Aug10NWKent

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.

2 Hobby's, Juv Knot, Whinchat, 2 Wheatears, 2 Stonechats, 6 Greenshanks, 2 Green Sandpipers, 2 Lesser whitethroats, 2 Snipe, 2 Adult Yellow-Legged gulls Black-Tailed godwit, 6 Ringed Plovers, Dunlin.

Leaving home after the sun had gone down probably didn’t help my evening birding efforts but what was presumably the roosting juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, plus three Snipe, Green Sandpiper and several Mandarin were all on the North Lake. Then it was dark.

2 Adult Yellow-legged gulls, Green Sandpiper, 18 Common Terns, 2 Ringed Plovers, 4 Common Sandpipers, Black-Tailed Godwit, Goldcrest, 2 Blackcaps

Late this morning I was treated to nice views of a Red Kite as it spent some time flying leisurely back and forth along the downs on the western side of the valley, before finally landing in trees above Upper Halling. Also of note today were 2 Common Buzzard over the downs, 2 Little Egret along the river, the Whinchat and juvenile Stonechat still on the west bank at Halling Common, and 3 Yellow Wagtail on the grazing marshes north of the village (down from a maximum of c20 there on the 25th.

A pleasant walk this morning - six species of warbler today including singles of Garden Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat in the Shallows, a small number of Whitethroat, Reed Warblers and several Chiffchaff - and a dozen or so Blackcap, about 75% of these were adult males and several were singing. Six Tufted Duck were on Haysden Lake.

Two large Gull roosts located in a field on the top of the cliffs and on the beach at Eastchurch held a total of 300+ Black-headed Gull, 4 Herring Gull, 9 Common Gull and 41 Mediterranean Gull (9 adults & 25 first winter birds). Other birds in the area north of Eastchurch included a Buzzard & 4 Turtle Dove.
Shellness wader roost over the afternoon high tide produced 3 Sanderling, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, 3 Knot, 3 Grey Plover & 1 Bar-tailed Godwit amongst the usual masses of Oystercatcher, Dunlin, Curlew, Ringed Plover and Turnstone. A Little Tern flew north, 18 Sandwich Terns were in the area. Unfortunately there was not a Skua in sight.

Having scored the Willow Emeralds at Reculver, we decided to pop into Queensdown Warren on the way home. There were many butteflies on the wing with a dozen or so Silver-spotted Skipper, a few Chalkhill Blues, 30 Adonis Blues, some very tatty Common Blues, a good showing of 20+ Brown Argus and a few ‘Whites’. Next stop Cliffe RSPB.

We drove to coastguards and then walked along the seawall to Flamingo Pool. The Kentish Plover was quickly located roosting with three Ringed Plover.

Further down the pool there were many other roosting waders with 800 Avocet, 151 Grey Plover, 1 Golden Plover, 10 Barwit, 2 Blackwit, 4 Knot, 4 Dunlin, 10 Whimbrel, 10 Green Sandpiper, 6 Greenshank, and 1 Redshank. More Ringed Plover and Dunlin flew in with a total of 55 of the former and 14 of the latter also being joined by an adult Curlew Sandpiper.

There were also many Great Black-backed Gulls and Lesser Black-backed Gulls and amongst them were 10 Yellow-legged Gulls.

We walked back to the car and noted 4 more Green Sandpiper in the ditches along with 2 Greenshank. Several Little Egrets flew up and we estimate that at least 30 were present in total.

Also present were one juvenile Wood Sandpiper, 6 Ruff, 6 Greenshank, 15 or so Green Sandpiper, 84 Black-tailed Godwit. A group of 12 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers flew in at 5pm and departed again at 5.20pm. 5 Whinchats were feeding in the aster at the back of BB1 and a Yellow Wagtail flew over.

5 Black terns, Sandwich tern, 7 Arctic terns, Whinchat, Yellow-wagtail, 2 Wheatears, 3 Green Sandpipers, 5 Greenshanks, 5 Common Sandpipers.

I went to the SWT reserve to see if the oystercatcher was still there but it had flown; not surprising given the weather. There were still 2 green sands and a common sand there as well as lots of sand martins. Also a kingfisher and grey wag

From 4.45pm to 5.45pm the following were seen: A Marsh Harrier circled up over Dartford Marsh and then headed east, over my head, downriver. 55 Common Terns headed west along with at least 5 Arctic Terns including three juveniles. Eight Sandwich Tern headed west including a group of six adults noisily 'ericking' as they tried to find a way over the bridge. A juvenile Little Gull quickly motored west and wisely went under the bridge.

There were three Yellow-legged Gull including a juvenile on the barge in front of Sara Crescent.

An early look at the Thames from Sara Crescent, Greenhithe, produced 17 Yellow-legged Gull and 29 Common Tern.

Later in the evening, phone calls from Barry Wright and Howard Vaughn had me and several others scuttling down to University Way to look for a Cattle Egret that had flown acroos from Rainham RSPB in the company of 4 Little Egrets. The Little Egrets were seen initially but not 'the boy' and we hung around for a bit checking the Marsh, the marsh behind Glaxo etc.

By 7pm, Kev returned from the Marsh and joined me by the 2nd flooded field. The others had left. An adult Peregrine glided in and landed on the pylon in front of us before heading slowly North. We carried on scanning and eventually the Cattle Egret flew up at 7.30pm from the Crayford side (Greater London) and headed North across Dartford Marsh (Kent) back to Rainham RSPB (Essex!). A text from Howard confirmed that it was 'back'.

Also 200 House Martin, 20 Sand Martin, 50 Swallow and 4 Swift. 2 Little Egrets roosted by the Viridor Recycling Centre.

No sign of any chats (Whinchat and Wheatear present yesterday), just one Linnet and about 50 hirundines of all three species in a brief visit.

An oystercatcher in front of the Tyler hide at Sevenoaks Wildfowl Reserve this morning. Also 2 green sands and a common sand.

2 Yellow Wagtails, Wheatear, 5 Adult Yellow-Legged gulls, 4 Black-Tailed Godwits, 4 Greenshanks, 3 Common Sandpipers, c35 Sand Martins, c30 House Martins

There were 32 Common Sandpiper at the high-tide roost this afternoon, a new record count for the patch. Also today, 1 Wheatear on the grazing marshes north of the village, and the Whinchat and juvenile Stonechat still present on the west bank of the river this evening.

There was a distinctly autumnal feel on the patch today, with 3 Yellow Wagtail and 2 Whinchat on the grazing marshes north of the village, plus another Whinchat and a juvenile Stonechat on the west bank of the river opposite the church. Along the river itself there are still at least 3 Common Sandpiper, a flock of c25 Common Tern flew south this morning, and the first Yellow-legged Gull of the year was seen late this afternoon. Other species of note today included 4 Common Buzzard, 2 Hobby, Peregrine and Raven.

A late trip and as such passerines were already quiet although 2 Willow Warbler and 2 Chiffchaffs were in the line of trees near the Thames and pishing attracted 25+ Reed Warbler and 5 Sedge Warbler. 10+ Cetti's Warblers either sang or called. A Yellow Wagtail headed East.

A Green Sandpiper frequently flew up and called as it circled the pools and 2 Common Sandpiper fed on the pool nearest the Thames. A Whimbrel headed high South and a Blackwit fed on the southern most pool.

Lesser Whitethroat, a few Blackcap, two Whitethroat, a scattering of Chiffchaff, 20 Swallow and a juvenile Bullfinch were seen on 21 August. The next day two Swift hung around for a few minutes and two Lesser Whitethroat were noted again.

Evening visit to Cliffe, warm with a westerly wind blowing. At top of Flamingo Pool, c.900 avocets set to roost with 38 redshank, 40 lapwing and one Common Sand. Further down Flamingo, 8 Great Crested Grebe and 12 Little Egrets. 2 hares on Creek Road. Between the sea wall and Black Barn, three more Common Sands in the dykes and in Black Barn Pools 20 shelduck including several young and 9 Black-tailed Godwit.

I went for a cycle ride up to Warden point today looking for incoming migrants, I saw and heard a willow warbler and Chiffchaffs and thats about it as regards birds passing through bar the swallows. It seemed to me that every other bird I saw was a Long tailed Tit they must have had a good breeding season they seem to be everywhere. Also saw Chaffinch, Blue and Great tit, Green Woodpecker, Wren and everything went crazy and dived for cover as a Sparrowhawk flew over. Many many swallows around and plenty of Dragonflies also. Butterflies included a Comma, Speckled Wood, Holly Blues and Gatekeepers.On the 9th of August we had seven Ring necked Parakeets fly over our house at Eastchurch and very unusual for the Island a squirrel ran out in front of my car at Halfway cemetary on the 11th.

Hirundine passage was evident with 20+ Swallows, 50+ House Martin and 10+ Sand martin all moving through in the short time that I was present at the New Diggings along University Way. Also 10+ Swift. At one point all the birds began to panic and I quickly located a juvenile Peregrine carrying a Swallow. The bird tried to land on Crayford Marsh but it changed its mind and instead landed on the pylon next to me. A Green Sandpiper was on the pit as were 12 Little Grebe and the family of Gadwall. 2 Greenshanks flew up from the river Darent as they were forced off by the incomng tide.

3 Yellow-legged gulls (2 adults 1 Juvenile) 3 Greenshanks, 3 Ringed plovers, Little egret, 4 Common Sandpipers, 12 Sand martins, 10 Swallows. Very windy morning, with pretty much everything staying low.

Whenever I think of Dartford, I can't help but also think of the quote from the film Aliens...."I say we...nuke the site from orbit, it's the only way to be sure". In reality the best way to view Dartford is from Rainham RSPB in Essex. Scope up, Isobel asleep in her pram, Alex being kept occupied with a huge piece of Lemon Drizzle cake. A male Marsh Harrier circled up over Dartford Marsh and eight Yellow-legged Gulls were on the Thames foreshore including two juveniles/1st winters.

The new diggings held family parties of Gadwall, Tufted Duck, Moorhen and Little Grebe.

Local breeding success was further evidenced at Greenhithe where 75 House Martins were flying around the houses along Sara Crescent. Also 5 Yellow Legged Gull including a 1st winter with freshly moulted scapulars.

Many passerines at Swanscombe next to the start of the public footpath. Probably a lot more further along the track but I was restricted to watching from the road as Isobel was asleep in the car. I was still able to count 50+ Whitethroat, 10+ Lesser Whitethroat, a family party of very showy Cetti's Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, a very messy looking pair of Blackcap, 2 Chaffinch and many Blue Tits. Green Sandpiper and ad Little Egret were on the 1st pool.

Videograb using Coolpix P5100 attached to a Kowa 883mm AP using an URE20 adaptor.

This am:
1 Pied Fly, 1 Tree Pipit over, 2 Lesser Whitethroat & Garden Warbler. Several Brown Argus despite the cold.

Pleasing to hear Bearded Tits quietly pinging in the reed bed again; perhaps a sign that they have bred? 3 Green Sandpipers on the pools along with a Little Egret, Grey Heron, a dozen Lapwing and a Teal as well s the usual many Moorhen. No sign of the Scarce Emerald Damselfly that myself and James had seen, very briefly, on Saturday. Painted Lady on the Buddleia and a few Red Admiral too.

Here are this morning's birds of note: Wheatear, 2 Green sandpipers, 3 Greenshank, Whimbrel, 2 ad Yellow-legged gulls, Kingfisher, 2 Ringed Plovers, Curlew.

The crops were set alight at the back of our house last week, Very frightening and terrible but the gulls love it and I have seen at least five Mediterranean gulls out there on the burnt stubble. The electric wires outside the house are covered in Swallows and many more are coming in off the sea every day as another group depart. Loads of little green warblers in the Hawthorns and birch along with blue, great and long tailed tits. Green woodpeckers on the grass in garden with young. I saw a marsh harrier up Kingsborough hill the other day and took pictures of a rather strange colour Brown Argus butterfly..very little orange on top wings and white area under the black spots. I am still hearing the turtle Dove purring along the warden Road but our local one seems to have departed.