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KOS News

The Newsletter of the Kent Ornithological Society

Number 498 November 2014

Stonechats, Seaton, by Richard Collins

Binocular Review ● Bird Sightings August- October 2014

News & Announcements ● Fifty Years Ago● Letters & Notes

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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, 23 New Street, Ash, Canterbury, Kent CT3 2BH Tel: 01304-813208 e-mail: nvmccanch@hotmail.com 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 Field Meetings organiser: Mike Roser 19 Foxdene Road, Seasalter, Whitstable CT5 4QY Tel: 01227 272041 e-mail:mroser041@btinternet.com

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

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Winter has traditionally brought hard weather and the expectation of visitors from the frozen North, amongst them wildfowl, raptors and gems like Waxwings in profusion. While we have not been too short of Waxwings in recent years, the trend is for November and December to be grey and damp and birders to mope around bemoaning the lack of Wild Swans, odd geese and all those winter birds that bring a thrill to fight the chill. There is ample evidence that, in the case of many of our winter ducks, the milder conditions in Europe encourage them to stay in the southern Baltic rather than continue to grace our shores. This is especially the case with one of my favourites, the Smew. I used to be able to rely on Smew in good numbers on my local patch, in one memorable winter not so many years ago a flock of 22 contained 16 drakes!! Now I struggle to find one or two and even old stalwarts like Goldeneye have declined, from the 12-15 of a few years ago, to only 3-4 today. On the plus side though, in recent years Goldeneye stay later each spring and I get to watch the drakes in their extravagant displays, all the while hoping that they might stay to nest. Without the international sharing of information we would have no idea of where the Smew have gone, or provide data to frame probable causes. The things we do as a fulfilling and absorbing pastime can provide the hard facts that help to keep a finger on the pulse of our world, at a time when many of those in power seem even more inclined to ignore the potential dangers and exploit the natural world to the limits of its destruction. Good birding Norman

Editorial

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Bewicks Family ,by Martyn Wilson

International Swan Census 2015

January 2015 sees the next International Swan Census take place across Europe, with an aim to estimate the size and distribution of the Iceland Whooper Swan and Northwest Bewick’s Swan populations. The census takes place every five years and is coordinated internationally by the Wetlands International / IUCN Swan Specialist Group. WWT coordinates the census in Britain.

The dates for the census are the 17/18 January, coinciding with the WeBS priority count dates. Further information about the census can be found on our website at: http://monitoring.wwt.org.uk/get-involved/isc-2015/

This includes a list of sites in Britain where Whooper and Bewick’s Swans have been recorded between 2003/04 – 2012/13, and that we hope can be visited during the census to ensure full coverage. The list, however, is very much a guide and may not be definitive and you may be aware of other sites that now hold swans. An online recording form, which is currently under development, will be available for providing counts. In the meantime, a recording form can be downloaded from the afore mentioned website for details of the information required for the census.

If Whoopers and Bewick’s are very rare or have never occurred in your region we would, obviously, be grateful if you could still keep an out over the census weekend (or any time in January) just in case any swans should choose to

News and announcements

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visit in January 2015...and we would obviously be very grateful for a count should that happen!

Colette Hall , Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust

Kent Breeding Bird Atlas 2008-13

During 2007-11, members of the BTO, KOS and other interested birders in Kent undertook extensive fieldwork in support of the Bird Atlas 2007-11. This has now been published and represents a major land-mark in British and Irish ornithology. It gives an account of the wintering and breeding birds of Britain and Ireland in a new and novel format to previous Atlas works. In Kent, fieldwork was continued for another two seasons in order to address issues of poor coverage and/or the level of proof of breeding in some areas. It is now intended to feed back the data obtained to the KOS membership. Although, for various reasons, it has not been possible to progress a complete county avifauna, it is planned to produce a breeding bird atlas which will hopefully be published in early 2015. The intention of this article is to inform the KOS membership of this forthcoming publication and to give a description of its content. As the name suggests, the key remit of the book is to describe the breeding birds of Kent during the period 2008-13 with a distribution map, species account and photograph for each species. However, as well as showing the breeding distribution during this period, maps will also show the change in distribution since the previous Kent atlas in 1988-94. I’m sure members will be well aware of the many changes that have occurred in our birds over the last 20 years or so with both losses and gains. However, the change maps really highlight this and I’m sure will be of great interest to both our members and all those who regularly bird-watch in the county. In addition to the change maps, however, a population estimate is given for each species along with a written account describing the principal features of the species such as breeding habitat, aspects of breeding behaviour, comment on any status change and explanation of how the population estimate was obtained. The latter represents a particular challenge and various methods have been used to arrive at the estimated population ranges. Summary boxes give data for the GB population derived from BBS, 1988-91 Atlas with applied trend or RBBP; a Kent figure based on percentage of GB population derived from national atlas TTV visits, and the previous Kent 1988-94 Atlas estimate. A current population estimate is provided at the end of each species account, derived from either the above data or combination thereof, or additional specific fieldwork. The estimates for some poorly recorded species, especially woodland birds, may surprise some and appear to contradict impressions of major declines, but in reality reflect the extent to which bird observations are biased towards the coastal districts and how little bird-watching is done inland, particularly in our woodlands. Such population estimates, however, do not mask obvious declines indicated by the change maps and merely indicate that previous estimates were too low. To provide further interest, following the usual introduction and account of methodology, a number of additional chapters are given. The subjects covered include an account of Kent’s changing avifauna, changes in our woodland and farmland birds

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and descriptions of the change in breeding birds of the Hoo Peninsula, the Isle of Sheppey, the Stour Valley and the Dungeness Peninsula. An appendix includes brief accounts of species which are irregular breeders, potential colonists or which have recently ceased breeding in the county. The Atlas does not include those species recorded during the period that were obvious non-breeders such as passage migrants or late wintering birds. The hope is that this volume will be well received and that momentum may continue, with additional help, to produce a Kent Winter Bird Atlas before the data is too dated! The emphasis on price will be to cover costs and maintain funds for future projects rather than profit. Publication will hopefully be in early 2015.

Murray Orchard

Binocular Review: Two 8x30 roof prisms This August I went to the UK Bird Fair with the intention of buying a small, handy pair of binoculars for my wife which could also double as a spare pair for me. Previously she's had pairs of 8x20/25 compacts, but has never found them easy to use. However, she's found most 32mm instruments too heavy and unwieldy. So the task was to find something she could handle happily, but that I'd also be happy to use on occasion. The choice very quickly came down to three instruments – the Swarovski CL, Nikon Monarch 7 and the Kite Lynx (all 8x30s). Although the objectives were a little smaller than 32mm instruments, the slimmer barrels and small size seemed to make a significant difference ergonomically for Liz. Although the most robust, she found the Swarovskis a little heavy in the hand as I did, at £750, on the wallet. So the choice was between the Monarchs (£279) and the Kites (£459). Accessories: Both models come with eyepiece covers and detachable objective covers. The Monarchs have a broad neoprene neckstrap which may seem excessive for lightweight binoculars, but it does mean it's easy to forget you actually have them round your neckl. In contrast, the Kites have a disappointingly narrow neoprene strap which makes carrying the binoculars somewhat less comfortable. TheNikon's small padded case, closed by a velcro flap, is strapless, so the neck strap must also serve as the case strap. The Lynx have a more substantial zipped case with it's own strap and additional zipped pocket. It is, however, oddly overlarge , but both cases have belt loops which, given the instruments' light weight, might actually be quite functional for once.

Articles

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Ergonomics: Ergonomically I found them both exceptional instruments. They are so similar that they surely have a common origin, with slim narrow barrels, linked by a single, slight prism housing topped by a satisfyingly wide focus wheel. Both are very nicely balanced, the fingers automatically curl satisfyingly round the bins to give a very solid grip. Whilst their small size and light weight makes them an ideal binocular for smaller or younger birdwatchers, they shouldn't be dismissed by other users as they were perfectly comfortable in my hands which I guess are 'average' adult male sized. I preferred the feel of the Monarch's softer, more tactile rubber armouring, but I found its subtle contouring not quite so comfortable as the simple plain barrels of the Kites. a The ridged focus wheel on the Monarchs also seemed better than the Kite's delicately embossed version, but both work perfectly well even with gloved hands. The Monarch's eyepieces locked into two different positions and seemed to click into place more firmly than the Lynx's eyepieces (which had only one position).

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Optics: Both of these instruments produce a very acceptable sharp and bright image. In bright sunshine I could detect no difference between the Lynx and my usual 8x42 Zeiss and a very marginal difference (when looked for and in direct comparison) in duller conditions. Even at dusk they held up very well although inevitably losing out as the night came on. For some users this might be a critical factor, but for this was an acceptable trade-off for the instrument's exceptional lightness and ergonomic benefits. The Lynx have an exceptional field of view (151m @ 1,000m) which few other instruments can rival . Although the manufacturers claim a close focus of 1.3 m., they actually focused down to a still impressive 1.6m. This makes them an excellent choice for dragonfly/butterfly watchers. In both of these respects they significantly outperform the far more expensive Swarovskis Cl 8x30s. Inevitably, at the outer edge of the field there was some distortion of the image and colour fringing (the latter being very fine and difficult to detect) butI could detect no difference at all when compared to 8x32 binoculars of similar quality. The Monarchs are very similar optically to the Kites, but seemed marginally less bright and producing a slightly more yellowish tone. This may reflect the Lynx's 'cleaner and whiter' image which seemed to add an extra 'punch' to the image. For me, this gave the Kites a little 'edge' optically and that indefinable extra 'wow' factor. That said the Monarchs also produced a sharp image across the field of view with only the outer edge being a little softer. However, in some circumstances – when viewing close to a bright light source for example – the Monarchs sometimes suffered from 'flare' which made the image 'milky'. Although annoying when it happened, this wasn't generally a significant problem. I could not replicate this effect with the Lynx. The Monarch's field of view, 145m @ 1,000m, was excellent, if marginally less impressive than the Kites. Like the kites there was some distortion and fringing at the margins, but nothing to distract from the overall excellence of the image. They also focused down to 1.6 m again making them a good

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choice for insect watchers. Conclusions: The Monarchs proved to be the first 'full size' binoculars my wife has ever found comfortable enough to use all day and, given their keener price, it was these we walked away with after the Bird Fair. I was looking forward to getting to grips with them the following few weeks when we were in Spain. However, my expectation that they'd double as a good spare pair for myself foundered when I discovered that I couldn't wrest them from her clutches. Asking for a quick squint was like asking Gollum for a look at 'Precious'! Thanks to that generous strap she loves how weightless they feel round her neck, how comfortable they feel in her hand and, above all, the extra brightness and clarity of the image compared to her old 8x25s. The light weight and handy ergonomics also made them an ideal companion on hikes. When I did manage to have a play with them, I found that I liked them as much as she did. I was impressed. Since she wasn't co-operating, on our return to the UK I was tempted to get a second pair of the Nikons for myself. However an unexpected windfall, that covered much of the additional cost, made me look again at the Lynx. The whisker of an optical advantage that they offered over the Monarchs persuaded me to shell out the extra cash and buy the Lynx. Are they worth the extra £180? It's a very close call and in all honesty, probably not unless you'd find the lack of that marginally better performance and occasional problems with flare irritating. I miss the Monarch's wide strap and click-stop eyepieces (the Lynx eyepiece seems more prone to slip down), but relish the more 'punchy' view obtained with the Lynx. Kite optics in a Nikon body hanging from a Nikon strap with a slimmed down Kite case would be ideal. Optically the Lynx compare very well with 32mm 'alpha' binoculars (with the Nikons not too far behind) and both, for me at least, outperform them ergonomically by a wide margin (an often neglected consideration). It was not entirely surprising to discover that the website 'Best Binocular Reviews' (www.bestbinocularsreviews.com) recently rated the Lynx as one of the best new binoculars of 2014. Rather to my surprise although I largely got them to use under the sunny skies of Spain, I find myself reaching for my 8x30s rather than my 8x42s in the UK too. That weightless feel and handiness more than make up for those rare occasions when I miss the extra light gathering of a 42mm instrument. I ended up spending enough to buy a pair of Swarovski CLs 8x30s, but, if not quite so robust, the Lynx seem to produce an equally 'snappy image' with a much better field of view and close focus. Besides, with a pair each there's no chance that Gollum would stop me using the second pair and no chance of confusion as they were recognisably distinct bins!

John Cantelo

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BIRD SIGHTINGS FOR AUTUMN 2014 – AUGUST TO OCTOBER 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. WEATHER_______________________________________ August was the coolest since 1983 being particularly so between 9th and 28th which included the coolest August Bank Holiday on record. The UK had the highest August rainfall since 2004 but at Bishopstone the monthly total was only 59 mm. September was the driest on record with only a fifth of the expected September rainfall. It was also the warmest September since 2012. With the jet stream north of the UK for virtually the whole month high pressure settled over the country blocking any unsettled westerly air stream. October was generally warm and unsettled with a near average rainfall and a south westerly airflow for most of the month. The highest temperature was a record breaking 23.6 C at Gravesend on 31st. WILDFOWL_______________________________________ The first Bewick's Swans of the autumn were three juveniles flying over Sandwich Bay on Oct 10th whilst four Whooper Swans were reported at the same site on Oct 18th with three flying over there the next day. The first Pink-footed Geese of the autumn were 15 at Cliffe and 14 at Swale NNR recorded on Sept 25th with 38 birds at the latter site on Sept 30th. Subsequently up to 44 were seen on Sheppey during October with five at Oare Marshes on Oct 25th. There was an injured White-fronted Goose at Swale NNR on Aug 26th and two more were seen there on Sept 25th with three from Oct 6th-8th and one on Oct 23rd. The first Dark-bellied Brent Geese arrived on Sept 11th with 14 at Swalecliffe, five at Riverside CP and Shellness, four at Sandwich Bay and two at Hythe. After this, during the remainder of the autumn, numbers built up around the coast. A Pale-bellied Brent Goose was reported from Reculver between Oct 25th and the end of the month. A Black Brant flew W past DBO on Oct 15th and another was recorded with Dark-bellied Brent Geese at Swalecliffe from Oct 19th-20th. During the autumn up to eight Egyptian Geese were seen at Bough Beech, Penshurst Estate, Sevenoaks WR, Cliffe Pools, Otford and Scotney GPs and

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there were two Ruddy Shelducks at Lade Pits on Aug 16th with one at Scotney GPs on Aug 16th and 17th. During the period under review up to 15 Mandarins were seen at Whetsted GPs, Hythe, Canterbury, Bough Beech and Leigh.

Garganey, by Andrew Lipczynski

Throughout the autumn up to nine Garganey were recorded at Dungeness RSPB, Cliffe Pools, Oare Marshes, Elmley, Swale NNR, Sevenoaks WR, Bough Beech and Grove Ferry with a maximum count of 11 at Grove Ferry on Aug 10th and the last report of one at Swalecliffe on Oct 30th. A female Red-crested Pochard was present at Dungeness RSPB from Aug 17th to the end of October. A Velvet Scoter flew past St Margarets-at-Cliffe with Common Scoter on Oct 6th, four flew past DBO on Oct 12th with two there on Oct 25th and two at Bockhill and one at Ramsgate on 30th.

Common Scoter by Gavin Coultrip

PARTRIDGE TO GREBES___ ______________

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A Quail was heard calling at Pegwell Bay on Aug 16th and others were reported from Abbotsciffe on Aug 31st and Seaton on Sept 9th. During August a Red-throated Diver was seen offshore at DBO from 10th-24th with another on Sept 16th and a Black-throated Diver was identified off Folkestone on Aug 20th. A Great Northern Diver was found at Swalecliffe on Oct 20th with another at Bockhill on 30th when three also flew past DBO. With the remnants of Hurricane Bertha moving west on Aug 10th a few shearwaters were counted at DBO with 2 Sooty, 15 Manx and 4 Balearic. A Balearic Shearwater was also seen off Kingsdown with another off Dover on Aug 17th and three at DBO on Aug 25th, 27th with five there on Aug 28th and one on Aug 31st. One also flew past DBO on Sept 14th with two on Oct 4th and another on 8th. Six Manx Shearwaters flew past DBO on Oct 8th with one on Oct 26th and in addition one flew E at Grain on Oct 12th. Two Sooty Shearwaters passed DBO on Sept 23rd with others on Sept 24th and Oct 4th. With gale force south westerly winds on Oct 8th there was a good passage along the Channel with 100 birds flying past DBO, 11 at Hythe and eight at St-Margarets-at-Cliffe. Subsequently up to two birds were reported from DBO during the remainder of October and one flew past Folkestone on 18th and another at Bockhill on 25th. Five Leach's Petrels flew past DBO on Oct 13th. Two Shags were seen at Foreness on Aug 14th with singles at Samphire Hoe on Aug 25th and Reculver on Oct 12th. During October single Bitterns were occasionally seen at Dungeness RSPB. A Great White Egret was seen regularly at Dungeness RSPB during August and September with two reported there on Sept 9th. There was one seen at Shellness on Aug 9th whilst three flew in off the sea at at the same site and singles were seen at Allhallows on Aug 15th and Oare Marshes on Aug 31st. During September one was seen at Oare Marshes on 10th and it or another at Sandwich Bay between 13th and 22nd and there were one or two at Bough Beech from Sept 16th-Oct 28th. There were up to five at Dungeness RSPB from Sept 20th-Oct 31st and one flew in off the sea at Langdon Cliffs on 22nd. One was also seen at Sevenoaks WR on Sept 24th and two flew into Pegwell Bay on Oct 7th with one at Ash Levels on Oct 21st and one or two on Sheppey during October with one flying to Oare Marshes on 31st. A Cattle Egret arrived at Dungeness RSPB on Oct 1st and remained there until the end of the month.

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A Glossy Ibis frequented Pegwell Bay from Aug 16th-29th with it or another at Dungeness RSPB from Aug 31st-Oct 19th. Glossy Ibis numbers in Kent over the last 20 years showing their recent increase 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14

- - - - - - 1 - - - - - 1 - 9 25 7 3 11 7

A Spoonbill was found in Pegwell Bay on Aug 21st and two were seen at Cliffe Pools from Aug 24th-26th. In September single birds were observed at Dungeness RSPB on Sept 8th, at Oare Marshes on 9th and at Cliffe Pools on 24th and 28th. During October single birds were seen at Cliffe and Boughton Monchelsea on 12th and at Dungeness RSPB on 23rd with two at Cliffe on 13th and Dungeness RSPB on 31st. A Red-necked Grebe was reported from Riverside CP on Sept 3rd with others seen flying past DBO on Oct 18th and North Foreland on 26th. Two Slavonian Grebes were found at Elmley on Sept 19th. In the period under revie up to three Black-necked Grebes were reported from Dungeness RSPB, Lade GPs, Dover Harbour and Cliffe Pools. BIRDS OF PREY_______________________________________________ A Honey Buzzard drifted over Margate on Aug 1st after which one or two were seen at Grove Ferry, Dungeness, Sandwich Bay, Lade, Northward Hill, Walland Marsh, Bough Beech, Romney Marsh, Walmer, Sevenoaks WR, Lydd, Margate and Reculver. A Black Kite was reported flying E at New Romney on Aug 30th and was seen at Dengemarsh the next day and another flew NW at Oare Marshes on Sept 24th. During September single Red Kites were observed at Upper Stoke, Gillingham, Edenbridge, Hope Point, Bough Beech and Saltwood. A Goshawk was reported flying over Grove Ferry being mobbed by a Marsh Harrier on Sept 27th and another was recorded flying SW at Bough Beech on Oct 16th. A Rough-legged Buzzard was reported from Elmley on Oct 24th. The first Hen Harrier of the autumn was seen at Elmley on Sept 4th and subsequently birds were reported from Bockhill, Sandwich Bay, Eastchurch, Warden Point, Pegwell Bay, Samphire Hoe and Dungeness RSPB.

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Juvenile Montagu's Harriers were seen at Dungeness RSPB from Aug 17th-19th and Aug 31st and at Rodmersham on Aug 27th. During September single birds were reported from Sandwich Bay, Dungeness and Bockhill. During August and September single Ospreys were identified at Dungeness, Hythe, Naccolt, Conningbrook GPs, Deal, West Hythe, Oare Marshes, Nor Marsh, Motney Hill, Kingsnorth, Rochester, Upchurch, Shuart and Cliffe. The last bird flew S at Reculver on Oct 17th.

Osprey by Warren Baker

The first Merlin of the autumn was seen at South Swale LNR on Aug 22nd and subsequently birds were reported from Dungeness, Grove, Bough Beech, Bockhill, Sheppey, Lower Hope Point, Reculver, Samphire Hoe, Shorne Marshes and Sandwich Bay. An unexpected report of a white morph GYR FALCON came from Dengemarsh on Aug 30th. If not a falconer's escape or hybrid it will be only the second record for Kent. RAILS TO WADERS________________________________________ An exhausted Corncrake was photographed on the beach at Palm Bay on Sept 3rd. Corncrake numbers in Kent during the last 20 years

95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14

- 2 2 - - 2 - 1 1 - - - - 1 - - - - - 1

A Stone Curlew was seen briefly at Margate Cemetery on Sept 8th. An impressive roost of 2,450 Avocets was counted at Flamingo Pool, Cliffe on Sept 14th.

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A moulting adult American Golden Plover was identified at Scotney GPs on Oct 11th. Two Dotterel were found and photographed on the golf course at Sandwich Bay on Sept 17th. During the autumn up to 15 Curlew Sandpipers were reported from Dungeness RSPB, Oare Marshes, Greatstone-on-Sea, Sandwich Bay, Shellness, Lade Pits and Cliffe Pools with an impressive total of 37 at Cliffe Pools on Aug 6th. The last bird was reported from Pegwell Bay on Oct 31st. An early Purple Sandpiper was seen at Foreness on Aug 26th with next single birds at Ramsgate and Herne Bay on Sept 21st. After this up to four birds were reported from the usual sites at Foreness, DBO, Hythe and Hampton. During the autumn up to six Little Stints was recorded from Dungeness RSPB, Pegwell Bay, Cliffe Pools, Elmley, Swalecliffe, Bockhill, Sandwich Bay and Oare Marshes with the last three birds flying past Bockhill on Oct 30th. A Pectoral Sandpiper was reported from Cliffe Pools on Sept 25th. Single Red-necked Phalaropes were found at Cliffe Pools on Aug 26th, at Dungeness RSPB from 27th-30th and at Oare Marshes on Sept 5th. Two Grey Phalaropes flew past DBO on Oct 18th whilst another flew W past Reculver on Oct 21st and a summer plumaged bird was reported from DBO on Oct 26th with another bird there on 31st. A TEREK SANDPIPER spent the morning at Swalecliffe on Aug 16th. This is the eighth record for Kent following birds at Sandwich Bay in 1973, DBO in 1982, Cliffe Pools in 1989 and 2005, Shellness in 1998, Monks Wall in 1999 and Lydd Ranges in 2008. During August and September up to five Wood Sandpipers were reported from Bough Beech, Elmley, Dungeness RSPB, Cliffe Pools and Oare Marshes with the last one at Oare Marshes on Sept 20th. During August and September and the first half of October up to eight Spotted Redshanks were reported from Otterham Creek, Gillingham, Oare Marshes, Pegwell Bay, Riverside CP, Sandwich Bay, Dungeness RSPB, Elmley, Grove Ferry and Cliffe Pools with the last report being a flock of 41 at Oare Marshes on Oct 30th. The first Jack Snipe of the autumn was seen at Sandwich Bay on Sept 6th and was followed by one at Oare Marshes on Sept 30th after which one or two birds were seen at Bough Beech, Swalecliffe and Chislet Marshes. SKUAS TO GULLS_____________________________________________

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The first Pomarine Skua of the autumn flew past DBO on Oct 1st with others there on Oct 6th and 9th whilst four passed Sandwich Bay on Oct 9th. Singles flew past Grain, South Swale NNR and Shellness on Oct 12th with another at Shellness on 13th and four at DBO on Oct 14th, two on 16th and 17th and one on 18th. There were also two at Bockhill and also one at Oare Marshes on Oct 21st whilst two flew past DBO on Oct 22nd with one there on 23rd, five on 28th, two on 29th and 12 on 31st whilst another flew past Bockhill on Oct 25th. Up to 37 Arctic Skuas were reported from DBO, Sandwich Bay, Swalecliffe, Tankerton, Reculver, Oare Marshes, North Foreland, Samphire Hoe, Leysdown-on-Sea, Hythe, Shellness and Foreness. An adult Long-tailed Skua flew W at Reculver on Aug 10th when two juveniles were also seen at Foreness. Single juveniles were also seen at Reculver on Aug 26th and Sept 11th, Oare Marshes on Sept 19th and DBO on Sept 26th. During the autumn up to 51 Great Skuas were reported from DBO, Swalecliffe, Cliffe, Grain CP, Foreness, Shellness, Leysdown-on-Sea, Scotney, Hythe, Dartford, Folkestone, Samphire Hoe, Sandwich Bay and Reculver. A Little Auk was found and photographed off Hampton Pier on Oct 22nd.

Little Auk by Mark Chidwick

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A CASPIAN TERN seen at Dungeness RSPB on Aug 6th was the 24th report of this species for Kent. An Observatory record autumn count of 188 Little Terns passed DBO on a very rainy Aug 25th and a late bird was seen at Pegwell Bay on Oct 16th. Throughout August and September up to 14 Black Terns were recorded at Dungeness, Reculver, Shellness, Foreness Point, Swalecliffe, Leysdown-on-Sea, Lower Hope Point, Bough Beech, Grove Ferry, Pegwell Bay and Oare Marshes with a maximum of 24 off DBO on Aug 25th. A first winter Roseate Tern was identified at DBO on Aug 10th. What may have been the same juvenile Sabine's Gull was identified at Shellness on Sept 2nd, at Lower Hope Point on Sept 4th and Swalecliffe and Oare Marshes on Sept 10th. There was also a juvenile at DBO on Sept 27th where two were reported on Oct 6th whilst another was seen at Lower Hope Point on Oct 14th. The adult BONAPARTE'S GULL first seen at Oare Marshes during July remained there until Sept 7th. During the period under review up to 25 Little Gulls were reported from DBO, Swalecliffe, Hythe, St Margarets-at-Cliffe, Oare Marshes, Lower Hope Point, Reculver and Foreness with 37 off Shellness on Oct 13th and 36 at Reculver on Oct 13th. There were also good movements at DBO on Oct 26th, 29th and 30th when 259, 320 and 313 birds respectively flew past. There was a large count of 200 Mediterranean Gulls at DBO on Oct 31st. A second winter AUDOUIN'S GULL was an unexpected find in the gull roost at DBO on the evening of Oct 12th. Unfortunately it was not present the next day This is the third record for Kent and Dungeness following birds in May 2003 and 2007. Up to eight Yellow-legged Gulls were reported regularly from DBO with smaller numbers seen at Wouldham, Cliffe Pools, Dartford Marshes, Oare Marshes and Reculver. A first summer Caspian Gull was seen at DBO on Aug 8th with juveniles there on Aug 17th, 24th, 25th and 30th and two juveniles on Aug 23rd. During September a juvenile was identified at DBO between 12th and 14th and a first winter bird was seen sporting a German colour ring on 20th. In October single birds were seen regularly at DBO and also at Dartford Marshes on 20th. DOVES TO WOODPECKERS__________________________________ A Long-eared Owl was seen at Grove Ferry on Sept 9th with another at Walmer on Oct 5th whilst one or two were seen on Sheppey from Oct 5th-23rd with another at Folkestone on Oct 17th. A Short-eared Owl was reported from Grain Marsh on Aug 12th after which one or two birds were seen at Ramsgate, Swalecliffe, Sandwich Bay,

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Sheppey, Oare Marshes, Margate, Reculver, Shuart, South Foreland, Foreness, Cliffe Pools, Faversham, Abbotscliffe, Scotney GPs and Bockhill. There was the unusual sight of migrant Nightjars flushed at DBO on Sept 6th and Oct 6th and flying over Seabrook on Sept 12th. An Alpine Swift was photographed flying S over Kingsdown on Aug 9th. There was an influx of Wrynecks at the end of August and beginning of September coinciding with the easterly winds when about 20 individuals were recorded. Birds were seen at North Foreland and Swalecliffe on 27th, Dungeness RSPB from 27th-29th with three reported there from Aug 30th and 31st, Elmley and Margate on 28th, Chamber's Wall 28th-30th, Sandwich Bay on 29th, Kingsdown on 30th and Langdon Cliffs on 31st. During September one was seen at Margate Cemetery from 1st-6th, at Dungeness, Bockhill, Grove Ferry and Grain on 6th, Foreness and Faversham on 7th, Pegwell Bay on 9th, Cheriton on 11th Foreness on 18th, Reculver on 19th and Dungeness on 21st. GOLDEN ORIOLE TO HIRUNDINES_____ __________________ An unseasonable Golden Oriole put in a brief appearance at DBO on Oct 5th. An adult female ISABELLINE SHRIKE, the eighth record for this species for Kent, was found at Worth on Oct 16th. On Sept 6th there were two Red-backed Shrikes at Bockhill with single birds at Dungeness on 6th and 7th, Shorne on Sept 12th and 13th and Seasalter from Sept 22nd-24th.

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Red-backed Shrike by Tim Gutsell

A Great Grey Shrike was found at Halstow Marshes on Oct 19th with others at Seasalter and Chilham on 26th. During the autumn up to four Ravens were reported from Cliffe Pools, Tilmanstone, Canterbury, Wouldham, Samphire Hoe, Conningbrook GPs, Aycliff, Reculver, Dartford Marshes, Oare Marshes, Botolph's Bridge, Dunkirk, Margate and Abbotscliffe. The first small arrival of Firecrests happened on Sept 6th with two birds at DBO and Shuart and three at Bockhill after which up to six birds were reported from Sandwich Bay, Dungeness, Foreness, Reculver, Margate Cemetery, Kingsdown, Warden Point, Northdown Park, Bockhill, Westbere, South Foreland, Folkestone and Faversham. A "Continental" Coal Tit was identified at DBO on Oct 15th.

Woodlark by John MacKinnon

Single Woodlarks were seen at Bough Beech on Sept 25th, Leysdown-on-Sea on Sept 28th, Foreness on Sept 29th and Oct 26th, DBO on Sept 30th and from Oct 15th-17th and on 22nd, Canterbury Golf Course on Sept 30th and Bockhill on Oct 5th with three there on Oct 25th. A Shore Lark flew W past Swalecliffe on Oct 18th and another was found on the beach at Reculver on Oct 21st. Two birds were also seen from the Dover/Dunkerque Ferry on Oct 27th two miles off Langdon Cliffs Following a huge Swallow movement on Sept 23rd the next day produced another massive westerly movement of hirundines with 60,000 and 30,000 House Martins at Sandwich Bay and Reculver respectively and 18,000

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Swallows past Reculver. On 24th, 50,000 House Martins were recorded at Hythe and on 27th there were 10,000 at the same site. Also on Sept 27th a Swallow x House Martin hybrid was ringed at DBO. CETTI’S WARBLER TO WHEATEARS_____________________________ A Nightingale was present at DBO on Sept 1st. A Red-breated Flycatcher was discovered at Reculver on Sept 11th. A Pied Flycatcher was seen at Cliftonville on Aug 9th after which, in a very good autumn for this species, up to 15 were seen at many coastal sites. There was an impressive count of 30 at DBO on Sept 5th when 25 Spotted Flycatchers were also counted. Both species were widespread as a result of the easterly winds. Two Yellow-browed Warblers were seen at Reculver on Sept 27th with one remaining on 28th and then during the rest of September and October up to four were recorded at Foreness, Grain, Deal, South Foreland, Bishopstone, Kingsdown, St Margarets-at-Cliffe, Tankerton, Dungeness, Shuart, Bockhill, Sandwich Bay, Folkestone, Tilmanstone and Margate Cemetery. A Dusky Warbler was typically skulking on the railway embankment at Shuart on Oct 15th. Single Wood Warblers were seen at DBO and Romney Marsh on Aug 13th and at Sandwich Bay on Sept 7th. Grasshopper Warblers were identified at Foreness on Aug 22nd and 25th, after which up to four were recorded at Bockhill, Bishopstone, Abbotscliffe, Aycliff, Swalecliffe, Reculver, Dungeness and Chamber's Wall until the last one at Aycliff on Sept 22nd. There were single Barred Warblers at Foreness on Aug 28th, DBO on Sept 11th, Leysdown-on-Sea on Sept 21st and at Hope Point on Sept 24th. A Dartford Warbler was seen intermittently at Sandwich Bay between Oct 15th and the end of the month. An Icterine Warbler was ringed at Sandwich Bay on Sept 3rd. A Hippolais Warbler, either Icterine or more probably Melodious, was seen briefly at Foreness on Aug 11th, with a Melodious Warbler at Dungeness RSPB from Aug 27th-30th.

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Melodious Warbler by Chris Bond

Icterine and Melodious Warbler numbers in Kent over the last 20 years

95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14

I 3 4 6 - 9 - - - 1 2 - 2 - 3 5 4 1 - 1 1

M - 18 4 1 - 2 1 1 - 1 2 - 1 1 1 - 1 2 2 1

The first Ring Ouzel of the autumn was found at Sissinghurst on Sept 10th and was followed by up to 20 at Abbotscliffe, Kingsdown Lees, Gillingham, Margate, Folkestone, Leysdown-on-Sea, Manston, Samphire Hoe, Dungeness, Warden Point, Langdon Cliffs, Reculver and Bockhill. In addition to these counts there was a huge arrival of Ring Ouzels into Kent on Oct 14th with counts of 550 at Dungeness, 250 at St Margarets-at-Cliffe, 13 at Lympne and single figure counts at Swalecliffe, Reculver, Sissinghurst, Langdon Cliffs, Allhallows, Scotney, Oare Marshes, Shuart, Shellness, Folkestone, Stoke, Pegwell Bay and Abbotscliffe. Up to 80 birds were recorded from Dungeness and various other sites during the rest of the month. The first Fieldfare of the autumn was seen at Margate Cemetery on Sept 4th and the first Redwings at Reculver on Oct 13th.

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With easterly winds during the first three weeks of September good numbers of Whinchats and Common Redstarts were reported from many sites

. Whinchat by Mike Hook

During the autumn up to six Black Redstarts were seen at a minimum of 20 coastal sites. DUNNOCK TO BUNTINGS___ __________________ A Richard's Pipit was seen at Foreness on Sept 29th and a Tawny Pipit was found at Lower Hope Point on Aug 30th and 31st. Richard's and Tawny Pipit numbers in Kent over last 20 years

95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14

R 8 2 1 1 3 3 3 1 1 7 8 - 1 2 1 1 4 4 9 1

T 3 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 - - 2 - 1 1 1 - - - - 1

A Water Pipit was seen at Grove Ferry on Oct 14th with up to four during the rest of the month and with another at Bough on Oct 16th and one at Wouldham from Oct 22nd-29th. The only Crossbill of the autumn flew over DBO on Sept 22nd. A Lapland Bunting was heard at Oare Marshes on Sept 3rd and after that one or two were reported from Penshurst, DBO, Lade GPs, Bockhill, Reculver, Swalecliffe and Halstow Marshes with five at Sandwich Bay on Oct 28th. The first Snow Bunting of the autumn was found on the seawall at Reculver on Sept 25th and remained there until Oct 7th. Then during the rest of October

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up to five were recorded from Bockhill, Foreness, Sandwich Bay, Reculver and Grenham Bay. Single Ortolan Buntings were seen in stubble fields on the clifftops at Bishopstone on Aug 28th and Langdon Cliffs on Sept 17th and 22nd.

Ortolan Bunting numbers over the last 20 years showing recent significant decrease

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 WR = Wildlife Reserve GP = Gravel Pits BBRC = British Birds Rarities Committee CONTRIBUTORS_______________________________________________ This summary owes much to the contributors to the various sites in “Latest Sightings” on the KOS Website at www.kentos.org.uk, KOSForum, Twitter and the RBA Pager Hotline. Records have been contributed by M. Baldock, G. Barker, K. Barker, D. Barnes, V. Beaney, B. Benn, B. Beolens, P. Bereat, J. Bloor, Bockhill Birders, Bough Beech (per C. Langton), M. Bournat, R. Brockett, E. Brown, K. Browne, S. Broyd, N. Burt, G. Burton, F. Cackett, S. Carter, M. Casemore, J. Chantler, P. Chantler, B. Chapman, M. Chidwick, P. Cliffe, S. Clinch, M. Coath, R. Collins, G. Coultrip, K. Cutting, DBO (per D. Walker), N. Davies, R. Douthwaite, Dungeness RSPB, A. Dunstan, C. Dyett, D. Eade, B. East, D. Elvy, D. Faulkener, D. Feast, D. Featherbe, Folkestone and Hythe Birds (per I. Roberts), A. Ford, M. Garwood, C. Gibbard, D. Gibson, D. Gilbert, M. Gould, P. Graham, V. Green, J. Guiver, J. Hall, R. Heading, M. Heath, M. Henty, A. Hindle, C. Hindle, M. Hindle, A. Holcombe, B. Holcombe, J. Horton, S. Huggins, B. Hunt, K. Jarvis, C. Johnson, R. Keith, P. Larkins, A. Lawson, M. Lawson, A. Lipczynski, P.Lloyd, M. Longdon, J. MacKinnon, M. McVail, S. Message, P. Milton, T. Morris, S. Mount, J. Newiss, M. Norman, P. North, K. O’Donnell, R.O'Reilly, M. Orchard, D. Perrin, J. Perry, K. Privett, M. Puxley, J. Reeves, B. Ring, J. Rixon, C. Roome, M. Roser, J. Russell, B. Ryan, Samphire Hoe (per L. Collins, P. Holt, N, Samuel, P. Selwood, D. Smith, and P. Smith), SBBO (per I. Hodgson), G. Segelbacher, Sevenoaks WR (per S. Clerici), I. Shepherd, D. Smith, W. Stoneham, Swale NNR (per R. Smith, D. Faulkner, I. Davidson), S. Tilley, D. Tutt, D. van Orsouw, J. Walder, A. Ward,

95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14

4 7 1 1 4 1 1 1 1 - 1 - - - - - - - - 2

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A. Whitehouse, M. Wilson, T. Wilson, K. Witham, B. Woolhouse and B. Wright.

Fifty Years Ago Pallas’ Sandgrouse : on December 28

th 1964 a single bird seen by three

observers at Stodmarsh. Birds of Kent 1981

Pallas’s Sandgrouse, Mongolia 2014 by Gary Howard

This extraordinary record is a grand example of why we should never take anything for granted, even in the depths of winter. The record was rejected by

Letters and Notes

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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the Rarities Committee of the day, but later re-instated when one of their principal objections ( a lack of other records) was comprehensively demolished. A Pallas’ Sandgrouse, almost certainly the same bird, was present in East Flevoland, Holland from October 26

th until December the 25

th

1964, and had even been photographed on 24th December. A very good

account of the finding of this bird was included in the book “Bristow and the Hastings Rarities Affair” by James Harrison (pp.81 -83). There has not been another Kent record since, but I live in hope!!

Norman McCanch

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.