Grove Ferry NNR, Kent
Eric Brown, Doreen Newson, Tony Dunstan, Thursday 12 August 2010, 10.45 am to 3.30 pm

Bird List
Mute swan (pair with 6 cygnets), greylag goose (100+), teal, mallard, garganey (3), shoveler, cormorant, little egret (20+), grey heron, marsh harrier, water rail, spotted crake, moorhen, coot, ringed plover, lapwing (200+), ruff, snipe (12), common sandpiper (2), green sandpiper (20+), greenshank (3), wood sandpiper, black headed gull, common gull, lesser black backed gull, common tern, feral pigeon, woodpigeon, collared dove, turtle dove (2), green woodpecker, sand martin (30+), swallow, house martin, robin, blackbird, reed warbler (6), whitethroat (4), willow warbler, magpie, carrion crow, starling (1,000+), house sparrow, chaffinch, greenfinch, goldfinch, reed bunting. Total 47 species

General Observations
A spotted crake emerged from reeds opposite the David Feast hide at 12.05pm and remained in sight for 10 minutes turning over waterside vegetation to feed before dashing back into cover. It had also been seen at 7.10am and was later seen around 3.00pm. Turtle doves perched on bare tree branches across the river and rail line. The wood sandpiper fed busily among green sandpipers and lapwings at the water meadows, visible from the riverbank path. Garganey were spotted from the ramp. The neighbouring pool is no longer visible from here as reeds have been allowed to grow too tall. NB The Grove ferry car park is no longer free. £1 daily charge.

Weather: Sunshine and cloud. Warm

Cliffe Pools RSPB Reserve
Maurice Ewart, Eric Brown, Tuesday 3 August 2010, 10.30 am to 2.30 pm

A walk from the car park along the west side of the reserve to the seawall and back

Bird List
Great crested grebe, little grebe, cormorant, little egret (10+), grey heron, Canada goose, shelduck, mallard, shoveler (6), tufted duck, marsh harrier (2), sparrowhawk, kestrel (2), hobby (2), coot, oystercatcher (30+), avocet (220+), lapwing, ruff (7/8), black-tailed godwit (2), whimbrel (3), redshank (70+), greenshank, green sandpiper (2), common sandpiper, black-headed gull, lesser black-backed gull, common tern, collared dove, woodpigeon, green woodpecker (h), swallow, house martin, dunnock, robin, blackbird, reed warbler (h), whitethroat (25+), garden warbler, blue tit, great tit, jay, magpie, carrion crow, starling, house sparrow, chaffinch, greenfinch, goldfinch (49 species).

General Observations
Butterflies: red admiral, peacock, small tortoiseshell, gatekeeper, meadow brown, large white, small white, holly blue

Gatekepper Picture by Tony Dunstan

Gatekepper Picture: Tony Dunstan

Dragonflies: common darter, ruddy darter, common blue damselfly.

Fox, rabbit, stoat or weasel (too quick to id)

With more ditches and small pools the east side of the reserve is currently better for butterflies/dragonflies. Low tide was around noon so not the best time to see waders

Weather: Warm and muggy, little or no wind

Cliffe Pools RSPB, Northward Hill RSPB
Eric Brown, Maurice Ewart, Doreen Newson, Tony Dunstan, Tuesday 27 July 2010, Cliffe 10.05 am to 12.40 pm Northward Hill 1.00 pm to 3.30 pm

A trip mainly in search of insects

Bird list
Cliffe: Avocet, blackbird, bunting - corn, reed, chaffinch, carrion crow, coot, dove - collared, rock (fp), stock, tufted duck, dunnock, little egret (18), goldfinch (20+), grrenfinch, black headed gull, marsh harrier (juv), grey heron (10), kestrel, lapwing (20+), linnet, magpie, mallard, house martin, moorhen, oystercatcher, greenshank, redshank (40+), common sandpiper, shelduck, house sparrow, sparrowhawk, starling (300+), swallow, swift, tit - blue, great, long-tailed, pied wagtail, reed warbler, whitethroat, woodpecker - green, greater spotted, woodpigeon. Total 43

Northward Hill: marsh harrier (2 ads one juv)

Additional sp only; chiffchaff, cormorant, goose - Canada, greylag (200 +), mute swan, black tailed godwit, jackdaw, jay, mistle thrush. Day total 52

Butterflies
Cliffe: Large white, red admiral, wall, brown argus, meadow brown, gatekeeper

Red Admiral Picture by Tony Dunstan

Red Admiral Picture: Tony Dunstan

Northward Hill: Peacock, Comma plus caterpillar of Cinnabar or Five-spot burnet.

Dragonflies
Cliffe: ruddy darter (numerous), blue tailed damselfly

Weather: Very warm with showers then steady drizzle

Crossness Golf Centre area, Thamesmead
Eric Brown, Maurice Ewart, Steve and Sandra Sheppard, Friday 2 July 2010, 10.30 am to 11.45 am

Bird List
Blackbird, black headed gull, grey heron, mallard, lesser black backed gull, yellow legged gull, great black backed gull, herring gull, oystercatcher, cormorant, linnet (2), whitethroat (4), great crested grebe (2), swallow, swift, house martin, common tern (30+), shelduck (200+), starling (100+), house sparrow, mute swan. Total 21 species

Weather: Very hot approx 26°C

The Glade, Sidcup
Eric Brown, Monday 28 June 2010, 4.15 pm to 5.00 pm

Bird List
Blackbird, great crested grebe (pair with young), mallard (10), coot (two pairs, one with young), greater spotted woodpecker, collared dove, woodpigeon, blue tit, Canada geese (16 with four young), greylag goose (possibly domestic), carrion crow (25), magpie (2), starling (6), mute swan, ring-necked parakeet (6)

Weather: Very warm approx 26°C

Dungeness RSPB reserve, Dengemarsh Road, Arc Pit, Observatory area
Eric Brown, Doreen Newson, Maurice Ewart, Tony Dunstan,Thursday 25 June 2010, 10.40 am to 3.45 pm

A trip to look for purple heron etc

Bird List
Mute swan (60+), little grebe, cormorant, little egret, grey heron (5), purple heron, greylag goose, Canada goose, pochard (6), tufted duck, marsh harrier (10+), hobby (6), peregrine, moorhen, coot, oystercatcher (17), lapwing (50+), black headed gull, herring gull, common tern, stock dove, rock dove (feral pigeon), woodpigeon, cuckoo, swift (10+), skylark, swallow, house martin, pied wagtail, yellow wagtail (6+), black redstart (family party of five), stonechat (fem with two young), wheatear, blackbird, sedge warbler, reed warbler, whitethroat, magpie, carrion crow, starling (300+), house sparrow, tree sparrow, linnet, reed bunting, ring necked parakeet (on journey) Total 47

General Observations
The breeding purple herons had not been seen for an hour but one showed soon after we arrived at Dengemarsh Road. This male made several low flights across reeds carrying twigs and other nest material. It appeared at least 10 times in an hour but was not seen carrying food which led to speculation about whether the eggs or young might have been predated. Several hobbies hunted across the reeds, a peregrine alighted on an electricity pylon and yellow wagtails caught insects among a crop alongside the road. The farmer is getting increasingly tetchy about birders' vehicles being parked. At the obs area a fine male black redstart perched on the power station fence and soon joined a family party near one of the cottages. Stonechat also had young and a juvenile whitethroat showed in the same area. On the return drive a single wheatear was spotted in a cottage garden.

Weather: Very hot. 24 to 26°C

River Cray to Maiden Lane, Crayford, Barnes Cray to Crayford Marshes returning via Jolly Farmers Open Space
Ralph and Brenda Todd, Saturday 19 June 2010, 8.30 am to 10.30 am

Timed Tetrad visit for BTO Atlas

Bird List
Little grebe (2 + 3 young), little egret (2), grey heron (2), Canada geese (16), gadwall (2), mallard (20 + 5 young), tufted duck, shelduck (4), hobby (2 possibly 3), moorhen (4 + 5 young), coot (6 + 3 young), lapwing (10), redshank (2), black-headed gull (8), herring gull (27), lesser-black backed gull (3), stock dove (9), woodpigeon (17), collared dove (11), great spotted woodpecker, skylark, grey wagtail, pied wagtail (5), wren (8), dunnock, robin, blackbird (10), song thrush (2), sedge warbler (2), reed warbler (8), blackcap (6), whitethroat (12), blue tit (5), great tit (3), jay, magpie (6), carrion crow (31), starling (35 along river with over 400 feeding on the marshes – mostly juveniles), house sparrow (15), chaffinch, greenfinch (6), goldfinch (7), linnet (2). 44 species

Weather: Cloudy blustery cool – northerly wind.

River Shuttle. Black Prince to Blendon Road, Bexley
Ralph Todd, Thursday 17 June 2010, 8.55 am to 9.30 am

Part of BTO Atlas Timed Tetrad visit

Bird List
Woodpigeon (7), ring-necked parakeet, great spotted woodpecker, wren (7), robin, blackbird (7), song thrush (2), mistle thrush, blackcap (2), long-tailed tit (2), blue tit (4), magpie (2),carrion crow (3), starling (16), chaffinch (3), greenfinch (3), goldfinch (2). 17 species

General Observationss
Mid June isn’t a good time to be surveying!

Weather: Cool, high cloud, bright.

Hall Place North, Bexley
Ralph Todd, Thursday 17 June 2010, 8.25 am to 8.50 am

Part of BTO Atlas Timed Tetrad visit

Bird List
Greylag geese (4 adults, 5 goslings), wood pigeon, ring-necked parakeet (2), dunnock (2) robin, blackbird (4), blue tit (2), magpie (2), jackdaw (7), house sparrow. 10 species

General Observations
Mid June isn’t a good time to be surveying!

Weather: Cool, high cloud, bright.

The Warren to Midhurst Hill/Broomfield Road Bexleyheath
Ralph Todd, Thursday 17 June 2010, 7.45 am to 8.15 am

Part of BTO Atlas Timed Tetrad visit

Bird List
Woodpigeon (6), collared dove, ring-necked parakeet (8), great spotted woodpecker (2), wren (4), robin (3), blackbird (6), blackcap (2), chiffchaff, blue tit (3), great tit (2), nuthatch (2), jay, magpie, carrion crow (2), starling (2), house sparrow (3), chaffinch. 18 species

Weather: Cool, high cloud, bright.

Upper College Farm, Bexley
Ralph Todd, Date, Tuesday 15 June 2010, 7.45 am to 9.20 am

BTO Atlas Survey

Bird List
Canada geese (2 + 5 goslings), kestrel, moorhen (2), coot (pair on nest), woodpigeon (8), ring-necked parakeet (7), green woodpecker (2), great spotted woodpecker (4), skylark (4), swallow (2), swift (4), wren (4), dunnock (2), robin (2), blackbird (2), song thrush (2), mistle thrush, blackcap (2), whitethroat (24), chiffchaff (3), blue tit (4), great tit (2), magpie (8), carrion crow (10), starling (11), house sparrow (3), chaffinch, greenfinch (2), goldfinch. 28 species

General Observations
Six spikes of Bee Orchid found near Bexley Cricket Club.

Weather: Mostly clear, some cloud, bright strong breeze, cool.

Birchwood Road and Golf Club Wilmington
Ralph Todd, Tuesday 15 June 2010, 6.10 am to 7.30 am

BTO BBS

Bird List
Moorhen (3), herring gull, woodpigeon (15), ring-necked parakeet (9), green woodpecker (4), great spotted woodpecker, pied wagtail (9), wren (7), dunnock (2), robin (4), blackbird (10), song thrush (2), mistle thrush (2), whitethroat (2), long-tailed tit (3), blue tit (9), great tit, magpie (5), starling (222), house sparrow (5), chaffinch (6), greenfinch (8), goldfinch (7). 24 species.

Weather: Mostly clear, some cloud, bright strong breeze, cool.

Knole Park, Sevenoaks, Bough Beech reservoir near Ide Hill
Steve and Sandra Sheppard, Eric Brown, Wednesday 9 June 2010, 10.15 am to 3.45 pm

Bird List
Knole Park: Blackbird, jay, magpie, starling, nuthatch (3), treecreeper (2), common redstart (4), yellowhammer (2), tree pipit (6- 8), blue tit, great tit, jackdaw, carrion crow, greylag geese (18 with four young), mallard, herring gull, coot (two young), moorhen, goldfinch (10+), green woodpecker (2), great spotted woodpecker, mistle thrush, chiffchaff, willow warbler, chaffinch, ring necked parakeet, wood pigeon, feral pigeon, pheasant, robin (30).

Bough Beech: Shelduck, swallow, swift, house martin, grey heron, common buzzard, lapwing, common tern, great crested grebe, tufted duck (10).

Shoreham (on journey): Lesser whitethroat, skylark (6). Day total 42

Butterfly: orange tip

Moth: Cinnabar (3)

Mammals: rabbit, fallow deer

General Observations
Knole Park came up trumps with woodland specialities common redstart, treecreeper, nuthatch and vocal tree pipits all within a few hundred yards beyond the keeper’s cottage near the bend beside the golf course. Rain curtailed our visit to Bough Beech after a buzzard floated over low while we had tea at the Oast House.

Weather: Very hot sunshine, cloud then afternoon rain

Dengemarsh, Dungeness RSPB, Arc Pit, Observatory
Eric Brown, Stephen Sheppard, Sandra Sheppard, Doreen Newson, Wednesday 2 June 2010, 11.10 am to 4.10 pm

A summer roam around Dungeness with an unexpected highlight

Bird List
Blackbird, corn bunting, reed, chaffinch, coot, carrion crow, cormorant, cuckoo, dove -collared, rock (fp), tufted duck, dunnock, little egret, red-footed falcon, goose - Canada, greylag, barnacle, grebe - great crested, little, gull - black-headed, herring, lesser black backed, marsh harrier (12+), grey heron (3), hobby (10+), jackdaw, kestrel, lapwing, linnet (20+), magpie, mallard, moorhen, oystercatcher, ring-necked parakeet (on journey), red legged partridge, pochard (6), black redstart (2), rook, shelduck, shoveler, skylark, house sparrow, mute swan (50+), swift, common tern, wagtail - grey, pied, warbler - reed, Cetti’s, sedge, whitethroat, wheatear (2), woodpigeon. Total 54 species.

General Observations
From the small bridge off Dengemarsh Road we spotted an unusual looking specimen hunting insects with half a dozen hobbies. Falcon shaped, it was orange-buff on crown, nape and breast, which appeared unstreaked. It barely showed moustachial stripes on its creamy face (not white) and seemed to have red feet. This bird frequently balanced on telegraph wires and dropped to the ground before returning to its perch to consume prey. Flights varied from low passes over reeds to high circling. It occasionally hovered momentarily. While we were deliberating identity another birdwatcher appeared and asked what we were looking at. He mentioned a red footed falcon had been seen earlier. Not having considered this, we studied the bird again. Fortunately it came closer, within a couple of hundred yards, on a hunting flight, enabling all the features to be noted through telescopes. It appeared to be an adult female red-footed falcon. Warden Bob Gomes later confirmed the identity and said the bird had been around for a couple of days. See his stunning pictures on the Kentos website. No sign of purple heron. Black redstarts near power station.

Weather: Fine, sunny, very warm.

Warden Point, Leysdown, Capel Fleet, Harty Ferry Inn, Harty Church, Isle of Sheppey
Eric Brown, Steve Sheppard, Tony Dunstan, Wednesday 26 May 2010, 10.09 am to 5.20 pm

A ramble round Sheppey

Bird List
Avocet (20+), blackbird, reed bunting (6), common buzzard, chaffinch, carrion crow, coot, cormorant, collared dove, rock (fp), dunnock, little egret, gadwall, black-tailed godwit (94), goldfinch, greylag goose, little grebe, greenfinch, gull - black-headed, herring, lesser black backed, marsh harrier (12+), grey heron, hobby, jackdaw, jay, kestrel, lapwing (30+), linnet (6), magpie, mallard, sand martin, moorhen (one with five young), barn owl, oystercatcher, ring necked parakeet (journey), peregrine, pheasant, peacock (3), meadow pipit, redshank, robin, rook, shelduck, shoveler, skylark, house sparrow, starling, mute swan, swallow, swift, common tern (10), mistle thrush, great tit, wagtail - pied, yellow, reed warbler, whitethroat, green woodpecker, wren, woodpigeon. Total 58

General Observations
Good to know Sheppey’s raptor interest is not confined to winter with hobby, kestrel, marsh harrier, buzzard, peregrine and even barn owl appearing. The peregrine took a starling over Capel Fleet. Hobby at Warden Point, marsh harriers and barn owl Harty Ferry Road. Godwits and avocets on pools below Harty Ferry Inn, peacocks in Harty Church grounds. Yellow wagtail on fence by Elmley approach road but only one seen. No cuckoos heard. A stoat gave good close views at Capel Fleet viewing mound.

Weather: Cloudy and cold wind at first. Sunny later

Holborough Marshes Kent Wildlife Trust Reserve
Eric Brown, Tuesday 25 May 2010, 10.45 to noon

A quick first visit to a tucked away reserve in the Medway Valley during the official opening of a new bird hide

Bird List
Blackbird, cuckoo, chiffchaff, chaffinch, cormorant, woodpigeon, house martin (6 to 8), swift (3), carrion crow, mallard (pair), sedge warbler, collared dove, starling

General Observations
Nightingales breed at the reserve on old cement works sandwiched between the Medway river and the A228 which runs along the Medway Valley from the M2 (J2) just before the Rochester bridge and the M20 (J4). None were singing or visible during the visit.

The scrape in front of the hide has potential for winter wader use.

Park in Churchfields Road, Snodland, cross road by footbridge and take footpath onto reserve. Can be combined with a visit to New Hythe gravel pits.

Butterflies: Orange tip (f), holly blue

Weather: Warm sunshine.

Shuttle Riverway between BETHS School, Bexley, and Parish Wood Sidcup
Ralph and Brenda Todd, Tuesday 18 May 2010, 9.00 am to 12 noon

Bird List

BETHS to Bridgen Road, Bexley (TQ47R)
Woodpigeon (3), grey wagtail (3), wren (2), dunnock (3), robin (3), blackbird (7), blackcap, whitethroat (3), willow warbler, blue tit (3), great tit (3), carrion crow (2), starling (3), chaffinch, goldfinch (5), kingfisher (pair).

Bexley Woods to Willersley Park, Sidcup (TQ47R)
Mallard (pair), woodpigeon (19), ring-necked parakeet (4), green woodpecker (2), great spotted woodpecker (2), grey wagtail (3), wren (9), dunnock, robin (9), blackbird (12), mistle thrush (2), blackcap (2), chiffchaff, long-tailed tit (2), blue tit (4), great tit (4), magpie, carrion crow (3), starling (74), house sparrow (6), chaffinch (3), greenfinch (3).

Hollyoak Wood Park to Parish Wood Sidcup (TQ47L)
Collared dove, ring-necked parakeet (3), wren (9), dunnock (3), robin (2), blackbird (8), song thrush, blue tit, great tit, magpie (3), carrion crow (7), starling (37), house sparrow (3), chaffinch, greenfinch.

General Observations
Starling numbers building up. Two speckled wood butterflies on the wing.

Weather: Sunny, warm some cloud.

St Mary’s Church Bexley, Churchfields Wood to Black Prince, Bexley
Ralph Todd, Saturday 15 May 2010, 9.20 am to 10.25 am

Bird List
Sparrowhawk, woodpigeon (5), ring-necked parakeet (4), grey wagtail, wren (5), robin (7), blackbird (3), song thrush (2), mistle thrush, blackcap (5), common whitethroat (13), chiffchaff (2), blue tit (2), great tit (3), magpie (3), carrion crow (3), starling, house sparrow, chaffinch, goldfinch.

General Observations
No sign or sound of nightingales

Weather: High cloud,warm, sunny.

Shuttle River Black Prince to Bridgen Road Bexley
Ralph Todd, Saturday 15 May 2010, 10.30 am to 11.15 am

Bird List
Moorhen, woodpigeon (2), great spotted woodpecker, grey wagtail (pair), wren (4), dunnock, robin (6), blackbird (9), blackcap, long-tailed tit (2), blue tit (2), great tit, magpie (3),carrion crow(2), starling (7), house sparrow, chaffinch (4), greenfinch.

Weather; High cloud,warm, sunny.

Garden in Maple Leaf Drive, Sidcup
Eric Brown, Friday 14 May 2010, 6.35 pm

Bird List
Swifts (3), robin (2), blackbird (2), magpie, hobby

General Observations
I heard a swift call and looked up to see them from my garden for the first time this year. I noticed a larger swift but realised it was further away. As it came nearer it transformed into a hobby – a new garden tick. It made a half-hearted attempt to chase the swifts but soon gave up and headed off towards Chislehurst.

Weather: Warm, sunny

Crossness, Abbey Wood, Dartford Marshes and Joydens Wood, Dartford
Eric Brown, Maurice Ewart, Wednesday 12 May 2010, 10 am to 2.30 pm

A local tour of varied habitat

Bird List
Crossness: Reed warbler (3), swift (20+), little ringed plover, Canada geese (12), reed bunting, carrion crow, linnet, whitethroat, magpie, starling (30+), shelduck (10), mallard (pair), swallow, black headed gull (40+), herring gull (2), cormorant (3), peregrine, oystercatcher (2), wren

Birchwood Park Golf Club and Birchwood Road, Wilmington
Ralph Todd, Monday 10 May 2010, 6.15 am to 7.40 am

Early visit for BTO Breeding Bird Survey

Bird List
Mallard (4), moorhen (5), herring gull (2), woodpigeon (14), ring-necked parakeet (13), green woodpecker (2), great spotted woodpecker, sand martin, pied wagtail (2), wren (3), dunnock (8), robin (5), blackbird (8), song thrush, whitethroat (7), blackcap, blue tit, great tit (3), nuthatch, magpie (3), carrion crow (7), starling (49), house sparrow (6), chaffinch (7), greenfinch (6).

Weather: Cool, grey, overcast and breezy.

River Cray – Maiden Lane, Barnes Cray to Crayford Marshes returning via Jolly Farmers Open Space
Ralph Todd, Tuesday 11 May 2010, 8.30 am to 10.30 am

BTO Atlas visit – Another nightingale site found.

Bird List
Mute swan (3), shelduck (7), gadwall (4), mallard (21), tufted duck (4), little grebe, little egret, grey heron, water rail (pair), moorhen (11), coot (11), lapwing (13 – displaying), redshank (2), black-headed gull (2), lesser black-backed gull (6), herring gull (74), woodpigeon (4), collared dove (4), ring-necked parakeet, swift (52), skylark (1), swallow (4), wren (10), dunnock, robin (4), nightingale, blackbird (9), reed warbler (7), blackcap (6), common whitethroat (10), chiffchaff (4), blue tit (3), great tit (2), jay, magpie (15), jackdaw (2), carrion crow (53), starling (58), house sparrow (10), chaffinch, greenfinch (6), goldfinch (2).

General Observations
Weather not conducive to active birds

Weather: Cold, grey, breezy – brightening and warming up as the morning progressed.

Lesnes Abbey Woods
Ralph and Brenda Todd, Monday 10 May 2010, 2.30 pm to 3.30 pm

A walk primarily for the blue bells

Bird List
Great spotted woodpecker (2), chiffchaff (2), chaffinches, great tits, blackbirds, kestrel, common whitethroat (2)

General Observations
The bluebells are stunning but hurry before they go over.

Weather: Bright, sunny but cool

Upper College Farm – open Space between Riverside Road, Albany Park and Bexley Cricket Club
Ralph Todd, Sunday 9 May 2010, 7.45 am to 8.30 am, BTO Atlas visit

Bird List
Little egret, grey heron, Canada geese (4), moorhen (4), coot (2), stock dove (4), wood pigeon (26), collared dove (2), ring-necked parakeet (16), green woodpecker, skylark, wren (4), dunnock (4), robin (6), blackbird (14), song thrush (3), mistle thrush, blackcap, common whitethroat (11), chiffchaff (3), long-tailed tit (2), blue tit (3), great tit (12), nuthatch, magpie (5), starling (6), chaffinch (2), greenfinch, linnet (4).

General Observations
Weather not conducive to active birds

Weather: Cold, grey, breezy.

The Warren - Bexleyheath
Ralph Todd, Saturday 8 May 2010, 6.30 am to 7.15 am

BTO Atlas visit

Bird List
Stock dove (3), woodpigeon (9), collared dove (2), ring-necked parakeet (6), green woodpecker, great spotted woodpecker, wren (4), dunnock (2), robin (3), blackbird (2), song thrush, blackcap (2), common whitethroat, chiffchaff (3), blue tit (2), great tit (3), nuthatch, magpie (4), carrion crow (8), house sparrow (4), chaffinch (2).

General Observations
Weather not conducive to active birds

Weather: Cold, grey breezy.

River Shuttle – Black Prince to Bridgen Road, Bexley
Ralph Todd, Saturday 8 May 2010, 7.30 am to 8.15 am

BTO Atlas visit – nesting kingfishers confirmed

Bird List
Mallard, moorhen, woodpigeon (8), ring-necked parakeet (5), grey wagtail (4), kingfisher (pair entering nest), wren (5), robin (3), blackbird (5), song thrush (2), mistle thrush, blackcap, great tit (4), carrion crow (3), starling (5), chaffinch, greenfinch.

General Observations
Weather not conducive to active birds

Weather: Cold, grey breezy.

Crossness (Golf Club) and Bough Beech Reservoir
Eric Brown, Steve Sheppard, Sandra Sheppard, Maurice Ewart and Dave Thompson, Tuesday 4 May 2010, 10.30 am to 4.10 pm

A quick look for terns at Crossness and nightingale at Bough Beech

Bird List
Crossness: Common tern, Arctic tern, whitethroat, house sparrow, cormorant, black headed gull, lesser black backed gull, shelduck, oystercatcher, skylark, starling.

Bough Beech: Blackbird, blackcap, chaffinch, chiffchaff, carrion crow, coot, collared dove, rock (feral) dove, tufted duck, mandarin duck (5), dunnock, gadwall, goldfinch, goose - Canada, greylag, grebe - great crested, little, greenfinch, grey heron, hobby, jackdaw, jay, kestrel, linnet, magpie, mallard (with four young), house martin, moorhen, nightingale (2 poss 3), pheasant, robin, sparrowhawk, mute swan, swallow, swift, teal, mistle thrush, tit - blue, great, long-tailed, treecreeper, pied wagtail, reed warbler woodpigeon. Day total 58

General Observations
Two nightingales were easily observed at a Bough Beech spot becoming reliable for them annually. A possible pair, one singing and one silent, were observed on the grassy path behind a wooden gate on the small reservoir side. They are fairly unperturbed by people and spend long spells in the open. Nightingale song was also heard from another direction suggesting there might be a third bird in the area. One was observed chasing off a robin indicating that it might be setting up a territory. Common and Arctic terns were at both venues while treecreeper and garden warbler showed well at Bough Beech. We missed a marsh harrier while admiring the nightingales.

Weather: Fine but very cold wind

Morrison’s Supermarket Car Park, Sidcup
Philip Cliffe, Tuesday 4 May 2010,1pm

The cranes flew over the car park quite low in a North Westerly direction. They were probably the ones noted on the London Birders website as being over East India Dock at 1:35 pm

Bird List
Cranes (2), feral pigeons

Slight North Easterly breeze, dull, 12°C

Chalk Wood, North Cray
Philip Cliffe, Saturday 30 April 2010, 12:00 noon

Bird List
Lesser spotted woodpecker (male), great spotted woodpecker (h), green woodpecker, blackcap, chiffchaff

Weather: Sunny, cloudy spells, warm

Bough Beech reservoir
Eric Brown, Ron Veet, Saturday 24 April 2010, 8.00 pm to 8.15 pm

A very quick look on a journey elsewhere turned up a first look at cuckoo, black tern and nightingale for the year

Bird List
Blackbird, blackcap, black tern, cuckoo, carrion crow, chaffinch, great crested grebe, nightingale, mallard, swallow

General Observations
The nightingale, not yet in full song, is in its usual position around the wooden gates before the causeway. Black tern was flying around towards the dam. Common and Arctic Terns were on the list but not seen.

Weather: Dry and mild, little wind

Knole Park, Sevenoaks
Eric Brown, Doreen Newson, Stephen Sheppard, Dave Thompson, Tuesday 20 April 2010, 10.15 am to 2.45 pm

Bexley Birdbrains' annual Knole visit chiefly to seek redstart
Bird List
Blackbird, black headed gull, chaffinch, chiffchaff (singing), carrion crow, cormorant (2 flyover), Canada goose, goldcrest (2), goldfinch, greylag goose (3), jackdaw, jay (4), magpie, mallard (3), moorhen, nuthatch (8+), redstart common, ring necked parakeet, robin, starling, song thrush, tit - blue, great, willow warbler (singing), green woodpecker (4+), wren, woodpigeon, feral pigeon, muscovy duck (Otford pond). Total 29

General Observations
A fine male redstart was quickly located soon after entering the third gate at the rear of Knole Park opposite the right turn to Underriver. It flew from a low branch to the ground and back several times near a black and white "Beware - golf course" sign. This was nine days earlier than last year’s sighting in the same area and the earliest the Bexley Birdbrains have ever recorded for redstart. With no major aircraft noise, birdsong reached a crescendo. Nuthatches were particularly vocal and abundant. One pair mated several times on a branch. Yet no treecreepers were seen and have never been recorded at this site by those present. No tree pipits either.

Mammals: roe deer, fallow deer

Weather: Fine, bright and sunny with cool breeze

Sidcup railway station
Eric Brown, Sunday 18 April 2010, 1.40 pm to 2 pm

Mental list while awaiting train

Bird List
Blackbird, blackcap, black headed gull, carrion crow, chaffinch, greenfinch, magpie, ring-necked parakeet, robin, starling, tit - blue, great, wren, woodpigeon, feral pigeon. Total 15

Butterfly: orange tip

Weather: Bright sunshine, warm

Haddon Grove/Hollyoak Wood, Sidcup
Eric Brown, Friday 16 April 2010, 10 am to 10.45am

A quick visit to see what’s around in spring at this small wood alongside the River Shuttle on a day of deafening birdsong due to grounding of all aircraft. Bliss.

Bird List)

House Sparrow Picture by Tony Dunstan

House Sparrow Picture by Tony Dunstan

House Sparrow. Pictures by Tony Dunstan

Blackbird (4), blackcap, carrion crow, chaffinch, chiffchaff (2), dunnock, greenfinch, jay, tit - blue, great, long-tailed, ring necked parakeet (4), robin, house sparrow (10+), starling (12), grey wagtail (2) woodpecker - great spotted, green, woodpigeon (20+), wren, Total 20.

Also grey squirrel

General Observations
In the eerie quiet (no flights from London City Airport) a pair of grey wagtails emerged from beneath the Willersley Avenue bridge to seek bankside insects. A singing blackcap could not be sighted in the wood but both woodpeckers showed well with green peering into a nest hole and great spot tapping for food rather than drumming. Amazingly no magpies or gulls. The house sparrow colony at the Oval is thriving with birds chirping and peeping out from every crack in brickwork above the shops.

Weather: Cool but sunny, light breeze

Dungeness Observatory area and RSPB Reserve
Eric Brown, Doreen Newson, Stephen Sheppard , Tuesday 13 April 2010, 10.45 am to 3.15 pm

Bird List
Blackbird, reed bunting, common buzzard, chaffinch, carrion crow, coot, cormorant, dove rock (FP), stock, tufted duck, dunnock, gadwall, goldeneye (f), goose - Canada, greylag, grebe - great crested, Slavonian, gull - blackheaded, lesser black backed, great black backed, herring, marsh harrier (7), grey heron, jackdaw, jay, kestrel, lapwing, linnet, magpie, mallard, house martin, moorhen, oystercacther, pheasant, meadow pipit, plover - grey, ringed, pochard, redshank, black redstart (2), rook, shelduck, shoveler, skylark, sparrow - house, tree, sparrowhawk, mute swan (25), swallow (6), teal, mistle thrush, tit - blue, great, wagtail - pied, yellow (2), warbler - Cetti’s, sedge, wheatear (6), whimbrel, green woodpecker, woodpigeon, wren. Total 62

General Observations
A day of surprises for the Bexley Birdbrains with winter visitors like goldeneye and Slavonian grebe still around and mixing with newly arrived migrants like swallow, yellow wagtail and wheatear. One black redstart in the moat, another of these post-loving birds in a tree near Observatory feeders. Two yellow wags were also seen in trees near feeders opposite the RSPB visitor centre. On the return journey a buzzard was spotted sitting atop a small tree beside the hard shoulder of the M20 in the Farningham/Horton Kirby area.

Peacock butterfly, Bumblebees numerous.

Weather: Bright and sunny but strong, cold wind

Slavonian Grebe, Dungeness Picture by Tony Dunstan	Slavonian Grebe, Dungeness Picture by Tony Dunstan	Slavonian Grebe, Dungeness Picture by Tony Dunstan
Slavonian Grebe. Pictures by Tony Dunstan

Albany Park – behind Kelsey’s Farm – footpath to Bexley.
Ralph Todd, Sunday 11 April 2010, 7.45 am to 8.10 am

Quick visit to see if nightingales have returned – they haven’t

Bird List
Whitethroat (2), chiffchaff (2), skylark (2), jay (5), wren, green woodpecker, goldfinch (2), blue tit, linnet

Weather: Cold north easterly wind – high cloud.

Old Bexley – waste ground adjacent St. Mary’s Church
Ralph Todd, Sunday 11 April 2010, 7.15 am to 7.40 am

A quick visit to check if nightingales have returned – they haven’t.

Bird List
Wren (3), kestrel, green woodpecker, greenfinch, great tit, dunnock (4), chiffchaff (2), blackbird (2), jay (2), mistle thrush, robin (5), great spotted woodpecker, starling (4).

Weather: Cool north easterly wind – high cloud.

Thames river and Crossness LNR
Ralph Todd, Saturday 10 April 2010, 9.15 am to 11.30 am

Bird List
Black-headed gull (60), house sparrow (2), starling (23), cormorant (6), herring gull (1), lesser black backed gull (2), oystercatcher (2), wren (1), greylag goose (2), chaffinch (7), shelduck (9), greenfinch, dunnock (4), robin (2), great tit, grey heron (3), wood pigeon (8), coot (9), moorhen (8), mallard (8), teal (198), linnet (7), redshank (19), Canada goose (4), gadwall (38), pied wagtail, shoveler (20), blackbird, stonechat, magpie (5), reed bunting (2), little grebe, kestrel, blue tit (2).

General Observations
Peacock and small tortoiseshell butterflies

Weather: Warm, sunny clear.

Lesnes Abbey Woods
Ralph Todd, Thursday 8 April 2010, 2.15 pm to 3.30 pm

A visit primarily to view and photograph the wild flowers. The wild daffodils are just beginning to go over but the wood anemones are the best I’ve ever seen, three bluebells showing along with celandine and wild violets – well worth a visit but make it soon for the daffodils/anemones.

Bird List
Chiffchaff (3), robin, blue tit (8), long-tailed tit (pair with nest material), great tit (5), great spotted woodpecker (2), ring-necked parakeet (4), woodpigeon (2), jay (2), carrion crow, green woodpecker, blackcap, kestrel.

General Observations
Peacock and small tortoiseshell butterflies.

Weather: Warm, sunny and clear.

Martens Grove/Woods - Bexley
Ralph Todd, Thursday 8 April 2010, 9.30 am to 10.45 am

Blackcaps arrive in numbers – this site is well worth a visit in spring for woodland birds

Bird List
Blackcaps (10 individual males singing and one pair), chiffchaff (6), woodpigeon (25+), robin (5), wren, blackbird (7), chaffinch (2), nuthatch (5), dunnock (3), blue tit (11), ring-necked parakeet (14), collard dove (2), magpie(4), great tit (10), jay (6), song thrush, carrion crow (6), great spotted woodpecker (5), long-tailed tit (3)

General Observations
Single comma butterfly on the wing

Weather: Clear sunny, warm Spring morning after cold night, slight NW breeze

Shenstone Park – Bexley/Crayford
Ralph Todd, Thursday 8 April 2010, 8.45 am to 9.15 am

This small open space adjacent London Road, Crayford, is mostly amenity grass but some good old ancient woodland and worthy of regular visits. Access from Old Road, Crayford

Bird List
Robin (7), wren (5), woodpigeon (2), green woodpecker, blackbird (2), song thrush (3), carrion crow (5), great tit (5), blue tit (6), chaffinch (2), starling (7), chiffchaff (4), magpie, great spotted woodpecker (3 – including one pair), stock dove, collared dove, ring-necked parakeet, Dunnock (2), blackcap (a pair), jay (4), mistle thrush.

Weather: Clear, sunny warm morning following cool night – slight NW breeze.

East Blean Woods, Canterbury, Langdon Hole, Dover
Eric Brown, Doreen Newson, Stephen Sheppard, Wednesday 7 April 2010, 10.55 am to 4.45 pm

Bexley Birdbrains continue the search for Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and then go migrant hunting near Dover

Bird List
Blean (10.55 am to 12.30 pm) Blackbird, blue tit, great tit, carrion crow, chiffchaff, chaffinch, collared dove, cormorant (flyover), great spotted woodpecker (3), green woodpecker (h), greenfinch, jay, robin, song thrush, sparrowhawk, starling, willow warbler, wren, woodpigeon. Total 19

Langdon Hole (1.30 pm to 4.45 pm) additional species only: herring gull, lesser black backed gull, great black backed gull, kittiwake (6), fulmar, kestrel, pied wagtail (8), skylark (numerous singing), jackdaw, long tailed tit, reed bunting, magpie (12), dunnock, meadow pipit, swallow, rook, house sparrow, goldfinch, grey heron, wheatear, ring necked parakeet (on journey). Total 21. Day total 40

General Observations
Plenty of great spots but no lesser peckers. One promising bout of drumming could not be traced to its origin. No treecreepers or nuthatches either but singing chiffchaffs numerous. Peacock and red admiral butterflies appeared. Action on the Dover cliffs included half a dozen kittiwakes on a cliff nesting ledge along with several fulmar. As we returned to the car a wheatear popped up on a rock.

Weather: Warm and mild. Cloudy with sunny spells.

Bough Beech Reservoir and Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve
Eric Brown, Doreen Newson, Maurice Ewart, Wednesday 31 March 2010, 10.10 am to 4.50 pm

Visit to two reserves offering some shelter on a miserable day

Bird List
BB 10.10am to Noon: Blackbird, bullfinch (pair), reed bunting, chaffinch, chiffchaff, carrion crow, coot, cormorant, tufted duck, house sparrow, great crested grebe, greenfinch, gull - black headed, herring, lesser black backed, jackdaw, magpie, mallard, pheasant, robin, rook, shelduck, shoveler, snipe, starling, mute swan, woodpecker - great spotted, green (h), woodpigeon. Total 29

SWR 12.30 pm to 4.50 pm: many of above plus blackcap (M), stock dove, gadwall, goldcrest, goldfinch, goose - Canada, Egyptian, greylag, dunnock, common gull, grey heron, jay, kestrel, lapwing, martin - house (2), sand (100+), swallow (60+), moorhen, redpoll, teal, song thrush, tit - blue, great, long-tailed, treecreeper (2), pied wagtail, little ringed plover, wren. Total 28 different species (plus another bullfinch pair)

On journey: little egret, ring necked parakeet.

DAY TOTAL 59

Egyptian Goose Picture by Jenny Curran	Egyptian Goose Picture by Jenny Curran
Egyptian Goose. Pictures by Jenny Curran

General Observations
The appearance of three hirundines at SWR was a reminder that summer must be on the way – although it certainly didn’t feel like it. A solitary little ringed plover must also have wondered about the wisdom of arriving in March. This was the first time any of us could recall seeing a pair of bullfinches at two different venues on the same day. The new café in the Bough Beech Oast House provided welcome respite from foul weather.

Weather: Cold wind, constant drizzle and cloudy.

Crossness Reserve, Thamesmead
Philip Cliffe and Kevin Jarvis, Thursday 26 March 2010, 8.00 am to 10.00 am

The kite flew over the hide in the protected area at about 0930

Bird List
Oystercatchers (8), curlew, blackcap, chiffchaff, willow warbler, shoveler (9), peregrine, kestrel, red kite, reed bunting, skylark (3)

Weather: Sunny, cool, 8-9°C, South West wind

Dungeness RSPB via Romney Marsh
Anthony Dunstan,Wednesday 24 March 2010, 10.30 am to 5.00 pm

Unscheduled visit by car

Bird List
Sand martin (3), wheatear (6), common redstart, yellowhammer (3), tree sparrow, reed bunting, greenfinch, chaffinch, house sparrow, skylark (3), goldeneye (6 ), starling, jackdaw, crow, rook, meadow pipit, cormorant, tufted duck, pochard, coot, moorhen, shoveler, mallard, teal, gadwall, oystercatcher, shelduck, blackbird, pied wagtail(12), herring gull, common gull, black headed gull, lesser black back gull, kestrel, dunnock, magpie, red legged partridge, pheasant, firecrest, little grebe, black necked grebe, great crested grebe, slavonian grebe (2), little egret, great white egret, grey heron, mute swan,Canada geese, greylag geese, lapwing, Cettis warbler, green woodpecker, wood pigeon, stock dove, marsh harrier, ruddy duck (4), linnet (4), corn bunting, blue tit.

General Observations
Penduline tits were flagged up on pagers but not seen despite two visits to their location. A mystery raptor was seen on the outward and return journeys across Romney Marsh resembling a small sized harrier/medium hawk, dove grey in appearance that flew with strong, steady wing beats or glided with flat wings with large protruding "fingers".

Weather: 12°C, light westerly wind. Bright but cloudy.

Kensington Gardens, East India Dock, Mudchute Farm & Nature Reserve
Eric Brown, Doreen Newson, Maurice Ewart, Wednesday 24 March 2010, 10.45 am to 4.00 pm

London ramble starting with an owl hunt

Bird list
KG 10.45 am: Tawny owl (2 ads, 4 young), treecreeper (5 - one singing), blue tit, great tit, long tailed tit, carrion crow, magpie, jay, woodpigeon, feral pigeon, ring-necked parakeet, Egyptian goose, Canada goose, greylag goose, grey heron, cormorant, great crested grebe, little grebe, tufted duck, mallard, red-crested pochard (2 pairs), mandarin, shoveler (10), coot, moorhen, mute swan, blackbird, starling, robin, greenfinch, chaffinch, goldfinch, black headed gull. Total 33 (also brown rat (5), grey squirrel (numerous)).

EID 12.30 pm: many of above plus teal, shelduck, sand martin (2), dunnock, wren, pied wagtail, lesser black backed gull, herring gull. Additional 8 species

Mudchute 2.40 pm: additional species: song thrush, chiffchaff, willow warbler, monk parakeet (6), house sparrow. Total 5

DAY TOTAL 46

General Observations
The owls were easily found about five mins walk from Lancaster Gate tube station (Central Line). The four owlets huddled together in a single tree while the male and female perched in different, nearby trees. Treecreepers were numerous. One was heard singing and another seen pulling a large grub from beneath bark. A pair of red crested pochards flew in as we observed mandarin on the lake and the species total of 33 was encouraging for just an hour in a busy London park alongside bustling Bayswater Road. East India Dock failed to produce black redstart or little ringed plover but a couple of incoming sand martins turned up. At Mudchute, chiffchaff and willow warbler could be compared while we all got a first sighting of monk parakeet. A total of 10 trains were used in the course of the day which produced good species and numbers for London.

Weather: Mild and warm, occasional drizzle with sunny periods.

Haddon Grove, Sidcup
Eric Brown, Tuesday 23 March 2010, 9.30am

Bird list
Little egret

General Observations
A little egret waded in the River Shuttle at the junction of Willersley Avenue with Haddon Grove, Sidcup. Little Egret was regular here during winter but had gone missing for a couple of weeks.

Weather: Warm sunshine

Boughton Park, Boughton Monchelsea and Park Wood, near Woodchurch
Eric Brown, Maurice Ewart, Stephen Sheppard, Doreen Newson – The Bexley Birdbrains – plus Tony Dunstan, Wednesday 17 March 2010, BM 10.10 am to 1 pm PW 2.00 pm to 3.30 pm

Two woodland settings none of us had visited before

Bird list
BM: great spotted woodpecker (4), green woodpecker (3), blackbird, starling, house sparrow, chaffinch, redwing, fieldfare, mistle thrush, song thrush, kestrel, blue tit, goldfinch, great tit, carrion crow, magpie, black headed gull, jay, rook, jackdaw, greenfinch, woodpigeon, mallard, tufted duck, moorhen, coot,

PW: many of above plus: chiffchaff, nuthatch (2), wren, treecreeper (2), marsh tit, long tailed tit, grey heron, dunnock, stock dove, pheasant. Total 36

General Observations
No sign of lesser spot at either venue although plenty of noise and activity from green and great spotted. Boughton held good numbers of redwing, fieldfare and mistle thrushes. Lunch was taken in the Boughton churchyard to enjoy its superb panoramic view of the park. At Park Wood a pair of active treecreepers seemed to be seeking a nest while the chiffchaff, though silent, was equally busy. Was it a migrant or an overwintering bird? A marsh tit called constantly from a branch near the path.

Weather: Warm, cloudy with sunny periods

Danson Park, Bexleyheath
Eric Brown, Steve Sheppard, Friday 12 March 2010, 9.45 am to 11.45 am

A short trip mainly to seek reported water rail

Bird List
Blackbird, robin, thrush - song, mistle (6), redwing (8), tit - blue, coal, great, long-tailed, magpie, jay, carrion crow, mallard, tufted duck, coot, moorhen, Canada goose, black headed gull, cormorant, water rail, chaffinch, greenfinch, kestrel, great spotted woodpecker (2), green woodpecker (2), house sparrow, starling, pied wagtail, wren (6), woodpigeon, ring necked parakeet, mute swan. Total 32 species

General Observations
Immediately we arrived on the bog garden bridge a water rail appeared less than 20 yards away, unhurriedly crossing the stream from left to right near a fallen tree. In the next 15 minutes it crossed and re-crossed the stream five times and could be seen foraging in streamside vegetation. It might have remained in view longer but for the increasing number of dogwalkers who stopped to ask what we were looking at with attendant rise in human and canine decibels. On its last excursion from left to right the rail showed alarm by running and tail flicking, disappearing deep into vegetation. A total of 32 different species was unexpected and welcome for a two hour stint in a local park. Yet we missed out on other Danson possibilities like nuthatch, treecreeper, siskin, kingfisher, great crested grebe and black backed gulls.

Weather: Cloudy but fairly mild up to 9°C

Leysdown, Capel Fleet, Harty Ferry Inn, Elmley approach track, Isle of Sheppey
Eric Brown, Doreen Newson, Maurice Ewart, Tony Dunstan, Wednesday 10 March 2010, 10.20 am to 3.45 pm

Bird List
Blackbird, reed bunting (50+), common buzzard, chaffinch, carrion crow, coot, cormorant, curlew, stock dove (50+), tufted duck, dunlin (30+), dunnock, little egret (3), fieldfare (200+), gadwall, goose - brent (1,000+), Canada, greylag, white-fronted (approx 200), greenfinch, gull - blackheaded, common, herring, lesser black-backed, marsh harrier (12), jackdaw, kestrel, knot, lapwing (300+), magpie, mallard, red-breasted merganser (2m 1f), merlin (2), moorhen, oystercatcher, ring-necked parakeet (on journey), red-legged partridge, pheasant, pintail, golden plover (1,000+), grey, ringed, pochard, redshank, redwing, sanderling (100+), shelduck, shoveler, house sparrow, starling (1,000+), mute swan, teal, song thrush, tit - blue, great, long-tailed, turnstone, pied wagtail, wigeon (2,000), green woodpecker (2), woodpigeon (2,000). Total 61 species

General Observations
Most memorable feature of this trip (apart from an icy wind which at one point blew us into a Leysdown café!) was the large flocks of birds. No one could recall seeing so many sanderling on Leysdown beach while dunlin, fieldfare, lapwing, golden plover, starling, wigeon, woodpigeon and stock dove were all seen in considerable numbers. The white front flock located in a field near Harty Ferry Road viewpoint numbered at least 200 with many first year birds among the adults. A field with stubble near the Inn attracted many finches and tits and at least 50 reed buntings plus a couple of shoveler and mallard.

Weather: Dry but icy wind making 3C temperature feel much colder.

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