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| Marsh Harrier |
Today was another good one with Dave and I between us spending another 9 hours on the patch, this in turn produced a new year tick when a Sandwich Tern headed north/east over the paddocks early morning, and was then followed by an immature male Marsh Harrier north/west at 6:30am, and 4 Kestrels which spent most of the day around the allotments/garden of rest. The last day of the months birding where only 2 days were missed included 1 Little Owl, 1 Great Black-backed Gull, 88 Swallows, 152 Swifts, 11 Pied Wagtails, 5 Stock Doves, 6 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Jays, 15 Mistle Thrushes, 15 Whitethroats, 15 Blackcaps, 62 Linnets and 4 Corn Buntings.
Tuesday 30th July
The patch over the years has produced some very good late summer/autumn numbers of Mistle Thrushes, which I feel is an excellent record and still continues today considering they can rarely reach (in many areas) double figures on Thanet. Today produced 45 Mistle Thrushes which were mainly in the paddocks. Today also produced 1 Grey Heron north/west, 2 Kestrels, 1 Sparrowhawk, 105 Black-headed Gulls, 70 Swallows, 6 House Martins, 26 Swifts, 9 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 5 Jays, 9 Pied Wagtails, 5 Whitethtoats, 9 Blackcaps and 23 Linnets.
Monday 29th July
A first summer Mediterranean Gull headed west early morning but that was probably as best as it got, but warbler numbers did slightly increase with 20 Whitethroats and 23 Blackcaps. Other bits included 1 Common Gull, 22 Swallows, 48 Swifts, 7 Green Woodpeckers, 8 Stock Doves and 21 Pied Wagtails.
Sunday 28th July
Best bird of the day and the 11th so far this year was a Honey Buzzard which headed east over the cemetery at 1:45pm, and to the annoyance of the local gulls. Dave and I spent another 8 hours on site and also recorded 5 Sand Martins, 2 Willow Warblers, 14 Whitethroats, 13 Blackcaps, 1 female Peregrine with a kill, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 9 Green Woodpeckers, 52 Linnets, 11 Swifts, 37 Swallows, 2 Corn Buntings and 26 Pied Wagtails.
Saturday 27th July
There was a couple of extra migrants today including a juvenile Cuckoo which spent most of its time around the paddocks, also a Common Buzzard which headed west late afternoon, there was also 2 Hobbys, 2 Sparrrowhawks, 4 Whitethroats, 7 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Willow Warbler, 3 Blackcaps, 1 Lapwing, 44 Swallows, 20 Swifts, 3 House Martins, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 7 Jays, 15 Pied Wagtails and 1 Chaffinch.
Friday 26th July
Today's sightings were 2 Greylag Geese east,, 1 Hobby, 1 Kestrel, 1 Willow Warbler, 6 Whitethroats, 5 Blackcaps, 23 Mistle Thrushes, 8 Green Woodpeckers, 40 Swallows, 6 Long-tailed Tits, and 44 Linnets.
Thursday 25th July
Today's sightings included 1 Little Owl, 10 Whitethroats, 4 Blackcaps, 16 Mistle Thrushes, 13 Pied Wagtails, 70 Swallows, 24 Swifts, 6 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers and 1 Corn Bunting.
Wednesday 24th July
Dave and I between us spent another 10 hours on the patch between 5am - 3pm, and at the end was completely knackered on a very humid day. In total we recorded 41 species including at least 2 Crossbills which headed west over the cemo and was followed by a very noisy 2nd flock at 5:20am, which we were unable to see. The first Willow Warbler of the autumn was in the allotments and to our surprise was a very worn adult, raptors today included an immature female Marsh Harrier, 2 Sparrowhawks and 1 Kestrel. Other bits around were 202 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Grey Partridge, 22 Black-headed Gulls, 1 Little Owl, 56 Swifts, 138 Swallows, 6 Green Woodpeckers, 22 Pied Wagtails, just 3 Whitethroats, 1 Blackcap, 5 Corn Buntings, 1 Chaffinch and 4 House Sparrows.
Tuesday 23rd July
Another Mediterranean Gull started the day off well and was followed shortly after with a Hobby and a nice male Sparrowhawk, 2 Little Owls also put on a decent display but that was probably about it with the others being, 1 Lapwing, 20 Swifts, 40 Swallows, 5 Green Woodpeckers, 6 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 26 Pied Wagtails, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 12 Mistle Thrushes, 28 Blackbirds, 6 Jays, 8 Whitethroats, 3 Blackcaps, 28 Linnets, 1 Goldfinch and 4 Corn Buntings.
Monday 22nd July
Today produced a nice few bits and was probably well deserved with another 8 hours of coverage. Best of all was 3 adult Mediterranean Gulls which were seen heading north with a total of 300 Black-headed Gulls not to far behind. The first Golden Plover for the autumn was in the paddocks alongside 10 Lapwings, 3 Yellow and 21 Pied Wagtails. Other bits noted were 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrels, 2 Little Owls, 8 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 120 Swallows, 1 Sand Martin, 32 Swifts, 7 Mistle Thrushes, 4 Jackdaws, 4 Jays, 12 Linnets, 4 Corn Buntings 3 Blackcaps and 3 Whitethroats.
Sunday 21st July
With out doubt the best record of the day was 3 Little Owls which were present around the patch, but apart from that it was relatively quiet with just 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Lapwing, 6 Green Woodpeckers, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 16 Swallows, 1 House Martin, 2 Swifts, 23 Pied Wagtails, 19 Mistle Thrushes, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps, 27 Linnets and 1 Chaffinch.
Saturday 20th July
With a nice change in weather to more overcast conditions and the odd spot of rain both Dave and myself watched the patch for another 9 hours from 5:30am - 2:30pm, in the hope of an early autumn movement. Well in fact it was pretty good with 43 different species noted including 15 Common Crossbills of which toured the cemetery early morning before 9 birds headed off in a northerly direction. There was also another Mediterranean Gull a 2nd summer bird that also headed north, and a Whimbrel over the paddocks later on. Warbler numbers were more disappointing with just 2 Whitethroats on show, 4 Blackcaps and 3 Chiffchaffs, but the Little Owl once again put in a nice appearance. Other bits were 3 Lapwings, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 27 Pied Wagtails, 72 Swallows, 15 Swifts, 4 House Martins, 1 Sparrowhawk (at long last after a couple of week absence), 1 Kestrel, 2 Chaffinches, 41 Stock Doves, 70 Starlings, 18 Linnets, 6 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Common Gull, 18 Black-headed Gulls, 14 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 1 Corn Bunting, 13 Ring-necked Parakeets and 28 Mistle Thrushes.
Today produced another good record of 6 Mediterranean Gulls with 5 birds heading north at 6:33am, but in general it was hard work today. Other bits recorded in 8 hours were 9 Green Woodpeckers, 4 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Little Owl, 9 Mistle Thrushes, 14 Whitethroats, 2 Blackcaps, 57 Swallows, 4 House Martins, 10 Swifts, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 38 Pied Wagtails, 1 Chaffinch, 23 Linnets, 7 Long-tailed Tits, 5 Jays and 11 Stock Doves.
Thursday 18th July
At long long last this is the first day I have been back out on to the patch since the 1st July, as I have spent a number of days in Norfolk on holiday with the family, Dave has kindly watched the area since then so I am very grateful for that and his records. Today once again we both watched the patch for 8 hours and recorded a rather smart adult summer Mediterranean Gull which was mixed in with 27 Black-headed Gulls. The 2 lingering Great Black-backed Gulls put in another appearance and there was a total of 38 Pied Wagtails in the paddocks which not surprisingly were mostly juveniles. Raptors again were pretty scarce with just 1 Hobby. Other bits included 2 Chiffchaffs, 5 Whitethroats, 2 Blackcaps, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 60 Swallows, 23 Swifts, 5 House Martins, 8 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 3 Chaffinches, 13 Greenfinches, 12 Mistle Thrushes, 20 Linnets, 30 Starlings and 2 Stock Doves.
Wednesday 17th July
The hard work paid off again when Dave found a male Marsh Harrier hunting around the paddocks for about 25 minutes, and there was also a female Merlin south/east at 1:10pm, Also 22 House Martins, 52 Swallows, 20 Swifts, 26 Pied Wagtails, 1 Lapwing, 11 Corn Buntings, 1 Common Gull, 7 Whitethroats, 2 Blackcaps and 8 Mistle Thrushes.
Tuesday 16th July
Pretty much the same species wise with 1 Lapwing, 68 Swifts, 54 Swallows, 1 Little Owl, 11 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 25 Pied Wagtails, 4 Whitethroats, 5 Blackcaps, 1 Chiffchaff, 4 Long-tailed Tits, 30 Linnets and 2 Corn Buntings.
Monday 15th July
Another 4 Common Crossbills put in a brief appearance in the cemetery, and 9 Lapwings were present in and around the paddocks. Other bits included 140 Swifts, 3 House Martins, 28 Swallows, 8 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 16 Mistle Thrushes, 2 Little Owls (good record), 8 Jays, 5 Blackcaps, 3 Whitethroats, 19 Pied Wagtails and 3 Corn Buntings.
Sunday 14th July
Today produced a nice movements of gulls including 78 Black-headed and the first returning Common Gulls with 4 adults present by the paddocks, generally not a bad day with 1 Little Owl, 108 Swifts, 103 Swallows, 11 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 5 Mistle Thrushes, 30 Pied Wagtails, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 8 Jays, 2 Whitethroats, 2 Blackcaps, 18 Linnets and 1 Corn Bunting.
Friday 12th July
Eventually in July all the hard work can certainly pay off, and this was the case when Dave had a family of 3 Common Crossbills which showed very well for 17 minutes by the garden of rest, no doubt that was the highlight of the day but others noted were 48 Swifts, 14 Swallows, 5 House Martins, 3 Jackdaws, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 Little Owl, 20 Pied Wagtails, 5 Jays, 3 Corn Buntings, 8 Green Woodpeckers, 5 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 14 Mistle Thrushes, 22 Blackbirds, 2 Blackcaps and 4 Whitethroats.
Thursday 11th July
As yesterday.
Wednesday 10th July
Not surprisingly the month of July well especially inland can be very hard work but sometimes its actually nice to have a wander around in the hope off, today produced another early autumn Meadow Pipit, and the Little Owl put in a decent display. Other bits were 13 Swifts, 30 Swallows, 4 Rooks, 9 Green Woodpeckers, 13 Stock Doves, 5 Jays, 11 Mistle Thrushes, 12 Pied Wagtails, 3 Blackcaps, 1 Chiffchaff and 7 Corn Buntings.
Tuesday 9th July
Little change from yesterday.
Monday 8th July
Highlights included 1 Little Owl, 4 Swifts, 32 Swallows, 10 Green Woodpeckers, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Whitethroat, 3 Blackcaps, 2 Corn Buntings, 9 Mistle Thrushes, 8 Jays, 3 Jackdaws, 8 Black-headed Gulls and 2 Goldfinches.
Sunday 7th July
A very very quiet day with just 5 Green Woodpeckers, 4 Swifts, 22 Swallows, 6 Mistle Thrushes, 3 Blackcaps, 3 Jays, 1 Little Owl and 1 Chaffinch.
Friday 5th July
A good start to the day when a Peregrine was hunting by the paddocks, and once again the Little Owl by the garden of rest, but it was certainly a bit more quieter with 24 Swifts, 20 Swallows, 5 Green Woodpeckers, 5 Whitethroats, 5 Blackcaps, 13 Mistle Thrushes, 12 Greenfinches, 20 Linnets and 1 Corn Bunting being the others of note.
Thursday 4th July
There was a bit more around today and included a good July record of Reed Warbler which was singing near the paddocks, there was also 2 Great Black-backed Gulls which unusually seem to be hanging around, other bits were 1 Little Owl, 82 Swifts, 40 Swallows, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 9 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 24 Stock Doves, 15 Mistle Thrushes, 4 Blackcaps, 2 Whitethroats, 6 Jays, 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Corn Buntings and a single Chaffinch.
Wednesday 3rd July
Today's sightings included 1 Little Owl, 56 Swifts, 60 Swallows, 8 Green Woodpeckers, 5 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 5 Jays, 17 Stock Doves, 8 Mistle Thrushes, 4 Whitethroats, 2 Blackcaps, 1 Chaffinch and 4 Corn Buntings.
Today's sightings included 1 Little Owl, 6 Whitethroats, 3 Blackcaps, 90 Swallows, 3 Swifts, 2 Corn Buntings, 3 Jackdaws, 2 Pied Wagtails, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Green Woodpeckers and 4 Long-tailed Tits.
Monday 1st July
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| Mediterranean Gulls |
Well the 1st July certainly started off with a superb summer rarity for the patch, Dave contacted me early this morning to say that there was 2 adult summer Mediterranean Gulls feeding in fields by the cemetery to which they frequently passed over, after dropping the kids at school I made my way over and straight away they were feeding not to far away, out popped the camera praying that they would come just a little closer for a better shot to which they did, gotcha another unexpected photo tick and a great bird it was, I have managed some winter photos before but this is the 1st time I have managed summer birds as in the past there have been hardly any summer records, although I only saw them for 10 minutes overall both birds stayed around for about an hour and a half before heading off in a westerly direction. This set up a good day with a 3rd Mediterranean Gull over the cemo late this evening when Dave and I returned for another visit. Another good record was off 2 Herring Gulls which were red colour ringed presumably of Essex origin. Other birds included a good total of 185 Ring-necked Parakeets mainly south/east, also 2 Kestrels, 1 Common Buzzard west, 1 Peregrine, 1 Little Owl, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 4 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Chaffinch, 64 Swifts, 34 Swallows, 8 House Martins, 11 Long-tailed Tits, 6 Mistle Thrushes, 5 Jays, 5 Blackcaps, 6 Whitethroats and 1 Corn Bunting.
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