January 25th (New Hythe)

Over the past week in the freezing conditions.Chiffchaffs have been showing well along the Mill stream. One of the birds with a ring,was caught in the West scrub during November of last year.

Two Firecrests were found on the 22nd,with another sighting of a single on the 24th.A Peregrine was on the pylon on the edge of the east scrub on the 23rd and a pair of Wigeon were present on Abbey Meads on the 25th.

Pochard numbers are low again this winter with just nine on abbey Meads and ten on Allders.Gadwall number around forty and Shoveler  ten. 

January 17th (Capel fleet,sheppey)

 Fieldfares   Stonechat  Common Buzzard  Marsh Harrier  Hen Harrier  Peregrine

(PAST TIMES) January 1987.

January 1987,will be remembered for freezing temperatures and the deep snow that fell,cutting off villages.

The local population of Cetti`s Warbler was decimated. 

Brent Goose 3 flew SW over Burham on the 2nd,followed by 3 over Abbey Meads on 14th

Bewick`s Swan  1 first seen on Tesco lake on 18th,remained for most of the month.

Shelduck  8 on Abbey Meads on 14th,with 20 on 18th.

Wigeon  15 Abbey Meads on 11th,with 125 on 12th,the latter flew in from a westerly direction with 10 Pintail.

Pochard  circa 400.

Tufted Duck circa 500 on Abbey Meads.

Teal  max 1100 at Burham.

Smew  max of 25 during the month'

Goosander  up to 11 by 19th,7 of which were drakes.

Red breasted Merganser  1 was seen on Brookland lake on 14th and 24th.

Red necked Grebe  3 on Tesco lake 17th,1 18th.

Slavonian Grebe  1 on Abbey Meads on 24th.

Bittern  2 Abbey Meads 26th.

Bar tailed Godwit   1 flew over 14th.

Ruff  up to 3 at Burham during the month.

Redshank  up to 50 at Burham during month.

Curlew  1 along the river.

Dunlin  circa 40 along the river.

Long eared Owl  up to 9 in the roost.

Short eared Owl  1 on 25th.

Skylark  100s flew NE on 24th.

GARDEN BIRDS  Fieldfare 7 Redwing 5  Mistle Thrush  1  Song Thrush 3  Greenfinches 7  Blackbirds 4  Tree Sparrow 1.amongst others.

 

  .

January 3rd

 A walk along the Downs above Birling this morning produced two Red Kites,2 Common Buzzards and one Raven.

Later during the morning the Common seal was showing well on the Medway at New Hythe.

Both male and female Blackcaps,first seen in our garden during December are still present.