PAST TIMES (MAY 1982)

WILDFOWL Shelduck 50 at Burham marsh 8th,Pochard 2 pairs Abbey Mead 30th.WADERS Snipe 6 at Burham marsh 1st,Ringed Plover and L R Plover displaced birds from the infilling of their nesting habitat (Brook House and east/west scrub area) last month were seen in the Abbey Meads area during the month,Common Sandpiper singles at New Hythe 3rd and Leybourne 8th,5 at Abbey Mead 15th,Green Sandpiper 1 along the river 25th,Oystercatcher 1 flew over New Hythe 15th,Lapwing 1 pair nesting at the water treatment works (Ham Hill and 1 pair nesting in the Sunken marsh.WATER RAIL 1 was heard at Burham marsh 29th.COMMON TERN 2 New Hythe 6th,1 on 8th.KESTRAL now common in the area.HIRUNDINES Sand Martin 200 at New Hythe 3rd,House Martin 100 over Abbey Mead 2nd,200 3rd,Swift 6 New Hythe 2nd 100 3rd.CUCKOO 1 New Hythe 6th,2 Eccles 7th.TURTLE DOVE 15 at Burham marsh 8th.WHEATEAR 1 New Hythe 3rd.NIGHTINGALE 2 singing southern end of Abbey Mead.YELLOW WAGTAIL several pairs nesting at New Hythe and in the Burham marsh area.WARBLERS Sedge Warbler 25 singing birds around Abbey Mead,Common Whitethroat 2 singing around Abbey Mead.Cetti`s Warbler 2 singing at Burham marsh.LINNET small flocks roaming about New Hythe.CORN BUNTING 1 Burham Marsh 20th.SPOTTED FLYCATCHER now scarce in the area.

BIRLING DOWNS (view point) CUCKOO 3,LINNET 2 pairs and Garden Warbler 3 pairs 12th.