November 23rd (Dungeness)

I went to Dungeness today with Bob Bland and friends.The weather was grotty,but the bird watching was good.Birds seen G W Egret 4,Cattle Egret 1,Little Egret 3,Ring-billed Duck,Dartford Warbler 1,Goosander 2,Marsh Harrier 3,Bewick`s Swan 4,L E Owl,Yellow legged Herring Gull and Stonechat 5.

G W Egret,one of four seen and male Peregrine (RSPB reserve)

The grey Stonechat in the Kearton road triangle.It reminds me in some ways of a Grey Bushchat of the Indian Subcontinent.We also saw one Dartford Warbler there.

November 16th (New Hythe)

Green Sandpiper and Snipe.

I had a look at the river at New Hythe this morning,it was low.

I saw - Snipe 1,Green Sandpiper 1,Redshank 2,Mallard 15,Teal 64,Grey Heron 8,Black-headed Gull 74,Herring Gull 6 and Great Black backed Gull 1.

November 8th (New Hythe)

Whooper and Mute Swans (Abbey Meads)

After a tip off last night from Phil about a Whooper Swan on Abbey Meads,This morning I was down there nice and early.Firstly I set a net to hopefully catch a Redwing or two in the East Scrub and then walked the short distance to Abbey Meads.I saw the swan immediately feeding at the far end in the northeast corner.As I was watching it,blow me,another Whooper flew over high,calling as it went heading north.Scanning the lake again I came across seven Pochard and then a nice drake Goldeneye.As I turned to walk back to the net,I heard the calls of Wigeon.Looking up,fifty or more appeared over the lake and then flew off north.I have not had  an adrenaline rush like that at New Hythe in years.For a moment,I thought I was back in the 80s.When I got back to the net,I had a Song Thrush and yes,a Redwing waiting for me,great stuff.The recent cold Northerlies have certainly displaced a few birds.

Phil went to Abbey Meads later during the day and saw 46 Wigeon on Abbey Meads.So I believe some of the birds I saw earlier may have returned.When I saw them I thought they may have flown up from the river,which flows past the lake.

Whooper Swan,Goldeneye,Fieldfare,Wigeon and Redwing

November 7th

For the past few weeks or more.A very tame Fox,or should I say,it shows no fear.Has been roaming around our near neighbourhood.This afternoon whilst I working in the front garden.It came walking up the drive and stood watching me from only a few feet away.Personly,I don`t encourage it,but I know some people put out food for the local Foxes.
Most urban Foxes roam around at dusk,or at night.This one on the other hand,can be seen roaming around during the day.I believe it to be a young vixen,but I could be proved wrong.

November 3rd (An excellent day on the isles of Sheppey)

Snow Bunting

Common Buzzards (Elmley track)

Common Crane (Seen from the raptor watch point,looking north)

Kestral

Shore Lark (One was present with the Snow Buntings)

Snow Buntings (4 were present at Shellness)

Little Auk (came over the point at Shellness and then headed north over the salt marsh)

Grey Plover,Dunlin,Knot and Turnstone (Shellness)