March 31st (New Hythe)

0830-1030,light overcast to start,more cloud later,cool,SW.

With the recent warm weather and SW winds.I thought why not a March Nightingale.After all the first last year at New Hythe was on the 4th April,but alas things were not to be.Although at one point in the Brook House area I thought I heard a quick burst of song which got my pulse racing,but after not hearing it again,I put it down to wishful thinking.Perhaps it will happen one year in the not too distant future.

I finished up my walk on 43 species the best being - Bullfinch 4,Shelduck 2,Common Buzzard 2,Kestral 1,Sparrowhawk 1,Gadwall 2,Chiffchaff 8,Blackcap 10 and Sand Martin 2.

Smew (Dungeness) Marsh Harrier (Sheppey) and Common Buzzard (Halling) photos taken over the last few days.

March 16th (Snodland)

I walked across the fields this morning between Snodland and Paddles worth and saw - 2 Common Buzzards,a pair of Yellowhammers (back for their third year),a leucistic Magpie (which has been around for at least four years), 1 Kestral,2 Med gulls,4 singing Skylark, 1 singing Blackcap and 1 singing Chiffchaff.

March 11th (East Malling)

young bird (male Waxwings have a sharp border to their throat patch,the female throat patch is more diffused.Also males tend to have broader yellow tail bands.

I spent an excellent morning ringing Waxwings at East Malling research station (my thanks to Ross).This morning the flock contained 63 birds,6 of which were caught.The birds could possibly remain into April,as many of the apples remain uneaten.

wing pattern of young bird above and adult below.