May 2008

Low-pressure systems produced a variety of weather as the month opened, with a hailstorm and strong winds on the 1st. However, it was dry, warm and summery by the 3rd, as a high settled over Scandinavia, with Atlantic lows to the southwest. During this settled period the temperatures were exceptionally high, reaching about 24°C at the beginning of the second week. Low-pressure systems dominated at the beginning of the third week, with below average temperatures, occasional showers and variable northeasterly winds. High pressure to the north of the British Isles brought sunny periods again from the 18th, but a cold northeast wind continued to blow. From the 25th, as troughs of low pressure arrived from the southwest, there were periods of heavy rain, variable winds – in direction and strength – and the occasional thunderstorm.

As a front moved through early on the 1st, the southwest wind increased in strength to force 4-5 and heavy showers during the morning included a hailstorm between 10-10.30am. Since 1993 a ‘Patch Watch' day has been held on May 1st: click here to read today's story. A successful fifteen-and-a-half hour visit produced a mean total of 60 species, including two new to the patchwatch list: Barnacle Goose and GBB Gull. The former was present all day at the lake, with the Bar-headed Goose and three adults of the latter called and flew SW in a large, generally southerly movement of gulls, which included an exceptionally high total of at least 163 Herring Gulls. One Barn Owl screeched from the Deer Park and another was heard 'snoring' in the nest box. A Skylark was a surpise addition, as it sang over a wheat field, three House Martins and a lone Swift were also seen, but species that might have been seen but weren't included Hobby, Turtle Dove, LS Woodpecker, Garden Warbler and Linnet.

The wind had dropped on the 2nd and it felt decidedly warm during the sunny breaks and it was good to see a small flock of 15 Swifts feeding over the southern boundary. Although they were welcome back after their eight-day absence, the pair of GC Grebes might have made it just a week! A Skylark sang over the southern stubble, which it is due to be ploughed soon, and it may well have been the ‘west of Peens Lane' bird. The Gravitt's Cottage pair of Swallows was present for a second day and a Chiffchaff sang from a new locality.

It was summery, with a southeasterly breeze on the 3rd, when just a two-hour mid-morning visit was made, following a TTV at Monks Lakes. It was disappointing to see that the GC Grebes had departed again and a little frustrating to hear brief snatches of song from a Garden Warbler in the alder coppice, from which it failed to perform on the 1st. Swallows were associated with Gravitt's Cottage and Tanyard, three Swifts flew over and the Barnacle and Bar-headed Geese remained at the lake.

During Bob's visit on the 4th, while I was enjoying a successful Big Sit at Cliffe, the first Whimbrel of the year flew E. It was sunny on the 5th, with the temperature reaching the low 20°C by the afternoon but the morning visit was extremely quiet. Broken eggshells of Song Thrush and Moorhen were found by the poplar wood and the hen Reed Bunting continued to build her nest beside the reservoir, where the two friendly geese were seen before they flew back to the lake. A pair of Greylag Geese circled low over the reservoir but continued SW, with so many fishermen present. Two Garden Warblers were seen and heard calling in the old orchard but there was no sound from the alder coppice. An attractive addition to the Alpaca family was born on the 4th.

The 6th was again summery, with a cloudless sky and the southern stubble, which had been ploughed, attracted a flock of 16 Herring Gulls, about 20 Jackdaws, five Carrion Crows, about five Yellowhammers, a pair of Stock Doves and a lone Rook, but no migrant chats or wagtails. A party of fledgling LT Tits was seen at last, near the vacated nest, on the earliest date so far recorded! Newly fledged Mistle Thrushes were also seen and at the lake the pair of Coot had six young. A Garden Warbler sang from the Braeburn orchard but the lack of Turtle Doves, apart from the one flyover in April, was disappointing. The first Holly Blue was noted and a flock of 10 Barnacle Geese flew E over the reservoir.

The summer weather continued on the 7th, when the unlikely goose couple flew onto the reservoir from the south, two Swifts flew over the old orchard and two Cuckoos called, as they flew E but song seemed to be patchy and relatively few warblers were heard, though at least one Common Whitethroat obliged - rather distantly.

There was a welcome sight at the reservoir early on the 8th, when at least four Common Sandpipers had dropped in, as none was seen in 2007 (their first year of absence) but they continued their migration within thirty minutes. The hot weather seemed to cause a marked reduction in bird song and obvious activity – I noted only two Dunnocks during the four-and-a-half-hour visit and song from just 13 Wrens and 13 Robins represented less than a third of their respective breeding populations. Relatively few warblers were heard, though possibly two Garden Warblers sang from the old orchard. At the lake the six fledgling 'bald' Coots were in good form, though they had separated into a foursome and a twosome, at one stage.

Following a TTV near Marden, I visited for just a couple of hours mid-morning on the 9th, in the continuing heat, though there was some high cloud cover. The Bar-headed Goose was on its own in the Deer Park, though chased by the resident Canada Goose gander. The southern arable had been sown with grass seed, which attracted a flock of about 25 Jackdaws and 22 Rooks, but little else was noted, apart from the change in the woods from bluebells to wild garlic.

A short early morning visit was made on the 10th, under a cover of stratus. The newly seeded grass field attracted 33 Stock Doves, a similar numbers of Rooks, including the first juveniles noted, and 40 or more Jackdaws. One BH Gull visited the reservoir and four more circled high overhead, before continuing S, a LBB Gull took a small fish from the water's surface and it was sad to confirm that the pair of Canada Geese had deserted their nest and left. Two Garden Warblers sang from the old orchard but there was still no sign of the first Spotted Flycatcher, or any Turtle Doves.

No visit was made on the 11th, as I spent 17 hours doing an un-motorised Bird Watch ‘race' on the Hoo Peninsula but only reached 100 species. It was cloudless, with a northerly breeze early on the 12th, when the presence of a Red Kite circling over the Deer Park and being mobbed by local corvids was a pleasure to behold. After about fifteen minutes it flew off W. No other birds of prey were seen and there was again little song from the breeding summer visitors. A total of 32 Stock Doves was noted as they fed on the newly grassed area and it was a pleasure to see a pair of Swallows perched by Boughton Place.

A strong northerly wind felt cool early on the 13th, when a few clouds scudded across the sky. Relatively few birds were seen, though at least six Blackcaps sang lustily, only two Chiffchaffs were heard and just one Common Whitethroat was noted. It was possible that a few short phrases of Reed Warbler song were heard, but it was a struggle to hear it clearly against the rustle of poplar leaves and the loud songs of a nearby Blackcap and a Robin.

As the 14th was forecast to be the last dry day associated with the persistent zone of high pressure, it was decided that the census should take place, despite knowledge that there would be a strong northerly wind. At 3am it was heavily overcast and windy, and from then until dawn not one owl was heard, but a badger was watched as it wandered through the Spindlewood orchard. Unexpected light showers fell around 6am and it felt cold. However, the cloud had cleared by 11.30am and the warmth of the sun was appreciated. By 12.30pm totals of 445 birds of 52 species had been noted and these compare with means of 551 and 54 for the twenty-three years of censuses. Apart from Barn and Tawny Owl, other species that were certainly anticipated but weren't noted included Grey Heron, Sparrowhawk, LT Tit and Bullfinch; the only Lesser Whitethroat in May was on the 1st and no Turtle Doves, LS Woodpeckers or Linnets had been seen. Reasonable totals of 40 Robins, 31 Blackbirds and 23 Chaffinches were noted but warbler numbers appeared to be down with just nine Blackcaps, seven Chiffchaffs and four Common Whitethroats: it is likely that the strong wind discouraged others from singing. More unexpected was a singing Skylark over the field of oats but there was an even more welcome bonus, when two Whimbrel called frequently as they flew N.

A lone Cormorant, relatively scarce in May, circled over and a few of the more tricky species to note, like Goldcrest, Coal Tit, Nuthatch and Treecreeper were located.

The summer weather had moved away by the 15th, when it was overcast, with a chilly northeasterly wind and light rain towards the end of the visit. Grey Herons really rubbed it in, as two flew N, another SE and a fourth E, the first having announced its presence with calls. LT Tits were heard calling on two occasions and a splendid summer adult Mediterranean Gull flew N – the first this month. A Little Owl was seen carrying a small rodent towards a suspected breeding site, a Skylark was again heard singing over the field of oats and a few Rooks continued to feed their fledged young, from the nearby Wierton Grange rookery, within the Deer Park.

The feeding flock of Stock Doves had increased to 49 on the 16th, which was overcast and dry during the early visit, with only a light northeasterly wind. The first Turtle Dove of the month flew SW and the first fledgling Blackbird was also seen, a day later than the mean fledging date. It remained overcast and still during the three-hour visit on the 17th, when a light but steady drizzle fell. However, a number of sightings made the visit worthwhile, though I was surprised to see an ornamental carp, some 350-400mm long, ‘breaching' in the lake, from which all the fish had supposedly been removed. A LS Woodpecker – the first this month – drummed and called from the favoured drumming post and while scanning the tops of the oaks I found the first Spotted Flycatcher for the year – a week later than the mean date. Visits during the spring and summer month tend to concentrate on evidence of breeding and the first two fledgling Robins were seen, a pair of Goldcrests visited their nestling young, with food, high in a spruce and a Chiffchaff was watched as it carried a bill full of insects to its nestlings. A male Cuckoo flew SW, another called from the Deer Park, the first female was also heard 'bubbling' and the first Bullfinch for a week was seen in the old orchard.

There were welcome sunny periods on the 18th but the northeasterly wind still felt cold. In the lee of the poplar wood I photographed the first damselfly of spring, which appears to be an Azure Damselfly. A juvenile corvid, partially trapped between a fence and dense spinney, proved to be a Rook. A lone Swift flew S, two and 11 Herring Gulls flew NE and the LS Woodpecker drummed and called from north of the lake and over the kissing gate in Peens Lane again.

After an early farm survey at Great Cheveney, just a brief mid-morning visit was made on the 19th and, following sunny periods, the cold northeast wind blew some heavy cloud over the patch and light rain fell. There was little of note, other than a Song Thrush carrying food, a lone Swift, three BH Gulls flying NE, a flock of nine Herring Gulls N and a lame fox resting by the lake, to which the local pair of Canada Geese took objection. In the evening Duncan saw a Common Buzzard circling over the church.

The cold wind was more easterly on the 20th, when there were sunny periods and variable cloud cover during my first local spring TTV visit. Among the 42 Stock Doves feeding on the seeded arable was a single Turtle Dove – the first actually on the patch this spring. A LS Woodpecker drummed and called from north of the lake again, where the Barnacle and Bar-headed Geese were resting. There was no sign of the Goldcrests visiting their nest, so they might have fledged their young, but weren't found. A Garden Warbler continued to sing from the old orchard but only one Common Whitethroat was heard and there was still no evidence of any Lesser Whitethroats being present since the 1st. A reasonable total of 40 species was noted in the two hours.

An hour-long visit from 5pm coincided with a fisherman throwing bread out as bait, which frequently attracts BH Gulls and on this occasion about a dozen at a time could be seen taking the bread, before continuing N. In the hour at least 40 passed through, along with a Herring and two adult Mediterranean Gulls, which as always looked splendid in their summer plumage. Three House Martins could also be seen – the first since May 1st.

The cold wind had dropped early on the 21st and under a blue sky the temperature rose rapidly. A song flight, performed by a warbler over a presumed Lesser Whitethroat territory, may have been this species, though it only rarely does this and it was too distant to hear or see sufficiently well. Common Whitethroats were heard or seen in just four territories and two Garden Warblers sang from the old orchard. A Goldcrest, eventually seen close to the nest site, just fed itself and preened in the fifteen minutes it was observed. Finally, another adult Mediterranean Gull flew NE. Later, a Spotted Flycatcher was seen visiting a former nest site at the Old Vicarage.

The 22nd was chosen for the annual spring Big Sit but variable conditions, particularly poor visibility for much of the morning made it a real challenge to pass 50 species again and the full story can be read by clicking here. Not hearing a Tawny Owl before dawn or at dusk was disappointing but a Barn Owl was glimpsed at dusk, suggesting that the male is roosting in the old oak in the barn dell. A Skylark sang before dawn from the ridge wheat field adjacent to the Big Sit circle, Barnacle Goose was added to the spring list, probably three different Mediterranean Gulls flew over and a Hobby was seen but there was no sign of a Sparrowhawk throughout the fourteen hours. There was less cloud early on the 23rd, when a flock of about 25 adult and juvenile Rooks fed in the sheep pasture, 20 Stock Doves continued to nose around for grass seed and a Skylark flew from the field of wheat, where it had sung during the Big Sit. At the lake a duck Mallard was present with a new brood of seven ducklings, four of which were extremely pale, almost leucistic. During an afternoon visit three species of damselfly were identified: the first Common Blue and White-legged and another Azure Damselfly.

It was sunny, with a moderate northeast wind on the 24th, when Mary saw a pair of Spotted Flycatchers at the Old Vicarage, one beginning to build a nest. My visit was delayed until mid-morning following a TTV in the Loose Valley. The first fledgling Wren and Song Thrush were seen, a male Sparrowhawk flew towards Darnold's Wood and a Pied Wagtail appeared to be collecting food in the sheep pasture, having flown there from the direction of Gravitt's Cottage. Brief glimpses suggested that the Lesser Whitethroats may be feeding young in their Peens Lane territory but no calls were heard to confirm the identities. A pair of Swallows was still present around Boughton Place and two Swifts flew over Boughton Monchelsea church.

Rain fell overnight and continued heavily between 7.15 – 9am on the 25th, resulting in the appearance of the first Reed Warbler of the year, singing from scrub on the reservoir bank, almost a week later than the mean date. A somewhat bedraggled Lesser Whitethroat appeared within its territory, with a bill full of insects, to confirm breeding and six Swifts circled over the Greensand Ridge. Frustratingly, a pair of Bullfinches appeared on the power line from which the Chiffchaff sang during the Big Sit. There were calls of young GS Woodpeckers from their nest hole by the lake, where the adult female seemed alarmed as she flew from the tree and a Starling emerged from the hole. I have witnessed species other than the hosts feeding noisy fledgling Cuckoos, but I have never known of a Starling doing this. The flowering Scots Pines looked attractive and a White-legged Damselfly obligingly remained at rest for a photograph to be taken.

Heavy rain again fell overnight and continued until nearly 11am on the 26th and on this occasion was accompanied by a strong northeasterly wind, which blew a tree down across Church Road. It also brought down power and telephone lines and prevented access to the patch by the usual route. The reservoir and lake were visited for just over an hour, which proved worthwhile, as the first family party of Great Tits was seen, equalling the earliest date for a third year, including 2007. The first Grey Wagtail of the month, a male, at the head of the marsh, provided an interesting conundrum. It appeared agitated, constantly uttering alarm calls but there was no obvious evidence of fledged young in the vicinity. This species has never been known to breed within the area, though a pair was present at this locality on a couple of dates in April.

It was humid and overcast early on the 27th, when a juvenile Tawny Owl was seen perched in an alder by the lake. The pair of Coot on the reservoir had hatched their first young, a pair of Garden Warblers was heard and seen in the old orchard but the Chiffchaff territory, where nestlings had been fed seemed deserted and the fledglings were no where to be seen. A LS Woodpecker called from an oak on the edge of the barn dell between 8.15am and 8.45am and was later heard calling near the lake, and a Skylark flew over the wheat field.

A thunderstorm and heavy rain during the night presumably made hunting difficult for the Barn Owl, as he was flying over the grassy fields north and south of Tanyard – and just over the patch – around 8am on the 28th. A Turtle Dove was heard ‘purring' in the vicinity of Bishop's Wood, a Moorhen at the lake was accompanied by two newly hatched young and the male Grey Wagtail was seen feeding a well-fledged juvenile. A LS Woodpecker called briefly near the marsh and there was one burst of song from the Lesser Whitethroat territory but no sign of the birds either feeding nestlings or newly fledged young – more time needed!

It remained dry during the morning visit but rained in the afternoon of the 29th, when a Willow Warbler – the first this month and presumably a late migrant – was seen and heard singing in the old orchard. Surprisingly, it had quite dark legs, which are rare for this species. It looked duller and greyer, possibly of the northern race P.t.acredula. A flock of 25 Canada Geese flew SE and just one was noted by the lake, towards which the Bar-headed Goose flew and where there was an unprecedented total of 14 drake Tufted Duck and just three ducks. Most attention was given to finding evidence of successful breeding and the first fledgling Starlings were at last noted. One adult Lesser Whitethroat was seen briefly, close to the nesting territory, but it could be that fledgling Lesser and Common Whitethroats, as well as Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests, may have left their nests without being subsequently seen. It was pleasing to find a pair of Pied Wagtails carrying food to their nestlings in a disused combined harvester, following their absence as a breeding species last year, and a LS Woodpecker was heard calling and drumming briefly from an oak at the Peens Lane bend.

The first Broad-bodied Chaser, an immature male, was seen near the reservoir, where several Common Blue and the first Red-eyed Damselflies were seen on the emerging amphibious bistort - photographed mating the next day.

After continuous rain the previous afternoon, the 30th was overcast, still and misty. A flock of 29 Stock Doves fed on the southern field, the Pied Wagtails continued to feed their nestlings and two pairs and a male Common Whitethroat were seen and heard. A flock of 10 MistIe Thrushes fed in the sheep pasture and two more flew over the old orchard. It was particularly pleasing to see a pair of Spotted Flycatchers close to where the first bird was seen on the 17th, as I'd not seen any by the Old Vicarage since the 22nd.

The sky was cloudless overnight but during the morning visit on the 31st cumulus soon drifted over in a light wind and it was warm. It was surprising to see the return of a pair of GC Grebes to the reservoir; presumably they may have failed elsewhere. The first fledgling Carrion Crows were seen in the Deer Park, marginally earlier than the mean date; a Skylark flew from the wheat field again and one, possibly two Turtle Doves were heard ‘purring', the first near the large ash in the rarity hedge and the second was seen by Peens Lane near the kissing gate. The pair of Spotted Flycatchers was still there early on and one was seen by Gravitt's Cottage, about 400 metres south, some five hours later. It was also fascinating to watch a mole above ground and then burrowing just below the surface, appearing again and running rapidly to another hole into which it burrowed, moving surprisingly quickly just below the surface as well.

A total of some 75 species was noted during May, close to the mean, and the annual total increased to 105, four above the end of May mean and the fourth highest, but eleven below the peak count of 116 in 1993. By the end of the month a total of just 13 species was known to have fledged young successfully, another 20 had shown some evidence of breeding and a further 22 might well breed, which would produce a pleasing above average number.