October 10th - 24th (Slovenia)

We had a two week holiday in the Village of Kranjska Gora (810m).The village has a wonderful setting surrounded by the northern mountains of the Julian Alps and the Karavanke range and is    within walking distance of the Italian boarder.It is best known as a winter sports centre (Skiing) but also has many walking and cycling routes all graded and well sign posted.

The weather during our stay,was exceptionally warm,considering it was mid October.Although it did turn colder towards the latter end of our last week.

Slovenia is well known for its range of Owl species and Woodpeckers.Although we looked very hard and long,we found no roosting Owls and only saw or heard three species of Woodpecker,Black,Grey-headed and Great Spotted.During our stay,numbers of Blackbirds,Song Thrushes,Redwings and Fieldfare were noted passing through.On the whole birding was rather slow,especially in the forests,In all we saw a total of (52) species,(41) of which were in the Kranjska area.

SPECIES LIST
Carrion Crow  Hooded Crow  House Sparrow  Tree Sparrow  Great Tit  Blue Tit  Marsh Tit  Crested Tit  Long-Tailed Tit  Black Redstart  Dipper  Chaffinch  Mallard  Grey-headed Woodpecker  Black Woodpecker  Great Spotted Woodpecker  Blackbird  Song Thrush  Fieldfare  Redwing  Water Pipit  White Wagtail  Kestral  Nutcracker  Starling  Goldfinch  Linnet Chiffchaff  Jay  Goldcrest  Siskin  Grey Heron  Treecreeper  Wren  Brambling  Serin  Alpine Chough  Crossbill  Raven  Common Buzzard.

Away from the Kranjska area - Cormorant  Goosander  Pintail  Jackdaw  Magpie  Mute Swan  Common Kingfisher  Mistle Thrush  Wood Pigeon  Nuthatch  Coot.

We saw three Butterfly species - Red Admiral  Clouded Yellow and one white (sper).

September 24th and 28th (New Hythe)

Two ringing sessions in the west scrub (2X40ft).

BIRDS RINGED

Blackcap  26

Common Whitethroat  1

Blue Tit  1

Great Tit  1 + re trap

Reed Warbler 1

long-tailed Tit  2

Wren  2

Great Spotted Woodpecker  2

TOTAL  36 + 1 re trap

Photo Whitethroat and L T TIT

September 22nd (Dungeness)

On the way back home from Rye,Jeanette and I called in at Dungeness,Although it was only a short visit,it proved to be very rewarding.

Along the entrance track to the reserve,four of the eight Cattle Egret that are present in the area were on show.A posing Great White Egret made a fine sight from the Hanson hide.From where a very close Bittern was playing hide and seek and on Burrowes pit were five newly arrived Spoonbill,all very nice.

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September 7th (CATCH UP)

Jeanette and I met Ann and Bob Bland at Oare Marsh this morning (6th).Before moving on to Oare village for a nice pub meal.

At the time of our visit,it was high tide.So the east scrape was packed with roosting and feeding waders.Mostly,Black-tailed Godwit,Golden Plover,Redshank,Lapwing,Dunlin and Ringed Plover.Amongst these commoner birds however,we did find 1 Curlew Sandpiper and 2 Spotted Redshank.

 Spotted Redshank,Ruff and Golden Plover.


Since my last ringing session on August 1st at New Hythe.I have had a further seven,the last being on Setember 7th.

I caught my last 3 Nightingales of the autumn,one of which was a re-trap on August 4th.Its been a poor year for Willow Warblers,none turned up in the nets and only a few Chiffchaffs have been trapped so far.Although Chiff numbers hopefully will increase later this month and next.One Sedge Warbler,far less common than formerly,turned up on September 1st. 

BIRDS RINGED

Nightingale  2 + 1 re trap

Blackbird  1

Chiffchaff  2

Bullfinch  1

Sedge Warbler  1

Garden Warbler  1

Reed Warbler  13

Common Whitethroat  1

Blackcap  41

Great Tit  5

Blue Tit  2

TOTAL  70 + 1 re trap 

Garden Warbler,Common Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler.