May 31st (BITS AND PIECES)

Red Kite and Cuckoo

I looked in on the Lapwing chicks at Holborough on the 29th,and was pleased to see all four.A Cuckoo was seen and 2 Cetti`s Warblers and 1 Nightingale heard.The Nightingale was in scrub at the northern end of the marsh.This past week or more,good numbers of Red Kites have been reported in Kent.I photographed this bird passing over Snodland on the 30th.

Every day this past week,Med Gulls have been seen and others heard,passing over our garden at Snodland.The above two were photographed flying along the Medway at New Hythe.(29th),Also on the 29th,2 Little Egrets were feeding in the mouth of Eccles Island creek,along with 300 Herring Gulls,which were spread out between the creek and Bucket wood (I believe they were feeding on a snail species).

May 19th (Halling marshes)

I looked in on Halling marshes today and was very pleased to see a pair of Lapwing with four chicks in the water meadow that borders Marsh Road.These are the first lapwing chicks I have seen in the Medway gap for many years.

May 15th (Dungeness)

I had quite high expectations this morning of a good sea watch,perhaps a Pom or two.

0715-0915

Common Scoter  8

Fulmar  1

Oystercatcher  3

Arctic Tern  1

Gannet around 30

It didn`t happen'

Later I walked along to the patch and was rewarded with good views of the 1st winter Iceland gull and several Med Gulls.

Gannet

I stood watching the above Marsh Harrier for about twenty minutes.It was working a line of bushes along the edge of one of the hay fields.I think it was trying to flush out a prey item of some sort.When it eventually gave up,it flew across the field towards me.Only veering off at the very last moment.Along with the Iceland gull,this made my day,

May 14th (New Hythe)

I made a quick visit to the east scrub this morning.I was hoping the early morning rain had knocked down a goody,perhaps a Wheatear or even a Wryneck.No such luck though,apart from the usual suspects I saw nothing of note along those lines.
However I did see a Peregrine and track down the above Cuckoo to a tree in the west scrub.

May 10th (Marquenterre)

I spent the day with members of SSBO at Marquenterre.

Willow Warbler Common Whitethroat Redshank Greenshank

White Stork,Nuthatch Whooper Swan Common Crane Spoonbill

May 7th (Elmley)

I went back to Elmley this morning.I just love the solitude of the place.

Avocet Black headed gull,Med gull and Black tailed Godwit