April 12th and 14th (New Hythe)

 Another clear and warm day.

A Common Sandpiper was seen along the river from Bucket wood.A Reed Warbler (first) was heard in the Sunken marsh,along with a Cuckoo (first) and a pair of Egyptian Geese with six goslings are present on the Road island lake.

On the 14th,a Willow Warbler was heard singing in the SW corner of the Sunken marsh.

On the 15th,several flocks of Med Gulls totaling about 100 past south over fields at the back of Snodland.   

Photos Cetti`s Warbler Nightingale Wren Egyptian Geese Green Finch

April 11th (New Hythe)

There are now at least nine Nightingale in the area.A Common Whitethroat was seen on the 9th,with two more the following day,along with the first L R plover along the river. 

With cloud and cool conditions on the 9th,100s of Sand Martins with smaller numbers of House and Swallows were feeding over Abbey Meads and the Railway lake.

March 30th-31st ,April 2nd,3rd,4th and 6th (CATCH UP)

During the morning a Red Kite past south over New Hythe,with another over west in the afternoon.

A good find on Abbey Meads was a adult Kittiwake amongst the hundred or so Black headed Gulls.  

Along the river the Green Sandpiper was still present along with two Oystercatcher,A drop in the number of Teal present was noticeable (40).

Med Gulls are now more in evidence.

On the 31st a Red Kite was seen at Paddlesworth,which eventually flew of west.

On April 2nd,13 Shoveler were on Abbey Meads

April 3rd River from Bucket wood 2 Oystercatcher  9 Shoveler 2 Gadwall  2 G C Grebes and 12 Teal.

Whilst walking back to the car along the Mill stream a Marsh Harrier flew over heading towards the river (east).

April 4th,its all happening at Abbey Meads.A Little Gull was found at just after mid day and was still present at 17:00.A Nightingale (first this year) was heard singing on the west bank  and 2 Swallows (first) and 6 Sand Martin were seen at the southern end.

April 6th,two more Nightingale were seen this morning only 80 mtrs apart along the Mill stream.

Two Sedge Warblers (first) both at Brookland lake and later during the afternoon,Sand Martins were moving through with a sprinkling of House Martins (first) and Swallows.

Two drake Pochard were present on Abbey Meads.

No Teal were seen along the river from Bucket wood,

   

On the 26th,7 Wigeon were seen on Abbey Meads.

25th 10 chiffs,10 Blackcaps and 1 Willow Warbler were in song,one drake Pochard was seen on Abbey Meads. 

 

March 20th (Ryharsh Church yard and New Hythe)

Hawfinch and Raven Ryharsh Church yard  Teal on the river from Bucket wood.
 

March 14th (New Hythe) and 15th (Ditton)

Remaining cold but bright (N)

This morning along the river from Bucket wood I saw 3 Shelduck,15 Mallard 3 Gadwall 60 Teal 1 Redshank 1 Green Sandpiper 1 Common Sandpiper 2 Snipe  3 Lapwing and 5 Oystercatcher.

In the Sunken marsh 2 Reed Bunting were seen (hard to find this winter) along with 2 Redwing. 

There was a singing Blackcap in the West scrub and the first Sand Martins (2) were seen over Tesco lake.

Lesser Black backed Gulls are arriving in numbers now (they breed along with Herring on the nearby ware house roofs).

Mistle Thrush and Hawfinch (Ditton Church yard).The Hawfinch is one of three that are feeding in the Yews there.