January 2012 Sightings

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.

New Hythe - Terry Laws ©

Monday 23rd January 2012 Burham

Mallard (2); Teal (3); Moorhen (3); Lapwing (14); Redshank (6); Black-headed Gull (11); Herring Gull (22); Woodpigeon (c40); Collard Dove (3); Magpie (15); Jackdaw (2); Carrion Crow (21); Blue Tit (17); Great Tit (5); Starling (4); Blackbird (4); Mistle Thrush (1); Robin (4); Dunnock (1); Chaffinch 17); Greenfinch (c30); Goldfinch (6).

(Bill Stoneham)

Sunday 22nd January 2012 Northward Hill RSPB

Sightings included: A juvenile Rough legged Buzzard showed extremely well (and close!) from the viewpoint; 1x Common Buzzard; 2x female Marsh Harriers. Two Firecrest were in the brambles. Bird of the afternoon was undoubtedly a Fulmar which flew west over the marsh!! In the evening as darkness drew in a woodcock and bittern flew over. 

(Linturn Hopkins)

Saturday 21st January Haysden

I parked at Ensfield Bridge at 7.30am and walked past Longfield Lake noting a single Little Egret and a pair of Goosander, then past Haysden where there were two Gadwall and a drake Wigeon and then on over the flood barrier and across to the Powder Mills - apart from a Grey Wagtail that flew over as I crossed the fields it was pretty quiet. I had what was presumably the same drake Wigeon at Hawden and a fly-over Stock Dove. House Sparrow were heard near Barden and a Kestrel was seen - a load of geese (the usual naff Greylag and Canada Geese) flew into Barden and then another flock of geese came towards me - as usual my hands stayed firmly in my pocket until I heard them - ah, Barnacle Geese, and at least 45 birds at that! They didn’t come down on the lake however but in the field between the railway and the lane.

I moved on noting about 120 Lapwing in fields near Haysden, one Bullfinch and at least two Teal and 14 Yellowhammer at Ensfield Farm arriving back at the car at 10.30am. I drove back along the lane where I counted 47 Barnacle Geese - also three Mistle Thrush and two Skylark here. 

I went back this afternoon - the 47 Barnacle Geese were still feeding in a field by themselves and a walk round Haysden produced Little Grebe, two Kingfisher, 13 Mute Swan and 13 Pochard, seven Tufted Duck, 30 Mallard (mostly on Longfield), four Gadwall and the drake Wigeon again. There were now five Goosander (two drake) on Longfield Lake and I had about 10 Little Egret. Treecreeper, Nuthatch and a single female Siskin also noted.

(Andy Appleton)

Sunday 15th January 2012 Burham

Mallard (12); Teal (32); Cormorant (4); Grey Heron (2); Moorhen (4); Coot (2); Lapwing (45); Redshank (9); Black-headed Gull (28); Herring Gull (2); Lesser Black-backed Gull (1); Woodpigeon (16); Collard Dove (1); Green Woodpecker (1); Magpie (5); Jackdaw (60); Carrion Crow (40); Blue Tit (15); Great Tit (4); Blackbird (4); Robin (5); Dunnock (2); Chaffinch (4); Greenfinch (11); Reed Bunting (2).

(Bill Stoneham)

Friday 13th January 2012 Sheppey

A long day started with a walk around the Swale NNR.  Shellness over the High Water produced a Shore Lark, 3 Common Scotor, 3 Red-throated Divers and a Rock Pipit.  Later at dusk the Raptor Watch Point produced a female Merlin with prey, at least 2 Short-eared Owls and at least 2 female Hen Harriers. (Of note, the Lapland Bunting flock seems to be increasing now some 40+ birds.)

(Andy Weale)

Wednesday 11th January 2012 Sittingbourne to Oare

A cycle ride along the sea-wall from Sittingbourne to Oare produced 3 Bewick Swans at the head of Conyer creek.

(Andy Weale)

Tuesday 10th January 2012 Sheppey

A cycle around the Isle of Sheppey produced a pair of Stonechats on the Harty road just up from Capel Fleet and 19 Snow Buntings on the Shingle Bank at Minster.

(Andy Weale)  

Monday 9th January 2012 Chatham, Riverside CP and Motney

A walk from Riverside to Motney Hill produced 2 female Red- breasted Merganser, a pair of Goldeneye and 2 Rock Pipit.  Later in the day Chatham Docks No. 2 Basin had the female Long-tailed Duck showing well plus good views of a Shag. (Andy Weale)

Friday 6th January 2012 Sheppey

A bright clear day attracted quite a number of watchers, mainly looking for the Lapland Buntings.  I last saw them on Wednesday, a flock of 30+ in the usual place.(RSPB fields).   Todays highlights:-   Red-throated Diver-1 Short-eared Owl-1 Common Scoter-11 Peregrine-2

(Andy Weale)

Friday 6th January 2012 Burham

High tide and glorious sunshine!
Mute Swan (1); Canada Goose (1); Gadwall (3); Mallard (2); Pheasant (1); Cormorant (2); Coot(2); Snipe (1); Redshank (4); Black-headed Gull (3); Lesser Black-backed Gull (1); Herring Gull (3); Woodpigeon (27); Collard Dove (2); Green Woodpecker (4); Magpie (5); Jackdaw (11); Carrion Crow (34); Blue Tit (10); Great Tit (3); Bearded Tit (2 birds located in reeds on the Holborough side of the river, calling loudly); Blackcap (Male close to the church); Blackbird (6); Redwing (4); Robin (6); Dunnock (1); Chaffinch (c30); Goldfinch (4); Greenfinch (10); Reed Bunting (1).

The bearded tits, Gadwall and Blackcap made this a great first visit for the year

(Bill Stoneham)