October 30th (Sandwich and Oare Marshes)

Green Woodpecker (male)

The highlight of a morning`s ringing was the capture of a Russian ringed Robin.(a first for Britain )

Three Dartford Warblers were found along the beach and a ringed Yellow-browed Warbler was seen in the car-park.

On my way home I called in at Oare Marshes and finally caught up with the immature Spoonbill.

Spoonbill (East Flood) and Stonechat

October 23rd (Sandwich and Oare Marshes)

Lesser Redpoll (adult male) Firecrest (immature male) and Dowitcher

An all round excellent day.Although at Sandwich we caught only 53 birds,we had variety.Fieldfare Redwings Blackbirds Goldcrests Chiffchaffs,Goldfinches Kingfisher Lesser Redpolls a late Blackcap and 3 Firecrests.Eleswhere on the estate,6 Lapland Buntings were present along the beach and a Little Bunting was seen near the scrape.

On the way back to Snodland.I called in on Oare Marshes,where I was rewarded with great views of the Dowitcher.

Long-billed Dowitcher (immature)

Water Rail and Common Kestral(Taken at Oare on the 22nd)

October 18th (Oare Marshes)

Long-billed Dowitcher (juvenile)

News during the week of a long-billed Dowitcher at Oare Marshes.Promted myself,Bob Bland,Trevor Maynard and Jeff to pay the place a visit.We arrived at just after 0830,but after scanning the East Flood from the road for almost an hour without any luck.We concluded it possibly had departed,or was feeding somewhere out on the Swale.However at around 1100,we were scanning the flood again,but this time from the comfort of the hide.When Trevor and myself simultaneously found the bird feeding along the edge of one of the islands.We then all walked round to view the bird from a slightly closer distance from the road.In all we saw 54 species,the best being,2 Stonechats,6 Little Stints and Dowitcher,which was a first for Trevor.

Little Stints (6 in all) Dunlin,Ringed Plover and Pintail

October 9th (Sandwich Bay)

This morning was probably the best one of the autumn so far.Early morning rain and a light NE,brought a good selection of birds to the Bay.One  hundred and fifty two birds were ringed,of 23 species.The best being,1 Ring Ouzel,1Redstart,2 Mistle Thrushes and 2 more Yellow-browed Warblers,which now makes 5 so far this year.

Other birds seen were singles of Shore Lark,Long-eared Owl,Osprey and Honey Buzzard.

Yellow-browed Warbler

October 1st-7th (Norfolk)

Jeanette and I spent last week in Norfolk.Although it was not a bird watching break as such.I did manage to see a few of the many rarities that were present.

Little Grebe and the cottage where we stayed.

Yellow-browed Warbler and Red-breasted Flycatcher (both seen at Titchwell)

During the week,the number of Pink footed Geese were on the increase.I managed to catch up with a flock of about 100 in the fields above Titchwell.

There was a good movement of sea birds on the 2nd,All four skua species were seen.(The sea and marshes at Cley) Gannet and Eider