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KOS News

The Newsletter of the Kent Ornithological Society

Number 503 March 2016

Fieldfare by Mike Hook

● Bird Sightings November 2015-February 2016● ●Owen Sweeney ● Patchwatch-Haysden

●News & Announcements ● Fifty Years Ago●

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KOS Contacts – Committee Members

Newsletter Editor: Norman McCanch, 23 New Street, Ash, Canterbury, Kent CT3 2BH Tel: 01304-813208 e-mail: nvmccanch@hotmail.com Membership Sec: Chris Roome, Rowland House, Station Rd., Staplehurst TN12 0PY Tel: 01580 891686 e-mail:chrisgk.roome@btinternet.com Chairman: Martin Coath, 14A Mount Harry Rd Sevenoaks TN13 3JH Tel: 01732-460710 e-mail: coathmartin@gmail.com Vice Chair.: Brendan Ryan, 18 The Crescent, Canterbury CT2 7AQ Tel: 01227 471121 e-mail: brendan.ryan@yahoo.co.uk Hon. Sec: Stephen Wood, 4 Jubilee Cottages, Throwley Forstal, Faversham ME13 0PJ. Tel: 01795 890485. e-mail: doctorstevewood@yahoo.co.uk Hon. Treasurer: Mike Henty, 12 Chichester Close, Witley, Godalming, Surrey GU8 5PA Tel: 01428-683778 e-mail: michaelhenty@aol.com Conservation & Surveys: : Norman McCanch, as above Editorial & Records: Barry Wright, 6 Hatton Close, Northfleet, DA11 8SD Tel: 01474 320918 e-mail: umbrellabirds66@gmail.com Archivist: Robin Mace, 4 Dexter Close, Kennington, Ashford, TN25 4QG Tel: 01233-631509 e-mail: robin@mace-online.co.uk Website liaison: vacant

Indoor Meetings organiser: Anthea Skiffington 4 Station Approach, Bekesbourne, Kent CT4 5DT Tel: 01227 831101 e-mail: a.skiffington@btinternet.com Outdoor Meetings organiser: Ray O’Reily 44 New Road, Cliffe, Rochester,

Kent ME3 7SL 07879 636198 griff@batten.uk.net

Ordinary Members: Ken Lodge 14 Gallwey Avenue, Birchington, Kent CT7 9PA Tel : 01843 843105 e-mail: lodge9pa@btinternet.com Keith Privett 6 Tritton Close, Kennington, Ashford, Kent TN24 9HN Tel: 01233 335533 e-mail: keith.privett@ntlworld.com Jack Chantler 34 Gladstone Road, Walmer, Kent CT14 7ET Tel: 01304 366214 j.chantler14@btinternet.com Andrew Lawson, 12 Morland Avenue, Dartford, Kent DA1 3BN. 01322 402275 jackomar2003@hotmail.com Andy Appleton 34 Penine Walk Tunbridge Wells Kent TN2 3NW 01892 513542 andrewappleton@btopenworld.com Tony Morris, The Hidden House, 28 Kingstown Road, St Margaret’s at Cliffe, Kent CT15 6BB 01304 851943 tonymorris@easynet.co.uk

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It has been a very odd winter, with the mildest of conditions affecting the arrivals of those species we associate with the season. Few records of Woodcock, Fieldfare and Brambling, but lingering summer migrants in odd places. The winter saw the BTO NEW survey which revealed very low numbers of some of our regular shore waders; was this a function of the weather, or does the increasing impact of seashore disturbance begin to show its impact? The work of the society provides data with which to analyse and answer some of these questions. Getting people to listen is a different matter. We say farewell to one of our stalwart members in this issue. Owen was both a highly skilled observer, collecting the very data we need, but also a competent and determined advocate for the protection of birds in our beleaguered county. We shall miss him greatly. Good birding, Norman

Lesser Redpoll by Warren Baker

Editorial

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Owen Sweeney

9th June 1943 – 9

th February 2016

On 9th February 2016, Owen Sweeney lost his long battle with cancer and

passed away peacefully at the Wisdom Hospice in Rochester. In passing, Kent conservation lost a true unsung hero and the world lost a very courteous, passionate and respected individual who cared greatly for Natural History and the protection of wildlife and the unspoilt areas of Kent and his native Scotland, where he was born at Blairgowrie in Perthshire. For this he campaigned valiantly in his later years through involvement in various conservation bodies. There will be few, if any, who could raise a bad word for Owen, even opponents in his conservation battles, as he always presented his views with calm and reasoned debate, with politeness and respect but leaving no doubt about his feelings. Owen could diffuse difficult moments with his mischievous humour and often added a touch of Scottishness to meetings and correspondence with phrases sometimes alien to those from south of the Border! Owen’s contributions will be greatly missed by the KOS, Kent Wildlife Trust, BTO, RSPB and the Medway Countryside Forum. At his funeral, at St Thomas of Canterbury Roman Catholic Church in Rainham, many of those present, not least several of his birding colleagues, learnt much that that they hadn’t known about Owen. His love of football, and support of Gillingham FC, was well known, as was his employment by the MoD and time spent in Cyprus, but much less was known about his earlier time in the Civil Service as a Private Secretary and later as Head of Management Studies Centre concerned with management theory and

News and announcements

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behavioural psychology, leadership and equal opportunities! At his wake, we learnt of his artistic abilities, demonstrated with a display of his drawings and paintings, which even his sister was not aware of! This highlighted what a private person Owen could be. Not all realised how important the church was to him, as well as his local parish and fellow parishioners. Most members will first remember Owen through the Medway RSPB group, with his wife Linda, whom he married at Bromley in June 1969. Linda threw herself into voluntary work with the RSPB and so impressed others that she became leader of the Medway Members' Group for some seven years. Also responsible for the sale of RSPB goods, the group topped the league of sales goods in the UK with over £10,000 sold during the RSPB's centenary year. Tragically, after Owen had taken retirement to spend more time with her, Linda also died of cancer. Owen continued his birding and conservation interests, with bird surveys his main interest. He surveyed for the RSPB's joint Farmer/Volunteer scheme; KWT's initial bird censuses for its new reserve at Nashenden; BTO's Wetland Bird Survey and Garden Birdwatch scheme, as well as the recent BTO Breeding and Winter Atlas. Owen also enjoyed time with other volunteers at Queendown Warren's KWT Tuesday working party and was awarded a Silver Butterfly and Marsh Volunteer Award at the KWT AGM in 2015. Owen loved his garden and was a dedicated participant in the BTO Garden Birdwatch Survey. I remember how pleased he was to get Yellow-browed Warbler on his garden list, feeding on Woolly Aphids in an apple tree, and he wrote a short article for the KOS about the many and varied birds he recorded as part of this scheme. Kent County Council presented Owen with a Gold Award for turning over both his front and back gardens to nature. In later years, Owen spent much time with his friends and colleagues Rob Clements and Doug Grant, driving Rob to many parts of the county to survey raptors and what were termed “honorary raptors”: Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and Hawfinch. Together they covered many hidden corners of the North Downs and the results of their endeavours contributed significantly to the Kent Breeding and Winter Bird Atlas’s, for which Owen submitted over 10,000 roving records! Owen also took on the responsibility of organising the BTO Heronry Census for Kent, which he did with great enthusiasm and admirable thoroughness, from 1999 until health issues, and the replacement of recording cards by an online system, in 2015. Owen was not a devotee of computers. In addition to hands on survey and conservation work, Owen became a leading member of the Medway Countryside Forum, maintaining close links with Medway Council and commenting on many planning applications. Owen also joined, and became a valued member of, the KOS Conservation and Surveys Committee.

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It was the proposal to develop the former MoD land at Lodge Hill, one of the most important sites in the UK for Nightingales that became Owen’s final and greatest battle. Together with his great Nightingale ally, Andrew Henderson, much time was spent discussing latest proposals, survey findings and responses to the planning application, along with colleagues in the RSPB and KWT. I also spent many hours with Owen at meetings with the developers and ecological consultants, or in correspondence with him and Andrew, and recall many midnight (or usually later!) encounters in the woodlands and scrub at Chattenden/Lodge Hill doing Nightingale surveys. Owen loved “his” Nightingales and appeared on national radio and in press interviews defending Lodge Hill. Fittingly, the song of the Nightingale was played as the final event at his funeral. It is so sad that Owen will not be able to participate in the hard won Public Inquiry in March 2017. Owen leaves three brothers and a sister, their families and his son Paul, wife Zoe and their children. In his funeral eulogy, Owen’s son Paul highlighted how his father was always self-deprecating, never sought attention and was not one for blowing his own trumpet. Owen may have been an unsung hero, but I’m sure he’ll allow his beloved Nightingales to do that for him. Murray Orchard

Nightingale by Mike Hook

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Obituary notice

WF (Billy) Buck We also heard recently from his son David that Billy passed away peacefully just before Christmas. He was the Editor of the KBR from 1962-67 and served on the Editorial and Records Committee for some years either side of those dates. Our condolences go to his family.

Request for information from the RSPB Alan Johnson recently asked for members’ assistance with some priority species the society is working on in the South East of England. These are listed below:

Turtle dove

Marsh tit

Lesser spotted woodpecker

Hawfinch

The RSPB would welcome all records of these species, which should be passed on to Laura Korhonen at Laura.Korhonen@rspb.org.uk

Please remember to also submit these records to the KOS by your usual method!

Colour-ringed Black-tailed Godwits Graham Appleton contacted me with the following. “We are trying to give more feedback to people who send in colour-ring sightings of Black-tailed Godwits. Have you seen this blog (with Kent contributions by the Hirds)” https://wadertales.wordpress.com/2016/02/01/godwits-and-godwiteers/ IThis is well worth a look and I know Graham and his team would welcome new recruits to checking blackwits for colour rings. Kent is a good place for it, too! @GrahamFAppleton wadertales.wordpress.com

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The Strait of Dover Project. The Strait of Dover is one of the most important flyways for migrating and wintering birds in the Western Palearctic. Dungeness Bird Observatory has been collecting information on the movement of birds since 1952 and, as part of a collaboration project, this data was shared with a group of French ornithologists to explore the way that birds used of the Channel flyway. As a development from this a conference was organised in April 2014 at Amblteuse, Pas-de-Calais, by the Parc Natural Regional des Caps et Marais d’Opale (PNRC) with speakers and representatives from several French groups interested in bird migration in the Strait of Dover and Dungeness Bird Observatory to showcase the publication of ‘La migration des oiseux sur le littoral du Pas-de-Calais’* and to share the systems and protocols of the different groups. As a result of the meeting it was considered that efforts should be made to establish coordinated observations between the English and Continental coasts. A study area was defined as between Cap de l’Hague (France) and St. Catherine’s Point (Isle of Wight) in the west and Breskens (the Netherlands) and North Foreland (Kent) in the east. On 15

th July 2015 another meeting took place, this time at Dungeness, again

with representatives from both French (PNRC, Groupe Ornithologique du Nord, Eden 62 and Cap-Ornis Baguage) and English sites (DBO and Sandwich Bay BO). It was agreed to set up a pilot scheme of standardised recording for a limited number of species common to both coastlines and for this to start in autumn 2015. The results will be analysed and discussed at a meeting in February 2016; after which it is hoped to extend the project to include other species and other sites. *this publication is available free on line to read or download, in both French and English, at: http://www.parc-opale.fr/bibliotheque/Overviewmigrantbirds.pdf (This link may well change as they are continually updating/re-constructing this site)

British Birds – new monthly newsletter Many members of the KOS will already be subscribers to British Birds or may have taken up trial offers. Whether or not, you may like to receive their free e-newsletter every month. This offers a flavour of what has been published recently and what is in the pipeline in areas such as book of the month, news and comment, the rarities section and special offers.

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This is a new initiative from one of Britain’s leading birding publications. It covers the UK and Western Palearctic and has been the birdwatchers’ journal of record since 1907. It is read and recommended by many amateur and professional ornithologists, writers and photographers with Simon King stating that ‘British Birds is the gold standard of ornithological literature in the UK’. To receive the newsletters, just log on to www.britishbirds.co.uk and complete the sign up form at the bottom of the page. Give it a try.

A9 Birds – Photography in the Highlands

A9Birds provide full- and half-day trips for birders, photographers and those that are a mix of both! I’m based in southwest Moray, and can the Moray coast, down south into Strathspey and the Cairngorms and then north into the glens of Inverness-shire. All year round we look for the iconic Scottish birds of Golden Eagle, Sea Eagle, Crested Tit, Capercaillie, Black Grouse, Crossbills (with all species open to debate!). In Spring/Summer we add Ospreys, Dotterel, etc. plus and

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various seabirds at a colony, whilst Winter adds the like of shorebirds and coastal Snow Buntings. Refreshments are provided based on dietary requirements, and our full day trips include lunch with lots of homemade Highland food!

We are pleased to offer discounts to KOS members; 15% off of full and half day birdwatching trips for solo birders (the basic charge is £10 per person per hour), or - if travelling with a friend/partner (I can take up to three people in my 4x4) - then the discount of half price rates (i.e. £5 per person per hour) apply to any 2nd and 3rd person. Specific charges apply to any private access hide photography, such as the fishing Ospreys, as these will be finalised by January 2016 though as a guide, the 2015 price was £190 per person for a three hour session.

More details can be found on our website www.a9birds.com and follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/a9birds for our latest news and views.

And finally……..

We like to keep in touch with all our members, so if you change address, email address or phone numbers, please remember to inform our membership secretary, Chris Roome. He can be contacted on : Chris Roome, Rowland House, Station Rd., Staplehurst TN12 0PY Tel: 01580 891686 e-mail:chrisgk.roome@btinternet.com

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Patchwatch: HAYSDEN, TONBRIDGE

I moved to Hildenborough in 1983 and spent a lot of time at Bough Beech Reservoir but closer to home just west of Tonbridge a less well-known series of gravel pits drew my attention from time to time. At one point I visited them for a couple of hours once a week, but for several years I hardly ever ventured there. However several years ago I was advised to walk seven miles a week - standing on the causeway at Bough Beech Reservoir was better for birds, walking around my now home town of Tunbridge Wells with binoculars would probably get me some odd looks, I don’t fancy the thought of walking around without binoculars, and Tunbridge Wells is hilly too - so I plumped for Haysden for my exercise!

Articles

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My earliest memories of Haysden back in the mid-eighties were of some gravel workings where Little Ringed Plovers frequented, of damp meadows where Redshank bred, and of a relatively quiet Haysden Lake where, on 5 May 1984, I found my first ever Black Tern - something I will never forget. Sadly, like many places, things change - the gravel workings (Hawden) are now a fishing lake, fenced off and surrounded by people where I rarely see any waders - eleven months into 2015 and I still haven’t seen Green Sandpiper here, and LRP is now very unlikely. The damp fields near Barden Lake are now a Country Park car park and Redshank is a local ‘mega’ last seen here in 2007. However this is still a great place, it’s fairly close to home and I can occasionally stop by on the way to work.

You can’t see the three Pintail, but they were here - 5 February 2012 I divide the area into three smaller areas:

Hawden and the Powder Mills where I have seen 109 species of birds, the best of which have been singles of Black-throated Diver, Scaup and Rock Pipit

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Barden Lake and the Ballast Pit where I have seen 101 species including my only Smew and my only Brent Goose for the area. It is the best place to look for Egyptian Goose.

Haysden, which includes two lakes, the Shallows and the whole area up to Ensfield Farm and Ensfield Bridge a mile to the west of the main lake. This is my favourite part of the patch where I have seen 134 species. The best birds here have been a Black Kite in May 2009, a Purple Heron, my first ever twitch in August 1985, and a Great Grey Shrike and Firecrest on two consecutive days in 1987.

If you want to see waders this isn’t the place to be. I have had one Oystercatcher here and have not seen Black-tailed Godwit since two that I flushed from the path by the main lake in April 1984 and have never seen birds as common as Dunlin. If however you want to enjoy common water, woodland and farmland birds Haysden is superb. Three hours walking round my patch a couple of weeks ago on an overcast Sunday afternoon in November yielded 52 species, which isn’t too bad. Probably the best birds that I see from time to time are Marsh Tits. They can be really elusive and I generally pick them up on call before I see them but occasionally they show down to just a few feet. The best place to see them is on the west side of Haysden between the lake and Ensfield Bridge - most of this footpath is the western section of ‘Straight Mile’.

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Tit flocks, Goldcrests, Nuthatches and Treecreepers are not uncommon across the whole patch. Bullfinches are a regular sight at Haysden too and although I never know where I might stumble across them The Shallows are a favourite haunt - again, despite being such cracking birds their call nearly always alert me to the fact that they are nearby. The Shallows can be good in August and September when feeding flocks of smaller birds such as Blackcap and Lesser Whitethroat feed on the elderberries. Haysden is also a good place for one of my favourite birds, the Garden Warbler - late April and May are the best times but often they seem to sing for a little longer into the summer than the local Blackcaps. They are best looked for around Haysden and Longfield Lakes and in The Shallows.

River Medway at Haysden

Kingfishers can be seen anywhere - maybe zipping through The Shallows, but Barden Lake, Haysden Lake and Longfield Lake (just to the west of Haysden Lake) are all good for this species which can also be seen fishing along the River Medway. As with most birds, the longer you are on site, the greater the chance you have of seeing what you are after!

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The fields between Haysden and Ensfield Farm can be good for Yellowhammers and in winter for Fieldfares and Redwings which are often seen around the farm. You might also be lucky and see one of the Little Owls too. Reed Bunting is now, sadly, most uncommon but Ensfield Farm is one of the better areas to stand a small chance of seeing one. I have not seen Cuckoo for a couple of years and have had no Turtle Doves at Haysden since 2012 but other birds have increased. I have had four Red Kites in 2015 and Haysden and Longfield Lakes have become a regular haunt for both Goosander and roosting Little Egrets in winter in recent years but please be careful not to disturb them - Goosander are especially wary when on Longfield Lake. This summer, after a year with no records, a single Nightingale spent some time singing its heart out in bushes along the railway embankment, sometimes right under the A21. Noise pollution is a problem at Haysden - the railway lines are fine, but the A21 that cuts right across my patch can be really annoying when you are listening for birds as can the planes on the flight path to Gatwick. And then there are people, but I won’t go there! Visiting: on foot it’s about a mile west of Tonbridge High Street (via Tonbridge Park or Barden Road) so can be reached by bus or train. It has a cycle-route through it, though you cannot view the main lake very easily with a bicycle. The main parking areas are pay and display, the one nearest Haysden Lake by the A21 is ‘pay by phone’ only. Enjoy…

Egyptian Geese, Barden Andy Appleton Tunbridge Wells

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BIRD SIGHTINGS FOR WINTER 2015 and 2016 – NOVEMBER

TO FEBRUARY Chris Hindle

Where necessary the acceptance of records within this report is subject to ratification by the “British Birds” Rarities Committee (species in capital letters) or the KOS Rarities Committee. The results of these deliberations are regularly published on the KOS Website. WEATHER______________________________________________ November was a generally dry and very mild month with an often humid south-westerly flow bringing cloudy conditions. The month was unsettled and often windy with autumn storms particularly on 21

st when gale force north-

westerly winds produced an impressive seabird movement on the north coast. Apart from a brief cold snap from 21

st-23

rd it was very mild with the mean

temperature about 3C above average. December was an exceptional and record breaking month with the UK in a warm and moist tropical air mass for most of this time which brought the

warmest December since 1910 with a temperature of 17C measured at Gravesend on 20

th. Although severe flooding affected much of the north of the

country rainfall in Kent was near to average although it was often extremely windy. At the start of January the UK was in a very unsettled regime of weather dominated by low pressure with frequent depressions and fronts moving through. It was a generally mild month in the south but it turned colder for a few days around mid-month with one or two night-time frosts. The last third of January was generally very mild with strong winds. Kent had near average rainfall over the month. At the start of February the country was in an unsettled west to south-westerly air flow with Storm Henry bringing widespread gales on 1

st and 2

nd and Storm

Imogen bringing further strong winds particularly to the south on 7th and 8

th. It

turned colder around the 15th with overnight frosts but after further rain there

was a mild interlude on 20th and 21

st. The month's end was generally dry,

sunny and cold. The winter of 2015/2016 was the warmest since records began in 1910. WILDFOWL_____________________________________________ 17 Bewick's Swans flew W from Grenham Bay and past Reculver on Nov 22

nd when one was also seen at Elmley and subsequently up to 50 were seen

at Walland Marsh from Nov 29th with up to 11 at Nethergong, Oare Marshes,

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Elmley, Cliffe Pools, St Mary's Marshes, Higham Marshes, Sandwich Bay, Worth Marshes, Fairfield and Gillingham. A Whooper Swan flew N at Sandwich Bay on Nov 22

nd and two were seen at

Dungeness RSPB on Jan 19th, at Rye Street on Feb 4

th and St Mary's Bay

from Feb 7th-28

th.

Single Tundra Bean Geese were seen at Seaton/Stodmarsh with the Greylags from Nov 14

th-Feb 21

st, at Scotney GPs from Dec 28

th-Jan 24

th with

one or two on Sheppey from Feb 12th

to the end of the month. Four Pink-footed Geese flew over Chipstead Lake on Dec 11

th, 38 flew E

over Stodmarsh on Jan 2nd

, two were seen on Sheppey on Jan 9th, there were

11 at Brooksend from Jan 18th-20

th and ten flew over Wateringbury on Feb 2

nd.

During the winter up to 331 White-fronted Geese were seen at Swale NNR with smaller numbers reported from South Swale LNR, Dungeness, Halstow Marshes, St Mary's Bay, Walland Marsh, Swalecliffe, Sandwich Bay, Scotney GPs and Egypt Bay. In addition there was an arrival of birds on Jan 17

th with

the following counts made: 68 Oare Marshes, 55 Walmer, 50 Herne Bay, 38 Tankerton, 30 Hoo and eight Fordwich and West Hythe.

Barnacle and White-fronted Geese by Alan Woodcock

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Birds that may not have been from the local feral populations of Barnacle Geese included four flying N at Sandwich Bay on Nov 22

nd and one on

Sheppey between Jan 11th to the end of February.

Single Dark-bellied Brent Geese were seen inland at Tonbridge on Dec 30

th

and at Bough Beech on Feb 3rd

whilst a Pale-bellied Brent Goose flew past DBO on Nov 10

th and in the New Year one or two were reported from Swale

NNR and Ramsgate and in addition a Black Brant was discovered in the big flock of dark-bellied birds in the Uplees/Halstow/Sheppey areas between Jan 20

th and Feb 28

th and an adult was seen at Foreness between Feb 27

th and

29th.

Black Brant by Barry Matlock During the winter up to 20 Egyptian Geese were seen at Sevenoaks WR, Conningbrook Lakes CP, Penshurst Estate, Cliffe Pools, Hythe, Higham Marshes, Wouldham, Barden, Leeds Castle, Tonbridge, Edenbridge, Bough Beech, Dartford, Elmley, Dungeness RSPB and Scotney GPs and up to 20 Mandarins were seen at Bough Beech, Hayesden, Penshurst Estate, Edenbridge, Hythe, Sevenoaks WR, Folks' Wood, Seaton, Kiln Woods, Tonbridge, Swalecliffe, Sissinghurst and Whetsted GPs. A drake Green-winged Teal was found at Sandwich Bay on Nov 3

rd and a

female Red-crested Pochard was seen at Stonar Lake between Jan 9th and

21st and there was a male at Dungeness RSPB on Jan 23

rd with two males

present there on Feb 26th and a male was also seen at Oare Marshes on Feb

18th.

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Three Scaup were identified at Lade GPs on Dec 9th, a female was found at

Bough Beech on Dec 27th, there was a male at Ham Road GPs/Oare Marshes

from Jan 20th-31

st with one at Murston on Feb 10

th.

Two Long-tailed Ducks were seen off Sandwich Bay on Nov 21

st with one at

Westgate-on-Sea on Nov 22nd

and 23rd

and a female/immature Surf Scoter was reported from Grenham Bay on Nov 21

st. If accepted this would be the

twelfth record for Kent. A Velvet Scoter was seen off DBO on Nov 18

th with a single male seen at

Minnis Bay, Reculver and Swalecliffe on Nov 21st whilst on 22

nd there were

seven off St Margarets-at-Cliffe and one at DBO. After this, during the rest of the winter, up to three were recorded at Sandwich Bay, Swalecliffe, Willop Outfall, Folkestone and DBO. With the mild weather it was a poor winter for Smew with the first two seen at Dungeness RSPB on Nov 1

st after which up to seven were reported from

Dungeness RSPB with smaller numbers at Lade GPs. During the winter months up to 10 Goosanders were seen at Dungeness, Bough Beech, Ham Road, Seasalter, Wouldham, Oare Marshes, Sevenoaks WR, South Swale LNR, Reculver, Hayesden, Penshurst Estate, Hythe, Luddenham, Kearsney, Deal, Folkestone, Sandwich Bay, Warden Point, St Margarets-at-Cliffe and Swalecliffe. PARTRIDGE TO GREBES______ ________________ During the winter up to four Black-throated Divers and three Great Northern Divers were seen reported from widespread coastal locations.

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Great Northern Diver, Ramsgate, by Steve Ashton

During November and December single Sooty Shearwaters flew past DBO on six occasions with two on Nov 8

th, three on Nov 17

th and Dec 30

th and ten

on Dec 28th. On Nov 21

st there were three at Swalecliffe and Shellness and

one at Sandwich Bay and one also flew past Foreness on Jan 7th.

On Nov 21

st two Manx Shearwaters were seen at Swalecliffe with one at

Shellness whilst one was reported flying past DBO on Dec 13th and a Balearic

Shearwater was recorded at Shellness on Nov 21st with three flying past DBO

on Dec 7th.

A Leach's Petrel was seen at Swalecliffe on Nov 21

st and another flew past

DBO on Dec 8th.

During the winter up to three Shags were reported from Dungeness, Swalecliffe, Herne Bay, Dover, Samphire Hoe, Ramsgate, North Foreland and Sandwich Bay with a peak count of five at Samphire Hoe on Feb 14

th.

Up to five Bitterns were seen at Grove Ferry and Dungeness RSPB with one or two at Oare Marshes, Elmley, Swale NNR, Whetsted GPs, Conningbrook Lakes CP, New Hythe GPs and Lade GPs. A leucistic bird was seen regularly at Dungeness RSPB. A Cattle Egret was reported from Grove Ferry on Nov 26

th whilst one was

also seen at Biddenden from Feb 6th-19

th.

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During the winter up to nine Great White Egrets were seen in the Dungeness area with up to four birds recorded at Seaton, Lade GPs, Scotney GPs, Appledore, Walland Marsh, Capel Fleet, Worth Marshes, Eastwell Lake, Reculver, Bough Beech, Botolph's Bridge and Grove Ferry/Stodmarsh. A Glossy Ibis was reported from Harty Marshes on Jan 20

th with another at

Dungeness RSPB between Feb 16th and 25

th whilst an adult Spoonbill was

found on Sheppey from Jan 24th-30

th and on Feb 15

th, at Oare Marshes on

Feb 26th and 27

th and at Stodmarsh o Feb 28

th.

A peak count of 2,230 Great Crested Grebes were made at DBO on Feb 4

th

and single Red-necked Grebes were seen at Swalecliffe on Dec 14th, at St

Margarets-at-Cliffe on Feb 11th with two there on 17

th and one at Sandwich

Bay on Feb 14th.

Single Slavonian Grebes were seen at Cliftonville on Dec 14

th, at Walmer on

Dec 19th and Sandwich Bay on Dec 31

st. In the New Year reports were more

widespread with birds seen at Oare Marshes, Foreness, North Foreland, Cliffe Pools, Shellness, Bough Beech, Whetsted GPs, Lade GPs, Swalecliffe and Dungeness. Up to four Black-necked Grebes were seen at Dungeness RSPB, DBO, Scotney GPs, Higham Bight and Cliffe Pools. BIRDS OF PREY_________________________________ One or two Red Kites were seen at Throwley, Doddington, Minster, South Swale LNR, Worth Marshes, Hythe, Headcorn, Preston, Sittingbourne, Tilmanstone, Bishopstone, Bockhill and Stockbury. During the winter up to five Hen Harriers were recorded at Grove/Stodmarsh with one or two at Elmley, Capel Fleet, Shuart, Walmer, St Nicholas-at-Wade, Adisham, Seasalter, Walland Marsh, Egypt Bay, South Swale NR, Dungeness RSPB, Lydd, Swale NNR, South Foreland, Minster, Scotney GPs, Wouldham and Sandwich Bay.

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Hen Harrier by Terry Laws Single Rough-legged Buzzards were reported from Elmley on Nov 15

th and

24th and from Newnham on Dec 23

rd and Seaton GPs on Dec 23

rd and Jan

24th.

During the winter months up to three Merlins were seen on Sheppey, Cooling Marsh, South Swale LNR, DBO, Reculver Marshes, Seaton GPs, Hythe, Higham Marshes, Lower Hope Point, Botolph's Bridge, Seasalter and Grove Ferry. RAILS TO WADERS_____________________________ Two wintering Whimbrel were found at Lower Halstow during January and one was seen at Oare Marshes on Feb 12

th whilst a Little Stint was

occasionally seen roosting at Oare Marshes during the winter with one also seen at Egypt Bay on Jan 18

th and one at Dungeness RSPB on Feb 24

th.

A Grey Phalarope was found at Oare Marshes on Nov 21

st.

Up to 13 Purple Sandpipers were recorded from Thanet as well as Samphire Hoe, Hythe, Folkestone, DBO, Hampton and Willop Basin.

23

During the winter up to three Spotted Redshanks were recorded from Lower Halstow, Oare Marshes, Sandwich Bay, Worth Marshes, Gillingham, Ham Road and Cliffe Pools, Scotney GPs, Dartford Marshes and Otterham. One or two Jack Snipes were reported from 20 sites during the winter with larger counts of five at Allhallows on Nov 22

nd and four at Wouldham on Dec

13th and Jan 25

th and three there on Feb 9

th.

AUKS TO GULLS_________________________________ There was a large movement of Razorbills past DBO on Jan 22

nd when 3,740

birds were counted flying past in two hours. A Little Auk flew W past DBO on Nov 20

th but with gale force north-westerly

winds the next day good numbers were seen from the north and east coast with counts as follows: 40 at Shellness, nine at Sandwich Bay, eight at Grenham Bay, seven at St Margarets-at-Cliffe, five at Herne Bay and between one and three at Reculver, Swalecliffe, Oare Marshes, Deal and Shellness. During the rest of November one or two were reported from Foreness, Sandwich Bay, Allhallows, Shellness St Margarets-at-Cliffe and Birchington. In the New Year one was found drifting E and being harassed by Herring Gulls at Reculver on Feb 15

th.

Single Pomarine Skuas were seen at DBO on Nov 1

st, 8

th and 16

th and at

Swalecliffe on Nov 17th. On Nov 21

st, 30 were seen off Shellness with single

figure counts at Reculver, Seasalter, Swalecliffe, Deal, Oare Marshes, Grenham Bay and Sandwich Bay. During the rest of the winter single birds were occasionally reported from DBO and Sandwich Bay. Single Arctic Skuas were seen off DBO on Nov 6

th and Dec 30

th and at

Sandwich Bay on Nov 29th

. In the New Year single birds were reported from Mill Point on Jan 2

nd, North Foreland on Feb 13

th and Pegwell Bay on Feb

20th.

During November up to four Great Skuas were seen at DBO, Sandwich Bay and Reculver, however on 21

st in gale force north westerlies, there were 128

at Swalecliffe, 125 at Oare Marshes, 70 at Shellness with up to 20 at Reculver, Deal and Warden Point. During the remainder of the winter up to 13 were reported from many coastal sites. There were a few December records of Sandwich Terns from DBO with two on 2

nd and singles on five dates during the month and one was also seen on

Jan 18th whilst a very late Common Tern was seen at DBO on Nov 6

th.

24

During the first half of November single Little Gulls were seen at DBO with 27 on 19

th, but on 21

st there were 60 at Swalecliffe, 47 at Oare Marshes, 30 at

Grenham Bay, 20 at Seasalter and single figure counts at Sandwich Bay, Herne Bay, Deal and Shellness. During the rest of the winter, but particularly at the beginning of January, up to 50 were reported from 15 coastal sites with higher counts of 61 flying past Foreness on Jan 3

rd and 120 at DBO on Jan

7th.

Up to five Yellow-legged Gulls were seen at Dungeness, Scotney GPs, Bough Beech, Pegwell Bay, Sandwich Bay, Herne Bay, Minnis Bay, Cliffe Pools, Higham Bight, Swalecliffe and Saltwood with a peak of 11 counted at Dartford Marshes on Dec 5

th.

It was a good winter for Caspian Gulls with up to seven seen in the Dungeness area and up to 14 seen at Dartford whilst other reports of one or two birds came from Herne Bay, Ramsgate, New Hythe, Lade GPs, Scotney GPs, Bough Beech, Swanscombe, Purfleet, Pegwell Bay and Hythe. A first winter Iceland Gull was reported from Grenham Bay on Nov 21

st and

there was an adult at Dartford Marshes on Jan 6th with a juvenile there on Feb

27th and one at St Margarets-at-Cliffe on Feb 28

th.

Glaucous Gull by Mike Hook

A second winter Glaucous Gull was identified at Dartford on Dec 29

th and two

birds, a juvenile and a second winter, arrived at Dungeness on Jan 14th and

25

were seen the next day whilst the juvenile bird remained until Feb 27th.

Another juvenile was also found at Dartford Marshes on Feb 18th.

DOVES TO WOODPECKERS___________________________ Winter records of Long-eared Owls included one or two birds seen at DBO, Dungeness RSPB, Northward Hill, Worth Marshes, Bishopstone, Reculver, Thornden Woods, Grove Ferry/Stodmarsh and Elmley whilst it was also a good winter for Short-eared Owls with up to four recorded from over 30 sites throughout the County.

Short-eared Owl by Mike Gould

A PALLID SWIFT spent the day near Dreamland in Margate on Nov 9

th.

It was an unexpected winter for late Common Swifts with one seen at Warden Point on Nov 7

th whilst a swift found at Margate between Dec 6

th and

9th was eventually identified from photographs as a Common Swift and may

have been the same bird that was seen at Sandwich Bay also on 6th

. An even later bird was reported from Bearsted on Dec 29

th.

GOLDEN ORIOLE TO HIRUNDINES___________________________ The regular wintering Hooded Crow was reported from South Swale LNR and Swale NNR between Dec 28

th and Feb 26

th whilst up to four Ravens were

seen at over 30 sites throughout the County with a maximum count of nine birds at Samphire Hoe on Jan 2

nd.

As many as eight Firecrests were seen at DBO with smaller numbers at over 30 other sites throughout the County.

26

Firecrest by Terry Laws

One or two PENDULINE TITS were recorded from Dungeness RSPB between Jan 6

th and 24

th.

After the influx of Coal Tits in October up to three birds were still being recorded during the winter from coastal sites at Bishopstone, Walmer, Sandwich Bay, Margate, Swalecliffe and Folkestone. A NORTHERN LONG-TAILED TIT or integrade was photographed at Samphire Hoe on Feb 16

th.

Two Woodlarks flew S over Sandwich Bay on Nov 2

nd and over DBO on Nov

4th with single birds at DBO on Nov 8

th and 12

th and a Shorelark was seen

briefly at North Foreland on Nov 12th and another was seen at Minster,

Sheppey between Dec 8th and Feb 27

th.

With mild weather predominating in November and December there was still a trickle of hirundines passing through with the last two House Martins at Hythe on Nov 28

th and one or two Swallows seen at various coastal sites during

December and with one remaining at Foreness into the New Year.

27

CETTI’S WARBLER TO WHEATEARS________________________ A Yellow-browed Warbler was found at Kingsdown on Nov 2

nd and the

Dusky Warbler first seen at DBO on Oct 26th was still present on Nov 1

st with

another bird recorded at Dungeness RSPB from Nov 16th-20

th.

A Siberian Chiffchaff was seen at Sandwich Bay from Jan 3

rd-16

th with others

at Chartham on Feb 10th, Dungeness RSPB on Feb 11

th and Snodland on Feb

27th whilst a late Common Whitethroat was seen at DBO on Nov 4

th.

After the influx of Dartford Warblers during October one or two were still to be seen during November and December at Dungeness, Lade, Sandwich Bay, Shuart, Abbotscliffe, Kingsdown, Bockhill and Swanscombe. In the New Year there were still two or three in the Dungeness area with singles at Sandwich Bay, Lade and Swanscombe Marsh. Following a number of reports of birds down the east coast of the UK a flock of 15 Waxwings flew over Ramsgate on Dec 5

th whilst up to four were seen at

Broadstairs on Dec 25th and 26

th.

Single Ring Ouzels were seen at DBO on Nov 2

nd, 3

rd and 11

th, at Tenterden

on Nov 4th with the final bird at Abbotscliffe on Nov 20

th.

The RED-FLANKED BLUETAIL first trapped at Sandwich Bay on Oct 20

th

was still there on Nov 1st.

During the period under review up to six Black Redstarts were seen at DBO with smaller numbers recorded at 18 widespread coastal locations. A Whinchat was an unexpected sight at Oare Marshes on Jan 21

st as was a

Wheatear at Whitstable on Jan 1st.

DUNNOCK TO BUNTINGS__________________________________ A Richard's Pipit was reported from Sandwich Bay on Nov 3

rd and what may

have been the same wintering bird from last winter was seen at Shellness NNR between Nov 8

th and the end of February.

During the winter up to 10 Water Pipits were recorded at Grove/Stodmarsh with one or two at Sandwich Bay, Pegwell Bay, Dartford Marshes, Worth Marshes, Swanscombe and Wouldham. A Common/Mealy Redpoll was identified at Fordwich on Jan 31

st with up to

four reported from Bough Beech between Feb 3rd

and 14th.

28

It was a poor winter for Crossbills with birds seen only at Knole Park and Reculver whilst the only reports of Hawfinches were of single birds at Bedgebury Pinetum on Dec 8

th and Jan 16

th.

During November and December up to five Snow Buntings were found at Reculver, Swalecliffe, Seasalter, Sandwich Bay and Dover. In the New Year there were two at Sandwich Bay from Jan 14

th-Feb 7

th, four at Seasalter on

Jan 21st

and one at South Swale LNR on Feb 11th.

Single Lapland Buntings were seen at Reculver on Dec 1

st and 21

st and at

DBO on Dec 1st.

DBO = Dungeness Bird Observatory

RSPB = Royal Society for the Protection of Birds “The Patch” = the warm water outfall from Dungeness Nuclear Power Station NNR=National Nature Reserve NR=Nature Reserve LNR=Local Nature Reserve

WR = Wildlife Reserve GP = Gravel Pits CP = Country Park BBRC = British Birds Rarities Committee

CONTRIBUTORS________________________________________________ This summary owes much to the contributors to the various sites in “Latest Sightings” on the KOS Website at www.kentos.org.uk, KOSForum, Twitter and the RBA Pager Hotline. Records have been contributed A. Appleton. S. Arthur, M. Baldock, J. Barnard, P. Beckenham, M. Bedwell, B. Benn, B. Beolens, P. Beraet, J. Bloor, Bockhill Birders, A. Borlase, Bough Beech (per C. Langton), J. Brady, R. Brockett, E. Brown, K. Browne, S. Broyd, P. Burness, N. Burt, G. Burton, F. Cackett, M. Casemore, B. Chambers, J. Chantler, D. Chesterman, M. Chidwick, P. Cliffe, M. Coath, D. Cox, P. Davies, DBO (per D. Walker), R. Dean, T. Dunstan, D. Eade, J. Eerdmans, R. Elvy, D. Faulkener, D. Feast, Folkestone and Hythe Birds (per I. Roberts), A. Ford, A. Foster, K. Frasier, J. Frid, M. Garwood, S. Goodwin, M. Gould, P. Graham, V. Green, J. Guiver, J. Hall, M. Harrison, S. Haughie, M. Heath, A. Hindle, C. Hindle, M. Hindle, A. Holcombe, B. Holcombe, M. Hollingsworth, B. Holwell, M. Hook, G. Howard, S. Huggins, D. Johnston, M. Kennett, T. Laws, A. Lawson, A. Lipczynski, P. Lloyd, M. Longdon, D. Mansfield, B. Matlock, K. McDonnell, S. McMinn, M. McVail, S. Message, P. Milton, S. Mount, P. Newbound, G. Nicholls, P. North, M. Norman, K. Palmer, V. Parker, D. Perrin, A. Perry, J. Perry, C.Powell, K. Privett, M. Puxley, R. Rackliffe, C. Roome, M. Roser, K. Ross, J. Russell, T. Ryan, Samphire Hoe (per L. Collins, P. Holt, N, Samuel, P. Selwood, D. Smith, and P. Smith), SBBO (per I. Hodgson), G. Segelbacher, Sevenoaks

29

WR (per S. Clerici), P. Sharp, I. Shepherd, D. Smith, I. Stewart, Swale NNR (per R. Smith, D. Faulkner, I. Davidson), T. Swandale, A. Taylor, D. Taylor, J. Tilbrook, P. Trodd, N. Upton, A. Whitehouse, M. Wilson, T. Wilson, K. Witham, S. Wood, A. Woodcock, B. Woolhouse, B. Wright and M. Wright.

Fifty Years Ago

Tree Sparrow by Marc Heath Tree Sparrow - “ 1000 at Stockbury in March”

KBR 1966

Norman McCanch

Please send records for this review to: Chris Hindle, 42, Glenbervie Drive, Herne Bay, Kent. CT6 6QL Email: christopherhindle@hotmail.com Records sent to me may not all be used for this report as I try to extract the more interesting sightings. However all records are equally important and I forward them to the appropriate Area Recorders who enter them all onto the KOS database.

Letters and Notes

30

INDOOR MEETINGS Meetings are held on the second THURSDAY of the month (Oct. to April) Venue - Grove Green Community Hall, Grovewood Drive, Maidstone - just south of Junction 7 of the M20 and adjacent to Tesco’s Supermarket. The hall will be open from 7.15pm for a 7.45pm start.