White-throated Needletail

The study area covers just over 100 hectares from the top of the greensand ridge down onto the edge of the Weald. It comprises approximately 25% mixed woodland, 19% parkland, 19% grass, 16% arable and 10% orchard, with about two hectares of reservoir and about a hectare of lake and marsh. It is this range of habitats, particularly following the construction of an irrigation reservoir, which provided the incentive for adopting the area as a local patch in January 1985. The splendid views from the ridge, over the study area and out across the Weald are an added incentive for frequent visits. The greensand ridge offers another advantage, as it tends to attract birds moving east or west on passage.

The area was intensively farmed during the first five years of the study, but with a change of ownership, much of the arable farming during the second half of the study has been far less intensive. The opportunity to monitor the changes provide additional interest.

During the early years, the arable fields were used mainly for the intensive production of strawberries and lettuces. The former occasionally attracted finch and pipit flocks in the winter months, as did the lettuce fields, when they weren't ploughed in the autumn. A new apple orchard was planted in 1986, as were a number of alder windbreaks, which have since matured and now provide winter seed for Siskins and Goldfinches.

Other significant changes that took place include the effect of the great storm on 16th October 1987, which wreaked havoc, tearing down numerous, magnificent, mature trees in the park and also breaking off many poplars. Strong winds the following January brought down another 40 or so poplars, all weakened by the October winds. Though quite a number of hole nesting species lost traditional sites, the effect on the bird population seems to have been minimal. Some replanting has been carried out in the park, but it will be many years before the wildlife can benefit.

The constant variation in the reservoir water levels made it unsuitable for planting Phragmites, but some rhizomes were planted along an adjacent stream in autumn 1987. This eventually created a small reedbed, which has attracted a pair of Reed Warblers to nest occasionally. A few trees were also planted on an island in the reservoir, along with bramble and other ground cover plants. Several waterfowl have since found the island attractive for breeding.

Sadly, since 1996 the reservoir has been leased to a fishing club. It has been overstocked with carp and consequently there is no emergent vegetation or the associated invertebrate life that would attract wildfowl. The duck numbers and variety have declined drastically and also, far fewer waders now visit.

Since 1985 Bob Bland and I have identified a total of 190 species and the annual mean is 116, ranging from a maximum of 128 in 1993 to a low of 104 in 1999. These relatively high figures are the result of almost daily visits - a mean of 342 over the twenty-three years. On average 51 species breed each year and 67 different species have bred, with an impressive total of 59 in 1993.

Analysing species totals on a monthly basis confirms the expected greater variety occurring during the spring and autumn passage periods, with April topping the list:

                        J     F     M     A     M     J     J      A     S     O     N     D
      Mean          66   66    71    80    76   70   74    79    80   74    69    66
      Highest       71   74    80    91     87   82   82   91    90    83   75    73
      Cumulative   98  100  113  131  134  106  115  122   126  127  102  100

Species that are common elsewhere can often be quite rare locally, so they acquire a different status on your own patch. The different seasons, marked by the arrival and departure of migrant species, offer a continually changing pattern. Sometimes the changes can be linked with similar patterns elsewhere in the county, or countrywide, but on occasions they may result purely from local influences. By accumulating records over a period of time, it is possible to note changes based on fact rather than impression, which helps in understanding them better.

Another aspect of the study involves conducting a mid-month census, when every bird is counted during a single six or seven-hour visit. An analysis of these figures also makes interesting reading, showing that totals between 45 - 50 can be expected on a daily basis during most months of the year.

                     J     F     M     A     M      J      J      A     S     O     N     D
     Mean        46   47    50    52    54    53    52    53    49    48    48   46
     Highest*    54   53   56    60    61    59    58    63    62    56    60   54
     Mean       722  690  612  543  425   425  490   607  540  1006 1008 1098
     Highest* 1775 1402 1188 803  900  1297 1331 1103 1386 5220 3965 2549
  
       * All these peak totals occurred between 1986-07, apart from 53 in Feb 08 and 1188 in March 05.

I enjoy trying to improve upon my records from day to day, month to month and year to year, it adds spice to the fascination of local patch studies.

In 1993 Birdwatch magazine initiated Patch Watch UK. This scheme encouraged birdwatchers, each May 1st, to spend as many hours as possible on their local patches. We took part and have done it annually ever since. In 1994 we achieved a splendid total of 70 species, in a period of 16 hours, the highlights of which included three Hobbies, a pair of Little Ringed Plovers, a migrant Wheatear and a singing Firecrest. However, the mean has dropped to 60 in recent years and it is now a real challenge to reach that number and the cumulative total is now 90 species.

The highpoint of what was then 40 year’s of birding occurred on this patch on 26th May 1991 and the story of the White-throated Needletail can be read elsewhere - click on KOS News and Articles. By August 1989 I’d seen 300 species in Kent, so adding three more to that list on my own patch really is quite remarkable. In addition to the Needletail, there was a Corncrake in September 1989 and an Ortolan Bunting in August 1991 – a very special year! Now that my list exceeds 350 I can’t really expect another addition on my local patch, but you just never know.

                                                                                                 Don Taylor