March 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.

Bearded Tit © Lol Cumming

February 08

April 08

Monday 31st March Sheppey

I saw 2 comma butterflies a peregrine up high and my first Swallow of the year, all from the garden. The day before 29th we visited Bax farm fishery (near tonge/ Teynham )and saw a female Wheatear.
(John Janman)

Sunday 30th March Cliffe

The better half dropped me off at the top of Allen's Hill and virtually the first bird seen there was a firecrest. It showed well for 30 seconds before disappearing into the banks of buddlia.

On the walk round the RSPB reserve birds seen, besides the usual suspects, included one each of kingfisher, greenshank, short eared owl, little ringed plover (black barn pool) and 4 wheatears. 

Bumped into Paul Larkin who kindly had the Pom. Skua lined up in his scope for me. Whilst watching the pom. I picked up a white winged gull, mid Thames. Paul quickly dampened my excitement by informing me that this was an aberrant G.B.B. Gull that had been knocking around for a few months. On closer examination it had a faint brown band across the top of the tail and a brown panel on the wings. Unfortunately I ran out of time to go to the north quarry to search for the real Iceland Gull that had been recently reported.
(Mike Puxley)

Sunday 30th March Cliffe

Birding with Brian Harding and John Barnett this afternoon at Cliffe we saw 2 POM SKUAS on the Thames, Wheatear and SHORT-EARED OWL on the Reserve plus ICELAND GULL. 

(Keith Cutting)

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Saturday 29th March Dartford, Swanscombe, Southfleet & Cliffe

A quick peek at the flooded fields produced good numbers of Teal, Lapwing, Redshank and 2 Green Sandpiper.  I then teamed up with James Hunter, Gary Howard & Richard Bonser and we drove to Ingress Park and walked out to Swanscombe.  Birding here was had work and we only found one summer plumaged Scandanavian Rock Pipit which flew from the foreshore and then stared back at us from one of the barges moored offshore.  Also present were 2 Cetti’s Warblers, a pair of Oystercatcher & a Chiffchaff.  We also failed to locate any Jack Snipe. We did see 2 summer plumaged Scandanavian Rock Pipits feeding close to, but not with, 2 summer plumaged Water Pipits over at Rainham in Essex before we re-entered Kent and headed to Cliffe via Southfleet.  The drake Falcated Duck was showing well as it indulged itself in some courtship display although it wasn’t clear what it was displaying to!  It bobbed its head before rearing up and splashing back down in the water whilst making Wigeon-like noises followed by a soft, piping trill.  Once again the 2nd winter (?) Pomarine Skua was quickly located drifting upriver on the rising tide at Coastguards.  2 Sand Martin battled the strong South-westerly wind as they headed upriver just a little above the water’s surface and a 2nd summer Med Gull flew over.   Elsewhere we saw 2 Swallows, the Little Gull (now in summer plumage) and the day’s highlight, a 1st winter Iceland Gull.

(Andrew Lawson) 

Saturday 29 March Haysden

The Cetti’s Warbler that I first saw over seven weeks ago was singing again this morning and after a bit of a wait it did show well. Also six Sand Martin, 10 Chiffchaff, a couple of Bullfinch and a Little Owl were the best of the rest. 11 Little Egrets were near Leigh - seen close to the B2027 just south-west of the A21. 

(Andy Appleton)

Thursday 27th March Cliffe RSPB

Visited between 0950 and 1350. Weather included rain, hale, snow  and very bright sun shine. At the time we thought there were not many duck species around but when we counted our notes we discovered we had seen Mallard, Wigeon, Tufted Duck, Shelduck, Pintail, Shoveler, Teal, Goldeneye , Gadwall, Ruddy Duck  and Pochard Waders, though  were scarce and apart from lots of Redshanks we only saw one Oystercatcher, two Avocets and a few Lapwing. Birds we particularly enjoyed though were a female Sparrowhawk, two splendid male Wheatears  and a superb Short Eared Owl quartering the fields at the back of the big black pipes. (Martin Mellors and Ian Kesterton)

Tuesday 25 March Haysden

No sign of yesterday’s Black Redstart but 10 Sand Martin, Green Sandpiper and 20 Wigeon at Hawden this morning.

(Andy Appleton)

Monday 24th March Danson Park & Dartford

I had excellent views of the Black-throated Diver that has turned up on Danson Park Lake, Bexley today. I didn't see it dive at all while I was there though, and it spent a lot of time asleep with the odd flap of its wings. I then headed over to the flooded fields by Bob Dunn Way, Dartford and found 3 adult summer Mediterranean Gulls and a second-winter Yellow-legged Gull was also present with good numbers of Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gulls.

(Richard Bonser)

http://www.freewebs.com/richbonser/

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Monday 24th March Haysden

A frosty start - 16 Sand Martins over Haysden Lake early this morning as well as six Chiffchaffs and five Siskins - also one Little Egret, a few Bullfinches, male Reed Bunting and several Yellowhammers and the flock of Fieldfare and Redwing were still around. I drove round to Hawden and parked up near the Powdermills where after just 100 yards a female or first-winter male Black Redstart, my first for Haysden, performed well. A couple of Grey Wagtails flew over a little later and there were two more Sand Martin at Hawden as well as a couple of Stock Dove.

After lunch I popped back over to Haysden where I had Sparrowhawk, Red-legged Partridge (number 80 for the year) and Little Egret near Ensfield Bridge. Back at the Powdermills the Black Redstart was still showing well and at Hawden the Green Sandpiper was now showing and 20+ Sand Martin and about 40 Wigeon were also seen.

(Andy Appleton)

Monday 24th March Sheppey

Today made an early morning foray to Sheppey. Stopped at Capel Fleet, Harty Ferry, and drove to and from the car park at Elmley. There were a mixed flock of Linnet and Twite (2) on the road to the ferry, Bewicks Swans still out on the marsh towards the prison, and a Merlin sitting beside the road at Elmley for 5 minutes. On the way out a ringed Plover also alighted about 10 yards away. 64 species in all. (David Payne)

Sunday 23rd March Cliffe & Grain

We started off by driving to the gate at Coastguards and walking to the Thames in increasingly snowy conditions.  As we reached the Thames we took shelter behind the lone Elder and I soon picked up our target bird, a Pomarine Skua, as it harrassed a couple of Herring Gulls over the Essex foreshore.  It soon came closer and then pitched down on the Thames mid-channel.  The barred axillaries (and underwing coverts?) showed that it was an immature whilst the darkish belly and paler looking flanks suggest that it is a 1st winter bird although, to be frank, the literature covering the ageing of skuas doesn't seem to have improved or advanced much since the 1980s.  However, I have been informed that there are two much browner looking birds, ie, juveniles, also present (and maybe more?) so perhaps this bird is a 2nd winter or older especially as it had several more adult like features such as a dark cap contrasting with a off-white, greyish tinged collar. Anyway, it was a terrific bird.  Also in the area was one adult winter Little Gull and a Long-tailed Duck.

We had a quick look at Grain outfall but the weather was grim and we soon headed home.

(Andrew Lawson & Richard Bonser)

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Saturday 22nd March Sheppey

At Capel Fleet I found a female Stonechat, 8 Marsh Harriers, 2 Great- crested Grebes, 2 Little Egret and my first mixed flock of Fieldfare (25), Redwing (1) and Starling (1) of the day. In the area around Sayes Court there were another pair of Marsh Harriers, my second mixed flock of Fieldfare (16), Redwing (3) and Starling (12) and a surprise Green Sandpiper by a puddle on the farm. The saltmarsh at Harty held 93 Brent Geese and a female Hen Harrier was hunting in the area.
Moving onto the Swale reserve there was little of note other than 42 White-fronted Geese. The walk along the beach towards Leysdown from Shellness held a
scattering of the usual bunch of waders; Redshank, Oystercatcher, Dunlin, Sanderling, Turnstone, Ringed Plover and the Purple Sandpiper was still present.

(Gavin Coultrip)

Saturday 22nd March Southfleet & Cliffe

After enduring the pain of Bluewater with my girlfriend, we headed to Cliffe via the pool opposite Broadditch Farm Shop, Southfleet where the drake Falcated Duck was still present with Mallards.

In rather bracing conditions, a couple of adult winter Little Gulls were seen side by side at Cliffe but despite looking around the area I couldn't find any white-winged gulls before the conditions got the better of me.

(Richard Bonser)
 

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Friday 21st March Lower Shorne & Lower Higham

60+ Stock Doves at Queen’s Farm Lane Lower Shorne and 20+ Corn Buntings Church Street Lower Higham on Thursday 20th

(David Payne)

Friday 21st March Haysden

A couple of Linnet from the car, a Kestrel again apparently sheltering from the wind on the grass bank of the flood barrier and ten Sand Martin over Haysden Lake. A further three Sand Martin were at Hawden where there was also a Green Sandpiper. Just two Chiffchaffs noted this afternoon plus 75 Fieldfare, 12 Redwing and five Yellowhammers.

(Andy Appleton)

Friday 21st March Dartford

A windswept 2nd flooded field had 3 Little Egrets and good numbers fo Redshank, Teal and Lapwing. The tip at Rainham was not open and as a result the Thames was very quiet with just a handful of large gulls. A drive around the old Joyce Green hospital site turned up 10+ Linnets & 20+ Chaffinches and 3 Brambling including a male starting to show smart summer dress.

(Andrew Lawson)

Friday 21st March Whetsted, nr Paddock Wood

Decided that I would go for a little explore and it was worth it. On the pits there were 6 GREY WAGTAIL, 1 SWALLOW(Flew over heading SW), 1 PEREGRINE, 2 KESTRELS, 1 BULLFINCH, 2 CHIFFCHAFF, 1 REED BUNTING, 1 STONECHAT. On the way back I saw 2 Mink on the Medway near Hartlake road.

(Josh J Shaw)

Friday 21st March Swale NNR

I endured an hour's brief visit to the reserve this morning trying to walk round in a cold and very strong N.W. gale.
Still 13 Whitefronts there but no sign of the Barnacles this morning - they were last seen on Wednesday.
Of interest were 6 fresh Lapwing scrapes, one containing an egg.

(Derek Faulkner)

Thursday 20th March Northward Hill

We've not been bird watching in north Kent for a time, but despite the rain yesterday it was our first visit to Northward Hill and we really liked it there. I think the weather ruled out the chance of seeing the marsh harriers and peregrine....and no sign of the fieldfare either...  

13:00, windy, wet and cold.   1 Green Woodpecker 50 Crows 2 Magpies 3 Swans 23 Shelducks 15+ Teals 8+ Blue tits 3 Long tailed tits 8+ Chaffinches 1 Bullfinch 1 Cormorant 2 Gulls 15 Common pigeons 20 Wood pigeons 1 Oyster catcher 1 Blackbird 3 Moorhens.  

(Anne-Marie Griffin)

Thursday 20th March Dartford

46 Teal, 32 Redshank and numerous territorial Lapwings on the 2nd flooded field along with a single Black Tailed Godwit.  The Marshes were wonderfully quiet as there wasn't any activity from bikers, clay pigeon shooters or small model aeroplane enthusiast.  Alas, few birds though but I was happy to note a partially moulted 1st summer Yellow Legged Gull (a plumage I rarely see) along with a 2nd summer bird on the Thames foreshore.

(Andrew Lawson)

Thursday 20th March Darenth Lakes, Sutton-at-Hone

I spent a pleasant 3 hours at this unwatched place in the middle of nowhere. 47 species was my best yet and included Peregrine, Sparrowhawk, 2 Kingfishers, Blackcap in sub song, 8 Chiffchaffs and a Siskin, but, sadly, no Hirundines.
(Martin Coath)

Wednesday 19th March Tonbridge

Barn owl over the Medway at Ensfield Bridge, Leigh nr Tonbridge this evening.
(Alan Nottage)

Wednesday 19th March Wouldham

Still 1 White-fronted Goose with the Greylag flock this morning, and in the same area 15 Curlew and a pair of Grey Partridge, the latter the first here since January 2002.  Meanwhile along the river there were 5 Teal and 2 Oystercatcher (regular summer visitors to Wouldham), plus the familiar pair of Mediterranean Gulls was back again after an absence of three days.

(Ian Shepherd)

Tuesday 18th March New Hythe

Flossie took me on a short but productive walk round Leybourne lakes today.There were 3 Brambling (a year tick) on the feeders in Lunsford Lane, a Little Egret and a Green Sandpiper on Kidney Lake and a dozen Sand Martin over Tesco Lake with another 10 or so at Alders.The year list is now 77.

(Martin Warburton)

Tuesday 18th March Bough Beech

A chilly Bough Beech today still showed large numbers of brambling [30+ almost certainly an underestimate] plus many redwings in fields nearby and 2-3 buzzards plus 1-2 sparrowhawks. However, hopes of spring indicated by at least 2 singing chiffchaffs and small nos of sand martin. Could not find the red breasted pochard seen yesterday but a nice mandarin male skulked in the woods.
(Gwyneth Taylor)

Monday 17th March Wouldham

There were 2 White-fronted Geese accompanying a flock of 84 Greylags on the marshes north of the village this afternoon.  Also seen today were 2 Common Buzzard, 1 Peregrine, 1 Common Sandpiper (presumably one of the overwintering birds still), 1 Little Owl, 1 Cetti's Warbler, and 3 Chiffchaff at Peters Pit reserve, the first of the year.

(Ian Shepherd)

Monday 17th March New Hythe

Just a quick hour this morning at New Hythe. 1 House Martin, 16 Sand Martin, 5 Chiffchaff, 2 C Buzzard & 1 Green Sandpiper

(Steve Nunn)

Sunday 16th March Southfleet & Sheppey

Yesterday, against our better judgement (the weather was awful), we went to Southfleet and watched the falcated duck in the adjacent field to the pond and also on the pond from time to time. Saw it flying around with a pair of mallard. Maybe it is plastic, but it's a smashing bird.  

Then to Capel Fleet where the weather was so bad all we managed were a couple of marsh harriers, and also 1 grey plover and an avocet at Harty Ferry.

(Peter Gasson)

Sunday 16th March New Hythe

After a morning tour round Boughton Park and Wierton Hill farm with Don Taylor and others, I walked around New Hythe this afternoon in wind and rain. 12-Sand Martin and 1-House Martin on Brookland Lake must be my earliest record of both species. Also 1-Little Egret brings my year total up to 76 for the area. Thanks Don for an interesting morning.

(Terry Laws)

Sunday 16th March Sevenoaks WR

Despite the horrible weather, of note were: 1 REDSHANK, C20 SNIPE, 1 SPARROWHAWK, 3 POCHARD, 12 SHOVELER, 1 MISTLE THRUSH, 1 KINGFISHER, 2 CHIFFCHAFF (SINGING) and 1 RUDDY DUCK.
(Josh J. Shaw)

Sunday 16th March Cliffe RSPB

On the bird front, I had no spring migrants although I was hopeful of a Wheatear/White Wag etc and perhaps a Garganey...but no joy (a day too early it would seem!). However, there was a 2nd yr Pom Skua on the Thames showing well between Coalhouse Fort and Mucking Bay. Also a lot of Avocets on the Essex side - at least 900, suggesting a spring influx. On the Pools there were still 3 Scaup (2 drakes, 1 duck) on the Hidden Pool and a Greenshank on the Radar Pool (see Paul's map!!)

(Murray Orchard)

Sunday 16th March New Hythe

12 Sand Martin at New Hythe this afternoon. Also a Ring Necked Parakeet, my first ever for here, an Oystercatcher, 6 singing Chiffchaff and 2 Stonechat.

(Steve Nunn)

Saturday March 15th Capel Fleet 

9.00-12.00.   Cloudy with hazy sunshine breaking through. Two Common Buzzards loafed around on the posts either side of the fleet. A Merlin flew low across the road and perched for a while. Several ringtail Hen Harriers hunted the field edges. A Peregrine and a Sparrowhawk put in brief appearances. A "new" Cettis Warbler called from the roadside ditch, while Bearded Tits pinged from the reed-fringes by the Raptor view-point. No sign of the Rough-legs, perhaps visiting other parts of the island before they return northwards?

(Rob Clements)

Saturday 15th March Dartford

88 Redshank and 10 territorial Lapwing were in the 2nd flooded field adjacent to Bob Dun Way.  Another 14 Lapwing were on the New Diggings along with a prospecting Oystercatcher - a new bird for this location.  The Thames foreshore had a good selection of gulls with the majority being Lesser Black Backed with about 150 being present, mainly adults. About 20 immature Herring Gulls were present along with 9 Yellow Legged Gulls: 2 1st winters & 7 2nd winters.  20+ GBBS also present.

Waders were poorly respresented but what they lacked in quantity, they made up for in quality with 2 Avocet feeding actively on the foreshore

(Andrew Lawson)

Saturday 15th March Haysden

I started at the Powdermills this morning where I heard my first Grey Wagtail of the year - I looked up expecting to see it flying over but it was on somebody’s roof. Next to Hawden where there were a pair of Shelduck (first since last February), female Teal, four Pochard and 29 Wigeon and only my second Green Sandpiper of the year.

There was very little, as usual, at Barden but a very obliging Water Rail in the Shallows and my first, of five, Chiffchaff was nearby. At Haysden this morning there were seven Lapwing, about ten Meadow Pipit (including one quite orange-looking bird), a pair of Linnet and a pair of Stonechat. A couple of Mistle Thrush also seen today, at last, as well as two Mandarin and there were five Siskin in the car park at the end of my walk - the first I have seen for several weeks. A Ring-necked Parakeet and nine Little Egret were also seen at Hawden this morning - but alas not by me! On the 8th March there were seven Redwing and 70 Fieldfare in fields near Haysden today as well as one Little Egret and two Grey Heron on Longfield Lake. Apart from Kingfisher and ten Great Crested Grebe on Haysden Lake (Andy Appleton)

Saturday 15th March Sevenoaks WR

10 singing Chiffchaffs here today, but I missed the LRP seen at 7.0 only, when there was a Sand Martin. 2 Buzzards at noon were a good consolation. On 12th there was a group of 5 Grey Wagtails. We have had two sitting GC Grebes and 2 tiny young were seen on 9th.
(Martin Coath)

Saturday 15th March Swale NNR

At 10.25 this morning, about 100yds past Capel Corner on the Harty Road, Sheppey, I had a superb male Wheatear. Also, on the Swale NNR - were 26 Barnacle Geese, 1 Buzzard, 1 Peregrine.
(Derek Faulkner)

Friday 14th March Grain    

10.40  to  14.40  hrs.  Mosco  Pool  &  South  Levels,  West  Lane,  Roas  at  LT.   Smithfield  Marsh,   PS.  Outfall  &  nearby  BG.  Land. Although  4/8  cloud,  a  warm  sunny  day  with  SW 1,  becoming  E  1  later.  Occ.  calm. 8 oC. at  09.45  hrs.   LT.  10.50  hrs.   A  quiet  &  enjoyable  visit  with  3  Redwing  along  West  Lane,  2  Purple  Sandpipers  at  the  Grain  PS.  Outfall  &  9  Peacocks  tempted  out  in  the  warm  sunshine.

             10.40  to  11.00  hrs.   Mosco  Pool,  South  Levels  &  views  to  north.               Little  Grebe -  4   MP.
            Canada  Goose -  6  SL.
            Grey  Lag  Goose -  2.  SL.
            Mallard -  2  MP.
            Pochard -  10  MP.
            Stonechat -  1  pr.  along  railway  line.                11.00  to  12.30  hrs.  West  Lane,  also  Angling  Lake,  Horsefield,  Reserve  Pool, 
            Bucks  Pound  &  Grain  Marsh.               Little  Grebe -  6  prs.
            Little  Egret -  4.
            Mute  Swan -  4.
            Grey  Lag  Goose -  19.
            Canada  Goose -  2.
            Mallard -  2  prs.
            Gadwall -  5  prs.
            Teal -  2  prs.
            Tufted -  7  prs.
            Pochard -  6  prs. 
            Ruddy  duck -  1  f.  RP.
            Moorhen -  38. 
            Coot -  43.
            Pied  Wagtail -  5  HF.  inc.  4  ff.
            Long  Tailed  Tit -  4  to  east  of  AL.
            Cetti’s  Warbler -  1  AL.
            Redwing -  3.
            Stonechat -  1  f.
            Magpie -  21.               12.30  to  13.00  hrs.   Roas  Bank  at  LT.               Oystercatcher -  925  along  tideline. 
            Curlew -  148.
            Long  Tailed  Tit -  3  in  trees  alongside  CP.
3.20  hrs.   Smithfield  marsh.

            Stonechat -  1  ad.  m.
            Magpie -  6.              

13.35  to  14.40  hrs.  Grain  PS.  Outfall  &  nearby  BG.  Land.

            Brent  Goose -  11.
            Oystercatcher -  210  arrived  in  groups  high  in  sky  from  N.  &  NE.  over  estuary,  moving  S.  or  SW.  into  Medway  to  roost. Purple  Sandpiper -   2  found  by  Janet  at  14.10  hrs.  at  far  end ,  east,  of  north  groyne  during  rising  tide,  HT.  17.15  hrs.  Watched  until  14.30  hrs.  during  which time  they  moved  up  the  groyne  a  short  distance  as  forced  by  rising  tide,  but preferring  to  swim  to  nearest  dry  rock  on  the  groyne.
            Stonechat -  1  f.  BG.  Land.
            Magpie -  4.J

(Janet  &  Trevor Bowley)

Thursday 13th March Wouldham

Along the river this morning were single Little and Great Crested Grebes, 1 Little Egret and a pair of very smart Mediterranean Gulls which have been present for the past 6 days.  South of the village there were again 2 Common Buzzards hunting over Wouldham Common and Peters Pit reserve, 2 Cetti's Warblers singing at the nearby marsh, plus the local 'Great Spotted Steelpecker', a GS Woodpecker that habitually drums on electricity pylons or the steel brackets on top of wooden power poles - it gives me headache just watching it!

(Ian Shepherd)

Thursday 13th March Dartford Marshes

A late afternoon walk on Dartford marshes produced 24 Whimbrel, 1 Curlew and a small flock of 30+ Dunlin all around the mouth of the River Darent.

(Phil Royston)

Thusday 13th March Yantlet Creek & Binney Marsh

Clear  overnight  with  W.  gales  of  recent  days  subsiding.  0/8  early, soon  8/8  cloud.  W  1  -  2,  8  0C.  at  09.00  hrs.   LT.  10.10  hrs.  Two  brief  visits  produced  14  Stonechats ,  only  one  male,  &  an  adult  male  White  Wagtail.  Cool  breeze  persisting  &  continuous  rain  from  early  pm.  09.15  to  11.00  hrs.   Yantlet  Estuary.  13 / 03 / 2008.  

       Little  Grebe -  3  singing  males  in  fleets  to  east  of  stones.
       Little  Egret -  4  Y.  creek  area.
       Coot -  2  prs.  in  fleets  to  east  of  stones.     
       Moorhen -  2  prs.  as  above,  reflecting  increased  water  levels.
       Marsh  Harrier -  1  f.  along  Ym.  sea  wall.
       Lesser  Blacked  backed  Gull -  10  adults  west  in  two  groups.
       Pied  Wagtail -  1  pr.  at  Y.  sluice,  frequent  breeding  site.
       Linnet -  small  numbers  west.
       Meadow  Pipit -  as  above.
       Stonechat -  group  of  4  ff.  Pilot  marsh.   1  f. at  stones.
       Reed  Bunting -  1  ad.  M.  at  stones.         

12.00  to  13.00  hrs.   Binney  Marsh.  13 / 03 / 2008.          Little  Egret -  1.
       Mute  Swan -  2.
       Canada  Goose -  8.
       Gadwall -  1  pr.
       Wigeon -  75.
       Teal -  60.
       Shoveler -  8,  inc.  2  prs.  &  4  dr.
       Moorhen -  22.
       Sparrow hawk -  1  ad.  m.  flying  west  beyond  paddocks. 
       Pied  Wagtail -  4.
      White  Wagtail -  1  ad.  m.,  probably  same  as  reported  by  Terry  previous  Sunday. 
       Long  Tailed  Tit -  2  along  west  hedge  of  BF.
       Cettis  Warbler -  1  in  shrubs  at  Pumping  Station  near  Binney  road  gate.
       Stonechat -  8,  inc.  1  f.  in  reeds  at  B.  fleet.  1  m.  with  5  ff.  along  south  fence  of  BF.
       to  east  of  paddocks.   Also  1  f.  along  fence / ditch  to  west  of  paddocks.
       Magpie -  12  in  blackthorn  shrubs  at   west  end  of  B.  fleet.

(Trevor & Janet Bowley)

Sunday 9th March Elmley RSPB    

10.00-1.00.   Windy, with occasional sunny intervals. I trekked up to Spit End hide. Thirty Avocets amongst the mixed wader flock pushed close to the hide by the rising tide. A Peregrine repeatedly stooped at a starling flock nearby, before separating out one bird for an unsuccessful individual chase. A distant Rough-legged Buzzard hovered amongst the numerous marsh Harriers. A ring-tail Hen Harrier flew past. Several Mediterranean Gulls called from the gull-flock over the salt-marsh. Back at the flood, an adult male and female Peregrine perched a hundred yards apart on the earth ridges, while an immature female flew past.

(Rob Clements)

Saturday 8th March Southfleet & Cliffe

The drake Falcated Duck showed well mid morning with Mallards at Southfleet on the pool opposite Broadditch Farm Shop. I then headed to Cliffe and located a very interesting 'almost all white' gull, actually having whiter wings than your true white-wingers! Looking at its size and sturdy structure, bill and pink legs it appeared to be a leucistic Great Black-backed Gull. In flight it was ghostly white except for a little bit of sandy pigmentation on the mantle, leading edge of the wing, primary coverts and slight tail band. It then flew towards the Black Barn Pools where it joined a true white-winged gull - a juvenile Glaucous Gull! Two adult summer Mediterranean Gulls were present and over 100 Avocets were seen flying from Flamingo Pool to The Thames as the tide dropped.

(Richard Bonser)

Saturday 8th March Sevenoaks WR

Of Interest were 19 Snipe, 3 Kingfisher, 1 Water rail, 1 Treecreeper, 1 Ruddy duck, 16 Shoveler, 6 Pochard.
(Josh Jenkins Shaw)

Friday 7th March Haysden

On a short pre-work wander I started off by flushing a male Kestrel from the grass embankment of the flood barrier before going on to see Kingfisher, at least two singing Reed Bunting, two Yellowhammer in the Shallows and five Little Egret at Haysden.

(Andy Appleton)

Friday 7th March Chatham & Gillingham Riverside

There was an adult Med Gull on the river at Chatham Town Centre(Rats Bay pumping station) at 11.40 this morning with eleven Tufted Duck(six drakes) and 22 Mute Swans.

Yesterday afternoon off Copperhouse Marsh, Gillingham Riverside there were 55 Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Red-breasted Merganser and a cock Stonechat.

(Keith Cutting)

Friday 7th March Wouldham

This afternoon there were no fewer than 6 Common Buzzards in the air together over Wouldham Common (the downs southeast of the village), whilst for good measure a Peregrine flew west over the nearby Peters Pit

(Ian Shepherd)

Thursday 6th March Haysden

My first record of Linnet of the year was of three birds initially seen on telegraph wires - other than the that much the same as the last couple of mornings - just one Lapwing, Skylark, and a couple of Yellowhammer. A chiffchaff was singing in the industrial estate at Tonbridge at lunch time however.

(Andy Appleton)   

Wednesday 5th March Wouldham

Mediterranean Gulls have been frequent visitors to the patch over the past month, with 1-3 being present along the river on numerous dates since 7th February.  Today was no exception, with 3 birds in amongst the throng of Black-headed Gulls first thing this morning.  All the birds seen to date have been adults so it is difficult to judge the total number involved, but I get the impression that most have been just passing through, so the total so far could be 15-20.  Some birds are carrying green colour-rings, but so far I have not been able to read any of them. Also present today were 2 Great Crested Grebe and 1 Common Sandpiper along the river, and a Peregrine on top of the cement works chimney at Halling.

(Ian Shepherd)

Wednesday 5th March Capel Fleet, Sheppey

In clear blue skies up to 6 marsh harriers and 1 common buzzard soaring at 12h30 today. More harriers 'skydancing' over Muswell Manor. Also 2 sparrowhawks and 1 merlin (which snatched a starling it had separated from a flock before dropping it!).
(Steve Wood)

Monday 3rd March Haysden

Five Meadow Pipits along the road today, a couple of Yellowhammer, 29 Lapwing and my first Buzzard of the year - albeit rather distantly

(Andy Appleton)

Sunday 2nd March Cliffe RSPB

A visit this evening produced a Long-tailed Duck, three Scaup (two drake) and good views of both Barn Owl and Tawny Owl.  At least one first winter Glaucous Gull was seen well earlier this afternoon.

(Andy Appleton)

Sunday 2nd March Sevenoaks WR

Of note on the reserve today were: 30 COMMON GULL, 1SHELDUCK(M), 2 RUDDY DUCK, 19 CORMORANT, 6 HERRING GULL, 1 L.B.B GULL, 12 SHOVELER, 10 GREYLAG, 35 TUFTED DUCK, 22 TEAL, 13 GADWALL, 3 POCHARD,4 MUTE SWAN, 3 KINGFISHER, 2 GREY HERON, 5 CANADA GEESE, 2 G.WOODPECKER, 15+ L.T. TIT, 95+CROW, 1 GOLDFINCH,14+ PIED WAGTAIL, 14 G.C GREBE, 2 LAPWING, 20+ WREN,1 SNIPE, 8 WIGEON, 2 LITTLE GREBE. There were also lots of GOLDCREST, BLACKBIRD,ROBIN,DUNNOCK,BLUE and GREAT TITS.  

(Josh Jenkins-Shaw)

Sunday 2nd March Greenhithe

176 Black tailed Godwit, 12 Curlew, 100+ Redshank, 300+ Dunlin and 25 Shelduck were on the Essex side of the river.  1 Redshank and 2 Oystercatcher were on the Kent side.  Large gulls are at a premium at this time of year and just a handful of adult Leebs and 2 ad GBBs were present.

(Andrew Lawson)

Sunday 2nd March Swale NNR, Sheppey

The 26 Barnacle Geese and 1 Hooded Crow were still present on the reserve earlier this morning. Also 1 Cettis Warbler.
(Derek Faulkner)

Saturday 1st March Haysden

A sunny but blustery three and a bit hours produced no definite new birds for the year but there were 40 Wigeon at Hawden, about ten Tufted Duck and five Pochard (both species shared between Haysden, Barden and Hawden) four Kingfisher sightings, a singing male Reed Bunting in the Shallows, a few Meadow Pipit, several singing Skylark, at least two Redwing near the flood barrier and quite a few Fieldfare still near Ensfield Farm.

(Andy Appleton)