Margate Cemetery Birder

Wednesday 14th May

Little Owl

At long long last a decent day out in the field, I was out for a good 5 hours today which produced an excellent 49 species. I started off around the allotments which was surprisingly very quiet, so it was down to the cemo and surrounding area to produce the goods. First of all was the Cuckoo which was still calling away near the Garden of Rest and a quick showing Turtle Dove which headed off west. The Spotted Flycatcher was also noted by the crem, and at long last a Little Owl which had disappeared for the last few weeks. Warblers included 12 Whitethroats with certain males fighting for territory, also 4 Blackcaps and 4 Chiffchaffs. An excellent arrival of 550 Swifts were seen heading south/west just after midday, and with them was 1 Sand Martin, 50 Swallows in a total of 75, and 3 House Martins. A wander to the paddocks was pretty good with 1 White Wagtail and 4 Yellow Wagtails around the horses, also 7 Wheatears including 3 stunning males. Other bits were 1 Common Buzzard south/east, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrels, 2 Jackdaws, 1 Grey Partridge, 10 Corn Buntings, 10 Linnets, 6 Skylarks, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Long-tailed Tits and 4 Ring-necked Parakeets.     

Tuesday 13th May

Another hard day in the field. Highlights included a Cuckoo still in the cemo, 1 Spotted Flycatcher by the Garden of Rest and 6 Wheatears in the paddocks. Others were 4 Yellow Wagtails west, 6 Blackcaps, 10 Whitethroats, 2 Chaffinches, 70 Swifts, 60 Swallows, 12 House Martins, 1 Kestrel, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Green Woodpeckers and 4 Corn Buntings.

Monday 12th May

Well yes I have been on the patch on and off between the 1st and 11th May, but it has been extremely quiet with barely anything to mention. Today was slightly better but not much with 2 Cuckoo's chasing each other around the cemo, and the first Spotted Flycatcher of the year by the Garden of Rest. There was also 2 Yellow Wagtails, 6 Blackcaps, 10 Whitethroats, 45 Swifts, 3 House Martins, 25 Swallows, 15 Linnets, 2 Chaffinches, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Green Woodpeckers and 3 Corn Buntings. And believe it or not that's the best its been so far this May.