December 29th (New Hythe)

Fox (Mill stream) and Pochard (Abbey Meads) long gone are the winters when 300+ wintered on the lake.

So far this winter at New Hythe its been slow bird wise.No cold weather wildfowl or grebes of note and I still haven`t seen a Siskin or Redpoll,although  Goldfinches as usual are present in good numbers feeding on the Teasel heads.This morning I had 49 species,birds of note being -Kingfisher (1),Little Egret (1),Redshank (1),Green Sandpiper (1) Snipe (2) Pochard (12),Shoveler (4) Teal (38) Lapwing (4) Common Buzzard (1) Chiffchaff (2) Water Rail (1) Goldcrest (1) and Treecreeper (1).

Pochard continue there downward trend in numbers.My maximum count so far this winter is just (19) birds.My garden is also slow,with no sightings so far of Reed Buntings or Blackcaps.

Robin,Little Grebe,Grey Heron and Moorhen.

December 24th (`grey` Stonechat)

DNA samples (the birds droppings) come up trumps again.The grey Stonechat seen at Dungeness in November has been proved to be a Stejneger`s Stonechat (Siberian).

WISHING EVERYONE THAT READS THIS BLOG A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND ALL THE BEST FOR 2017.

December 17th.

On the way back from Rye,I looked in on Dungeness to see the Ringed-billed Duck.

December 11th (Sheppey and Strood)

Kestral

Today I spent a very pleasant morning on Sheppey,My target bird was the Richard`s Pipit,back again for its forth winter,I believe?.I did manage to see it,but only in flight.Once it had gone to ground it proved to be very elusive.
I was also pleased to see a nice male and female Hen Harrier quartering the salt marsh nearby.a species which is now less common on Sheppey than formerly.

On my way back home I stopped off at Strood to see the Waxwings.

Redshank,Sanderling,Turnstone,Stonechat (Leysdown) and male Hen Harrier.at Shellness.

Waxwings 3,(feeding on berries and flycatching) opposite the Bounty pub Strood.

December 7th (Sandwich Bay and Stonelees)

News of a Jack Snipe showing well in front of the Restharrow scrape hide yesterday. Prompted myself and some friends to pay the place a visit this morning.Although there was plenty of Common Snipe on view,unfortunately the Jack Snipe was not seen.Which was a shame as the light this morning was very good.

We called in at Stonelees,later and managed to find two Waxwings.A small flock was reported from there last week I believe.

Common Snipe,Kestral and drake Teal (Restharrow scrape)

Waxwing (Stonelees.one of two seen) this bird was watched flycatching,A method of feeding which I have not witnessed with Waxwings before.