March 30th-31st ,April 2nd,3rdand 4th (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.

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.  

March 10th (New Hythe)

Jerry heard two singing Red Legged Partridge in the Abbey Meads area around mid day (first record of this species in the lakes as far as I know since the 70s,when they were breeding.

Also one singing Blackcap at Alders and a singing Coal Tit at the Motorway lake.

Several Med Gulls also passed over the lakes,along with one over my house.

On the 9th,five Common Buzzards were over the Brookland car park,all of which drifted off east.

PHOTOS Cetti`s Warbler and Buzzard.

March 3rd (New Hythe)

Lesser Black backed Gulls have started to return (the first was seen on the 27th).A female Marsh Harrier was seen again,this time over the Sunken marsh on the 25th and three Fieldfare seen on the 2nd,were the first this winter (24/25),they continue to remain very scarce (last few winters).A Mistle thrush was seen collecting food in the East scrub on the 28th (a scarce bird at New Hythe).

Two Firecrests have been found over the past few days,one along the Mill stream and one which I photographed this morning in the south western corner of the Streamside lake,both found by Glenn (good hearing).I also photographed this morning another brown Chiff (Tristis ?)