On the 20th,a SWIFT was seen a (nice early record),also 40 - 50 Med Gulls past over NW,and the TAWNY OWL was seen again in the large Oak in the NW corner of Abbey Meads.Good spots by Jerry on the 21st were of a male YELLOW WAGTAIL flying over Brooklands lake and a Marsh Harrier flying over the Sunken marsh.More Willow Warblers and Sedge Warblers have been seen or heard (just passing through ?).A Willow Warbler caught on the 11th,was the first since 2017.
Sunday 21 April 2024
April 21st and 23rd (New Hythe)
On the 20th,a SWIFT was seen a (nice early record),also 40 - 50 Med Gulls past over NW,and the TAWNY OWL was seen again in the large Oak in the NW corner of Abbey Meads.Good spots by Jerry on the 21st were of a male YELLOW WAGTAIL flying over Brooklands lake and a Marsh Harrier flying over the Sunken marsh.More Willow Warblers and Sedge Warblers have been seen or heard (just passing through ?).A Willow Warbler caught on the 11th,was the first since 2017.
Thursday 11 April 2024
April 11th and 13th (New Hythe)
WillowWarbler first one in the net since 2017.
Oystercatcher five flew over the East scrub.
Chiffchaff re trap 6M ringed in the West scrub on the 14 05 23 as a 5M.
Greenfinch nice to see a recovery in this species.Although it must be said a rather slow one.
Over the last week at least three Sedge Warblers have been heard.
Nightingales there are now at least 14 Nightingales singing in the Park.
Common Whitethroat the first of the spring was heard at Brookland on the 10th.
A Red head Goosander was present between the 4th - 6th.
April 13th,Common Whitethroat (East scrub) Nightingale photo,one of many now in the area.This particular bird was one of four along the railway embankment Raven (pair) at the foot of the Downs at Birling,seen during the afternoon.
Wednesday 3 April 2024
April 3rd and 5th (New Hythe)
This morning a Reed Warbler was singing at the southern end of Streamside lake,a nice early record.
Three Willow Warblers were found in the lakes area on the 1st.
Little Grebe,with small young (kidney lake).
April 5th rain over night cleared mid morning,then bright,windy SW
Three Nightingale and one Sedge Warbler seen.The Willow Warbler remains in the East scrub. .
Sunday 31 March 2024
March 31st (East scrub) New Hythe
EAST SCRUB Cloudy,cool,easterly
A Willow Warbler first seen in the scrub yesterday was still present this morning.Two Swallows and ten Sand Martin flew overhead.
The first Willow Warbler of the spring was seen at Abbey Meads on the 25th,
Saturday 23 March 2024
March 23rd (New Hythe)
Single Swallow over Tesco lake (first this spring) 8 Med Gulls on Abbey Meads (adults) and 2 Red Kites over W at 09:00.
Friday 15 March 2024
March 15th (New Hythe)
Bucket wood (river) 14 Teal,4 Mallard, 2 Shelduck 2 Oystercatcher,1 Little Egret,2 Grey Heron.
Four WAXWING flew over Brookland Lake at 09:30.
I have not seen the SCAUP since the 11th.
RED KITES One flew NW over my garden at 13:30 on the 13th.Glenn had two over Brookland lake on the 14th (11:00) with a single from Bucket wood (11:55).
Friday 8 March 2024
March 8th (New Hythe)
March 8th Abbey Meads 9 Wigeon.Scaup still present on Streamside lake.
7th Brookland 7 Pochard (migrants).
March 7th,Road island lake 2 Gadwall,1 Shoveler,2 singing Blackcaps.
Another male Blackcap was caught in my garden with a low w.t of 16.9g (just arrived ?).The other two caught had good weights (February 31st (19.5) and 28th of February (19.8).A female was seen but not caught on February 27th.
March 4th,Glenn had 8 Common Buzzards in the air together from Bucket wood.
Lesser Black backed Gulls are much in evidence now March 8th,just 1-2 present a week or so ago.