Dungeness RSPB reserve
Eric Brown, Doreen Newson, Maurice Ewart, Tony Dunstan, Thursday 4 March 2010, 10.50am to 3.45pm

Main target was garganey which arrived two days previously, the earliest date ever recorded for this species at this site

Bird list
Blackbird, bunting reed (12), common buzzard, chaffinch, carrion crow, coot, cormorant, duck tufted, fieldfare, gadwall, garganey (2m), goldeneye (m and f), grebe great crested, little, slavonian, gull black headed, common, lesser black-backed, greater black-backed, marsh harrier (4), grey heron, jackdaw, kestrel, lapwing, magpie, mallard, moorhen, oystercatcher, parakeet r-n (on journey), pheasant, pochard, redshank, redwing, shelduck, smew (4f), sparrowhawk, starling (200+), swan m, teal, thrush song, tit blue, great, long tailed, wagtail pied, wigeon, woodpecker green, woodpigeon, rock dove(feral pigeon)

Scotney Pit: Geese Barnacle (36), greylag, Total 50

General Observations
Three garaganey present. Two observed on Burrowes Pit, one opposite visitor centre and one from Scott hide. The slavonian grebe showed well down to a few feet on Hooker’s pit. Bittern and firecrest were also present but not seen.

Weather: Sunny and dry with bitterly cold wind

Thamesmere, Thamesmead and Crayford Marshes
Eric Brown, Maurice Ewart, Tuesday 2 March 2010, Thamesmere 10.40 am to 11.45 am, Crayford Marshes 12.30 pm to 3.40 pm

A trip to check out reports of scaup at Thamesmead and to see what's around at Crayford Marshes

Bird List
Thamesmere: pochard, tufted duck, mute swan, scaup (pair), teal, gadwall, mallard, great crested grebe, little grebe, cormorant, coot, moorhen, reed bunting, chaffinch, linnet (8), wren, dunnock, greenfinch, black headed gull, song thrush, goldfinch (6), Canada goose, feral pigeon (23).

Crayford Marshes: green woodpecker, little owl, magpie, skylark (singing), redwing (7), fieldfare (12), redshank (4), little egret (4), grey heron (3), common gull, lesser black backed gull, grey wagtail, linnet (8), oystercatcher, carrion crow, robin (8), dove collared, stock, woodpigeon, kestrel, wigeon, starling, lapwing, ring necked parakeet (12+), shoveler, house sparrow, tit blue, great, long tailed (28). Day total 51

General Observations
The scaup dozed in a reed-fringed lake alongside Morrisons supermarket with a good assortment of other ducks. On a rare fine and sunny day birds were active and singing from dunnocks and wrens in almost every hedgerow to skylark at Crayford Marshes. An exceptionally high tide covered mud and reduced wader sightings to just a couple. A little owl sat in a tree before disappearing into a split in a branch. In and around the same tree were a noisy bunch of parakeets. They were not mobbing the owl – yet. Fieldfare and redwing searched for food in muddy fields and a grey wagtail whizzed over the footpath to drink at the riverbank.

Weather: Fine, mild and sunny

Thamesmere, Thamesmead
Stephen Ansell, Monday 1 March 2010, 9.45 am to 10.30 am

A quick visit to see if reported Scaup were still present.

Bird List
Great crested grebe, mute swan, Canada goose, mallard, shoveler, pochard, tufted duck, scaup (2), buzzard, moorhen, coot, black-headed gull, collared dove, carrion crow, robin and blackbird. Total 16 species

General Observations
The pair of scaup were quickly found among numerous tufted duck. A buzzard was seen circling in the area towards the Thames. Park in Morrisons car park to view the lake.

Weather: Bright sunshine and fairly mild at last!

Hollyoak Wood Park, Haddon Grove, Sidcup
Eric Brown, Thursday 25 February 2010, 9 am

A little egret perched in a tree at the back of gardens above the river Shuttle and opposite Hollyoak Wood. The bird, and sometimes another, has been a regular winter visitor to this urban spot beside busy Willersley Avenue. A great photo opportunity.

Weather: Dull, cloudy

Upper College Farm – between Riverside Road, Albany Park and Bexley Station
Ralph Todd, Thursday 25 February 2010, 9 am - 10.30 am

Skylarks holding on in Albany Park, wren numbers seemed to have crashed.

Bird List
Little grebe (2), Canada goose (10), mallard (5), sparrowhawk, kestrel (4 including an active pair), moorhen (5), coot (a pair on nest), stock dove (7), woodpigeon (76), collared dove, ring-necked parakeet (14), green woodpecker (2), great spotted woodpecker (2), skylark (3), wren (3), Dunnock (4), robin (10), blackbird (16), song thrush (2), redwing (2), long-tailed tit (3), blue tit (8), great tit (11), magpie (30), jackdaw (2), carrion crow (12), starling (2), house sparrow (3), chaffinch (12), greenfinch, goldfinch (5), siskin (two flocks of approximately 30 and 20 respectively).

General Observations
The walk followed a prolonged period of rain following prolonged cold period – the possible reason for smaller number of songbirds.

Weather: A dry, bright morning

Hollyoak Wood, Haddon Grove, Sidcup
Eric Brown, Friday 19 February 2010, 9.45 am to 10 am

A quick look on a shopping trip (no binoculars)

Bird List
Blackbird, blue tit, great tit, long-tailed tit, robin, great spotted woodpecker, song thrush, starling, carrion crow, magpie (7), dunnock, little egret, house sparrow, ring-necked parakeet, black-headed gull, woodpigeon, greenfinch (6). Total 17 species

Weather: Bright but cold

Leysdown, Capel Fleet, Elmley RSPB reserve approach track
Eric Brown, Doreen Newson, Maurice Ewart, Tony Dunstan, Dave Thompson, Thursday 18 February 2010, 10.45 am to 3.45 pm

A look around Sheppey for waders and raptors

Bird List
Blackbird, bunting reed (4), carrion crow, coot, cormorant, curlew, collared dove, dunlin, dunnock, little egret, fieldfare (1,000+), gadwall, black-tailed godwit (200+), greenfinch, gull - blackheaded, common, herring, lesser black backed, marsh harrier (7), grey heron, jackdaw, kestrel (3), knot, lapwing, magpie, mallard, merlin (2), moorhen, barn owl, oystercatcher, red legged partridge, pheasant, pintail, meadow pipit (3), golden plover, grey plover, redshank, redwing (200+), robin, rook, sanderling, shelduck, shoveler, house sparrow, sparrowhawk, starling (2,500+), Bewicks swan (7), mute swan, teal, turnstone, song thrush, pied wagtail, wigeon (4,000+), woodpigeon. Total 58 species.

General Observations
A good selection of waders approached within feet of the promenade at Leysdown allowing us to watch from a rain-battered car. A large mixed flock of fieldfare and redwing were in a field opposite Leysdown cemetery, the Bewick’s herd was spotted on Harty Marshes but the only raptor species visible in the gloom from Capel Fleet viewpoint was marsh harrier. Merlin were spotted from the Elmley approach road and a rather damp day ended with Maurice spotting a barn owl hunting near the riverbank below Kingshill Farm. Considering the appalling conditions and reduced visibility we considered the number of species seen excellent.

Weather: Rain, rain and more rain. Oh and cloud and mist.

Conyer and Oare Marshes
Anthony Dunstan, Monday 15 February 2010, 9 am to noon (Conyer) 12.15 pm to 3.30 pm (Oare)

Bird List
Collared dove, house sparrow, song thrush, starling, blue tit, great tit, chaffinch, marsh harrier (5), teal (70), grey plover (30), avocet (100), curlew, brent geese (200), shelduck (100), wigeon (200), little grebe(5), eider, dunlin, black-tailed godwit, bar- tailed godwit, mallard, oystercatcher, red breasted merganser, great crested grebe, lapwing, snipe (12), coot, shoveler, long eared owl, pintail, tufted duck, moorhen, kestrel, reed bunting, ring plover, herring gull, common gull, black headed gull, greylag geese, pheasant, meadow pipit, wood pigeon, crow, jackdaw, little egret, common buzzard, bearded reedling (2), rock pipit, magpie, turnstone, iceland gull, blackbird, mistle thrush, redwing, gadwall.

General Observations
Much of Oare marsh main scrape was frozen over.

Weather: Minus 1° to 3°C. Sunny, no wind of note.

The Warren - Bexleyheath
Ralph Todd, Saturday 13 February 2010, 9.30 am to 10.30 am

Located between Broomfield Road and Midhurst Hill TQ493646

Bird List
Wood pigeon (24), ring-necked parakeet (10), great spotted woodpecker (4), wren (4), robin (2), blackbird, redwing (2), long-tailed tit (4), blue tit (18), great tit (8), nuthatch (3), jay, magpie (5), carrion crow (5), starling (2), house sparrow (5), greenfinch (2).

Weather: Broken cloud, bright, cold.

River Shuttle between the Black Prince interchange and Blendon Road, Bexley
Ralph Todd, Saturday 13 February 2010, 10.45 am to 11.30 am

Bird List
Little egret, mallard, moorhen (3), black-headed gull (1), woodpigeon (33), ring-necked parakeet, great spotted woodpecker (2), wren (2), robin, blackbird (2), redwing (27), mistle thrush (2), blue tit (3), great tit (4), magpie (6), carrion crow (10), starling (4), house sparrow (8), chaffinch (2), greenfinch.

General Observations
The little egret was feeding within 20 metres of the busy A2.

Weather: Broken cloud, bright, cold.

Darenth Country Park, Dartford
Stephen Ansell, Wednesday 10 February 2010, 9.00 am to 10.15 am

A walk around my local country park.

Bird List
Sparrowhawk, kestrel, stock dove, wood-pigeon, collared dove, green woodpecker, starling, magpie, carrion crow, wren, robin, blackbird, song thrush (3), mistle thrush (3), redwing (50), long-tailed tit, blue tit, great tit, chaffinch, greenfinch, goldfinch, ring-neck parakeet. (Total 22 species)

General Observations
Redwing, mistle thrush and song thrush feeding together in a field where horses were grazing.

Weather: Cloudy and very cold.

Romney Marshes and Dungeness RSPB Reserve
Doreen Newson, Eric Brown, Maurice Ewart, Wednesday 10 February 2010, 10.45 am to 3.30 pm

An expedition to the Arctic corner of Kent!

Bird Lst
Romney Marsh: Fieldfare (1,000+), redwing (60+), tree sparrow (7), yellowhammer (6), corn bunting (7), mute swan (100+), jackdaw, carrion crow, blue tit, great tit, chaffinch, greenfinch, dunnock, goldfinch, song thrush.

Haddon Grove, Willersley Park, Marlborough Park, Sidcup
Jacky Foot, Tuesday 9 February 2010

Bird List
Hollyoak: carrion crow, woodpigeon, blackbird, robin, blue tit, great tit, long tailed tit, chaffinch, black headed gull, goldfinch, starling, great spotted woodpecker, grey wagtail (2), little egret (2), ring neck parakeet, magpie, wren. 17 species.

Willersley Park: carrion crow, woodpigeon, magpie, blue tit, blackbird, ring neck parakeet, long tailed tit, house sparrow, great tit, song thrush, little egret, collared dove, black headed gull, robin, grey wagtail, dunnock. 16 species.

Marlborough Park: collared dove, carrion crow, jackdaw, magpie, blue tit, dunnock, robin, blackbird, ring neck parakeet, great tit, grey wagtail, starling. 12 species

Foots Cray Meadows
Philip Cliffe, Tuesday 9 February 2010, 10.30 am to noon

A wander around the southern half of FCM ie below Five Arches Bridge to look for water rail etc as I haven’t seen any at Danson Park for a while.

Bird List
Water rail, little egret, siskins (12+), tufted duck (16), gadwall (2), little grebe (8), great spotted woodpecker (a pair with one member drumming and a single)

Weather: Cold, calm, dry with sunny intervals

Woolwich Cemetery, Rockcliffe Gardens, East Wickham, Winns Common, Bostall Woods
Peter Kite, Jacky Foot, Saturday 6 February 2010, 10.30 am to 3.30 pm

A visit to some local areas.

Bird List
Woolwich Cemetery: woodpigeon, goldfinch, greenfinch, dunnock, coal tit, blue tit, robin, jay, carrion crow, ring neck parakeet, redwing (20+), magpie, cormorant (fly over), chaffinch, fieldfare (10+), mistle thrush (4), starling, great spotted woodpecker, great tit.Total 20 species.

Rockcliffe Gardens: great spotted woodpecker, coal tit, greenfinch, jay, blue tit, great tit, robin, blackbird, carrion crow, woodpigeon, chaffinch, ring neck parakeet, magpie, collared dove, long tail tit, house sparrow. Total 16 species.

East Wickham: fieldfare (30+), blackbird, woodpigeon, wren, chaffinch, blue tit, dunnock, great spotted woodpecker, ring neck parakeet, redwing (60+), carrion crow, greenfinch, great tit, long tail tit, jay, black headed gull, great, lesser black back gulls, common gull, mistle thrush, goldfinch. Total 23 species.

Winns Common: black headed gull, carrion crow (200+), robin, woodpigeon, blackbird, magpie, starling, goldfinch, jay, blue tit, great tit, long tail tit, song thrush, green woodpecker, greenfinch, chaffinch. Total 16 species.

Bostall Woods: great spotted woodpecker, woodpigeon, blue tit, magpie, great tit, marsh tit, green woodpecker, jay, blackbird, song thrush, black headed gull, common gull. Total 12 species.

General Observations
Surprised just how many blue and great tits seen at these locations, as well as green and great spotted woodpeckers and jays.

Weather: Misty grey start but fairly bright by mid afternoon

Haysden Country Park, Tonbridge
Stephen Ansell, Friday 5 February 2010, 10.45 am to 12.30 pm

A pleasant walk around Barden and Haysden lakes to seek goosanders.

Bird List
Great crested grebe, mute swan, greylag goose, Canada goose, Egyptian goose, mallard, pochard (20), tufted duck (100+), goosander (7 – 3 drakes), moorhen, coot, black-headed gull, woodpigeon, starling, magpie, carrion crow, robin, blackbird, blue tit, great tit, chaffinch. Total 21 species.

General Observations
Goosanders found on Haysden Water, excellent views of both male and female.

Weather: Sunny spells and feeling mild. Area around Haysden Water very muddy.

The Hollies and Lamorbey Park, Sidcup
Eric Brown, Maurice Ewart, Thursday 4 February 2010, 11.00 am to 12.45 pm

A short local walk during a let up in rain

Bird List
Blackbird, starling, redwing (6), robin, wren, nuthatch (4), ring-necked parakeet, blue tit, great tit, long-tailed tit, coal tit, dunnock, magpie, jay, carrion crow, black headed gull, herring gull, moorhen, Canada goose, greylag goose, little grebe (3), great spotted woodpecker, green woodpecker, mallard, chaffinch, greenfinch, cormorant (7), grey heron, woodpigeon, feral pigeon, stock dove. Total 31 species

General Observations
Excellent total with nuthatches busy calling in both venues. Greenfinch, chaffinch, robin, dunnock, green woodpecker and woodpigeon were all calling while the great spotted woodpecker was drumming.

Weather: Dull and cloudy. Very wet after heavy rain.

Sutcliffe Park, Eltham
Peter Kite, Tuesday 2 February 2010, 10.00 am to 11.15 am

A brief visit to see what changes have been made to the reserve.

Bird List
Carrion crow (100+), magpie, redwing (60+), moorhen, coot, mallard, tufted duck, pochard, mute swan, greylag goose, Canada goose (20+), black headed gull, herring gull, common gull (8), woodpigeon, pied wagtail, grey wagtail (1 pr), goldfinch, greenfinch, blackbird, starling, blue tit, great spotted woodpecker, jack snipe. 24 species

Surprised to almost tread on the jack snipe. It flew to two locations and then was flushed by a dog. Last seen heading towards the river Quaggy on the other side of the road.

Weather: Overcast and dull with shower

Lamorbey Park, Sidcup
Jacky Foot, Monday 1 February 2010

Three-quarters of lake frozen

Bird List
Magpie, blue tit, blackbird (100+), Canada goose, black headed gull, jay, robin, long tailed tit, goldfinch, song thrush, woodpigeon, great tit, ring neck parakeet, coot, moorhen, redwing (6), wren, common gull, chaffinch, goldcrest, mallard, water rail. 22 species

Weather: Bright but very cold

Rockcliffe Gardens/East Wickham Open Space
Jacky Foot, Sunday 31 January 2010

Bird List
Rockcliffe Gardens: magpie, robin, blackbird, great spotted woodpecker, great tit, woodpigeon, jay, blue tit, song thrush, wren, ring neck parakeet, carrion crow. 12 species.

East Wickham: carrion crow, robin, great tit, green woodpecker (4), black headed gull, woodpigeon, magpie, blue tit, blackbird, redwing (30+), common gull, starling. 12 species.

General Observations
Three foxes together at Rockcliffe.

Weather: Sunny but chilly.

Footscray Meadows
Peter Kite, Jacky Foot, Saturday 30 January 2010, 9.30 am to 12.40 pm

Bird List
Starling, long tailed tit, blue tit, great tit, ring neck parakeet, great spotted woodpecker (8+), woodpigeon, collared dove, stock dove, jackdaw, carrion crow, robin, goldfinch, greenfinch, dunnock, wren, chaffinch, fieldfare, black headed gull, malllard, shoveler (3), moorhen, coot, tufted duck, little grebe (10), mute swan, gadwall (4 prs), little egret, grey wagtail (2), song thrush, greylag goose, kestrel. 33 species.

Weather: Bright sunshine, fresh no breeze.

Rockcliffe Gardens/Woolwich Cemetery
Jacky Foot, Saturday 24 January 2010

Bird list
Rockcliffe Gardens: robin, carrion crow, woodpigeon, blue tit, great tit, great spotted woodpecker, goldcrest, wren, jay, blackbird, song thrush, magpie, long tailed tit, ring necked parakeet. 14 species.

Woolwich Cemetery: robin, woodpigeon, carrion crow, great spotted woodpecker, ring necked parakeet, fieldfare, blue tit, great tit, blackbird, jay, starling, dunnock, wren, magpie. 14 species.

General Observations
Also grey squirrels, white deadnettle in flower.

Weather: Overcast, damp.

Crossness protected area
Philip Cliffe, Tuesday 19 January 2010, 11.00 am to 12.30 pm

The hen harrier was first seen being mobbed by a sparrowhawk over the end of the protected area and adjacent island field at about 11.15 am then again at 12.15.

Bird List
Hen harrier (m) , sparrowhawk, wigeon, gadwall, teal, shoveler, reed bunting (2), redwing (large flock), chaffinches, goldfinches, etc.

Weather: Cold (7 degrees), calm, dull

London Wetland Centre, Barnes
Eric Brown, Maurice Ewart, Tuesday 19 January 2010, 10.45 am to 2.30 pm

Bittern found skulking in reeds and black-tailed godwit an unusual record for the site. Redpolls located feeding in birch feet above a busy path stayed at least one hour. Surprisingly, no water rails, siskins or jack snipe seen.

Bird List
Blackbird, wren, bittern, moorhen, coot, wigeon, gadwall, shoveler, shelduck, pochard, teal, mallard, tufted duck, pintail, mute swan, chaffinch, greenfinch, redpoll (2), robin, starling (100+), black headed gull, cormorant, green woodpecker, black tailed godwit, stock dove, Egyptian goose (2), greylag goose, Canada goose, fieldfare, grey heron (12+), lapwing (100+), blue tit, great tit, long-tailed tit, carrion crow, jackdaw. magpie, woodpigeon, grebe great crested, little, ring-necked parakeet, snipe, house sparrow, TOTAL 43 species

General Observations
An admission price of £9.75 will prevent frequent visits.

Weather: Dull, dry, cold breeze.

River Thames from Thamesmead Golf Club to and including Crossness West Paddock
Ralph Todd, Friday 15 January 2010, 10.45 am to 12.30 pm

Bar tailed godwit unusual here in winter.

Bird List
Blackbird (2), wigeon, tufted duck (8), shoveler (8), cormorant (38), moorhen (3), black-tailed godwit (51+), bar-tailed godwit (2), lapwing (at least 190), dunlin (at least 300), shelduck (45+), teal (over 1,000), redwing (35), yellow-legged gull, lesser black-backed gull (22), common gull (3), black-headed gull (at least 300), herring gull (4), curlew, sparrowhawk, mallard (4), gadwall (at least 136), wren, dunnock, skylark (2), snipe, fieldfare (48), robin (2), greylag goose (2), Canada goose (54), woodpigeon (c150).

General Observations
Rising tide

Weather: Overcast – some inland areas still frozen

Southmere Lake - Thamesmead
Ralph Todd, Friday 15 January 2010, 12.45 pm

A very brief stop to see if the goldeneye was still present – it was.

Apart from one undated record from Crayford Creek this appears to be the only Thamesside record. Only others for Bexley are: 3 from Foots Cray Meadows (Five Arches) 1984, 1987 and 1991, two from Danson Park lake (1953 and 1957) and once by Barry Wright at Crayford Creek undated.

Bird List
Goldeneye, mute swan (14), pochard (26), tufted duck (42), coot (30+), black-headed gulls, common gulls, lesser black-backed gulls.

Weather: Overcast, much of lake still frozen

Danson Park, Bexleyheath
Ralph Todd, Friday 15 January 2010, 1.45 pm to 2.45 pm

Bird List
Coot (78+), black-headed gull (124+), common gull (65), moorhen (43+), mallard (118), blackbird (4), Canada goose (51), ring-necked parakeet (4), chaffinch (1), blue tit (2), carrion crow (30+), fieldfare, wren (5), grey heron (5), great tit (3), cormorant (7), mute swan (2), woodpigeon (28+), tufted duck (3), starling (3), redwing (82+).

Weather: Overcast – most of lake still frozen

Reculver KWT Reserve
Peter Kite, Jacky Foot, Friday 15 January 2010, 1.15 pm to 2.30 pm

A walk from the towers to the end of the oyster farm.

Bird List
Pied wagtail, white wagtail, house sparrow, starling, meadow pipit, reed bunting, stonechat, goldfinch, great tit, mute swan, little egret, mallard, pochard, little grebe, redshank, ringed plover, cormorant, black headed gull, herring gull, common gull, brent goose (3,500+), pale bellied brent (6+), black brant, spotted redshank (2), lapwing (2,500+), golden plover (100+), hen harrier (f), kestrel, buzzard, woodpigeon, magpie, carrion crow, song thrush, rook, robin. Total 34 species

Weather: Bright, fresh breeze.

Footscray Meadows, Sidcup
Ralph Todd, Friday 8 January 2010, 2 pm to 4 pm

Bird List
Lesser spotted woodpecker, great spotted woodpecker (2), green woodpecker, kestrel, dunnock (2), mute swan (2 adult 2 1st winter), grey heron, little egret, cormorant, stock dove, carrion crow (20), great tit (5), shoveler (3 male 4 female), coot (14), moorhen (24), mallard (34), black-headed gull (74), common gull (2), gadwall (4), tufted duck (16), little grebe (13), teal, ring-necked parakeet (14), chaffinch (7), blue tit (7), robin (3), wood pigeon (35), blackbird (3), wren (9), snipe (2), song thrush, redwing, grey wagtail (2), water rail, fieldfare (9), magpie (6), siskin (16), jackdaw (3), long-tailed tit.

Weather: Snow on the ground, freezing conditions, clear blue sky – great sunset.

Danson Park, Bexleyheath
Ralph Todd, Thursday 7 January 2010, 2.30 to 3.30 pm

Wondered what an iced up Danson Park Lake would produce.

Bird List
Black-headed gull (57), common gull (22), mistle thrush, moorhen (47), coot (22), carrion crow (16), lesser-black backed gull (3), mallard (83), mute swan (2), cormorant , wren, Canada goose (13), great spotted woodpecker, ring-necked parakeet (10), shoveler (4), woodpigeon (13), collared dove (2), goldfinch, meadow pipit, starling (8), redwing (4).

Weather: Below freezing - snow and ice covering ground. Gloomy.

Redwing Picture by Tony Dunstan	Redwing Picture by Tony Dunstan	Redwing Picture by Tony Dunstan
Redwing. Pictures by Tony Dunstan

Sevenoaks, Bough Beech Reservoir, Kent Wildlife Trust Reserves
Eric Brown, Steve Sheppard, Maurice Ewart, Tuesday 5 January 2010, Sevenoaks 10.15 am to 1.00 pm BB 1.30 pm to 3 pm

A first trip of the year to locate commoner species

Bird List
Sevenoaks WR: Blackbird, chaffinch, carrion crow, coot, cormorant, dove collared, rock(feral pigeon), duck tufted, dunnock, fieldfare, gadwall, goldcrest, goldfinch, goose canada, Egyptian, greylag, snow, grebe great crested, little, gull black headed, common, great black backed, egret little, heron grey, jay (3), kestrel, lapwing (60+), magpie, mallard, moorhen, pochard, redwing, robin (30+), shoveler, snipe (6), sparrowhawk (2), starling, swan mute, teal, thrush song, tit blue, long-tailed (40+), great, treecreeper, wagtail pied, grey, wigeon, woodpecker great spotted, woodpigeon, wren. Total 50 species.

Bough Beech: included all of the above EXCEPT treecreeper, goldfinch, goldcrest, egyptian goose, snow goose, great black backed gull, common gull, sparrowhawk and grey wagtail. Additional species were: goosander (2 pairs), mandarin, kingfisher, jackdaw, nuthatch, pheasant, greenfinch.

On Journey: ring necked parakeet, house sparrow. Day total 59 species

General Observations
There were huge numbers of (very tame) robins at both venues, some venturing as close as a couple of feet. At Sevenoaks, two female sparrowhawks perched in the same tree, regularly chased pigeons and one was mobbed by a crow. Half a dozen snipe were on the main lake when a noisy flock of Canada and greylag geese dropped in with a single snow goose among them. No siskin or redpoll were found. After a pager alert of a drake smew at Bough Beech we arrived within half an hour but the target eluded us and three other birders. Compensation came with two pairs of goodander, plenty of mandarin and entertaining feeding frenzy on the orchard feeders (why aren’t they squirrel proof?). Two grey squirrels were busy depriving birds of food.

Weather: Very cold, thick frost with large areas at Sevenoaks frozen. No snow.

Garden at Dorset Avenue, Welling
Steve and Sandra Sheppard, Saturday 2 January 2010

Bird list
Fieldfare (4), redwing (1), green woodpecker, black headed gulls (3) (the gulls were a first in our garden), plus dunnock, robin, starling, feral and wood pigeons, great and blue tits, carrion crow and house sparrow.

General Observations
The winter thrushes were a rare treat for us. Their reason for visiting was a mass of unharvested apples on the lawn.

Weather: Bright cold dry

Shellness, Capel Fleet, Isle of Sheppey
Peter Kite, Jacky Foot, Friday 1 January 2010, 9.30am to 3.30 pm

First trip of the new year to Shellness followed by a brief visit to Capel Fleet.

Bird List
Shellness: blackbird, jackdaw, rook, woodpigeon, black headed gull, robin, wren, herring gull, lapwing (5000+), golden plover (6000+), grey plover (300+), redshank, sanderling (400+), turnstone (800+), brent goose (2500+), whimbrel (80+), lesser black back gull, great black back gull, kittiwake, little gull, stonechat, skylark, marsh harrier, hen harrier, peregrine, sparrowhawk, merlin, red legged partridge, house sparrow, carrion crow, pied wagtail, linnet, snow bunting (6), greylag goose, mallard, shelduck (60+), bar tailed godwit (350+), spotted redshank, knot (2500+), meadow pipit, oystercatcher (3000+), starling, magpie, reed bunting, cormorant, rock pipit, little egret, snipe, fieldfare, moorhen, ringed plover (150+). Total 52 species.

Capel Fleet: marsh harrier, hen harrier (3), kestrel, woodpigeon, mallard, lapwing (3000+), golden plover (4000+), starling, shelduck, red legged partridge. Total 10 species.

Weather: Clear, bright and sunny, stiff north westerly wind.

Haddon Grove, Sidcup
Eric Brown, Friday 1 January 2010, 11 am to noon

A short local walk to start the new year

Little Egret Picture by Peter Kite

Little Egret. Picture by Peter Kite

General Observations
A little egret perched in a tree overlooking the river Shuttle while small groups of redwings circled in search of berries. A couple landed in my garden.

Weather: Bright but very cold