December 28th (Dungeness)

Bright,S/SE

Fishing boats (1300-1400)

Guillemot and Caspian Gull

First winter Caspian Gull

Gannet

Kittiwakes

The Harrier and Egret,were seen on the approach road leading up to the RSPB reserve

Marsh Harrier and G W Egret

I WOULD LIKE TO WISH MY READERS A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND ALL THE VERY BEST FOR THE NEW YEAR.

December 15th (Oare marshes

I was back at Oare marshes again this morning with friends.Dispite the dismal weather we manage to see 54 species,before having a Christmas lunch at mid day in Oare.

Notable species seen - Ruff 6,Pintail 24,Rock Pipit 2,Marsh harrier 3,Stonechat 6 and 1000s of Golden Plover resting on islands in the Swale.

Stonechat (female)

Stonechat (male)

December 12th (0are marshes)

Pintail

After a breakfast and some shopping in Faversham.The wife and I called into Oare marshes at around mid day.Although we only stayed for about thirty minutes.The birds put on a good show when a Marsh Harrier passed through.

Black tailed Godwit and Dunlin

Avocts

Wigeon and Black tailed Godwit

December 9th (New Hythe)

Cormorant (Abbey Mead)

Fieldfare

Fieldfare (very small numbers remain in the area) the poor berry crop this winter (hawthorn) is certainly not helping to hold onto the species..

Siskin (female) Thirty or more were feeding this morning in the Alders at the southern end of Streamside lake.

Siskin (male)

November 16th (isles of Sheppey)

Buzzard

I spent this morning on the isles of Sheppey with my camera.The conditions were far from ideal,being dull and windy for most of the time.Although a close Common Buzzard and Kestral and a hunting Barn Owl,made the visit worth while.

Kestral and Common Buzzard

Kestral

Curlew and Little Egret

Magpie and Red-legged Partridge

Stonechats (male and female

November 13th (New Hythe)

Sunny but not as mild first thing.(0830-1000)

The main interest this morning was found in the area of the river,which was low.Teal 50,Mallard 10,Teal 40+,Grey Heron 4,Redshank 1,Green Sandpiper 1,Lapwing 6 and Wigeon 1(drake).

Across the river,looking from the Bucket wood,I saw a Marsh Harrier for the second time this month quartering the large reed bed (Burham marsh).

On the southern edge of the west scrub feeding on Willow Herb 2 Lesser Redpolls were seen.Fifty Redwing remain in the east scrub and a Kingfisher was seen along the Mill stream.

November 9th (New Hythe)

Siskin (female)

I had 1X40ft net up this morning in the west scrub.

BIRDS RINGED

Goldcrest  (6)

Siskin  (1)

Robin  (1)

Blue Tit  (6)

Dunnock  (1)

Long-tailed Tit  (3) + (2) re traps

The Siskin was a nice surprise.Considering just how few there are in the area.

Both of the Long-tailed Tits re traps,were ringed in the west scrub.One on the 28-04-14 and the other on the 19-08-10.

Going on the six Goldcrests which turned up in the net this morning,just how many must still remain in the area?.

Last years Pochard X Ferruginous has returned to Abbey Meads and there has been the occasional sightings of Marsh Harrier in the area.

Goldcrest

Blue Tit (adult male)