Wednesday
31st December 2003 Dumpton Garden
I stood out in the garden this evening to count the Ring-necked
Parakeets flighting from the north towards their roost at Ramsgate
Station. The first birds went through at 15.28hrs with the last straggler
at 16.18hrs. I managed to count 348 parakeets, but missed others as
they stayed to the east of me, thus out of sight from my position. Also 77
Carrion Crows flew over the garden towards the Cemetery roost, a
female Sparrowhawk went east at 15.56hrs and I managed to get two
new garden ticks as well. 9 Whitefronts went north at 15.34hrs (my
only wildfowl record) and a Rock Pipit flew south at 16.03hrs.
I was really glad to get the pipit as Craig had one from my garden a few
days previous, whilst I was sorting out the car keys! (Dylan)
Wednesday
31st December 2003 Ramsgate Synagogue
While
walking around the old Ramsgate Synagogue I observed 5 Blackbirds,
3 Song Thrushes, 20+ Collard Dove, 7 Woodpigeons, 4 Robins,
3 Dunnock15 Long-Tailed Tits, 2 Goldcrest, 5 Great
Tits, 7 Blue Tits, 5 Greenfinches, 7 Chaffinches
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 5 Parakeets (Gadget)
Wednesday
31st December 2003 Dumpton to Hoverpad
As a warm up for tomorrow's efforts, I walked
from Dumpton to the Hoverpad, via King George VI and the Harbour. I
managed 53 species without any great effort or any real surprises. Both
the Great Northern Diver and female Eider are still
present and a single Purple Sandpiper was opposite the Cafe at the
Port entrance. Although there was absolutely nothing to be seen out at sea
Pegwell Bay was full of birds, mainly waders and ducks, but
quite few gulls right out along the tide line. Amongst the Rock
Pipits at the Hoverpad, there was one that showed characteristics of
the Scandinavian race "littoralis". Struggled to see any raptors, just one Kestrel at
Cliffs End and an adult male Sparrowhawk hunting the railway
embankment near Ramsgate Station. Final addition to my list was a female Great
Spotted Woodpecker in the Cemetery as I neared journey's end. Happy
New Year.
(Dylan)
Tuesday
30th December 2003 Ramsgate Cemetery
2
Goldcrests, 8 Ring-necked parakeet, 1 Great spotted
woodpecker, 2 Green woodpecker, 9 Magpie, 2 Jay,
2 Chaffinch, 18 Blackbirds small groups of Blue &
Long-tailed tits. 20+ Woodpigeons 30+ Crows (Gadget)
Monday 29th December 2003 Report today
Wedding
between
Dylan Wrathall
& Beverley Heath
Congratulations
to you both Health & Happiness Always
Sunday 28th
December 2003 North Foreland
Small but steady southerly passage @ North Foreland this morning of
Gannets 50 in 30mins 1000-1030plus several auks (10) & 1 Red Throated
Diver (John W)
Saturday
27th December 2003 Waxwings
No sign of the Waxwings around Pfizer carpark,
so decided to head off to Chamber's Wall (Reculver) to do something with
our time. Traveling through Ebsfleet, we stumbled across 15 Waxwings
in a the in the Stonelees Golf Club carpark. They were very flighty and we
only managed to get a few minutes with them before they flew off towards
the Power Station. Although we went back to Weatherlees, in an
attempt to relocate the group, we didn't manage another sighting! There
were a few Redwing in the area and two Bullfinches were in
Weatherlees. I then went to the Port and Harbour as Gadget didn't feel to
clever. (Dylan & Gadget)
Saturday 27th December 2003 Ramsgate Harbour
had the two star residents on display, along with a few Cormorants
and assorted Gulls. 3 Red-throated Divers went north and the
usual array of waders were present along the shoreline, however
there were good numbers of pedestrians walking the coastal paths and
disturbance was un-avoidable. Parakeets were very active around
King George VI Park, suggesting early nesting this Spring? (Dylan)
Friday 26th
December Winterstoke Rock Gardens to the Harbour
I walked from Winterstoke Rock Gardens to the Harbour
and back. Very strong southerly blowing and low light levels made
photography almost impossible. Usual Turnstones, Oystercatchers,
Sanderling and Curlew along the beach. 1 Guillemot
went south and I saw an adult Gannet from the East Pier. All the
usual stuff in the Harbour, but two new arrivals were single Little and
Great Crested Grebes. The original, ringed, 1st winter Cormorant
was on the pontoons with reasonable numbers of gulls. Two Rock
Pipits around the Harbour Lights Cafe about sums up my meager
offering. (Dylan)
Thursday 25th December Sorry no Reports
Wednesday 24th December 2003
Waxwings
My final birding recollection of Thanet birds before sinking into an
orgy of booze & food is of at least 15 Waxwings still
present at Pfizer R`bout midday today (24th) (John W)
Wednesday 24th December 2003
Started at Dumpton Gap at 7.45hrs very disappointing only dog walkers
on the beach on the sea wall 3 Black headed Gulls, 2 pied
Wagtails.
Arrived 8.20hrs at King Gorge VI Park from the east side good numbers
of Blackbirds, 5 Song Thrushes, 8 Long-tailed Tit, 4 Robins,
7 Parakeets, 50+ Starlings over on the cliff side sitting on
top of the over hanging bushes. Down to the under cliff arriving at
Ramsgate Harbour 9.05hrs once again very disappointing there were not many
gull on the pontoons, the Female Eider and Great Northern
Diver were out in the outer harbour with 1 Cormorant, 7 Turnstones
on the slipway with 2 Rock pipits, 5 Pied Wagtails around
the harbour and lorry park.
Along the Western undercliff a total of 76 Turnstones on the
rocks with 160+ Oystercatchers, 9 Curlews, 15 Redshank.
From the eastern undercliff though to the western undercliff there were 26
Fulmars sitting on the cliff ledges. (Gadget)
Wednesday 24th December 2003 Ramsgate
Cemetery
5 Goldcrest, 1 Firecrest, 9 Long-tailed
Tit, 6 Jay, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green
Woodpecker, 1 male Sparrowhawk. There were quite a few Chaffinches
in the area and Blackbird numbers seemed high. It is
surprisingly mild at the moment, so perhaps we need a spell of hard
weather to move a few birds around? (Dylan)
Tuesday 23rd December 2003 Stodmarsh am.
6 Marsh Harriers, 12 Siskins, (John W)
Tuesday 23rd December 2003 Seaton:
1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Drake Smew, 2 Little
Egret good numbers of duck especially Wigeon, Shoveler,
and Teal. (John W)
Tuesday 23rd December 2003 B/Stairs to R/gate
Harbour
Just got back from the daily drudge that is birding
the coast at the moment. Walked from Broadstairs to the Harbour, stopping
at Dumpton Gap for a brief sea watch.
Red-throated Diver 3 north 4 south, 2 Common
Scoter south, 1 Purple Sandpiper. Plenty of Turnstones
and Sanderling along the shoreline with the usual supporting cast
of Pied Wagtails and Rock Pipits. The harbour was much as
normal with the resident Eider and Great Northern Diver
on show and a lone Kingfisher on pontoons in the inner harbour.
Couldn't find any ringed cormorants today, but did manage to read a BTO
ring on an adult Black-headed Gull. I'm not sure that I got it
all but do know that the last five digits read 10335. I will see what the
BTO come up with, but am fairly sure it will turn out to be a locally
ringed bird. i.e.. Westgate during a SBBOT cannon-netting session.
Monday 22nd December 2003
Very cold Northwesterly blowing, but quite bright
early on.
Female Sparrowhawk at King George VI Park.
Monday 22nd December 2003 Sea
Watch
Red-throated Diver 2 north, 3 south and 1 on 9
Sanderling, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 20+ Turnstone,
2 Rock Pipit, Large numbers of Fulmars at sea and on the
cliffs.
Monday 22nd December 2003 Ramsgate
Harbour
The Great Northern Diver and female Eider
were both present in the Outer Harbour. Several Rock Pipits were
around the buildings and 9 Cormorants were roosting on the pontoons
with an assortment of Gulls. There was another 1st winter bird with a ring
on, not the same bird as on Friday. I could not get any details at
all, due to the distance, but the ring design suggests foreign origin as,
I believe, the BTO stopped using this type of ring many years ago. Maybe
someone could confirm this? (Dylan)
Monday 22nd December 2003 Ramsgate Beach
Went down the beach today after 30 minutes looking out
at sea there was not much to show for it 1 Red-Throated Diver south
15+ Gulls out at sea and 40 + on the beach and on lamp post along
the sea front, in the carpark I found 9 Pied Wagtails running
around looking for food all in all not the sea watch that I
was looking forward to later in the day as the tide reseeded the rocks
became host to 12 Turnstone, 23 Oystercatchers and a few Black
Headed Gulls, (Gadget)
Sunday 21st December 2003 Sea Watch
Sea
watch at Broadstairs for 30 minutes today 11.15 –11.45 not much to
report 7 Fulmars, around cliff top 23 Black Headed Gulls on
the sea 5 Oystercatchers south 30+ Herring Gulls out at sea
behind boat 1 Kittiwake on side of cliff 30+ Starlings over
the cliff top that’s about it (Gadget)
Saturday 20th December 2003 Sorry no Reports
Friday 19th December 2003 Ramsgate Cemetery
1 Firecrest, 1 Sparrowhawk, c20 Ring-necked
Parakeet, 6 Chaffinch 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker,
1 Green Woodpecker,3 Goldcrest,
4 Jay, 16 Long-tailed Tit, (Craig)
Friday 19th December 2003 Waxwings
21 Waxwings in the bushes around the Pfizer
carpark, viewed from the road works along the A256 by-pass. Very mobile,
the entire flock flew across the road into the Universal Salvage compound
on one occasion. Pfizer security are very vigilant, so don’t be
surprised if you get a visit! They are only doing their job.
Friday 19th December 2003 Ramsgate Harbour
Great Northern Diver - 1st winter still
present, female Eider and a ringed 1st winter Cormorant.
We got as close as we could, but seaweed obscured the ring so we were
unable to get any positive detail. We managed a few images, but failed to
get a decent shot. It was not a BTO ring! Surely colour ringing is the way
forward (Dylan & Gadget)
Thursday 18th December 2003
Did the big walk again today. Nothing much to report
from Dumpton to the Harbour, but 75+ Woodpigeons arrived in/off at
Dumpton Gap then went south! An adult Kittiwake was in the Harbour with
the Great Northern Diver still present in the Inner Harbour
and the Eider was also seen. Along the Western Undercliff, I had a
brief encounter with a Grey Phalarope. The sun was against me
getting a pix so I tried to move, but a dog walker/bait collector flushed
the bird from the water and I had to watch it fly out into Pegwell Bay
before landing back on the water at a ridiculous range. A Little Egret
and good numbers of Shelduck were out on the Bay with the usual
array of common waders. Stonelees was very quiet, although Pete Forrest
had seen a Chiffchaff and a couple of Goldcrests. There
was an adult Peregrine on the tallest chimney at the Power Station.
The Ash Levels was excellent. I spent from noon till dusk on the marsh
2 imm Hen Harrier, Water Rail -
calling, 130+ Teal, 6 Gadwall, 10 Grey Partridge, 22 Common
Snipe, 46 Skylark, 1 female Merlin, 85+ Corn Bunting,
imm Marsh Harrier, 16 Pied Wagtail, 50+ Golden Plover,
84 Mute Swan, 6 Bewick's Swan 4 ads & 2 juv, 3 Greylag
Geese, 4 Green Sandpiper, 9 Tree Sparrow, 1 Lesser
Redpoll, 1 Kingfisher, 4 Little Grebe, 1 Redshank,
Fieldfare (1100), Redwing (450), 1 Little Owl, 3 Yellowhammer,
1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Sparrowhawk, Chaffinches, Goldfinches,
Reed Bunting, Lapwings and Curlew were all present in
good numbers, but it appears the Harris' Hawk may have
succumbed to the weather. (Dylan)
Thursday 18th December 2003 Waxwings
There
was about 15 Waxwings in one of the Pfizer car parks 9:00 - 9:15.
They may still be there. Access may be difficult for
"outsiders" but they're in trees by the workings on the bypass
upgrade. If you go to the Ramsgate Road / Sandwich bypass roundabout
(or thereabouts) and view the trees along the car park by the bypass
workings, you may catch them with a scope. Good luck. (Scott)
Wednesday 17th December 2003 W
I went on a walk-a-bout today hoping to find some
Waxwings! Failed dismally, but still managed to clock up a few images.
Walked from Dumpton to the Harbour, then on to the Hover Pad and thus,
home!
Rock Pipits and Pied Wagtails were the
high point of the outward journey, 60+ Linnets in the derelict site
along the Eastern Undercliff were nice. The Harbour was very
disappointing, with just a lone Kingfisher of note. A gull,
with Lesser Black-back X Herring Gull features, is still present on
the slip-way. It will be interesting to hear what others think? The walk
from the Harbour to the Hover Pad was dour by any standards. Good numbers
of Knot were feeding out on the Bay, with Dunlin, Oystercatcher,
Curlew and Bar-tailed Godwit making up the supporting cast!
An about turn and a walk back through the harbour did nothing to add to
the day's tally, but the weather was kind and there were good numbers of Lapwing
and a few Golden Plover on the fields below Manston Airport.
(Dylan)
Wednesday 17th December 2003 Fields at Dumpton
& Newland Farm
Observation over the field 3 Common Gulls, 14 Black
Headed Gulls, 5 Herring Gulls, 14 Crows, 38 Woodpigeons,
22 Collard Doves, 3 Song Thrushes, 3 Pied Wagtails,
on the ground. 5 Great Tits, 2 Blue Tits, 5 Long-tail
Tits, along the railway embankment, at the farm 3 Goldcrest, 2 Firecrest,
5 Chaffinches, 4 Pied Wagtails, 3 Robins, 2
Parakeets, 1 Jay, 1 Sparrowhawk, (Gadget)
Wednesday 17th December 2003 Kearsney
Abbey & Russell Gardens
An
early morning stroll out with the dog through Kearsney Abbey and
Russell Gardens
produced the following birds. 287 Black-headed Gulls, 8 Herring
Gull, 3 Common Gull. These were on both lakes. 2 Grey Heron, 2 King Fishers in flight, 268 Mallard,
72 Moorhen, 27 Coot, 4 Little Grebes on Bushy Lake,
10 Rooks, 83 Jackdaw, 16 Crows, 36 Mute Swans.
Around the gardens was very active with, 8 Goldcrest, 2 Firecrest,
3 Song Thrush, 8 Mistle Thrush, 3 Chaffinch, 14 Blackbird,
2 Coal Tits, 10
Long-tailed Tits, 3 Great tit, 4 Dunnock, 1 Pied
Wagtail and 3 Grey
Wagtail. (Graham)
Tuesday 16th December 2003 What a fantastic time I
had at Stodmarsh
Nice mixed flock of Goldfinch, Siskin
and Lesser Redpoll around the Nature Trail. Good views but they
were very mobile, a single Treecreeper was also present. 5 Great
Spotted Woodpeckers and one Green Woodpecker were also seen
en route. 3 Bullfinch, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Firecrest, 5 Goldcrest
with lots of assorted Tits and Finches were noted as I made
my way along the path to the Marsh Hide. Bearded Tits, Water
Rail and Cetti's Warblers were noticeable by their calls,
but very few chances to watch them through my bins! Arriving at the Marsh
Hide was a bit of a disappointment as it was frozen, only a pair of Stonechats
to show for my efforts, however, my return journey allowed me to connect
with Water Pipit and several nice views of Beardies. I then
went north along the Lampern Wall towards the Hide-on-stilts! An adult
female Marsh Harrier was hunting the reedbed, with two imm birds
seen later. A Grey Wagtail and a Kingfisher were seen as I
made my way north only to be distracted by 4 Bean Geese flying over
at 13.40hrs. Whilst I was attempting to confirm the id of the geese, I am
sure that I heard a Waxwing, but failed to connect. It was always
going to be my day, as when I walked back to the car, I flushed a Waxwing
from the side of the path. It flew up into a tree allowing me to get a
series of nice images. Fieldfare and Redwing numbers were
down on previous visits and I was disappointed not to connect with the
wintering Yellow-browed Warbler, but it had been a fantastic two
and a bit hours at Kent's finest Nature Reserve! (Dylan)
Tuesday 16th December 2003 R/Gate eastern
Undercliff & Sands
12 Fulmars sitting on the eastern cliff face,
20+ Goldfinches along eastern end where the old Ramsgate swimming
Pool use to be, on the beach 8 Standings, 5 Turnstones, 2 Rock-pipits
running along the surf line as the tide came in. 62 Black Headed Gulls,
along the railings with 20+ Herring Gulls, on the Sand. Out over
the sea 150+ Oystercatchers, going south, 14 Cormorants 12
going north, and 2 going south, 5 Redshank going south, (Gadget)
Monday15th December 2003 Stonar Lake
109 Tufted Duck, 10 Canada Geese, 16 Pochard,
1 Wigeon (drake), 19 Coot, 27 Shoveler,
3 Gadwall, 10 Cormorant, 3 Little Grebe,
1 Kingfisher
Monday15th December 2003 Ash Levels
Good numbers of Fieldfare, Redwing and Starlings
around the orchards and the "escaped" Harris Hawk still
present near Goldstone. We also saw two Sparrowhawks on our
travels!
Monday15th December 2003 Deerson Woods and
Seaton GP's
1 Treecreeper, 5 Jay, 2 Great
Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Little Egret, 300 Greylag Goose,
1 Barnacle Goose, 2 Canada Goose,
2(Drake) Smew, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Water Pipit
Excellent numbers of common duck species on the main
pit, yet difficult viewing conditions in a strengthening N/Westerly with
large periods of cloud cover. The first really cold day this winter!
(Dylan & Gadget)
Monday15th December 2003Wader Count 14th/15th
December 2003 North Pegwell - Epple Bay (Birchington?)
655 Oystercatcher, 97 Ringed Plover, 89
Grey Plover,
908 Turnstone (minimum count!), 80 Dunlin, 8 Curlew, 40
Sanderling, 46
Purple Sandpiper, 7 Bar-tailed Godwit, 395 Redshank (minimum count) 32
Knot (John W, Phil C & Don Worsfold)
The Kent Branch of Butterfly Conservation Group
have a Photographic Social Evening planned for 14th February (Saturday),
everyone welcome to bring slides/prints/digital images. etc... Contact
John Websper. e-mail: gadget@planetthanet.org
for details of venue and time.
Sunday 14th December 2003 SBBO
New Scrape
With some
nice weather at last, though a strong south westerly, it did produce a
reasonable assortment of birds.
110 Lapwing, 1 Redshank,
22 Starlings, 8 Black-Headed Gulls, 8 Crows, 2 Rooks,
3 Curlew, 2 Pheasant, 5 Meadow
Pipits, 1 Common Gull, 1 Herring Gull, 1 Ruff, 1 Kestrel
(Graham)
Sunday 14th December 2003
As I keep reading the news from your site I thought
it would only be right if I added what I'd seen today!!
(Marcus)
Sunday 14th December 2003 Dover Hoverpad
Purple Sand 6
Sunday 14th December 2003
2 Jack Snipe, 3 Snipe, 1 Water Rail,
1 Stonechat, 1 Merlin 1
Sparrowhawk
Sunday 14th December 2003 Ramsgate Cemetery
4 Firecrest + 20+ Ringed Necked Parakeets,
2 Mistle Thrush 5 Jay, 1 Coal Tit, 8 Long-tailed
Tit
Sunday 14th December 2003 Ramsgate outer harbour
1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Red-Throated
Diver flew past
Sunday 14th December 2003 Westgate Bay
6 Purple Sand, 40 Sanderling, 5 Redshank,
60 Turnstone,
1 Merlin. Best views of Purple Sand I've had in Kent,
showing well on slipway at end of Hengist Road at high tide.
Sunday 14th December 2003
5 Water Rail seen, 1 Kingfisher
(Marcus)
Sunday 14th December 2003 Fields at Dumpton
11.45hrs
1 Brent Goose 11.25hrs and 2 Curlews (Gadget)
Sunday 14th December 2003 Seaton 12.30hrs
until 15.20hrs
At least 4 Little Egret were present around
the site two were perched up in the Trees. 1 Drake Smew at the
eastern end of the Main Lake, 2 Goldeneye seen, Wigeon, Gadwall,
Tufted Duck, Pochard, Shoveler, Teal and 1 Ruddy
Duck, 2 Kingfishers 1 over the lake and 1 on the river, Other
birds around were 2 Goldcrest, 9 Long-tail Tits 1Great
Spotted Woodpecker, then
I went across the road to the area between Seaton Mill and
Wickhambreaux 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Water Pipit, 1 Grey
Wagtail and several Meadow Pipits. 1Grey Heron, 140
Starlings (Gadget)
Saturday 13th December 2003
Drake Pochard and a Grey Wagtail in the
marina outside of De Bradliegh Warf Shopping Centre in Dover. I was
allowed to go shopping this morning, what joy! Great Northern Diver
and Female Eider still in Ramsgate Harbour. Sadly, that's your lot!
(Dylan)
Friday 12th December 2003 Ash Levels
Agent C, and myself, went to the Ash Levels today! It
wasn't that brilliant but, we spent around four hours out there and saw
some really nice birds!. There were lots of Fieldfares, Starlings
and Redwings around the farm buildings, very difficult to know how
many, but it was 1000's ! 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Green Woodpecker
- calling frequently, Harris' Hawk - still present and very vocal.
4 Green Sandpiper, 38 Curlew, 3 Little Egret, male
Hen Harrier, 3 ad & 2 juv Bewick's Swan, 3 Greylag Geese,
79 Mute Swan, imm Marsh Harrier, 8 Grey Partridge,
50+ Stock Dove, Fieldfare 1500+, Redwing
500-ish, Starling 3,000+, 40 Goldfinch, 40 Chaffinch,
60 Skylark, 30 Reed Bunting, 30-ish Linnets, 2 Tree
Sparrow, Yellowhammer - calling, 4 Snipe, 8 Gadwall
and 2 Shelduck close to the river! (Dylan & Agent C)
Thursday 11th December 2003 Sorry bad Day Nothing
Reported
Wednesday 10th December 2003
Started out at 08.30hrs with every intention of
looking for Waxwings. Quite bright up here in Dumpton, but it soon became
obvious that the conditions were very poor and fog was to be the order of
the day. As walked towards King George VI Park I had a Merlin
fly past me towards the Cemetery. Not a bad start!
Eastern Undercliff from Winterstoke Rock Garden
to the Harbour
4 Pied Wagtail,
80+ Linnets feeding in the area
where the old “Pleasure Gardens” have been demolished. Female Eider
and a single Rock Pipit was all
that were worthy of note in the Harbour. I then continued on along the
Western Undercliff as the fog descended with a vengeance. A bird appeared
in the gloom and turned out to be an exhausted immature Kestrel.
It collapsed on the chalk cliff and allowed me to get with 10m to get the
image. I stayed with it for about 10 mins, all the time the bird just
clung to the chalk ignoring the traffic that passed within a few feet of
where it was. Continuing, along the cliff-top to the Hoverpad, I saw 3
male Eider on the sea below the
Sir Stanley Grey with a Common Seal
for company. 6 Grey Partridge
flushed from the paddock by Little Cliff’s End Farm as I continued on
through the fog. The Hover-pad provided good, but hazy views of assorted
waders. Dunlin and Knot
being the most numerous, but there were Redshank,
Grey Plover, Curlew, Oystercatcher,
Turnstone and Bar-tailed
Godwit in attendance. Also a single
Little Egret was feeding in pools near the Garage. I walked along the
coastal path, passing the hide, but had missed the incoming tide, so most
of the waders had already moved away to the high water roosts. Onwards
through Stonelees NNR, the fog got so thick that I couldn’t see the
Power Station Towers. I got to the BP Garage and stopped off to get a
couple of Mar’s Bars. What to do next? In a moment of madness, I decided
to continue onto the Ash Levels. It was like going home, when I came out
under the bridge to survey the scene, the fog had started to thin and a
breeze had picked up. For the rest of the day, visibility wasn’t a
problem.
Wednesday 10th December 2003 Ash Levels and
Lower Goldstone
2 Grey
Wagtails were along the R. Stour as were 43 Common
Snipe, 11 Gadwall and 80+ Teal.
It was nice to see good flocks of Skylark
and Corn Buntings around two fields that were still left as stubble. 16 Curlew
were flushed from amongst the sheep and a huge flock of 100+ Mute
Swans contained a nice bonus of 6 Bewick’s
(4 adults and 2 juvs). A, ringtail, Hen
Harrier was hunting the fields near King’s End Farm and a Sparrowhawk
was near the Sewage Farm at Minster. Walking
up Goldstone Drove large numbers of Fieldfare
(2,200) and Redwing (600+) were
present in the hedgerows and orchards. A Common
Buzzard was watched flying west, being harassed by two Carrion Crows. A Water Rail
called from a reedy ditch and a Great
Spotted Woodpecker was in a mature Oak near Lower Goldstone. I tried
for Little Owl at a traditional
spot, but failed, so went off to another orchard to see if any Tree Sparrows were still about? As I walked along a tall hedge I
heard a call that I didn’t recognise. It was “corvid-like” but
didn’t quite fit any of the British species. The mystery was quickly
solved when I located an adult Harris
Hawk perched along the hedgerow. It had the remnants of a Jesse on the
right leg, but seemed perfectly happy at large. I spent around half an
hour watching the bird as it flew about the orchard, always to return to a
favoured vantage point in the tall Poplars that made up the field
boundary. All in all, a fantastic day in the field even if I did fail to
locate a single Waxwing! (Dylan)
Tuesday 9th December 2003 Late News
Larkey Valley Woods - bugger
all! Hard frost
Oare Marsh 10.00am – 12.30pm foggy
1 little Owl, 1 Little egret, 1
Dartford Warbler (close to the road on west side) 2 Stonchats, good
numbers of Wigeon, Teal & Shelduck.
Grove Ferry
At least 10 Bearded Tits, 1 Marsh harrier
main lake from ramp frozen
Stodmarsh mid afternoon
At least 5 Marsh Harriers 1 Ring tail,
1 Barn owl, Siskins 10? Large flock of Goldfinches,
Bullfinch, Goldcrests good
numbers of Shoveler, Shelduck, Teal More than 100+
roosting Cormorants
Probably in excess of 1,000 Fieldfares
(John Websper Phil Charlton)
Tuesday 9th
December 2003 Broadstairs to Dumpton Gap
5 Great Crested Grebes on the sea, 1 Red-throated
Diver north, 1 Sanderling, 1 Rock Pipit, 25+ Turnstones
and a female Kestrel.
Tuesday 9th December 2003 Ramsgate Cemetery
2 Goldcrest, 1 Coal Tit in the
Scott’s Pines by the Chapel, 1 Firecrest, 2 Great Spotted
Woodpeckers and 1 Green Woodpecker were about as good as it
got. Blackbirds were very numerous and there were also a few Redwings
present. (Dylan)
Tuesday 9th December 2003 Stodmarsh NNR
We went down to Stodmarsh for a couple of hours this afternoon, just to
have a look. There was a nice mixed flock of Goldfinches, Siskins and Lesser
Redpolls feeding in the alders along the Nature Trail. There were 3 Treecreepers in the same area. Walking down the Lampern Wall to view
across the lake and reedbeds we managed to see 3 Marsh Harriers (adult female and 2 imms) and a Bittern, as it flew across the lake at 13.18hrs. There were several Cetti’s
Warblers and Water Rails
making themselves noticed by calling loudly and Fieldfares
were particularly numerous in the orchards to the south of the reserve.
(Dylan and Gadget)
Monday 8th December 2003 Broadstairs to Dumpton
Gap
6 Purple
Sandpiper, 28 Turnstone, 2 Rock Pipit, 4 Pied Wagtail
Monday 8th December 2003 King George IV Park
Usual suspects, including Parakeets, Blackbirds, Song
Thrushes and assorted Tits! The most surprising sighting of the whole
day was of a Curlew feeding in the middle of the park! (Dylan)
Monday 8th December 2003 Marshside
Gadget and I met up in the park and headed over to
Marshside to look for the Common Buzzards that Craig had reported
at the weekend. We failed dismally. The best we could do was 50+ Fieldfare,
2 Redwing, 1 imm male Marsh Harrier, 1 Green Sandpiper
and Yellowhammer calling somewhere along Chitty Lane.
Monday 8th December 2003 Seaton Gravel Pits
We went across to Seaton because we had heard that
there was a Smew seen at Collard’s Lake the day previous. The
conditions were fantastic as we walked across to the site, but
deteriorated as the day progressed. Cold conditions overnight could have
brought a few birds in? At least 6 Little Egret were present around
the site. We flushed a drake Smew from the western end of the Main
Lake, but refound it at the eastern end. An imm/female Goldeneye
was also seen with a good supporting cast of Wigeon, Gadwall, Tufted
Duck, Pochard, Shoveler and Teal. 2 Ruddy Ducks
were found, whilst we were trying to re-find the Smew. Other birds
around the lakes were 4 Goldcrest, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker,
1 Cetti’s Warbler and at least 1 flyover Redpoll spp. We
then went across the road to the area between Seaton Mill and
Wickhambreaux 2 Green Sandpiper, 1 Redshank, 1 Water Pipit,
1 Grey Wagtail and several Meadow Pipits.
Monday 8th December 2003 Ramsgate Port &
Harbour
Gadget and I decided to finish the day by walking
from the Port to the Harbour. A flock of gulls loafing around the
Port entrance were given the once over, and two adult Black-headed
Gulls were seen to be wearing rings, one very shiny the other quite
dull. As we were in the process of getting images of the birds, a
“Security” bod, complete with walkie-talkie and florescent body
warmer, approached us and asked if we were taking photos? The outcome was
that we were out of order and the “Operations Manager” had asked us to
stop. Good job I wasn’t taking picture from the cliff-top near to
Churchill’s Pub/Restaurant (?) Continuing on to the Harbour we were
rewarded with 5 Rock Pipits, a
female Eider and the imm Great Northern Diver, still present in the Inner Harbour! Plenty of
large gulls but we couldn’t find any more colour rings. (Dylan
and Gadget)
Sunday
7th December 2003 Grove Ferry 09.45 – 10.55 hrs
The
carpark held 2 Robins, 3 Chaffinches,
7 Blackbirds and not much else.
Walking along the path towards the ramp yielded only 5 Black-headed Gulls! Just
past the Green Hide 5 Bearded Tits
flew across the path and, whilst looking over the reedbed, I heard a Cetti’s
Warbler. A Sparrowhawk was also seen but generally, very few birds to report.
(Gadget)
Sunday 7th December 2003 R/gate Cemetery
13.15 – 14.15hrs
On arriving met Phil Beraet “he said is very
quiet” and after a walk around I would agree with him, 19 Blackbirds,
9 Crows, 5 Parakeets, 2 Robins, 3,
Greenfinches
not a very good day in all lets hope tomorrow will be better. (Gadget)
Saturday 6th December Reculver Towers –
Seawatching
(after learning that the Desert Wheatear had
gone – or died!)
3 Red-throated Diver (1 on, 2 east) 3 Shelduck
west, 2 Wigeon (on then east) 16 Eider (10 drakes) on then
east, 2 Golden Plover east, 1 Curlew east, 2 Turnstone
east, c60 Oystercatcher east, Other birds seen in the area included
single Velvet Scoter, Black-throated Diver and the Snow
Bunting flock at Coldharbour Lagoon.
Marshside
3 Common Buzzards, that have been present in
the area for some time, and about 50 Fieldfare.
Stodmarsh
NNR
230-ish Graylag Geese, 3 Hen Harrier
– 2 male, 1 ring-tail, 1 Sparrowhawk, Water Rail –
several calling near the Marsh Hide, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted
Woodpecker
, 100’s of Fieldfare into roost, 3-4 Cetti’s Warblers
calling along the Lampern Wall, 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Goldcrest,2 Firecrest
(a good bird at Stodmarsh), Beardies calling from the reeds next to
the Reedbed Hide, 10 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Treecreeper, 500
(approx) Jackdaw over at dusk. (Craig & Martyn)
Friday 5th December 2003 Seaton Gravel Pits
Little Egret – at least 6 around the complex, Cetti’s Warbler
– 2 (A singing male on the South Pit and another bird calling from reeds
at the North Pit) Kingfisher – 3, Kestrel, Green
Sandpiper – 3 (1 in a ditch beside the North Pit & 2 on the
river behind Seaton Mill) Chiffchaff – 3, Sparrowhawk –
1 female, Fieldfare – 12 north + others around the hedgerows. Lesser
Redpoll – 2, Goldfinch – 6, Grey Wagtail –2, Redshank
– 1, Water Pipit – 2 on river behind Seaton Mill There were
100’s of Wigeon on the Main Lake, with good numbers of Gadwall,
Teal, Shoveler and Mallard. Tufties and Pochard
made up the majority of the rest with just a single female Ruddy Duck.
There were none of the winter specialities present, but hardly surprising
considering the temperatures we been experiencing of late! A nice walk
along the Little Stour, just a shame the light levels has been so bad that
I couldn’t get any decent images! (Dylan)
Friday 5th December 2003 Ramsgate Harbour
14.45 -15.45hrs
8 Turnstone, 1 Redshank, 3 Kittiwake,
11 Cormorants, 4 Rock Pipits, Only c140 large Gulls,
Very quite this afternoon in this dull weather + the tide was out which
might explain why the numbers of gulls was so low, also no sign of the Great
Northern Diver, it is probably out feeding in deeper water around the
Thanet coast. (Craig)
Thursday 4th December 2003 Deal Pier
Craig and I arrived at Deal Pier around
10.20hrs. There was a strong easterly blowing and the tide was dropping.
We lasted nearly 30 minutes before retiring to the Cafe!
Red-throated Diver 3 North 2 on the sea, Cormorant
3 North, Oystercatcher 1 South, Great Crested Grebe 1 on
the sea, Common Scoter 1 female on the sea, Wigeon 2 north, Auk
spp 1 south, 1 on the sea (v. distant!) Dylan (& Craig)
Thursday 4th December 2003 Garden & Field
out back 13.10 – 13.45
2, Dunnock and 1 Robin searching
amongst the shrubs for food while 17 House Sparrows, 9 Starlings,
8 Collard Dove feed on the peanuts that are around the garden, out
on the field 20+ gulls 14 Crows 40+ Wood pigeon 30+ Collared
Dove, amongst the corn stubble 3 Mistle Thrushes and 5 pied
Wagtails, 3 Meadow pipits, 5 Goldfinches, 7 Ring Neck
Parakeets and 1 Green woodpecker flew over the field towards
the railway line. (Gadget
Wednesday 3rd December 2003 I went across to
Sandwich Bay today. Parking near Manwood's School. I walked along
the riverbank, across the golf courses to Prince's Old Club House,
then on to the point at Shellness, Pegwell Bay! (and back obviously).
1 Little Grebe on R. Stour, 3 Grey
Partridge, Stonechat there were several along the route, but
the most showy male was near the sluice at Black Sand, Bearded Tit at
least two, calling from the Reedbed next to Black Sand Sluice. Corn
Bunting several nice flocks, a Sandwich Bay specialty, Great
Black-backed Gull 1100+ loafing off of the point at Shellness. I did
try to find a colour-ringed bird but failed dismally. 3 Common Snipe flushed
from the 100-acre field. Coal Tit in the pines behind Prince's New
Club House, 2 Firecrest, 8 Siskin, Snow
Bunting at least 100 birds in three flocks between the Prince's Old
Club House and Shellness Point, Cetti's Warbler a bird in the
ditch next to the Prince's practice ground. Quite special, as it is my
first Sandwich Bay record, Brent Goose a single on the salt
marsh behind the Sampher, 1 Short-eared Owl flushed from vegetation
on the point, Merlin a female at the point. A really nice day in
the field, no other birders, no politics! Very pleasant. (Dylan
Wednesday 3rd December 2003 Ramsgate
cemetery 9.35 -10.45hrs
10 Firecrest, 4 Goldcrests, 2 Coal
tit, c40 Ring-necked parakeet, 3 Great spotted woodpecker,
2 Green woodpecker, 5 Magpie, 7 Jay, 3 Chaffinch,
7 Redwing, 1 Skylark over 1 Meadow pipit over, c30 Blackbirds
a few migrants included, 8+ Feral pigeon on the chapel. A very
peaceful walk produced good numbers of Blackbirds and groups of Blue
& Long-tailed tits. Woodpigeons were looking fore nest
sites already and a pair of Great spotted Woodpeckers were
displaying. The main group of six Firecrest were feeding in
the sunshine, where the knocked down wall used to be. And last but not
least, the Coal tits were in the row of Scott pines with two Goldcrests
and five Parrots. (Craig)
Tuesday 2nd December 2003 Reculver to
Coldharbour Lagoon
Gadget and I went across to Reculver this morning, as
he hadn't seen the Desert Wheatear. Arriving about 09.30 we were
passed by two London birders as we took a slow stroll up the hill past the
Towers. From the highest point we could see away to the shingle hump
and the lagoon, where several other birders were. They didn't appear to
have any focus to their activities, so I assumed that they hadn't seen the
Wheatear and feared the worse for Gadget's chances.
As we walked past the buildings at the Oyster Farm,
the two London guys had located the bird and were trying to get
camera equipment sorted out. They were looking back at it, thus towards
us. We located the bird on the seawall about 80m away from us. We moved
forward about 50m and the bird flew off of the wall onto the concrete
slope and proceeded to feed working its' way steadily towards where were
standing. Unbelievably, it continued right along the wall and passed
within 2m of us, completely unconcerned. After twenty or so minutes,
and as other birders arrived to enjoy the experience, we headed off
towards the lagoon.
This is what we recorded:- 8 Goldfinch, 1
Green Woodpecker, 40+ Greenfinch, 5 Stonechat (2 males), 1 Little
Egret , 60+ Linnet, 1 female Kestrel, 142 Brent Geese feeding around
the outflow plus many others passing on the sea., 55+ Snow Bunting along
the shingle ridge behind Coldharbour Lagoon, A Short-eared Owl was
reported near to the Oyster Farm
As we walked back towards the car, we had one last
look at the Desert Wheatear and were treated to an amazing
display of behavior. The bird was completely fearless and actually walked
past the legs of my tri-pod, so close that the scope wouldn't focus. I got
some fantastic images, despite the poor light levels! A really nice
mornings birding, with everybody enjoying excellent views of the main
attraction, but also happy to watch the other birds available along this
stretch of coast. (Dylan & Gadget)
Monday 1st December 2003 walk-a-bout today
Did a very simple walk-a-bout today, but still
struggled with crap weather conditions!
King George VI 1 Grey Wagtail
north
Dumpton Gap 4 Red-throated
Diver south & 1 on 2 Great Crested Grebe north
Ramsgate Harbour
Great Northern Diver - 1st winter bird still
present in outer harbour
female Eider, 2 Rock Pipit
Western Undercliff 4 Purple
Sandpiper
There was a noticeable increase in the gull numbers
in the harbour the number of Fulmars off of the coast is growing
quickly. There were over 50 present off Dumpton today and many were
cruising the cliffs looking to re-establish nest sites. They are fantastic
to watch from the cliff-top path that runs between the Granville Cinema
and King George VI Park. Dylan)
Monday 1st December 2003 Blue Darvic - White
J9G6 R/gate Harbour
Blue Darvic - White
J9G6
This is a summary of the data received from Nils
Helge Lorentzen, the co-ordinator of the Lista Ringing Group, Stavanger,
NORWAY.
Great Black-backed Gull (larus marinus)
Ringed, as a nestling, by Runar Jabekk on 22.06.2002 at
Langoy, Mandal, Vest-Agder, NORWAY. Blue Darvic - White J9G6 on left
leg, metal ring 389836 on right leg.
Found in Ramsgate Harbour on 24.11.2003 (still
present on 25.11) 520 days after ringing and the first reported sighting.
A nice bit of information that adds yet another
dimension to looking at common species around Thanet! (Dylan)
Sunday 30th November 2003 Reculver
I went over to Reculver this morning and had some
excellent views of the Desert Wheatear. It was on the clifftop to the west
of the Interpretation Centre and being watched by a very well behaved and
appreciative group of birders. Such a contrast to the reported behavior of
yesterday. I stayed with it for about 30 minutes before deciding to
head off to work. As I got to the gravel area between the Blue Dolphin
Caravan Park and the car park, the Desert Wheatear appeared on the seawall and I
had it by myself for about three minutes, as it sat preening within 15m of
me. I have got a few images, which I will forward tomorrow when I get home
from work. (Dylan)
Saturday 29th November 2003 Coldharbour
disgraceful behavior
As has been reported by other observers today the behavior
of many twitchers at Coldharbour this morning was disgraceful. Not only
was the Desert Wheatear being constantly harassed but many
observers were denied a reasonable view by the selfish attitude of others
constantly moving ever closer to the bird. After disappearing for a
considerable period the bird was relocated soon after 1100hrs some 50yds
short of the Towers, close to the gate which closes across the seawall.
Only about six or seven observers were present including myself &
Pete Laslett and the bird on top of the sea wall some 20yds away even so
one particular odious individual with a digiscope insisted on getting even
closer until the bird flew into the caravan park. The best example of good
behavior was set by a dog walker & his son who when asked to stop, he
was coming from the Tower direction, climbed over the sea wall and
scrambled down the beach to avoid disturbing the bird. Is it any wonder
news of rare birds is suppressed? (John W)
Saturday 29th November 2003 Chamber's Wall to
Coldharbour Lagoon
I went to Chamber's Wall, arriving at 06.30hrs (it
was still dark). I walked across to Coldharbour Lagoon and then along the
path to the shingle hump, staying around in this area until 08.20. I
didn't see a Desert Wheatear or another birder in all that time. I've
just been on Birdguides and the first report up is of Desert Wheatear at
Reculver 08.04hrs!! All I can say is it wasn't on the shingle hump!
Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour Lagoon
Long-eared Owl - 2 hunting along the riverbank
next to the fisherman's car park at 06.35hrs, 40+ Snow Bunting, 60+
Linnet, 1 male Stonechat, 1 Little Grebe on the
lagoon Several Redwings moving east and a few small groups of Starlings
were arriving from the north. At first light, Grey Partridges
were calling from around the marsh. Other than that, very quiet and
very windy! (Dylan)
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