April 2007 Sightings

Wouldham - Ian Shepherd ©

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 west to Dartford and Tunbridge Wells (roughly...) then I would be delighted to hear from you.

I can also be contacted on Tel: 07766 694549.

Monday 30th April New Hythe

A good day at New Hythe today with a Whimbrel for patch tick 145, Osprey through this morning and an adult Little Gull on Alders Lake this afternoon. Also Garden Warbler and 3 Hobbies together bring this years total up to 92. This time last year the total was 107.

A few Hairy Dragonfly, Large Red, Azure and Common Blue Damselflies seemed to have had a good hatch today. It has been a struggle here at times this year but things are looking up.

(Terry Laws)

Monday 30th April Sevenoaks Reserve

Lots of swifts overhead at Sevenoaks Reserve today and displaying little ringed plover.
(Carol Goulden)

Monday 30th April Abbey Meads, New Hythe

Fantastic view of 2 Hobby's here today. Also 10 Nightingales, 12+ Common Whitethroat, 3 Turtle doves (1 Purring) and lots more. A great site for song at this time of the year.

(Alan Roman)

Monday 30th April Dartford

6 Barwits were present on the Thames foreshore although they flew over to Aveley and joined another 19 on the Essex side of the river. Also 2 Grey Plover on the Essex side.  1 Greenshank fed on the London side of the river Darent mouth and 300+ Swift headed over signifying a major arrival today of this species.

The flooded field is rapidly drying out. Hopefully some of the Lapwing chicks will be fully fledged before it does dry out. Fingers crossed.  Also 2 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 5 Shelduck and 2 pairs of Gadwall.

New Diggings had 1 Little Egret and 18 House Martin.

(Andrew Lawson)

Sunday 29th April Dartford

A quick evening visit to the flooded field and the New Diggings turned up 5 Little Ringed Plover, 8 Redshank, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 female Ruddy Duck and 18 Pied Wagtails.  Highlight was finding that 3 pairs of Lapwing have now been successful and 10+ young were feeding close to their very protective parents.

(Andrew Lawson)

Saturday 28th April Cliffe RSPB

I quick cycle round the Reserve in an attempt to get some exercise was the order of the day. Very little in the way of waders were present even at high tide, just 31 Bl T Godwits on BB3, 5 Dunlin on Flamingo, but the 2 Bar tails that were also there were new for the year. The star bird however was the Grasshopper Warbler reeling near the 2nd viewpoint. A former breeding bird they have been scarce in recent years due to the overgrazing by cattle on the Reserve reducing the amount of rank grass. Needless to say it was in the ungrazed area.

It was a warbler morning really, with Whitethroats everywhere as well as Sedge, 2 Cettis and Blackcaps. Reed Warblers however were at a premium as most of the reeds have been removed from the ditches. The other feature of the morning was the number of Nightigales with at least 4 singing birds along the Creek Road alone and at least three elsewhere on the Reserve.

A queen Shrill Carder Bee was feeding on red deadnettle near the point road and several Common Carder and Red-tailed Bummble Bees were near Ivy House where there was a very showy Cetti's Warbler. The only other things of note were a Cuckoo and a single Swallow moving through - and my aching thighs as I cycled back up the hill to the car!!
(Paul Larkin)

Saturday 28th April - Mote Park, Maidstone

Of note on this morning's walk round the Park was 12 Whitethroats, 1 stunning male Bullfinch, 2 Reed Buntings, 1 Willow Warbler, 7 Chiff Chaff, 15 Blackcaps, 3 Reed Warblers, a singing Nightingale, 1 Swallow, and as I approached the lake, 6 Barnacle Geese took off, circled above the water, and flew north.
(Simon Ginnaw)
www.motepark.blogspot.com

Saturday 28th April New Hythe

A walk from 5.45am to 8.45am, 13 Nightingale, 27 Whitethroat, 12 Cettis,4 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Garden Warbler, 8 Reed Warbler, 3 Swift, 2 Swallow, 2 Sand Martin, 2 Turtle Dove and a Grass Snake.
Sedge Warbler have been very scarce here this Spring. Is that true elsewhere?
(Steve Nunn) www.newhythe.blogspot.com

Friday 27th April Haysden

A couple of hours walk around Haysden, Barden and Hawden this evening at last produced some Hirundines. From Hawden there were about 12 distant House Martins over Tonbridge, a single Sand Martin flew north and then a single Swallow flew over. Later there were two Swallows at Haysden where there were also seven species of warbler present. Apart from that there were 27 Mute Swans (25 at Barden and two at Hawden), five Stock Doves were at Hawden, three singing male Yellowhammers were around Haysden andtwo Reed Buntings were noted.
(Andy Appleton)

Friday 27th April Grain

Port Victoria Road, Smithfield Marsh, Cockleshell Beach, Outfall, Moat, Wood, West Lane, inc. B. Pounds. 09.00 to 13.40 hrs. some overnight rain, 8/8 cloud, ne 2, cool & dull early, later 4/8 cloud, warmer, HT. 09.00 hrs. 13 oC. at 08.45 hrs. 17 oC. at 14.00 hrs.
Whitethroats ( 32 ), everywhere today & Wall Browns were new, but Peacocks now scarce.
Port Victoria Road, Smithfield Marsh, Cockleshell Beach, Outfall, 09.00 hrs.
Red Legged Partridge - 2 trotting along PVR. Peregrine - One flew overhead at CB. & across the Medway to Sheppey. Sandwich Tern - 1 n. offshore, from CB. Common Tern - 12 n. offshore, from CB. Cuckoo - 1 pr. at SM. later over the Wood. Swallow - 1 pr. at SM. Several pairs now at local breeding sites. Reed Warbler - 1 singing at Cettis locality, west of PVR. Cetti's Warbler - 1 west of PVR. Whitethroat - 19, inc. 6 SM. 7 PVR. 2 BG. land & 4 in one bramble at s. end of PVR. Stonechat - 1 pr. SM. 1 ad. m. CB / BG. land. Magpie - 2 only, no flocks here today. Also 3 Wall Browns at sea wall at CB.
Church area, Moat & Wood, 11.45 hrs.
Sparrowhawk - 1 carrying prey over Wood. Med. Gull - 1 ad. n. over Moat. Common Tern - 15 fishing off shore, ebb tide. Swallow - 5 nw. House Martin - 3 feeding high over Wood. Blackcap - 7 Wood, 3 Moat/Church. Chiffchaff - 1 Wood. Whitethroat - 3 Wood, 6 Moat/Church. Goldfinch - 6 feeding at sportsfield next to Wood, presumed migrants. Jackdaw - 2 over Wood, first here this year. Magpie - 8. Also 3 Holly Blues, 1 Orange Tip, 2 Peacocks & 1 Comma.
West Lane, 12.50 hrs. a brief visit.
Little Grebe - 2 prs. Canada Goose - 2 Horsefield. Grey Lag Goose - 4 Horsefield, 4 BP. Mute Swan - 1 pr. Shelduck - 2 pr. Mallard - 2 pr. also 1 ad. f. with brood of 7. Gadwall - 1 dr. Tufted - 11. Pochard - 8 ad. dr. Coot - 8. Moorhen - 4. Sparrowhawk - 1 m. high to nw. over village. Peregrine - 1 at pylon near Yantlet dam. Cuckoo - 1 at Angling lake Swallow - 1 pr. at Rosecourt farm. Pied Wagtail - 1 pr. Horsefield. Yellow Wagtail - 1 ad. m. Horsefield. Cetti's Warbler - 1 at Angling lake Whitethroat - 4. Stonechat - 1 ad. m. Magpie - 6.
(Janet & Trevor Bowley)

Thursday 26th April Haysden

Lesser Whitethroat in the car park as usual, but despite the overcast conditions and a few drops of rain no Hirundines yet again.
(Andy Appleton)

Friday 27th April Dartford

1 Little Ringed Plover, 16 Redshank, 19 Lapwing, 26 Pied Wagtail, 2 Gadwall and 1 Shelduck on the flooded field. The four Lapwing chicks are now starling sized.

(Andrew Lawson)

Thursday 26th April Allhallows

Lunchtime visit Allhallows today, stunning Yellow Wagtail near the water tower. Also a flock of brent geese at low tide mark, some in the water. About 30+ birds. Flock of  6 Linnets near Yantlet Creek, and 5 Curlews
(David Payne)

Wednesday 25 April Haysden
Lesser Whitethroat and Reed Warbler this morning, a pair of Linnet by the car park, two Jay were in nearby fields as were two singing Yellowhammer and several Skylarks. Still not seen House Martin this year, anywhere, and I have not seen Sand Martin this side of Glasgow yet this year!

(Andy Appleton)

Wednesday 25th April Dartford Marshes

Started at 6.30pm with a quick look at the flooded field which held 3 Little Ringed Plover, 15 Redshank, 11 Lapwing, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 18 Pied Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail, 6 Linnet, 2 Mipit, 42 Starlings, 2 Shelduck, 2 Mallard and a pair of Gadwall.
The New Diggings had 2 more Little Ringed Plover, 34 Tufted Duck and pairs of Little Grebe and Gadwall whilst 8 Swifts headed over.
I walked along the River Darent at 7pm until I reached the Thames before walking back down the central track at about 8.15pm arriving back at the car on University/Bob Dunn Way at 8.30pm.  Totals included 7 singing Reed Bunting, 3 pairs of Mipit, 6 singing Skylark, 7 Sedge Warblers, 2 Reed Warblers, 6+ pairs of Whitethroat, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 3 female Wheatear on the seawall and 1 Ring Necked Parakeet.  6 More Redshank were feeding on the Darent as were 4 Common Sandpipers.
I settled down on the seawall at 7.30pm to check the gulls as they flew east to roost.  800+ Herring Gulls and 50+ Lesser Black Backed Gulls flew downriver but alas, the Glaucous Winged Gull wasn't with them.  As I walked back I turned around and saw another large group of gulls heading east and this flock alone had 800+ birds but I'd walked too far to be able to check them.  Hopefully someone has been checking these birds on the Essex side as they leave Rianham Tip to go to roost.
The last leg of the walk was in near darkness and mammals become more conspicuous as birds become less so and foxes and a large bat showed well.
(Andrew Lawson)

Tuesday 24th April Dartford Marsh

Yesterday evening there were a few House Martins around the PowerStation jetty, also ( heard only,) 1 possibly 2 singing Black Redstarts.
(Phil Royston)

Tuesday 24th April Yantlet Creek & Sluice Fleet

08.30 to 11.15 hrs.  Spots of rain earlier, 8/8 cloud, s 1 - 2, later sw 2, dull &  cool initially, but by midday 6/8, brighter & warmer. 20 oC. at 12.30 hrs. HT. 06.25 hrs.
Usually ideal conditions, early, for an arrival of  Wheatears. A brief visit only to check for migrants.
    Little Grebe -  1 pr. Y. sluice fleet,  1 pr.  Ym. ne corner.
    Little Egret -  4 offshore at LT.
    Mute Swan -  1 in fleet to w. of stones.
    Brent Goose -  Flock of 34 w. from Y. est. as we  arrived, so although the Brant was presumably with them, we could not see it. However, on our return  along the sea wall, the flock was feeding offshore to the east of the headland. In fine light conditions, it was possible to pick out the Brant among the flock, even at 300 metres or so. Thus 33 Brent + 1 Black Brant.
    Shoveler -  1 ad. dr. Y. sluice fleet.   Gadwall -  1 ad.  dr.   Coot -  1 pr.  ditto.   also  1 pr. in fleet to west of stones.  1 pr. Ym.  ne  corner.
    Moorhen -  1 pr.  ditto.  also  1  pr.    ditto, inc. nest with eggs.
    Lapwing -  2 prs. ditto. inc. 1 on nest.   1 pr. Y. s/m.
    Black Tailed Godwit -  22 ads. in SP.  Y. est.  also 1 Y. sluice fleet.
    Bar Tailed Godwit -  1 ad. in SP.  Y.  creek.
    Whimbrel -  7 along sea wall rocks as tide  ebbed.
    Swallow -  5 w.    Sand Martin -  2 w.
    Wheatear -  6, inc.  4 at stones,  1 ad.  m.  &  3 FY m.  1 ad. m. on sea wall,  1 f. at Y.  sluice.
    Whinchat -  1 superb ad. m. singing from  shrubs on Ym. to east of Pilot
CP. hedge. 
    Whitethroat -  3 singing m. at Pilot hedge  & Ym. shrubs.
    Cuckoo -  1 BF.
    Crow -  1 pr. at stones, one of which had  crossed mandibles. How this
bird feeds is a puzzle.
(Trevor & Janet Bowley)

Tuesday 24th April Motney Hill

some of the regular summer migrants are now present. Plently of Reed and sedge warbler, whitethroat (8), Lesser whitethroat (1), blackcap (1), cuckoo (1), swallow (6), still no garden warbler or willow warbler as yet though.
Birds of note 2 whimbrel, 3 wheatear, 1 bar tailed godwit and best of all 2 shags, which is a patch and county tick for me, hopping around on an old wreck out in the estuary.
(Jamie)

Tuesday 24th April Ditton, nr Maidstone

Another female Wheatear seen this morning on my walk into work - this time on fence posts surrounding Gallagher's race course next Kiln Barn Farm (TQ716563), Ditton, nr Maidstone.  Slowly moving north...post by post!
(Adam Whitehouse)

Tuesday 24 April Haysden
Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroat were noted before I got out of the car this morning - apart from that a female Yellowhammer showed well and there were five Swallow at Hawden just briefly at lunch time. Also at Hawden a couple of Green Woodpecker, a few Stock Doves and a Kingfisher buzzed around in the stream behind me but did not show itself.

(Andy Appleton)
 

Monday 23rd April Haysden

Two Lesser Whitethroats in the car park, a distant male Yellowhammer, Skylarks and little else of note in a brief visit before work.

(Andy Appleton)

Sunday 22nd April Holly Hill (road), Harvel at White Horse Road
 
A probable male Downy Emerald dragonfly (club-tail very prominent) was seen catching insects around trees, by footpath (at edge of downland) opposite the road to Holly Hill Public Open Space, late afternoon.
(Linturn Hopkins)

Sunday 22nd April Brasted

2 cock wheatears on Brasted Chart cricket pitch Sunday 22 April.

(David Rumsey)

Sunday 22nd April Haysden

Well - at last Whitethroats were in at Haysden this morning - about four birds, so not all over the place - and probably the same number of Lesser Whitethroat, which have been around for a week now.  Also first Garden Warbler and first Reed Warbler for Haysden this morning - making seven species of warblers by 8am.  Still never had Cetti's here though.
(Andy Appleton)

Sunday 22nd April Dartford Marshes

A quick evening visit to the 2nd flooded field just North of University Way and just west of the river Darent produced an ocassionally showy Jack Snipe, 2 Yellow, 3 White, 16 Pied and 2 Grey Wagtails.  Also 5 pairs of Lapwing with 4 chicks still feeding in the grassy edges.  Other birds here included 15 Redshank, 1 Little Ringed Plover, a pair of Mipits, 2 Swallows, 8 Shelduck, 2 Herring Gulls, 50+ Starlings and the pair of Gadwall.

(Andrew Lawson)

21st April - Knole Park
 
Redstart - 2 males singing and showing well along Saint Julien Road end of park. Also 1 Turtle Dove, Cuckoo, several each of Willow Warbler, Blackcap and Chiffchaff.

(Linturn Hopkins)

Saturday 21st April Swanscombe

A morning slightly downriver from Andy at Swanscombe produced the goods, 'at last'.
A walk along side Botany marshes; Whitethroat was duly added to the local yearlist along with a Cuckoo and plenty of Cetti's singing. A wander across the marshes, another Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat showing well, stacks more Cetti's, another Cuckoo and a singing Willow Warbler plus 3 Wheatear. 

Continually watching skywards eventually paid dividends with 5 Sand Martin, 2 Swallow, 2 House Martin and 3 Swifts. Job done with the apus acrobatic chaps, a Sparrowhawk sailed over though no larger raptors as I was hoping for a Common Buzzard. In the reedbeds Sedge and Reed Warbler sang loudly but invisibly as the Cetti's always seem to here!!
Walking back along the river wall a Yellow Wagtail flew over calling and a Little ringed Plover was very audible but equally invisible. A good mornings birding, lots of birds audible not so many seen. The total I've seen/heard at this site is now 91 this year.

(Barry Wright)

Saturday 21st April Dartford Marshes & Greenhithe

The 2nd flooded field isn't quite so flooded anymore but it still has enough water on it to hold 1 Green Sandpiper, 6 Little Ringed Plovers, 22 Redshank, 1 Snipe and 16 Lapwing.  Best of all were four newly hatched Lapwing chicks.

Also present were 3 pairs of Shelduck, 3 White Wagtails, 9 Pied Wagtials, 1 Grey Wagtail and a pair of Gadwall.

The 'New Diggings' had 32 Tufted Duck and this still bodes well for a good breeding season for this species.  1 pair of Gadwall also present along with 2 more drakes.  4 Lapwings also on the waters edge and 3 Great Crested Grebe and 1 Little Grebe feeding voraciously.  The Thames was quiet with about 100 (mainly 1st summer) Black Headed Gulls and 1 Little Egret heading strongly east.

(Andrew Lawson)

Saturday 21st April Lower Higham & Higham Bight

Visit to Lower Higham and Higham Bight early today produced:
1 cuckoo calling, several sedge warblers calling with 2 giving good views and at least 8 skylarks, and a linnet. Gadwall 1 pair. 3 swallows.
On the Bight very low tide estimated at least 100 blacktailed godwits, 200+ dunlin and 50+ avocets, one only oystercatcher.

Friday 20th April Dartford Marshes

On Dartford marshes I had my first Cuckoo of the year. Over the last few days I have had 3 or 4 singing Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Sedge Warblers, several Swallows, 2 singing Willow Warblers, 3 Avocets max 4 Wheaters and a singing Reed Warbler. The number of Common Whitethroats seems low but increasing everyday.

(Phil Royston)

Friday 20th April East Malling Research Station

Female Wheatear hopping around the weather station at East Malling Research Station.

(Adam Whitehouse)

Friday 20th April Swanscombe

Had another pre-breakfast stroll around Swanscombe [it beats the security man]. Once again it was decidedly cold wIth quite a strong E wind and passerines were not much in evidence. However the Reed Warblers have started to arrive as have the first G. L. goose goslings and one Cuckoo was present. Two Med. Gulls flew over heading upstream but the most surprising thing was a Spotted Redshank.

(Dick Elvy)

 
Thursday 19th April Oldbury Wood

A further visit, this time during the week, produced less human disturbance and less bird song as some of the resident species quietened down.

Nuthatches were still very vocal and all three woodpeckers were either seen or heard for the second visit in succession. Of the local species the most vocal were Great and Cole Tit, the latter being especially numerous.

A lot of the Bilberry was in flower but the Celandines and Wood Anemones were going over. The hoped for Wood Warblers were not in evidence but it may yet still be a little early. I suspect, however, that as a ground nesting species human disturbance may well be the cause. There was no sign of Spotted Flycatcher either but, again, it may be too early. We did have a sighting of Sitka deer in the old orchard to the east of the wood.

During the walk round we saw 15 species but notable by its absence was Treecreeper a species that used to nest in the car park!
(Paul Larkin)

Thursday 19th April Wouldham

Early this morning the marshes south of the village seemed to be full of singing Cetti's Warblers and Nightingales, with at least 4 of the latter, including 1 in full view.  Both Common and Lesser Whitethroats were also singing here, whilst back in the village 3 House Martins over the river were the first seen this year.  No sign of the Pallas's Warbler today, but I had some good views of it on Tuesday 17th and it was also reported yesterday.
(Ian Shepherd)

Thursday 19th April Haysden

A couple of hours walk around Haysden at last produced a single Swallow. Better still was my first Cuckoo of the year and a Lesser Whitethroat sang from around the back of Haysden Lake. A few Chiffchaff and Blackcap were the only other birds of any note.

(Andrew Appleton)

Wednesday 18th April Haysden
A brief visit produced Lesser Whitethroat but no Whitethroat and still no Hirundines!

(Andrew Appleton)
 

Tuesday 17th April Mote Park, Maidstone

Todays visit to the Park produced a pair Reed Warblers, the first for the year.
(Simon Ginnaw)
www.motepark.blogspot.com

Tuesday 17th April Barming Woods, Maidstone

First Tree Pipit of the year seen this evening by Gallagher's Quarry, Oaken (Barming) Woods, Maidstone.

(Adam Whitehouse)
http://dittoneastmallingbarming.blogspot.com/


Tuesday 17th April Swanscombe

A decidedly chilly morning at Swanscombe to-day where the fields are drying out rapidly.There were 4 pairs of Lapwings present [a Sparrowhawk got them up], 1 pair of Redshanks, 2 Little Egrets, 5 Shelducks, 3 Gadwalls, 3 Shovelers and 34 Tufted Ducks including 14 females.

There a few migrants but the only warblers I saw /heard were the resident Cettis [4] but there were 2 Swallows and 2 or 3 Cuckoos.

It was quite a 'chatty' morning because in addition to the Stonechats there was a nice male Wheatear accompanied by a really fine male Whinchat.
(Dick Elvy)

Tuesday 17th April Hoo Junction

2 Nightingales showing well this lunctime just across railway crossing @ Hoo Junction
(Charlie Vint)

Tuesday 17th April New Hythe

Another pre-work visit to New Hythe between 06.10 and 07.15 this morning. The weather was overcast and much cooler than recent days.
A Nightingale again sang from close to the Water Works entrance, the first of 4 I heard this morning. 3 Willow Warbler were in song in the West Scrub and I disturbed a Green Woodpecker as I walked through. Down towards Brook House I heard the second and third Nightingale in full song, but little else apart from several Blackcap.
Back across the east scrub a Whitethroat burst into song briefly and another Willow Warbler was singing. Over the railway towards Abbey Mead which was fairly quiet, around towards the sunken marsh where both a Cuckoo and Turtle Dove were on the wires, a Lesser Whitethroat called from the dense scrub and a 5th Willow Warbler was in song.
Around Brooklands and through the car park to the Millstream, the 6th Willow Warbler was in song and another Whitethroat was singing along the path.
About half way along the Millstream I had excellent views of a confiding Water Vole and then another swimming across the Millstream near the bridge by the scrape.
(Steve Nunn)

www.newhythe.blogspot.com

Monday 16th April Kingfisher lakes, Hoo & North Medway

Another WEBS effort, this locality proving to be well worth while. 10.30 to 13.45 hrs. 0/8 cloud, n. or ne. calm or 1. 17 oC. at 10.00 hrs. later 21 oC. at 14.30 hrs. shade temps. HT. 12.00 hrs.
Great Crested Grebe - 1 KL. 4 NM. Little Grebe - 2 HM. Little Egret - 1 KL. 5 HM. Canada Goose - 22, inc. 5 KL. & 17 HM. Grey Lag Goose - 35 HM. Brent Goose - 12 NM. Mute Swan - 2 KL. Shelduck - 39 HM. Mallard - 13, inc. 7 ad. dr. chasing 1 f. around the skies, also 5 ad. dr. HM. Shoveler - 1 pr. + 1 dr. HM. Gadwall - 2 dr. + 1 f. HM. Teal - 3 prs. HM. Pochard - 10, inc. 4 dr. 2 ff. KL. also 2 prs. HM. Ruddy duck - 1 pr. KL. Long Tailed Duck - 1 f. ? KL. Now showing a white diamond facial patch around the eye, which seems to suggest a drake. Coot - 24, inc. 12 KL. & fields, 12 HM. Moorhen - 24, inc. 10 KL. & fields, 14 HM. Oystercatcher - 6 HM. Lapwing - 4 prs. HM. Redshank - 3 prs. HM. Med. Gull - calling offshore throughout, also 1 2nd. summer ad. overhead, HM. Common Tern - 1 HM. Green Woodpecker - 1 HM. Cuckoo - 1 calling at Allhallows at 07.00 hrs. Swallow - 2 feeding over nearby cultivated fields. Pied wagtail - 1 KL. 1 on recent plough near river wall. Yellow Wagtail - 3 m. on recent plough near river wall. Blue Headed Wagtail - 1 superb m. on recent plough near river wall. Willow Warbler - 1 singing from trees at KL. Wheatear - 2 FY. mm on recent plough near river wall. Stonechat - 1 ad. m. along gorse hedge, HM. Magpie - 8. Reed Bunting - 1 ad. m. KL.
This list includes an almost unlikely mixture of Summer & Winter visitors!
(Janet & Trevor Bowley)

Monday 16th April Shorne

Carried out the first wader census of the spring at Shorne this morning. Along with the breeding redshank & lapwing, there were still 20 curlew on the marsh, together with a couple of whimbrel, and 10 snipe were flushed. A brambling was along the concrete bridleway & 2 adult Med gulls flew over from the river.

In the scrubby bits, a few whitethroats & 2 each of lesser 'throat & sedge warbler. A single reed warbler was along the Thames-Medway canal, where there was also at least 2 Cetti's warblers & a very showy nightingale by the Queen's Farm Road railway crossing. One yellow wagtail, one swallow & a cracking male marsh harrier completed the migrants.
(Gordon Allison)

Monday 16th April Kingfisher Lakes, Hoo, Grain

Saw my first Yellow Wagtail of the spring yesterday afternoon at Hoo in fields adjoining the fishing lakes where the Long-tailed Duck is still present.
(Keith Cutting)

Monday 16th April New Hythe

A quick hour pre-work at New Hythe this morning between 6.30 and 7.30 - by no means a comprehensive walk of the area so I am sure there is more about. 3 Nightingale, 4 Whitethroat, 3 Willow Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler.
(Steve Nunn)

www.newhythe.blogspot.com

Sunday 15th April Haysden

Two elusive singing Lesser Whitethroat were present this afternoon as were two Willow Warblers - in addition to plenty of Chiffchaff and Blackcaps.  Three Linnets were the first for the year bringing the patch year list to 82.

Butterflies included Speckled Wood, Orange Tip, Small White, Peacock and Comma. Despite spending three hours at Haysden no Hirundines have yet been seen.

(Andy Appleton)

Sunday 15th April Wouldham

The Pallas's Warbler was still present at the usual site this morning, now into its second week and still singing joyously, but not always easy to see amongst the fresh green foliage.  In the same area a Nightingale was heard briefly early on, whilst along the river and marshes to the north there were 4 Common Sandpiper, up to 4 Cetti's Warbler and 2 Lesser Whitethroat.
(Ian  Shepherd)

Sunday 15th April Mote Park, Maidstone

It was a lovely sunny morning on my walk round the park today.  The Little Owl showed well perched in an old Oak tree in front of Mote House, the first Common Whitethroat of the summer was heard singing in the scrub, 2 Willow Warblers were singing, and whilst standing at the Weir a Shelduck flew onto the Lake and a Common Sandpiper was flushed from the eastern edge and flew low over the Lake towards the waterfall.
(Simon Ginnaw)
www.motepark.blogspot.com

Saturday 14th April Wouldham

I had recently worked out that the West Kent border was in fact the A228 and not the River Medway as I had previously thought.  So the message I received as I passed Cambridge on my north-bound journey on Easter Sunday afternoon for five day break in the Lake District wasn't exactly the best news ever:  "Pallas's Warbler just south of Wouldham".  Great - at least I wasn't missing an Iberian Chiffchaff like two years ago I guess - hopefully it would disappear quickly or hang around until I got back. 
  I arrived back from the Lake District at about 4pm on Friday and amazingly was able to get out of the house within the hour. I arrived at Wouldham at about 5.30pm and stayed until birds began to roost.  Having spoken to other people some of whom hadn't seen the bird in three visits I wasn't expecting it to be easy.  This bird really needed to be singing to be located in the area it favoured and it didn't seem to be doing too much of that this evening - the two second snatch of something I had never heard before at around 7pm was just enough however and I got on to the bird briefly before it flew into some bushes not to relocated.
Unfortunately the views obtained were not good enough to rule out Yellow-browed Warbler - although I guess singing Pallas's and a Yellow-browed in one bush in West Kent wasn't too likely!    
So it was I found myself back on site at 6am the following morning (Saturday 14th April).  After about an hour I hadn't seen anything except Blackcap and Chiffchaff but then as I walked along I could hear a song (I described it later as a cross between Willow Warbler and Wood Warbler) and a brief search located the bird in some bushes - it never stayed still for long but did at least show it's stripes and yellow rump.  Success - and well worth the wait.  A superb new bird for West Kent.   Congratulations must go to Ian for following up an unusual song and releasing the news - many thanks.
Nearby there was a singing Reed Warbler and several Cetti's Warbler on the marsh and two Swallow flew over. 
(Andy Appleton)
 

Saturday 14th April Barham

A single Reed Warbler on the other side of the river near Old Barham this am.
(Andy Appleton)

Saturday 14th April Northward Hill

Whitethroat, lesser 'throat, sedge warbler, swallow & yellow wag at Northward Hill this morning + unprecedented numbers of Med gulls in with the block-head flocks out on the sheep fields. 15 last night that I'm sure is a reserve record count & comfortably double figures around this morning.
(Gordon Allison)

Saturday 14th April Haysden

Highlights at Haysden this morning: 1 Swallow, 3 Willow Warbler, 3 Blackcap, numerous Chiffchaff. Also of interest 1 Lapwing, 2 Treecreeper, Skylark.
33 species in total.
(Pat Straughan)

Saturday 14th April Swanscombe

Visit to Botany Marshes Swanscombe this morning; saw one green sandpiper, heard a few chiffchaffs and heard a cuckoo.
(David Payne)

Saturday 14th April New Hythe

A Nightingale, a Whitethroat, a single Sedge Warbler, 4 Swallow at New Hythe this morning. Also a Lesser Whitethroat heard by others.
(Steve Nunn)
www.newhythe.blogspot.com

Saturday 14th April Lullingstone

A family walk along the river turned a Nuthatch, 4 singing Blackcaps and 3 Chiffchaffs.
(Andrew Lawson)

Friday 13th April Mote Park

There was a singing willow warbler this am in Mote Park, Maidstone and a singing blackcap along the path from Broomfield to Leeds Castle this pm.
(Ron Bartlett)

Thursday 12th April Cliffe RSPB

Pair of Greenshanks on Radar Pool yesterday lunchtime.
(Charlie Vint)

Wednesday 11th April Allhallows

1 Hobby flew WSW. this evening over the wheat above Coombe Bay (Allhallows) - my earliest, by 8 days, over the last 17 years.
(Rodney Smythe)

Wednesday 11th April Grain

At Grain today: 1 male Ring Ouzel showing really well and A lesser Whitethroat that sang but remained hidden. Several Peacock Butterflies, 2 Speckled Woods, both Small and Green-veined Whites.
(Derek Tutt)

Tuesday 10th April New Hythe

An incredibly early Turtle Dove on wires over the Sunken Marsh at the North  End of Abbey Mead this morning was the only new migrant of the day.
(Steve Nunn) www.newhythe.blogspot.com

Tuesday 10th April Wouldham

No sign of the Pallas's Warbler today, though apparently it was seen by several other observers yesterday.  Elsewhere on the patch today there was another immature Common Buzzard (a different bird from that seen at Peters Pit on Sunday), 1 Water Rail, 1 Little Owl, a single Swallow over the river (the first this year), and again at least 5 singing Cetti's Warblers.

(Ian Shepherd)

Tuesday 10th April Dartford Heath

1st Willow warbler this year on Dartford heath at 7.40 this morning. Heard and seen as well, along with about 5 chiffchaffs singing.

(Leon Nicholson)

Monady 9th April Oldbury Wood

I first visited this unique wood about 15 years ago and was struck by its resemblance to a welsh oak wood, in that it has little under-storey, this was confirmed by the presence of Wood Warblers there. No doubt they are a thing of the past due to the decline of this species. For those of an archaeological bent the wood is part of an ancient hill fort.

We walked from the rear of the car park along the brow of the hill to the caravan site then across the road up the track past the old orchards to a small pond back along the loop and along the top of the ridge and eventually back to the car park. During our travels we saw or heard all three woodpeckers, four to five Chiffchaffs in song, double figure Coal Tits singing and saw all the other common tit sp, but no Marsh, as well as a single cock Blackcap.

Of the two specialist plants in the area only one was on show and that was Bilberry. This was in flower, the other special, Cow Wheat, had not come through the soil yet.

Along the way we also saw Marsh Marigold in the pond and good number of Celandine and Wood Anemone. Red, Buff, and White-tailed, Common Carder and Early-nesting bumble bees were noted as well as Peacock and Speckled Wood butterflies and a Grass Snake basking on the path.

It was a bit early for Wood Warbler and Spotted Flycatcher but a visit near the end of the month may be in order to check to see if they both survive. This wood lies along the A25 between Sevenoaks and Wrotham.
(Paul Larkin)

Monday 9th April Knole Park

First Willow warbler heard singing in the triangle at the north end of Knole today.
(Chris Rayner)

Monday 9th April Dartford Marshes & Cliffe RSPB

I had 4 Little egrets on the new diggings off Bob Dunn Way. Also my first Wheater on the marshes at the point.
On Saturday I had 2 Short Eared Owls at Cliffe Pools.Hunting near the black barn.

(Phillip Royston)

Monday 9th April Dartford Marshes

2 Little Ringed Plovers, 1 Green Sandpiper, at least three pairs of Lapwing (3 nests, but maybe as many as 8 pairs), 16 Redshank (most paired), 6 Teal and 1 pair Gadwall all in the 2nd flooded field.

New Diggings had 3 Little Egret and 21 Tufted Duck.  At least 3 pairs of Tufted Duck bred on here last year so this sudden increase in number bodes well.  Also 2 drake Gadwall.

(Andrew Lawson)

Monday 9th April New Hythe

3 Willow Warbler, 8 Blackcap, 12 Chiffchaff and 6 Cettis at New Hythe early this morning.
(Steve Nunn) www.newhythe.blogspot.com

Monday 9th April Motney Hill

Good numbers of birds on the Medway estuary. 500+ Black-tailed Godwits, 65+ Avocet, 200+ Brent Geese, 30+ Grey Plover, 10 Turnstone, also good numbers of Oystercatcher, Curlew and Shelduck. 2 Little Egrets and a fabulous pair of Red-brested Merganser fishing in the channel. Cetti's Warbler count up to 3, 2 Chiffchaff, a Marsh Harrier and a Buzzard soring way up high on a thermal.

Sunday 8th April Wouldham

Decided to go for a walk round Peters Pit KWT reserve south of the village this morning to try and find some new migrants which so far this season have been in short supply around here (as elsewhere).  On the way there were 2-3 Cetti's Warblers singing in the marshes, whilst at the reserve itself there were plenty of Chiffchaff and several Blackcap, but no other warblers and no migrants of any other sort either.  However I was pleased to find that both Coot and Little Grebe are nesting at the ponds again, having failed to do so for the past two years because of the drought whilst an immature Common Buzzard provided nice views as it flew from one vantage point to another around the perimeter of the quarry. 
As I made my way back along the public footpath on the south side of the reserve my attention was drawn to an unusual song, which I did not recognise.  After a short while I located the singer, which turned out to be a small Phylloscopus warbler with broad yellow wingbars and supercilia, a pale median crown stripe and apparently a yellow rump patch (though this was not well seen).  Its feeding behaviour was rather like a Goldcrest, often hovering as it foraged actively amongst ivy and other foliage at a height of around 5-6m, singing more or less continuously.  So, a Pallas's Warbler - but what was it doing at Wouldham, Kent at this time of year, and what was it doing singing?  I suppose it is possible it could have been in the area for some time, as it would be easily overlooked if it wasn't singing.  For the record, the song is actually quite distinctive, and completely different from that of any possible confusion species, eg Yellow-browed Warbler.  My own description of it, based on notes written in the field at the time, is as follows: very varied, at times recalling Willow Warbler (though without the characteristic descending scale), but also including short Wren-like trills, and phrases consisting of the same single or disyllabic note repeated 3-4 times, eg "chweet...chweet...chweet".
A nice surprise, and a nice little bird to round off the morning!

(Ian Shepherd)

Saturday 7th April New Hythe

A visit this morning between 6.20 and 8.50am. 2 Willow Warbler by the  railway line, 1 Sand Martin at the north end of Abbey Mead and c10 Blackcap. 2  Water Vole also showing well this morning. 
(Steve Nunn) www.newhythe.blogspot.com

Friday 6th April Swanscombe

made a quick visit to Swanscombe on a very warm afternoon. The best thing was a male White Wagtail but the only other migrants were 6 Sand Martins and a Swallow.
There were over 20 Tufted Ducks including 9 females which is promising for the breeding season. There was still a pair of Teal, also a pair of Shelducks, 5 Shovelers  and 3 Gadwalls. There were 2 pairs of Lapwings and 5 calling Little Grebes.
Not surprisingly there were quite a few butterflies including at least 10 Peacocks though only 1 Tortoiseshell also c15 Small Whites and 1 Green Veined White.        (Dick Elvy)

Friday 6th April Dartford Marshes

This evening I had 3 Avocets on the Thames foreshore plus 2 Curlews.
(Phil Royston)

Thursday 5th April Grain (including Cliffe RSPB)

Arrived at Grain about 10 am. Went straight to Clubbs Pits. 2 Swallows through to W. 2 Cettis Warblers  singing, plus 2 Willow Warblers, my first for the year.  The surrounding  areas seemed very quiet with no further migrants. On my way out there was another Cettis singing near the Mosco Pool and nearby 2 splendid adult Mediterranean  Gulls by the roadside with the Black heads.

Binney Marsh looked in good condition,but had little to offer. However  there was a Wheatear amongst the horses Lunch was taken overlooking Coombe Bay, being serenaded by Skylarks and  Linnets.

The hoped for Garganey was not on show at Northward Hill,but there were 23  Avocets and a single Black Tailed Godwit plus a handful Teal. So on to Cliffe where I encountered 2 Red Breasted  Mergansers and an adult Little Gull amongst the hordes of Black heads. A Short Eared Owl  was hunting over the main pools area with a  Cettis Warbler singing in the background.. ,between 4.45 and 5.00 pm.
(John Tilbrook)

Thursday 5th April Grain 

Port Victoria Road,  Smithfield Marsh,  Cockleshell Beach, Outfall, Moat & Wood, West Lane,inc. Bucks Pound. 09.25 to 14.45 hrs. 0/8 cloud, se calm at 07.00 hrs. but soon n  1.  6 oC. at 08.30 hrs. The nights are far too cold. HT. 15.35 hrs. Becoming warm in full sun  & calm conditions. 

Port Victoria Road, Smithfield Marsh,  Cockleshell  Beach, Outfall,  09.25 hrs.
  Shelduck -  5 at CB. & inland.  4 on Roas n. of  Outfall.  Mallard -  1 pr. at SM.    Moorhen -  2 at small pond to n. of outfall.  Red Legged Partridge -  2 on sea wall to s. of CB. First of the  year on Grain.  Peregrine -  1 at PS. chimney.  Oystercatcher -  135 on s. half of Roas.  Sandwich Tern -  2 over Medway, calling.
  Pied Wagtail -  2  nw.  Meadow Pipit -  2  nw.  Swallow -  1  nw.  Stonechat -  2 ad. m. in scrub area inland from CB.  1  pr.  in field n. of outfall, SM.  Eastern Stonechat -  1 fine ad. m. on fences enclosing the  scrub area inland from CB.  This bird had red/orange colour to the breast, so was not a  Siberian, or Maura type.  However, it showed a long broad white greater covert bar, much more significant than a  typical European or Torquata. The neck collar was much  wider & extended to the back of  the nape. Also a much larger white rump patch was obvious, although  a small amount of  speckling was present extending in from the black band to the tail.  This is clearly a  new  arrival to the area & none of the other Stonechats seen today  resembled it. It seems that  a number of eastern birds have appeared during the  recent  easterlies, although some of  them may not have travelled quite as far as a Siberian.
  Reed Bunting -  2 ad. m. in scrub area inland from CB. Also a  tame bird on
a roadside  bush along PVR. may have been a migrant.
  Magpie -  16.  Also 2 Peacocks,  2 Small Whites & 1 Large  White.
 
  Moat & Wood,  12.15 hrs.
  Long Tailed Tit -  1.  Chiffchaff -  3.  Great Spotted Woodpecker -  2.  Magpie -  13.  Also at least 10 Peacocks & 2 Commas.
 
  West Lane,  13.45 hrs. 
  Little Grebe -  4 prs.  Little Egret -  1.  Cormorant -  3 on wooden plank across fleet.  Brent Goose -  a flock of 18 flew east along the sea  wall.    Grey Lag Goose -  10.  Mute Swan -  2.  Shelduck -  17.  Mallard -  8.  Teal -  4.  Gadwall -  2.  Pochard -  14.  Tufted -  23.  Coot -  16.  Moorhen -  10.  Sparrowhawk -  1. Reed Bunting -  1 pr.  Stonechat -  1 pr.  Magpie -  14. Also  a cacophony of Marsh Frogs at the Angling lake.  At the moment Lapwing & Redshank seem to be absent  from this marsh, this may be due to the habitat or disturbance from the MOD.
(Janet & Trevor Bowley)

Thursday 5th April Cliffe RSPB

The fine spring like weather finally got me out to do some birding. Ironically the first bird seen was one associated with winter, a Short-eared Owl hunting across one of the few areas of rank grass that remain after the excessive grazing of the area.

On the main pools there was little of note except for the very high water levels, the salt from which, will no doubt kill more of the surrounding vegetation as it did a few years ago. The Black Barn Pools held good numbers of duck, mainly Teal from the first viewing mound although one of the farther pools had nearly 500 Black-tailed Godwits roosting on it. There were many more duck across from the second viewing point, mainly Teal and Shoveler with a few Pintail, but the pool was so overgrown it was difficult to see anything with any certainty. Whilst sitting on the bench soaking up the sun and trying to keep the hound in check the first Short-eared Owl was joined by another. This encounter resulted in talon grappling and the looser landing on a bush to recover its composure. It sat for about 5 minutes giving good views and occasionally looking up to eye the passing crows with some aprehension.

Apart from a cock Stonechat and a Green Woodpecker there was little else to see. There was some water on the Pool near the sea wall and this held 3 Ringed Plovers and 6 Lapwing all of which looked quite terretorial. In spring this can be one of the best pools for waders so it is a pity water cannot be pumped from one of the ditches to increase the water level. As I was trying to prevent the hound from rushing through the bars of the gate she flushed 10 Stock Doves from the grass and one of, or perhaps a third, Short-eared Owl which moved off round the sea wall. Also in this area was a Chiffchaff singing and another pair of Stonechats. Opposite the middle track was a group of about 200 Redshanks roosting on one of the islands. Careful scrutiny revealed a single Ruff in the flock. As I walked back to the Village another Chiffchaff was heard calling and revealed itself as it flew down to drink from a puddle. There were also lots of butterflies around, nearly all Peacocks with the odd Red Admiral.
(CBG)

Wednesday 4th April Sevenoaks WR

At last! I have seen my first hirundines - 2 Swallows at Sevenoaks WR. I have never taken as long as this, and still no martins, although hirundines have of course been seen in a number of places for the last month. The persistent N-NE winds have not helped, but there is also unsettled weather over France and Spain,which inhibits migration.
Also at Sevenoaks today were Little Egret, 9 Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps and an aggressive Sheldrake harrassing some of the 10 Gadwall and 14 Teal. We still have 17 Tufted, some of whom will linger and may even breed.

(Martin Coath)

Tuesday 3rd April New Hythe

A quick half an hour before work this morning, 06.50-07.20. Still no big arrival of migrants. 6 Sand Martin, 2 singing Blackcap, 2 Cettis, 7 Chiifchaff and a Water Vole were the highlights.
(Steve Nunn)  www.newhythe.blogspot.com

Monday 2nd April Grain
  

09.35 to 14.00 hrs.  0/8 cloud,  e 3,   misty,  8 oC. at 08.00 hrs. HT. 13.45 hrs. much  warmer with wind more e. but only 12 oC. at 14.30 hrs in  shade.

Clubbs Pit,  09.35 hrs.
  Little Grebe -  2.  Mallard -  7.  Sparrowhawk -  1 f. overhead.
  Short Eared Owl -  1 flushed from path approaching conveyor,  drifted away to north west.
  Great Spotted Woodpecker -  2 flushed from tree tops, giving  chattering calls as they flew  past, unusual ?
  Green Woodpecker -  1 perched upright in branches of large  willow, also unusual.
  Cetti's Warbler -  4 m. singing, inc. one at w. end of old  conveyor track, extending west of  the conveyor unit.    
  Long Tailed Tit -  3.
  Bearded Tit -  Group of six,  3m & 3f.  feeding  at nearside of reed bed to east of track leading to conveyor. Picking at the tops of Phragmities &  feeding near the ground.
  Meadow Pipit -  Group of 3 nw.  Magpie -  8.  Also 4 along Grain road east of MP.
  Also 2 Peacocks  &  1 immaculate Speckled  Wood.

Deep Pit area & Whitehorse Beach,  11.30 hrs.
  Moorhen -  1.  Coot -  1.  Oystercatcher -  90 roosting on beach.  Curlew -  55  ditto.  Stonechat -  1 hovering over grass field to w. of DP.  Magpie -  4.

West Lane,  12.50 hrs.
  Little Grebe -  2.  Canada Goose -  2.  Grey Lag Goose -  8.  Mute Swan -  1 pr.   Shelduck -  22.  Mallard -  6.  Gadwall -  3.  Teal -  2.  Pochard -  10.  Tufted -  25.  Coot -  14.  Moorhen -  10.  Pheasant -  3.  Cetti's Warbler -  1 m. singing from Angling lake.  Stonechat -  1 ad. m.  Magpie -  12.

Mosco Pool,  13.50 hrs.  Rather exposed site.
  Little Egret -  1.  Mallard -  1.  Pochard -  6.  Coot -  4.
(Janet & Trevor Bowley)

Sunday 1st April Haysden & Bough Beech

Green Sandpiper and Redshank were still at Hawden as well as a few Stock Doves.  A male Blackcap was nearby and there were plenty of Chiffchaffs everywhere.  Only eight Tufted Ducks today though - two at Hawden and six at Barden.  Gulls were represented by one each of Lesser Black-blacked and Black-headed Gull and 39 Herring Gulls flew SE as the sun was setting. 

A singing Willow Warbler showed well at Haysden where there were also 40 Cormorant roosting, a single male Reed Bunting and four Lapwing.
The female Ring-necked Duck showed terribly on the North Lake at Bough Beech between 7.30 and 7.35pm this evening.

(Andy Appleton)

Sunday 1st April New Hythe

Spring hasn't really arrived at New Hythe yet. I would normally expect to  have had Willow Warbler by now and probably Sedge Warbler as well. Today 8 singing Blackcap and around 50 Sand Martin were the highlights. I'd expect Nightingale to arrive this week.....let's see.
(Steve Nunn)  www.newhythe.blogspot.com

Sunday 1st April Pembury Water Works

Seven Mandarin present including 5 darkes.  Also 12 Tufted Duck and several Chiffchaff.

(Marcus Lawson)

Sunday 1st April Greenhithe

Had boy 1 and boy 2 in tow so birding was limited to scanning the feeding gulls. One 1st winter Yellow Legged Gull was the highlight along with a 1st winter female GBBG.

(Andrew lawson)