Black Kite - Graham Parry

A Black Kite flew over a birder's garden near Dungeness on the 5th. Based on some plumage characteristics it could be an eastern integrate of the two subspecies, Black Kite and Black-eared Kite. A Hoopoe with two colour-rings was videoed on a driveway in Marshside on the 6th. Interestingly, the rings seem to be indicative of a ringing scheme from Hungary. A Glossy Ibis flew south over Oare Marsh on the 8th.

Song-bird migration was relatively modest, although over 5000 Chaffinches flying in off the sea at Dungeness on the 7th was a good number. A few Brambling were seen across the county, while there were a handful Yellow-browed Warblers recorded throughout the week (e.g. at Reculver, North Foreland, Margate, Dungeness, Sandwich). A Ring Ouzel was still at Langdon Hole on the 4th, while a Pied Flycatcher was on Sheppey on the 5th and the number of Dartford Warblers in the county increased.

Dartford Warbler - Nigel Jarman

The Pectoral Sandpiper remained at Dungeness RSPB, while a juvenile Purple Heron was seen at Worth on the 2nd. A report of a Baird's Sandpiper at Coldharbour caused a bit of a stir, but ultimately was thought to involve a Sanderling by most commentators based on the description. The number of Short-eared Owls increased. At Dungeness night ringing resulted in two Short-eared Owls, one Long-eared Owl and two Barn Owls (one of which was ringed in May as a nestling 134km away!) being caught.

Long-eared Owl - Charlotte Foote

In terms of sea-watching, a juvenile Sabine's Gull was reported past Dungeness on the 2nd, with still a dozen or so Balearic Shearwater hanging around off the point there as well. A Leach's Petrel flew north past North Foreland on the 7th, as two Pomarine Skuas were seen at Swalecliffe that day. A Sooty Shearwater and a Velvet Scoter flew past North Foreland on the 8th.

A big change in the weather could mean anything rare can turn up. Good luck!

Peter Eerdmans

Brambling - 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)