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KOS News

The Newsletter of the Kent Ornithological Society

Number 500 June 2015

Short-eared Owl by Mark Chidwick

● Bird Sightings March 2015- May 2015 Obituary notices ● KOS Field Trips, an overview●

News & Announcements ● Fifty Years Ago● Letters & Notes ● Kent Atlas

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KOS Contacts – Committee Members

Newsletter Editor: Norman McCanch, 23 New Street, Ash, Canterbury, Kent CT3 2BH Tel: 01304-813208 e-mail: nvmccanch@hotmail.com Membership Sec: Chris Roome, Rowland House, Station Rd., Staplehurst TN12 0PY Tel: 01580 891686 e-mail:chrisgk.roome@btinternet.com Chairman: Martin Coath, 14A Mount Harry Rd Sevenoaks TN13 3JH Tel: 01732-460710 e-mail: coathmartin@gmail.com Vice Chair.: Brendan Ryan, 18 The Crescent, Canterbury CT2 7AQ Tel: 01227 471121 e-mail: brendan.ryan@yahoo.co.uk Hon. Sec: Stephen Wood, 4 Jubilee Cottages, Throwley Forstal, Faversham ME13 0PJ. Tel: 01795 890485. e-mail: doctorstevewood@yahoo.co.uk Hon. Treasurer: Mike Henty, 12 Chichester Close, Witley, Godalming, Surrey GU8 5PA Tel: 01428-683778 e-mail: michaelhenty@aol.com Conservation & Surveys: : Norman McCanch, as above Editorial & Records: Barry Wright, 6 Hatton Close, Northfleet, DA11 8SD Tel: 01474 320918 e-mail: umbrellabirds66@gmail.com Archivist: Robin Mace, 4 Dexter Close, Kennington, Ashford, TN25 4QG Tel: 01233-631509 e-mail: robin@mace-online.co.uk Website liaison: vacant

Indoor Meetings organiser: Anthea Skiffington 4 Station Approach, Bekesbourne, Kent CT4 5DT Tel: 01227 831101 e-mail: a.skiffington@btinternet.com Outdoor Meetings organiser: Ray O’Reily 44 New Road, Cliffe, Rochester,

Kent ME3 7SL 07879 636198 griff@batten.uk.net

Ordinary Members: Ken Lodge 14 Gallwey Avenue, Birchington, Kent CT7 9PA Tel : 01843 843105 e-mail: lodge9pa@btinternet.com Keith Privett 6 Tritton Close, Kennington, Ashford, Kent TN24 9HN Tel: 01233 335533 e-mail: keith.privett@ntlworld.com Jack Chantler 34 Gladstone Road, Walmer, Kent CT14 7ET Tel: 01304 366214 j.chantler14@btinternet.com Andrew Lawson, 12 Morland Avenue, Dartford, Kent DA1 3BN. 01322 402275 jackomar2003@hotmail.com Andy Appleton 34 Penine Walk Tunbridge Wells Kent TN2 3NW 01892 513542 andrewappleton@btopenworld.com Tony Morris, The Hidden House, 28 Kingstown Road, St Margaret’s at Cliffe, Kent CT15 6BB 01304 851943 tonymorris@easynet.co.uk

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I returned recently from a memorable trip to Sweden, a country I last visited forty seven years ago! Apart from stunning scenery and excellent birding, I was struck by some significant differences from “ Dear Old Blighty” .Firstly, exceptional and state-funded wildlife conservation, secondly a population which seemed to be proud of their natural environment and eager to enjoy, protect and share it at every opportunity. Would that we could say the same here. Back home, we are in the very final stages of the production of a new ‘Kent Breeding Bird Atlas’ which looks at the recent changes in breeding populations in our county. Information about obtaining your copy is included in this newsletter and we hope that members will find it informative and useful. Production has in part been funded by a legacy from a former member, while as ever the time and expertise of members has been freely given in support of this project. It will prove to be a very useful benchmark for the future Good birding, Norman

Obituary Announcements

The society has received a cheque for £500 from the administrators of the estate of Mr R. Cordero (a KOS member) who died on 15th March and left us this legacy, for which we are most grateful.

Editorial

News and announcements

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FIVE YEARS OF KOS FIELD TRIPS------AN OVERVIEW Back in 2010 I was coerced into providing a Field Trip programme for the Society, which at that point was in danger of omission from the Society`s calendar. In Summer 2011 in KOS News, I flippantly, and somewhat pessimistically, penned a short note headed ` Niche; Negate or Necessity ?` The backgound to that note was as a result of the 2010 membership survey , which showed that 6% of the then Society membership had participated in Field Meetings , and I was personally questioning the validity of that support. The comment I made in 2011 was--` that in today`s birdwatching scene, it is impossible to replicate the social dynamism of the early years; insomuch as `the rare bird` scenario will now bring the masses together at the drop-of-a-hat through instant IT to create that dynamism, and also , that everyone is now a rare bird photographer (good or bad !) ,and that furthers I believe the individuality, as opposed to the requirement for group activity` Having said that, I confess to a partial step back from those comments, and sincerely thank all those in the Society who have really made a significant contribution in bringing their expertise and knowledge to the programme, which has benefited the less knowledgeable , and enhanced the scope of understanding of others. I would certainly withdraw the use of `Negate` from the future of Field Trips. Doubtful too, that `Necessity`is an over-riding factor, but certainly provision for social interaction with the prospect of some decent birding, will continue to be an agreeable day`s journeying for many---particularly for those who do travel some considerable distances to support the Society. A few highlights are worth recalling. I purposely avoid the names to go with those highlights! The 2010 programme included some obscure under-recorded Tetrads for both the BTO and Kent Atlas—these introduced some new members keen on recording, and provided a worthwhile programme entry. The Medway Pelagic proved a great day out on the `X-Pilot.` Whilst I confess to `heart-missing-a-beat` at the flashback to the vertical ,seaweed encrusted ladder, to scan the surrounds for one missing sailor; all was forgiven for the white knuckles and no further mishaps. We added good records of Mediterranean Gull and Sandwich Tern colonies, and late significant numbers of Brent Geese, as well as a sun drenched lunch holed up in

Articles

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Medway backwaters. As a Society we can derive benefit from the occasional link-up with other Societies, and a joint Odonata meeting in 2011 with the Kent Field Club was very worthwhile .

KOS Field Trip - Dungeness

Dungeness needs little to persuade birders from their slumbers, and Glaucous; Yellow-legged; and Caspian Gulls have featured regularly, as have auk and grebe sps with winter ducks; but for me , the significant highlight of diver sps movement of c 3000 birds/hour in Jan 2013 was memorable. Sheppey; whether it`s an historical / avian tour or a seven- raptor day , is a winter must; but so is Cliffe with its numerous surprises and as with winter 2015, a 90 sps day ! There have been some very regular attendees to the meetings, and it is always a great moment when there is admission to a new bird; whether Skua sps overhead at Oare; Hoopoe ;Bee-eaters; Montague`s at Sandwich ; or best of all (for me and others) Goshawk at Northward Hill----or was it the squadron`s evening flight of 13 Bittern bombers at Stodmarsh ----extrordinary!!

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If one can eliminate the prospect of missing a rarity, the Kent Wildlife Conference in mid- October is a first class yearly addition to the calendar, with the KOS regularly participating . So, Field Trips remain a positive `Niche` on our calendar; the dynamics of birding continue to change; birding is a broad church ; but for the KOS membership there is that niche providing social interaction which whilst not demanded by all; remains a positive for that 6% of the KOS membership!! Please remain supportive as a new enthusiastic organiser with different ideas and venues, takes the Field Trip meetings forward. Mike Roser We are all very grateful to Mike for the work he has put in to Field meetings in the past five years and wish his successor, Ray O’Reilly well in the future.

BIRD SIGHTINGS FOR SPRING 2015 - MARCH TO MAY

Where necessary the acceptance of records within this report is

subject to ratification by the “British Birds” Rarities Committee

(species in capital letters) or the KOS Rarities Committee. The

results of these deliberations are regularly published on the KOS

Website.

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WEATHER______________________________________________

Although March ended on a very windy note with 56 mph gust

recorded at Langdon Bay on 31st the majority of the month was

dominated by high pressure. There was only 85% of the normally

expected rainfall whilst temperatures were around normal.

The weather in April was predominantly dry and sunny with high

pressure dominating which, around the middle of the month, gave

dangerous levels of air pollution. Temperatures at Herne Bay

reached 23C on 10th and 25C on 14th and rainfall was less than

25% of the usual April norm with only 13 mm recorded at

Bishopstone.

During May low pressure on 5th and 6th produced very strong SW

wind culminating in 54 m.p.h. gusts being recorded at Manston on

6th. Generally May was slightly cooler than average with sunshine

about 20% below what is expected but there was near average

rainfall in the SE with 43.25 mm at Bishopstone.

There was also the unexpected event of an earthquake in East Kent

centred at Sandwich at 0252 on May 22nd and with a magnitude of

4.2.

EARLIEST SPRING MIGRANTS IN 2015_______________

For some species like Whimbrel, Greenshank, Common Sandpiper,

Black Redstart, Blackcap and Chiffchaff it can be difficult to unpick

wintering birds from newly arrived migrants.

Arrival dates compared to last year: (-) = earlier, (0) = the same,

(+) = later

Garganey – a male was found at Stodmarsh on Mar 14th (0)

Osprey – a very early bird flew over the M20 at Maidstone on Feb

16th (-19)

Hobby – one was reported from Densole on April 1st (-1)

Little Ringed Plover – one was found at Dungeness RSPB on Mar

17th (-4)

Whimbrel – an early bird was seen at DBO on Mar 17th (-14)

Common Sandpiper – one was seen at Stodmarsh on Apr 12th (-

10)

Greenshank – one was recorded at Reculver on Apr 13th (+3)

Wood Sandpiper – the first was reported from Dungeness RSPB on

Apr 25th (-1)

Black Tern – one was seen at "the Patch" on Apr 20th (+7)

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Little Tern – an early bird flew past DBO on Apr 7th (-9)

Sandwich Tern – three birds were seen at DBO on Mar 7th (+5)

Common Tern – there was one at "the Patch" on Mar 30th (-1)

Arctic Tern – 18 flew E at DBO on Apr 16th (0)

Turtle Dove – one was seen and heard at Reculver on Apr 19th (0)

Cuckoo – birds were heard at New Hythe and Bough Beech on Apr

6th (-1)

Common Swift – three were reported from Grove Ferry on Apr

17th (-5)

Sand Martin – one was seen at Stoke Fleet on Mar 8th (+1)

Swallow – two birds were reported from Folkestone one Mar 12th

(+10)

House Martin – one was reported from Stoke Fleet on Mar 8th

(+14)

Tree Pipit – one was recorded at St Margarets-at-Cliffe on Apr 8th

(+9)

White Wagtail – one was seen at Cliffe on Mar 1st (-7)

Yellow Wagtail – one was reported from Margate on Mar 23rd (-4)

Nightingale – one was heard overnight at Cliffe on Apr 6th (+34)

Black Redstart – a bird was seen at Ramsgate Harbour on Mar 2nd

(+2)

Common Redstart – one was seen at DBO on Apr 12th (+6)

Whinchat – one was found at DBO on Apr 14th (-2)

Northern Wheatear – a male was seen at Samphire Hoe on Mar

8th (-4)

Ring Ouzel – two early birds were seen at DBO on Mar 20th (-11)

Grasshopper Warbler – there was one "reeling" at Grain on Apr

12th (+1)

Sedge Warbler – one was singing at Dungeness RSPB on Mar 30th

(+1)

Reed Warbler – single birds were seen at Hythe and Folkestone on

Apr 11th (+12)

Lesser Whitethroat – one was reported from DBO on Apr 13th

(+4)

Common Whitethroat – singles at Shuart and Dungeness RSPB on

Apr 11th (+25)

Garden Warbler – one was reported from Stodmarsh on Apr 15th

(-1)

Blackcap – one was seen at DBO on Mar 24th (+17)

Chiffchaff – one moved W along the railway embankment at Shuart

on Mar 7th (0)

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Willow Warbler – there was one at Lade on Mar 27th (-1)

Spotted Flycatcher – one was reported from Sevenoaks WR on

Apr 26th (+2)

WILDFOWL____________________________________________

Up to 40 Bewick's Swans were seen at Walland Marsh on the first

two days of March whilst the Whooper Swan was last seen there

on Mar 1st. There was also a Bewick's Swan seen on Sheppey on

May 27th.

There were two Tundra Bean Geese at Dungeness RSPB between

Mar 22nd and April 30th and a Pink-footed Goose was seen at

Sandwich Bay between Mar 3rd and 16th.

Pink-footed Goose by Steve Ashton

There were up to 350 White-fronted Geese at Swale NNR from

Mar 1st-19th decreasing to 51 on 24th. Other reports included eight

at Oare Marshes on Mar 18th and 33 at Scotney GPs on Mar 20th.

On May 14th two birds flew past North Foreland and Sandwich Bay.

The Barnacle Goose seen with Brent Geese at Reculver during

February was last seen on Mar 19th whilst an adult Black Brant

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was seen on Hoo Marshes on Mar 30th and a Pale-bellied Brent

Goose was reported from Reculver on Mar 14th and 18th.

During the spring up to 13 Egyptian Geese were seen at

Dungeness, Sandwich Bay, Wouldham, Sevenoaks WR, Swale NNR,

Reculver, Stodmarsh, Oare Marshes, Penshurst Estate, Brokes Hill

Farm, Swalecliffe, Bough Beech, Elmley, Higham Marshes and Cliffe

Pools and up to eight Mandarins were reported from Canterbury,

Oare Marshes, Bough Beech, Wouldham, Brockhill CP, Whetsted

GPs, Postern Park, Penshurst Estate, Wateringbury, Sissinghurst

Castle, Higham Marshes, Hinxhill, Great Cheveney, Hayesden and

Sevenoaks WR.

Garganey by Steve Ashton

After the first Garganey was seen at Stodmarsh on Mar 14th up to

six birds were recorded at Dungeness RSPB, DBO, Walland Marsh,

Grove/Stodmarsh, Oare Marshes, Dartford Marshes, Nickoll's

Quarry, Cliffe Pools, Higham Marshes, Elmley, Bough Beech,

Northward Hill, Pegwell Bay and Stoke Marshes.

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A Red-crested Pochard was observed at Sandwich Bay on Mar 1st

and 28th with another at Dungness RSPB on Mar 4th.

The first winter drake Scaup was still at Cliffe Pools on Mar 26th

with the Scotney bird still present until Apr 18th and in addition one

was reported from Pegwell Bay on Apr 26th.

A Long-tailed Duck flew past DBO on Apr 3rd.

Single Velvet Scoters were reported from DBO on Mar 8th and Apr

10th with two on Apr 23rd and 29th, five there on Mar 21st and 11

on Apr 6th. Two birds were seen off DBO, Samphire Hoe and Mill

Point on May 11th

During March up to five Smew remained at Dungeness RSPB with

the last report of one on 27th whilst up to four Goosanders were

seen at Dungeness RSPB, West Hythe, Sevenoaks WR, Hayesden,

Botolph's Bridge and Sandwich Bay. In April there was one at

Postern Park on 7th and one flew past DBO on 15th.

PARTRIDGE TO GREBES____________________________

In May a Quail was heard at Cliffe Pools on 10th with others at

Romney Marsh on 22nd, Shuart from 22nd-24th, Bockhill on 27th

and Northward Hill on 29th.

Three Black-throated Divers were seen off Sandwich Bay on Mar

18th with singles on 19th, 25th and 27th and two off DBO on Mar

21st. During April and May one or two were seen at DBO on at least

nine dates with four or five on Apr 23rd and May 2nd-4th with one

off Samphire Hoe on Apr 23rd and two off Mill Point on May 14th.

Single Great Northern Divers flew past DBO on Apr 25th and 29th

and two were seen at Mill Point on May 14th..

Seven Manx Shearwaters flew past DBO on Apr 29th with one

there on 5th and four on 6th and with two at Mill Point on Apr 29th

and one on May 6th. Singles were also seen at Hythe on May 3rd

and Samphire Hoe on May 5th whilst three birds flew past

Folkestone on May 9th.

In April one or two Shags were seen at Dover Harbour, Samphire

Hoe and DBO.

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During March and April one or two Bitterns were regularly seen at

Stodmarsh and Dungeness RSPB, but on Mar 23rd there were nine

circling and croaking over the main pool at Stodmarsh at dusk.

The two Cattle Egrets first seen in the Dungeness/Lydd area in

October and November were still present until April 26th with the

bird in the Ham Street/Kenardington area being seen again from

Mar 22nd-24th and from May 2nd-19th.

During the spring months up to seven Great White Egrets were

seen at Dungeness RSPB with one or two seen at DBO, Lade GPs,

Pegwell Bay, Walland Marsh, South Swale NR, Reculver, Bough

Beech, Conningbrook GPs, Sandwich, Stodmarsh/Grove and

Chetney.

A Purple Heron was reported from Dungeness RSPB on May 13th.

During the spring one or two Spoonbills were reported from

Elmley, Swalecliffe, Grove, Leysdown-on-Sea, Swale NNR, Cliffe

Pools, Dungeness RSPB, Scotney GPs, Sandwich Bay, Dover and

Pegwell Bay with five at Scotney on May 1st and up to six at Grove

Ferry from May 27th-30th.

A Slavonian Grebe was seen at Dungeness RSPB between Mar

12th and 14th with others at St Margarets-at-Cliffe on Apr 4th,

Dungeness RSPB from Apr 4th-11th and Cliffe Pools from Apr 16th-

26th.

During March and April up to three Black-necked Grebes were

reported from Scotney GPs, Sandgate and Dungeness RSPB. Two

were also seen at Sandwich Bay on May 30th.

BIRDS OF PREY____________________________

A Honey Buzzard was reported over Margate on Apr 24th with the

next at Grove Ferry on May 4th. During the remainder of May birds

were reported from Dungeness RSPB, Pegwell Bay, Grove

Ferry/Stodmarsh, Knole Park, Sandwich Bay and Ash.

A Black Kite was reported from Eastry on Mar 22nd and 23rd with

one at Bough Beech also on 23rd and one over Grove on Apr 11th.

During May birds were reported from Grove on 9th and Ash and

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Sittingbourne on 16th whilst a bird first seen at Bockhill flying north

on May 17th was later seen at Worth, Pegwell Bay, Sarre and

Shuart before returning back south. There was also a bird reported

from South Foreland on May 20th.

During the spring up to six Red Kites were seen at widespread sites

throughout Kent with a maximum count of nine drifting W at

Bishopstone on Apr 8th. Even more impressive numbers were

counted on May 16th with 13 at New Hythe, 33 at Ash and 32 at

Collard's Lake.

In March and April one or two Hen Harriers were reported from

Sheppey, Grove/Stodmarsh, Oare Marshes, Kennington, Worth,

Seaton, West Hythe and Grain whilst a ring-tail Montagu's Harrier

flew N over Littlestone on May 7th, another flew in off the sea at

Reculver on May 17th and one was seen at Bough Beech on May

20th.

Two Goshawks were reported flying E at Saltwood on Mar 16th and

a Rough-legged Buzzard was reported from Greatstone-on-Sea

on Mar 23rd.

During March and April single Merlins were reported from a dozen

coastal localities whilst during May single birds were seen at

Reculver, Cliffe and Samphire Hoe with the last one at Bishopstone

on May 11th.

In March single Ospreys were seen at East Malling on 24th,

Whitstable on 25th and Rochester on 26th. During April and May

birds were reported from Wateringbury, St Margarets-at-Cliffe,

Swalecliffe, Folkestone, Hayesden, Minnis Bay, Reculver,

Bishopstone, Bockhill, Worth, Motney Hill, Sandwich, Margate,

Walmer, Stodmarsh/Grove, Lympne, Pegwell Bay, Boughton

Monchelsea, Chartham, Capel-le-Ferne and Dungeness.

A female Red-footed Falcon was seen from the ramp at Grove

Ferry on May 17th when the peak of 42 Hobbies was also counted.

RAILS TO WADERS______________________

A Spotted Crake was heard calling at Stodmarsh on May 27th with

it or another at Grove Ferry on 30th and an adult Common Crane

flew over Dungeness RSPB on May 4th.

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Great Bustard, by Warren Baker

A thoroughly unexpected find on Apr 11th was a GREAT BUSTARD

seen and photographed at Hadlow. The only reports in Kent in the

last hundred years were two at Bockhill in January 1970, one at St

Nicholas-at-Wade from January to April 1978 and three at Walland

Marsh and one at High Halstow in December 1981.

A Stone Curlew was see on the cliff top at Pegwell Bay on May 9th,

one was heard on the late evening of May 13th at Dartford and

there was another at Sandwich Bay on May 17th.

Black-winged Stilt, by Steve Ashton

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Another excellent spring for BLACK-WINGED STILTS with eight at

Higham Marshes between Apr 14th and 18th, one at Grove Ferry

Apr 14th, two at Northward Hill on Apr 16th, two at Dungeness

RSPB on Apr 17th and up to four at Cliffe Pools between Apr 18th

and May 8th. Yet another bird arrived at Grove Ferry on May 11th

and two were seen at Sandwich Bay on May 30th.

A Kentish Plover was seen in Pegwell Bay on Apr 26th.

During March, April and May up to five Purple Sandpipers were

seen at Hythe and Hampton with the last report of one at Hythe on

May 10th.

The wintering Little Stint was still present at Scotney GPs on Mar

1st with another at Elmley on Mar 28th. In April one was seen at

Cliffe Pools on 6th with another at Oare Marshes on 25th and one at

Scotney on 30th.

There were five Spotted Redshanks reported from Murston on Mar

7th and during the rest of the month singles were seen at Swale

NNR on 26th, Elmley on 28th and Shellness on 29th. In April one or

two birds were reported from Cliffe Pools, Oare Marshes, Elmley and

Shellness.

A Wood Sandpiper was seen at Dungeness RSPB on Apr 25th with

another at Stodmarsh on May 23rd.

Single Jack Snipes were identified at Elmley on Mar 3rd and at

Dungeness RSPB on Mar 16th and 22nd with five at Coombe Bay on

Mar 25th and single birds at Hythe on Apr 5th, Swalecliffe on Apr

15th and at Stodmarsh on Apr 21st.

A Red-necked Phalarope was reported on the sea off Leysdown-

on-Sea on May 30th.

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SKUAS TO GULLS____________________________________

It was a poor spring for Pomarine Skuas at DBO with the only

counts being two on Apr 29th, six on May 4th, two on May 8th and

one on May 11th. One also flew N at Sandwich Bay on May 15th.

After the first on April 8th up to 17 Arctic Skuas were seen

regularly at DBO during the rest of the spring with up to three also

at Mill Point, Bockhill and Hythe.

At the end of March and during April and May up to 13 Great Skuas

were often reported from DBO with smaller numbers at Walmer,

Swalecliffe, Mill Point and Folkestone.

After the first Black Tern at the "Patch" on Apr 20th up to 31 birds

were reported from DBO with lesser numbers at Mill Point, Lade

GPs, Cliffe Pools and Dungeness RSPB.

White-winged Black Terns by Malcolm Freeman

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Two White-winged Black Terns were recorded at Dungeness

RSPB on May 14th and 15th and a Roseate Tern flew past DBO on

May 14th.

After the first 18 Arctic Terns flew E at DBO on Apr 16th up to

seven birds were seen at DBO, Bough Beech, Swanscombe Marshes,

Collard's Lake, Folkestone, Oare Marshes, Minnis Bay, Sandwich Bay

and Dartford Marshes.

There was an inland record of four Kittiwakes at Bough Beech on

Apr 17th.

An adult BONAPARTE'S GULL was seen briefly and photographed

at Dungeness RSPB on May 16th.

Single Little Gulls were seen at Cliffe Pools on Mar 13th and at

DBO on Mar 21st. During April and May up to 34 were reported from

DBO with smaller numbers at Dungeness RSPB, Lade GPs,

Swalecliffe, Scotney, Higham Marshes, Cliffe Pools and Oare

Marshes.

In March and April up to three Yellow-legged Gulls were identified

at Dartford Marshes, Ramsgate, Greenhithe, Minnis Bay, Sandwich

Bay and Dungeness. There were also birds at "the Patch" on May

7th and 19th.

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Caspian Gull, by Barry Hunt

During March one or two Caspian Gulls were seen at DBO,

Cliftonville and Greenhithe and in April first winter birds were

recorded from DBO on 19th and 26th. A first summer bird was seen

at Dartford Marshes on May 31st.

A juvenile Iceland Gull frequented the Foreness area on Mar 1st

and 2nd and one was seen at "the Patch" at DBO on Mar 8th and

9th where an adult was also seen briefly on Mar 22nd. There were

also juveniles at "the Patch" on Mar 30th and 31st and from Apr

11th-14th. In May a near adult was seen at DBO on 3rd and was at

Bockhill the next day.

The juvenile Glaucous Gull first seen in Dover Harbour on Feb 11th

remained there until Apr 5th whilst one flew over Bockhill on Mar

12th and another was seen at Cliffe on Apr 18th.

DOVES TO WOODPECKERS_______________________________

During March and April up to four Short-eared Owls were reported

from Dungeness, Seasalter, Reculver, Sheppey, Sandwich Bay,

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Cliftonville, Foreness, St Margarets-at-Cliffe, Stodmarsh Sandwich

Bay and Stoke Marshes with peaks of eight at Elmley on Mar 9th

and six at Shellness on Mar 27th. During May one was seen at

Reculver on 17th with others at DBO on 20th and Lydd on 25th.

Single Long-eared Owls were reported from Grove Ferry on May

17th and Northward Hill on May 29th and an early migrant Nightjar

was flushed at DBO on Apr 12th.

Five European Bee-eaters spent the morning at Dover on Apr

19th with one seen at Kingsdown on May 16th.

A Hoopoe was seen at DBO on Apr 9th and at Dungeness RSPB the

next day and others were seen flying from Reculver to Shuart and at

Dungeness RSPB on Apr 14th, at Marden on Apr 16th, at Hythe on

Apr 18th and at Deal on Apr 21st and during May one was reported

from Hythe on 16th.

A Wryneck found at DBO on Apr 18th remained until 21st.

GOLDEN ORIOLE TO HIRUNDINES___________________________

During May single Golden Orioles were found at Dungeness RSPB

on 13th and 17th, at Saltwood on 17th and at Cooling on 24th.

The wintering Great Grey Shrike remained at Chilham until Apr 3rd

and the Hooded Crow first seen on Sheppey in December was last

seen at Swale NNR on Mar 3rd.

In period under review up to four Ravens were widely reported

throughout the County.

During March and April up to 20 Firecrests were seen at DBO with

smaller numbers at Sandwich Bay, Shuart, Reculver, Bishopstone,

Margate, Stodmarsh, Mill Point, Folkestone, Nicholl's Quarry,

Samphire Hoe, South Forleland and Abbotscliffe.

Single Woodlarks were recorded at DBO on Apr 13th, at Margate

on Apr 24th and at Sandwich Bay on May 25th and a Shorelark

was reported from near Egypt Bay on Mar 21st.

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Red-rumped Swallow by Marc Heath

A Red-rumped Swallow spent a couple of hours at Reculver on

Apr 25th before flying W along the cliffs at Bishopstone and what

may have been the same bird was seen at Cliffe Pools the next day.

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CETTI’S WARBLER TO WHEATEARS__________________________

Grasshopper Warbler by Steve Ashton

After the first Grasshopper Warbler was heard at Grain on Apr

12th one or two birds were reported from Grove, Faversham Creek,

Cliffe Pools, Bedlam's Bottom, Shuart and Seasalter.

A Wood Warbler was heard singing at Sandwich Bay on Apr 26th

and a Siberian Chiffchaff was identified at DBO on Apr 3rd with

another reported singing at Gravesend the next day whilst a

Melodious Warbler was photographed in a private garden at

Dungeness on May 8th.

A Marsh Warbler was seen and photographed singing near

Whitstable on May 30th.

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Marsh Warbler by Mike Gould

A Nuthatch briefly landed on a telegraph pole at DBO on May 20th

and then flew N and was only the second Observatory record, whilst

a Common Treecreeper flew in off the sea and landed on Reculver

Towers and one was seen at Whitstable on Mar 11th.

After the first two early Ring Ouzels at DBO on Mar 20th an

excellent spring movement began during the first two weeks of April

and continued to the beginning of May with up to eight birds

reported from over 30 sites throughout Kent with the last one at

Swalecliffe on May 11th.

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Ring Ouzel by Gavin Coultrip

Male White-spotted Bluethroats were discovered at Nagden

Marshes on Apr 13th and Grove Ferry on May 30th.

There was a male Pied Flycatcher at DBO on Apr 13th with other

reports of single birds during April at Sandwich Bay on 14th, at

Reculver on Apr 22nd, Langdon Cliffs on 24th, Pegwell Bay on 26th,

Northdown Park on 27th and Sandwich Bay on 28th and 29th. In

May a male was found at Marshside on 5th.

During spring up to four Black Redstarts were reported from at

least 20 mainly coastal sites and with higher counts of up to ten at

DBO.

DUNNOCK TO BUNTINGS_______________________________

The Richard's Pipit first seen at Swale NNR in November was last

seen on Mar 29th.

There were still one or two Water Pipits at Stodmarsh during

March but between Apr 5th and 12th up to 16 were seen there. One

was also seen at Dartford Marshes on Apr 6th and 7th.

A Crossbill was recorded at Bockhill on May 26th.

24

Two Hawfinches were found near Eastling on Mar 1st, there was

one at Pegwell Bay on Mar 5th, two at Bedgebury on Mar 7th, two at

Blean Woods on Mar 24th, one at Worth on Apr 11th and one at

Clowes Wood on Apr 21st.

During March up to eight Snow Buntings were seen at Reculver,

Swalecliffe, Cliftonville, Foreness and Minnis Bay with last one

recorded at Reculver on 20th.

DBO = Dungeness Bird Observatory

RSPB = Royal Society for the Protection of Birds

“The Patch” = the warm water outfall from Dungeness Nuclear

Power Station

NNR=National Nature Reserve NR=Nature Reserve LNR=Local

Nature Reserve

FC = Field Centre WR = Wildlife Reserve GP = Gravel Pits

CONTRIBUTORS_______________________________________

This summary owes much to the contributors to the various sites in

“Latest Sightings” on the KOS Website at www.kentos.org.uk, KOS

Forum, Twitter and the RBA Hotline.

Records have been contributed by S. Arthur, P. Atkins, W. Attridge,

R. Bailey, G. Barker, J. Barnard, J. Bartlett, W. Beale, P.

Beckenham, B. Benn, Bockhill Birders, Bough Beech (per C.

Langton), D. Brown, E. Brown, K. Browne, S. Broyd, D. Bundey, N.

Burt, G. Burton, F. Cackett, B. Caffery, B. Chambers, J. Chantler, P.

Chantler, B. Chapman, M. Chidwick, P. Cliffe, M. Coath, D. Coletti,

R. Collins, G. Coultrip, K. Cutting, H. Daly, I. Davidson, DBO (per D.

Walker), R. Dewire, K, Digby, R. Douthwaite, D. Dowell, K. Dowsey,

R. Dubbins, T. Dunstan, D. Eade, B. East, M. Ellis, R. Elvy, D.

Faulkener, D. Feast, Folkestone and Hythe Birds (per I. Roberts), C.

Gibbard, M. Gould, P. Graham, V. Green, J. Guiver, K. Guttridge, D.

Hale, J. Hall, N. Hando, S. Haughie, M. Heath, K. Heaven, A. Hindle,

C. Hindle, M. Hindle, A. Holcombe, B. Holcombe, M. Hollingsworth,

L. Hopkins, B. Hunt, K. Jarvis C. Johnson, C. King, T. Laws, A.

Lawson, T. Lee, A. Lipczynski, P. Lloyd, D. Lodge, A. Luckhurst, A.

Malone, R. Marshall, N. McCanch, S. Message, A. Millar, T. Millard,

S. Mitchell, R. Morris, S. Mount, J. Nevis, M. Norman, P. North, R.

Oakley, M. Orchard, T. Osborne, S. O'Donnell, R. O'Reilly, V. Parker,

D. Perrin, A. Perry, J. Perry, C. Piller, K. Privett, R. Putnam, M.

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Puxley, D. Richards, B. Ring, M. Roser, B. Ryan, Samphire Hoe (per

L. Collins, P. Holt, D. Smith, and P. Smith), SBBO (per I. Hodgson),

G. Segelbacher, Sevenoaks WR (per S. Clerici), I. Shepherd, A.

Skiffington, D. Smith, N. Smith, M. Stanley, I. Stewart, B.

Summerfield, Swale NNR (per R. Smith, D. Faulkner, I. Davidson),

D. Taylor, D. W. Taylor, C. Tedder, S. Tomlinson, J. Tomsett, P.

Trodd, C. Turley, F. Tusa, D. Tutt, R. Vint, J. Walder, A. Wells, C.

White, A. Whitehouse, M. Wilson, T. Wilson, K. Witham, B. Wright

and M.Wright.

News & Announcements A Reminder

We would like to keep in touch with all our members, so if you change address, email address or phone numbers, please remember to inform our membership secretary, Chris Roome. He can be contacted on : Chris Roome, Rowland House, Station Rd., Staplehurst TN12 0PY Tel: 01580 891686 e-mail:chrisgk.roome@btinternet.com FOR SALE Forced by my wife to relieve our bulging bookcases, I have the following for sale: Ticehurst N F 1909 A history of the birds of Kent Witherby & Co, London - a nice, clean, ex library copy Wenham C et al eds 2002 The migration atlas T & A D Poyser London for BTO - mint copy Each £50 o.n.o contact: Bryn Green - jeanbryn@talktalk.net

Please send records for this review to: Chris Hindle, 42, Glenbervie Drive, Herne Bay, Kent. CT6 6QL Email: christopherhindle@hotmail.com Records sent to me may not all be used for this report as I try to extract the more interesting sightings. However all records are equally important and I forward them to the appropriate Area Recorders who enter them all onto the KOS database.

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A sad end for Mistle Thrushes On the morning of 4

th April I was walking along the bank of the River Stour

behind the Canterbury Environment Centre, when I heard a lot of noise coming from high up in a large willow tree. Two Mistle Thrushes were being chased by a female Sparrrowhawk, one of which was caught, but quickly escaped. As it tried to fly away it became tangled in something and was trapped by the legs. The Sparrrowhawk returned accompanied by a Magpie, both of which then attacked the tangled thrush. Then the second Mistle Thrush returned, but it too was caught up by the legs and was attacked by the Sparrrowhawk. At the time I could not see what was holding the two thrushes, but l returned with my telescope and could clearly see one thrush hanging dead from the willow tree, tangled in what looked like discarded fishing line, about forty feet above the ground.

David Feast Canterbury

A good observation of the hazards presented by discarded fishing line. We mostly associate these problems with water birds, but David’s observation clearly shows that the dangers can affect a wide range of species Ed.

Letters and Notes

27

Fifty Years Ago Savi’s Warbler From a computation based on records received it seems that at least 12 singing birds were in the Stour Valley in early June. Eleven were in song on May 15

th and June 11

th. First noted on Apr. 4

th and last on July 12

th

KBR 1965

Savi’s Warbler by Mike McDonnell

Norman McCanch

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29

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INDOOR MEETINGS Meetings are held on the second THURSDAY of the month (Oct. to April) Venue - Grove Green Community Hall, Grovewood Drive, Maidstone - just south of Junction 7 of the M20 and adjacent to Tesco’s Supermarket. The hall will be open from 7.15pm for a 7.45pm start.