Hume's Warbler - Greg Lee

The third Hume's Warbler of the autumn was finally more cooperative and showed on and off throughout the week in the trapping area at Sandwich Bay. It was first discovered on the 21st. The elusive Hume's Warbler at Kingston was seen again albeit briefly on the 23rd. A Dusky Warbler was reported heard-only from Elmley also on the 23rd. After several brief sightings, including three at Elmley on the 23rd, a Shore Lark finally lingered on Prince's Beach at Sandwich Bay from the 24th, where there were also four Snow Bunting present. Further Snow Buntings were seen at Conyer, Swalecliffe, Reculver and Minnis Bay.

A White-tailed Sea-eagle, presumably from the Isle of Wight reintroduction program, toured the county and was seen at Oare Marshes as well as Stodmarsh. A Serin was seen in the Moat at Dungeness on the 21st, while the two Glossy Ibis remained at Worth Marshes.

Shore Lark - Jonny Bull

In terms of sea-watching, the highlight was a Leach's Storm Petrel past St Margaret's Bay on the 23rd, with a Sooty Shearwater past there the next day. A Little Auk was seen past Grenham Bay, while a Long-tailed Duck flew past Tankerton. There was some decent movement of Kittiwake with 1100 past Dungeness on the 24th, while a couple of Velvet Scoters and Great Northern Divers were also reported from around the county.

Numbers of winter waterfowl remain modest, with only a couple of White-fronted Geese and Pink-footed Geese reported, four Bewick's Swan at Capel Fleet and a Greater Scaup still at New Hythe GPs. Up to five Short-eared Owls have arrived at Elmley. Caspian Gulls and Hen Harriers were reported again from the more usual winter spots. Nine Spoonbill were seen at South Swale NR.

Not too much change in the weather, but could further winter birds arrive? Good luck.

Peter Eerdmans

Snow Bunting - Peter Eerdmans

(Thanks to all the observers who posted their records on the KOS Sightings website, BirdGuides, eBird and/or the main Kent Birding WhatsApp groups, Thursday-to-Thursday. Apologies for any omissions. If anyone has any photos they think may be useful for the weekly, please send to me by Wednesday. All records of rarities are still subject to official confirmation by the relevant rarities committees)