Foots Cray Meadows, Sidcup
Philip Cliffe, Wednesday 31 December 2008, 10.00 am to 11.30 am

The gadwall and little grebe were on the lake, the snipe flew over and the others were along the river.

Bird List
Grey wagtail, little egret, snipe, siskins (30), little grebe (4-5), gadwall (4)

Weather: Cold, cloudy, calm

Northpoint Pit, Rye Harbour, Castle Water, East Sussex
Peter Kite, Jacky Foot, George Kali, Tuesday 30 December 2008, 9.45 am to 3.40 pm

Bird List
Northpoint pit: woodpigeon, collared dove, black headed gull, herring gull, lesser black back gull, common gull, mistle thrush, song thrush, blackbird, robin, wren, lapwing, ruff (2), redshank, dunlin, snipe, reed bunting (30+), goldfinch, greenfinch, teal, mallard, shoveler, gadwall, smew, pochard, cormorant, grey heron, mute swan, greylag goose, curlew, blue tit, chaffinch, linnet, meadow pipit, kestrel, starling, carrion crow, magpie, pheasant, jackdaw, coot, moorhen, little grebe, wigeon, tufted duck. Total 45 species.

Rye harbour: starling, house sparrow, greenfinch, magpie, pied wagtail, moorhen, blackbird, woodpigeon, collared dove, meadow pipit, redshank, oystercatcher, mallard, teal, herring gull, turnstone, wigeon. little grebe, ringed plover, dunlin, skylark, little egret, carrion crow, great crested grebe, great northern diver, teal, shelduck, tufted duck, shoveler, gadwall, carrion crow, black headed gull, golden plover, wren, grey plover. Total 34 species.

Castle Water: blue tit, mallard, coot, blackbird, lapwing, greylag goose, Canada goose, golden plover, snipe, marsh harrier, starling, grey heron, tufted duck, great, lesser, black back gull, jackdaw, pintail, wigeon (400+), shoveler, teal, robin, herring gull, black headed gull, stock dove, stonechat, carrion crow, coot, moorhen, starling, redshank, gadwall, green woodpecker, meadow pipit, magpie dunnock, great tit, chaffinch, long eared owl (2) Total 38 species.

Weather: Very cold with some winter sunshine

Danson Park, Bexleyheath
Philip Cliffe, Monday 29 December 2008, 10.00 am to 11.00 am

A brief visit to the bog garden where the rail was seen along the channel as usual, the kingfisher flew through and the shoveler was seen at the western end of the lake.

Bird list
Siskins (20), kingfisher, water rail, shoveler (male)

Weather: Cold, but sunny and calm

Danson Park, Bexleyheath
Philip Cliffe, Monday 29 December 2008, 12.30 pm to 1.00 pm

A cold morning in the bog garden produced a water rail in the channel parallel to the main stream, the kingfisher where the main stream enters the lake and a sparrowhawk above, being mobbed by a crow

Bird List
Siskins (20+), water rail, kingfisher, sparrowhawk

Weather: Sunny and calm but cold (3C)

Lewis Road, Sidcup
Philip and Judith Cliffe, Monday 29 December 2009, 9.00 am to 9.20 am

The redpolls were on the birch trees at the end of the garden and the tits on the feeders.

Bird List
Redpolls (20), coal tit, great tits (2), blue tits (3)

Weather: Calm, sunny but cold and frosty

Lewis Road, Sidcup
Philip and Judith Cliffe, Sunday 28 December 2008, 10.00 am

The birds were all seen on feeders in our garden with a blackcap mainly on the fat cake.

Bird List
Male blackcap, long tailed tits (2), blue tits (2), great tits (2)

Weather: Sunny but cold and breezy

Dungeness RSPB Reserve
John and Jeanna Turner, Sunday 28 December 2008, 11.00 am to 4.30 pm

The ARC pit produced distant views of smew and goosander as well as the usual selection of gulls and duck. A bonus was a hardy chiffchaff and a goldcrest. The reserve provided better views of a pair of smew, as well as slavonian grebe and red crested pochard. Walland Marsh was the route home looking for Berwicks swans, which unfortunately had moved south of Lydd, but a bonus was a small flock of corn bunting, yellowhammer and chaffinch. The day ended with a short walk at the Woolpack Inn with great views of a male and two female hen harrier, and up to a dozen harriers were seen wheeling in the sky very distantly. Jeanna spotted a barn owl on a sign post beside the A2070.

Bird List
Slavonian grebe, great crested grebe, grey heron, greylag goose, Canada goose, white-fronted goose, barnacle goose, mute swan, cormorant, smew, goosander, shelduck, pintail, teal, wigeon, gadwall, shovellor, mallard, red crested pochard, pochard, tufted duck, goldeneye, black headed gull, common gull, greater black backed gull, herring gull, barn owl, kestrel, sparrowhawk, marsh harrier, hen harrier, lapwing, snipe, coot, moorhen, carrion crow, magpie, wood pigeon, mistle thrush, blackbird, starling, robin, dunnock, great tit, chiffchaff, goldcrest, chaffinch, yellowhammer, corn bunting,

Weather: Sunny but cold.

West Hythe, Folkestone
Peter Kite, Karen Hills, Sunday 21 December 2008, 10.30 am to 2.45 pm

Trip to find the night heron, distant views in tree then on to park farm industrial centre for waxwings, a first for Karen.

Bird List
West Hythe: blue tit, great tit, robin, pheasant, rook, jackdaw, carrion crow, magpie, chaffinch, fieldfare, blackbird, goldcrest, great sptd woodpecker, mallard, moorhen, mute swan, woodpigeon, black headed gull, greenfinch, linnet, muscovy duck, kestrel, collared dove, cormorant, night heron. Species total 26.

Night Heron at West Hythe. Pictures by Peter Kite

Folkestone: pied wagtail, herring gull, black headed gull, blackbird, kestrel, waxwing (6). Species total 6.

Waxwings at Folkestonee. Pictures by Peter Kite

Weather: Slightly overcast, brightening later, very mild

Seasalter
John and Jeanna Turner, Friday 19 December 2008, 11.00am to 1.00pm

A walk to Castle Coote and back. On the outward walk we met a local birder/ photographer who had recently photographed a black redstart along the seawall (see KOS website for picture). We had great views. On the return walk a party of brent geese flew onto the mud and included a black brant. There were also some distant overflying thrushes we were unable to identify.

Bird List
Grey plover, ringed plover, lapwing, redshank, oystercatcher, turnstone, black tailed godwit, knot, dunlin, curlew, great crested grebe, sparrowhawk, marsh harrier, kestrel, black headed gull, herring gull, lesser black backed gull, greater black backed gull, common gull, shelduck, brent geese, black brant, robin, black redstart, reed bunting, blackbird, goldfinch, linnet, skylark, meadow pipit, stonechat, crow, rook, magpie, wood pigeon.

Weather: Sunny some breeze.

Riverside Road, Albany Park, Sidcup
Peter Sussex, Eric Brown, Thursday 18 December 2008, 11.05 am to noon

A quick look to see if the woodlarks were still present. They could not be found in a field now dominated by grey heron and woodpigeon and overlooked by sparrowhawk.

Bird List
Linnet (12), goldfinch (3), jackdaw, sparrowhawk (f), woodpigeon (25+), house sparrow, dunnock, starling (30+), blackbird, great tit (3), blue tit, wren, ring necked parakeet (3), magpie (5), chaffinch (4), c crow, grey heron.

Weather: Mild but cloudy and dull

Crossness Nature Reserve, Abbey Wood
Karen Sutton, Ralph Todd and attendees of Winter Bird Walk event, Sunday 14 December 2008, 10 am

Bird List
Black headed gulls (30), blackbird, Canada geese (30), carrion crow, collared dove (3), cormorant, dunlin (15), dunnock, gadwall, goldfinch (81), great crested grebe (2), green woodpecker, grey heron, grey wagtail, kestrel (3), lapwing (89), magpie, mute swan, pied wagtail (3), redshank (3), reed bunting (7), ring necked parakeets (2), robin (3), shelduck (15), shoveler (10), snipe (3), starling (12), stonechat (4), teal (258), wood pigeon (9).

Foots Cray Meadows
Philip Cliffe, Friday 12 December 2008, 9.30 am to 11.00 am

Bird List
Kingfisher (just upstream from Five Arches lake), little grebe (5), gadwall (3), grey wagtail, sparrowhawk (male) over stubble field opposite pumping station.

General Observations
No woodlark seen today in field at end of Riverside Road.

Weather: Very cold, widespread frost

Abney Park Cemetery, Stoke Newington
Maurice Ewart, Eric Brown, Tuesday 9 December 2008, 10.30 am to 1.00 pm

A search of this woodland which is two minutes' walk along the A10 from Stoke Newington station to look for the wintering firecrests.

Bird List
Carrion crow, magpie, jay, woodpigeon, stock dove, collared dove, blackbird, great spotted woodpecker (4+), common gull, black-headed gull, chaffinch, great tit, blue tit, long-tailed tit, goldcrest (6+), firecrest (2), robin, wren.

General Observations
After some perseverance the firecrests were eventually found in trees behind the bench at the east end of Yew Walk only 50 yards from the entrance. Excellent views of one in the open in bright sun.

The cemetery paths are very muddy.

Weather: Mostly bright and chilly.

Riverside Road, Sidcup and Foots Cray Meadows
Philip Cliffe, Monday 8 December 2008, 11.30 am to 12.30 pm

Woodlark still in stubble field at end of Riverside Road opposite pumping station where reed bunting, kestrel and chaffinches also seen. Other birds seen on River Cray near Water Lane bridge.

Bird List
Woodlark (8), reed bunting (fem.), kestrel, chaffinches (30+), water rail, little egret.

Weather: Cold, calm and sunny

Danson Park, Bexleyheath
Philip Cliffe, Monday 8 December 2008, 10:30 am to 12:30 pm

Bird List
Fieldfare (25), redwing (6), siskin (12+), water rail, green woodpecker.

Weather: Cold, calm and sunny

Riverside Road, Sidcup
Peter Kite, Sunday 7 December 2008, 10.15 am to 1.20 pm

Alerted by phone on Friday I went for the woodlarks; successful outcome!

Bird List
Starling, green woodpecker, woodpigeon, blackbird, carrion crow, jackdaw, magpie, blue tit, great tit, long tailed tit, robin, dunnock, wren, chaffinch, greenfinch, linnet, meadow pipit, sparrowhawk (1 pr), ring necked parakeet, black headed gull, grey heron, house sparrow, woodlark (8).

Cold and sunny early on, warmer by lunchtime.

Dungeness/Greatstone
Peter Kite, Jacky Foot, George Kali, Saturday 6 December 2008, 9.45 am to 3.30 pm

Bird List
Mute swan, lapwing, coot, dunnock, black headed gull, water rail, mallard, teal, shoveler, shelduck, tufted duck, cormorant, moorhen, gadwall, wigeon, common gull, pintail, chiffchaff, pochard, snipe, great crested grebe, magpie, blackbird, great black back gull, lesser black back gull, little grebe, goldeneye, wren, meadow pipit, blue tit, robin, grey heron, rook, kestrel, black necked grebe, ruddy duck, golden plover, marsh harrier, sparrowhawk, greylag goose, merlin, woodpigeon, stock dove, great tit, Cetti`s warbler, Canada goose, pheasant, goosander (5), slavonian grebe, linnet, stonechat, jackdaw, Patch: gannet (100+), eider, guillemot, Greatstone: starling, pied wagtail, oystercatcher (400+), turnstone, dunlin (200+), redshank, sanderling (150+), grey plover, ringed plover, carrion crow. 67 species.

Chiffchaff at Dungeness. Pictures by Peter Kite

Weather: Sunny, slight breeze.

KWT Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve
Eric Brown, Saturday 6 December 2008, 9.40 am to 11.30 am

A quick visit mainly to tick off Egyptian goose but with an amazing reward. At about 11am in the centre of the reserve I heard the raucous call of a crow and looked up to see two of these angry corvids pursuing a raptor showing characteristics of red kite. As the birds approached it became clear this was indeed a red kite which passed out of sight behind trees towards the Willow Hide still being mobbed by the frantic crows. This year tick for me soon became two when five Egyptian geese were spotted in a field opposite the Willow Hide. The main siskin flock (120 have been reported) eluded me but I found half a dozen with a lesser redpoll among them. A wintering chiffchaff, calling loudly, was another surprise.

Bird List
Blackbird, bullfinch (f), chaffinch, chiffchaff, c crow, coot, cormorant, tufted duck, dunnock, gadwall, goldcrest (3) goose Canada, Egyptian (5), great crested grebe, black headed gull, grey heron, jay (4), red kite, lapwing, magpie, mallard, moorhen, nuthatch, ring necked parakeet, redpoll, robin, shoveler, siskin (6), snipe (11), mute swan, teal, song thrush, mistle thrush, blue tit, great tit, long-tailed tit (9), pied wagtail, wigeon, great spotted woodpecker, redwing (2), woodpigeon, wren. TOTAL 42

General Observations
This site is in turmoil while EDF Energy install pipelines. Their vehicles have churned up footpaths and there is much disturbance around the old fishermen's clubhouse where lesser spotted woodpeckers used to be seen. Many paths are cordoned off completely although it is still possible to access the Willow Hide. Wellies are essential. Anyone planning to walk off Christmas excess here will be disappointed. The reserve is closed for the whole of the Christmas and New Year period, reopening on 3 January.

Weather: Cloud clearing to sunshine.

Foots Cray Meadows
Maurice Ewart, Eric Brown, Friday 5 December, 2008, 10.00am to 12.15pm

A search round the fields at the end of Riverside Road, Albany Park, followed by a walk by Maurice Ewart along the Cray to Footscray

Bird List
Little grebe (2), mute swan, mallard, kestrel, moorhen, coot, black-headed gull, stock dove, woodpigeon, ring-necked parakeet, green woodpecker, great spotted woodpecker (3), woodlark (9), grey wagtail, pied wagtail, wren, dunnock, robin, blackbird, song thrush (3), long-tailed tit, blue tit, great tit, jay, magpie, carrion crow, starling, chaffinch, brambling, greenfinch, linnet (31 species).

General Observations
The trip was specifically at the request of Philip Cliffe to verify his report of 3 December of probable woodlark feeding in the stubble field at the end of Riverside Road. They flew in about ½ hour after we arrived and eventually gave very good views. A single brambling was in the chaffinch flock at the same location.

Local dog walkers claim no kingfishers have been seen in Foots Cray meadows in 2008.

Weather: Mostly bright and chilly.

Riverside Road, Albany Park, Sidcup
Eric Brown, Maurice Ewart, Friday 5 December 2008, 10.10am to 11.20am

Followed up a report from Phil Cliffe of probable nine woodlarks in a stubble field at the above location opposite the old waterworks. After a half hour wait we were able to confirm his identification when the nine flew in and fed among dead maize plants near an electricity pylon. They can be incredibly difficult to pick up since they disappear behind vegetation and into wheel ruts. Movement eventually gave them away and they were quite confiding, approaching within 10 yards or so as we stood by the pylon. White eye stripes meeting at the back of the head were clearly visible with some brighter than others. There were also flocks of linnet and chaffinches with at least one brambling among them.

Bird List
Woodlark (9), brambling, carrion crow, jay, chaffinch (30), linnet (20), greenfinch green woodpecker, great spotted woodpecker, robin, dunnock, song thrush, blackbird, starling, woodpigeon (30+), stock dove.

General Observations
Park at end of Riverside Road outside waterworks. Woodlark were to the left, between the path and railway line, feeding just beyond a large electricity pylon. Very muddy.

Weather: Sunshine and light shower.

Foots Cray Meadows
Philip and Judith Cliffe, Wednesday 3 December 2008, 10:30am to Noon

*The birds noted below as woodlarks all had a distinct white stripe above the eye and nothing else fits the bill. Further investigation warranted.

Bird List
Chaffinches (12-15), brambling (1 fem), *woodlarks (9) at the end of Riverside Road in field where maize grew in summer, opposite water board premises.

Siskins (12) along the Cray near the ford.

Water rail, just past the pond above Five Arches Bridge, and another from the footbridge over the Cray at Water Lane.

Weather: 2-3 C calm, sunny intervals

Reculver
Maurice Ewart, Eric Brown, Tuesday 2 December 2008, 10.30am to 1.30pm

A walk along the seawall from Reculver Towers to Coldharbour and back primarily to look for the regular flock of snow buntings. Highlights were reasonably close groups of red-throated divers (7+3) swimming along in line and common scoters the latter being seen both on the way out and later from the towers. The snow bunting flock was nowhere to be seen - possibly frightened off by four lads riding speedway bikes along the seawall path. We were lucky when a single bird flew over our heads. Although it appeared to land ahead of us we were unable to locate it again.

Bird List
Red-throated diver (10), great crested grebe, little grebe, cormorant, little egret (2), mute swan (100+), brent goose (2), mallard, common scoter (4), kestrel, oystercatcher, ringed plover, grey plover, lapwing, curlew, redshank, turnstone, black-headed gull, herring gull, great black-backed gull, woodpigeon, rock pipit, meadow pipit, pied wagtail, dunnock, robin, stonechat (6), blackbird, song thrush, magpie, carrion crow, starling, house sparrow, chaffinch, greenfinch, goldfinch, snow bunting, reed bunting. (38 species)

General Observations
Mammals: 2 seals offshore near towers.

Weather: Bright and chilly with a westerly wind.

Reculver KWT Reserve and Cliftonville
Peter Kite, Jackie Foot, Thursday 27 November 2008, 11:30am to 3:30pm

Bird List
Reculver: lesser black back gull, starling, house sparrow, kestrel, eider, goldeneye, linnet, blackbird, collared dove, common gull, mute swan (80+), robin, cormorant, reed bunting, herring gull, meadow pipit (50+), turnstone, mallard, little egret, redshank, oystercatcher, little grebe, sanderling, stonechat, black headed gull, goldfinch, snow bunting.

Cliftonville: sanderling (600+), turnstone (300+), redshank,(200+), oystercatcher (200+), curlew (6), grey plover (10), purple sandpiper (40+), black headed gull, lesser black back gull, herring gull, great black back gull, common gull (100+), fulmar (4), pied wagtail, carrion crow, magpie, woodpigeon, starling, blackbird, common buzzard, cormorant.

Sanderling at Cliftonville. Pictures by Peter Kite

Weather: Bright, some cloud, very little wind

Danson Park, Bexleyheath
Eric Brown, Thursday 27 November 2008, 10am to 10.40am

A quick visit in passing to see if the firecrest reported earlier by John Turner was still around. Spirits rose with my first sighting, a very small bird flitting around busily in a pathside tree but it turned out to be a goldcrest. Still an excellent species total in such a short time considering I only visited the bog garden.

Bird List
Blackbird, mallard, goldcrest, carrion crow, magpie, blue tit, great tit, robin, wren, starling, Canada goose, moorhen, siskin (4), kingfisher, greenfinch, grey heron, green woodpecker, great spotted woodpecker, woodpigeon, black headed gull, ring necked parakeet. Total 21

Weather: Dull, cloudy with light breeze

Bough Beech Reservoir Kent Wildlife Trust Reserve near Ide Hill
Maurice Ewart, Eric Brown, Wednesday 26 November 2008, 9.30am to noon

A walk along the causeway followed by a look round the oast house and the orchard.

Bird List
Great northern diver, great crested grebe (30+), cormorant, grey heron, Canada goose, mandarin (12+), wigeon, gadwall, teal, mallard, shoveler, pochard (50+), tufted duck, goosander, sparrowhawk, kestrel (2), pheasant, moorhen, coot, snipe (3), black-headed gull, collared dove, woodpigeon, kingfisher, great spotted woodpecker, green woodpecker, meadow pipit, pied wagtail, dunnock, robin, blackbird, fieldfare (40+), mistle thrush, goldcrest, marsh tit (2), coal tit, blue tit, great tit, nuthatch, jay, magpie, jackdaw, carrion crow, starling, house sparrow, chaffinch, greenfinch, siskin (12). 48 species.

General Observations
Much time was spent admiring the visiting great northern diver which gave good views from the causeway between frequent long dives. A male goosander with two females was seen to fly in. Noisy fieldfares were busy round the orchard area. No brambling this time.

Weather: Dull throughout with early mist lifting. Wind negligible

Danson Park, Bexleyheath
John Turner, Tuesday 25 November 2008, 8.30am to 10.30am

The nature reserve/bog garden held 12 siskin (an increased number) accompanied by two goldfinches. This was followed by a mixed flock of tits (blue, great and long-tailed) in which was a firecrest – I am told a first for Danson Park. The water rail was also spotted last week swimming form the nature reserve to the new line of reeds.

Weather: Sunny and cold

Bough Beech Reservoir Kent Wildlife Trust Reserve
John and Jeanna Turner, Monday 24 November 2008, 1.45pm to 3.45pm

A belated visit to see the great northern diver. On arrival the news was bad; the diver had not been seen all day. A scan of the lake confirmed this, so we decided to move to the orchard feeders. These were saturated with greenfinches, blue and great tits. A single male brambling was spotted on the ground next to a pheasant and a moorhen. When a volunteer arrived to fill up the feeders, we moved towards the bridge and were immediately rewarded by a view of a female beaded tit on thistles among the reeds. A sharp shower drove us into the cart shed where we were able to watch a newly positioned feeder which produced coal and marsh tits in addition to a greater spotted woodpecker and a female brambling. After a fly past of many fieldfare we returned to the causeway and were immediately rewarded with views of the juvenile great northern diver fishing just off shore.

Bird List
Great northern diver, great crested grebe, mallard, teal, wigeon, pochard, shovellor, mandarin, Canada geese, greylag geese, mute swan, moorhen, cormorant, black headed gull, grey heron, pheasant, redwing, fieldfare, blackbird, starling, pied wagtail, bearded tit, great tit, blue tit, marsh tit, coal tit, greater spotted woodpecker, greenfinch, chaffinch, brambling, reed bunting.

Weather: Sunny and cold with showers

Foots Cray Meadows
Peter Kite, Saturday 22 November 2008, 10:00am to 11:45am

A brief visit sadly so very quiet bird wise. Struggled to find robin.

Bird List
Ring necked parakeet, chaffinch, black headed gull, long tailed tit, jackdaw, woodpigeon, blackbird, magpie, carrion crow, mallard, moorhen, coot, little grebe, gadwall, grey heron, blue tit, mute swan, great tit, wren, robin, goldfinch, jay. Total 22.

Weather: Bright, but very cold

Foots Cray Meadows
Maurice Ewart, Thursday 20 November 2008, 10.30am to noon

A walk down the Cray from the bottom of Sidcup Hill past Five Arches returning along the opposite bank.

Bird List
Grey heron, mute swan (2+1 cygnet), mallard (20), moorhen (23), coot (8), black-headed gull, woodpigeon, rock dove (feral pigeon), ring-necked parakeet (30+), green woodpecker, great spotted woodpecker (2), grey wagtail (2), wren, robin, blackbird, song thrush (2), mistle thrush, long-tailed tit, blue tit, great tit, jay magpie, carrion crow, jackdaw, starling, greenfinch (3), siskin (50). 27 species

General Observations
This walk is best finished by 11am as things tend to go quiet after this time. Other than song thrush all species were seen before I reached Five Arches. The siskin flock was feeding on alders on the west bank of the Cray and flew off when spooked. The grey wagtails were feeding at Five Arches and had a fight at one stage when one looked as though it was trying to drown its rival under the bridge.

One of the song thrushes was in full song (first one heard this winter). The commoner finches were notable by their absence and no kingfisher were seen. Are they still present along the Cray?

Weather: Mild, mainly cloudy with occasional brightness

Foots Cray Meadows
Francis Thrift and Helga Gilmore, Wednesday 19 November 2008, 12.30pm to 1.30pm

Bird List
Carrion crow, magpie, robin, woodpigeon, ring necked parakeet, black headed gull, grey wagtail, wren, mute swan, moorhen, mallard, coot, little grebe, gadwall, grey heron, jay, blue tit, chaffinch, goldfinch, green woodpecker TOTAL 20

Weather: Bright sunshine

Cliffe Pools RSPB Reserve and Sheppey
Maurice Ewart, Eric Brown, Tuesday 18 November, 2008, 1)10.30am to 12.30pm 2) 1.30pm to 4.15pm

1) A circular walk from Salt Lane to the sea wall and back along the creek followed by a trip to Sheppey. Lunch at Leysdown seafront then a walk east from Harty Ferry church towards Swale nature reserve, Harty Ferry Inn car park and finishing at the Capel Fleet raptor viewpoint.

Bird List

Cliffe
Little grebe (100+), great crested grebe (100+), cormorant, little egret (15+), grey heron, spoonbill, mute swan, Canada goose, wigeon, mallard, teal, pintail, shoveler, pochard, tufted duck, common scoter (2), goldeneye (4), hen harrier (f), sparrowhawk, kestrel, pheasant, moorhen, coot, lapwing, black-tailed godwit, redshank, curlew, greenshank, black-headed gull, common gull, herring gull, great black-backed gull, lesser black-backed gull, collared dove, stock dove, woodpigeon, kingfisher, great spotted woodpecker, meadow pipit, pied wagtail, dunnock, robin, blackbird, redwing, blue tit, great tit, magpie, jackdaw, carrion crow, starling, house sparrow, chaffinch, greenfinch (53 species)

Sheppey (additional species only)
Greylag, brent goose, cattle egret, shelduck, marsh harrier (10+), merlin, red-legged partridge, oystercatcher, ringed plover, golden plover, sanderling, snipe, turnstone, barn owl, short-eared owl (2), wren, long-tailed tit (+17 species)

General Observations
Significant numbers of grebes, shoveler, teal and coot at Cliffe. The spoonbill showed well on Flamingo pool. Superb close views of a hunting ringtail hen harrier. Goldeneye on Flamingo Pool. Scoter were seen on way back looking towards Shorne.

At Leysdown, there were plenty turnstones with a few sanderlings and little ringed plovers.

The diversion towards the Swale NNR on Sheppey was specifically to find a cattle egret which had just been found there. We had just found it when it flew off thereafter proving elusive. Eric spotted what turned out to be a merlin perched on a post.

As dusk fell the owls became active from the raptor viewpoint where a steady stream of marsh harriers came in to roost

Weather: Becoming increasingly bright after a dull start with the N wind dropping late in the day. Low tide at Cliffe with high tide on Sheppey at 4pm

Marlborough Park/Burnt Oak Lane Park, Sidcup
Chris Meekings, Thursday 13 November 2008, 8.30am

For two successive mornings a little egret prowled the river running through Marlborough Park.

Weather: Dry

Maxwell Road, Welling
Evelyn Carter, Tuesday 11 November 2008, 9.00am

Four siskins landed on two separate birdfeeders in the back garden and fed for some minutes before flying off.

Weather: Showery

Crayford Marshes
Maurice Ewart, Friday 7 November 2008, 1.30pm to 3.30pm

A walk from Slade Green station out along Dartford Creek to the Thames

Bird List
Cormorant, little egret (2), grey heron, shelduck, wigeon, teal, mallard, moorhen, lapwing, black-tailed godwit, curlew, redshank, green sandpiper, black-headed gull, common gull, lesser black-backed gull, herring gull, yellow legged gull, great black-backed gull, collared dove, stock dove, woodpigeon, ring-necked parakeet, pied wagtail, robin, blackbird, redwing, blue tit, magpie, carrion crow, starling, house sparrow, chaffinch, greenfinch, goldfinch, reed bunting.(36 species)

General Observations
It was low tide and there were large numbers of gulls on the foreshore, particularly the larger gulls which included two yellow-legged gulls. The green sandpiper was seen flying along Dartford Creek before landing.

Weather: Sunny and mild. Light SW wind

Haddon Grove, Sidcup
Eric Brown, Thursday 23 October 2008, 11.00am

While walking to the Doctor's (nothing terminal) I saw a grey wagtail beneath the bridge where Willersley Avenue and Haddon Grove meet. They are often to be seen at close quarters here, little egrets are sometimes seen along the same stream and many common birds can be found in the small wood on Haddon Grove

Weather: Bright but cold

Oare Marshes KWT Reserve
Maurice Ewart, Eric Brown, Tony Dunstan, Doreen Newson, Tuesday 21 October 2008, 11.00am to 4.00pm

A leisurely walk round the east flood and out to the west hide with a good look in the trees/bushes round about the cottages

Bird List
Little grebe, great crested grebe, cormorant, little egret, grey heron, mute swan, whooper swan, greylag goose, brent goose (300+), shelduck, wigeon, teal, mallard, pintail, shoveler, common buzzard (2), marsh harrier, kestrel (4), pheasant, water rail, moorhen, coot, oystercatcher, avocet (23), ringed plover (30+), golden plover (200+), grey plover (40+), lapwing, knot, snipe , little stint, dunlin, ruff, black-tailed godwit (150+), curlew, redshank, turnstone (3), black-headed gull, common gull, herring gull, lesser black-backed gull, great black-backed gull, stock dove, woodpigeon, collared dove, green woodpecker, great spotted woodpecker, meadow pipit, pied wagtail, robin, stonechat (8), blackbird, fieldfare, mistle thrush, cetti's warbler (3h), great tit, bearded tit, jay, magpie, jackdaw, carrion crow, starling, house sparrow, chaffinch, greenfinch, goldfinch, linnet, reed bunting (68 species)

General Observations
The whooper swan was scoped on Nagden Marshes from the entrance road. Many finches and some thrushes were feeding near the cottages. The 2 common buzzards were enjoying thermals over Mocketts Hill on Sheppey. Most of the dunlin, grey plover and redshanks were feeding on exposed mud on the swale or in Faversham creek whilst the mass of brents were feeding on eel grass towards Seasalter with some also on Horseshoe sands.

The water rail gave superb views swimming in the open within 10 yards of the parking bays on the entrance track

Butterflies : red admiral, small copper

6 common seals

Weather: Sunny but feeling cold in the westerly wind. Low tide was at 12am

Between Footscray Meadows and Bexley on the footpath near the water board premises where the footpath rises up the bank
Philip Cliffe, Friday 17 October 2008, 11am

Female stonechat on bushes at the top of the bank.

Groups of linnets, goldfinches and a kestrel also present.

Weather: Cool but sunny, little wind

Dungeness
Maurice Ewart, Eric Brown, Tony Dunstan, Monday, 13 October 2008, 10.45am to 4.00pm

A walk round the observatory area followed by short sea-watch and a visit to the ARC pit

Bird List
Little grebe, great crested grebe, gannet (7), cormorant, little egret, grey heron, mute swan, greylag goose, wigeon, gadwall, teal, mallard, pintail, shoveler, pochard, tufted duck, ruddy duck, marsh harrier(4), kestrel 12+), peregrine (2), moorhen, coot, golden plover(200+), lapwing, snipe (5), little stint(2), little gull (3), black-headed gull, common gull, herring gull, lesser black-backed gull, great black-backed gull, sandwich tern(4), common tern, rock dove(feral pigeon), stock dove, woodpigeon, collared dove, green woodpecker, house martin, meadow pipit (30+), pied wagtail, skylark, wren, dunnock, robin, stonechat, wheatear, blackbird, cetti’s warbler, black redstart, blue tit, great tit, long-tailed tit, jay, magpie, rook, carrion crow, starling, house sparrow, tree sparrow(2), chaffinch, greenfinch, goldfinch, linnet, (65 species)

General Observations
On arrival we were able to watch a distant peregrine causing mayhem among the lapwing and golden plover flocks. The moat round the observatory was productive with excellent views of black redstart. Flocks of linnets and meadow pipits were much in evidence. At sea we had some excellent views of little gull and a few terns were seen on passage as were some more distant gannets.

Butterflies : red admiral, green-veined white, small white

Weather: Mild and sunny, becoming cloudier with a light sw wind

An on-spec visit with the possibility of siskin, redpoll, redwing and fieldfare in mind. None of these seen but plenty of compensation with hobby, lesser spotted woodpecker, mandarin and yellowhammer. A single dunlin looking for food along the shoreline was unusual for this site.

Bird List
Blackbird, common buzzard, chaffinch, chiffchaff (3-4), carrion crow, cormorant, collared dove (4), mandarin (5 males), tufted duck, dunlin, little egret, gadwall, goldcrest, goldfinch, greylag goose (60–70), canada goose (20), great crested grebe, greenfinch, black headed gull, lesser black back gull, grey heron, hobby, jackdaw (20+), jay (6), kingfisher, lapwing (30+), linnet, magpie, mallard, house martin (20), moorhen, pheasant, meadow pipit, robin (7), common sandpiper, starling, mute swan, mistle thrush, blue tit, great tit, long tailed tit, nuthatch, pied wagtail, wigeon (60+), great spotted woodpecker, green woodpecker, lesser spotted woodpecker, woodpigeon, wren, yellowhammer. Total 50 species

General Observations
Mammals: black rabbit, grey squirrel on feeder

Insects: red admiral butterfly, southern hawker dragonfly, hornet, many small moths, black and white caterpillar.

Late for a hobby spotted distantly but an obvious raptor soaring and hunting with scimitar shaped wings and catching (insect?) prey before transferring to bill in mid-air unlikely to be anything else. Lesser spot (female) observed for 15 minutes hammering on branch high in tree beside Oast House pond. A male Gt Spot at one stage landed in the same tree offering superb size comparison. The lively chiffchaffs were in willows and poolside vegetation nearby among a mixed flock of tits. They took turns perching on a wire fence. The single yellowhammer appeared with a flock of meadow pipits and linnets on the concrete reservoir edge near the causeway.

Weather: Warm sunshine until noon then cloudy with light drizzle

Lewis Road, Sidcup, Kent
Philip Cliffe, Friday 19 September, 2008, 5.25pm

A bird flew in an easterly direction over the garden showing characteristics of Honey Buzzard with longish tail, grey head, i.e. I am hoping somebody else in the area saw it about the same time to confirm identity.

Weather: Nice, sunny evening, little wind

A walk along the sea wall from the golf centre then round the paddocks and north scrape at Crossness. Diverted from Dartford Marshes to Rainham when a wryneck was reported

Bird List

Crossness
Little grebe, great crested grebe (6), cormorant (50+), grey heron(10), mute swan, canada goose (17), shelduck (150+), teal (500+), mallard, sparrowhawk, kestrel (3), moorhen, lapwing (20), snipe, black-tailed godwit (12), redshank (50+), common sandpiper (2), black-headed gull (1500+), common gull, lesser black-backed gull (30+), great black-backed gull, common tern (15+), woodpigeon, ring-necked parakeet, kingfisher, green woodpecker, grey wagtail (2), pied wagtail, wren, dunnock, robin, chiffchaff (3), willow warbler, blue tit, magpie, carrion crow, starling, house sparrow, greenfinch, goldfinch (17), (40 species)

Rainham
Greylag, wigeon (20+), cuckoo, little egret, chaffinch, swallow, wryneck, collared dove

General Observations
Tide was low and many birds were on the mud along the Thames. The grey wagtails were feeding at an outlet near the incinerator and the willow warbler was in an elder bush.The kingfisher surprised us when it flew in front of the hide at the north scrape. Emperor dragonflies were still around and large white/green veined white butterflies. (thanks to Karen for allowing us entry to the gated reserve)

At Rainham we didn't enter the reserve. The wryneck was seen briefly from the sea wall but was missed by Doreen who was admiring a juvenile cuckoo perched nicely on a nearby fence at the time. The first wigeon of the autumn were seen on the Thames.

Dungeness/New Romney
Maurice Ewart/Eric Brown/Tony Dunstan, Wednesday 27 August 2008, 11.45am to 4.00pm

A visit to the ARC pit at Dungeness mainly for common crane and black necked grebe followed by a short visit to the observatory and a quick look out into the Channel followed by a walk in New Romney to find the reported hoopoe.

Bird List
Little grebe, great crested grebe, black-necked grebe, cormorant, grey heron, common crane (2), mute swan, teal, mallard, shoveler, pochard, tufted duck, ruddy duck, buzzard, marsh harrier, sparrowhawk, hobby (2), red-legged partridge, moorhen, coot, oystercatcher, lapwing, dunlin, snipe (2), black-tailed godwit (2), spotted redshank, redshank, greenshank, black-headed gull, herring gull, lesser black-backed gull, great black-backed gull, common tern, black tern (2), collared dove, woodpigeon, hoopoe, green woodpecker, sand martin, swallow, yellow wagtail, pied wagtail, dunnock, stonechat (4), cetti’s warbler, sedge warbler, whitethroat, chiffchaff, blue tit, great tit, magpie, jackdaw, carrion crow, rook, starling, house sparrow, chaffinch, linnet (Total 58)

General Observations
The cranes at the ARC pit showed well as did the godwits, greenshank and spotted redshank which were feeding right in front of the Hanson Hide allowing comparisons between the latter two. Not much on the sea apart from terns so we didn’t venture as far as the Patch. There was what looked like a juvenile arctic skua but we were unable to confirm the ID.

At New Romney Eric finally located the elusive hoopoe which was then seen well by about 10 birders present as it stuck its crest and head up out of some stubble. A British tick for all three of us.

Weather: Dull with a moderate SW wind

Oare Marshes KWT Reserve
Maurice Ewart, Eric Brown, Dave Thompson, Friday 22 August 2008, 11.00am to 4.45pm

A walk along the seawall from the car park with lunch taken overlooking the east flood.

Bird list
Little grebe, cormorant, little egret, grey heron, greylag, teal, mallard, garganey (2), shoveler, tufted duck, marsh harrier(5), kestrel (4+), peregrine, water rail (4), moorhen, coot, oystercatcher, ringed plover (100+), golden plover (300+), lapwing, knot, little stint (3+), curlew sandpiper (4+), dunlin (50+), ruff (30+), snipe (5), black-tailed godwit (500+), bar-tailed godwit, whimbrel (3), curlew, redshank (100+), greenshank (4), green sandpiper (2), black-headed gull, lesser black-backed gull, greater black-backed gull, common tern, collared dove, stock dove, woodpigeon, green woodpecker, sand martin, house martin, swallow, meadow pipit, pied wagtail, dunnock, whinchat, wheatear (4+), reed warbler, blue tit, magpie, carrion crow, starling, house sparrow, chaffinch, greenfinch, goldfinch, linnet, reed bunting, corn bunting (61 species).

General Observations
Our visit was on a rising tide. 1½ hours was spent looking for the elusive spotted crake which had been seen at 8am. Although unsuccessful we were rewarded with good views of a family party of water rails in the same area. Close views of large numbers of godwits and golden/ringed plovers were some consolation. Little stints were feeding very close to the entrance track. Whinchat was on a gate post close to the western end of the reserve.

Weather: Cool and dull in the morning becoming warm and sunny in the afternoon

Crossness – The Thames
John Turner, Thursday 21 August 2008, 3.00pm to 4.00pm

A brief visit to see the terns off Thamesmead Golf Centre. A huge flock of common and arctic terns with at least 15 black terns.

Bird List
Great crested grebe, mallard, common sandpiper, black headed gull, herring gull, lesser black backed gull, common gull, grey heron, common tern, arctic tern, black tern.

Weather: Sunny

Oare Marshes KWT Reserve, near Faversham
John and Jeanna Turner, Wednesday 20 August 2008, 10.30am to 3.00pm

A trip to show a visiting friend the site. The morning produced a wealth of waders and the return in the afternoon to walk along the sea wall towards Dan’s Dock was very productive with a view of the spotted crake.

Bird List
Golden plover, ringed plover, lapwing, redshank, greenshank, ruff, oystercatcher, black tailed godwit, dunlin, little stint, green sandpiper, curlew sandpiper, little grebe, kestrel, coot, moorhen, black headed gull, herring gull, lesser black backed gull, common tern, grey heron, little egret, mute swan, garganey, shovelor, gadwall, mallard, spotted crake, swallow, house martin, grey wagtail, pied wagtail, wheatear, reed warbler, reed bunting, goldfinch, linnet, crow, magpie, jay, collared dove, wood pigeon.

Weather: Sunny some breeze

Crossness Riverside, Abbey Wood
Maurice Ewart/Eric Brown, Tuesday 12 August 2008, 10.30am to 12.45pm

A walk along the sea wall from the golf centre to the incinerator at high tide.

Bird List
Common tern (60+), white-winged black tern (2), common sandpiper (3), oystercatcher (2), yellow-legged gull (2), black-headed gull (2000+), herring gull, great crested grebe (6), carrion crow, grey heron (10), cormorant (40+), blackbird, pied wagtail (2), starling (20).

General Observations
Originally we thought we were seeing the same white-winged black tern in two different places (mid-river N of the golf centre and roosting on the river bank at the incinerator outfall) but on retracing our steps we concluded that we were looking at two different individuals, one dozing on a rock and 10 minutes walk later the original still busily flying around near the Golf Centre. The grey herons were all lined up together on the sea wall at high tide.

Weather: Sunny intervals

A walk from Salt Lane to the sea wall passing Radar and Flamingo pools

Bird List
Little grebe, great crested grebe, cormorant, little egret (30+), grey heron, canada goose, shelduck, ruddy shelduck, mallard, pochard, tufted duck, marsh harrier, kestrel, coot, oystercatcher, avocet (500+), grey plover (17), lapwing, little stint(2), curlew sandpiper (5), dunlin (20+), black-tailed godwit, bar-tailed godwit (13), whimbrel(3), curlew, redshank (50+), greenshank (16+), green sandpiper, common sandpiper, turnstone, black-headed gull, great black back gull, herring gull, common tern, collared dove, woodpigeon, turtle dove (2), green woodpecker, great spotted woodpecker, swallow, pied wagtail, dunnock, blackbird, whitethroat (10+), magpie, carrion crow, starling, house sparrow, chaffinch, greenfinch, goldfinch, linnet, reed bunting, mute swan (54 species).

General Observations
Spectacular number of avocets especially when put up by a raptor. Greenshanks dotted all around the pools. The groups of bar-tailed godwits and grey plovers had evidently just arrived and almost all were in breeding finery. The curlew sandpipers and little stints were also in breeding plumage. The visiting ruddy shelduck did its best to hide behind the avocet flock for a time.

Still good numbers of butterflies and dragonflies including red admiral, whites, gatekeeper

Weather: Hot and sunny with little or no wind.

Elmley Marshes RSPB Reserve
Maurice Ewart and Eric Brown, Saturday 26 July 2008, 10.45am to 4.30pm

A walk from Kings Hill Farm to the Wellmarsh and Counterwall hides after birding from the car on the entrance track

Bird List
Cormorant, little egret (20+), grey heron, mute swan, Canada goose, shelduck, teal, mallard, marsh harrier (6+), kestrel (8+), pheasant, grey partridge (2), moorhen, coot, oystercatcher, avocet (50+), ringed plover, lapwing, curlew sandpiper (7), ruff, snipe, black-tailed godwit, whimbrel, curlew, spotted redshank (6+), redshank, green sandpiper (3+), common sandpiper (3+), wood sandpiper, black-headed gull, stock dove, woodpigeon, barn owl, skylark, swallow, meadow pipit, yellow wagtail (30+), pied wagtail, blackbird, reed warbler, magpie, carrion crow, starling, house sparrow, goldfinch, reed bunting, (46 species)

General Observations
The barn owl was scoped on the chimney of the old school house just before Kings Hill Farm. The wood sandpiper and snipe were on the pool to the left of the track to the hides near the first left hand bend but a garganey reported there could not be found.

The Counterwall hide was most productive with the spotted redshanks, curlew and other sandpipers, whimbrel and grey partridge all seen north of this hide.

Family groups of yellow wagtails were having a feeding bonanza alongside the tracks with the numerous butterflies there, mainly gatekeepers.

Weather: Hot with little or no wind. Mostly sunny

Oare Marshes KWT Reserve, Faversham
Peter Kite and Karen Hills, Wednesday 23 July 2008  10:00am to 4pm 

A gentle, rewarding  stroll around this reserve hoping for waders and anything else that might be in. 

Bird List
Collared dove, house sparrow, starling, meadow pipit, cormorant, lapwing, black-tailed godwit (300+), yellow wagtail (4), linnet, black-headed gull, little egret (12), skylark, mute swan, coot, redshank (80+), dunlin (4), avocet (6), mallard, sandwich tern, greenshank (6+), oystercatcher, little grebe, moorhen, ruff (20+), golden plover (3) full summer, house martin, tufted duck, little stint, teal, woodpigeon, reed warbler, whimbrel (40+), reed bunting, herring gull, great black backed gull, shelduck, hobby, common tern, pochard, pied wagtail, blackbird, carrion crow, bearded reedling, goldfinch,greylag goose, Canada goose, grey heron.  48 species.

General Observations
Lots of meadow browns , gatekeepers, small skippers and several 6 spot burnet moths, plus an emperor moth caterpillar.

Weather: Hot sunshine

Burnet Moth. Picture by Peter Kite	Small Skipper. Picture by Peter Kite
Emporer Moth Caterpillar. Picture by Peter Kite

A walk past Radar Pool to the first viewing mound followed by a brief visit to Northward Hill and a refuelling stop at The Red Dog, High Halstow

Bird List
Little grebe, great crested grebe, little egret, grey heron, mute swan, greylag, Canada goose, shelduck, teal, mallard, pochard, tufted duck, ruddy duck, common buzzard, marsh harrier, pheasant, coot, oystercatcher, avocet (100+), lapwing, ruff, black-tailed godwit (30+), redshank, greenshank, black-headed gull, collared dove, woodpigeon, swift, green woodpecker, house martin swallow, pied wagtail, wren, dunnock, robin, blackbird, mistle thrush, Cetti’s warbler, reed warbler, whitethroat, blackcap, blue tit, great tit, magpie, rook, carrion crow, starling, house sparrow, chaffinch, greenfinch, goldfinch, linnet, (52 species)

General Observations
Butterflies and dragonflies were seen in abundance along with marsh frogs and an unidentified newt.

Butterflies : Large white, green veined white, red admiral, peacock, comma, meadow brown, gatekeeper, small heath, common blue. Possible marbled white. Also six-spot burnet moth.

Dragonflies/damselflies included Emperor (female) common darter and common blue damselfly.

Weather: Warm and sunny with a light wind

A quick trip to check on a birdline report of a black-winged stilt allegedly seen from a passing car at the end of Bob Dunn Way! Rubbish. No bird or birdwatchers about.

Bird List
Lapwing (2), kestrel (2), grey heron (4), black-headed gull (12), Canada goose (20+), lesser whitethroat, reed bunting, reed warbler (3), carrion crow, lesser black backed gull.

General Observations
Why do birdlines put out such fantasies?

Weather: Warm, sunny

A very brief evening visit but a surprisingly high number of species with black tern the highlight. I also saw black tern here on May 3.

Bird List
Blackbird, song thrush, mandarin (3), swift (4) swallow (20 +), house martin (6), mute swan (12), mallard, greylag goose (30 +), common tern (20+inc juvs), black tern, kestrel, lesser black backed gull, pied wagtail, little ringed plover, shelduck, pochard, great crested grebe, lapwing, linnet, house sparrow, starling, greenfinch, carrion crow, jay, great spotted woodpecker, green woodpecker, chiffchaff, tawny owl (heard), wren TOTAL 30 species.

General Observations
The water level is dropping fast. Soon there will be enough mud exposed to interest regular visitors like little egret, greenfinch and sandpipers.

Weather: Warm, no wind

Crayford Marshes
Maurice Ewart and Eric Brown, Wednesday 18 June 2008, 10.45am to 3.00pm

A walk from Slade Green station to the mouth of the River Darenth

Bird List
Great crested grebe, cormorant, little egret, grey heron, shelduck, mallard (with young), kestrel, hobby, moorhen, oystercatcher, curlew, redshank (pair), black-headed gull, herring gull, lesser black-backed gull, collared dove, woodpigeon, ring-necked parakeet, swift (50+), skylark, swallow, house martin, pied wagtail, wren, dunnock, stonechat (juv), blackbird, mistle thrush, reed warbler, whitethroat, blue tit, magpie, carrion crow, starling, house sparrow, greenfinch, goldfinch, linnet, reed bunting (39 species)

General Observations
This route is fully open again with new information boards, seats and signposts following recent flood defence work by the Environment Agency. Highlight was the hobby which posed on two different posts near the Cray Riverway path "crossroads" and caught dragonflies in hunting flight. There were good numbers of hirundines and starlings were constantly swirling about in flocks of varying size. Tide was high with almost all mud covered. There were no lapwings in the field on the Dartford side where they previously bred. The field now has a high crop instead of shallow pools and there is disturbance from a Cyclo-cross track nearby. But still a good number of species for this local spot.

Butterflies : speckled wood

Weather: Dull and breezy with occasional drizzle

Danson Park, Bexleyheath
John and Jeanna Turner, Monday 16 June 2008, 2.40pm to 3.50pm

A corner of the rock garden produced a magical period of bird watching. Drawn by the calls of nuthatch we spotted a greater spotted woodpecker being harassed for food by a juvenile. The nuthatch calls we realised were in the small tree above us and the pair appeared with four young. Following this a family party of great tits appeared in a nearby bush and two juvenile robins at the base of another. If this were not enough a family party of long tailed tits appeared in the same tree with two adults accompanying eight juveniles.

Bird List
Nuthatch, long tailed tit, great tit, robin, greater spotted woodpecker.

For full list see Danson Park records for 16 June.

Weather: Sunshine

A short visit for woodcock and nightjar, only one woodcock seen briefly, but excellent views of two nightjars flying right in front of us, no actual display.

Bird List
Woodpigeon, collared dove, jackdaw, blackbird, house sparrow, greenfinch, dunnock, chaffinch, wren, robin, chiffchaff (8+), willow warbler (15+), song thrush, long-tailed tit, coal tit, goldcrest, green woodpecker, great spotted woodpecker, carrion crow, swift, mallard, turtle dove (4), woodcock, nightjar (5), starling.

General Observations
Albino wood mouse, lots of common spotted orchids.

Weather: Very warm

Common Spotted Orchid. Picture Peter Kite

Encouraged by a weather forecast of "dull but brightening up later" we arrived in steady drizzle to search for tree pipit, common redstart and woodlark. As we sloshed along a top path waterlogged by several days’ rain a tree pipit lifted spirits by performing its parachute flight. A common redstart called. When the calling ceased a bird of the right shape, colour and size burst from a tree and flew away denying us a view of the head. Two birders with a better angle nearby confirmed it was a male redstart. Alongside the private road to Old Lodge we put up a woodlark from the ground. Drizzle had turned to steady downpour yet we had ticked off all three main target birds, and quite a few others, in a couple of fairly miserable hours. We paddled back up the hill to the car park and drove on to The Hollies car park on the Nutley Road to seek Dartford warbler. After a car bound lunch we debated tactics, deciding Dartford warblers would be more sensible than us and remain hidden out of the rain. We cut the trip short and headed home mumbling about weather forecasts being as reliable as a broken watch or a Steve Harmison loosener and wondering whether Michael Fish had come out of retirement to issue it. On our return to Sidcup we discovered it had been dry there all day. Grrrr..

Bird List
Chaffinch, blackbird, robin, carrion crow, cuckoo, woodlark, blue tit, great tit, coal tit, tree pipit, c redstart, green woodpecker, great spotted woodpecker, goldcrest (2), woodpigeon, collared dove, song thrush, blackcap, chiffchaff, willow warbler, pied wagtail, magpie. Total 22.

Cliffe Pools RSPB Reserve
Anthea Reynolds Sunday 25 May 2008 11.00am to 1.30pm

Open Day RSPB family day event

Bird List
Hobby, cuckoo, barn owl, whitethroat (12), linnet (8), skylark (4), swallow, oystercatcher (5), lapwing (2), redshank, avocet (5), little egret, shelduck (2), gadwall (1), sedge warbler (10), stonechat.

General Observations
Several stalls for children's activities including pond dipping, making models, colouring. Cooked food provided by local scouts (sausages, burgers, bacon rolls), and tea/coffee cakes. A good event for children

Weather: Very warm and humid following local storms and flooding

A walk to the three nearest hides. A small party of Temminck's stints showed well in front of Counterwall hide until flushed by an aggressive ringed plover. Only one returned but fearlessly approached within feet of the hide while feeding. A county tick for me. A greenshank was on the same pool. Near the Wellmarsh Hide a pair of grey partridges scuttled into long grass – the first I had seen in Kent since 2002, also at Elmley. A fine male garganey was on pools at the bottom of the hill near Kingshill Farm and a hobby perched in a dead tree near the farm. The reserve looked splendid, a credit to the warden and his team with plenty of water in the creeks and pools

Bird List
Avocet (200+), blackbird, reed bunting (12+), carrion crow, coot, cormorant, tufted duck, little egret (14), gadwall, garganey, black tailed godwit (250+), bar tailed godwit (2), Canada goose, greylag goose, little grebe, greenshank, black headed gull, lesser black backed gull, grey heron (4), hobby, jackdaw, kestrel, lapwing (some with young), linnet, magpie, mallard, moorhen, oystercatcher, grey partridge (2), pheasant, meadow pipit, pochard, redshank, robin, common sandpiper, shelduck, shoveler, skylark, house sparrow, starling, little stint, Temminck's stint (3), mute swan, swallow, swift, common tern (12), yellow wagtail (20+), reed warbler, sedge warbler, woodpigeon, collared dove. Total 51 species

General Observations
Brown hares abundant

Rainham Marshes RSPB Reserve
John and Jeanna Turner, Tuesday 13 May 2008, 2.40pm to 3.50pm

The Purfleet Scrape held 3 Temmincks Stint, a wood sandpiper, a greenshank, a little ringed plover and two ringed plover. We just missed a blue headed wagtail.

Bird List
Temmincks stint (3), wood sandpiper, little ringed plover, ringed plover (2), greenshank, avocet, redshank, little egret, gadwall, shellduck.

Weather: Sunny but breezy.

Old Lodge Sussex Wildlife Trust Reserve, Ashdown Forest
John and Jeanna Turner, Monday 12 May 2008, 11.30am to 2.30pm

The walk round the reserve produced a pair of wood lark on the ground, many tree pipits singing and song-flighting and a solitary redstart which sang unseen all through lunch, but finally made a brief appearance as we finished. A search for Dartford warbler proved unsuccessful – none have been seen this year.

Bird List
Wood lark, tree pipit, redstart, cuckoo, willow warbler, chiffchaff, goldcrest, stonechat, green woodpecker, greater spotted woodpecker and kestrel

Weather: Sunny but windy.

Oare Marshes, Kent Wildlife Trust Reserve
Eric Brown, Maurice Ewart, Tuesday 6 May 2008, 10.45am to 4.00pm

A walk around the reserve and to Dan’s Dock. Highlights were a hobby perched on a tree 100 yards to the west of Harty Ferry Road, two wintering little stints now in emerging breeding plumage, a little owl sitting on a door frame in front of one of the concrete huts and at least 40 whimbrel in the fields. No sign of bearded tits, yellowhammer or the usual corn bunting on the telegraph wires.

Bird List
Avocet (5), blackbird, blackcap, reed bunting 20), chaffinch, carrion crow, coot (with young), cormorant, cuckoo, collared dove, stock dove, rock dove (feral pigeon), tufted duck, ruddy duck, dunnock, little egret (3), gadwall, black-tailed godwit (2), Canada goose, greylag goose (7 young), little grebe, greenfinch, black headed gull, herring gull, grey heron, hobby (3), kestrel (3), marsh harrier, lapwing, linnet, pied wagtail, mallard, sand martin, nightingale, little owl, oystercatcher, pheasant, meadow pipit, ringed plover, pochard, redshank, shelduck, shoveler, skylark, house sparrow, sparrowhawk, starling, little stint (2), mute swan , swallow, teal, common tern, little tern, mistle thrush, blue tit, pied wagtail, Cetti’s warbler, reed warbler, wheatear, whimbrel (40+), whitethroat, lesser whitethroat, woodpigeon. TOTAL 64 species.

Weather: Warm sunshine but cool breeze

Following the appearance of a black throated diver in Bexley on Easter Monday it seemed unlikely another rarity would turn up in the Borough on the next Bank Holiday Monday. Yet a Richard's pipit was reported on a scrape at Crossness in the morning. By the time we arrived it had gone but there was plenty by way of consolation.

Bird List
Wood sandpiper, little ringed plover, lapwing, whimbrel, mallard, mute swan, sparrowhawk, starling, linnet, Canada goose, swift, stonechat, whitethroat, cuckoo, magpie, reed warbler, shelduck, cormorant, grey heron, swallow, little grebe, carrion crow, dunnock, blue tit, kestrel, pied wagtail, meadow pipit, oystercatcher, moorhen, reed bunting, blackbird, black headed gull, herring gull, woodpigeon. TOTAL 34 species.

General Observations
Three birders remained hoping for the RP to return but alas....

Weather: Fine, warm sunshine

Bough Beech Kent Wildlife Trust Reserve
Maurice Ewart/Eric Brown, Friday 2 May 2008, 12.30pm to 3.00pm

A walk along the causeway and beyond looking for migrants

Bird List
Great crested grebe (20+), cormorant, grey heron (10+), mute swan, greylag goose, Canada goose, shelduck (25+), gadwall, mallard, tufted duck, buzzard (2), sparrowhawk, kestrel, pheasant, moorhen, coot, common sandpiper (2), lesser black-backed gull, common tern (5), black tern, collared dove, woodpigeon, cuckoo (h), swallow, house martin, pied wagtail, wren, dunnock, robin, nightingale, blackbird, song thrush, reed warbler, lesser whitethroat, whitethroat, garden warbler, blackcap (h), chiffchaff, willow warbler, long-tailed tit, blue tit, great tit, jay, magpie, jackdaw, carrion crow, starling, house sparrow, chaffinch, greenfinch, goldfinch, linnet, reed bunting (53 species).

General Observations
Good close views of nearly all migrants including the nightingale. The black tern conveniently sat on a buoy for a while and was conspicuous in its breeding plumage. Orange tip among butterflies seen.

Weather: Warm and sunny

Knole Park, Sevenoaks
Maurice Ewart/Eric Brown, Friday 2 May 2008, 10.30am to 12.00

A short walk along two of the rides looking for summer migrants. Highlight was two common redstarts found on our way out of the park after giving up the search! Female heard then eventually located sitting nicely posed on a branch abut 30 yards from path. A smart male found about 100 yards away perched on top of a large tree. Tree pipit song-flighting from a dead tree with two yellowhammers nearby

Bird List
Sparrowhawk, woodpigeon, ring-necked parakeet, green woodpecker, great spotted woodpecker, tree pipit, wren, robin, redstart (2), blackbird, mistle thrush, song thrush, willow warbler (2+), goldcrest (2), blue tit, great tit, magpie, jackdaw, carrion crow, starling, chaffinch, yellowhammer (2)

General Observations
Butterflies: small white, brimstone, peacock, orange tip (many). Plenty of fallow deer and sika deer.

Weather: Warm and sunny

Grove Ferry NNR, Kent
Peter Kite, Jacky Foot, Karen Hills, Saturday 26 April 2008, 10:00am to 5pm

Bird List
Collared dove, robin, chiffchaff, willow warbler, chaffinch, blue tit, great tit, swift(6), dunnock, blackcap, carrion crow, magpie, greylag goose, skylark, mute swan, reed warbler(8+), sedge warbler (20+), cetti`s warbler 15+), shelduck, teal, gadwall, lapwing, lesser black backed gull, little ringed plover(4), tufted duck, marsh harrier(6+), mallard, sparrowhawk, kestrel, greenshank, black-headed gull, hobby(12+), grasshopper warbler, linnet, reed bunting, moorhen, coot, great crested grebe, swallow, house martin, grey heron, house sparrow, goldfinch, herring gull, cuckoo, wren, common tern (12+), greenfinch, nightingale (2), long-tailed tit, pochard, shoveler, dunlin(4), grey plover (4), ruff (6), mistle thrush, blackbird, rook, pheasant, song thrush, green woodpecker, pied wagtail, starling, woodpigeon, ,jackdaw, cormorant, whitethroat Total 67 species.

General Observations
Butterflies; Many orange tip, peacock, speckled wood. Marsh frog.

Weather: Low cloud at first, then very hot.

Hobby at Grove Ferry. Picture by Peter Kite	Marsh Frog at Grove Ferry. Picture by Peter Kite

Eric Brown and Maurice Ewart take a break from scoping the reservoir at Bough Beech April 2008. Picture by Dave Thompson

Bough Beech KWT Reserve
Maurice Ewart/Eric Brown, Tuesday 22 April 2008, 10.30 – 13.30

A walk along the causeway and a look in the orchard. Highlights were close views of singing nightingale, willow warbler, reed warbler, blackcap, chiffchaff and linnet. A single arctic tern was very active. Hirundines present in good numbers while four late bramblings were still feeding in the orchard.

Bird List
Little grebe, great crested grebe, cormorant, grey heron, mute swan, greylag goose, canada goose, shelduck, gadwall, mallard, pintail (2), shoveler, tufted duck, sparrowhawk, kestrel, pheasant, moorhen, coot, lapwing, black-headed gull, lesser black-backed gull, common tern, arctic tern, collared dove, woodpigeon, green woodpecker, great spotted woodpecker, sand martin, swallow, house martin, meadow pipit, pied wagtail, dunnock, wren, robin, nightingale, blackbird, song thrush, reed warbler, whitethroat, blackcap, chiffchaff, willow warbler, long-tailed tit, blue tit, great tit, jay, magpie, carrion crow, rook, jackdaw, starling, chaffinch, brambling (4), greenfinch, linnet, bullfinch (57 species).

Also seen : fox, weasel, rabbit

Weather: Becoming bright after early rain. Wind light NE

Rainham Marshes RSPB Reserve
John and Jeanna Turner, Monday 21 April 2008, 2.30pm to 4.30pm

The walk round the reserve produced a pair of garganey on the pool beyond the butts and a black tern on the Avely pool.

Bird List
Garganey, black tern, many gulls.

Weather: Sunny but windy

Dungeness/Rye Harbour Local Nature Reserve
Maurice Ewart/Eric Brown/Doreen Newson, Monday 21 April 2008, 11.00am to 3.40pm

A visit to Rye Harbour with a short detour to Dungeness for ring ouzel near the old lighthouse and to Denge Marsh unsucessfully for garganey.

Bird List
Little grebe, great crested grebe, cormorant, little egret, grey heron, mute swan, greylag goose, canada goose, brent goose (3), shelduck, gadwall, mallard, shoveler, pochard, tufted duck, marsh harrier (2), kestrel, pheasant, red-legged partridge, moorhen, coot, oystercatcher, avocet, ringed plover, golden plover (60), grey plover (10+), lapwing (one with 2 young), dunlin, bar-tailed godwit (3), whimbrel (6+), redshank, turnstone (30+), Mediterranean gull, black-headed gull, common gull, lesser black-backed gull, great black-backed gull, herring gull, sandwich tern, common tern, little tern (3), collared dove, stock dove, woodpigeon, skylark, swallow, meadow pipit, yellow wagtail (4+), pied wagtail, dunnock, robin, stonechat (2), wheatear (6+), ring ouzel (2), blackbird, mistle thrush (2), cetti's warbler, sedge warbler (5), reed warbler(h), whitethroat, magpie, carrion crow, jackdaw, rook, starling, house sparrow, chaffinch, greenfinch, linnet, reed bunting (70 species)

General Observations
Surprising number of winter visitors still present at Rye Harbour. No time to visit Castle Water where a black tern, cuckoos and lesser whitethroats were reported

Weather: Becoming very warm and sunny as the NE wind dropped away in the afternoon.

Cliffe Pools RSPB Reserve
John and Jeanna Turner, Sunday 20 April, 9.30am to 12.30pm

A common crane was seen form the mound distantly in long grass. It gave brief complete views as it moved through the grass. Five nightingales were heard while walking round the reserve.

Weather: Sunny

Oare Marshes Kent Wildlife Trust Reserve, Faversham
Maurice Ewart/Eric Brown/Doreen Newson, Steven Sheppard, Sandra Sheppard, Wednesday 16 April 2008, 10.30am to 4pm

A walk round both the west flood as far as Dan’s Dock and then round the east flood.

Bird List
Little grebe, great crested grebe, little egret (6), grey heron, mute swan, greylag goose, brent goose (50+), shelduck, gadwall, teal, mallard, pintail (4), shoveler, pochard, tufted duck, common buzzard (3), marsh harrier, kestrel, peregrine, pheasant, moorhen, coot, oystercatcher, avocet, lapwing, dunlin, black-tailed godwit (150), whimbrel (6), curlew, redshank, black-headed gull, great black-backed gull, common tern, cormorant, collared dove, stock dove, woodpigeon, cuckoo, green woodpecker, skylark, sand martin (20+), meadow pipit, dunnock, blackbird, song thrush, cetti’s warbler (3), sedge warbler (2), blackcap, great tit, blue tit, magpie, carrion crow, rook, starling, house sparrow, chaffinch, greenfinch, linnet, reed bunting (59 species)

General Observations
Also seen: red fox, rabbit, common seal, peacock butterfly, green-veined white

Weather: Sunny periods. Cool but light NE wind

Cliffe Pools RSPB & Northward Hill RSPB Reserves
Eric Brown, Stephen Ansell, Wednesday 9 April 2008, Cliffe Pools 10.30am to 12.15pm Northward Hill 1.00pm to 4.30pm

A visit to Cliffe to look for early arriving migrants proved unsuccessful, the afternoon was spent at Northward Hill where again migrants were elusive.

Bird List
Little grebe, great crested grebe, cormorant, heron, little egret, mute swan, shelduck, canada goose, ruddy duck, wigeon, gadwall, teal, mallard, shoveler, pochard, tufted duck, marsh harrier, kestrel, red-legged partridge, moorhen, coot, oystercatcher, avocet (20), lapwing, snipe (2), redshank, black-headed gull, woodpigeon, collared dove, barn owl, green woodpecker, great spotted woodpecker, skylark, meadow pipit, starling, magpie, jackdaw, rook, carrion crow, wren, dunnock, chiffchaff (heard), robin, blackbird, blue tit, great tit, house sparrow, chaffinch, greenfinch, goldfinch, linnet (9), reed bunting. (52 species).

General Observations
Cliffe Pools quiet although another birdwatcher mentioned a spotted redshank. We could only find a common redshank. Chiffchaffs were singing everywhere. A distant marsh harrier at Northward Hill was seen displaying, at one point being mobbed by a kestrel. A mobile group of 5 linnets gave good views in warm afternoon sunshine. The highlight of the day was a barn owl that left the barn at Northward Hill, circled and returned..

Weasel (2), fox, rabbit (numerous)

Butterflies: Peacock (numerous), comma.

Weather: Sunny, warm with very little wind.

Danson Park, Bexleyheath
Philip Cliffe, Sunday 6 April 2008, 6pm to 6.45pm

The rail was in the tiny stream through the bog garden. The grebes seem to have paired up. Some were on nests and two pairs involved in courtship display.

Bird List
Water rail, fieldfare, grey wagtail, lesser black backed gull, pied wagtail, great crested grebe (12), tufted duck (4), numerous moorhens, coot, mallard, Canada goose (20)

Weather: Very cold but calm, snow on the ground from recent fall.

Foots Cray Meadows, Sidcup
Peter Kite, Friday 4 April 2008, 8.30am to 11.30am

Bird List
Song thrush (14), robin, greenfinch, wren, green woodpecker, great spotted woodpecker, lesser spotted woodpecker, ring necked parakeet, carrion crow, magpie, woodpigeon, dunnock, collared dove, blue tit, blackbird, chaffinch, great tit, jay (6), jackdaw, stock dove, mallard, tufted duck (16), moorhen, coot, mute swan, shoveler (2f), grey wagtail, kestrel, mistle thrush, chiffchaff (12), long tailed tit, pied wagtail, goldfinch, siskin (25+), 34 species

Weather: Sunny, some cloud but very warm

Chiffchaff in Danson Park. Photo by Peter Kite

Kestrel in Danson Park. Photo by Peter Kite

Sevenoaks Wildfowl Reserve/Bough Beech Kent Wildlife Trust Reserve
Maurice Ewart/Eric Brown/ Doreen Newson, Wednesday 2 April 2008, Sevenoaks 10.15am to 11.30am Bough Beech 12.00 – 16.00pm

A quick visit to Sevenoaks looking for lesser spotted woodpecker (unsuccessfully) then on to Bough Beech

Bird List
Great crested grebe, cormorant, grey heron, mute swan, greylag, Canada goose, shelduck, wigeon, gadwall, shoveler, teal, mallard, tufted duck, ruddy duck, sparrowhawk (3), pheasant, moorhen, coot, little ringed plover (4), lapwing, snipe (11), green sandpiper, black-headed gull, lesser black-backed gull, herring gull, collared dove, woodpigeon, green woodpecker, great spotted woodpecker, sand martin, grey wagtail (4), pied wagtail, wren, dunnock, robin, blackbird, fieldfare (3), song thrush, mistle thrush, blackcap, chiffchaff, long-tailed tit, blue tit, great tit, nuthatch, jay, magpie, carrion crow, rook, jackdaw, starling, chaffinch, brambling (16), greenfinch, goldfinch, reed bunting, (56 species).

General Observations
The red-crested pochard and garganey at Bough Beech reported the previous day had moved on but the bramblings there (some coming into breeding plumage) gave very good views. Chiffchaffs were singing everywhere as were several blackcaps at Sevenoaks. The little ringed plovers at Sevenoaks were constantly on the move. The nuthatches at BB were constantly coming and going with nyger seed which they were hoarding away close to the visitor centre. A blue tit frequently visited a nestbox.

Butterflies : peacock

Mammals: a small unidentified vole, black with white underside, ran down the join between walls of the information centre to a bottle inverted on a stick, ran back up again and disappeared in a crack between brickwork.

Weather: Steady drizzle clearing in the afternoon

Brambling on feeder at Bough Beech. Photo by Eric Brown

Hyde Park
Maurice Ewart, Saturday 29 March 2008, 12.00 – 12.30pm

A short walk from Lancaster Gate central line tube station to see the tawny owls in lime trees 200 yards west of Peter Pan statue.

Bird List
Tawny owl (1 adult + 4 owlets), also ring-necked parakeet, green woodpecker, jay (3), blue tit, great tit, robin, blackbird (1 albino), starling, coot, moorhen, pochard, tufted duck, grey heron, cormorant, black-headed gull, herring gull, lesser black-backed gull, mute swan.

General Observations
Blue tits/great tits, robin feeding from hand

Weather: Bright and breezy

Haysden Country Park, Tonbridge
Maurice Ewart, Eric Brown, Tuesday 25 March 2008, 10.15am to 3.00pm

A walk from the car park to Hawden Lake and on towards Powdermill Lane. In the afternoon a walk round Haysden Lake. Footpaths very muddy.

Bird List
Great crested grebe, cormorant, grey heron, mute swan, greylag goose, Canada goose, wigeon, mallard, pochard, tufted duck, sparrowhawk (2), kestrel (3-one with prey), pheasant, moorhen, coot, lapwing, green sandpiper, black-headed gull, common gull, collared dove, woodpigeon, little owl, green woodpecker (4), great spotted woodpecker, sand martin (20+), pied wagtail, wren, dunnock, robin, black redstart, blackbird, fieldfare (100+), song thrush (5), chiffchaff (2), goldcrest (2), long-tailed tit, blue tit, great tit, magpie, carrion crow, jackdaw, starling, chaffinch, goldfinch, reed bunting. (45 species)

General Observations
Chiffchaffs and song thrushes were all singing. Two sparrowhawks displayed over Hawden Lake where wigeon and green sandpiper were feeding. The black redstart was hawking for insects from the fence surrounding the sheep pen towards Powdermill Lane . The little owl could be seen on the roof of a shed from the bridge over the stream between Hawden Lake and Powdermill Lane. Sand martins were all hawking insects over Haysden Lake.

Weather: Bright at first, becoming cloudy with a cold NW wind

Photo by Dave Thompson

Danson Park, Bexleyheath
Maurice Ewart, Eric Brown, Monday 24 March 2008, 12.30pm to 2.05pm

Following reports of a black-throated diver on the birdlines at approximately 11am the bird was located close to shore on the A2 side of the main lake. It rested and preened but was not seen feeding. Heavy streaking along the flanks suggested a 1st winter bird.

Bird List
Black-throated diver, fieldfare (2), grey wagtail (2), pochard, tufted duck, black headed gull (numerous), cormorant (12+), coot (numerous), moorhen (numerous), Canada goose (8+), lesser-black back gull, mallard, blackbird, robin, wren, starling.

General Observations
Interest in the diver quickly built up and by 2.05 at least 10 birders were studying it.

Weather: Cold with snow flurries

Black throated diver, Danson Park, Bexleyheath, 26 March 2008. Photo by Peter Kite

Black throated diver, Danson Park, Bexleyheath, 24 March 2008, Photo by Stephen Sheppard

Delisle Road, West Thamesmead
Dawn Smith, Sunday 23 March 2008, Noon

Male pheasant strutting around my front garden and "grazing".

Weather: Fine

Cock pheasant visits West Thamesmead garden. Photos by Dawn Smith

Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve
Maurice Ewart, Eric Brown, Doreen Newson, Steve & Sandra Shepherd
Tuesday 18 March 2008, 10.15am to 3.00pm

A good walk round with a stop for lunch outside the visitor centre.

Bird List
Great crested grebe (12+), little grebe, cormorant, grey heron, mute swan, greylag, Canada goose, shelduck, wigeon, gadwall ,teal, mallard, shoveler, pochard, tufted duck, ruddy duck, hen harrier (f), pheasant, moorhen, coot, lapwing, black-headed gull, common gull, lesser black-backed gull, great black-backed gull, collared dove, woodpigeon, green woodpecker, great spotted woodpecker, sand martin (6), grey wagtail, pied wagtail, wren, dunnock, robin, blackbird, song thrush (10+), mistle thrush, chiffchaff (6+), goldcrest (3+), long-tailed tit, coal tit, blue tit, great tit, treecreeper (6), jay, magpie, jackdaw, carrion crow, starling, chaffinch, greenfinch, bullfinch (f), (53 species).

General Observations
A brief flyover ringtail hen harrier was a big surprise. Chiffchaffs were singing all round the reserve. The siskins have disappeared, no snipe were seen and wildfowl and lapwing numbers are much lower now. Some great crested grebes were displaying . Treecreepers were much in evidence with a pair on dead horizontal tree by main patch behind willow hide, three on one tree near a small bridge just off main path and a single nearby.

Weather: Mainly dull with a cold northerly

Foots Cray Meadows
Philip Cliffe, Tuesday 18 March 2008, 9:30am to 10:30am

Highlight of the visit was a female brambling among a flock including linnets and chaffinches at start of path to Old Bexley.

Bird List
Sand martin , grey wagtail , stock dove (2), gadwall (3), brambling, linnet, chaffinch.

Weather: Cool, dull, slight easterly wind

Danson Park, Bexleyheath
Alan Willis, Friday 8 February 2008

A White-Cheeked Pintail was present in the pond at Danson Park on Thursday 7 and Friday 8 February. This is a resident of southern South America - I saw one in Argentina (Buenos Aires) last
year. This bird is presumably an escapee from some local site. Nevertheless, it is a lovely bird to watch and seems pretty fearless among the mallards and tufted ducks in the pond.

Bird List
White-cheeked pintail, mallard, tufted duck

Weather: Bright, sunny

White-cheeked pintail Danson Parks. Picture by Alan Willis

Foots Cray Meadows
Trev Minns, Sunday 3 February 2008, 11:00 am to 1:00 pm

A walk along the river on the church side then up to the stable block and back through the woods to the bridge.

Bird List
Black headed gull (50+), mallard (25), tufted duck (10), coot (12), moorhen (20), little grebe (6), gadwall, mute swan (2), carrion crow (30), chaffinch (4), robin (2), blue tit (6), great tit (10), long-tailed tit (4), jay (3), magpie (5), jackdaw (2), dunnock (4), feral pigeon (8), woodpigeon (20+), blackbird (4), house sparrow (5), white-cheeked pintail.

Weather: Cold clear dry day. Light wind to give chill factor. Soft underfoot.

White-cheeked pintail near Five Arches Bridge, Foots Cray Meadows. Picture by Trevor Minns

Foots Cray Meadows
Eric Brown, Wednesday 30 January 2008, 1.00pm to 2.30pm

A short walk to check on a report of redpoll. Not seen but male kingfisher posed on branch overhanging Cray about 200 yds downstream from Five Arches Bridge until disturbed by dogwalker.

Bird list
Blackbird, song thrush, mistle thrush, redwing (5), robin, dunnock, jay, magpie, carrion crow, ring necked parakeet (numerous), great spotted woodpecker, blue tit, great tit, long-tailed tit, grey wagtail, kingfisher, mallard, tufted duck, coot, moorhen (20+), mute swan, black headed gull, little egret, goldfinch, wren, woodpigeon, little grebe (5). Total 27.

General Observations
Red fox, grey squirrel.
Dogs 24. Dogs in River Cray 5. Illegal fishermen 2.
Weather: Bright sunshine, mild.

Southfleet Village Pond
Maurice Ewart and Eric Brown, Friday 25 January 2008, 10.30am

Falcated Duck on village duck pond beside the main road! There will always be doubts about origins of unusual wildfowl but this bird, back for a second successive winter, was being busily scanned and photographed just in case. Whether wild or not this spectacular Asiatic species is well worth seeing. It is absent from most guides but Lars Jonsson describes it as gadwall-sized. The iridescent head of this male changes from green to brown depending on the light. It has a white chin and neck with a clear black line, grey vermiculations on flanks and wings and a dark, curled tail. Superb! It showed interest in bread being thrown by visitors but was generally beaten to it by quicker and more aggressive mallards plus some dodgy "farmyard ducks".

Falcated Duck, Broaditch Farm Pond, Southfleet, Kent. Photograph Stephen Ansell

Falcated Duck at Southfleet Pond by Stephen Shepherd

Falcated duck is not on the official Kent list in the latest Kent Bird Report (2003) as it has not been accepted by the KOS Editorial & Records Committee.

Bird List
Falcated duck (M), mistle thrush, song thrush, mallard, blue tit, great tit, greenfinch, chaffinch (30+).

General Observations
For Southfleet village take A2 turnoff signed Northfleet. At roundabout take fourth exit marked Southfleet and cross motorway. Pond is two miles from A2 after cricket ground and opposite Manor Barn pub. Park in pub car park.

Weather: Bright sunshine

Foots Cray Meadows
Maurice Ewart, Monday 21 January 2008, 11.00am to 12.15pm

A walk from the traffic lights at Cray Road to Five Arches then on to the next bridge returning along the opposite bank of the Cray.

Bird List
Little grebe (4), tufted duck (12), mallard, gadwall, coot, moorhen, mute swan (2), herring gull, black-headed gull, carrion crow, magpie, jay, ring-necked parakeet, redwing, song thrush, blackbird, robin, dunnock, wren, starling, woodpigeon, stock dove, collared dove, great spotted woodpecker, blue tit, great tit, long-tailed tit, chaffinch, goldfinch, grey wagtail (30 species)

General Observations
Plenty of water in the Cray which was flowing fast although I thought it was clear enough not to deter the local kingfishers. The strong wind was not conducive to seeing passerines and heavy rain cut short my visit.

Weather: Mild, windy with squally showers developing

Bough Beech Reservoir KWT Reserve
Maurice Ewart, Eric Brown, Friday 4 January 2008, 10.00am to 12.30pm

A walk along the causeway after some time observing birds at the feeding station and in the orchard

Bird List
Great crested grebe, cormorant, grey heron, mute swan, greylag goose, Canada goose, mandarin (2), wigeon, gadwall, teal, mallard, pochard, tufted duck, pheasant, moorhen, coot, snipe (8), black-headed gull, collared dove, woodpigeon, great spotted woodpecker, pied wagtail, wren, dunnock, robin, blackbird, fieldfare, song thrush, redwing, chiffchaff, long-tailed tit, marsh tit, coal tit, blue tit, great tit, nuthatch (2), jay, magpie, carrion crow, rook, jackdaw, starling, house sparrow, chaffinch, brambling (60+), greenfinch, goldfinch, (47 species).

General Observations
Many bramblings particularly round the feeding station where nuthatch and marsh tit were also seen. The only mandarins were east of the causeway . Water levels high so no lapwings.

Weather: Cold dull and drizzly with a moderate SW wind