May 2006 Sightings

Please email your sightings to Andy Lawson

If you live, or for that matter visit, any site west of the A249 between the Sheppey bridge and Maidstone and then East to Dartford and Tunbridge Wells (roughly...) then I would be delighted to hear from you.

Wednesday 31st May New Hythe

It was Flossie's birthday today (49 in human terms) so just for a change we went for a walk round the lakes.
As a birthday treat we were joined by 2 more of her friends,Terry and Martin. 50+ House Martin over Brooklands but only 2 Swallow. At least 2 Sparrow hawk near Abbeymead and a Kestrel.
There were the usual warblers on our circuit: Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Garden, Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Cetti's and Reed but again no Sedge. Nightingale present but subdued, as were we, in a cold North Westerly wind.
No Turtle Dove today at the sunken marsh but one seen from the millsteam path. The excitement of the day (sad cases we New Hythe listers)was a male Linnet,a year tick for all and bringing my list to 106.
(Martin Warburton)

Tuesday 30th May - Mote Park

A quick, late morning walk (11:00 - 12:30) produced the normal 'common' birds. Plus good views of a Kingfisher feeding in the Pond (opposite waterfall), 7+ Common Whitethroat, Blackcap, Chiff Chaff, 2 Reed Warbler, 1 Kestrel, 4 GSWoodpecker, 1 LSWoodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, and 1 Turtle Dove.
Plus: On the 16th May a pair of Common Buzzards flew east over the Park (12:45).
(Simon Ginnaw)

Tuesday 30th May Cliffe RSPB

An evening jaunt to Cliffe produced 569 Shelduck, 1 Black Tailed Godwit, 8 Redshank, 2 Ringed Plover & 3 Avocet on the Black Barn Pools. Also 72 Stock Dove.
(Andrew Lawson)

Thursday 25th May Knole Park

With a break in the weather I ventured into Knole Park, Sevenoaks mainly looking for Redstart and Spot Fly. Didn't find any, but came across 3+ Ring-necked Parakeets with one going in and out of a nest hole. Whilst trying to digiscope these colourful clowns, I was aware of something flitting through the dense canopy...... a male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, fantastic! It showed well, feeding actively in the canopy. This was my first for Knole and my first for 4 years so I left pleased and musing how often target birds fail to show but then others just fall into your lap.
(John Reeves)

Tuesday 23rd May New Hythe

Flossie's friend Frank joined us for a walk round the lakes. As he had biscuits in his pocket she was well pleased, so were we with our first bird,a Hobby giving a superb aerial performance over Brooklands lake, chasing Sand Martin. Later we had a second bird.

Kestrel was the only other raptor.

It was fine and the wind had eased a little but things were quiet at first. Reed warblers by Brooklands and the North end of Abbeymead, Sewage works pit and various places along the Mill steam plus the regular Turtle Dove on the wires over the sunken marsh.

Later as the weather improved, a few Cetti's ,Chiffchaff, Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroat and Garden Warbler,and  rather more Blackcap and Nightingale.

Earlier the Brent Goose had again been on Kidney lake but we didn't see it on our return.

A pleasant morning but again no Sedge warbler. Do they stop singing at this time?
(Martin Warburton)

Tuesday 23rd May Cliffe RSPB

The strong winds and intermittent rain made observing a challenge. At least behind the sea wall there was some shelter although little of note was seen on the River bird wise, but a Harbour Porpoise and Grey Seal that had been around for some time, both made a good showing.

The view from the first mound was hampered by having to brace the tripod against the seat and also by looking against the light. The drake Ruddy Shelduck that had been lurking on the Essex shore had decided Cliffe was a better bet for sheltering from the wind, although the white "scratch" marks on the bill and the very worn primaries did not do too much for it's credentials, and there were 97 Ringed Plovers and an equal number of Dunlin. Within this flock was a smaller darker calidrid wader with a prominent breast band which, due to the conditions, could not positively be identified until it flew, but the strong wing bar made a convincing case for it being a breeding plumaged Sanderling. A scarce bird on the Pools.

As the rain started again I left in the direction of the car. Perhaps the RSPB would consider putting up some form of shelter in front of the seat in order to reduce the effects of the prevailing westerly wind, that often makes observing very difficult.
(Paul Larkin)

Friday 19th May New Hythe

A Red Kite flew over us, west to east, while we were driving from Strood to Larkfield on the A228 at about 4pm.
(Rob Petts)

Friday 19th May Dartford

A quick look on the new diggings produced one Little Egret, 5 Lapwing, Redshank, a pair of Great Crested Grebes and 7 Shelduck.

(Andrew Lawson)

Wednesday 17th May Dartford

A Sedge Warbler was singing in the bush at the back of the Anne of Cleves Priory adjacent to the B&Q/Pizza Hut overflow car park.

(Andrew Lawson)

Tuesday 16th May Northfleet

Usual dog walking duties produced a Sparrowhawk in the morning and a Hobby in the evening, oh for 'larger raptors'

(Barry Wright)

Monday 15th May New Hythe

I took my waterproofs today for our walk round the lakes as rain was forecast, Flossie wasn't worried. Hoped the weather might bring something down like Black tern. However it stayed fine and we had an enjoyable morning.

Birds were very vocal especially Nightingale which were everywhere. Also Blackcap, Whitethroat,Garden ,Cetti's and Reed Warbler but I failed again with Sedge .Good numbers of Swift over Abbeymead and a Commmon Tern was new for the year list. Two Turtle Dove at the sunken marsh.

A Brent Goose on Kidney Lake was not only new for the year but a first for my New Hythe list.

A Common Sandpiper was there again
(Martin Warburton)

Sunday 14th May New Hythe

Arrived at New Hythe at 06.10 this morning and parked at the Brook House entrance. Several Nightingales and Blackcap and Whitethroat were singing on the path up to the open area. A Lesser Whitethroat was calling loudly but it wouldn't reveal itself, onto the scrape the Common Sandpiper showed really well and a Sparrowhawk flew over. Down the Mill Stream a Garden Warbler showed briefly and a two Sedge Warblers were singing. Could see large numbers of Hirundines over Brooklands Lake - at least 100 Swift and a few Swallow, House Martin and Sand Martin - also 2 Cettis showed really well in the bushes.
Up to Abbey Mead Pit a single Turtle Dove was on the wires and at least 2 Cuckoo were calling as well as another 2 Lesser Whitethroat and 2 Common Terns. Back across the railway 3 Lesser Whitethroat showed exceptionally well. It looked as if a pair were seeing off a 3rd bird.
(Steve Nunn)

Sunday 14th May Dartford

I have recently 'twitched' and 'dipped' the Ravens at Samphire Hoe and was beginning to think that I would never see this species in Kent. I also didn't think that I'd see much this weekend as I had promised to sort out the front and back gardens.
Just as I was putting some fencing into place, I noticed to large birds passing overhead which, for a split second, I thought were going to be large raptors. So you can imagine my delight and surprise when, as I reached for my bins, one of them called: Ravens!
They then circled for a few minutes before drifting slowly South at 2.50pm
(Andrew Lawson)

Sunday 14th May New Hythe

A most productive two and a half hour stroll round the Snodland/New Hythe lakes today starting at 13.40. Started on a high. Two Hobbies shot over the railway at Snodland, weaved through the car park and then disappeared over Firmin's transport yard. A great start but also finished on a high with a calling Cetti's warbler. In addition the following were seen:
GCG 5; cormorant 3; grey heron 7; mute swan 7; greylag goose 2; Canada goose 9 (including 4 juv); mallard 8, gadwall 3; tufted duck 3; kestrel 1; pheasant 2; moorhen 3; coot 18; black-headed gull 27; herring gull 4; lesser back-backed gull 3; woodpigeon 8; collard dove 4; cuckoo 2; swift 17; kingfisher 1; green woodpecker 1; great-spotted woodpecker 1; sand martin c75; house martin c30; wren 4; dunnock 2; robin 11; nightingale 2; song thrush 3; blackbird 15; garden warbler 1; blackcap 6; whitethroat 12; sedge warbler 2; reed warbler 16; willow warbler 5; chiffchaff 4; spotted flycatcher 3; great tit 6; blue tit 4; magpie 7; jay 2; carrion crow 11; starling 28; chaffinch 4; greenfinch 1; reed bunting 2.
A total of 50 species seen.
(Bill Stoneham)

Sunday 14th May Haysden

A late evening visit to Haysden provided good views of Kingfisher and Grey Heron along the River Medway and there were 16 Swallows and two Yellowhammers on overhead wires.

I thought that would be it as it approached 9pm but a Hobby was hawking insects (there were plenty around) over the back lake and as I walked around the back of the lake one superb Barn Owl appeared from the corner of a field, flew across in front of me, through a gap in the hedge and as it was getting dark I saw it a couple more times through the hedge, being harassed by a Carrion Crow.

My 100th species for Haysden this year and an excellent end to the week-end.
(Andrew Appleton)

Saturday 13th May New Hythe

Up from 3am this morning with our youngest. Managed to get him back to sleep just before 5 so I was at New Hythe by 05.15 this morning.
A Common Sandpiper is still on the scrape with a few Swifts wizzing over. As I walked over the bridge and crossed the open area I had 2 Cuckoo calling and then had excellent views, for once, of one of the Lesser Whitethroat.
I crossed the railway and walked around Abbey Mead pit. There were 2 Common Terns at the far end of the pit and several Cettis singing but remaining hidden.
Once I got to Brooklands Lake the Common Terns had moved here and there were at least 6 Reed Warblers singing.
Down the millstream a Grey Wagtail flew over and several Sedge Warblers were singing on the far bank.
(Steve Nunn)

Saturday 14th May Swanscombe marshes

A two hour spell on the marshes was extemely quiet with only a male Stonechat, two Cetti's Warblers heard, a Sparrowhawk and a Yellow Wagtail flying over.

(Barry Wright)

Saturday 13th May Gravesend to Lower Higham

Cycling from Gravesend to Lower Higham via Sustrans track in afternoon revealed buzzard circling over Milton Firing Range.

The frogs particularly voluble along this section of the canal - their more melodic croak not unlike a cooing Turtle dove! Reed and sedge warblers abundant and showing well in bushes along the canal. A little egret in the small pond next to Milton Range. Otherwise, three nightingales two at the Gravesend end and the usual one near the gates of Beckley Industrial estate where there is also a regular cuckoo.

On the way back on the bridge over the canal opposite Milton Range, the now customary boys with air rifles. They could be practising on frogs or birds! I hope not..
(Alan Lean)

Saturday 13th May Knole Park, Sevenoaks KWT & Hawden

No Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers in Knole Park in two hours early morning but Ring-necked Parakeets, two Mandarin, several Spotted Flycatchers, 5+ Redstarts, just one Tree Pipit, two or three Turtle Doves and a single Cuckoo were seen.
Nearby 10 Egyptian Geese (8 juv's) were seen on the way to Sevenoaks KWT where there were at least two LRP's and one Turtle Dove but again no LSW's.
I did also see Martin's excellent Barnacle Goose sighting.
A trip to Hawden between 8.30 and 9.30am enabled me to see several different species of dog and too many dog owners. Two Green Woodpeckers were far and away the best birds noted here this morning.
(Andrew Appleton)

Friday 12th May Cliffe RSPB

An after work visit to Cliffe revealed 4 Dunlin, 3 Greenshank, 2 Little Egret but very little else.

(Barry Wright)

Friday 12th May New Hythe
No exciting birds, but two good butterfly species at New Hythe Lakes on 12 May - at least 2 Grizzled Skippers and 1 Green Hairstreak. I would be grateful for any butterfly records from anywhere in Kent - just need date and grid ref (or accurate location). They can be submitted via the website of Kent Branch of Butterfly Conservation at www.kentbutterflies.org
(Mike Easterbrook)

Friday 12th May Haysden

Another quick trip to Haysden made sure I arrived at work caked in mud but never mind I got my first Cuckoo (99 for the year) so all was not in vain! Not a lot else about though: one Bullfinch, two Linnets, Reed Warbler and Reed Bunting, and singles of Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff were the best I could manage. Oh! And some cracking Kingfishers in the sun this morning.
(Andrew Appleton)

Friday 12th May Sevenoaks NR

At Sevenoaks Reserve today the Barnacle proudly accompanied his latest 4 young and one of his grown offspring was shepherding 4 goslings, which were presumably not its own. The things that go on in the great avian soap opera!
(Martin Coath)

Thursday 11th May New Hythe
Visit to New Hythe pre-work 05.30 to 06.30. Turtle Dove near scrape, 4 Lesser Whitethroat and 3 Common Terns on Brooklands Lake were my best birds.
(Steve Nunn)

Thursday 11th May Cliffe RSPB

In the warm sunshine of May 11th Cliffe was at its most etherial. I walked round the perimeter in the middle of the day and recorded 62 sp. inc. 12 waders. THe pools are in excellent condition and provided 33
Avocets, 65 Dunlin, 19 Blackwits and 3 Turnstones as well as single Barwit, Whimbrel and Greenshank. At one point 335 Shelduck took to the air for no apparent reason; perhaps they felt no need to give one.
Whitethroats seemed to be occupying every suitable territory, often only 50 yards apart. I logged 53 singing males as well as 12 Sedge and 9 Reed warblers. There were also 2 Nightingales and a Lesser Whitethroat. Such days always look good for raptors, but perhaps in such good conditions they fly too high for human eyes to see, although Norman's cockerels would have had a field day. I had to make do with 7 Kestrels.
(Martin Coath)

Thursday 11th May Bough Beech

I had to postpone my trip to BB yesterday until the afternoon and, avoiding the dead time of 2-4, arrived at 4.30. A dark cloud was approaching; soon the rain could be seen rippling the aquatic surface, but it took ages to reach us, but reach us it did and I spent the next hour, marooned in the car, listening to rain, thunder and TMS.

The walk round yielded little of interest apart from the resident Cetti, but Bluebells at their peak, 3 weeks later than usual, spread out a cerulean carpet before me, a change from the red which I normally hope for.
(Martin Coath)

Wednesday 10th May Sevenoaks WR

It was dull and grey until late a.m. and sunny and warm thereafter. There are plenty of singing warblers with at least 15 Blackcaps, 7 each of Garden Warbler and Chiff and 4 Reed. Others appear from time to time when the fancy takes them.
The star birds this morning were 5 Turnstones, my first since 3 in a week in 1980, the last being 26 years ago today. How time flies!
The local LRPs were not very welcoming and now number at least 7. 65 HGs and 10 LBBGs, presumably from the landfill site, loafed about and 5 Cormorants included one in s.p.
Goose broods have been larger this year. One Canada was sheltering 9 goslings, and one pair of Greylags have been shepherding 13, including a grey bird. This may be the product of 2 females and indeed another pair has been close by. There is also a creche of 31 on the big field, but some families prefer to do their own thing.
Spring migration is clearly hotting up in the county, but in 3 or 4 weeks it will be all over and the failed breeding waders will be with us again.
Such is life.
(Martin Coath)

Tuesday 9th May Hawden Lake

A Whimbrel was seen flying up from Hawden Lake as I passed by on the train.

(Marcus Lawson)

Tuesday 9th May New Hythe

I have recently been away so Flossie and I spent yesterday evening and this morning doing a bit of catching up .Common Sandpiper on Kidney Lake and Hobby yesterday and today Garden Warbler all over the place. Lesser Whitethroat and Turtle Dove by the sunken marsh brought the year list up to 103.A long way behind some people but Flossie is keen that we get out more so we are hoping for more spring migrants over the next few days.
(Martin Warburton)

Tuesday 9th May Birling

A wander along the Bridleway that runs from Stansted Road Birling to Ryarsh around 3pm brought me my first Spotted Flycatcher of the year. Always a good area for them along here.
(Steve Nunn)

Monday 8th May New Hythe

A walk around New Hythe this morning 06.00 to 07.15 produced up to 5 Common Terns, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Cettis, 6 Nightingale and a Cuckoo. Good numbers of Swallow and Swift over Brooklands Lake.
(Steve Nunn)

Sunday 7th May New Hythe

At New Hythe between 05.30 and 07.45 this morning. Parked at Water Works entrance off the A228 so I could lug my scope to scan the scrape and then take it back to the car. It was worth the effort this morning with a pair of Bar-Tailed Godwit dropping into the scrape for 15 minutes before flying off towards the Medway - a new bird for New Hythe for me. Also a Common Sandpiper there. Elsewhere around the lakes at least 8 Nightingale, 4 Sedge Warbler, 5 Reed Warbler, 4 Cettis, 2 Turtle Dove, 50+ Swift, 1 Swallow, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, inumerable Whitethroat, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Kingfisher, pair of Bullfinch and plenty of Blackcap/Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff.
(Steve Nunn)

Saturday 6th May Vinters Valley Park

The VVPT held their annual bird walk last Saturday from 05.15 - 08.15. I list below the sightings:
Canada goose 7, mallard 21 (including one brood of 4 and another of 5), cormorant 1, sparrowhawk 3, moorhen 2, coot 2, black-headed gull 8, stock dove 4, woodpigeon 40+, collard dove 6, green woodpecker 2, great spotted woodpecker 4, swallow 1, wren 15, dunnock 1, robin 6, blackbird 18, song thrush 5, mistle thrush 1, blackcap 18 (including 16 males), chiffchaff 4, goldcrest 1, blue tit, 20, great tit 15, magpie 7, jackdaw 8, carrion crow 11, starling 17, chaffinch 1, bullfinch 4.
(Bill Stoneham)

Saturday 6th May Dartford Marshes

I spent a very pleasant hour looking for a Hoopoe by the river Darenth Barrier from 9am. Alas the Hoopoe had headed West, it seems, but there were some decent birds to be enjoyed. First up was a Barwit on the Thames foreshore which was joined by two Whimbrel. A female Wheatear whizzed passed and five Yellow Wagtails flew overhead. The Darenth creek held 3 Greenshank and 6 Redshank.
Chav O'clock soon approached as every deviant in N W Kent descended upon the marshes and so I beat a hasty retreat whilst gun shot hit a fellow birder and the first trail bikes started to buzz us.

Thank goodness for twitching!
A quick look at the 'new diggings' revealed two Little Egrets.
(Andrew Lawson)

Thursday 4th May New Hythe

Whilst looking for Damselflies on Abbeymead Lake this afternoon, of which I have not seen any this year, which is at least a month later than last year, I found a Water Stick Insect. This is a new insect for me and I have no idea how common they are in this neck of the woods ? 1-Common Sand on Kidney Lake, 2-Hobbies 1-Turtle Dove. Many Orange Tip and a few Holly Blues, Peacock, Brimstone, Speckled Wood ect.

Total bird list for the year so far is 110.
(Terry Laws)

Thursday 4th May Haysden

No sign of yesterday's chats this morning but one Common Sandpiper mobile around Haysden Lake and a single Common Tern was present. Three Reed Buntings and a couple of Yellowhammers were seen and there were at least four singing Reed Warblers in the area. Just one Lesser Whitethroat heard this morning and a pair of Linnets were near the sailing club.
(Andrew Appleton)

Thursday 4th May Sevenoaks NR

At Sevenoaks yesterday the LSW was still performing and Sedge Warbler was my no. 93 for the year. An assiduous local watcher has recorded 107 so far inc. Barwit and Greenshank on 1st.
(Martin Coath)

Wednesday 3rd May Dartford Marshes

Got down to the "new diggings" by University Way today and saw the little egret as well as 2 peregrines hunting over the lakes, a few swallows over going east, half a dozen or so reed warblers and several whitethroats
(Steve Nixon)

Tuesday 2nd May Haysden

A visit to Haysden this evening was well worth the effort! Almost the first bird I set my eyes upon was a stonking male Whinchat, closely followed by three Wheatears (two males and a female). A little later on my first patch Turtle Dove of the year was seen. Two singing Willow Warblers were among the chorus of summer visitors heard today and the few wildfowl present included a single Gadwall. There were five roosting Cormorants this evening.
(Andrew Appleton)

Monday 1st May New Hythe

Pouring with rain this morning,, nevertheless I decided to take a quick hour or so around New Hythe 06.00 - 07.15.

I parked by the water works and I as searched for my coat in the boot of the car 2 Nightingale sang loudly from the bushes. I walked up to the scrape which was empty save a few gulls but several Whitethroat were singing around it.

Walking towards the open area by the divers parking area I could hear a Grasshopper Warbler reeling which is a year tick for me at New Hythe despite having one a few days earlier on the North Downs only a couple of miles away as the Gropper flies.

I circled the open area but the rain was keeping everything (apart from Whitethroat) down. Back round the Gropper was now at full throttle, I decided to alter my usual route and walked up to the new Country Park car park to see what was in the little wood there - the answer was a couple more Nightingale and a Sparrowhawk, 2 Reed Warbler in the reedbeds enroute and a Kingfisher over.

Very soggy now I walked backed to my car and heard the rattle of a Lesser Whitethroat as I re-passed the scrape.
(Steve Nunn)