A little reminder that this Sunday  - May 17th - there is the KOS Open Day at Dungeness RSPB Reserve 10.00am - 4.00pm - Join Us!

Red-backed Shrike - Nigel Jarman

A lovely male Red-backed Shrike at Hope Point, Bockhill, was the highlight of the week. It showed well throughout the day on the 10th. A Savi’s Warbler was discovered on the 9th at Lampden Wall, Stodmarsh. It can be heard singing, but due to it being in reeds behind bushes it is very unlikely to be seen (please remember this is considered a potential rare breeding bird). Further highlights were a group of three Temminck's Stints at Dungeness RSPB on the 9th and 10th, a Golden Oriole signing at North Foreland on the 12th and a Red-footed Falcon still at Worth in the early part of the week.

Temminck's Stint - Ray O'Reilly

Sad news concerned a Wryneck brought into care at Folly Wildlife Rescue after flying into a window. Unfortunately, it succumbed to its injuries in care. Please note the video below shows natural behaviour mimicking a snake, rather than the bird being hurt. (if the video doesn't play, you can right-click and choose 'open video in new tab')

Wryneck - credit Folly Wildlife Rescue

The highlight from sea-watching was a large Shearwater sp (probably a Cory's) seen past North Foreland on the 13th. The 8th was the (so far) last decent Pomarine Skua day at Dungeness with 24 recorded. There were also three Great Skuas and over 150 Black Terns seen that day. North Foreland had a Black-throated Diver and two Great Northern Diver also on the 8th and two Manx Shearwaters on the 14th.

Further news included a Purple Heron on Worth on the 14th, two Common Cranes at Stodmarsh, one still at Seasalter and one flying in off the sea at Bockhill. A Curlew Sandpiper was reported from Pegwell, the Whooper Swan was still at Worth, a White Stork flew over Faversham, a couple of Osprey crossed the county, while several Wood Sandpiper were seen as well.

In terms of Summer migrants, we are still awaiting the first Spotted Flycatcher, Honey Buzzard and Nightjar. Good luck.

Common Crane - Nigel Jarman

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)