February 2008 Sightings         Join the KOS!!

Please email your sightings to Andy Lawson

If you live, or for that matter visit, any site in North or West Kent then I would be delighted to hear from you! Sightings would be appreciated from Sheppey in the North to Dartford & Tunbridge Wells to the West and then back to Maidstone in the East.

Future Guided tours in NW Kent - Non-members also welcome!

with Rob Clements - richard.clements3@virgin.net:
24.2.08 Capel Fleet (raptor viewpoint) 10-12.
16.3.08 Elmley 11-1.00 meet at farmhouse

Wouldham © Ian Shepherd

January 08

March 08

Friday 29th February Harty, Sheppey

Ring-tailed Hen Harrier across Harty Road and 10+ Marsh Harrirs, Merlin, Green Sand and RB Merganser below Harty Ferry Inn; Barn Owl north of the church; and coming back along Harty Road at least 60 Corn Buntings and 3 Bewick's Swans

(Keith Cutting)

Friday 29th February Swale NNR

There were 26 Barnacle Geese on the reserve this morning, feeding with 190 Greylag Geese and 12 Brent Geese.
(Derek Faulkner)

Friday 29th February Haysden

About 15 Meadow Pipit were noted this morning as well as five Lapwing, several Skylark and two Yellowhammers.

(Andy Appleton)

Friday 29th February Dartford Marshes

I had a day off so I managed to fit an hour's birding on the Marsh into my schedule.

A pair of Blue Tits, a Robin and a female Reed Bunting fed in the reed mace in a ditch alongside the (ever noisy) gun club along with a pair of Stonechats. 

6 Skylarks were seen as I walked to the Thames and once there I found 3 Yellow Legged Gulls including a 2nd winter female last seen here on the 21st December.  The other two were 1st winters. 

(Andrew Lawson)

Thursday 28th February Haysden

No sign of the Stonechat, just a few Skylark, a couple of Lapwing and a pair of Yellowhammers noted in a very short visit before work.

(Andy Appleton)

Wednesday 27th February Haysden

A female Stonechat showed very well by the car this morning. One Little Egret, a male Reed Bunting, one Bullfinch, several Yellowhammer and a few Skylarks were also seen from the car today.

(Andy Appleton)

Sunday 24th February Saxon Shore Way from Motney Car Park to Rainham Dock (and back)

12:15-13:15 tide coming in.  From several vantage points noted the following in the area and back towards Horrid Hill: 2 Brent Geese, 40+ Shelduck, Wigeon, Teal, Mallard, 14 Pintail, Shoveler, Oystercatcher, 200+ Avocet, 1 Grey Plover, Lapwing, 1000+ Knot, Redshank, uncountable number of Black Headed Gulls and Herring Gull. In the trees and shrubs on the land side, Robin, Blackbird, 2 Crow and in the trees opposite the car park 12 Goldfinch.

(John Pell)

Sunday 24th February Sevenoaks WR

of note on the reserve today were: 1 KINGFISHER,1 SPARROWHAWK,2 BULLFINCH,3 EGYPTIAN GEESE,6 WIGEON,15 SHOVELER,1 SHELDUCK,1 LITTLE GREBE,1 WATER RAIL (CALLING),36 LAPWING,2 RUDDY DUCK,29 CORMORANT,1 CHIFFCHAFF (Singing).
(Josh Jenkins Shaw)

Saturday 23rd February Saxon Shore Way from Motney Hill Car Park to Rainham Dock (and back)

15:15-16:45 tide going out.   From several vantage points noted the following in the area and back towards Horrid Hill: 1 Little Egret, Shelduck, Wigeon, Teal, Mallard, 24 Pintail, Shoveler, Oystercatcher, 200+ Avocet, 1 Grey Plover, 200+ Lapwing, 1000+ Knot, 200+ Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Curlew, Redshank, uncountable number of Black Headed Gulls and Herring Gull. In the trees and shrubs on the land side, Robin, Blackbird, 1 Wren, 1 Crow and heard Green Woodpecker.

(John & Liz Pell)

Saturday 23rd February Dartford, Bedgebury Pinetum & Pembury Waterworks

I stopped by the 2nd flooded field on my way to the M25 to check the small gulls and was pleased to find that 2 pairs of Lapwings were present already.

An early afternoon stroll around Bedgebury turned up more singing Treecreepers than I could count along with many Coal Tits and a couple of Marsh Tits on the feeders by the new cafe.

11 Mandarin were present at Pembury Waterworks.

(Andrew, Marcus, Marisa, William, Alex & Ann Lawson and Dr Andrew Duff)

Saturday 23rd February Capel Fleet, Sheppey

Brief morning visit to Capel fleet this morning; Bewick's Swan, Golden Plover, Merlin and a Brambling near the Church. At last reached a 100 for the year, only 53 days after the rest of you.

(Dr David Payne)

Saturday 23rd February Motney

A four hour walk around Motney produced a respectable 61 species. Highlights were Rock Pipit (2), Stonechat (2), Red-breasted Merganser (1), Med Gull (2), and a Little Owl heard from the viewing screen.

(Jamie Medford)

Friday 22nd February Bough Beech

Five minutes at Bough Beech this evening produced five Goosander and 14 Grey Heron – earlier there had been eight Goosander (four drakes) and there are still 20 Brambling in the orchard.

(Andy Appleton)

Thursday 21st February Crossness
 
First trip to the marshes for a while, on Crossness Southern Marshes there were large flocks of carrion crow (~200) and starling (350+), also woodpigeon, stonechat, grey heron, greylag goose and a female sparrowhawk gave excellent views hunting low.

Crossness nature reserve was very quiet but I got to the river a couple of hours after high tide to find it heaving with birds (all rough estimates - light was starting to go and I was running late for dinner!); >500 of blackheaded gulls and a few hundred teal. Also present were dunlin (~200) redshank (~50), black tailed godwit (5), shoveller (12), shelduck (~30), gadwall (~30), lapwing (>100), herring gull (12), lesser black-backed gull (~50) and common gull (15).

(P Grin)

Thursday 21st February Swale NNR

Nice to walk round the reserve this morning and be able to see distance and
not be frozen but the ground is drying out too fast as a result of the recent
E winds.
Best of the birds were:-
1 Little Egret
2 Grey Heron
7 Mute Swan
68 White-fronted Geese
3 Canada Geese
12 Barnacle Geese
80 Shelduck
270 Wigeon
12 Gadwall
70 Teal
80 Mallard
110 Pintail
30 Shoveler
16 Tufted Duck
6 Marsh Harrier
1 Hen Harrier - ringtail
1 Kestrel
1 Water Rail
2 Moorhen
120 Coot
600 Golden Plover - next door farmland
700 Lapwing
6 Snipe
60 Black-tailed Godwit
1 Barn Owl
2 Green Woodpecker
4 Stonechat
1 Hooded Crow
60 Carrion Crow
The Barnacle Geese were on the high tide with around 150 of the Wigeon, in the bay formed by Shellness Point.
(Derek Faulkner)

Thursday 21st February Southfleet & Ebbsfleet

The superb drake Falcated Duck wasn’t looking very wild at Southflleet duck pond this afternoon.  Nearby three Ring-necked Parakeets flew over Ebbsfllet station. Well that’s a bit better than shopping Bluewater.

(Andy Appleton)

Wednesday 20th February Capel Fleet, Sheppey

Enjoyed some terrific views of over 20 feeding Bearded Tits in a roadside reedbed circa 500 yards west of Capel Fleet raptor viewpoint this afternoon(4pm).

(Keith Cutting)

Sunday 17th February Bough Beech Reservoir

Seven Buzzards were on show as I arrived. Five Goosander were also present but no sign of yesterday’s drake Common Scoter.

(Andy Appleton)

Sunday 17th February Paddock Wood & Pembury Waterworks

A bit of time spent looking out of an upstairs window from our Paddock Wood house produced 33 Golden Plover and a Stock Dove flying over as well as a few Redwing. 22 House Sparrow on the feeders in the garden was a good count.

I nipped out to have a quick look at Pembury Waterworks where the only birds present were 3 Tufted Duck, further along the lane at a pond just viewable through the trees there were 31 Mandarin which is by far and away the best count here (TQ631429).

On the way home I checked a very small reedy pool at the eastern end of Green Lane (Paddock Wood) opposite the cemetery where 4 Reed Buntings came into roost (TQ676446)

(Marcus Lawson)

Sunday 17th February Cliffe RSPB

Sunday Perfect bright conditions, falling tide, little or no wind. Pochard again much in evidence, c200 on Ski Pool with a single Goldeneye drake. On Flamingo Pool another 200 odd Pochard and 11 further Goldeneye. Also a small group of nine Ruddy ducks. Redshank 50+ on Cliffe Creek with the falling tide. Later on the way back down to Black Barn, a group of 20+ stonechat in the scrub by the track and in a hawthorn tree by the Pipe Pool a single Corn Bunting, a bird I had yet to see here. On Black Barn no 1 about 90 shovelers all busy sifting.  

(Alan Lean)

Saturday 16th February Haysden

There was one Little Egret at Haysden this morning as well as four Mandarin and five drake Pochard.  One Marsh Tit was seen in one of the many tit flocks and I also got my first Water Rail of the year in the Shallows today. Other birds around Haysden and Ensfield Bridge this morning included a couple of Skylark, several Fieldfare and Redwing, a few Rook as well as most of the usual suspects. Hawden produced my first Shoveller of the year (a drake), with the usual five Gadwall and 46 Wigeon and ten each of Pochard and Tufted Duck.  This brings the patch year list to a very modest 70 species and I don’t appear to have had Mistle Thrush yet…

(Andy Appleton)

Saturday 16th February Bewl Water

I have just spent the afternoon at bewl water reservoir and of note were:45 CANADA GEESE, 10 GADWALL, 4 LITTLE GREBE, 20 GREAT CRESTED GREBE, 2 WIGEON, 2 POCHARD, 2 GREY WAGTAIL, 2 LAPWING, 75 COOT, 2 LONG TAILED TIT, 4 TUFTED DUCK, 13 TEAL, 2 GREY HERON, 1 SPARROWHAWK and on the way there I saw 4 BUZZARD near Lamberhurst.

(Josh Jenkins-Shaw)

Saturday 16th February Boughton Monchelsea

Myself and Mssrs Driver, Hunter & Wright started off at Boughton Monchelsea Deer Park where we heard 3 Woodpecker species including Lesser Spot. This site is also excellent for other passerines and we saw or heard 4 Treecreepers, 2 Nuthatch, 2 Siskin, Yellowhammer and a couple of hundred Fieldfares with the odd Redwing and Mistle Thrush mixed in. A buzzard soared beside the motorway at the Leeds Castle junction.

(Andrew Lawson)

Other accounts should appear here:

http://barry-wright.blogspot.com/

http://www.freewebs.com/jameshunter2/wildlifeblog.htm

Friday 15th February Haysden

One redhead Goosander and a Little Grebe (67 for the year) were on Haysden Lake this morning but no sign of yesterday’s Goldeneye.  Also noted today - a pair of Wigeon, one Siskin and a Sparrowhawk

(Andy Appleton)

Thursday 14th February Haysden

A first winter male Goldeneye was on Haysden Lake with four drake Pochard.  Several Lapwings were in a field by the road and there were a couple of Goldcrest with Long-tailed Tits in the car park.

(Andy Appleton)

Wednesday 13th February M25 near Sundridge and Bough Beech Reservoir

A Buzzard was loafing around near the M25/M26 junction this morning and there were eight Brent Geese at Bough Beech today.

(Andy Appleton)

 Wednesday 13th February New Hythe

At last! Med.gull this morning in with the Black headed gulls on Brooklands lake. Little else to report: Cetti's heard, Redshank on the river, Sparrowhawk sunken marsh. My New Hythe year list has crept up to 73.

(Martin Warburton)

Wednesday 13th February Sevenoaks WR

The Reserve has been quite rewarding for a mild winter. On Sun 10th I saw my first Med Gull there for 10 years and my first Little Owl for 2. The latter was still in the same tree today. A GC Grebe is sitting and I hope its optimism is justified. Other items of interest were 4 Egyptian Geese, 25 Gadwall, 17 Shoveler, probably a record number, a lone drake Sheld, hopefully a forerunner, as they have bred here, the furtive winter resident Ruddy Duck and 13 Snipe. A number of Mistle and Song Thrushes and Treecreepers were singing; 2 Kingfishers flashed both blue and green in flight, and 2 Water Rails were seen on the way to the Tyler Hide. It was of course the observer who was on his way to the hide.
(Martin Coath)

Wednesday 13th February Barmin nr Maidstone

Despite the dense fog in the Maidstone area this morning I was lucky to have the closest views of Lesser Redpoll I've had for a number of years. A small flock was feeding on seed heads and occasionally flitting into an open hedgerow on the east side of the public footpath leading from Barming to Ditton (TQ723556). A Bullfinch was also singing along the same path (and what a strange pipey, little song it was).
Also of interest was a Barn Owl, seen quartering along the south bank of the River Medway near Teston Bridge (TQ713535) around 5pm on Sunday.
(Adam Whitehouse)
http://dittoneastmallingbarming.blogspot.com/

Tuesday 12th February Haysden

Another quick trip to Hawden early morning in a thick frost – I got out of the car to the sound of Nuthatch, Greenfinches and House Sparrow!  The water produced five Gadwall, 45 Wigeon and a few Pochard and Tufted Ducks. 50+ Fieldfare and one Common Gull were in a nearby field.

(Andy Appleton) 

Monday 11th February Bough Beech Reservoir

A brief trip to Bough Beech this afternoon produced one Snipe and loads of Brambling.  The Brambling are showing well both in the orchard near the Oat and feeding in the fir trees viewable from the gate on the other side of the road, opposite the orchard.

(Andy Appleton)  

Monday 11th February New Hythe

Wader species, other than Lapwing, are scarce at New Hythe so Redshank, Snipe and Common Sandpiper this morning on the Medway were worthy of note. No sign though of the 2 Med. Gulls seen here yesterday by Terry Laws.

(Martin Warburton)

Sunday 10th February Haysden, Edenbridge & Trottiscliffe

As I arrived this afternoon seven Mandarin (four drake) flew in and circled Haysden Lake before alighting on the water and a Kingfisher showed itself several times. After not seeing or hearing last weeks Cetti’s Warbler - surely it can’t have gone far - I set on for Ensfield Farm in the vain hope of catching up with Brambling. On the way however I bumped into Bullfinches, a couple of Little Owl, four Little Egret and three Grey Herons and 43 Lapwing flew over. Around the farm were some 200 Fieldfare, Reed Bunting, a handful of Chaffinches plus Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers. On the way back I heard my first Yellowhammer of the year calling – looking round I couldn’t see anything but on approach a flock of about 15 birds came up out of the field most of which stopped in a  tree for passers by to appreciate!   One of these passers by claimed a Wheatear on his farm near Edenbridge this morning - initial reactions were ‘yeah right’ but his description did sound good for a male Wheatear.  

Five Buzzards were over the North Downs near Trottiscliffe earlier today.

(Andy Appleton)

Sunday 10th February Motney Hill/Rainham Dock

Visited the Saxon Shore Way from Motney Hill Car Park to Rainham Dock and back this morning 11:00-13:00.  Sunny, hardly any wind. 

From several vantage points noted the following out on the mud and as the tide came in: 1 Grey Heron,  Shelduck, Wigeon, Teal, 24 Pintail, Shoveler, Oystercatcher, 90+ Avocet, 1 Grey Plover, 200+ Lapwing, Knot, 60+ Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Curlew, Redshank, Turnstone, uncountable number of Black Headed Gulls (about 12 of which already sporting brown head) and in amongst the BHGs 3 2nd Winter Common Gulls, 2 Collared Dove, 1 Feral Pigeon.  In the trees and shrubs on the land side, a number of Robin, Blackbird and heard Wren and Fieldfare.  

(John & Liz Pell)

Sunday 10th February Capel Fleet

'Andycabs' was required to go to Sittingbourne today. However, I had a spare hour between the carrying and the fetching so I took full advantage of this by hot-footing it to the raptor watchpoint on Sheppey.

The weather was amazing.  14 degrees centigrade and glorious sunshine are not what I'd expect on Sheppey at the start of February!  The birds also felt the same way and 15 Bearded Tits were, for me and other birders, the undoubted highlight at the raptor watchpoint as they gave stunning views on top of the reeds with 4 Reed Buntings mixed in.  Superb. 

A Cetti's Warbler also gave ocassional good views as it flitted between reed beds; it even climbed up some reed stems!  2 Water Rails squealed and a Green Sandpiper flew over.

6 Corn Buntings were in a bush between the watchpoint and the Fleet and 30 Mipits sat up on the wires.

At the Fleet itself I spotted a Kingfisher sitting patiently on a fench post and a Bittern flew up and quickly crashed back down into a ditch.  Marsh Harriers were everywhere with one pair displaying.  One of the Rough-Legs was present but again I dipped. A female Merlin was spotted distantly.

(Andrew Lawson)

Sunday 10th February Trosley (Trottiscliffe) & Whitehorse Wood

I spent over 4 hours at Trosley and neighbouring Whitehorse Wood this morning and found 1 Hawfinch, 2 Marsh Tits, a Common Buzzard and lots of Woodpeckers.

(Barry Wright)

Sunday 10th February Swale NNR

The Hooded Crow was present on the reserve earlier this morning.

(Derek Faulkner)

Saturday 9th February Grain

Saturday morning dawned bright and still, with high tide due at midday-ish I headed East 'again' to that hallowed land of Grain once more. A brisk walk in the superb weather found me making a bee line for the outfall and 'shore enough' there was ONE wader feeding on the concrete apron, the quarry species, Purple Sandpiper. Camera at the ready I took a few shots before if flew off and joined a small group of Turnstones nearby.

.

.

.

I managed to get some good shots when it chose to be awake and you could see the purple sheen on the feathers 'hence the name' . Also seen was a Little Egret and a Stonechat. Next stop the Bittern ,but he/she was not around though a flock of very vocal Bewick's Swans flew over and headed South.

.

At the Mosco pool the Scaup was still present and still asleep. A quick look at St Mary's Bay revealed nothing of note though there were thousands of Black -hd Gull in the Estuary.

(Barry Wright)

Saturday 9th February Cliffe RSPB

Late afternoon stroll around Cliffe, sun still bright. Almost no wind and very mild. About 250 pochard on Flamingo pool and some 30 Goldeneye according to Paul Larkin who had passed me on his bike. Absorbing some useful tips from Paul about owl spotting, moved on towards Cliffe Creek. In fading light c.400 lapwing preparing to roost at the end of Flamingo Pool, two groups converging and parting showing why they were called Hleapwince in Old English (apparently meant a 'leap with a waver in it'). Shortly after this, a single avocet flew over towards Cliffe Creek silhouetted in the twilight.  

(Alan Lean)

Saturday 9th February Burham Marsh, Medway

Along the path from the old church to the Medway, numbers of Blue Tit, Chaffinch, Robin and Blackbird with Jackdaw circling and landing in and around the church tower. 

Due to the placement of the sun, we decided to make our way, without stopping, to the end of the single path to the left.  In the trees at the end 4 Long Tail Tits seemed totally oblivious to us.  Slowly walking back a pheasant was heard in the fields to the right, Blue Tit, Great Tit and House Sparrow were noted in the trees alongside us to the right and then further away in trees in the fields circa 8 Fieldfare. 

Nothing was sighted on the Medway at this time due to the high tide, although two single Grey Herons flew down river.  As we reached the pathway from the old church again circa 100 Lapwings took to the wing on the opposite bank of the Medway and landed again in the same area.  We then proceeded to follow the circular route path.  Again nothing on the Medway side apart from smaller numbers of Lapwing rising and landing.  On the right hand side, again Blue Tit, Great Tit in the small trees, several Magpie in the fields (along with Rabbits) and on the farm buildings.  Further round, the 2 Grey Herons were noted close to one of the many small water ways in the marsh, 8 Moorhen, 19 Canada Geese, 3 Shelduck, several Mallard and Teal.  By the time we had almost completed the walk, the tide was rapidly on the way out and several Redshank were noted in the mud on the opposite bank of the Medway from what we assume used to be some kind of concrete dock. 

On Old Church Road, making our way back to the Church, 2 Fieldfare were perched on telegraph wires, with the occasional Crow in the fields.  We thought we had finished our afternoon out, but perhaps the best was yet to come.  As we drove away, back up Court Road, less than 100 meters from the church, in a field on the right hand side, a flock of approx 100 Fieldfares were feeding and then took flight as some youths on a noisy motorbike whined their way passed us, and then a flight of some 20 or so Rooks flew over to mark the end of a very enjoyable afternoon's walk.

(John & Liz Pell)

Saturday 9th February Sevenoaks WR

Have spent the morning at Sevenoaks wildfowl reserve and highlights of the day included: 64+SNIPE, 140+ COMMON GULL, 1 EGYPTIAN GOOSE, 1 SHELDUCK, 2 KINGFISHER and 4 WIGEON. There were also lots of goldcrest, wrens and chaffinches as well as a flock of 20 redwing in the woods.

(Josh Jenkins-Shaw)

Saturday 9th February Dartford Marshes

A dawn start had me parking up on Bob Dunn Way and walking out to the Thames via the footpath alongside the river Darent.  The flooded fields are indeed flooded and all bodes well for another bumper Lapwing breeding season.  131 Teal and 8 Shoveler were present here. 

The New Diggings had 1 Little Egret, 1 Green Sandpiper and 28 Tufted Duck.  A good number of skylarks were singing above me and they were obviously taking advantage of the bright weather.  I reckon at least 30 were singing but it could have been many more.  10 Mipits, 6 Chaffinch and 2 Greenfinch were flushed from the path.

A few gulls were present on the Thames foreshore including 4 Yellow Legged Gulls; 2 adults, a 2nd winter and a 1st winter.

(Andrew Lawson)

Friday 8th February Sheppey

Good raptor watching yesterday from the viewpoint... two hen harriers, two common buzzard, two merlin and numerous marsh harriers with several females seen carrying nesting material. Flock of 24 corn buntings an many more reed buntings in small bush close by and a green sandpiper in the ditch there.
Little owl towards church and also my first redwing of the year there in a paddock with three fieldfare... there were no redwing in the hundreds-strong fieldfare flock viewable from the watchpoint!
I dipped out on both the hooded crow and red-breasted mergansers on the Swale despite viewing from Oare and the Ferry Inn side.
Best birds of the day were later at Elmley - no less than four SEO's - hunting together along seawall by the first hide etc. Its ages since I've seen SEO's in number there - these days its much less likely from the entrance track and has been ever since all the fences were removed. However, on gateway half way along entrance track the extremely obliging Merlin allows cars very close by for photographic posing and for anyone not lucky to have had such a close encounter a great opportunity for study.
Good numbers of barnacle geese etc

(Bo Boelens)

Friday 8th February Bedgebury Pinetum

A group of around 20 people had good views of a Raven in flight being mobbed by a crow at Bedgebury Pinetum this morning at around 10.30. Seen again on the ground behind the old car park but disappeared soon afterwards. A first in Kent for serveral of the group, me included. Has anyone else seen one around this area?

(Arthur Cookney)

Friday 8th February Higham

I walked today from Church Street Lower Higham, in a loop via Timber Lake to the sea wall, along the wall for half a mile and back across the marsh to wards the Church. A glorious sunny day, highlights included a Marsh Harrier being mobbed by 2 crows, lots of singing Skylark, and a large number of ducks on a millpond  like Thames; There were about 200 Teal, 100 Wigeon, as well as Gadwall, Mallard and a few Pintails.  Also 3 Turnstone amongst the Redshank fleeing the rising tide. There was a flock of 30 or so Stock Dove and plenty of Stonechats.  53 species in all.  The ponies have made a terrible mess of some paths, especially by the Timber Lake, so wellies are the order of the day. Thankfully only one motorcyclist.

Also both a female and male Brambling in my Gravesend garden today, the male has been here all week.

(Dr David Payne)

Thursday 7th February Sheppey

It was quality not quantity yesterday as only 2 Saganauts were available to accompany Flossie on her outing to Sheppey.

The Rough legged Buzzard had been reported at Capel Fleet at 9.30 but no sign of it when we arrived after our usual leisurely start. On the way to Harty there were a few Brambling with the Chaffinch in the roadside hedges.

At Harty Ferry Inn the Harris hawk was hanging in the wind alongside a Kestrel doing likewise. 3 Little Egret on the marsh and a small group of Brent Geese, a Marsh Harrier, Sparrowhawk and just a brief glimpse of a Short eared owl. Nothing else to detain us after lunch so back to the viewing platform where we arrived just in time to miss a Bittern there. However we had pointed out to us a Peregine masquerading as a pale dot in a distant field. Marsh Harrier were everywhere ,the males and one particularly bright female showing well in the afternoon sun with only one Hen Harrier ,a ringtail. Back at Capel Fleet hundeds of Golden Plover, several sightings of Common Buzzard, probably 3 birds, a Merlin perched on a nearby fence and a distant view of another Short eared owl. By now a small group had gathered looking for the RLB but without success although one person, paying more attention than we were, picked out 2 or 3 Bewick's in a distant flock of Mute Swan. As the sun started to go down the wind got cold and so did we and left. No doubt the RLB showed well after that but there would have been nobody there to admire it. Serves it right.
Sorry for the delayed posting but am having internet connection problems.
(Martin Warburton)

Thursday 7th February Wouldham

I wasn't able to get out and do my customary tramp around the marshes today, which was a pity given the beautiful Spring-like weather.  However, birding from the house this morning proved quite productive, with Little Egret, Common Buzzard, Peregrine, Common Sandpiper and 3 adult Mediterranean Gulls all logged before I had finished my first cup of coffee!

(Ian Shepherd)

Thursday 7th February Ensfield Bridge, Leigh nr Tonbridge

Barn owl over the Medway at Ensfield Bridge this morning (and four Little Egrets near Leigh)

(Andy Appleton)

Wednesday 6th February Hawden

A short visit to Hawden at lunch time produced 40+ Wigeon, 10 Pochard, a few Tufted Duck and several Fieldfare and Lapwing.

(Andy Appleton)

Wednesday 6th February Southfleet & Grain

Did the Grain area again on Wednesday and after a look at the stunning Falcated Duck on Broadditch Pond, Southfleet.  

Stopped at the Mosco Pool where the drake Scaup was showing well on the outside ot the Aythya flock. On the other side of the road 2 Marsh Harriers, a male and a female, were over the Stoke/Allhallows Marshes.

Bumped into Trevor as I arrived at Grain who said that the 2 Purple Sandpipers were showing well at the PS outfall and so they were giving crippling views, one showing purple reflections on the mantle and scapulars in the bright sunlight.

I had a quick look at West Lane without waiting for the Bittern. A Cettis Warbler stuttered into song at the fishing lake and a Water Rail sqeeeled at the reserve pond whilst a quartet of Little Egrets patrolled a dyke on Grain Marsh.

Next I drove to the tip,and walked down the track towards the river Thames. By now the tide was well out and no sign of Sundays Pom Skuas. There was  a flock of about 300 Brent Geese on St Marys Marsh ,but the Black Brant must have been hidden in the pack. At about 4.30 I turned to begin the walk back from the sea wall and was confronted by a close Barn Owl hunting over Coombe Bay.

(John Tilbrook)

Wednesday 6th February Ryarsh, Medway Valley

From my bedroom, which faces north, I get a cracking view down the Medway valley. This year I have started getting sightings of common buzzards. Today at 1.40 pm I had excellent views of an untagged red kite that circled twice before heading on west towards Borough Green.  Hope this is the start to many more. A buzzard was also seen soaring, some way north of Ryarsh.
(Mike Puxley)

Wednesday  6th February Grain  

Mosco  Pool,  West  Lane,  PS.  Outfall,  Lower  Halstow
09.00  to  12.00  hrs.  4/8  cloud,  a  cool  NW   2 - 3,  clearance  to  2/8  from  midday  &  less  windy.  8 oC.  at  08.30  hrs.   HT.  12.20  hrs.     

  Little  Egret -  1  WL.
  Mute  Swan -  6  WL. 
  Shelduck -  10  WL.
  Gadwall -  32  WL.
  Teal -  24  WL.
  Tufted -  17  MP.  13  WL.
  Pochard -  120  MP.  16  WL.
  Scaup -  1  ad.  dr.  MP.
  Ruddy duck -  1  f.  WL.
  Water  Rail -  1  WL.
  Coot -  43  WL.
  Moorhen -  44  WL.
  Peregrine -  1  PS.  Chimney.
  Purple  Sandpiper -  2  roosting  at  Outfall.
  Turnstone -  32  as  above.     Walk  from  Lower  Halstow  to  west,  to  view  Halstow  &  Twinney  creeks,  with  Derek  Tutt.  14.00  to  16.00  hrs.  2/8  cloud,  NW  2,  later  calm.  Ebb  tide.  Exc.  visi.  A  fine  evening.

  Great  Crested  Grebe -  15.
  Little  Egret -  2.
  Brent  Goose -  160.
  Wigeon -  80.
  Pintail -  40.
  Shoveler -  4.
  Teal -  10.
  Golden eye -  1  ad.  dr.
  Marsh  Harrier -  1.
  Avocet -  650 +.
  Dunlin -  2500.
  Greenshank -  1.
  Whimbrel -  1  at  usual  area  of  rocks  to  north  of  church.
  Kingfisher -  1  flew  from  wharf.     There  was  a  large  Avocet  roost  on  a  mud bank  near  Millfordhope  creek.  380  were  counted  as  they  dispersed   to  the  sw.  alongside  M.  saltings.   Other  groups  flew  nw.  further  into  M.  creek & at  least  250 / 300  remained,  to  disperse  later.                                       (Janet,  Trevor  Bowley &  Derek Tutt)

Monday 4th February Southfleet

The Falcated Duck was still at Broadditch pond today.
(Barry Wright)

Monday 4th February Sheppey

Capel Fleet/Harty Church-N Swale/Capel Fleet 10.30-16.30
3 Bewicks with Mutes, 40+ WFronts NSwale, Marsh H everywhere, Ringtail Hen H, RL Buzzard, Merlin, c60 Avocets along Swale, 2/3 Brambling in hedge before Mockets, 6+ Corn Bunting.

(Chris Fox)

Sunday 3rd February Grain

On Saturday whilst enjoying the fantastic scenery that is the A2 North Kent on the way to work, the mandatory 50mph zone allowed me to watch a Peregrine fly over the houses and heading south. Sunday afternoon, I finally got my act together and headed east looking for Gulls though sadly none were found in the Cliffe area, though a small flock of Brambling at Cliffe near Allens Hill were good to see.

A cold wind saw me watching the Thames from St Mary's/Coombe Bay area and two Pomarine Skuas put on a fine 'but distant' show along with an adult Med Gull and Kittiwake. On the raptor front a female type Merlin and a pair of Marsh Harriers added to the excitement. On towards Grain and a brief stop at the 'Mosco' pool where a drake Scaup was happily snoozing with the Pochard and Tufties.

(Barry Wright)

Sunday 3rd February Haysden

There were nine Little Egrets on Longfield Lake and as I left these birds a Cetti’s Warbler called from a patch of brambles by the river - as usual with this species it was extremely elusive but did show briefly when I noted its size, shape, chestnut brown upperparts and dirty grey/white underparts. This was a long-awaited first for Haysden. As I was looking for this a Kingfisher hurtled past calling and 48 Wigeon were on Haysden this evening along with four Pochard and a few Tufted Ducks. One Sparrowhawk also noted this afternoon.

(Andy Appleton)

Saturday 2nd February New Hythe

There was a good turnout at New Hythe this Saturday with 16 on the tour. A Redpoll alighted on a tree in the car park before we moved off, and within a few minutes one of our guides spotted a Bittern in the reeds on the far side of Brooklands. After some minutes watching we moved on , but when we reached the far side it flew across the lake, and was visible or another 5 minutes or so. A first for at least some of us, stunning views in wonderful light. Not long afterwards 3 male Bullfinches were enjoyed. We had to leave after a couple of hours, a great morning out, 39 species for me in all. Many thanks to our able helpers.

(Dr David Payne)

Saturday 2nd February Dartford

Again there was a decent sized flock of Chaffinches feeding on the old Joyce Green Hospital site with some of the males now in almost full summer plumage.  5 Bramblings were also amongst the Chaffinches as was one Linnet.  2 Jays were also on site.

Gulls again disappointed with just 3 Lesser Black Backeds roosting with the 150+ Black Heads and 20 Common Gulls on Littlebrook.

(Andrew Lawson)

Friday 1st February Swale NNR

Best birds on the reserve this morning were:-
2 Bewick Swan, 40 Whitefronted Geese, 1 Ringtail Hen Harrier, 1 Peregrine, 1 Hooded Crow.
(Derek Faulkner)