Glaucous Gull - John Carnell

Both the Red-flanked Bluetail and the Pallas's Warbler continued to be seen this week in their respective locations of Crockham Hill Common and Faversham sewage works. They could be elusive and the Pallas's wasn't seen after the 26th, although one would expect it is still around. A Black Guillemot past Dungeness on the 23rd was a good record. The locals think there could be around 10,000 auk between Dover and Beachy Head, moving along the coast between feeding areas on a daily basis. A juvenile Glaucous Gull, possibly the same bird as last week near Hythe, was discoverd flying past King George IV Park on the 27th. It was later relocated in Ramsgate Harbour offering close up views.

Guillemots and Razorbill - Martin Casemore

The group of 27 Tundra Bean Goose remain at Worth, while Hen Harriers, Short-eared Owls, Caspian Gulls, Greater White-fronted Geese and Bewick's all continue to be seen in their usual winter places. But generally winter birds were seen in slightly lower numbers, as the Great Northern Diver seems to have left Burrowes while no Whooper Swans or Snow Buntings were reported this week.  The Greater Scaups however were seen again at New Hythe and Collard's Lake, where it was joined by a Slavonian Grebe from the 24th, with anohter Slavonian grebe flying past Ramsgate on the 27th.

In terms of sea-watching, apart from the Black Guillemot, the usual birds were seen in decent numbers, with a few Velvet Scoter and Little Gull the main highlights, although a count of 1782 Gannets past Dungeness on the 23rd was also good.

As we move into February, there will hopefully some further good winter birding. Good luck.

Peter Eerdmans

 Greater Scaup - Terry Laws

(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)