Cliffe Pools, Northward Hill RSPB Reserves
Eric Brown, Doreen Newson, Tuesday 23 June 2009, 10.45am to 4.00pm

A walk around Cliffe where the new car park is nearing completion and brief trip to Northward Hill where a peregrine buzzed a pigeon sending feathers flying but did not linger to press home the attack.

Bird List
Cliffe (main sp only); shelduck (300+), curlew (9), lapwing, oystercatcher (20), little egret (6) kestrel.

Northward Hill: Great crested grebe, little grebe, peregrine, hobby (2), marsh harrier, kestrel, linnet (8), whitethroat, ruddy duck 3 (2 ducks one drake), goldfinch, avocet (12)

General Observations
Butterflies: red admiral, large white, meadow brown,

Moth: Cinnabar (6)

Weather: Very hot 28° C

Old Lodge/The Hollies, Ashdown Forest, Sussex
Maurice Ewart, Eric Brown, Steve Sheppard,Wednesday 10 June 2009, 10.40 am to 3.45 pm

A walk round Old Lodge nature reserve followed by a brief visit to the Hollies.

Bird List
Kestrel, hobby, pheasant, common gull, collared dove, stock dove, woodpigeon, cuckoo (h), green woodpecker, great spotted woodpecker, woodlark (4), skylark, swallow, tree pipit (3), wren, robin, redstart (17+), stonechat (6), blackbird, song thrush, whitethroat, chiffchaff, willow warbler, coal tit, blue tit, great tit, nuthatch, carrion crow, chaffinch, linnet (30 species) and en route - jackdaw, magpie, starling, house sparrow, house martin, ring-necked parakeet.

G eneral Observations
The day got off to a great start with a juvenile redstart begging for food and then three woodlarks in flight all within 200 yards of the car park. A further woodlark gave good views as it sat on some wires. Redstarts were abundant and gave good views with two adults providing food at a nest site and also with a stunning male feeding two of its young (and possibly a third) on the path in front of us. A tree pipit gave great views with its regular parachuting song flight and then sitting on a wire about three feet from a male stonechat.

A hobby appeared briefly just as a flock of swallows flew overhead.

Although Dartford warblers are still being seen on Ashdown Forest we were unsuccessful in locating any during a short visit to the Hollies not helped by the cool, breezy weather.

Butterfly: small tortoiseshell

Weather: Cool and cloudy but dry after an early shower. Wind moderate, southerly.

Scadbury Park, Sidcup, Kent. Chislehurst Ponds
Peter Kite, Jacky Foot, Saturday 6 June 2009, 10:30 am to 2.45pm

A first visit for Jacky, who did not expect to hear so many birds singing.
Bird list or sightings of note (in format Waxwing (4), Jay (2) etc)
Woodpigeon, blackbird, robin, wren, chaffinch, goldfinch, song thrush, mistle thrush, magpie, carrion crow, jackdaw, jay, green woodpecker, great spotted woodpecker, lesser spotted woodpecker, nuthatch, coot, moorhen, mallard, tufted duck, Canada Goose, pied wagtail, swift, whitethroat, blackcap, garden warbler, chiffchaff, stock dove, ring necked parakeet, great tit, blue tit, long tailed tit, goldcrest, grey wagtail. Total 34 species

Weather: Light drizzle, some sunny periods, quite warm

Crossness River Bank
Eric Brown, Peter Sussex, Thursday 4 June 2009, Time
11.50 am to 2.50 pm

A short walk along the river path from the golf centre to the platform just beyond the outfall especially to seek ruddy shelduck and black tern reported in previous few days. Neither seen.

Bird List
Whitethroat (8), reed warbler (3), oystercatcher (8), gadwall (pr), mallard, shelduck (200+), black headed gull (200+), lesser black backed gull, linnet (4), woodpigeon (40), robin, blckbird, pied wagtail (3), house sparrow, dunnock, carrion crow, common tern (30+), kestrel, mute swan, cormorant, grey heron (6), great crested grebe, coot, moorhen, lapwing, wren, feral pigeon, blue tit, great tit, greenfinch (2), magpie. Total 31 species

General Observations
Butterflies: small white, painted lady, holly blue.

Weather: Warm bright sunshine, no wind

Elmley, RSPB Reserve, Isle of Sheppey, Kent
Peter Kite, Karen Hills, Saturday 30 May 2009, 10:00 am to 2.35 pm 

Bird List
Black headed gull, mute swan, starling, woodpigeon, magpie, carrion crow, meadow pipit, skylark, marsh harrier (10+), yellow wagtail, redshank, lapwing, reed bunting, reed warbler, sedge warbler, swallow, house sparrow, wren, pheasant, coot, little grebe, hobby, moorhen, kestrel, shelduck, mallard, garganey, ringed plover, shoveler, blackbird, goldfinch, pied wagtail, tufted duck, little egret, pochard, corn bunting, common tern, oystercatcher, Canada goose, avocet (40+), lesser black back gull, herring gull, grey heron, swift, green woodpecker, greylag goose, cormorant, buzzard, little owl. Total: 49 species

Avocet Elmley RSPB Reserve 30 May 2009 Picture by Peter Kite	Avocet Chick Elmley RSPB Reserve 30 May 2009 Picture by Peter Kite	Meadow Pipit Elmley RSPB Reserve 30 May 2009 Picture by Peter Kite
Avocet	Avocet Chick	Meadow Pipit
Pictures by Peter Kite

General Observations
Butterflies: small white, peacock, small heath, painted lady, clouded yellow, meadow brown, common blue, Moth; cream spot tiger moth.

Cream Spot Tiger Moth Elmley RSPB Reserve 30 May 2009 Picture by Peter Kite
Cream Spot Tiger Moth Picture by peter kite

Weather: Sunny and very warm

Oare Marshes
Maurice Ewart, Eric Brown, Doreen Newson, Wednesday 27 May 2009, 10.30 am to 3.30 pm

A look at the scrub opposite the cottages followed by a walk round the east flood and then a visit to the west flood hide.

Bird List
Little grebe, great crested grebe, cormorant, little egret (6+), grey heron, mute swan, greylag goose, Canada goose, shelduck, wigeon (2), gadwall, mallard, shoveler, pochard (2), tufted duck, marsh harrier (7+), kestrel, hobby, moorhen, coot, oystercatcher, avocet (13), lapwing, black-tailed godwit (250+), whimbrel, curlew, redshank, black-headed gull, herring gull, lesser black-backed gull, great black-backed gull, common tern, little tern (3+), collared dove, turtledove (3), woodpigeon, cuckoo (h), swift (200+), sand martin (50+), swallow (30+), house martin (50+), meadow pipit, yellow wagtail, pied wagtail, blackbird, sedge warbler, reed warbler. whitethroat, bearded tit (h), magpie, carrion crow, starling, house sparrow, greenfinch, reed bunting (12+). Total 55 species

General Observations
With the weather feeling like winter and a strong wind most small birds kept out of sight although this did result in a large influx of hirundines and swifts which continuously hawked for insects over the east flood as did the single hobby. None of the large number of black-tailed godwits (most in breeding plumage) were on the shore even at low tide, feeding instead in groups throughout the east flood. Little terns were spotted feeding off the shingle bank at Castle Coote and seen from the seawall hide. Marsh harriers showed well, with a food pass observed.

Also seen: brown hare on the beach at Castle Coote and fox.

Weather: Cold with rain at times in a strong south westerly wind.

Crayford Marsh
Peter Kite, Jacky Foot, Monday 25 May 2009, 09:30 am to 3.45 pm

Return visit to seek more dragonflies but none seen.

Bird List
Collared dove, woodpigeon, swift, swallow, house martin, chaffinch, blue tit, great tit, wren, robin, dunnock, whitethroat (10+), blackcap, blackbird, skylark (6), herring gull, magpie, carrion crow, starling (200+), pheasant, marsh harrier, redshank, moorhen, house sparrow, mallard, cormorant, ring-neck parakeet, black headed gull, mute swan, reed warbler, linnet, lesser black back gull, reed bunting (6), lapwing, shelduck, meadow pipit, sedge warbler, greenfinch, pied wagtail, grey wagtail, great black backed gull, goldfinch. 42 species.

General Observations
Butterflies: large white, small white, green veined white, common blue, holly blue, large skipper, green hairstreak, peacock, painted lady (150+).

Moths; yellow shell, silvery, burnet companion, lattice heath (20+)

Weather: Overcast, light shower, then very hot by mid-day.

Stodmarsh NNR
Maurice Ewart, Eric Brown, Doreen Newson, Tony Dunstan, Wednesday 20 May 2009, 10.45am to 4.15pm

A circular walk from Stodmarsh car park to the viewing ramp at Grove Ferry returning via the river bank path and Chambers Wall.

Bird List
Great crested grebe, cormorant, little egret, grey heron, mute swan, greylag goose, shelduck, gadwall, mallard, shoveler, pochard, tufted duck, common buzzard, marsh harrier, kestrel, hobby (20+), pheasant, water rail (h), moorhen, coot, avocet (2), black-winged pratincole, ringed plover, little ringed plover, lapwing, bar-tailed godwit, common sandpiper (2), black-headed gull, herring gull, common tern, collared dove, stock dove, woodpigeon, turtle dove, cuckoo, swift (100+), kingfisher, great spotted woodpecker, swallow, pied wagtail, wren, robin, nightingale (h), stonechat, blackbird, Cetti’s warbler (15+), grasshopper warbler, sedge warbler, reed warbler (100+), whitethroat, garden warbler, blackcap, chiffchaff, blue tit, great tit, jay, magpie, jackdaw, rook, carrion crow, starling, house sparrow, chaffinch, greenfinch, reed bunting. (65 species)

General Observations
Highlight undoubtedly the smart black-winged pratincole (first in Britain for eight years) which had left the vicinity of the Marsh Hide by 11am but was seen well on the ground from Harrison’s Drove hide and then in flight for an hour while it hawked for insects among swifts and hobbies. Later it was seen again on the ground from the ramp. At one point 20 hobbies hunted together in a spectacular aerial show. Marsh harriers gave excellent views and reed warblers/buntings were abundant although we had to work harder for an elusive grasshopper warbler reeling away in thick grass near the river bank

Butterflies: orange tip, small white

Weather: Warm and sunny with a light SW breeze

Rainham Marshes RSPB reserve
Ian, Nikki & Leanne Willmott, Wednesday 20 May 2009, 10.30 am to 1.30 pm

Went in search of Warblers and were not disappointed.

Bird List
Little grebe, great crested grebe, cormorant, little egret, grey heron, mute swan, greylag goose, Canada goose, shelduck, mallard, gadwall, tufted duck, moorhen, coot, lapwing, redshank, black headed gull, herring gull, great black-backed gull, lesser black-backed gull, woodpigeon, collared dove, swift, sand martin, skylark, pied wagtail, wren, dunnock, robin, blackbird, blackcap, whitethroat, sedge warbler, reed warbler (10+) Cetti’s warbler, blue tit, magpie, jackdaw, carrion crow, starling, house sparrow, goldfinch, greenfinch, reed bunting. (45 species)

Weather: Sunny with a little cloud, breezy at times.

Regent’s Park, London
Eric Brown, Philip Cliffe, Friday 15 May 2009, 10.50 am to 12.50 pm

Having dipped on garganey at Oare, Stodmarsh, Elmley and Northward Hill, an expedition to seek the wild drake reported on birdlines to have paired with a female from the Park collection.

Bird List
Pochard, red crested pochard (10), tufted duck, mallard, moorhen, coot, whooper swan (6), greylag goose, Canada goose, bar-headed goose, Egyptian goose, smew (drake), wood duck, mandarin, garganey (5 drakes 3 fem), pintail, shelduck, ferruginous duck, goldeneye, grey heron (20+), common sandpiper, reed warbler, carrion crow (30+), magpie, jay, starling, blackbird, dunnock, robin, cormorant, great spotted woodpecker, blackcap, greenfinch, pied wagtail, lesser black backed gull, herring gull, long-tailed tit (3), swift house martin, blue-winged teal, marbled duck, chaffinch, goldfinch. Total 43 species.

General Observations
After such an abysmal time trying to locate garganey it was a shock to reach the blue bridge at the end of the boating lake, as directed, to be confronted with eight ! Four drakes formed a lively gang chasing females and generally being active on the water while one drake remained half asleep on the bank alongside a female. We concluded this must be the wild bird. It was difficult to decide where the exotics ended and the wild species began. The red crested pochard, for example, were certainly free flying. Several unusual wildfowl shared the waterfall area with the garganey and they are all listed simply for reference purposes. A couple were not identifiable. Some of the geese had goslings and grey herons occupied treetop nests. Reed warblers sang from the reeds and common sandpiper was a surprise.

Weather: Cloudy with sunny spells. Breezy.

Elmley RSPB Reserve, Isle of Sheppey
Tony Dunstan, Eric Brown, Doreen Newson and Dave Thompson, Wednesday 13 May 2009,10.30 am to 4.30 pm

A visit to seek garganey, yellow wagtail and anything else of interest on a reserve rendered quiet by black-winged pratincole fever at Stodmarsh.

Bird List
Jackdaw, carrion crow, rook, starling, lapwing, red legged partridge, gadwall, black headed gull, kestrel, grey heron, shoveller, little egret, greenshank, meadow pipit, swallow, house sparrow, avocet, pochard, mallard, moorhen, coot, oystercatcher, swift, tufted duck, reed bunting, pheasant, sedge warbler, redshank, yellow wagtail (12+), spotted redshank, black tailed godwit (7), ringed plover, cormorant, pied wagtail, greylag goose, Canada goose, skylark, shelduck, marsh harrier, common tern, whimbrel, common sandpiper, turnstone (13), dunlin, robin, blackbird, grey plover, corn bunting, little grebe, house martin, wheatear, grey partridge. Total 52 species.

General Observations
A number of avocets had young chicks which they were defending . We missed a common buzzard overhead while we were in a hide and could not locate any of the garganey reported at the reserve. Little owl and barn owl also remained hidden out of the strong wind.

Weather: Dull, poor visibility , 13° C cold easterly wind. Brief rainshower.

Rye Harbour LNR, Sussex
Eric Brown, Steve and Sandra Sheppard, Monday 11 May 2009, 11.20 am to 5.00 pm

A walk for Med gulls and others to be found at this excellent reserve

Bird List
Avocet (7), blackbird, blackcap, chaffinch, chiffchaff, carrion crow, coot, cormorant, dove collared, stock, rock (feral pigeon), white (dom), tufted duck, dunlin (7), dunnock, gadwall, godwit bar-tailed, black tailed, greylag goose, gull black-headed, herring, lesser-black backed, Mediterranean (60+), jay, kestrel, lapwing, linnet, magpie, mallard, house martin, moorhen, oystercatcher, pheasant, meadow pipit, ringed plover, little ringed plover, redshank, sanderling (3), shelduck, skylark, house sparrow, starling, mute swan, swallow, swift, tern common, sandwich, thrush mistle, song, turnstone, pied wagtail, warbler Cetti’s, reed, sedge, wheatear (6), whimbrel, whitethroat, woodpigeon, yellow wagtail. Total 59 species

General Observations
A howling wind all day made observation difficult and disaster was narrowly averted several times as telescopes began to topple. A total of 92 species had been recorded the previous day in an official survey but considering conditions which made both sighting and hearing birds tricky our total was excellent. Some waders hunkered down in mud bunkers. Hearing a turtle dove call would have been near impossible. Many small birds stayed out of sight in scrub but obliging whitethroats and sedge warblers sang from swaying bush tops. A ringed plover performed its "broken wing" trick on the beach where we found three snoozing sanderling. Black headed gulls already had young but the Med gulls were still brooding. Possible hobby and turtle dove were not listed owing to the problem of positive flight identification posed by binoculars wobbling in the wind. No little terns seen.

Weather: Near gale force wind but dry and sunny

Dungeness RSPB Reserve
Anthony Dunstan, Sunday 10 May 2009, 8am to 5pm

Organised car trip by ex-SE Group.

Bird List
Cormorant (20+), little egret, Slavonian grebe, great crested grebe, little grebe, coot, moorhen, whimbrel (7), curlew (5), little ringed plover (2), ringed plover, pectoral sandpiper, Pomarine skua (4), eider duck, common tern, herring gull, common gull, black headed gull, yellow legged gull (3), great black backed gull, lesser black backed gull, swallow, swift, mute swan, Canada goose, greylag goose, lapwing, dunlin, redshank, oystercatcher, grey heron, mallard, shoveler, gadwall, garganey, pochard, tufted duck, shellduck,wigeon, carrion crow, jackdaw, blackbird, whitethroat (4), linnet, pied wagtail, sedge warbler, reed warbler, dunnock, starling, kestrel, hobby (5), cuckoo, marsh harrier, merlin, woodpigeon, pheasant.

General Observations
At 10.45 am the majority of the group left Dungeness to twitch a black winged pratincole reported at Reculver, leaving three members to continue around the reserve.

Weather: 18° C. Sunny. SE wind veering Easterly and strengthening.

Knole Park, Sevenoaks
Peter Kite, Saturday 9 May 2009, 10.39 am

Sidcup and District Natural History Group trip

Bird List
Chaffinch, swallow, jackdaw, greylag goose, starling, woodpigeon, pied wagtail, blackbird, carrion crow, green woodpecker, great spotted woopecker, great tit, stock dove, goldfinch, moorhen, sparrowhawk, magpie, robin, long-tailed tit, wren, chiffchaff, yellowhammer, willow warbler (6+), blackcap, mistle thrush, mallard, redstart (2), collared dove, blue tit, greenfinch, dunnock. 31 species

Weather: Sunny with fresh breeze

Weather: Overcast, very windy

Elmley RSPB Reserve, Isle of Sheppey
Ian, Nikki & Leanne Willmott, Monday 4 May 2009, 8.30 am to 1.00 pm

My wife and I along with our 2½ year old little blonde scarecrow spent a fantastic day having a leisurely stroll to two hides and ticking off 46 different species of bird. Good fun.

Bird List
Great crested grebe, little egret, grey heron, mute swan, shelduck, mallard, gadwall, shoveller, tufted duck, marsh harrier (2), kestrel, grey partridge, pheasant, moorhen, coot, oystercatcher, avocet, ringed plover, lapwing, common sandpiper, redshank, spotted redshank, black tailed godwit, whimbrel, BH gull, Meditteranean Gull (10+), common tern, common gull, woodpigeon, collared dove, swift, skylark, sand martin, swallows, pied wagtail, yellow wagtail, (30+), blackbird, sedge warbler (10+), magpie, crow, starling, house sparrow, linnet, reed bunting, corn bunting and hobby perched in a tree by the farmhouse.

General Observations
Mammals: Brown hares, rabbits

Amphibians: marsh frogs (noisy)

Weather: Sunny to start with, turning overcast.

Crayford Marsh
Peter Kite, Jacky Foot, Monday 4 May 2009, 9.30 am to 3.40 pm

A bus excursion to a site not visited before but will definitely return soon

Bird List
House sparrow, woodpigeon, collared dove, swallow (20+), ring neck parakeet, starling, dunnock, whitethroat (30+), lesser whitethroat (2), blackbird, herring gull, carrion crow, jay, house martin (20+), wren, grey heron, linnet, chaffinch, magpie, skylark, garden warbler (2), blackcap, greenfinch, yellowhammer, pheasant, blue tit, redshank (8), shelduck, reed bunting, reed warbler (4), mallard, sedge warbler (8+), mute swan, lapwing, black headed gull, coot, pied wagtail, robin, oystercatcher (6), whimbrel (2), cormorant, grey wagtail, great bl b gull, lesser bl b gull, stonechat, moorhen, little grebe, song thrush, swift (60+), common tern. 50 species

General Observations
Flowers/plants: white/red deadnettle, cow parsley, hoary cress, bush/tufted/spring vetch, bluebell, hedge garlic, groundsel, salad burnet, green alkanet, white/red campion, round leaved cranesbill, valerian, ragwort, greater celandine, field poppy, comfrey, hawthorne, elder.

Butterflies: small, large white, green veined white, orange tip, peacock, small tortoiseshell, wall brown, speckled wood.

Dragonfly: hairy hawker

Weather: Overcast, sunny spells, a few light showers, light breeze.

Crossness Nature Reserve
Karen Sutton, Andrew Waller & 9 Friends of Crossness Nature Reserve, Friday 1 May 2009, 8.30 am to 10.30 am

Bird List
Black-headed gull (14), blackbird (5), blackcap (2), blue tit, Canada goose (14), carrion crow (5), chaffinch, chiffchaff (2), coot (5), cormorant, cuckoo, dunnock (2), feral pigeon, gadwall (3), great tit (3), greenfinch (4), grey heron (6), herring gull (4), kestrel (2), lapwing (2), lesser black-backed gull, linnet (4), little grebe (3), magpie (4), mallard (7), moorhen (5), mute swan (2), reed bunting (4), reed warbler (5), robin (2), sedge warbler (2), shelduck (4), skylark, song thrush, starling (33), stock dove (2), swallow, wheatear (3), whitethroat (11), willow warbler, wood pigeon (5), wren (6)

Weather: Sunny, warm and dry

Crossness river bank and Nature Reserve
Eric Brown, Stephen Sheppard, Friday 24 April 2009, 10.15 am to 2.00 pm

A short visit mainly to look for the reported Iceland gull

Bird List
Blackbird, reed bunting (3), chaffinch, chiffchaff (2 h), carrion crow, coot, cormorant, collared dove, rock dove (feral pigeon), dunnock, gadwall (6-8), Canada goose, black headed gull (numerous), Iceland gull (juv), lesser black-backed gull (4), grey heron (3), kestrel, linnet, magpie, mallard, moorhen, oystercatcher (3), peregrine (2), robin (h), common sandpiper (4), shelduck (60+), house sparrow, starling (50+), mute swan, common tern (20+), arctic tern, wheatear, whitethroat (8+), woodpigeon, wren (h), reed warbler (h). 36 species

General Observations
The juvenile Iceland gull was easily located on the foreshore by the golf centre. Neither of us had seen one before but it was quite different to all other gulls with off-white plumage mottled and barred brown plus dainty, mostly black bill. Male and female peregrines staged spectacular flights with the female twice alighting on the incinerator tower. A small passage of common terms downriver included one arctic while a small group of common sandpipers flew in to land on rocks near the outfall. A wheatear perched on a gate on the reserve while abundant whitethroats sang. Many birds were heard only as they stayed in deep cover to avoid the wind.

Butterflies: peacock, small and large white

Weather: Warm sunshine (16° C) but very breezy

Joydens Wood, Bexley
Peter Kite, Jacky Foot, Wednesday 22 April 2009, 9.20 am to 2.30 pm

A trip by public transport to find out how easy it was to get there, first vist in over 20 years. Will return soon

Bird List
House sparrow, blue tit, dunnock, chiffchaff (20+), woodpigeon, robin, blackcap, great tit, wren, carrion crow, song thrush, nuthatch, magpie, great spotted, lesser spotted, green woodpecker, jay, blackbird, long tailed tit, chaffinch, Canada goose, sparrowhawk (pr), coal tit, tawny owl, ring neck parakeet, greenfinch, goldfinch. 27 species.

General Observations
Butterflies: peacock, orange tip, large, small white, green veined white, speckled wood, brimstone.

Flowers: groundsel, cleavers, red deadnettle, lesser celandine, herb robert, bluebell, hedge mustard, cow parsley, ivy leaf geranium, dandelion, wood anemone, lily of the valley, wood spurge, lesser, greater stitchwort, yellow archangel, bittercress, field forget me not, common dog violet, primrose, pendula sedge, barren strawberry, bugle, gorse, dogs mercury, white deadnettle, mouse eared chickweed, yellow pimpernel, arum, bush vetch.

Weather: Very warm and sunny.

Chiffchaff. Picture by Peter Kite

Rye Harbour LNR
Maurice Ewart, Monday 20 April 2009, 11.15 am to 3.00 pm

A circular walk from the car park out to the mouth of the river, along to ternery pool returning via the new pools and long pit.

Bird List
Little grebe, cormorant, mute swan, greylag, Canada goose, shelduck, gadwall, mallard, tufted duck. pheasant, moorhen, coot, oystercatcher, avocet, ringed plover, lapwing, dunlin, whimbrel (2), curlew, redshank, turnstone, Mediterranean gull (150+), black-headed gull (1000+), common gull, lesser black-backed gull, herring gull, great black-backed gull, sandwich tern (100+), common tern (30+), collared dove, woodpigeon, skylark, yellow wagtail, wren, dunnock, robin, wheatear (6+), blackbird, song thrush, grasshopper warbler (h), sedge warbler (12+), reed warbler (6+), lesser whitethroat, whitethroat (5+), blackcap, chiffchaff, great tit, magpie, rook, carrion crow, starling, house sparrow, chaffinch, greenfinch, linnet, reed bunting. Total 56 species

General Observations
Ternery Pool has been taken over entirely by gulls. Mediterranean gulls were constantly calling throughout the reserve. Tern numbers are well down possibly because the black-headed gulls seem to have to taken over their previous breeding sites. Most terns were on the shore. Sedge warbers were singing and song flighting continuously on my return to the village although the highlight was a singing lesser whitethroat which gave close views for around five minutes. Surprisingly no raptors or hirundines.

Weather: Warm and sunny with little wind initially.

Stodmarsh NNR and Grove Ferry
Maurice Ewart, Eric Brown, Doreen Newson, Wednesday 15 April 2009, 10.30 am to 3.30 pm

A visit to Stodmarsh first then a drive to Grove Ferry.

Bird List
Great crested grebe, cormorant, little egret, grey heron, mute swan, greylag goose, shelduck (2), gadwall, teal, mallard, shoveler, pochard, marsh harrier (6), sparrowhawk, kestrel, pheasant, moorhen, coot, lapwing, ruff, redshank, lesser black-backed gull, herring gull, collared dove, woodpigeon, green woodpecker (h), great spotted woodpecker, skylark, swallow, pied wagtail, wren, dunnock, robin, whinchat, blackbird, fieldfare (7), Cetti’s warbler (10+), reed warbler (h), lesser whitethroat (h), blackcap, chiffchaff, long-tailed tit, blue tit, great tit, jay, magpie, rook, carrion crow, jackdaw, starling, house sparrow, chaffinch, greenfinch, goldfinch, linnet, reed bunting. (56 species)

General Observations
Marsh harriers gave great views as they displayed with several food passes seen. Migrants were scarce with no sign of the garganeys and grasshopper warbler reported in early morning. Late in the afternoon we were surprised by a whinchat which flew up from a path into a tree. While studying it we saw a small flock of late fieldfares arrive to feed in a field beyond it.

Amphibians: Marsh frog (7), swimming grass snake

Butterflies : Peacock, red admiral, orange tip, small white, green-veined white.

Weather: Early mist clearing to sunshine. Feeling warm out of the easterly breeze

London Wetland Centre, Barnes
Maurice Ewart, Friday 10 April 2009, 12.15 pm to 2.00 pm

A look for migrants round the main lake.

Bird List
Little grebe, great crested grebe, cormorant, grey heron, mute swan, greylag, Canada goose, wigeon, gadwall, teal, mallard, shoveler, pochard, tufted duck, water rail (h), moorhen, coot, lapwing, snipe (3), redshank (5), green sandpiper, lesser black-backed gull, yellow legged gull, woodpigeon, ring-necked parakeet, sand martin (40-50), swallow (2), house martin, water pipit (2), yellow wagtail, wren, robin, wheatear (2), blackbird, chaffchaff (2), blue tit, great tit, magpie, carrion crow, starling, greenfinch, chaffinch. (42 species)

G eneral Observations
I didn’t have time to visit the wildside area where newly arrived sedge, reed warblers and blackcaps were reported.

The water pipits which have overwintered gave excellent views and they are now almost in breeding plumage. The wheatears were possibly of the northern Greenland variety. Wildfowl have diminished markedly with only two wigeon remaining,

Weather: Dull and drizzly but mild

Sevenoaks Wildlife KWT Reserve and Bough Beech KWT Reserve
Eric Brown, Dave and Jean Thompson, Doreen Newson, Monday 6 April 2009, SWR 10.30 am to 1.00 pm BB 1.20 pm to 4.00 pm

An excursion for migrants such as little ringed plover, early warblers and hirundines. At Sevenoaks we only had time to walk from the car park to Tower Hide and back but the former showed up in front of the main hide. Chiffchaffs sang everywhere. A female bullfinch flew into trees near the main hide. Despite vandalism and removal of trees favoured by lesser spotted woodpecker near the car park this species had been logged again over the previous three days.

At Bough Beech high water levels ruled out any possibility of waders around the reservoir – but at least there should be no summer drought. Winter visitors and migrants were mixed with wigeon on the scrape and hirundines above. We were unable to positively identify a raptor circling very high. The wings were held straight out (not in a V) and occasionally "shaken" rather than flapped. The tail was not long and splayed while there seemed to be some white at the top This may have been a trick of the light. The bird lost height quickly and disappeared from view towards Ide Hill. Ideas welcome.

Bird List
SWR: mallard, tufted duck, gadwall, teal, shoveler, moorhen, coot, Canada goose, greylag goose, Egyptian goose, mute swan, cormorant, lapwing, little ringed plover (3), blue tit, great tit, long tailed tit, bullfinch (f), goldcrest, chiffchaff, chaffinch, robin, great spotted woodpecker, blackbird, pied wagtail, goldfinch, dunnock, jay, black headed gull, lesser black backed gull, carrion crow, green woodpecker, woodpigeon, magpie, house sparrow, starling, great crested grebe, feral pigeon, ring necked parakeet (on feeder). Total 39.

Butterflies: peacock, brimstone.

BB: (additional species only) greenfinch, grey heron (6), reed bunting (2), shelduck, wigeon (2), swallow (3-4), wren, pheasant, house martin (2), collared dove (2), stock dove, jackdaw. Total 12. DAY TOTAL 51

General Observations
Sevenoaks reserve was much quieter than of late with no sign of noisy improvement work still in progress and vastly improved, hard paths as a result. At Bough Beech a sign proclaimed the closure of the Oast House information centre due to flooding..

Weather: Sunshine with some cloud. 59 degs

Oare Marshes, Kent Wildlife Trust Reserve nr Faversham, Kent
Tony Dunstan, Eric Brown, Doreen Newson & Dave Thompson, Tuesday 31 March 2009 , 10.20 am to 4.00 pm

A trip to try for garganey reported on four previous days plus little owl and early migrants already spotted here like swallow and little stint.

Bird List
Cormorant, great crested grebe, little egret, grey heron, mute swan, greylag goose, Canada goose, brent goose (20), shelduck (30), wigeon, teal (20), mallard, shoveller, pochard, tufted duck, marsh harrier, hen harrier (r-t), sparrowhawk, kestrel, pheasant, moorhen, coot, oystercatcher, avocet (20), grey plover (10), lapwing, dunlin (2), snipe (12+), curlew, redshank, black headed gull (100), common gull, great black back gull, herring gull, stock dove, woodpigeon, little owl, green woodpecker, skylark, meadow pipit, pied wagtail, dunnock, wheatear (2), blackbird, bearded tit (8), blue tit, magpie, jackdaw, rook, carrion crow, starling, house sparrow, chaffinch, linnet, reed bunting (20+), little stint (4). 55 species

General Observations
No sign of the garganey but little owl perched in a tree adjacent to one of the brick huts while bearded tits gave good views climbing reeds between the information centre and the seawall hide. No swallows or sand martins but wheatear showed up on a grassy bank towards the west hide. The little stints flew in on an island in front of the east hide about 3.20 pm.

Brief visit to the adjacent Gunpowder works CP revealed little grebe, long tailed tit and greater spotted woodpecker (drumming).

Weather: Sunny part cloudy 14 degrees centigrade(warmest day of March). No wind.

London Bridge Station
Eric Brown, Sunday 29 March 2009, 1.15 pm

As I left London Bridge Station via the walkway over Tooley Street I heard the familiar call of goldfinches above the noise of buses, lorries, other heavy traffic and trains. Looking around (without bins) I eventually spotted them in a buddleia bush at the Southwark end of platform one directly above the entrance to London Bridge Jubilee Line tube station.

Bird List
Goldfinches (2)

Weayher: Fine, sunny

Crossness Nature Reserve, Abbey Wood
John Archer, Ian Miller, Sunday 29 March 2009

Bird List
Iceland gull (2), common buzzard, wheatear (2), shoveler (5), white-fronted geese (3)

Crossness Nature Reserve, Abbey Wood
John Archer, Saturday 28 March 2009

Bird List
Curlew (2), shoveler (18), gadwall (20), teal (30), skylark, barn owl

Dartford Football Club, Princes Road, Dartford
Andy Meaton, Saturday 28 March 2009, 5.00 pm

Bird List
Swallows (50+) flying ahead of heavy squall shower

General Observations
Result Dartford 2 Tonbridge Angels 2, best game of the season!

Weather: Sun and heavy showers

Crossness Nature Reserve, Abbey Wood
Kevin Jarvis, Thursday 26 March 2009

Bird List
Peregrine falcon (2), chiffchaff, little grebe (2), Canada goose (2), stock dove (2), skylark, meadow pipit, tufted duck, teal (4), gadwall (12), shoveler (8), wheatear

Weather: Fine

Funton Creek & Elmley Marshes RSPB reserve
Maurice Ewart, Eric Brown, Doreen Newson, Tony Dunstan, Wednesday 25 March 2009, 10.30 am to 11.30 am Funton Creek. 12.00 to 4.20 pm Elmley

A look for waders towards high tide at Funton Creek then a visit to the Wellmarsh and South Fleet hides at Elmley

Bird List
Little grebe, great crested grebe, cormorant, little egret, grey heron, spoonbill, mute swan, greylag goose, Canada goose, shelduck, wigeon (1000+), gadwall, teal, mallard, pintail, shoveler, pochard, tufted duck, buzzard, marsh harrier (5+), hen harrier, kestrel, merlin, pheasant, grey partridge (2), red-legged partridge, moorhen, coot, oystercatcher (100+), avocet (200+), ringed plover, grey plover, lapwing, dunlin, ruff, black-tailed godwit (2), curlew (300+), redshank, turnstone, black-headed gull, woodpigeon, green woodpecker, skylark, meadow pipit, pied wagtail, robin, blackbird, magpie, rook, carrion crow, starling, house sparrow, goldfinch, reed bunting (54 species)

General Observations
The strong NW wind made for difficult birdwatching and waders in Funton Creek were mostly sheltering where they could. Curlew and wigeon were everywhere at Elmley and two grey partridges showed briefly on the left of the entrance track just before the farm. A merlin was seen in flight by Eric before it landed to allow good scope views. Big numbers of avocet, oystercatcher and shelduck in particular were seen from the Wellmarsh hide and a close black-tailed godwit was almost in full breeding plumage. A ring-tailed hen harrier did a circuit, hunting close to the ground as it quartered. We ended up at the South Fleet hide from where the surprise of the day, a spoonbill was seen in a field to the right of the hide.

Weather: Sunny spells and squally showers, one with hail which sent all the small waders scurrying for shelter. High tide at 12.09

Foots Cray Meadows
Maurice Ewart, Friday 20 March 2009, 11.30 am to 1.30 pm

A walk from Footscray to Riverside Road

Bird List
Mute swan, mallard, tufted duck, sparrowhawk (2), moorhen, coot, woodpigeon, ring-necked parakeet, green woodpecker (2), skylark, grey wagtail (2), wren, dunnock, robin, blackbird, song thrush (2), mistle thrush, chiffchaff (2), goldcrest, long-tailed tit, blue tit, great tit, magpie, jackdaw, carrion crow, chaffinch. (26 species)

General Observations
The volume of birdsong was high with numerous wrens and robins competing with the ever-noisy parakeets. Two singing chiffchaffs were probably spring migrants. Finches were notable by their absence apart from a couple of chaffinches. Sparrowhawks were busy, giving excellent views.

Oare Marshes KWT Reserve, nr Faversham
Maurice Ewart, Eric Brown, Tony Dunstan, Tuesday 17 March 2009, 10.30 am to 3.30 pm

A walk out along the Swale to Uplees Copse with a look also at both east and west floods.

Bird List
Little grebe, great crested grebe, cormorant, little egret, grey heron, mute swan, greylag goose, brent goose, shelduck, wigeon, gadwall, teal, mallard, pintail, shoveler, pochard, tufted duck, red breasted merganser (4), common buzzard, rough-legged buzzard, marsh harrier (6+), kestrel (2), peregrine, moorhen, coot, oystercatcher, avocet, ringed plover (2), golden plover (6), grey plover (5), lapwing, dunlin (5), snipe (13), black-tailed godwit (30+), curlew, redshank (100+), black-headed gull, common gull, herring gull, woodpigeon, stock dove, collared dove, skylark, meadow pipit (6+), pied wagtail, wren, dunnock, robin, blackbird, mistle thrush (2), song thrush (2), Cetti’s warbler (h), blue tit, magpie, carrion crow, starling, house sparrow, chaffinch, greenfinch, reed bunting (20+). 60 species

General Observations
The walk along the seawall to Uplees copse was productive with both grey and golden plover on the mud there with some coming into breeding plumage as were some of the godwits on the Sheppey side. Peregrine was seen both flying towards Sheppey then later coming back along the Swale. The pale common buzzard was seen followed shortly after by the rough-legged buzzard which appeared over Mocketts on Sheppey before landing on a tree where it gave scope views.

Bough Beech Reservoir KWT Reserve
Andy Meaton, Monday 16 March 2009, 11.00 am to 3.30 pm

Causeway and Centre Feeders

Bird List
Great northern diver, red crested pochard, goosander (4), common buzzard (4), goldeneye, sparrowhawk, brambling (2), plus lesser black backed gull, shelduck, wigeon, pochard, shoveller, teal and tufted duck. No Mandarin seen.

General Observations
First Brimstone butterfly and a skipper sp.

Weather: Sunny, sometimes even warm, cycling shorts deployed!

Northward Hill RSPB Reserve
Maurice Ewart, Eric Brown, Saturday 14 March 2009, 11.00 am to 1.30 pm

A visit to look for early migrants with a brief diversion to Southfleet to see the falcated duck which is back on the pond there.

Bird List
Little grebe, great crested grebe, grey heron, mute swan, greylag goose, Canada goose, brent goose, shelduck, wigeon, gadwall, teal, mallard, shoveler, pochard, tufted duck, marsh harrier (2), sparrowhawk, kestrel (2), red-legged partridge, moorhen, coot, oystercatcher, lapwing, redshank, woodcock, black-headed gull, lesser black-backed gull, woodpigeon, collared dove, green woodpecker, skylark, wren, dunnock, robin, wheatear (2), blackbird, mistle thrush (2), blue tit, great tit, magpie, jackdaw, rook, carrion crow, starling, house sparrow, chaffinch, greenfinch, goldfinch, lesser redpoll (3+) - 49 species + falcated duck

General Observations
Lesser redpolls were feeding in alders near Bromhey Farm. We accidentally flushed a woodcock from a ditch on the woodland edge here – quite a surprise. A distant wheatear, first of the year for both of us, was seen on the marsh from the Ernie Helmsley viewpoint. This was an earliest ever record for EB. An excellent male later gave good close views in a field with two mistle thrushes just past Decoy Farm near Swigshole Cottage.

Weather: Sunny intervals but feeling cold in a brisk westerly wind

Kensington Gardens, London
Eric Brown, Maurice Ewart, Friday 13 March 2009, 1.30 pm to 2.35 pm

A London walk to look for the regular breeding tawny owls

Bird List
Tawny owl (2 ads, 3 juvs), blue tit, great tit, long-tailed tit, greenfinch, chaffinch, goldfinch, lesser redpoll, blackbird, wren, ring-necked parakeet, jay, magpie, house sparrow, feral pigeon, woodpigeon, starling, moorhen, coot, red-crested pochard (pair), common pochard (pair). mallard, tufted duck, shoveler (30+), gadwall, mute swan, greylag goose, Canada goose, great crested grebe, black headed gull, lesser black backed gull, great black backed gull. 32 species

General Observations
The owls were easily located in a clump of trees just off the tarmac path past the obelisk. The two adults were snoozing in one tree and the three young in another tree nearby, all perched on small branches near main trunks. The two older siblings huddled together and already show adult brown wing feathers. The third chick (the runt) is smaller and still covered in grey-white downy feathers. There must be a healthy population of mice and rats for these adults to raise three young for at least a second successive year here. A redpoll feeding in a nearby alder was a surprise – and so was the total number of species seen in just an hour a few hundred yards from Lancaster Gate station and bustling Bayswater Road.

Weather: Mild, cloudy.

Dungeness Beach and RSPB reserve
Maurice Ewart, Eric Brown, Monday 9 March 2009, 10.45 am to 3.45 pm

A search at The Patch and near the fishing boats for Iceland Gull and then a circular walk round the RSPB reserve from the visitor centre.

Bird List
Little grebe, great crested grebe, slavonian grebe, black-necked grebe, cormorant, grey heron, mute swan, greylag, Canada goose, wigeon, mallard, shoveler, pochard, tufted duck, goldeneye, ruddy duck (12), marsh harrier, sparrowhawk, kestrel, peregrine, pheasant, red-legged partridge, moorhen, coot, oystercatcher, lapwing, Mediterranean gull, black-headed gull, common gull, herring gull, lesser black-backed gull, great black-backed gull, woodpigeon, green woodpecker, skylark, meadow pipit, pied wagtail, stonechat, blackbird, mistle thrush, cetti’s warbler, blue tit, great tit, magpie, jackdaw, carrion crow, starling, greenfinch, reed bunting. (49 species)

General Observations
The Iceland Gull could not be found west of The Patch. The strong wind and bright sunshine reflecting off the water were not ideal for close study of gulls. Gulls apart, nothing was seen offshore. The snow geese had disappeared and the female red-crested pochard reported a day earlier from the Christmas Dell hide could not be located either. Highlight was the fly-past peregrine seen well from the visitor centre plus the two rarer grebes.

No teal were seen and wildfowl numbers were dwindling as they return to their northern breeding grounds. The black-necked grebe is developing some of its dark breeding plumage.

Weather: Bright and sunny but with a fresh westerly wind.

Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve
Eric Brown, Maurice Ewart, Gill Page, Steve and Sandra Sheppard, Monday 2 March 2009, 10.20 am to 1.45 pm

A walk to look for redpoll, siskin and possibly lesser spotted woodpecker.

Bird List
Redpoll (5), siskin (12), snipe (6), nutchatch, treecreeper, tufted duck, mallard, black headed gull, blackbird, wren, blue tit, great tit, cormorant, mute swan

General Observations
Redpoll showed well in bright sunlight low in alder trees on approach to John Carter hide. A mealy has been reported regularly here but we were unable to identify anything other than lesser. Only one episode of woodpecker drumming was heard. Sounded like a Great Spot. Much disturbance around the main hide and on track to tower hide due to machinery and workmen improving paths.

Weather: Bright sunshine, warm

Lewisham
Maurice Ewart, Sunday 1 March 2009, 12.25 pm

Sighting from the train as it approached Lewisham Station from Sidcup direction.

Bird List
Peregrine flew from roof of Lewisham centre and chased pigeons

General Observations
First time I’ve seen a peregrine here, possibly one of the pair from Canary Wharf/O2 arena.

Dungeness RSPB, Patch, Scotney GP, Pett Level
Maurice Ewart, Eric Brown., Saturday 28 February 2009, 10.30 am to 4.00 pm

A brief visit to the ARC pit at Dungeness RSPB followed by a visit to The Patch for some seawatching then on to Pett Level with a short stop at Scotney gravel pits on the way.

Bird List
Red-throated diver (3), black-throated diver, little grebe, great crested grebe (300+), slavonian grebe, fulmar, gannet (4), cormorant, little egret, grey heron, mute swan, greylag, barnacle goose (13), brent goose, canada goose, shelduck, wigeon, teal, mallard, shoveler, pochard, tufted duck, common scoter (6+), smew (3f), marsh harrier, kestrel, pheasant, red-legged partridge, moorhen, coot, oystercatcher, lapwing, curlew (100+), redshank, turnstone, black-headed gull, common gull, herring gull, great black-backed gull, guillemot (16+), collared dove, woodpigeon, green woodpecker, skylark, pied wagtail, wren, dunnock, robin, black redstart (2), stonechat (3), blackbird, goldcrest (3), firecrest, long-tailed tit, blue tit, great tit, magpie, rook, jackdaw, carrion crow, starling, house sparrow, tree sparrow (7+), chaffinch, reed bunting. (65 species)

General Observations
The walk to the hide at the ARC pit was very productive with tree sparrows in the bushes round the car park, marsh harriers displaying, smew from the path to the hide and excellent close views of firecrest and goldcrest near the hide. Black redstarts were seen in the power station grounds and seawatching produced red-throated diver, common scoter, gannet and guillemot. Brent geese were on the move offshore. Although the Iceland gull was around we were unable to locate it. As at Dungeness, the sea at Pett was full of great crested grebes, some of them displaying. A slavonian grebe was seen in the Winchelsea direction whilst further out a black-throated diver (and a possible second) were identified.

The pools themselves were very quiet.

Weather: A mild sunny day with a light wind.

4 Dorset Avenue, Welling (back garden)
Steve and Sandra Sheppard, Thursday 26 February 2009, 11.00 am

Bird list
Siskins (3)

Weather: Sunny

Leysdown, Capel Fleet, Ferry House Inn, Sheppey
Maurice Ewart, Eric Brown, Tony Dunstan, Julia Maynard, Gill Page, Tuesday 17 February 2009, 10.30 am to 4.10 pm

Description/text
A visit to Leysdown, followed by a drive down Harty Ferry Road with various stops on the way.

Bird List
Great crested grebe, cormorant, little egret, grey heron, mute swan, Bewicks swan, white-fronted goose (100+), greylag, Canada goose, brent goose (200+), shelduck, wigeon, gadwall, teal, mallard, shoveler, red-breasted merganser (3), rough-legged buzzard, marsh harrier (15+), hen harrier (3f), kestrel (5), pheasant, red-legged partridge, moorhen, coot, oystercatcher (500+), avocet (6), golden plover (2000+), grey plover, lapwing, knot, sanderling (6), dunlin, ruff, curlew, redshank, turnstone, black-headed gull, common gull, herring gull, great black-backed gull, collared dove, stock dove, woodpigeon, barn owl (2), green woodpecker (h), skylark, dunnock, robin, stonechat (3), blackbird, mistle thrush, long-tailed tit, blue tit, great tit, magpie, jackdaw, rook, carrion crow, starling, house sparrow, chaffinch, greenfinch, reed bunting. (64 species)

General Observations
The fields near Shellness were full of golden plover, lapwing and shelduck whilst oystercatchers were everywhere on the shore at Leysdown shortly before low tide. On turning onto the Harty Ferry Road we were stopped by a low cruising hen harrier which gave great views as it quartered nearby fields and glided across the road. From the corner at Capel Fleet we sighted the flock of white-fronted geese whilst a rough-legged buzzard gave good views as it first perched on a bush then a fence before flying over the hill in the direction of Mocketts. The swans were feeding as a distant mixed flock.

Red-breasted mergansers showed well on the Swale from the Ferry House Inn. Last stop was the raptor viewpoint from where two barn owls gave good views as they hunted and one perched in a tree. The rough-legged buzzard appeared again.

Weather: Cold and dull with drizzle at times. Visibility poor particularly at Leysdown.

Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve
Maurice Ewart, Eric Brown, Wednesday 11 February 2009, 10.00 am to 2.00 pm

A leisurely walk round this KWT reserve

Bird List
Little grebe, great crested grebe, cormorant, grey heron, greylag goose, Canada goose, gadwall, teal, mallard, shoveler, pochard, tufted duck, goosander (1f), ruddy duck, sparrowhawk (2), moorhen, coot, lapwing (100+), snipe (25+), black-headed gull, common gull, great black-backed gull, collared dove, woodpigeon, kingfisher (2), great spotted woodpecker , wren, dunnock, robin, blackbird, fieldfare (40+), song thrush, mistle thrush, long-tailed tit, blue tit, great tit, nuthatch, treecreeper (2), jay, magpie, jackdaw, carrion crow, starling, chaffinch, greenfinch, goldfinch, siskin (40+), lesser redpoll (30+). (47 species)

General Observations
Our walk started well with a singing nuthatch, three long-tailed tits and two lesser redpolls in a tree beside the visitor centre. Flocks of siskin and lesser redpoll (with one possible common redpoll) were evident round the reserve giving good views as they fed mainly on alders. The many snipe were very active, showing well in the sun.

A female goosander was seen in front of the double-decker hide before swimming rapidly out of sight.

Two kingfishers were observed with one seen perched, then in flight from the John Carter hide shortly after a sparrowhawk had spooked the flock of siskins/redpolls feeding there.

Weather: Cold and bright, becoming cloudy in the afternoon. Some areas of water were partially frozen.

Rutland Shaw, Sidcup
Philip Cliffe, Sunday 8 February 2009, 10.00 am to 11.00 am

Rutland Shaw is a small piece of woodland between Festival Close and Footscray Lane near Albany Park. It deserves a good look now and then as it has a good variety of mature trees including alders and a small pond.

Bird List
Blue tit, great tit, long tailed tit, wren, robin, dunnock, ring necked parakeets, greater spotted woodpecker, green woodpecker, redwing (5), song thrush, mistle thrush, blackbirds, chaffinches, goldfinches, siskins (30+).

Weather: Cold but calm and fairly bright.

Leybourne Lakes CP, Millstream/Larkfield Lake
Philip Cliffe, Saturday 7 February 2009, 3.30 pm to 4.30 pm

The bittern climbed the reeds in the reed bed and stayed in full view for about five minutes. The water rail was seen in a swampy area along the path between the Millstream and Brookland lakes. The sparrowhawk flew across the lake at about 4.30pm

Bird List
Bittern, water rail, sparrowhawk

Weather: Sunny, calm

Dungeness RSPB & Walland Marsh
Maurice Ewart, Eric Brown, Saturday 7 February 2009, 11.30 am to 4.15 pm

A drive round part of Romney Marsh followed by a visit to Dungeness RSPB reserve.

Bird List
Little grebe, great crested grebe, slavonian grebe, black-necked grebe, cormorant (200+), little egret, grey heron, mute swan, bewicks swan (8), greylag goose, shelduck, wigeon, gadwall, teal, mallard, pintail, shoveler, pochard, tufted duck, goldeneye (12+), goosander (2f), ruddy duck (9), marsh harrier, kestrel, pheasant, red-legged partridge, moorhen, coot, golden plover, lapwing, snipe, black-headed gull, common gull, herring gull, lesser black-backed gull, great black-backed gull, collared dove, woodpigeon, dunnock, robin, stonechat (5), blackbird, fieldfare (200+), green woodpecker, long-tailed tit, blue tit, great tit, magpie, rook, carrion crow, starling, house sparrow, tree sparrow (10+), chaffinch, greenfinch, linnet, yellowhammer(4), reed bunting, (58 species)

General Observations
Highlights were the flock of over 200 fieldfares in a roadside field near Brooklands, close views of the family group of Bewicks swans near Midley Cottages where there was also a good-sized mixed flock of chaffinches and yellowhammers. Tree sparrows showed very well around Midley farm with another at Dungeness.

Good views of black-necked/slavonian grebe at Dungeness. Goosanders were seen at the ARC pit.

Weather: Cold with moderate NW wind

Bedgebury Pinetum
John and Jeanna Turner, Saturday 31 January 2009, 2.30 pm to 3.30 pm

The walk produced only two hawfinches with a flock of chaffinches and brambling.

Bird List
Hawfinch, chaffinch, greenfinch, brambling, blue tit, great tit, coal tit, greater spotted woodpecker, pied wagtail, blackbird, coot, mallard, magpie, carrion crow, wood pigeon.

Weather: Sunny but windy

Capel Fleet, Isle of Sheppey
John and Jeanna Turner, Friday 30 January 2009, 11.00am to 4.00pm

The corner produced common buzzard, merlin, peregrine, brent geese, Bewick's swan, whooper swan, female hen harrier and four circling buzzard silhouettes one of which could have been a rough legged buzzard. Good views of two perched peregrine were seen from the mound together with several marsh harrier. Three red throated diver flew past over the Swale and a fine male hen harrier was seen over the Swale Reserve. Two barn owls were seen on the drive out of the area.

Bird list
Red throated diver, golden plover, lapwing, redshank, oystercatcher, ruff, dunlin, curlew, avocet, great crested grebe, marsh harrier, hen harrier, merlin, peregrine, common buzzard, kestrel, barn owl, black headed gull, herring gull, lesser black backed gull, greater black backed gull, shelduck, teal, wigeon, mallard, brent geese, grey lag geese, pheasant, red legged partridge, robin, reed bunting, blackbird, mistle thrush, fieldfare, redwing, goldfinch, crow, rook, magpie, wood pigeon.

Weather: Sunny some breeze.

Maidstone Road, Bexley
Philip Cliffe, Eric Brown, Friday 23 January 2009, 12.05pm and 3.15pm

After a morning of heavy rain and strong winds the flock of eight waxwings was observed on his lunchtime arrival by Philip in the spot reported 24 hours earlier – perched on trees opposite the entrance to Ruxley Manor Garden Centre. Philip kindly alerted Eric who arrived within 35 minutes to see no waxwings at all. Nearly three hours later a passing sparrowhawk spooked eight starling sized birds – the waxwings. They had probably been in the area all the time but it took the sparrowhawk to flush them. They were so nervous and flighty they were even put up by the squawk of a passing ring-necked parakeet. They perched briefly on a garden rose bush before returning to their favourite tree. After five minutes they disappeared over the greenhouses heading into the Garden Centre.

Bird List
Waxwing (8), jay, magpie, greenfinch (20+), blackbird, chaffinch (2), carrion crow, black headed gull, grey heron (2), woodpigeon (25+), moorhen

Waxwing group. Picture by Tony Dunstan

Mammals
Rabbit (2)

Weather: Damp with a flippin' cold wind

Riverside Road, Albany Park, Sidcup
Eric Brown, Tuesday 20 January 2009, 11.15 am to 12.40 pm

Short walk for a bit of fresh air after illness

Bird List
Blackbird (3), pied wagtail (8), starling (4), stonechat (M), chaffinch (pr), carrion crow, ring-necked parakeet, blue tit, grey heron (2), woodpigeon (many), collared dove (2), stock dove (2), robin, wren, mistle thrush, redwing (8), dunnock, kingfisher, great spotted woodpecker, green woodpecker, siskin (2), greylag goose (2 over). 22 species

Ggeneral Observations
The redwing were in a tree alongside the footpath by pumping station, kingfisher and siskin seen from bridge over River Cray.

Weather: Dull and cold

Riverside Road, Albany Park, Sidcup
Maurice Ewart, Eric Brown, Thursday 15 January 2009, Noon to 2.00 pm

A walk around the fields at the end of Riverside Road and down to the bridge over the River Cray primarily to see if the woodlarks were still around with the stubble fields now having been ploughed.

Bird List
Black-headed gull, moorhen, stock dove (2), collared dove, woodpigeon, ring-necked parakeet, robin, stonechat, blackbird, redwing (12), song thrush, blue tit, great tit, magpie, carrion crow, starling, chaffinch, goldfinch, linnet (25+), pied wagtail (10+), house sparrow, dunnock. (22 species).

General Observations
It is likely that the woodlarks have gone for good with the ploughing over of all the stubble fields.

Weather: Dull, chilly with moderate SE wind.

Riverside Road, Albany Park, Sidcup
Philip Cliffe, Tuesday 13 January 2009, 11.00 am

The main field has now been ploughed over and the woodlarks were seen on the lower stubble field just past the pumping station. This field was also examined the following day but it had also been ploughed over and there was no sign of the woodlarks.

Bird List
Woodlarks (4)

Weather: Dull, calm, 8-9 degrees

Hythe, Kent
John and Jeanna Turner, Tuesday 13 January 2009, 11.00 to 16.00 hours

Description/text
A visit to see the night heron which we had missed before at West Hythe. We watched as it slowly swallowed a whole trout. On the beach at high tide we found a single purple sandpiper. We came home via Dungeness and the ARC pit held goosander, smew and goldeneye as well as numerous gulls.

Bird List
Golden plover, lapwing, purple sandpiper great crested grebe, little grebe, night heron, grey heron, little egret, kestrel, black headed gull, herring gull, lesser black backed gull, greater black backed gull, common gull, barnacle goose, wigeon, teal, shoveller, goldeneye, smew, goosander, tufted duck, coot, moorhen, robin, blue tit, great tit, reed bunting, blackbird, bullfinch, tree sparrow, skylark, meadow pipit, stonechat, crow, rook, jackdaw, magpie, wood pigeon, collared dove. 40 species.

Night Heron. Picture by Tony Dunstan

Weather: Misty at first and sunny later.

Dungeness RSPB Reserve
John and Jeanna Turner, Sunday 11 January 2009, 11.00 am to 4.45 pm

A visit to Denge Marsh produced a flock of mute and Bewick swans. The reserve, although mostly ice covered, held slavonian grebe, red crested pochard and smew on the new diggings; bittern, smew and black necked grebe were seen from the Xmas Dell hide. Walland Marsh again held a small flock of chaffinch, corn bunting and a single yellowhammer and a flock of greylag geese flew into a roadside field bringing the white fronts and the tundra bean geese. The reed bed near the Woolpack Inn produced a great male hen harrier coming in to roost.

Bird List
Slavonian grebe, black necked grebe, little grebe, great crested grebe, grey heron, bittern, grey lag goose, Canada goose, white-fronted goose, tundra bean goose, mute swan, Bewicks swan, cormorant, smew, shelduck, pintail, teal, wigeon, gadwall, shoveller, mallard, red crested pochard, pochard, tufted duck, black headed gull, common gull, greater black backed gull, herring gull, kestrel, sparrowhawk, marsh harrier, hen harrier, lapwing, coot, moorhen, carrion crow, magpie, wood pigeon, mistle thrush, blackbird, starling, stonechat, robin, dunnock, great tit, blue tit, chaffinch, reed bunting, yellowhammer, corn bunting. Total 50 species

Weather: Sunny but cold.

Riverside Road, Albany Park, Sidcup
Philip Cliffe, Saturday 10 January 2009, Noon

The woodlarks were on the stubble field near two wooden boxes or pallets, quite near to the road. The brambling was reported to me by a reliable source.

Bird List
Woodlark (5), chaffinch (50+), meadow pipits (20+), linnets (20+), stonechat (f), brambling (f)

Weather: Dull, calm, about 8 to 9 degrees

Foots Cray Meadows, Sidcup
Maurice Ewart, Thursday 8 January 2009, Noon to 1.45 pm

A walk from Riverside Road to the bottom of Sidcup Hill.

Bird List
Little grebe (4), little egret (2), grey heron, mute swan (3), gadwall (9), mallard (20+), tufted duck (10+), moorhen, coot, black-headed gull, sparrowhawk, kestrel, collared dove, woodpigeon, ring-necked parakeet, robin, blackbird, redwing, long-tailed tit, blue tit, great tit, magpie, jackdaw, carrion crow, woodlark (7) starling, chaffinch, greenfinch, goldfinch, linnet.(30 species)

General Observations
The woodlarks flew into their favourite stubble field at the end of Riverside Road about 10 minutes after my arrival but I could only locate two on the ground which disappeared from sight just as Philip Cliffe arrived. As Philip left six flew up from left of where we were looking and landed in the stubble field on the River Cray side of the path where I eventually located a couple although they were very well camouflaged.

Their favourite stubble field has been partially ploughed and I suspect it will be completely ploughed within a week or so.

The woodlarks were believed to have left the area on 11 December but were also reported on 22 December and may have been around all the time without being noticed.

All the finches and the redwing were at the Riverside Road end with no finches at all seen elsewhere.

Weather: Unbroken sunshine with no wind. Still fairly chilly.

Danson Park, Bexleyheath
John and Jeanna Turner, Wednesday 7 January 2009, 9.30 am to 11.30 am

The lake was virtually iced over except for a small area under the trees on the north bank where all the wildfowl were massed. Among them a male goosander appeared and stayed for several minutes fishing before flying westward. The rock garden held six siskins, two goldcrest and a flock of eight long-tailed tits.

Bird List
See Danson Park sightings for a full list.

Weather: Overcast with sunny periods.

Foots Cray Meadows, Sidcup
Maurice Ewart, Sunday 4 January 2009, 11.45 am to 1.15 pm

A walk from Riverside Road to the bottom of Sidcup Hill.

Bird List
Little grebe, little egret, grey heron (2), mute swan (3), gadwall (4), mallard (20+), tufted duck (14), moorhen, coot, black-headed gull, collared dove, stock dove, woodpigeon, ring-necked parakeet, grey wagtail, kingfisher (2), pied wagtail, wren, robin, blackbird, fieldfare(3), song thrush (3), long-tailed tit, blue tit, great tit, jay, magpie, jackdaw, carrion crow, starling, chaffinch, greenfinch, goldfinch, linnet. Total 34 species.

Grey Wagtail at Foots Cray Meadow. Picture by Ian Willmott

General Observations
First kingfishers I have seen here for over a year, one at either end of my walk. Fieldfares were in the grounds of the water works at Riverside Road. The pond at Five Arches was partially frozen. Surprisingly, no woodpeckers seen.

Weather: Dull and very chilly, light wind.

Dungeness RSPB reserve
Anthony Dunstan, Friday 2 January 2009, 12.30 pm to 4.00 pm

First visit of the new year.

Bird List
Goosander (2), mute swan, shelduck, teal, coot, wigeon, lapwing, pintail, goose canada (30), goose greylag (30) goose whitefront (12) goose tundra bean (8), goose barnacle (8), goose bar headed, goldeneye (7), herring gull, blackheaded gull, tufted duck, grey heron, gadwall (10), mallard, shoveller, kestrel, rook, crow, green woodpecker, cormorant (20), red crested pochard (3), slavonian grebe, moorhen, little grebe, black necked grebe, grt crested grebe, ruddy duck, smew (2), blackbird, oystercatcher.

General Observations
The six species of goose were observed west of Dennes Road, Lydd. Otherwise on NR.

Weather: Easterly wind, temp 2° C, cloudy but bright

West Hythe/Folkestone
Peter Kite, Karen Hills, Sally Jacobs, Friday 2 January 2009, 10.30 am to 12.30 pm

Another chance for night heron and waxwings.

Bird List
West Hythe: pheasant, collared dove, woodpigeon, jackdaw, blue tit, robin, blackbird, carrion crow, herring gull, house sparrow, magpie, dunnock, chaffinch, moorhen, song thrush, greenfinch, goldfinch, mute swan, black headed gull, muscovy duck, mallard, starling, night heron, little egret, grey heron, mistle thrush, starling, wren.

Waxwing. Picture by Anthony Dunstan

Folkestone: herring gull, black head gull, pied wagtail, white wagtail, blackbird, mistle thrush, greenfinch, starling, waxwing (25)

Weather: Overcast, drizzle, breezy

Bough Beech Reservoir near Ide Hill
Maurice Ewart, Eric Brown, Thursday 1 January 2009, 11.30 am to 2.20 pm

A walk along the causeway followed by a look at the orchard and round the visitor centre

Bird List
Great northern diver, great crested grebe (30+), cormorant, grey heron, mute swan, mandarin (4), gadwall, teal, mallard, shoveler, pochard, tufted duck, goosander (6), ruddy duck, sparrowhawk, pheasant, moorhen, coot, snipe, black-headed gull, common gull, lesser black-backed gull, herring gull, rock dove (feral pigeon), woodpigeon, collared dove, great spotted woodpecker, wren, dunnock, robin, blackbird, song thrush, mistle thrush, redwing (35+), bearded tit, marsh tit, blue tit, great tit, long-tailed tit, nuthatch, goldcrest, magpie, carrion crow, jackdaw, starling, house sparrow, chaffinch, brambling (2), greenfinch, goldfinch, pied wagtail (h), reed bunting (52 species + ring-necked parakeet in Sidcup)

Female Bearded Tit at Bough Beech Reservoir: Pictures by Ian Willmott

General Observations
The great northern diver performed close to the causeway when we arrived. Goosanders were tucked away in the NW corner where two males and a female were later joined by a further three which flew in from the east. The pools east of the causeway were frozen over and nearly all passerine activity was in the orchard area where two bramblings showed well. Highlight was the female bearded tit feeding near the bridge by the path to the visitor centre where it gave prolonged close range views.

On our return journey we saw a flock of redwings in trees by the roadside in Brasted. Surprisingly there were no fieldfares/redwings at Bough Beech itself.

Weather: Dull and chilly with little wind.