report.
Tuesday 11th May 2004 Trice's Gateway (Ash
Levels)
We stopped for a quick scan only noting a large group
of non-breeding Black-headed Gulls and a Turtle Dove. A nice
group of Linnets flew up on to the power lines and a singing male
Nightingale performed wonderfully next to the level crossing. Again,
nothing outstanding, but the weather conditions do little to inspire! (Dylan
& Gadget)
Monday 10th May 2004 Montagu’s Harrier
The male Montagu’s Harrier seen yesterday
between Monkton & Acol was re-located this morning at about 9.30 by
Pete Laslett in th same location. No sign of it at 1.30 (John W)
Monday 10th May 2004 Sandwich Bay
I spent a couple of hours this morning at Sandwich
Bay. The weather was about as inspiring as the birding, will we ever see
the sun again? There were a few Common Whitethroats holding
territories and odd Chiffchaff sang from the wooded areas. A few
hirundines continue to move north, mainly Swallows, and off shore
there were a trickle of Sandwich Terns and 2 Gannets. Two
female Wheatear on the field behind the Yaught Club were 1 nominate
and 1 "Greenland" race. Nice to be able to compare the two.
Loads of Skylark and Meadow Pipit by the Cinque Ports Golf
Course, with good numbers of Corn Buntings for company. The
"new scrape" held a pair of Little Grebe, 4 Canada
Geese, 2 Teal, 2 Shelduck, 1 Pied Wagtail, 5+ Yellow
Wagtail and a party of 6 Dunlin. I noted a Cuckoo as I
made my way back towards the Obs but that was about as good as it got!
(Dylan)
Sunday
9th May 2004 Stodmarsh NNR & Grove Ferry
An early
6:30am start at Stodmarsh car park & a light drizzle, which ceased
shortly after arriving. The skies remained overcast until late into the
morning, with an occasional light breeze. Temp was 9oC,rising to 15oC on
returning at midday. Prospects looked good as I was greeted by a Nightingale
in the car park, which afforded more than just a glimpse as it flew from
one side to the other. Later, on returning, I was able to see it (?)
again, singing quite openly on a, as yet, leafless branch and it seemed
quite oblivious to my approach, affording a great close up of this less
than spectacular, colour-wise, ‘songster’. The Warblers have
quite obviously taken over the reserve as the predominant vocals belonged
to either Common Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Sedge, Reed, Cetti’s,
Garden Warblers, or Blackcap – even the much maligned Greylags
found it tough to get heard!! Garden Warbler was another first for
the year and as I slowly picked my way around the route the total was
increasing at a steady rate, even though common ducks like Teal &
Wigeon were apparently absent. The Common Terns seemed to have
displaced the Cormorants from the pontoon in the middle of the main
lake for the time being & they were briefly challenging warblers for
noise levels. There didn’t seem too much about there otherwise, apart
from a handful of Great Crested Grebes and numerous Swift
overhead. The view
from The Ramp at Grove Ferry end provided a mix of species with good
numbers of Sand Martin present. A single Ringed Plover
and a solitary summer plumage Dunlin were the only
‘individuals’. The
walk back towards the Marsh Hide produced a clutch of 6 broken Moorhen
eggshells together on the path which looked like had fallen foul of a
predator. Leaving that
hide, I spotted 3 Hobby catching insects and this was another first
for the year. The other raptors seen were m & f Marsh Harrier
and a m Kestrel. I did get a report of an Osprey seen at
around 11am heading towards Grove Ferry from Stodmarsh but sadly it had
avoided me. A
surprisingly good total of 72 species, considering the absence of a number
of the more common birds. (Ben Ring)
Saturday
8th May 2004 Sorry no news
Friday
7th May 2004 Stodmarsh NNR
Just had time for a quick visit before I went across
to Ashford. Plenty of common migrant warblers around the reserve but
nothing unexpected. A drake Garganey was on the flooded area, where
the Wood Sandpiper had been yesterday. 9 Hobbies and 3 Marsh
Harrier around the reedbeds and a Cuckoo was in the bushes by
the boathouse. (Dylan)
Thursday
6th May 2004 Stodmarsh NNR & Grove Ferry
Didn't arrive at Stodmarsh until after
10.00hrs. A Cuckoo greeted us as we walked onto the
Lampern Wall but, before I had a chance to get an image, a group of
"very noisy" ramblers flushed the bird. They then had the front
to ask " anything interesting?". I did well to bite my lip -
must be getting old. We did find a Wood Sandpiper on the
floods between the Marsh Hide and the river, 20+ Hobby, 5 Marsh
Harrier, 2 Sparrowhawk, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Little
Ringed Plover, 3 Dunlin, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Common Sandpiper
and a drake Garganey. Hirundines and Swifts were passing
through in impressive numbers as were a steady stream of Lesser Black-backed
Gulls. (Dylan & Craig)
Wednesday 5th May 2004 Grove Ferry
I had a meeting at the soup-mine so called in at
Grove Ferry twice today. Attempting to catch up with a Temminck's Stint
and, once again, failing dismally. On the outward journey I did see Kingfisher,
White Stork (the bird with the missing primary on right wing!)
circling high over the Preston Marshes, 3 Cuckoo, 1 Hobby
plus the usual mix of Bearded Tits, Cetti's Warblers, Water
Rail, Marsh Harrier and Common Tern. My homeward stop
produced an additional Oystercatcher and a meeting with Hollyer
& Lasslet inc. They reported a female Red-footed Falcon, seen
well, if briefly, flying west towards Collards Lake. There were plenty of Common
Swifts and assorted hirundines over the reeds but, try as I might, not
one Red-rumped amongst them. (Dylan)
Tuesday 4th May 2004 New Scrape SBBOT
The weather continued to get worse so, after leaving
Monks' Wall NR, Ashley & I, along with Marc Read, went across to Deal
to fit a "Sparrow Mansion" nest box to a house in Deal. The job
didn't take long so we had time to stop off at the "new
scrape" on the way back to the Obs. There had been 3 Little Tern,
20 Sandwich Tern & 1 Common Tern there, earlier in the
day, so we called in with the hope that there would be a few stragglers.
No chance, the weather had brightened and the birds had departed. We
scanned the "pond in a sandpit" to see good numbers of
hirundines arriving. Sand Martin, House Martin and Swallow
were all present, skimming over the surface of the water in
varying numbers. A Common Sandpiper "teetered" around the
perimeter and a few gulls were using the pool as a washing area.
The gulls were non-breeding Herring Gulls, Great & Lesser
Black-backs with a single 2nd yr Common Gull; a good
record for May in East Kent.
(Dylan, Ashley & Dullard)
Tuesday 4th May 2004 Monks' Wall NR (09.40
- 11.20)
Abysmal weather, yet again, so birding from hides was
the order of the day. I really fancied my chances of Temminck's Stint,
so went to Monks' Wall after picking up Ashley from SBBOT. Only thing
wrong with the plan was that the Stints hadn't read the script. We found 2
Ringed Plover, 4 Pied & 1 White Wagtail, 4 Redshank, 4
Whimbrel, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Cetti's Warbler plus a calling Greenshank
and a few Reed and Sedge Warblers around the reedy margins.
Around 100 gulls were loafing in the Centre of the reserve
with Herring Gulls predominant but, Great Black-back,
Lesser Black-back and Black-headed also present in varying numbers. As
we walked back to the car a Skylark was singing, I couldn't
understand what there was to be so cheery about, I was bloody soaked!
(Dylan & Ashley)
Monday 3rd May 2004 May Day from the Old Boys
While us old `en’s couldn’t hope to keep up with
Dylan the four geriatrics (John Hollyer, Pete Laslett, Mike Sykes and
yours truly) did manage our 6th annual May Day trip to Breskens (Holland)
& Oye Plage. For the 2nd successive year the weather was not ideal for
much viz. mig. Only Swallows & Jackdaws were on the move at the
Breskens watch point. At the adjacent Hoge Platen Reserve however things
improved with 17 species of wader including 4 pair of Kentish Plover,
several Thousand Bar-tails, with Dunlin, Grey Plover, Turnstone
and Greenshank in good numbers. At least 70 Little Terns
with the occasional goody like Curlew Sands & Knot in summer
plumage to keep the old hearts fluttering. Returning to Oye Plage by
mid-afternoon after Pete clocked 105mph on the A16 - new record, we found
2 pair Black N Grebe, Several Garganey, Ring Ouzel,
Fieldfare plus a thriving colony of Med gulls. The day closed
with a fine Pom Skua, which we watched from the ship’s restaurant
while we enjoyed a well-earned meal. 97 species in all
not bad for a combined age in excess of 270 years! We have now
clocked up no less than 140 species in six Visits. (John W)
Monday 3rd May 2004 Grove Ferry
Arrived at Grove Ferry at 6.15 this morning to the sound of Cetti's
Warbler and Nightingale, Bearded Tits seemed very mobile
with the usual scattering of duck, Teal, Shoveler, Gadwall Pochard
& Mallard, a Whimbrel flew west at 7.00 am. During my 7
hours on the ramp I saw several Swifts, Swallows & House
Martin but only a handful of Sand Martin, at least 4 drake
Ruddy Duck, 1 drake Garganey, 2 Little Ringed Plover,
1 Temminck's Stint, 10 Black Tailed Godwit, 2 Yellow
Wagtail, 1 Greenshank only 1 Turtle Dove plus the
commoner migrants such as Sedge & Reed Warbler Cuckoo also a
count of 38 Hobby's and at least 2 Marsh Harriers. A very
pleasant morning. (Martyn )
Sunday 2nd May 2004 Dartford marshes & Stodmarsh & Grove
Ferry
With full intentions of doing tide out at Pegwell Bay & maybe see a
Kentish, David (Giblet) Gilbert came out with me for the first time since
January. We headed for Dartford marshes, a little out of our region I
know, to see the Stone Curlew reported there & during 37years
of birding Giblet had not seen a Stone Curlew in Kent so we had to
try & break his duck to which we were successful. Next stop was nearer
home Collards lake, Stodmarsh & Grove Ferry. A pleasant afternoon in
glorious weather seeing Garden Warblers around the car park
hearing many Cetti's Warblers, 1 seen, a drake Mandarin duck
3 Common Sandpipers 3 oystercatcher several Cuckoo
Reed & Sedge Warblers all round Bearded Tits showing well
and while I counted 30+ Hobby's the days total was 47 (John
Cantelo). Finished the day off at Sandwich Bay where there were Pied
Flycatcher 1, Ring Ouzel 1 Many Whitethroat a couple of Corn
Buntings And a Great Reed Warbler that showed well for the
few people that were there. All in all a very nice day.
(Martyn Wilson & David Gilbert)
Saturday 1st May 2004 20 hours pedaling around East Kent
I have just got home after 20 hours pedaling around East Kent! The
choice of date leaves a little to be desired, but I have had a great day
in the field. My final total ended at 121 species, exactly the same as
last year. I would like to thank Ross Crates for the support and
companionship; he joined me at Stodmarsh and stayed the trip! Gadget
and Flip at Pegwell for their help in my seeing Knot and the
Obs Bods
for a couple of snippets that boosted my total. So many highlights that a
full report will be posted tomorrow. Grasshopper Warbler, Spotted
Flycatcher, Arctic Tern, Wood Warbler and Avocet are an indication of the
quality, all gave me great pleasure. (Dylan)
