Margate Cemetery Birder

2012-02-16T21:00:00.000-08:00

Thursday 16th February

Today I had a lovely family day out at the Hop Farm Paddock Wood, so I left the birding to Dave who had quite a nice little day. Still remaining was 2 Woodcocks but there was also a casualty to a Sparrowhawk which was found by the cement works. Also noted was a male Peregrine behind the paddocks and 1 Chiffchaff in the cemo, but a few more common birds seen including 4 Skylarks, 8 Robins, 250 Wood Pigeons, 12 Stock Doves, 1 Kestrel, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Green Woodpecker, 16 Linnets, 8 Redwings, 4 Mistle Thrushes, 12 Chaffinches, 1 Goldfinch, 4 Jays, 38 Magpies, 18 Blackbirds, 1 Sparrowhawk and 1 Pied Wagtail.

Monday 13th February

Dave covered the cemo today for 2 hours which produced another 5 Woodcocks, also 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 6 Fieldfares, 4 Mistle Thrushes, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Sparrowhawks, 16 Chaffinches, 450 Wood Pigeons, 7 Robins, 8 Jays and 1 Lapwing.

Sunday 12th February

I was unable to get out today so Dave Gilbert kindly covered some of the patch for just under 2 hours, the best highlights recorded in this time was 1 Chiffchaff, 62 Goldfinches, 58 Greenfinches, 60 Linnets (very good February count) and 38 Redwings.

Saturday 11th February

Woodcock

I just had a very very quick few minutes today so I picked out a couple of good areas which produced 3 Woodcocks, 3 Firecrests, 1 Bullfinch and 1 Chiffchaff.

Friday 10th February

Fieldfare

I managed today to get out a little earlier at 8:15am and left just before midday, with the snow gradually clearing away it doesn't seem possible that in the last few days Dave and I in places have been walking through fairly deep snow drifts. But has it been worth it yes it certainly has with a superb count (so far) of 150+ Woodcocks and (weather dependant) we are not even half way through February, today for the third day in a row there was another 11 birds most of which were recorded in the garden of rest, (but I didn't see my mate from yesterday). Today also produced another year tick when a Tree Sparrow was heard and then seen heading west over the paddocks, followed by 2 Crossbills which I eventually tracked down in the cemo before heading north. Shock of the day was yet another Firecrest with now 5 birds present, these birds tend to favour an area of brambles by the crematorium, 3 showed very well with one even feeding on the ground, I didn't see the Chiffchaff but the Bullfinch was in its favoured location. Other bits noted were 13 Fieldfares, 5 Redwings, 4 Goldcrests, 12 Lapwings, 41 Stock Doves, 4 Chaffinches, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 3 Goldfinches, 2 Sparrowhawks, 3 Mistle Thrushes, 4 Jays, 1 Skylark, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 House Sparrow (wow), 6 Starlings, 15 Magpies and 300+ Wood Pigeons.

Thursday 9th February

Woodcock

CHEESE AND HAM SAVES THE DAY (or does it). Today I set out at 9:50am and finished at 12:40pm, and it was hopefully a day to remember but will have to see. I took this picture of a Woodcock at a fair distance away but when getting closer to the bird I saw that it was in some distress, not only that but the bird was completely exhausted and without any energy to fly away. It also looked starving so what could I do well not much I thought but in the good old rucksack was a cheese quiche and ham sandwiches (well it was worth a try), I crumbled up what I could and put it alongside the bird thinking at the time what am I doing, but blow me down he started eating it (with a little difficulty I might add), and then another bit and so on for about 10 minutes, unfortunately I only had coffee for afters so I gave that a miss!!, I then left the bird to its own devices whether it will survive or not I don't know but at least we gave it a go, and it was quite amusing in one respect or another. This bird was 1 of 11 Woodcocks today, there was also 4 Firecrests now present including 3 together by the crem with another calling by the garden of rest. Today also produced the male Bullfinch in its usual place, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Brambling west, 53 Fieldfares, 9 Redwings (with more unseen overhead), 30 Skylarks (west), 10 Lapwings, 41 Stock Doves, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 Sparrowhawk, 12 Linnets, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 3 Long-tailed Tits, 4 Chaffinches, 6 Starlings, 2 Goldfinches, 5 Rooks, 3 Mistle Thrushes and 5 Jays.

Wednesday 8th February

Bullfinch

Dave Gilbert and I covered the area from 8:45 - 11:40am, and once again it didn't disappoint. So far its certainly been a good year and there was another 3 species today to add to the year list. First of all was 2 Oystercatchers which headed north over the cement works, followed shortly afterwards with a Snipe in the same direction but it didn't stop there when a Blackcap was noted (a rare winter visitor here), near the crematorium. Overnight saw the dispersal of many Woodcocks with just 11 recorded, but at least the 3 Firecrests remained along with the male Bullfinch by the garden of rest. There was a small arrival of 14 Redwings and 4 Fieldfares also 2 Crossbills which headed north/east. Other bits included 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Goldcrests, 1 Kestrel, 4 Chaffinches, 11 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers and 2 Goldfinches.

Tuesday 7th February

Woodcock (now that's a good view)

Today yet again was another impressive one, Dave and I set out at 9:30am and finished just after midday with a good bird list, and another bonus as shown above. For the second day running the main headlines belonged to another excellent total of 41 Woodcocks, many of the birds this time were recorded in the crematorium with 19 being noted, along with a further 9 along the cemetery wall by the cement works, others were pretty much scattered around with the other best count being 6 by the garden of rest. When heading towards the allotments Dave and I found a bird sitting tightly by the fence, seeing us it tried to escape but instead of flying off it kept on colliding with it so after a short spell of watching this I decided to help the bird out rather than it trying to injure itself. Dave Gilbert then took the photo of this rather superb bird, in fact it was quite relaxed in my hand for a good 5 minutes without the urge to leave. Seeing it this close up just shows the magnificent camouflaged plumage it has, eventually it left but it was a lovely experience to handle one of my favorite winter birds. Today's other sightings included 3 Firecrests showing together by the crem, and the male Bullfinch in its normal spot, there was also 1 Chiffchaff and 2 Reed Buntings (new for the year list) which headed north over the main entrance, 1 Fieldfare 1 Redwing, 10 Lapwings, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 4 Goldcrests, 3 Ring-necked Parakeets, 3 Chaffinches, 3 Long-tailed Tits and 3 Goldfinches. It was also nice to have a chat to a lovely group of birders down from Ashford and Bexley, I hope you all had a good day.

Monday 6th February

Woodcock (1 of 49 present today)

What a day this was, I couldn't wait to get to the patch this morning to carry out my Woodcock patrol, the cemetery has been pretty much undisturbed these last couple of days and the snow in places was pretty deep (especially around the paddocks), I started off at 9:20am and finished at 1pm, and in that time recording some nice bird species, but to be honest the main interest today was a record total for the patch of 49 Woodcocks, which basically appeared as soon as I entered the cemo, they almost seemed to be anywhere I ventured, apart from the single and 2 birds that I flushed together on several occasions they were also recorded in 4 groups with 11, 9, 8 and 5 birds respectively, with the best areas being along the cemetery wall by the cement works where their was 20 birds alone. I was also joined by Dave Gilbert and then Chris Hurst for about 10 minutes who also enjoyed watching the spectacle. I also found a bird about 1 foot away from me which stayed for about 5 minutes as we stared each other out, and in fact was to close to record a photo shot. But eventually I did with a part bird showing under some bramble, which is only the second best photo I have ever recorded. Away from this Dave and I managed to record 3 Firecrests near the crematorium and 2 Chiffchaffs by the main entrance. The male Bullfinch was also on show with 4 Golden Plovers and 30 Lapwings recorded in the paddocks. Other bits noted were 4 Goldcrests, 10 Redwings, 8 Fieldfares, 2 Meadow Pipits, 4 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Kestrel, 10 Goldfinches, 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Grey Heron west, 4 Ring-necked Parakeets, 2 Common Gulls, 30 Stock Doves, 3 Mistle Thrushes, 2 Linnets, 4 Chaffinches, 2 House Sparrows and 10 Starlings.

Sunday 5th February

Waking up this morning to the sight of heavy snow was excellent, but the only problem was that I couldn't cover the patch today due to my daughter's 4 hour ballet rehearsal for her show, followed by a good friend's christening so I phoned up Dave Gilbert to see whether or not he was available instead to hopefully carry out a successful Woodcock hunt, luckily he obliged without hesitation and achieved his task without any problem. Today Dave found 19 Woodcocks in the cemo (and without even venturing in to the allotments or paddocks), where I'm pretty sure a few more would of occurred. Apart from that it was quiet for the smaller birds with just 1 Chiffchaff and 1 Firecrest of note, also singles of Fieldfare and Redwing, but at least there was 19 Greenfinches, 2 Pied Wagtails and 2 Green Woodpeckers. We are both meeting up tomorrow so I'm hoping for another good response. Of interest my pictures of the Waxwing in November and Yellow-browed Warbler in October 2011 are now on. I have also changed my heading (apologies for this) but the other had to go due to the HTML code problems of the older blog.

Friday 3rd February

Distant Mediterranean Gull

Today I watched the area pretty late from 12:40 - 2:30pm, but although quiet for the common birds the others fared much different. When I entered the main entrance I was greeted by 2 Firecrests which showed very well in bramble by the crematorium, and was followed by 2 Woodcocks flushed near the cement works, and a Chiffchaff by the garden of rest. The paddocks didn't do to bad either with 27 Golden Plovers and 13 Lapwings, but best of all was a Mediterranean Gull which flew behind and towards Westwood Cross (hence distant record shot). Other goodies included the male Bullfinch in its favourite location. Other bits noted were 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Goldcrests, 3 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Ring-necked Parakeets 1 Kestrel, 1 Grey Heron west, 2 Goldfinches, 5 Chaffinches, 5 Common Gulls, 20 Black-headed Gulls and 1 Redwing.

Thursday 2nd February

Firecrest

Hell was that a biting northerly wind today but at least there was a few good birds around. First of all there was 2 Peregrines which were hunting pigeons by the paddocks, unfortunately they didn't catch anything well that's what I thought, but on a further investigation there was pigeon feathers scattered everywhere so they had already carried out their business. I didn't stay to long around the paddocks and decided to spend most of the time in the cemo where to my surprise there was once again 2 Firecrests, one of which showed very well but still a little S--- to photograph, there was also 1 Chiffchaff and of course my good old friend the male Bullfinch which was happily feeding near the crematorium. In total I spent about 2 hours out today with the rest of the sightings being 9 Golden Plovers, 13 Lapwings, 1 Woodcock, 1 Redwing and 8 Chaffinches.

Wednesday 1st February

Today was great not only did I record another new species for the cemo but also 4 more for the year list. Being a lot colder than yesterday I went over in the hope of finding Woodcock as so far this year I have failed miserably, in fact the only record was Colin Musselwhite's sole bird in early January. I watched the area from 9:20 - 11:50am, and luckily my predictions were right when I manged to see (or flush is more like it) 8 Woodcocks which included 6 birds in the allotments (all together) and 2 more in the cemo. But to be honest the best record was to come when a Dunlin (new bird for the recording area), was seen feeding in the horse paddocks alongside several Lapwings, an unexpected record by far but what a treat. This was 1 of 4 year ticks today with the others being 1000+ Lapwings mostly in fields adjacent to the paddocks, 66 Golden Plovers and 2 Fieldfares which headed over when I was just leaving. Overwintering migrants didn't disappoint with the lingering Firecrest by the cement works (which then flew over towards the rubbish dump is this the last I see of it), 1 Chiffchaff and the ever so present male Bullfinch near the crematorium. Others noted were 6 Goldcrests, 8 Long-tailed Tits, 15 Chaffinches, 4 Skylarks, 6 Linnets, 7 Goldfinches, 2 Redwings, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 15 Common Gulls, 15 Magpies, 5 Mistle Thrushes, 3 Ring-necked Parakeets, 15 Stock Doves and 1 House Sparrow (my first for a few days).

2012-01-27T21:10:00.000-08:00

Friday 27th January

Firecrest

Bullfinch

At long long last after an agonising wait I can now well hopefully get my pictures on, it turned out their was a slight virus on my blogger which affected almost everything apart from updating the site, certain codes also disappeared but now after major surgery It might get back to some kind of norm. Today I was out from 11:40am - 1pm, which produced the long staying Bullfinch, 1 Chiffchaff and the Firecrest which I eventually tracked down by the cement works. Apart from that it was fairly quiet with just 14 Common Gulls, 60 Black-headed Gulls, 4 Goldcrests, 2 Meadow Pipits and 4 Green Woodpeckers reaching the notebook.

Thursday 19th January

Ring-necked Parakeet

I watched the patch for just under 2 hours in mostly heavy rain, the best part was probably another year tick when a Lesser Redpoll headed west, also present was 2 Firecrests, 1 Bullfinch, 1 Chiffchaff, 25 Chaffinches, 25 Greenfinches, 10 Goldfinches, 4 Goldcrests, 20 Common Gulls, 70 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Ring-necked Parakeet and 10 Starlings.

Wednesday 18th January

I went out for a short time today in pretty miserable weather but it did produce 2 Firecrests which showed together near the main entrance, and the male Bullfinch by the garden of rest. There was also 2 Chiffchaffs, 20 Chaffinches, 10 Goldfinches, 10 Greenfinches, 20 Common Gulls, 7 Goldcrests, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 20 Stock Doves, 4 Mistle Thrushes, 4 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets and 15 Black-headed Gulls.

Tuesday 17th January

Firecrest

Yet another glorious day but a lot more different than yesterday. I watched the area from 11:20am - 1:05pm, and the day started off in a very strange manor with my first two birds being a Firecrest and Chiffchaff which were by the main entrance, and even before I recorded Wood Pigeon but after that it was fairly quiet apart from the long staying Bullfinch which showed very well near the cement works. Others noted were 7 Goldcrests, 4 Goldfinches, 25 Chaffinches, 1 Kestrel, 4 Long-tailed Tits, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Linnet, 2 Skylarks, 28 Magpies, 10 Stock Doves, 1 Ring-necked Parakeet, 2 Common Gulls, 20 Black-headed Gulls, 70 Wood Pigeons and 1 Corn Bunting (no 48 for the cemo year list).

Monday 16th January

Mediterranean Gull

It was a lovely day to be out and about and although a bit nippy the sunshine was lovely, the birds were pretty good also with another 3 new species for the year and a nice local find. I watched the area from 10:50am - 12:40pm, and as soon as I entered the cemetery it was pretty busy, but firstly I decided to do the paddocks and adjacent fields which turned out to be the right decision when 4 Mediterranean Gulls were found flying around the fields by the cement works mixed in with a total of 30 Black-headed Gulls and 10 Common Gulls, and which stayed around for a good 20 minutes before heading off east. The paddocks itself was very quiet apart from a nice male Peregrine which was sitting on nearby pylons probably waiting for its next kill. I then ventured into the cemetery and pretty much straight away located 3 Chiffchaffs near the garden of rest, followed by the male Bullfinch which was present on its own. Shortly after another good January record was to come when another Brambling was seen (2 in January what's going on) associated with 20 Chaffinches and 3 Siskins which eventually headed east. The good day was coming to an end but not without the late flurry of Sparrowhawk (new for the year), and the lingering Firecrest which was near the cement works. Other bits included 7 Goldcrests, 1 Kestrel, 4 Goldfinches, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 3 Ring-necked Parakeets, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 4 Skylarks, 3 Mistle Thrushes and 6 Stock Doves.

Friday 13th January

Bullfinch

I was out this morning for a couple of hours and met up with a very nice chap called Alan Stewart who thoroughly enjoyed his visit and especially as he managed to catch up with the remaining Firecrest. The male Bullfinch was also on show and a further 7 Crossbills were seen heading north over the crematorium. Other bits noted were 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Redwing, 11 Goldcrests, 30 Chaffinches, 4 Goldfinches, 10 Greenfinches, 1 Linnet, 1 Kestrel, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 80 Black-headed Gulls, 4 Common Gulls, 4 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Mistle Thrushes, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls (first of the year), 1 Pied Wagtail, 3 Jays, 2 Song Thrushes and 10 Starlings, there was also 1 Hare in the cemetery.

Wednesday 11th January

Yes yes yes I will settle for that result Manchester City 0-1 Liverpool in the Carling Cup Semi-Final 1st leg, a long way to go I know and a good game to follow at Anfield but I put the reds favourite for the second leg, and hopefully another Final to enjoy. Away from footie I was out this morning in glorious sunshine and it was certainly worth while with a few good bits around, in fact bird wise it was quite similar to yesterday. The first good bird was another Crossbill which headed west over the crematorium, followed shortly after by the male Bullfinch which was present with 30 Chaffinches, 25 Greenfinches and 6 Goldfinches. The remaining Firecrest was again present by the cement works, and a male Peregrine was sitting on pylons by the paddocks. Another surprise came in the form of 4 Chiffchaffs near the main entrance. Others noted were 11 Goldcrests, 2 Redwings, 1 Linnet, 4 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Kestrel, 90 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Common Gulls, 4 Ring-necked Parakeets, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 6 Mistle Thrushes, 25 Crows, 15 Magpies, 5 Jays and also my first Skylark of the year.

Tuesday 10th January

Thanks Alan all the best for 2012 and I hope you get that elusive Firecrest, my overwintering ones will soon disappear until about March time when hopefully the next will arrive. Today I only had an hour spare from 9:00 - 10:00am, but it did produce a flyover Crossbill which headed west at 9:30am, and a single Firecrest which these days is proving even more hard to find. The male Bullfinch put in an appearance mixed in with 30 Chaffinches, and nearby 22 Greenfinches were in the garden of rest. Other bits included 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Grey Heron west, 6 Goldfinches, 8 Goldcrests, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 Pied Wagtail, 4 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers and 6 Ring-necked Parakeets.

Monday 9th January

Many thanks for the message Warren all the best yourself for 2012 and we will be in touch throughout. Today I was out from 11:20am - 1:20pm, which at first was pretty hard going until I tracked down the 2 Firecrests which were showing well in bramble near the cement works, the male Bullfinch was also causing me difficulty as on this occasion it spent most of its time wandering the cemo with a count of 15 Chaffinches, wouldn't it be nice if he found a mate. The gulls went mad over the paddocks at 12:30pm, so on me travels I had a look and found 2 Grey Herons sitting in the adjacent field, no I'm never going to get the repeat of last years crazy total of 64 in one hit but it was nice never the less. It's also good to get some kind of tally going for the year especially the less easy ones so finding a male Peregrine chasing pigeons by the cement works was an early bonus. Other bits included 8 Goldcrests, 3 Kestrels, 1 Redwing, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 9 Goldfinches, 7 Common Gulls, 90 Black-headed Gulls, 3 Ring-necked Parakeets, 3 Mistle Thrushes, 15 Crows, 15 Magpies, 500+ Wood Pigeons and 1 Pied Wagtail, (and also Robin, Wren and Song Thrush).

Thursday 5th January

Brambling

First of all happy new year Don have a good one mate. Today at long long last I managed to get out for the first time since November 2011 and what an enjoyable one it was. I watched the area from 9:30 - 11:50am, which produced a rare January record of Brambling which in itself set up the rest of the morning. As soon as I entered the cemo it was pretty lively but it took some time to find what I was after, I then eventually tracked down 3 Firecrests which have obviously had a good winter here, followed by 3 Chiffchaffs which have also done the same. Goldcrest numbers peaked at least 17 and probably more, which is way above what I normally record here during the winter, and the smart male Bullfinch was present in its favourite location for its 3rd month. Other bits included 17 Long-tailed Tits, 30 Chaffinches, 1 Kestrel, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Rook, 1 Jackdaw, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 4 Common Gulls, 73 Black-headed Gulls, 6 Mistle Thrushes, 3 Goldfinches, 1 Grey Partridge and 45 Wood Pigeons, but strangely no Wren, Dunnock or Song Thrush!!.

Monday 2nd January

Nice bright day after the recent gloom. Good sightings today of normal birds including 2 Jays, 3 Magpies, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Green Woodpecker, a nice flock of 14 Greenfinches flew in from the allotments and 2 Firecrests showed well behind the crem. A total of 30 Chaffinches were in the main cemetery with the male Bullfinch closeby and 2 Chiffchaffs showed by the cement works. A Woodcock was flushed by a dog walker and there was also large numbers of Goldcrests with at least 20 birds present (which was certainly a conservative estimate), also 5 Goldfinches, 2 Mistle Thrushes ad 25 Crows.

(Colin Musselwhite)

2011-12-23T20:54:00.000-08:00

TOTAL OF BIRD SPECIES SEEN SO FAR IN THE RECORDING AREA= 110

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL MY READERS AND A GOOD BIRDING YEAR FOR 2012

Friday 23rd December

Due to lack of time and a rather busy schedule I've done no birding for the last few weeks, yes I have really missed it but sometimes its nice for a little break to get fully charged for 2012. Another reason is that I have watched Liverpool FC and I must say they do look a classy side, (OK biased but it's true) I can't quite believe how they dominate so many teams, have so many chances and yet so far have scored a mere 21 goals, although yes they do so far have the meanest defence. Take for example the QPR game (one of my favourites for the drop), not a bad side but the possession was at times embarrassing and for a 1-0 scoreline to Liverpool which to be fair should of been at least 7/8 defies me. But that wasn't the only game, watching it on the box as with some other top premiership sides doesn't really reflect how good that game was as understandably a lot of the action is taken out, this also applies to the new boys such as Norwich and Swansea which I must say looked really good sides and should easily hold there own.

2011-11-24T19:57:00.000-08:00

Thursday 24th November

Waxwing

Today yet again was another excellent birding session, once again Dave and I watched the area for a good few hours which produced a good selection of birds, best of all was a Waxwing (another big scarcity here) which was in the crematorium at midday before flying up in into some nearby trees, and then showed for a good 10 minutes before heading off west. The fun didn't end there with yet again another impressive total (same as yesterday) of 10+ Firecrests, well that's a conservative figure I wouldn't be surprised if there were more as today they seemed to be almost everywhere, following that was the male Bullfinch which showed well alongside 15+ Chaffinches. Other bits included a Common Buzzard which was getting mobbed by a few gulls over the paddocks, also 2 Redpolls, 9 Goldcrests (how many times does Firecrest out number Goldcrest!!), 15 Redwings, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 15 Long-tailed Tits, 4 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 15 Blue Tits and 3 Goldfinches. I did photograph the Waxwing and Bullfinch today along with Firecrest, which will be shown soon, but my computer is on the way out and I still cannot load any pictures on, a new laptop is on its way so watch this space.

Wednesday 23rd November

On a lovely sunny day Dave and I watched the area for about 4 hours, during this time there was certainly a few good birds to enjoy including an amazing 10+ Firecrests which spent most of the time with Blue and Long-tailed Tits, and was a nice sight especially at this time of year, also a male Bullfinch now a patch rarity which was mixed in with 30 Chaffinches. At 11:40am, 2 Peregrines were feeding by the cement works including a rather large female which I presume is the one which has been seen occasionally throughout the year.Other bits included 4 Chiffchaffs, 1 Siskin, 2 Redpolls, 15 Goldcrests, 25 Redwings, 15 Long-Tailed Tits, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Cormorant north, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 Linnet, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Pied Wagtails and 6 Goldfinches.

Friday 18th November

Well what a crazy day this was Dave and I watched the patch for about 5 hours which turned out to be more like a typical autumn day than early winter. It certainly started off well with an early Firecrest by the main entrance and which also included 2 latest bird records, the first to our surprise was a Yellow-browed Warbler which was in the crematorium, followed by a Ring Ouzel which arrived with a total of 15 Fieldfares, but the day didn't end there when we recorded an overall total of 9 Firecrests, including 6 birds together in a small bit of bramble, quiet remarkable that in the last few years these birds have started to overwinter and on occasions in good respectable numbers, but will these hang around is any one's guess. Other bits included 4 Chiffchaffs, 2 Siskins, 30 Redwings, 4 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 7 Goldcrests, 10 Long-tailed Tits, 7 Goldfinches, 7 Chaffinches, 1 Sparrowhawk, 4 Linnets, 3 Pied Wagtails and 15 Blue Tits.

Thursday 17th November

Many thanks Don for the lovely comments at this sad time it goes a long way thank you, and I will certainly continue to watch Margate Cemetery as per normal. Also many thanks Lewis for the recent message yes by all means it would be a pleasure to meet up and do some birding over the cemetery, probably would be best in the new year, keep in touch by e-mail and we will make arrangements, thanks again for the interest. On the birding front today Dave and I went to look at this rather smart Eastern type Black Redstart at Walpole Bay, afterwards we went to the cemetery at about 11:15am which was pretty quiet, best of all was 1 Firecrest, 1 Woodcock and 4 Chiffchaffs.

Wednesday 16th November

Away from the patch when driving along St Peter's Road by Margate Hospital at 1:50pm, I came across 3 very obliging Waxwings sitting in trees near Lister Road before they headed off east at 2pm.

Tuesday 15th November

In better weather Dave and I watched the patch from 9 - 11:30am, bits recorded were 6 Crossbills, 2 Firecrests, 4-5 Chiffchaffs, 2 Redpolls east, 10 Goldcrests, 15 Redwings, 4 Fieldfares, 20 Chaffinches, 15 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Jackdaw 3 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Pied Wagtail, 7 Goldfinches and 2 Meadow Pipits.

Monday 14th November

First of all many thanks for all who have contacted me, no I haven't by any means given up the website or the cemo for that matter but the last few weeks have been a bit difficult. Unfortunately in late October my wife's mother sadly passed away at the same time we was moving into our new house, so life around this end of the woods has been a little hard, hence very little birding which to be fair has to take a back seat, but there are a few birding days in late October that Dave Gilbert and I did cover to which I will show in due course, along with a few photo's of Yellow-browed Warblers and Crossbills which I managed to take on the patch during this time. The first birding day in November along with heavy fog did produce 4 Firecrests, 1 Chiffchaff, 15 Goldcrests, 5 Fieldfares (plus many not seen overhead), 15 Redwings, 20 Chaffinches, 5 Goldfinches, 1 Sparrowhawk and 25 Blackbirds.

2011-10-15T19:30:00.000-07:00

Saturday 15th October

Yellow-browed Warbler

Today I covered the patch from 12:45pm and left at 2:40pm when I went to football, I must say it was pretty good within that time and just wondered even though I couldn't do it what I might of missed early on. I straight away on arrival had 7 Crossbills which headed north over the cemo, followed by 2 Common Buzzards heading east at 1pm, I then at 1:15pm had a Yellow-browed Warbler which was mixed in with the mobile tit flock. Also of note was 70 Siskins which was just short of a cemo record and it would of been interesting just to see how many passed through in the morning, most probably it would off been 3 figures. Other bits included 22 Fieldfares, 30 Redwings, 1 Brambling, 1 Redpoll, 4 Chiffchaffs, 4 Sparrowhawks, 4 Kestrels, 4 Goldcrests, 10 Chaffinches, and 7 Long-tailed Tits. Craig text me this afternoon to say he had a probable juvenile Rose-coloured Starling in a Starling flock near the cemetery, what a dream that would be as I've always wanted one here, I will certainly be keeping my eyes peeled.

Friday 14th October

Today was very hard work, Dave and I spent just under 7 hours thrashing out nearly every inch of the place which did produce 46 species but how I don't know with little vis-mig going on which was a slight surprise considering it was a light easterly, however we did find the first Woodcock of the autumn which we flushed from the crematorium. Other bits included a late Sand Martin, 1 Firecrest, 1 Ring Ouzel, 7 Wheatears, 7 Chiffchaffs, 7 Blackcaps, 6 Bramblings, 11 Fieldfares, 60 Redwings, 40 Chaffinches, 53 Siskins mainly heading west, 11 Redpolls west, 6 Sparrowhawks, 4 Kestrels, 1 Reed Bunting, 4 Green Woodpeckers, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 6 Goldcrests, 8 Long-tailed Tits, 7 Goldfinches, 21 Pied Wagtails, 30 Linnets, 7 Meadow Pipits, 7 Skylarks, 4 Jackdaws 1500 Starlings, 4 Ring-necked Parakeets and 6 Jays.

Thursday 13th October

Today was super not only was there some lovely easterly winds but both Dave and I recorded 50 species for the day (not for the first time I must add). We started at 8am and finished at 2pm, and for the first 2 hours it was busy especially in overcast conditions, the first good bird to appear was a Short-eared Owl which headed west at 10am, followed by 22 Crossbills heading north, in fact it was pretty good altogether with some good vis-mig also going on. Other highlights included 2 Common Buzzards, 40 Bramblings, 200 Redwings, 30 Fieldfares, 16 Siskins, 1 Redpoll, 3000 Starlings, 1 Ring Ouzel, 4 Wheatears, 1 late Yellow Wagtail, 3 Blackcaps, 7 Chiffchaffs, 1 Reed Bunting, 5 Goldcrests, 7 Lapwings, 2 Cormorants west, 5 Sparrowhawks, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 30 Blackbirds and 1 Little Owl which headed over the paddocks late on.

Wednesday 12th October

Even if the wind was a slight westerly today was another good one, Dave and I once again watched the area from 8:30am - 2pm, with a couple of good cemetery records. First of all was 2 Little Egrets which headed south at 10:50am, followed by another Woodlark which we heard calling and then watched over the garden of rest whilst sitting on a bench drinking coffee (well its got to be done), the good birds didn't end there when a nice little flock of 20 Crossbills headed west which originally tried to land but got scared off by a passing car. Other sightings included 11 Redpolls west, 35 Siskins west, 1 Wheatear, 2 Swallows, 7 Blackcaps, 12 Chiffchaffs, 20 Redwings, 15 Goldcrests, 5 Chaffinches, 30 Pied Wagtails, 2 Sparrowhawks, 3 Kestrels, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 4 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Grey Heron east, 15 Ring-necked Parakeets, 6 Jays, 200 Starlings, 30 Blackbirds and 9 Mistle Thrushes.

Monday 10th October

Dave and I watched the area from 8:30am - 2pm in a blustery westerly wind, but it didn't deter from another year tick when 2 Woodlarks were heard and then seen heading south over the paddocks, followed by 5 Tree Sparrows which briefly settled in trees by the garden of rest before heading east. At long last we had a small flock of 5 Crossbills, and the regular Redstart was present in the same location for its 10th day. Other highlights included 1 Firecrest, 1 Hobby, 1 Common Buzzard, 10 Blackcaps, 10 Chiffchaffs, 300 House Martins, 1 Fieldfare, 30 Redwings, 11 Siskins, 55 Golden Plovers east, 6 Goldcrests, 4 Chaffinches, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 20 Pied Wagtails, 4 Goldfinches, 20 Greenfinches, 7 Linnets, 2 Kestrels, 7 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Jackdaws, 2 Meadow Pipits, 3 Ring-necked Parakeets and 30 Starlings.

Sunday 9th October

Dave spent most of today out with myself just being able to do the odd few minutes, records show it was pretty good with a Hooded Crow west at 10:30am, also 1 Ring Ouzel, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Redstarts, 1 Common Buzzard, 102 Redwings, 2 Fieldfares, 30 Golden Plovers, 3 Reed Buntings, 15 Blackcaps, 5 Chiffchaffs, 55 Chaffinches, 1 Grey Heron west, 2 Sparrowhawk, 7 Lapwings, 18 Pied Wagtails, 18 Jays, 67 Blackbirds, 32 Song Thrushes, 19 Blue Tits, 11 Great Tits, 16 Greenfinches and 16 Linnets.

Saturday 8th October

Today due to other commitments I had just a very poor 30 minutes from 7:30 - 8am, why I bothered I don't know purely because its so annoying when its going to be a good day and I'm not there, but hey what I did record was 1,600 Redwings, 1 Firecrest, 150 Goldfinches, 3 Chiffchaffs and 1 Cormorant west.

Friday 7th October

Well what a crazy day this was for one reason or another, when arriving on the patch it felt very very quiet and unlike Mr Milton at Pegwell Bay I had extremely little vis mig overhead, but that's what's its like on Thanet migration can certainly miss out other areas where some get can most, or all of it, Pegwell and Margate Cemetery is the same just look at the Common Buzzards Phil, Dave Gilbert and I had during the spring on our patches where at Forness they were literally non-existent one of my points taken. After a poor watch in one of my favourite areas I went into the cemetery where again it was pretty quiet, until 9.45am when I looked up and found a CATTLE EGRET heading in what looked like a south/westerly direction I straight away sent out a couple of text messages and rushed towards the paddocks hoping the bird would settle there, Dave and I then had a good look around nearby fields but without any luck, but something more strange was to happen shortly afterwards (even rarer than the egret), a visiting birder to the cemetery, wow I've had more Black Kites than these, anyway with a beaming smile on his face the birder now known as Neil Davies from Chatham rushed up to me saying he had just seen a CATTLE EGRET heading south over Manston at 10am, just 15 minutes after mine, I could of kissed him, we had a very long chat and he was more than impressed with my blog which was nice, along with the superb habitat Margate Cemetery has, he was such a nice down to earth man we will certainly meet again as this was the first time he had ever visited the place. This was also a new bird for the patch let it continue. The rest of the news included 1 Ring Ouzel, 1 Redstart, 1 Redwing, 7 Wheatears, 6 Chiffchaffs, 6 Blackcaps, 4 Siskins, 2 Fieldfares, 2 Chaffinches, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 12 Pied Wagtails, 12 Long-tailed Tits, 10 Linnets, 52 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 3 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Sparrowhawk and 3 Kestrels.

Thursday 6th October

The weather was certainly a little on the cold side and with a blustery n/w wind it was going to be a litte more difficult especially around the bushes, even so it was pretty good with a Raven heading west at 9:30am, which I presume is the bird currently touring Thanet, also 2 Ring Ouzels, 1 Redstart (present for a few days now), 7 Wheatears, 26 Siskins, 1 late Whitethroat, 10 Blackcaps, 5 Chiffchaffs, 1 Redwing, 2 Bramblings, 5 House Martins, 3 Goldcrests, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 3 Chaffinches, 3 Pied Wagtails, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 1 Jackdaw, 10 Linnets, 3 Ring-necked Parakeet, 1 Meadow Pipit, 10 Song Thrushes, 15 Blackbirds, 10 Blue Tits, 60 Starlings, 52 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 100+ Black-headed Gulls and 60 Starlings.

Wednesday 5th October

To Dave and myself this certainly felt like a proper autumn day, with a nice bit of cloud cover we was sure to get a few bits moving overhead, well did it happen, actually it wasn't that bad, we spent about 5 hours on the patch and recorded 46 species which included a male Ring Ouzel, 1 Redstart, 1 Firecrest, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 8 Blackcaps, 5 Chiffchaffs, 7 Wheatears, 34 Siskins west, 730 House Martins, 20 Swallows, 9 Redwings, 1 Peregrine north, 4 Sparrowhawks, 40 Linnets, 1 Goldfinch, 20 Greenfinches, 12 Chaffinches, 5 Goldcrests, 1 Grey Heron south, 37 Meadow Pipits, 2 Jackdaws, 13 Pied Wagtails, 1 Kestrel, 12 Jays, 12 Ring-necked Parakeets, 20 Blue Tits, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 5 Green Woodpeckers, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers and 60 Starlings.

Tuesday 4th October

First of all Warren I must say what a cracking little website you have and I do like the photo's Hadlow College and the surrounding area is certainly a nice little patch and it brings back memories for me as I spent 3 years there between 1998-2001 doing my BSc (Hons) degree in Landscape Management, and especially when you mention the stream which I presume is the one near the car park of the college grounds, I have recorded Kingfisher there but no doubt it has great potential for other good migrants, keep up the good work mate. Down to Margate due to other commitments Dave beat me to the patch today and straight away recorded a male Ring Ouzel which showed extremely well feeding on berries, then when we both wandered around we recorded 1 Redstart, 11 Redwings - are we so far the only people this year recording these in Kent as I've only seen one other record mentioned at Reculver (Dave and I must be stringing them!!), also 10 Chiffchaffs, 10 Blackcaps, 9 Swallows, 7 Goldcrests, 44 Meadow Pipits, 2 Sparrowhawks, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 4 Pied Wagtails, 20 Linnets, 2 Goldfinches, 6 Jays, 20 Greenfinches and 60 Starlings.

Monday 3rd October

Today was another hard session but at least it actually felt like autumn, Dave and I watched the place for about 5 hours which produced 11 Redwings, 1 Redstart, 13 Swallows, 1 Siskin, 9 Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps, 6 Goldcrests, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Kestrels, 10 Jays, 14 Chaffinches, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 4 Jackdaws, 30 Starlings, 3 Ring-necked Parakeets, 2 Meadow Pipits, 20 Greenfinches, 20 Song Thrushes and 20 Blackbirds. Of note Phil Milton text me this morning to say he had a few Crossbills moving through Pegwell but I didn't have any luck here today.

Sunday 2nd October

Another busy footballing weekend resulted in me getting to the patch today at 3:30pm, I stayed till about 5:30pm which produced a few bits, best of all was a Raven which was getting mobbed by a few Crows over the cemetery before heading off west, also noted was 1 Brambling, 1 Redwing, 50 Chaffinches, 1 Siskin, 4 Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps and 1 Goldfinch.

2011-09-30T19:55:00.000-07:00

Friday 30th September

Well another good potential birding month comes to an end and the last few days have certainly been hard work, but there's one thing for sure Dave and I now have a cracking sun tan. Today in the hot humid weather we both once again stretched it out for another 5 hours, and for the birding it was slightly better than yesterday with a few bits on the move. Birds noted included 1 Redwing, 1 Brambling, 1 Redstart, 3 Whinchats, 1 Garden Warbler, 12 Chiffchaffs, 7 Blackcaps, 55 Siskins with more unseen overhead, 2 Grey Wagtails, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 40 Chaffinches, 6 Goldcrests, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 40 Meadow Pipits, 7 Pied Wagtails, 20 Linnets, 7 Long-tailed Tits, a small arrival of 14 Jays, 6 Ring-necked Parakeets, 30 Starlings and 20 Black-headed Gulls.

Thursday 29th September

Today yet again was another difficult session in hot and humid conditions and especially with most of the recent warblers pushing through, even so it still produced 6 Whinchats, 4 Wheatears, 1 female Peregrine, 5 Siskins, 1 Redpoll, 3 Chiffchaffs, 3 Blackcaps, 11 Grey Partridges, 10 Linnets, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Kestrels, 6 Meadow Pipits, 4 Skylarks, 2 Pied Wagtails and 1 Jackdaw hell we need some overnight rain.

Wednesday 28th September

It was certainly hot and humid today but at least, and at long last for the best, the wind seems to be changing direction. Dave and I watched the patch for quite a time and there was more nice birds to enjoy including 3 more Fieldfares which showed in the crematorium followed with 5 Whinchats. Other bits included 2 Garden Warblers, 7 Blackcaps, 10 Chiffchaffs, 15+ Siskins, 1 Redpoll, 1 Grey Wagtail, 5 Goldcrests, 6 Chaffinches, 9 Meadow Pipits, 7 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 7 Pied Wagtails, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 25 Greenfinches, 20 Linnets, 4 Jays, 12 Mistle Thrushes, 50 Black-headed Gulls, 200+ Herring Gulls, 3 Rooks and 1 Ring-necked Parakeet.

Tuesday 27th September

Although Dave and I recorded a good total of 43 species it was very hard going in the 6 hours that we had, but saying that there was a few bits to enjoy including 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1-2 Garden Warblers, 2 Whitethroats, 1 Lesser Whitethtoat, 19 Chiffchaffs, 12 Blackcaps, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 6 Siskins, 4 Goldcrests, 18 Lapwings, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Chaffinches, 20 Meadow Pipits, 15 Linnets, 6 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 3 Kestrels, 2 Pied Wagtails, 25 Greenfinches, 1 Rook, 4 Jackdaws, 200+ Black-headed Gulls, 450+ Herring Gulls, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 4 Skylarks.

Monday 26th September

Dave and I watched the patch from 8:20am - 1pm, which produced another new species when 7 Curlew Sandpipers headed south/west over the cemetery at 9:05am, yet another excellent record for this superb birding patch. This certainly set up the rest of the day especially when the first Brambling arrived which was heard calling over the garden of rest, also noted was 1 Sand Martin, 600+ House Martins, 120 Swallows, 32 Chiffchaffs, 21 Blackcaps, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Hobby's, 8 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 18 Lapwings, 6 Golden Plovers, 2 Siskins, 4 Goldcrests, 3 Chaffinches, 2 Pied Wagtails, 25 Linnets, 30 Greenfinches, 8 Long-tailed Tits, 6 Jays, 6 Meadow Pipits and 15 Magpies.

Sunday 25th September

Highlights today between 3 - 4:20pm, included 2 Hobby's 1 Whinchat, 6 Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps, 53 Swallows and 10 House Martins.

Saturday 24th September

It was a bit disappointing today with just over a hour of coverage possible especially as it was pretty good within that period, bits on the move included 7 Crossbills west, 15+ Siskins and 9 Swallows, also noted was 25 Blackcaps, 27 Chiffchaffs, 1 Wheatear, 15 Mistle Thrushes, 1 Sparrowhawk, 35 Linnets, 2 Jackdaws, 6 Meadow Pipits, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker and 2 Green Woodpeckers.

Friday 23rd September

Today had excellent coverage with Dave and I watching the place for just over 7 hours, in that time we recorded 41 Chiffchaffs, 21 Blackcaps, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Whinchats, 1 Wheatear, 28 Swallows, 78 Meadow Pipits, 3 Chaffinches, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrels, 50 Linnets, 15 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Green Woodpeckers and 7 Pied Wagtails.

Thursday 22nd September

Dave and I covered the patch for just over 6 hours and between us we recorded 1 Redstart, 1 Tree Pipit, 2 Garden Warblers, 1 Whitethroat, 25 Chiffchaffs, 10 Blackcaps, 9 Swallows, 3 Goldcrests, 1 Sparrowhawk, 60 Linnets, 11 Pied Wagtails and 2 Green Woodpeckers.

Tuesday 20th September

Today I only had an hour spare but it did produce an early surprise when 3 Fieldfares headed west over the cemetery, apart from that there was 15 Chiffchaffs, 7 Blackcaps, 17 House Martins, 7 Swallows, 40 Linnets, 2 Chaffinches and 1 Goldcrest.

Monday 19th September

Once again today was a little hard work with a poor westerly wind but it did produce 1 Reed Warbler, 20 Chiffchaffs, 14 Blackcaps, 700+ Swallows mainly heading west, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 100 Linnets, 3 Chaffinches, 3 Meadow Pipits, 6 Pied Wagtails, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Jackdaw and 2 Ring-necked Parakeets.

Sunday 18th September

It was just as well today I didn't go to London for the Spurs game instead I spent a few hours doing other bits with the family, the time I had left about an hour or so was spent in a quick wander around one area of the patch, this in turn produced 25 Chiffchaffs.

Saturday 17th September

Today I could only watch the patch for a poor 45 minutes but included 27 Chiffchaffs and 1 Goldcrest for me troubles.

Friday 16th September

Today once again purely due to the numbers the 65 Chiffchaffs stole the show, but there was also a new arrival of 3 Whinchats which was nice. Others present included 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Stonechat, 11 Blackcaps, 2 Whitethroats, just 1 Swallow!!, 2 House Martins, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Chaffinch, 4 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Kestrels, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Grey Heron south, 40 Linnets, 5 Rooks and 3 Jackdaws.

Thursday 15th September

Dave and I once again spent many an hour on the patch, and today was excellent not just for the variety of birds, but for a new cemetery record which involved a total of 80 Chiffchaffs, seeing these birds pretty much everywhere got us both in good stead for the rest of the day and this was certainly true when a Grasshopper Warbler (no 105) (a good bird here) put in a nice appearance followed by 1 Turtle Dove (only the second record this year) heading west over the crematorium, and once again a Little Owl by the paddocks. Others noted included 1 Stonechat, 21 Blackcaps, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Spotted Flycatchers, 9 Siskins south, 60 Swallows, 4 House Martins, 1 Chaffinch, 3 Meadow Pipits, 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Kestrel, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 25 Linnets, 3 Pied Wagtails, 2 Jackdaws and 2 Ring-necked Parakeets.

Wednesday 14th September

Dave Gilbert and I watched the area for several hours which in turn produced a few nice bits, unfortunately I still have a few camera issues so I still can't get any record shots, but at least once again there was also someone else enjoying the good birds, best of all was 2 Little Owls which were feeding together in the horse paddocks, quite remarkable this as I have probably recorded more of these in the last week than I have in the last 20 years. Also noted was 1 Common Buzzard east at 12:55pm, 1 Hobby, 8 Wheatears, 21 Chiffchaffs, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Whitethroat, 17 Blackcaps, 5 Yellow Wagtails, 80 Swallows, 20 House Martins, 86 Meadow Pipits, 11 Pied Wagtails, 2 Sparrowhawks, 5 Kestrels, 30 Linnets, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 17 Jackdaws east, 1 Grey Partridge and 3 Long-tailed Tits.

Tuesday 13th September

It was a bit on the quiet side today but it still produced 1 Little Owl, 1 Tree Pipit, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 4 Wheatears, 4 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Chiffchaffs and 5 Blackcaps.

Sunday 11th September

I wasn't out on Saturday due to football and I wont mention what the score was, but today I arrived just after midday and left at 1:30pm, I concentrated all of my efforts between the allotments/horse paddocks which in blustery winds didn't produce very much, at best all I could manage was 2 Wheatears, 7 Blackcaps, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 7 Swallows and 2 juvenile Sparrowhawks.

Friday 9th September

Today after the recent spell of bad weather it was nice to spend some quality time and it paid off, these are the records for the day: 1 Firecrest, 1 Little Owl, 3 Spotted Flycatchers, 11 Wheatears, 11 Whitethroats, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 9 Blackcaps, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 3 Hobby's 1 rather large female Peregrine, 3 Swifts, 305 Swallows, 8 House Martins, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 120 Linnets, 60 House Sparrows, 22 Mistle Thrushes, 2 Sparrowhawks, 2 Kestrels, 4 Ring-necked Parakeets and the first Chaffinch of the Autumn. I apologise for the lack of photo's in August and so far this September my camera is again out of action but will be back soon.

Thursday 8th September

Today I eventually got out at 6pm and left at 7pm, I stayed around the allotments/horse paddocks which in fact was fairly good, birds recorded within this time included 1 Hobby west, 7 Wheatears, 7 Blackcaps, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Whitethroat, 7 Swallows, 7 Pied Wagtails, 7 Ring-necked Parakeets and 30 Linnets, the good news is that I will have a lot more time for coverage on the patch after the next couple off days (weather permitting of course) and I'm thoroughly looking forward to it.

Thursday 1st September

Well another month goes by and for me personally the last few days of August certainly finished on a high, with the start of the new month not doing bad either. Dave and I between us watched the patch from 8:30am - 4pm, and we started off by having another look for Tuesday's AQUATIC WARBLER, we new it was a hard task and it certainly worked out that way with no further sign of the bird, but it didn't detract from seeing another scarce bird for the patch when we found a Little Owl heading east over the paddocks, that was probably the best it got but there was some other decent migrants including 1 Tree Pipit east, 2 Whinchats, 6 Wheatears, 9 Blackcaps, 8 Whitethroats, 1 Garden Warbler, 7 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Hobby by the cement works(chasing a distant small wader!!), 2 House Martins and 30 Swallows, also 30 Pied Wagtails, 30 Linnets, 3 Sparrowhawks, 5 Kestrels, 4 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 13 Grey Partridges and 3 Long-tailed Tits.

2011-08-31T21:20:00.000-07:00

Wednesday 31st August

Between us Dave and I covered the patch for an extensive 7+ hours, I started off the early morning shift and Dave joined soon after in the hope of finding yesterday's Aquatic Warbler, sadly we had no joy but we did record 5 Common Buzzards over at 1:55pm, also 4 Hobby's 12 Blackcaps, 5 Whitethroats, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Wheatears, 20 Swallows, 1 Swift, 5 House Martins, 1 Sparrowhawk, 60 Linnets, 4 Green Woodpeckers and 45 Ring-necked Parakeets.

Tuesday 30th August

Today I eventually managed to get out at 5:45pm, and I knew to cover most of the areas that time was certainly going to be against me, so I didn't, instead I concentrated all of my time covering ------------, which turned out to be by far the best decision. It was pretty lively from the start recording Willow Warblers, Blackcaps and Whitethtroats, but little did I know what was around the corner well literally. I made my way to a good area of mixed habitat where in the past scarce/rare birds have been found and today there was another, at 6pm, I heard a bird calling giving a series of chack chack noises I was pretty sure I knew what it was but it was low down in some thick vegetation and out of sight until it eventually showed yes yes yes I quietly shouted it was what I thought an AQUATIC WARBLER (no 104) the bird showed on some bramble long enough for me to properly clinch its identity I then grabbed for the camera but although still calling the bird then shot further down in some long grass, and by 6:20pm it was working its way along the hedgerow, I managed another 6 views within this time period but soon after it disappeared and stopped calling. Unfortunately apart from myself and one other it was present in an area with no general public access so I'm sorry I could not release the news (but it is something I am working on if something else good turns up), I did phone Dave Gilbert who also does have permission but he was unavailable at the time, never mind it's another gem for the patch and I returned home in high heaven.

Monday 29th August

Today was fairly hard work in a blustery westerly wind, but it did produce a few bits including 3 Whinchats, 3 Wheatears, 13 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Blackcap, 2 Whitethroats, 60 Swallows, 3 House Martins, 4 Sparrowhawks, 3 Kestrels, 13 Pied Wagtails, 140 Linnets, 15 Grey Partridges, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 4 Goldfinches and 250 Wood Pigeons.

Sunday 28th August

Today I started watching the patch just before midday and finished at 2:40pm spending most of the time birding in some heavy downpours, taking this aside it was pretty good to be out especially at 12:15pm, when I recorded my first Honey Buzzard (no 103) for the year which headed east over the horse paddocks, and turned out to be a fairly interesting day for the raptors with 3 Hobby's, 2 Sparrowhawks and 5 Kestrels also noted, there was also a slight movement of hirundines including 500 Swallows mainly heading south, along with 8 House Martins, 1 Swift and 1 Sand Martin. I spent some time between the allotments/paddocks hoping to find a Wryneck but without any joy but between them it did produce 10 Whitethroats, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Chiffchaffs, 3 Blackcaps, 3 Wheatears, 1 Whinchat, 7 Yellow Wagtails, 20 Pied Wagtails, and 5 Green Woodpeckers, the best I managed in the cemo was a juvenile Cuckoo, with 200 Linnets, 4 Goldfinches, 1 Skylark and 600 Wood Pigeons over the cement works.

Saturday 27th August

With overcast conditions and some overnight rain I was hopeful of a good start to the morning, in fact the only disappointing part was having to leave at 8am, and I couldn't even cover all of the areas, but sometimes that's life and you have to take it on the chin, I started off at 5:50am, and when entering into the cemetery I couldn't believe it when I heard and then saw a Redwing near the crematorium, this is by far my earliest record for the site beating the previous record by some 18 days, in high spirits I moved on and then shortly after at 6:15am, I heard a Serin overhead which I then managed to see heading west, the morning was certainly lively and I was wondering what I may have missed during the rest of the day, when watching the allotments this also was a live wire with at least 5 Whitethroats, 8 Blackcaps, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Lesser Whitethroat and a juvenile Cuckoo but I believe this total could off been more. Also noted was 2 Mediterranean Gulls over the garden of rest, 4 Crossbills east, 60 Linnets, 4 Swallows, 30 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Sparrowhawk and 1 Kestrel. There was also Pied and Yellow Wagtails in the paddocks but I didn't have the time to record how many.

Thursday 25th August

Dave covered the area this morning and found another juvenile Cuckoo which is the 5th this autumn, also 4 Wheatears, 7 Whitethroats, 1 Willow Warbler, 17 Yellow Wagtails, 100 Swallows, 3 Swifts, 3 Sparrowhawks, 5 Kestrels, 130 Linnets, 6 Pied Wagtails and 1 Green Woodpecker, we swapped places this afternoon but I couldn't add any additions but was noticeable was 17 Grey Squirrels feeding together by the chapels.

Wednesday 24th August

At the present time for myself it's all work and no play, I eventually arrived on site at 5:15pm and stayed until 7:20pm, I didn't cover any of the cemo but stayed around the allotments/paddocks, birds noted in these areas were 14 Wheatears, 1 Whinchat, 31 Yellow Wagtails, 19 Golden Plovers east, 35 Swallows, 60 Linnets, 2 Kestrels and 6 Pied Wagtails.

Tuesday 23rd August

Dave watched the patch after the heavy rain had eased off, surprisingly it was fairly quiet with just 1 Whinchat, 2 Whitethroats, 18 Yellow Wagtails, 60 Swallows, 39 Pied Wagtails and 120 Linnets.

Sunday 21st August

Well its that time of year again where I enjoy the challenge of trying to find one of my favourites the Red-backed Shrike and Wryneck, certainly it is a good week for the latter with a few records over the years around this time, so hopefully with the right weather behind us and a little bit of lady luck there may be another. As for today I was out a little later at 12:05pm, and stayed until 2:30pm, by this time it was pretty hot and humid so I imagine most of the warblers on site were tucked away, I didn't have time to cover the cemo but I did manage 3 Whinchats first of the autumn, and 5 Wheatears which were present in the paddocks alongside 11 Yellow Wagtails. Other bits noted were 4 Willow Warblers, 10 Whitethroats, 3 Blackcaps, 14 Pied Wagtails, 3 Sparrowhawks, 4 Kestrels, 120 Linnets, 15 Grey Partridges, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 7 Mistle Thrushes and 3 Long-tailed Tits.

Saturday 20th August

I met up with Dave Gilbert early this morning and between us during the day we managed 2 Green Sandpipers west at 7:55am, also 4 Lesser Whitethroats, 12 Whitethroats, 8 Blackcaps, 2 Willow Warblers, 4 Chiffchaffs, 7 Yellow Wagtails, 40 Swallows, 10 Swifts, 2 House Martins, 19 Pied Wagtails, 3 Sparrowhawks, 3 Kestrels, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 150 Linnets, 30 Starlings, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets and 3 Jays.

Friday 19th August

Today Dave Gilbert watched the area for 5 hours which produced a good few bits, probably best of all was 3 Common Buzzards which is now the 302ND bird recorded on the patch so far this year, quite an incredible stat and their is still plenty of time this autumn for this number to increase, perhaps 400, wouldn't that be something else to smile about. Other highlights were 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 22 Whitethroats, 6 Blackcaps, 3 Chiffchaffs, 1 Wheatear, 5 Sand Martins, 1 House Martin, 60 Swallows, 3 Swifts, 2 Sparrowhawks, 3 Kestrels, 19 Pied Wagtails, 4 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 20 Linnets, 6 House Sparrows and 24 Crows.

Wednesday 17th August

I've got a bit of a busy schedule at present so today I could only watch the patch from 5:30 - 7am, birds recorded within this time included 1 Reed Warbler, 4 Lesser Whitethroats, 8 Willow Warblers, 9 Blackcaps, 2 Chiffchaffs, 10 Whitethroats, 40 Swallows, 4 Sparrowhawks, 2 Kestrels, 4 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 73 Ring-necked Parakeets, 40 Linnets, 10 Starlings, 1 Jackdaw, 4 Jays and 20 Magpies.

Tuesday 16th August

I was out and about for 3 hours today in which I recorded a very respectable 43 species, I had a good look around for the Wood Warbler without any joy although the Little Owl was still present near the cement works. Other new autumn arrivals included a Common Redstart by the paddocks and 12 Golden Plovers which headed east. Other highlights were 2 Crossbills west (continuing the good autumn), 2 Hobby's 4 Lesser Whitethroats, 1 Garden Warbler, 12 Whitethroats, 4 Willow Warblers, 4 Blackcaps, 3 Chiffchaffs, 5 Yellow Wagtails, 30 Swallows, 2 House Martins, 143 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Chaffinch, 1 Pied Wagtail, 3 Sparrowhawks, 2 Kestrels, 6 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 65 Linnets and 15 Lesser Black-backed Gulls.

Monday 15th August

Wow what a day for the scarcer birds 3 in fact, between us Dave Gilbert and I watched the patch for a good 8 hours at various times of the day, and as soon as I started off at 5:30am, it had a rather good feel to it. I entered the crematorium at 5:40am, and straight away to my surprise there was a Nuthatch calling (101) which is now an incredible 4th record for the site, not surprisingly this is a very difficult bird to find in Thanet, I managed to see it (a fresh juvenile) after about 5 minutes and although it was still present when I left at 7am it was pretty mobile, soon after I recorded a Crossbill heading west and a Grey Wagtail first for the autumn south. At around 9:30am, Dave called to say he had found a Wood Warbler (102) which was once pretty regular here but now the 2nd scarce bird for the site and was seen in the same spot I had one last year which was showing very well, it was a shame I couldn't get back until about 6pm which by that time I had no luck, typical one bird I still need for the camera, even so the last scarce bird was just around the corner when I flushed a Little Owl near the cement works summing up a super day between us. Other bits noted were 8 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 15 Whitethroats, 1 Garden Warbler, 7 Blackcaps, 7 Willow Warblers, 2 Chiffchaffs, 105 Swallows, 1 House Martin, 1 Wheatear, 3 Sparrowhawks, 6 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 5 Pied Wagtails, 3 Alba Wagtails, 40 Linnets, 43 Ring-necked Parakeets, 4 Jays, 2 Kestrels and a much better total of 30 House Sparrows.

Sunday 14th August

Today I was out a little late between 5-6pm, but it was pretty good considering the short time scale, best of all was 5 adult Mediterranean Gulls which headed south, also 2 Common Buzzards and a Hobby. Dave also recorded 13 Yellow Wagtails, 13 Alba Wagtails, 30 Swallows, 19 Whitethroats, 2 Willow Warblers and 2 Blackcaps.

Friday 12th August

Between us Dave Gilbert and I watched the patch from 5:20am - 1pm, and it was a good early autumn day, at first it was a bit slow but soon got into full swing when another juvenile Cuckoo the 4th returning bird so far was in the garden of rest, followed soon after with another adult Mediterranean Gull south at 6:30am, and by this time quite a few warblers were making themselves known including a singing Garden Warbler in the allotments, also 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 17 Whitethroats, 8 Willow Warblers, 8 Blackcaps and 2 Chiffchaffs, the paddocks held 2 Yellow and 17 Pied Wagtails with another good total of 8 Green Woodpeckers which were mainly seen in the crematorium. Other bits included 4 Sparrowhawks still causing mayhem, 1 Swift, 38 Swallows, 12 House Martins, 5 Kestrels, 135 Linnets, 3 Grey Partridges, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 25 Ring-necked Parakeets and 12 Lesser Black-backed Gulls.

Tuesday 9th August

The last few days have been a little busy especially at the weekend where I was surveying Dormice on the Saturday followed by a trip to Berkshire on the Sunday, today was my first back since Friday and I eventually covered what I could from 6:10 - 8:00pm, which produced 1 Wheatear, 14 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Whitethroats, 3 Willow Warblers, 20 Swallows, 115 Linnets, 300 Starlings, 2 Grey Partridges, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Pied Wagtails and just 1 Ring-necked Parakeet.

Friday 5th August

Starlings in the garden enjoying a bath

I don't know what it is but at this time of year the resident Sparrowhawks seem to have a taste for Green Woodpeckers, the same happened last year when a juvenile was caught in the garden of rest, and today a year later it happened again, they must taste delicious as even the Wood Pigeons are getting away with it, certainly this week 3 juvenile Sparrowhawks have picked on these birds basically using them as target practice until they had enough, and today a juv Green Woody eventually lost it's battle in the crematorium, lets hope they leave some left I don't want these birds disappearing. Now for today's news where most surprisingly there was no Willow Warblers, but the first returning Wheatear was in the paddocks and a Sedge Warbler was in the allotments, others noted were 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 11 Blackcaps, 17 Whitethroats, 3 Chiffchaffs, 10 Swallows, 4 Sparrowhawks, 4 Green Woodpeckers (was 5), 28 Linnets, 20 Ring-necked Parakeets and 2 Pied Wagtails. I must admit Warren that a rarity does mean more and a record shot is always good, if only we knew when rarities were going to turn up but that takes the fun out of it I suppose.

Thursday 4th August

Greenfinches

I just about got home this morning before the heavy showers arrived, I started off at the same time 5:30am, and it was a little more quiet around the area in the few hours I had. Whilst walking around I was a little bit in dream land just thinking about the wonderful times I have had with the quality of birds seen on the patch, walking all the different areas brings back so many good memories, but on the downside isn't it a big shame that 10/20 years ago photographic equipment even then wasn't all that, some of the photo shots I could of had with birds like Subalpine Warbler, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Bee-eater, Hoopoe, Crossbills, Great Grey Shrike and so on, having a second rate camera at the time was pretty pointless apart from record shots, even though I have quite a few my ultimate future aim would be to get all species seen on the patch photographed, this time I am in a better position, but in reality some of the above probably no chance, especially G.S.C but who knows what is around the corner some MEGA with a crisp photo would also be the dream. Anyway today's sightings included 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 17 Whitethroats, 7 Blackcaps, 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warblers, 15 Swallows, 5 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 3 Sparrowhawks, 53 Ring-necked Parakeets, 20 Linnets, 2 Pied Wagtails, 4 Jays and 1 Jackdaw. The above picture shows a family of Greenfinches which are getting very very tame in the front garden and on occasions seen sitting on the front lounge window ledge. Thanks also to Alan for the comments hopefully this juvenile Cuckoo may hang on a bit i'm pretty sure this is the 3rd bird so far this autumn and the Med Gull numbers were a surprise.

Wednesday 3rd August

Swallows and House Martins

Today brought another unexpected bonus, I watched the area from 5:30 - 7:30am and then returned this evening for another 2 hours. The best highlight was 10 adult Mediterranean Gulls which headed south over the cemetery at 5:35am, which is also a patch record for the largest count, and soon after at 6:10am, 2 Crossbills headed east. Other bits noted included another juvenile Cuckoo, 1 Garden Warbler, 9 Blackcaps, 12 Whitethroats, 3 Willow Warblers, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 16 Swallows, 6 Swifts, 2 Sparrowhawks, 20 Ring-necked Parakeets, 5 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 54 Linnets, 1 Pied Wagtail, 4 Jays 18 Greenfinches and 217 Black-headed Gulls. Also another 30 House Martins, 45 Swallows and 30 Sand Martins spent the day around the garden/roof top and sitting on nearby wires with the latter a great garden record followed by a Hobby over at 5:30pm.

Tuesday 2nd August

House Martin

One of the most frustrating things about birding is when you're having a good day and then you have to leave when its getting even more better, I certainly for one hate it and I'm probably not the only one who feels that way, when leaving the house at 5:15am there was already a singing Willow Warbler in the garden which was joined by 2 Blackcaps, I then proceeded on to the patch where it was quite lively, certainly in the respect off early Swallows and Swifts which were heading south with 29 of each respectively, but the good bird for the cemo arrived at 6am, when I heard and then saw a Green Sandpiper (100th bird on the patch so far this year) heading south, it was then followed by 13 Crossbills also calling and seen heading south at 6:35am, (don't worry Warren I am trying to push them you're way you will get them soon it looks promising for good numbers this autumn), following on from that was 16 Whitethroats, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 7 Blackcaps, 5 Willow Warblers, 1 Chiffchaff, 5 Lapwings, 5 Sparrowhawks, 1 Chaffinch, 5 Green Woodpeckers, 20 Linnets, 1 Kestrel, 20 Ring-necked Parakeets, 2 Rooks, 1 Pied Wagtail, 4 Jays, 10 Magpies, 2 Goldfinches, 1 Long-tailed Tit and 7 Lesser Black-backed Gulls. Then I had to leave at 7am. Of interest there was also lots of Swallows, House Martins and the odd Sand Martin sun bathing on my roof this afternoon and flying around the garden, the above picture is just 1 of 80 House Martins which enjoyed the good weather.

Monday 1st August

With the first day of August under way I certainly cannot wait for the autumn birding to get in full swing, today I covered the patch for a few hours starting off at 5:30am, and it didn't fair that bad with the main highlight being 5 Crossbills which headed west at 7am, other bits included 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 7 Willow Warblers, 7 Blackcaps, 12 Whitethroats, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 16 Swallows, 5 Sparrowhawks, 22 Ring-necked Parakeets, 5 Green Woodpeckers, 10 Linnets, 2 Kestrels, 2 Goldfinches, 1 Pied Wagtail and 15 Lesser Black-backed Gulls.

2011-07-31T19:40:00.000-07:00

Sunday 31st July

Due to other commitments I was a bit late out today, I didn't start until midday and finished off at 2pm, the best highlights was a female Peregrine west at 12:30pm, 2 Blackcaps, 8 Whitethroats, 3 Yellow Wagtails and 15 Swallows. There was also 6 Hares and lots of Meadow Browns, Red Admirals and Large White Butterflies.

Saturday 30th July

I was out today from 5:35 - 8:00am, and recorded 1 juvenile Cuckoo, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Willow Warblers, 5 Blackcaps, 4 Swallows, 29 Ring-necked Parakeets, 2 Kestrels, 20 Linnets, 4 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Pied Wagtail, 2 Rooks, 1 Goldfinch and 3 Jays.

Wednesday 27th July

Today was very quiet best of the bunch was a juvenile Cuckoo, also 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Willow Warblers, 12 Whitethroats, 2 Blackcaps, 4 Swallows, 4 Sparrowhawks, 1 Grey Heron west, 7 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 20 Linnets, 20 Ring-necked Parakeets and 4 Long-tailed Tits.

Monday 25th July

I was out and about at 5:30am, and it was quite an interesting morning, 1 Garden Warbler was an early surprise in the allotments followed soon after by 4 Willow Warblers and 2 Lesser Whitethroats, others noted were 6 Blackcaps, 13 Whitethroats, 63 Ring-necked Parakeets, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 20 Linnets, 4 Swallows and 2 Pied Wagtails but the nicest surprise was in the garden of rest when a total of 50 birds came out of the same small tree which included 6 different species these were 32 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warblers, 9 Great Tits and 5 Blue Tits.

Sunday 24th July

I covered the patch this afternoon from 2:10 - 3:45pm, which produced a good autumn record of a juvenile Cuckoo, once this bird was fairly common here but has certainly declined especially the autumn records over the last few years, also noted was 5 Sand Martins west, 1 Blackcap, 3 Whitethroats, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 4 House Martins, 3 Pied Wagtails and 45 Linnets.

Saturday 23rd July

Best highlight today was a Common Buzzard which headed west at the early time of 7am.

Thursday 21st July

Just dont mess with a Sparrowhawk

Today once again was another interesting spell of birding, I managed to cover the cemo for most of the morning which turned out to be quite successful, it started off well with 3 Crossbills heading west over the cemo, followed soon after by the first of 2 returning juvenile Willow Warblers, but more surprising was the finding of a Pied Flycatcher (by far my earliest record for the cemo) which was seen in the crematorium, but it didn't end there as nearby a problem was evolving between a Jay and an adult female Sparrowhawk both of which were harassing each other for a good 5 minutes, but at the end a certain bird had certainly had enough and there was only ever going to be one winner, this Jay shown in the picture was the unfortunate victim and no doubt the hunter will return to properly finish it off, horrible to see but I suppose its nature. Away from that incident other bits noted on the patch included 23 Whitethroats, 1 Blackcap, 4 Sparrowhawks, 50 Swifts, 30 Swallows, 4 House Martins, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 6 Pied Wagtails, 1 Chaffinch (Good record for July), 19 Grey Partridges, 1 Corn Bunting, 40 Linnets, 300 Black-headed Gulls, 7 Skylarks, 1 Kestrel, 2 Green Woodpeckers and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Wednesday 20th July (A CRAZY CRAZY SIGHTING)

Grey Heron 1 of 64 (an incredible encounter)

Today I arrived on the patch at 10:15am after putting the car in for a full service, at 10:30am, I started to wander over towards the paddocks when all of a sudden loads and loads of gulls went completely mad, at the time I was on the blind side but when in the right position I couldn't quite believe what I was going to witness, first of all there was 32 birds, followed shortly after (5 seconds in fact) by another 32 birds, yes in total 64 Grey Herons were seen heading slowly north/west over the paddocks, I was so shocked at this sighting I nearly dropped all my equipment, in all my 20 odd years recording this place I have never managed anywhere near a total like this in fact my best in one go is 8 birds, this total is crazy, yes juvenile birds do move at this time of year including continental birds but surely no where in these numbers, I was so taken back I contacted Chris Hindle to see if he could find out any information regarding past records in kent, and between him and Andrew Henderson (many thanks) their are not to many in that shape or form (well migratory anyway), some large numbers have been recorded in other counties but generally on nature reserves, it was certainly very interesting reading the e-mail from Andrew on past records in Kent. I had to leave by 11:15am to pick up my Daughter but to go with this was a nice total of 7 adult summer Mediterranean Gulls feeding in ploughed fields alongside 900+ Black-headed Gulls also by the paddocks, other bits noted was 2 Yellow Wagtails and 2 Whitethroats. Thanks Warren for the nice comments, don't worry you will get Crossbill one day, an early early morning visit would be advisable for these birds especially now (a good month) and through the autumn. Good Luck Mate.
Tuesday 19th July

Dave Gilbert mainly covered the patch today and recorded 21 Whitethroats, 22 Long-tailed Tits, 4 Blackcaps, 1 Chiffchaff, 50 Swifts, 1 Sparrowhawk and 100 Black-headed Gulls, at 6:30pm, I recorded 7 very low flying Common Terns heading north over the paddocks.

Monday 11th July

Many thanks Warren for the advise on trying to solve some of my current blogger problems, unfortunately I have tried unclicking the signed in box but like in the past has not made any difference, I had some bloggers e-mail me about similar problems they have also had re loss of followers and spacing etc, and have stated what a complete nightmare it is to try and fix some have actually given up, but I will continue digging deep and you never know I might hear from blogger one day. Anyway today I was out and about on the patch for the first time in 3 weeks, it actually feels strange being back after a short break which was needed I must admit, I had a few hours covering most of the areas which produced 2 Crossbills east at 9:50am also 5 Yellow Wagtails, 21 Whitethroats, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Blackcaps, 2 Chiffchaffs, 300 Swifts, 10 Swallows, 2 House Martins, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Lapwing, 10 Linnets, 1 Pied Wagtail, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker and 39 Black-headed Gulls.

Thursday 7th July (SOME HOME GARDEN BIRDS)

It's been a very interesting last couple of weeks, me and the family planned a 5 night stay in Great Yarmouth Norfolk, but loved it so much we decided to stay a few more, we have been here before but its such a lovely county with a superb seafront and local attractions we just didn't want to leave, in fact take note the useless Council of Margate and take a trip up here you might all learn something on how to build and run a successful seaside town, of which many years ago Margate once had, and still can if placed in the proper hands, in fact up there they actually listen to the locals in what they actually want, more than I can say down here where its just destruction etc etc, where old past local history/sites seems to mean nothing. Anyway back down to earth I will shortly be out and about to the cemo and beyond with autumn just around the corner I certainly cannot wait, Dave Gilbert has covered the patch whilst I've been away and has had some interesting sightings of which I will display later. At present I still have the blogger problems but that's sometimes the case with a free site who cares once it goes wrong blogger wont after all we don't pay for it so why a quick mend!!, if it gets that bad I will go over to a new organised paid site, no I wont give up the Margate Cemo sightings, but may have to start again. I will settle down for a couple of days rest then back out so today I have posted some of my garden birds seen from the front window including Chaffinch, Starling, House Sparrows (one with no tail), Greenfinch and Dunnock but even better was a lovely adult summer Mediterranean Gull which headed east over the house late morning.

2011-06-20T21:30:00.000-07:00

Sunday 19th/20th/June

Lancaster Bomber

Recently due to other commitments managing site surveys etc etc, I have been away from the patch, but today after a lovely father's day meal in the Harvester I decided to watch the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Pass. I didn't bother to make the trip to Margate seafront but instead watched the episode from the local birding patch at a great vantage point which was just as good, luckily every year these excellent variety of planes also do a superb flight pass over the house giving a great opportunity of some good photo's to which I managed most, including a lot of the Red Arrows, but to see the above two was a brilliant sight in itself these aircraft speak for themselves and although I will not remember these in action I'm sure they will bring back certain memories to the people that have, and what a great service they and all of the skilled aviation pilots did for our country. On the local patch there is an area for some of the service men who lost their lives in the last war which I regularly pass and they like many others will never be forgotten.

Tuesday 14th June

Stop Ignoring Me!! (Swallows on my rooftop)

I went out tonight between 7 - 9:00pm in the hope of hearing some Quail, I covered most of the fields around the cemetery and behind my house but it didn't produce a single bird, but to be honest its one I rarely get on the patch anyway but it was worth a go. Instead the birds I did see (excluding cemo and allotments) were 6 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Blackcap, 1 Swift, 7 Swallows, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Grey Partridge, 10 Linnets and 120 Starlings, there was also 7 Hares and 6 Small Tortoiseshell Butterflies. At home the juvenile Swallows began to appear enjoying the sunshine on the rooftop like they do every year, in fact the numbers will greatly increase as summer and autumn progresses.

Sunday 12th June

Ring-necked Parakeets

I felt today that spring birding for 2011 was finally coming to an end, its gone so quick this year that it doesn't feel like 3 months ago that I was waiting for the first migrant to arrive. We certainly can not complain with the goodies Dave Gilbert and I have had, and although I don't want to wish my life away, I will certainly look forward to hopefully a prosperous autumn. Saying that today wasn't all doom and gloom with the surprise find of a singing Reed Warbler by the cement works, and once again another 10 Jackdaws which are out of season birds for this place. Other bits noted were 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 14 Whitethroats, 3 Blackcaps, 1 Hobby, 50 Swifts, 20 Swallows, 20 Linnets, 50 Rooks west, 4 Grey Partridges, 4 Ring-necked Parakeets and 1 Kestrel. There was also a few Meadow Brown Butterflies and 4 Hares.

Tuesday 7th June

Leopard Slug (Limax maximus)

Of late its been a little on the hectic side with wildlife surveys coming out of me ears, but today I once again managed to get a few hours on the patch which turned out to be quite productive. In the past June has proven to be a very good month for scarce/rarities for example (Subalpine Warbler, European Bee-eater, Red-backed Shrike, Golden Oriole and so on, but although this didn't happen today there was a few interesting records. Late spring migrants included a rather smart male Whinchat lingering near the paddocks and a White Wagtail showing in nearby fields. Also of interest was 3 male Cuckoo's which were chasing each other around the cemo. Other bits included 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 14 Whitethroats, 3 Blackcaps, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Peregrine west, 700 Swifts, 20 Swallows, 45 Linnets, 3 Corn Buntings, 10 Skylarks, 2 Grey Partridges, 2 Pied Wagtails, 1 Goldfinch, now 2 male Chaffinches (whats going on), 4 Jackdaws, 4 Rooks and 2 Kestrels.

Wednesday 1st June

The last 2 days have been all work and no play, today I eventually arrived at 5pm and stayed to about 7pm, it was a quick wander around but I still didn't have time to cover all of the areas, best of the bunch was 2 late spring birds which included a Wheatear in the paddocks and most surprisingly a Chaffinch. Apart from that it was pretty much the same with at least 9 Whitethroats, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcaps, 1 Yellow Wagtail with several Swifts, House Martins and Swallows overhead. There was also 6 Painted Lady Butterflies and 3 Emperor Dragonflies.

2011-05-30T20:20:00.000-07:00

Monday 30th May

I personally do not want this spring to end, so far it has certainly been a fantastic one and to be honest if I do not record anymore scarce/rare birds on the patch until hopefully the autumn I (although nice) wouldn't be to bothered. Its quite strange sometimes you feel it could be a good year and this is one of them, and I think it really started to show when the quantity of Common Buzzards started to arrive, and from there on the rest has just followed. Last spring was pretty rubbish with horrid north/easterly winds mainly dominating, but this year has more than made up for it. Today I couldn't get out on the early morning shift and I eventually arrived at 9:45am, at first it felt pretty quiet but soon got going with the first juvenile Whitethroats on show, on arrival I decided to cover the area by the paddocks and how lucky that turned out to be, at 10am, I saw a large Pipit sp heading over the paddocks which then landed into a large area of long grass, straight away I went over but couldn't relocate it and then at 10:10am, I heard the bird calling overhead, seeing and hearing these birds abroad I knew straight away it was a TAWNY PIPIT (97), the adult bird then landed in a nearby field where I managed to see it for about 30 seconds before it headed off calling in a south/easterly direction. This is only the 2nd ever record for the patch and the first since the 28th April 2008 some 13 years ago, it was just unfortunate it was a little to far away for a photo shot. Other bits noted were 22 Whitethroats, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 1 Hobby, 2 Blackcaps, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 150 Swifts, 30 Swallows, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrels, 2 Jackdaws, 15 Corn Buntings, 65 Linnets and 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers.

Saturday 28th May

This week has certainly been a bit on the frustrating side and to go with it some horrible blustery winds, today was no exception with a brisk westerly making birding once again a bit on the difficult side, even so I still managed to record 40 species. I started off at 4:50am and finished at 7am then returned for a couple of hours this afternoon, the best highlight was a Turtle Dove (96) which was the first this year, apart from that it was pretty much as usual with other bits including 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 11 Whitethroats, 6 Blackcaps, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 20 Swifts, 10 Swallows, 2 House Martins, 2 Grey Partridges, 1 Chaffinch, 1 Corn Bunting, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 10 Long-tailed Tits, 10 Linnets, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Jackdaw, 7 Ring-necked Parakeets, 5 Skylarks, 5 House Sparrows, 35 Starlings and 15 Stock Doves. There was also a nice obliging Fox which showed very well near the paddocks. A nice finish to the day was watching the European Cup Final between FC Barcelona v FC Barcelona (if you know what I mean), is that side classy or what) and they thoroughly deserved the 3-1 win.

Wednesday 25th May

Male Emperor Dragonfly

Hooray I'm once again back with the land of the living, I have been out of the birding scene for the last few days due to a nasty spell of Tonsillitis, I am gradually on the mend but it was certainly a shock being away from the patch which seemed like ages,today was interesting with another record of Raven west at 10am, also 3 late Wheatears in the paddocks. At 10:40am, I had a distant male type harrier sp, heading west but I didn't get a lot on it, Phil text me to let me know of a strange looking Montagu's Harrier sometime before so I presume it was the same bird. Also recorded was 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 8 Whitethroats, 2 Chiffchaffs, 3 Blackcaps, 1 Cuckoo, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 1Chaffinch, 1 Pheasant, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Green Woodpecker, 10 Long-tailed Tits, 15 Linnets, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 20 Magpies, 7 Skylarks, 30 Swallows, 1 House Martin and 10 Swifts, there was also 4 Emperor Dragonflies and 4 Hares.

Friday 20th May

I met up with Dave Gilbert and between us we watched the area for several hours, there wasn't to much excitement but we did record some late spring migrants which included 1 Willow Warbler and 1 White Wagtail, on the raptor front there was 3 Common Buzzards, 6 Hobbies and an interesting record of 9 Kestrels all of which headed west. Other bits noted were 1 Cuckoo, 20 Whitethroats, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 1 Reed Warbler (still singing in the allotments), 3 Blackcaps, 2 Chiffchaffs, 40 Swallows, 40 Swifts, 2 House Martins, 1 Chaffinch, 16 Long-tailed Tits, 20 Jackdaws (quite an interesting record for May), 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Pheasant, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Corn Bunting, 7 Skylarks, 7 Linnets and 15 Magpies.

Thursday 19th May

Wow what a day when I saw this morning that we had some overnight rain I was semi- confident on having a good day but nothing can really predict how crazy this birding hobby can really be. I started at 9am and due to a meeting finished just before 12. I started off going straight into the allotments which in the passed has produced some wonderful shrike encounters, unfortunately this didn't happen today but I did record a singing Reed warbler which was a new year tick, but it did seem to my surprise to be very quiet in fact walking around the rest of the area produced (although nice don't get me wrong) 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 9 Whitethroats, 1 Cuckoo, 2 Chiffchaffs, 3 Blackcaps, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Chaffinch (a May rarity here), 20 Swallows and 30 Swifts, I then decided to spend my last hour raptor watching a decision I certainly do not regret. At 10:18am I saw a small raptor species coming in from the west heading slowly over the cemetery, at 10:20am the bird was showing over the garden of rest and to my sheer delight it turned out to be an adult female RED FOOTED FALCON I watched the bird very well in the scope for a further 3 minutes before it headed off at 10:23am, in a south/easterly direction. But also at 10:23am, I heard a EUROPEAN BEE-EATER which was somewhere above my head, I made a decision to leave the Red foot and try to locate this bird it was obviously close but I still couldn't see it as it continued to call, eventually at 10:30am, I saw the bird heading west by the paddocks, what an amazing few minutes you certainly cannot right off any day at this time of year even if it feels dead. The Red-footed Falcon was my 3rd for the site but only my 2nd ever adult female which was last seen strangely on the 18th May 1992, this continuing a superb year for the raptors. Finishing off the day was 2 Grey Partridges, 7 Linnets, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Jackdaw and 10 Skylarks. I went home a happy man.

Wednesday 18th May

At long last I have managed to update my website, since the 14th May people who live in Ramsgate and Broadstairs and use Sky Broadband have lost all connections due to someone hitting a main line, I still don't have a working phone but at least (well at the moment my internet is back working). On another note It's amazing that I get quite a few visitors to the blog site from Liverpool itself, so firstly I would like to thank everybody involved who was connected with Liverpool Football Club for making mine and the family's day extremely special, you certainly treated us like royalty from start to finish and afterwards in the hospitality lounge, it was truly an unforgettable experience and I look forward to coming up on the invite in the new year for a special 3 course meal, before watching one of the big games. Many thanks also to my Dad who over the years due to his many football contacts (Non League to Premiership level) has managed to get me FA Cup final tickets to watch the Reds whenever they have appeared at Wembley also for some of the league games. For an example I will always remember when My dad and I (young teenager then), had a football dinner with Graham Kelly then big chief of the FA, and the great Malcolm McDonald and Pat Jennings who stated to me look son it's not always what you know in this game it's who you know, my word how that is certainly true.

Anyway getting away from that side of things I didn't record very much birding wise today in fact very quiet at best was 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 5 Whitethroats, 3 Blackcaps, 70 Swifts and 30 Swallows.

Tuesday 17th May

I covered the area from 9:00 - 11:30am, and it started to get good just as I was beginning to leave, best of the bunch was another sighting of a Raven which showed very well as it headed off slowly east over the garden of rest at 11:20am, it has certainly been a very good year for this species most unexpected I must say. Also around the same time 3 Common Buzzards headed west at 11:25am, and a Cuckoo flew overhead towards the paddocks, unfortunate I had to go but others recorded were 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 7 Whitethroats, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcaps, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 25 House Martins, 25 Swallows, 50 Swifts, 1 male Pheasant, 1 Corn Bunting, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel and 2 Green Woodpckers.

Saturday 14th May

After such a great few days I was back on the patch where I was joined by Dave Gilbert. Between us we recorded our first Cuckoo of the year, also 180 Swallows, 180 Swifts, 7 House Martins, 2 Common Buzzards west, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 12 Whitethroats, 2 Reed Buntings and 1 Yellow Wagtail.

Thursday 12- Friday 13th May (40th Birthday Special)

The great day with a lot of hidden extras the personalised tour was excellent.

Wow what a fantastic couple of days I have just had, we stayed over in a lovely hotel in Liverpool on the 12th but the main surprise was probably one of the best, as shown below you don't get the chance everyday to get behind the scenes of the beloved club of your dreams, and what an experience it was. A tour of Liverpool Football Club on the 13th was not expected, so many thanks must go to my wife Anne, her brother Clive and Caroline his wife to be, for organising such a superb surprise. I am also very lucky in that I was brought up in a strong football household with my dad currently Margate Football Club Secretary (25 years +++), who over his reign has managed to get to know and deal with many professional football contacts, the late Sir Stanley Matthews, Brian Clough, Terry Yorath (ex Wales Manager), Neville Southall and many many more which I have also met and had dinner with, even today people at the highest level (including premier league) and continues to do so, more on this later, luckily he knows the Liverpool secretary and what a god send that was. I have supported Liverpool for 34 years and as a true supporter watched them on many occasions including Cup Finals, away and home games so this meant a lot, anyway here are some pictures of that great day.

LIVERPOOL FOOTBALL CLUB BEHIND THE SCENE TOUR
Me on the left with my Brother in Law Clive holding up the great man himself Sir Bill Shankley who I believe was the greatest football manager of all time.

Like many of the greats over the years touching the Anfield sign to bring luck before entering the pitch.

The superb playing pitch with the Kop in the background.
Sitting in the Kop from the left my wife Anne, me, Clive and Caroline.
In the Liverpool dressing room.
European Trophies Under the old rules of 1968-2009, Liverpool being 5 times European Champions are the last club to keep the original European Cup Trophy, the others which already hold such are, B. Munich, R. Madrid, Milan and Ajax. Due to the new ruling even if another team i,e Manchester United reach that fate they will only recieve a copy along with a handshake (shame).
18 time Winners. Say no more
A touching Memorial for the people who lost their lives in the Hillsborough Disaster.
Another touching Memorial this time Liverpool v Juventus.

Wednesday 11th May

Firstly I have some very bad news, today is my 40th birthday yes I know I can't quite believe it myself, but I will just have to live with it, the next couple of days I will not be watching the patch as supposedly there is a big treat in store for my 40th, whether or not I'm jumping from an aeroplane at 9,000 ft is anyone guess but I will keep you informed, what I do know is that tonight a big party has been planned with more guests than I can cater for lets hope they don't want to stay over. Today I wasn't out for long as I wanted to spend the day with the family, so I only did a couple of hours in the morning which produced just 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 10 Whitethroats, 3 Chiffchaffs, 4 Blackcaps, 1 Wheatear, 4 Yellow Wagtails and a few Swallows.

Tuesday 10th May

Working duties took charge today so I watched the area from 5:20 - 9:05am, within this time I recorded 42 species including 2 Spotted Flycatchers (first for the year), also 1 Hobby, 10 Whitethroats, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Blackcaps, 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Wheatears, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 10 Swallows, 2 Swifts, a rather smart and late male Reed Bunting, 1 Chaffinch, 2 Kestrels, 22 Jackdaws (interesting late records), 4 Corn Buntings, 1 Pheasant, 3 Skylarks, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 3 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Goldfinch, 15 Linnets, 7 Long-tailed Tits, 15 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 4 House Sparrows (wow), 15 Starlings and 25 Magpies.

Monday 9th May

So far even having a healthy total of 90 species for the year I still need some missing spring migrants, these include Wood Warbler (scarce), Turtle Dove, Cuckoo, Pied Flycatcher (getting late), Black Redstart (where have these gone in the last 2 years) and Spotted Flycatcher. Today I got none of the above but it was still fairly good in another glorious hot and sunny day, lets also hope these southerly winds continue for the goodies. The main highlights included 3 Hobbies, 1 Whinchat, 1 Wheatear, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 11 Yellow Wagtails, 12 Whitethroats, 2 Chiffchaffs, 4 Blackcaps, 4 Swifts, 10 Swallows, 3 Sparrowhawks, 2 Kestrels, 6 Corn Buntings, 1 Pheasant, 1 Chaffinch, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 30 Linnets, 6 Skylarks, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Pied Wagtail, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 3 Jackdaws and 25 Magpies.

Sunday 8th May

Swift

By the end of July last year I had recorded 84 species, so far this year I have recorded 90 so I have a good feeling about 2011, today was hot, humid but relaxing there wasn't any more year ticks, and I couldn't cover all of the areas due to finishing off yesterday's survey work, but between 10:40am - 12:30pm, the patch did produce 2 Common Buzzards east at 11am, 2 Hobbies, 1 Peregrine south, 2 Sparrowhawks, 2 Kestrels, 1 White Wagtail west, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 4 Whitethroats, 1 Chiffchaff, 9 Wheatears, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Swift, 1 House Martin, 10 Swallows, 1 Chaffinch, 7 Jackdaws, 1 Corn Bunting, 6 Skylarks, 3 Grey Partridges, 1 Green Woodpecker, 5 Linnets and 1 Cormorant west.

Saturday 7th May

My plans slightly changed overnight when I received a call offering me some private survey work, unfortunately the terms and conditions were to good to resist so I eventually arrived on the patch at 2:30pm, where straight away I went to the area I had yesterday's male Red-backed Shrike, I gave it about 45 minutes without any luck even venturing over to Garlinge where the bird flew to. Even if I had to leave again at 4pm, it was pretty good with a female Redstart (new year tick) by the cement works, and a Raven which was originally in fields by the paddocks being heading off west. Other bits noted were 5 Whinchats (good spring total), 4 Wheatears, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 8 Whitethroats, 8 Yellow Wagtails, 6 Swifts, 10 Swallows, 6 Grey Partridges, 2 Corn Buntings, 10 Linnets, 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Kestrel and 1 Jackdaw.

Friday 6th May

Hobby

May glorious May, traditionally it should be the best month of spring for the scarce/rarer birds providing the weather is right, and today was one of those. I had a full day to myself which is pretty rare in itself so I took advantage of this, and apart from the odd hour or two away from the site I covered the patch from 5:20am - 7:00pm, which certainly did paid off with an excellent total of 53 species, this is just 4 short of the overall record, including another 3 more for the year list. For me I will start with the best bird of the day and this was a cracking male Red-backed Shrike which is only my 4th ever male for the site, the bird certainly took me by surprise (and vise versa) as it was sitting in bushes by the main entrance to Manston Road Waste Council Tip at 6:30pm adjacent to the cemo, unfortunately it showed all to brief and decided to head off in a north/westerly direction towards Garlinge Recreation Ground, but I will certainly try over that way tomorrow. The day as a whole got off to a good start with an adult female Montagu's Harrier which headed south over the paddocks at 9:30am, also 1 Raven west, and a very good cemo record of 2 Bar-tailed Godwits heading north. The best of the other bits included 2 Marsh Harriers, 2 Hobbies, 1 Peregrine, 4 Wheatears, 2 Fieldfares still present by the paddocks, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 21 Whitethroats, 6 Blackcaps, 3 Chiffchaffs, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 22 Swifts, 22 Swallows, just a single House Martin, 16 Jackdaws, 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Chaffinch, 1 Cormorant west, 1 Grey Heron south, 1 Pheasant, 45 Corn Buntings, 40 Linnets, 2 Grey Partridges, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 10 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Goldfinch, 10 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 2 Long-tailed Tits and 8 Skylarks, lets hope it continues its been a cracking start to the month.

Thursday 5th May

It was certainly a bit more quieter today but at least I recorded another year tick when a Whimbrel headed east at 10:10am, Dave Gilbert also watched the area and between us we recorded 3 Fieldfares which are getting to be quite regular here in May, alongside a couple of June records, there was also 1 Whinchat, 6 Wheatears, 6 Blackcaps, 13 Whitethroats, 3 Chiffchaffs, 1 Tree Pipit west, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 10 Swallows, 1 Swift, 10 House Martins, 8 Corn Buntings, 11 Jackdaws, 6 Skylarks, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Pheasant, 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Kestrel, 36 Ring-necked Parakeets and 15 Linnets.

Wednesday 4th May

Long-tailed Tit

I am a great believer of good things come to those who wait (sounds a bit like a tv commercial I know!!), but today was exactly that. I started off at 5:20am and finished at 11:15am, when other duties prevailed, the morning certainly got off to a good start with 2 Ring Ouzels in the garden of rest followed shortly after by 2 Whinchats in the paddocks. There was certainly a bit of quality around when a Male Marsh Harrier was also noted heading east at 6:30am, but the highlight of the day without any doubt was a BLACK KITE which headed south/east at 9:30am over the cemetery/paddocks, but originally I saw this bird coming in off the sea when conducting a raptor watch, admittedly at first all I noticed was a long distant raptor sp heading my way which was getting mobbed by a few gulls, but after about 5 minutes of waiting it finally gave its identity, as it flew low over the cemetery/paddocks, I took a record photo shot of the bird which was pretty rubbish, but watching it through the spotting scope was superb, eventually the bird headed off but it was a delight to see. Other raptors today included 13 Common Buzzards, 1 female Merlin south, 2 Sparrowhawks, 2 Kestrels, and in total 2 Marsh Harriers. Other bits also recorded were 1 Tree Pipit west, 6 Wheatears, 4 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 15 Whitethroats, 4 Chiffchaffs, 6 Blackcaps, 10 Swifts (first this year), 45 Swallows, 2 House Martins, 1 Reed Bunting (late record), 3 Grey Partridges, 7 Jackdaws, 20 Ring-necked Parakeets, 15 Linnets, 3 Meadow Pipits, 8 Skylarks, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers and 7 Lesser Black-backed Gulls.

Tuesday 3rd May

Once again due to other commitments I arrived late at 12:25pm and left at 2:25pm, but what a superb couple of hours it was, soon after arriving I recorded 13 Common Buzzards heading very slowly west at 12:35pm, and this was soon followed by a further 17 birds coming in from the east at 12:40pm, and then a further 8 birds also from the east at 12:45pm, at 12:50pm, all of the birds joined up together (not for the first time this year), and in total there was 38 Common Buzzards circling high above the cemetery for 10 minutes before heading of west. The day didn't end there when at 1pm 3 Ringed Plovers (2nd record for the site) were seen heading south, quite incredible considering up to a few weeks ago I had never recorded this species here since I started watching the place 20 years ago. Due to the buzzard interest I didn't cover the cemo or allotments so others noted around the paddocks were 1 Yellowhammer west, 5 Wheatears, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroats, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Fieldfare (late record), 2 Peregrines west, 60 Swallows, 7 House Martins, 3 Kestrels, 2 Grey Partridges, 3 Meadow Pipits and 2 Corn Buntings.

Monday 2nd May

It was another very difficult day in blusterly north/easterly winds I covered the area a bit late today from 11:35am - 1:00pm, but it did produce a few good birds including 1 Whinchat which I didn't record last spring, 1 Ring Ouzel, 1 Yellowhammer, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 7 Whitethroats, 4 Wheatears, 70 Swallows, 2 House Martins and a Hobby which was quite interesting to watch trying to catch a Skylark, in 15 missed attempts the bird finally gave up a poor result for such a skilled hunter.

2011-04-30T19:40:00.000-07:00

Thursday 28th - Saturday 30th April

I have been covering the area over various times in the last few days and to be honest its been hard work especially in these horrid north/easterly winds. Covering the bushes has pretty much been impossible producing just the normal singing migrants including Whitethroats, Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps with the main highlight being 2 Lesser Whitethroats which were the first this year on the 30th.

Wednesday 27th April

I couldn't be present for the buzzard rush today!! as I had to leave by 11:30am, but it didn't detract from what turned out to be a good few hours. I certainly wasn't expecting to much in a brisk northerly wind but it was definitely the opposite when the gulls got upset at 9:35am, and when looking up I was more than surprised to find 4 Ravens heading east over the cemetery being pursued by 10 Herring Gulls, this is certainly the best ever total recorded here in which has so far turned out a good year for this species. There was a few other arrivals including my first Hobby of the year, followed by 3 Sand Martins, 30 House Martins and 30 Swallows feeding over the paddocks. Other bits noted were 1 White Wagtail, 6 Whitethroats, 3 Blackcaps, 3 Chiffchaffs, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 30 Linnets, 2 Jackdaws and 7 Skylarks.

Tuesday 26th April

Just a quick watch today between 11:55am - 1:30pm, to which I spent most of the time raptor watching, even with the conditions not being at their best it still produced a total of 6 Common Buzzards,1 Sparrowhawk and 1 Kestrel. Other bits noted included 1 Yellowhammer, 4 Whitethroats (with more calling in the allotments alongside Blackcaps), 1 House Martin, 25 Swallows, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Pheasant, 2 Grey Partridges, 15 Linnets, 1 Rook and a Great Black-backed Gull which was worthy of note.

Monday 25th April

I watched the area along with Dave Gilbert which produced a few bits but we certainly do need a good spell of overnight rain to ground some more migrants. The main highlight once again belonged to a total of 15 Common Buzzards with 11 heading west at 12:10pm, followed by another 4 also west at 12:50pm, strangely around this time there was also a few other raptors appearing including a male Marsh Harrier which was briefly hunting near the paddocks before heading off north, followed by 2 Sparrowhawks, 5 Kestrels and a possible Hobby which was to distant to properly identify. Grounded birds noted were 11 Whitethroats, 4 Blackcaps, 2 Wheatears, 3 Yellow Wagtails and 15 Swallows most of which headed south.

Saturday 23rd April

Just a very quick watch this morning between 6:05 - 9:05am, which produced 17 Whitethroats, 10 Blackcaps, 2 Wheatears, 4 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Swallows, 1 Sparrowhawk, 7 Corn Buntings, 1 Pheasant, 2 Grey Partridges, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker and 1 Green Woodpecker.

Friday 22nd April

Jay

I was busy working today so I could only watched the patch between 8:45 - 10:45am, in that time I recorded a nice adult Mediterranean Gull heading east at 9:40am, also 5 Wheatears in the paddocks, 1 White Wagtail west, 7 Blackcaps, 7 Whitethroats, 4 Swallows, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Grey Partridges, 1 male Pheasant (the long staying rarity for the patch!!), 2 Kestrels, 7 Skylarks, 2 Meadow Pipits, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Green Woodpecker and 10 Linnets.

Thursday 21st April

Ring Ouzels (3 of 10 this morning)

They never let me down it's one bird I have always done well with (especially in the spring) ever since I watched this place, and they always seem to turn up in exactly their favoured area, today I was delighted to find 10 Ring Ouzels 9 of which were in the garden of rest with a further bird in the paddocks, the only down side was that on this occasion they only stayed around for 10 minutes from 6:45 - 6:55am, when all the birds headed of north. Once again Dave and I covered the area for most of the day with another (NYT) being 2 Tree Pipits which headed off north from the allotments at 6am, there was also 2 Blue-headed Wagtails by the paddocks and 11 Common Buzzards heading west between 11:20 - 11:40am, (to which Dave and I have potentially recorded over 200 birds this spring). Other bits recorded were 2 Wheatears, 8 Blackcaps, 10 Whitethroats, 6 Yellow Wagtails, 2 White Wagtails, 9 Swallows, 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Fieldfares, 3 Sparrowhawks, 1 Pheasant, 1 Grey Partridge, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 20 Linnets, 15 Ring-necked Parakeets 8 Skylarks, 1 Corn Bunting and 1 Jackdaw.

Wednesday 20th April

NEW BIRD FOR THE PATCH (Ringed Plovers 3 of 4)

I started off at 5:45am, and straight away it was pretty much buzzing with activity, Dave came over just after 9am, and between us we covered the area for most of the day. The best bird and new for the patch was 4 Ringed Plovers which were seen late on at 5:45pm, in fields by the paddocks, the birds stayed around for 10 minutes but flighty I managed a distant couple of record shots before they headed off north over the cemetery. Also today a Short-eared Owl headed west being mobbed by several angry gulls, and 3 Common Buzzards also followed suit early morning. Other bits included 11 Whitethroats and 13 Blackcaps which were pretty much all over the place, and 5 Wheatears including a 1st summer male which was so tame I could of picked up the bird of the horse paddock fence post. Also noted was 5 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Brambling, 1 White Wagtail, 2 Chaffinches, 13 Swallows, 3 Sparrowhawks, 1 Pheasant, 1 Grey Partridge, 3 Meadow Pipits, 10 Linnets, 6 Jackdaws, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets and 2 Long-tailed Tits.

Monday 18th April

It was hard work on a very hot and humid day, Dave and I covered the area for several hours with the best bird being a ring-tail Hen Harrier which was hunting by the paddocks and in nearby fields for a good hour before heading west. Other bits included 1 Grey Wagtail west, 2 Wheatears, 4 Yellow Wagtails, 2 House Martins, 1 White Wagtail, 1 Whitethroat, 3 Blackcaps, 4 Swallows, 4 Sparrowhawks, 3 Grey Partridges, 9 Meadow Pipits and 2 Kestrels.

Sunday 17th April

Kestrel

This day last year was certainly a lucky one not only was it glorious weather but I managed to find a Stone Curlew in fields behind my house, and also recorded 60 Common Buzzards which was not surprisingly the most ever recorded in one day over the cemetery along with a Red Kite. Today was a little different it was a lot more quiet but Dave and I still managed 21 Common Buzzards which all headed east at 11:15am, also noted was 1 Wheatear, 6 Blackcaps, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Swallows, 1 Peregrine east, 4 Sparrowhawks, 2 Kestrels, 7 Meadow Pipits and 3 Grey Partridges.

Saturday 16th April

I couldn't arrive on the patch until 11:00am, which was just a little late for an early migrants, I had a good look round for 3 hours which produced 1 Common Buzzard west, 1 Peregrine east, 3 Wheatears, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Blackcap, 7 Yellow Wagtails, 8 Swallows and 1 Cormorant east.

Friday 15th April

Lesser Black-backed Gulls

Today yet again was dominated by a nice buzzard feast, so far on the patch its been an incredible year for this species and once again there was a few more birds to enjoy. Today went very quickly firstly I was out at the crack of dawn for 2 hours, then out doing some private survey work, and then back onto the patch for a 2 hour raptor watch from 11:00am - 1:00pm alongside the company of Dave Gilbert, the raptor watch produced no fewer than 24 Common Buzzards, all the birds came through from 11:50am, in groups of 7, 9 and 8 with all of the birds eventually heading high north/west. Once again these groups were tail gating each other and at 12:25pm were all present together for about 5 minutes. The daily total produced an excellent 49 species including a rather smart Raven which headed north at 6:05am, and the Sedge Warbler which was still present by the horse paddocks. Other bits noted were 2 Whitethroats, 2 Willow Warblers, 5 Wheatears, 10 Blackcaps, 9 Swallows, 1 House Martin, 4 Chiffchaffs, 5 Fieldfares, 1 Reed Bunting, 8 Yellow Wagtails, 8 Redwings, 4 Sparrowhawks, 7 Grey Partridges, 4 Meadow Pipits, 2 Corn Buntings, 7 Skylarks, 20 Linnets, 2 Kestrels, 2 Goldfinches, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 20 Ring-necked Parakeets, 6 Jackdaws, 1 Lapwing, 1 Pheasant, 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 20 Magpies.

Thursday 14th April

The main point of interest today was my earliest ever record of Sedge Warbler which was singing by the horse paddocks, apart from that it was pretty quiet with others of note being 1 Merlin south, 5 Yellow Wagtails, 2 House Martins, 3 Swallows, 1 Wheatear, 3 Sparrowhawks, 2 Kestrels and 60 Linnets.

Wednesday 13th April

Wheatear

Between us Dave Gilbert and I covered the patch for a good 4 hours, in general it felt pretty quiet but we did manage to record another 10 Common Buzzards which looked like pin dots as they headed very high south/west over the cemetery at 1pm, also noted was 4 House Martins, 3 Wheatears, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 11 Swallows, 2 Blackcaps, 3 Chiffchaffs, 23 Meadow Pipits, 1 Kestrel, 1 Chaffinch, 15 Linnets, 2 Grey Herons east, 20 Rooks and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Tuesday 12th April

I had a very busy working day so could only watch the patch for a poor 45 minutes, in that time I recorded a Raven heading south at 2:20pm, also 3 Wheatears and 13 Swallows.

Monday 11th April

Very High Common Buzzards part of the group of 36 birds heading east over the cemetery.

Well what can I say it was once again another enjoyable day wandering around the patch in such glorious conditions, I started off at 6am, and straight away the feeling was good as it seemed quite busy pretty much everywhere and certainly was the case with the arrival of 13 Blackcaps, but probably the star of the day was a Serin which was heard calling and then seen heading north over the cemo at 8:15am, with the other new arrival being a House Martin which headed west, the allotments produced a single Whitethroat and there was also 2 Willow Warblers, 3 Chiffchaffs, 1 Wheatear, 1 Yellow Wagtail, and 5 Swallows. But yet once again the later part of the day stole the show when to start with a group of 13 Common Buzzards headed slowly east at 12:25pm, followed by a Red Kite south at 12:40pm, and then a further 23 Common Buzzards were noted also heading slowly east at 12:50pm, at the time I was sure that these birds were part of the 13 I just had but when looking up there was actually 36 birds in the air together so to my delight I was proved wrong, I managed a record shot of some of the group as I couldn't get them all in the camera, the only unfortunate thing was that all of the birds were very high up so it was a little difficult but who cares I just enjoyed the spectacle of seeing such fantastic raptors in superb numbers, and there was also 4 Sparrowhawks in with them enjoying the ride. Dave Gilbert had 2 more CB north at 10:25am, bring the overall total to 38 Common Buzzards, we couldn't quite beat the total of a few days ago but there are plenty left. Also noted was 30 Linnets, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Goldfinch, 5 Meadow Pipits, 2 Corn Buntings, 1 Chaffinch, 2 House Sparrows, 9 Rooks, and 9 Jackdaws. I also had a probable distant Hooded Crow west at 8:05am. I'm off down the pub tonight to watch Liverpool v Man City so lets hope the day finishes even better with a Liverpool win.

Sunday 10th April

I met up with Dave Gilbert and between us we watched the area for about 5 hours, there was a few bits around including 3 Wheatears, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 15 Swallows, 1 Merlin, 1 Yellowhammer, 11 Sparrowhawks, 2 Kestrels, 4 Blackcaps, 1 Chiffchaff, 30 Linnets, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Cormorant east, 1 Grey Heron west and 1 Corn Bunting.

Saturday 9th April

Just a very quick wander round today between 6 - 7am, the best highlights included 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Brambling, 3 Blackcaps and 2 Chiffchaffs.

Friday 8th April

Distant Common Buzzard (1 of 55 today) (8th April 2011)

Wow what another fantastic April day with glorious weather and good birds what else could you ask for, well that was to come. I done another early spell this morning and then met up with Dave Gilbert just after 9:00am who had just found the earliest ever record of Garden Warbler which was present by the allotments, and with my Hooded Crow seen heading south over the cemo at 9:10am this was a sign of a good day. we both ventured on covering the whole site in detail and then decided to do a raptor watch, little could we believe that between 11:55am - 2:15pm, we were to record an excellent 55 Common Buzzards the best count was between 12:05 - 12:40pm where a total of 33 birds were present at once, they were all seen coming in from Westwood Cross at some height originally in 3 groups of 3, 21 and 9 and then eventually met up and all drifted off west together, they were then soon followed by a further group of 12 birds which were basically tail gating as the other large group were still together heading towards the direction of Quex Park, after they disappeared north/west there was another 10 birds seen very high up also heading in the same direction. Eventually it stopped around 2:25pm, but what a spectacle I must admit Dave and I were lapping it up and its always nice when someone else like Dave also witnesses and enjoys this special occasion and between us we have now recorded over 100 birds so far this year. This is also the 2nd highest Common Buzzard count for the area with the record being 60 birds that I recorded on the 17th April 2010. A total of 48 Species were recorded today with others being a Blue-headed Wagtail by the paddocks, 4 Yellow Wagtails, 4 White Wagtails, 1 Willow Warbler, 4 Blackcaps, 2 Chiffchaffs, 3 Wheatears, a different and 2nd Hooded Crow west at 1:20pm, 4 Swallows, 1 Pheasant, 1 Peregrine, 4 Sparrowhawks, 1 Siskin north, 3 Kestrels, 3 Corn Buntings, 10 Skylarks, 1 Pied Wagtail, 10 Jackdaws, 3 Meadow Pipits, 3 Goldfinches, 3 Chaffinches, 40 Linnets, 2 Grey Partridges, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 4 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Rooks, 7 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 20 Magpies, 1 Ring-necked Parakeet and 25 Black-headed Gulls, and after all this we both went home very very happy.

Thursday 7th April

Yellowhammer

It was another glorious day to be out and about, and even better when a local patch rarity was discovered singing on wires by the horse paddocks, in fact on a further investigation there was actually 2 Yellowhammers which showed on and off for most of the morning, its a shame these birds are becoming so scarce. Dave and I then proceeded on to find the first Willow Warbler of the spring in the cemo with other bits including 6 Wheatears, 7 Swallows, 1 Sand Martin west, 3 White Wagtails, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Peregrine west, 1 Pheasant, 10 Jackdaws, 1 Kestrel, 7 Linnets, 5 Goldfinches, 2 Grey Partridges, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Corn Buntings, 10 Skylarks, 7 Meadow Pipits, 1 Common Gull, 50 Black-headed Gulls, 7 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 18 Magpies.

Wednesday 6th April

Signs of times gone by

Wandering around the cemo of late has in a way felt a little on the eerie side purely on the basis of one particular species the House Sparrow, which like many places across the UK has seriously declined/and/or disappeared from some areas and this place is no exception. In years gone by they were so common here with breeding numbers in double figures that House Sparrow surveys were organised, as competition for nest boxes between them was pretty fierce, even along with their natural sites but now that seems a distant memory as they seem to have gone as a breeding bird with no activity so far this year, in fact I am pretty lucky to record even a couple of birds, yesterday was my first 2 birds in 2 weeks. Even during the autumn numbers could reach up to 500+ mainly around the allotments but last year as an example they were barely recorded. It is very very sad and looking at this old used House Sparrow nest box from the 1990's it certainly does feel like a ghost town. Anyway now for today's news, I watched the area from 6:05am - 11:15am, which produced 1 Whitethroat in the allotments and a little fall of 8 Wheatears by the paddocks, I had an early Common Buzzard heading west at 9:10am, and thought it may be the start of a good day but although I had to leave probably around the best time for raptors this was the best of the day. Other bits noted were 1 Blackcap, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 2 White Wagtails, 4 Swallows, 3 Chiffchaffs, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrels, 16 Jackdaws, 35 Meadow Pipits north/west, 1 Pheasant, 21 Ring-necked Parakeets, 35 Linnets, 1 Long-tailed Tit, 25 Magpies, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Corn Buntings, 10 Skylarks and 2 Grey Partridges.

Monday 4th April

I started off today at 6:00am, and went straight into the allotments where to my surprise the first decent bird I saw was a Common Whitethroat which was also in full song, for the stats this is my earliest ever record for this species with the previous being on the 8th April. I needed to be home by 11:30am, so Dave and I had a good wander around the recording area followed by a short raptor watch which produced 8 Sparrowhaws and 3 Kestrels, but at 10:30am, a/or another Raven was seen heading west could this be another bird. There was a few other bits today including 1 Yellowhammer east, 1 Blackcap, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 2 White Wagtails, 2 Wheatears, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Bramblings west, 1 Siskin, 55 Ring-necked Parakeets, 10 Jackdaws, 1 Pied Wagtail, 3 Corn Buntings, 3 Grey Partridges, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Redwing, 10 Chaffinches, 10 Meadow Pipits, 10 Skylarks, 23 Linnets, 3 Goldfinches and 20 Magpies.

Sunday 3rd April

Corn Bunting

On an important day it wasn't a surprise to find the cemo extremely busy, so Dave and I decided to spend most of the time on the outside, between us from 11:00am - 1:00pm, we noted 1 Yellow Wagtail north, 3 White Wagtails, 2 Swallows, 1 Chiffchaff, 7 Sparrowhawks, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Linnets, 2 Kestrels, 1 Corn Bunting, 12 Jackdaws, 1 Rook, 8 Meadow Pipits, 18 Magpies and 10 Skylarks. There was also another 2 Swallows sitting on wires by my house this evening.

Saturday 2nd April

just a very quick 20 minute watch before football which produced 3 Wheatears in the Paddocks.

Friday 1st April

The start of the new month was certainly a strange one, I watched the area for 4 hours from 9:00am - 1:00pm, and to be honest the first 2 hours were complete rubbish with just 2 Chiffchaffs noted and literally nothing moving overhead, yes the weather was a bit on the blustery side but it was still disappointing with the only highlight being a nice flask of coffee and sandwiches whilst I was waiting for something to happen. Strangely enough it seemed to do the trick as all the goodies arrived between 11:10am - 12:25pm, first of all was a Swallow which was feeding alongside the paddocks, followed with a Raven which headed east at 11:25am, and then the first Yellow Wagtail a nice male which was also seen in the paddocks. After that I recorded 2 White Wagtails, 1 Brambling, 6 Siskins and then the 2nd Raven of the morning which had a rather weird looking tail, I presume this may be the bird Phil Milton had at Pegwell a couple of days ago, this bird also headed off east at 12:20pm, getting pursued by 2 Jackdaws. Also noted was 2 Peregrines east, 1 Reed Bunting, 4 Sparrowhawks, 2 Redwings, 1 Cormorant south, 9 Chaffinches, 10 Meadow Pipits, 20 Linnets, 3 Kestrels, 26 Magpies, 4 Jackdaws, 2 Corn Buntings, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Alba Wagtails, 1 Pheasant, 4 Jays, 20 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 10 Stock Doves and 7 Skylarks.

2011-03-30T20:55:00.000-07:00

Wednesday 30th March

Today had a bit of quality about it including a couple of birds rarely ever seen on the patch. I couldn't do an early vis mig this morning which was a shame as there seemed to be quite a few Redwings passing over the house last night but that wasn't going to detract from a good day. I arrived at 9:00am, and literally straight away I was alerted to the call of a Raven which I then saw heading very low to the south at 9:10am over the paddocks, the bird then briefly landed in nearby fields before heading off strongly south at 9:15am, and is only the 3rd ever record for the site. Also noted was a Yellowhammer which is only the 5th record for the site the bird was seen heading west by the cemo, but the day didn't end there with 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls west, 1 Swallow west and 1 Common Buzzard north at 11:15am. Other bits recorded were 1 Reed Bunting, 3 Alba Wagtails east, 30 Meadow Pipits, 10 Linnets, 15 Chaffinches, 6 Skylarks, 2 Corn Buntings, 2 Grey Partridges, 4 Cormorants east, 4 Sparrowhawks, 4 Kestrels, 2 Redwings, 17 Jackdaws, 6 Goldfinches, and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Tuesday 29th March

Dave covered the area today which was very quiet, best of the highlights was a female Marsh Harrier north/east, 1 Peregrine, 5 Sparrowhawks and 5 Kestrels.

Monday 28th March

Wheatear

Dave Gilbert and I covered the patch from 9:10am - 1:00pm, which produced another spring arrival when 2 Swallows headed west over the paddocks, it was still fairly quiet but there was a few bits today including 1 Common Buzzard north at 9:40am, 2 White Wagtails, 3 Chiffchaffs, 3 Bramblings, 8 Fieldfares, 3 Siskins, 4 Sparrowhawks, 3 Goldcrests, 3 Chaffinches, 1 Pheasant, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Green Woodpecker, 20 Linnets, 3 Corn Buntings, 2 Grey Partridges, 3 Jackdaws, 3 Goldfinches and 3 Ring-necked Parakeets. Of note 2 Wheatears were present in fields behind my house.

Sunday 27th March

The first official day of spring was very quiet for overhead vis mig but at least it did produce 3 Wheatears which were the first for the year, also 1 White Wagtail, 5 Chiffchaffs, 3 Siskins, 9 Goldcrests, 1 Fieldfare, 7 Redwings, 3 Chaffinches, 4 Goldfinches, 3 Ring-necked Parakeets, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Grey Partridges, 2 Corn Buntings, 7 Jackdaws and 30 Linnets but that was pretty much it. There was also a male Wheatear in fields behind my house this afternoon.

Friday 25th March

White Wagtail

Dave Gilbert and I spent another glorious day wandering around the recording area, but for most of the time we were watching the skies hoping for yet another successful day like many of the recent ones we have previously had. Bird of the day was a Red Kite which we saw drifting off slowly north at 10:20am, (which was the same bird Phil Milton had at Pegwell a few minutes earlier thanks for the text), and another 7 Common Buzzards which passed through in a 3 hour raptor watch (in which the latter will already be near the 50 mark before spring has officially started). Other raptors included 2 female Merlins north, 9 Sparrowhawks and 3 Kestrels. There was also an increase in some other spring migrants including 4 White Wagtails and 5 singing Chiffchaffs, with 1 Crossbill west, 3 Bramblings west, 5 Redwings, 4 Goldcrests, 7 Jackdaws, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Grey Partridges, 1 Fieldfare, 2 Cormorants east, 20 Chaffinches, 60 Starlings north, 3 Meadow Pipits, 1 Pied Wagtail, 2 Corn Buntings and 3 Linnets also noted. The day finished of nicely when I found 6 Waxwings at 3:20pm, feeding on the junction of Princess Margaret Avenue Ramsgate, opposite Newington Childrens Centre, let it continue.

Thursday 24th March

Dave Gilbert covered the area today with the main highlight being a Woodcock near the main cemetery entrance.

Wednesday 23rd March

Siskin

The last few days have been amazing not just has the weather been so nice but with the quality of raptors which have also come through, today once again was no exception. I met up with Dave Gilbert and between us we covered the area for a few hours recording 14 Common Buzzards which were seen together in a 10 minute spell between 11:20 - 11:30am, a group of 8 birds eventually headed east with a further 6 birds drifting of south/west, also noted was 11 Sparrowhawks and a single Kestrel. I also managed to photograph a Siskin a bird which I haven't had much luck with in the past, the above bird a nice male was 1 of 6 recorded by the garden of rest, but in general it was a little bit quiet especially the smaller stuff but bits that were recorded included 1 Brambling west, 4 Goldcrests, 1 Chiffchaff, 30 Jackdaws, 3 Pied Wagtails, 1 Redwing, 1 Rook, 3 Ring-necked Parakeets, 20 Chaffinches, 2 Corn Buntings, 7 Skylarks, 2 Grey Partridges, 60 Starlings, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 7 Meadow Pipits and 7 Linnets.

Tuesday 22nd March

Peacock Butterfly

It was another glorious sunny day in which once again Dave Gilbert and I spent mostly raptor watching, in total we saw 11 Common Buzzards including an early bird heading west at 8:55am, but it wasn't until 11:40am, till we saw the next one then the heavens slightly opened with a further 9 birds in a 50 minute spell, best of all was a group of 6 birds heading west at 12:10pm. Also noted was a female Marsh Harrier west at 12:55pm, 1 male Peregrine north, 4 Kestrels and a very respectable 17 Sparrowhawks. Other bites around included a singing Chiffchaff, 1 White Wagtail, 6 Siskins south, 1 Fieldfare, 3 Redwings, 20 Chaffinches, 2 Grey Partridges, 36 Jackdaws, 15 Corn Buntings, 10 Meadow Pipits, 7 Skylarks, 3 Rooks, 1 Pied Wagtail, 600 Starlings, 1 Alba Wagtail west, 3 Linnets, 10 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 300 Wood Pigeons. On the Butterfly front was 3 Peacocks with 3 Hares in the paddocks.

Monday 21st March

Common Buzzard

On such a glorious day Dave Gilbert and I decided to spend most of the time between 9:45am - 1:10pm, doing a raptor watch, at times it was pretty frustrating as I think due to the mass gull activity there was a few more birds of prey around than our overall total, but with the weather being so clear and without no cloud cover they were probably going over at some height making life a bit more difficult. Our totals today were 4 Common Buzzards including 3 birds west at 10:55am, followed by a single bird south at 11:35am, 1 Peregrine south, 11 Sparrowhawks and 3 Kestrels, other bits included 4 White Wagtails, 34 Redwings south, 4 Siskins, 1 Reed Bunting, 27 Corn Buntings, 30 Chaffinches plus many many more heard going over at some high altitude, 4 Jackdaws, 7 Linnets, 1 Goldfinch, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Grey Partridge, 270 Starlings, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Pied Wagtail, 2 Alba Wagtails, 10 Skylarks, 2 Meadow Pipits, 20 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 150 Black-headed Gulls, 600 Wood Pigeons, 15 Stock Dove and 16 Magpies. Also today was 9 Peacock and 3 Small Tortoiseshell Butterflies and 3 Hares.

Saturday 19th March

Common Buzzard in the mist

I had family down today so I could only watch the patch between 11:00am - 12:15pm, a short time I know but it certainly didn't detract from what turned out to be a very good birding spell. I concentrated all of my efforts on a short raptor watch but surprisingly the best bird of all was a Little Owl a rare bird here which was first heard calling at 11:55am, and then seen heading south over the paddocks, there was also 3 Common Buzzards including 1 west at 11:00am and a further 2 heading south at 11:15am, it was a shame that there was still lingering mist or there might of been a few more seen, but it was interesting that at 11:10am, the gulls went mad over Westwood Cross and I'm pretty sure that I picked out a distant Rough-legged Buzzard but I couldn't confirm it as it drifted off very high to the south. Also recorded today was 1 singing Chiffchaff (heard in the cemo), 1 White Wagtail in the paddocks, 1 female Merlin south, 1 Peregrine south, 5 Sparrowhawks, 1 Kestrel, 1 Snipe west, 1 Reed Bunting, 15 Chaffinches, 3 Meadow Pipits, 3 Corn Buntings, 5 Skylarks, 2 Pied Wagtails, 10 Magpies, 1 Redwing, 2 Grey Partridges, 8 Jackdaws, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Alba Wagtails south, 1 Goldfinch, 185 Starlings, 600 Wood Pigeons, 7 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 30 Black-headed Gulls.

Thursday 17th March

The only decent record today was a Stonechat in the paddocks (new for the year) and 33 Corn Buntings, but outside of the area was 2 White Wagtails which were feeding in fields opposite Westwood Cross.

Tuesday 15th March

Grey Squirrel

With thick fog present today I wondered just why I actually bothered to wander around the patch, well I didn't stay long in fact just a mere 45 minutes, in this time the birds I actually saw were 2-3 Firecrests, 3 Goldcrests, 2 Green Woodpeckers and the locals which was a shame as there were Fieldfares, Redwings, Chaffinches moving through in which seemed like very good numbers but unfortunately they were all out of sight. At home there was a new visitor on the bird feeders and although the Grey Squirrel does visit the garden on most days its the first time its stayed for lunch.

Sunday 13th March

Another quick session today this time for just an hour, birds noted included a singing Chiffchaff, 1 Pheasant, 1 Reed Bunting, 33 Corn Buntings, 2 Grey Partridges, 6 Linnets, an impressive 1000+ Black-headed Gulls, 1 Kestrel, 2 Meadow Pipits, 4 Skylarks and 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull.

Saturday 12th March

I only spent about 30 minutes out this afternoon before going to football, in turn this produced 1 Fieldfare, 2 Grey Partridges, 2 Meadow Pipits and 7 Corn Buntings.

Friday 11th March

Today Dave Gilbert and I spent most of the time raptor watching in return it produced a ring-tail Hen Harrier which was hunting in fields adjacent to the paddocks between (10:45 - 10:50am) before the bird headed off west, this is a good bird here as I don't get many records of this species. Also today a Common Buzzard headed east at (11:35am), with a Peregrine north soon after. Other bits included 1 White Wagtail west, a good total of 70 Jackdaws west, 14 Golden Plovers west, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Pheasant (good record here), 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Grey Partridge, 3 Corn Buntings, 3 Rooks, 20 Starlings, 4 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Siskin west, 11 Linnets, 2 Kestrels, 3 Meadow Pipits, 7 Skylarks, 150 Black-headed Gulls, 1 Pied Wagtail, 16 Magpies, 15 Stock Doves, 500 Wood Pigeons and 5 Alba Wagtails north.

Thursday 10th March

Today was pretty miserable and it was also fairly quiet, bits that were noted included 1 Firecrest in the crematorium, 13 Lapwings, 8 Corn Buntings, 6 Linnets, 4 Goldcrests, 4 Meadow Pipits, 10 Skylarks, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 20 Starlings, 1 Green Woodpecker, 10 Chaffinches, 2 Reed Buntings, 130 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Grey Partridges, 1 Kestrel, 2 Alba Wagtails west, 20 Stock Doves and 700+ Wood Pigeons.

Wednesday 9th March

March has certainly started off well and lets hope it continues, today Dave Gilbert and I covered the area for most of the morning to which it produced 1 Sand Martin heading north at 9:50am, this is the earliest record for any hirundine sp that I have recorded on the patch since I first started in 1991, the previous earliest was of 2 Swallows on the 12th March 1995. Also noted today was 2 Common Buzzards (my first this year), 1 bird headed south at 10:40am with another heading north at 10:50am. Other bits in the area included 1 Firecrest, 26 Golden Plovers heading east, 36 Jackdaws, 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Reed Buntings, 7 Corn Buntings, 2 Meadow Pipits, 5 Skylarks, 7 Chaffinches, 5 Linnets, 5 Pied Wagtails, 2 Alba Wagtails east, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 700+ Wood Pigeons, 100+ Black-headed Gulls, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull and 1 Ring-necked Parakeet. Just after midday I received a call from Phil Milton alerting me of 2 Common Cranes over Richborough which looked as if they may of been slowly drifting my way, unfortunately I didn't see them but they may hang around somewhere tomorrow (hopefully on me patch) but thanks anyway mate.

Monday 7th March

Small Tortoiseshell

Cold but even so a glorious day, today I was back on the patch where I was met by Dave Gilbert I didn't cover any of the cemo but decided to do a morning of raptor watching, the weather looked good but it turned out disappointing with just 3 Sparrowhawks and a local Kestrel, but it wasn't all doom and gloom with the first spring migrant arriving this being 2 White Wagtails by the paddocks, which are also the 2nd earliest record for the site with the earliest being on the 5th March. Other bits noted between us were 2 Reed Buntings, 12 Linnets, 3 Grey Partridges, 7 Skylarks, 3 Meadow Pipits, 1 Fieldfare, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Jackdaw, 500 Wood Pigeons, 4 Chaffinches and 150 Black-headed Gulls. Also 3 mad March Hares were seen.

Sunday 6th March (TESCO'S WHITSTABLE)

Yes I was back there again for a visit to Whitstable this time a day out with the family, but I couldn't resist another trip to Tesco's this time recording 17 Waxwings at 11:55am.

Thursday 3rd March (TESCO'S WHITSTABLE)

Waxwings

Today was my first out in some time and I didn't spend it on the patch, instead Dave Gilbert and I headed off to Tesco's Whitstable hoping to locate the Waxwings which were still hanging around. I have already seen them here but Dave was still hoping for his first sightings since the invasion started a few months ago, it was also another chance to catch up with them for perhaps the last time before they head off back, and to take some more photographs of this truly excellent bird. We arrived at 9:30am and waited till 9:50am for the arrival of 30 birds which were (as they can do) showing extremely well sitting in trees in the car park, and also feeding on the local berries. After watching them for about 30 minutes we ventured off Dave certainly a much happier man.

2011-02-18T13:15:00.000-08:00

Friday 18th February

Firecrest

I went out this morning in the hope of getting a better photograph of Firecrest which to be honest over the years the few shots I have taken here haven't been to good, this morning was a little better and straight away I managed to hear the little beauties calling in some bramble by the crematorium, in total I managed to find 4 Firecrests to which one bird was showing well on and off, and although it was rather a fidget it did manage to come out in the open on several occasions for about 2 seconds each time, and with the camera ready I managed (just about) a couple of record shots and this time with a little more success. Also noted was 3 Goldcrests, 24 Corn Buntings, 14 Skylarks, 7 Redwings, 4 Goldfinches, 14 Linnets, 3 Long-tailed Tits, 7 Chaffinches, 2 House Sparrows, 250 Black-headed Gulls, 600 Wood Pigeons, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Green Woodpecker, 15 Magpies, 2 Rooks, 30 Crows, 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel and 2 Ring-necked Parakeets.

Thursday 17th February

Distant Reed Buntings

It was another glorious day to be out and about, and even more so with when good birds are found, I covered the area for most of the morning being joined later on by Dave Gilbert who then went on to cover the afternoon session. The morning started brightly with a Waxwing heading north over the cemo at 9:30am, followed shortly after by 3 Firecrests near the crematorium car park, soon after that a mass of 600 Black-headed Gulls were going bonkers over the garden of rest, but by the time I arrived the probable culprit was nowhere to be seen. I then headed off to cover the paddocks which produced 3 Reed Buntings, and whilst scanning the skies at 10:30am, I heard another flock of Waxwings overhead 11 in total, which also headed off north. In high spirits I carried on round to cover the rest of the patch this in turn produced 43 Golden Plovers west, 3 Goldcrests, 15 Linnets, 7 Jackdaws, 2 Sparrowhawks, 7 Skylarks, 1 Meadow Pipit, 4 Goldfinches, 1 Common Gull, 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 5 Chaffinches, 1 Pied Wagtail, 20 Crows, 17 Magpies, 500 Wood Pigeons, 2 Grey Partridges, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Mistle Thrushes and 4 Ring-necked Parakeets. Also present was a Hare by the allotments.

Wednesday 16th February

Today I was out between 12:25 - 1:40pm, and decided to spend most of that time covering the paddocks, adjacent fields and around the allotments, it was certainly a lovely day to be out and within that time I recorded 1 Peregrine, 3 Reed Buntings, 17 Corn Buntings, 15 Skylarks, 21 Linnets, 1 Kestrel, 1 Goldfinch, 1 Meadow Pipit, 55 Crows (seen in the cemetery), 20 Magpies, 450 Black-headed Gulls, 7 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 800 Wood Pigeons. Earlier this evening I received a call from Dave Gilbert who had covered the patch from 10:00 - 1:30pm, and had a good day recording 6 Common Buzzards which headed n/nw between 10:20 - 11:30am, with other highlights including 1 Merlin, 2 Sparrowhawks, 20 Rooks,10 Chaffinches and 2 Pied Wagtails.

Sunday 13th February

At long last another day out, I have been extremely busy of late but am now looking forward to the arrival of spring, I spent a couple of hours on the patch which produced 1 Firecrest, 3 Goldcrests, an impressive 600 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 7 Goldfinches, 15 Magpies, 300 Wood Pigeons, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 3 Skylarks, 3 Common Gulls and 3 Chaffinches but forget all that it was nice to be out again.

Thursday 3rd February

It was a pleasant day to be out and to go with it some nice birds, I covered the patch from 9:00 - 11:30am, and at first it was very slow going but when the first Firecrest of the year was found by the main entrance it certainly improved. There was a good winter record of 5 Reed Buntings by the horse paddocks with the latter also producing 1 Redwing, 5 Grey Partridges, 1 Meadow Pipit, 23 Magpies and most of the 70 Stock Doves, the cemo also held the first Chiffchaff of the year, 1 Siskin west, 7 Goldcrests, 17 Chaffinches, 10 Skylarks west, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 11 Common Gulls, 60 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Goldfinches, 100 Wood Pigeons and 2 Long-tailed Tits. Other bits of wildlife news included 3 Hares by the garden of rest which were certainly getting ready for the spring if you know what I mean!!.

2011-01-27T21:20:00.000-08:00

Thursday 27th January

Reed Bunting

Hooray I have managed to get out for just my 2nd day this month, a bit disappointing I know but I'm nearly ready to hit the patch full on and looking forward to spring which seems to be just around the corner (well that's how fast it seems to be going), I covered the area from 9:20 - 11:25am, which produced 1 Woodcock, 2 Reed Buntings (to which I have finally managed to get a decent photo of after years of trying), 2 Siskins west, 13 Fieldfares, 2 Redwings, 6 Goldcrests, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 6 Chaffinches, 2 Meadow Pipits, 6 Skylarks, 4 Ring-necked Parakeets, 9 Stock Doves, 4 Common Gulls, 50 Black-headed Gulls, 1 Linnet, 3 Goldfinches and 6 Long-tailed Tits wow it's nice to be out again.

Sunday 23rd January

I had to go over to Whitstable today so what an opportunity there was to twitch the Waxwings which have been seen in Tesco's Car Park, I arrived at 12:05pm, and straight away there was 25 by the bus stop I wonder what number bus they were after!!.

Wednesday 19th January

At long long last I have finally managed my first day on the patch in 2011, a couple of hours out this morning in pleasant sunshine produced 5 Goldcrests, 1 Siskin west, 1 Fieldfare, 25 Chaffinches, 14 Greenfinches, 3 Goldfinches, 1 Redwing, 1 Jackdaw, 3 Pied Wagtails, 17 Skylarks, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 Kestrel, 4 Ring-necked Parakeets, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 23 Magpies, 5 Jays, 2 Common Gulls, 150 Black-headed Gulls and 350 Wood Pigeons.

Wednesday 12th January

Many thanks to all those who have e-mailed me regarding the lack of recent sightings, yes I am still with the land of the living but have recently had, and am now at the end of several birding projects which have nearly finished, due to this I haven't managed a single day out this year on the patch which itself is an all time record, but this will change very shortly and I look forward to another year ahead, the only birds I have recently found was a total of 50 Waxwings by the shell garage at Nethercourt in Ramsgate on the 4th, and 126 birds on the 5th January.

2010-12-31T21:00:00.000-08:00

TOTAL OF BIRD SPECIES SEEN SO FAR IN THE RECORDING AREA= 114

Friday 31st December

I covered the patch for several hours today which produced a record total for the site of 24 Waxwings this included 7 birds which showed briefly by the chapels and then a flock of 17 birds which head east at 1:30pm, also present was 4 Firecrests, 8 Woodcocks, 1 Chiffchaff, 10 Goldcrests, 1 Siskin, 2 Fieldfares, 5 Redwings, 6 Chaffinches, 29 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Kestrel, 4 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Pied Wagtails, 2 Skylarks, 2 Meadow Pipits, 4 Common Gulls and 500 Wood Pigeons.

Monday 27th December

Away from the patch Dave Gilbert and I were watching our local football team Margate FC when at 2:55pm, 10 Waxwings flew across the pitch heading east, followed soon after by 2 Merlins which headed west, just as well as this was the highlight of the afternoon as Margate lost 2-0.

Thursday 23rd December

I needed to go in to Margate town centre this morning so managed to quickly pop in the cemo for about 10 minutes before I went, within that time I couldn't believe my luck as when entering the main entrance 3 Waxwings headed west at 9:40am, followed shortly after by 40 White-fronted Geese which at one time I thought were going to land in nearby fields, but instead also decided to head off west at 9:45am.

Sunday 19th December

Pretty Winter Scene

It was fantastic being out this morning there wasn't a soul in sight, and with a pretty winter scene it couldn't be beaten, I watched the patch from 9:00 - 11:00am, which produced a few bits including 1 Firecrest, 2 Woodcocks, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Peregrine (hunting around the paddocks), 6 Goldcrests, 1 Grey Heron east, 1 Greylag Goose east, 2 Cormorants west, 10 Corn Buntings, 71 Skylarks, 10 Meadow Pipits, 2 Linnets, 6 Pied Wagtails, 1 Kestrel, 2 Chaffinches, 7 Grey Partridges, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Long-tailed Tits, 25 Stock Doves, 3 Common Gulls, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull and 2,000 Wood Pigeons.

Thursday 16th December

Today I got back to some kind of normality by covering the patch for a couple of hours, I didn't find any Waxwings here but still present was 4 Firecrests which were all together feeding in brambles by the main entrance, other bits included 1 Woodcock, 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Goldcrests, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Kestrel 3 Chaffinches, 3 Ring-necked Parakeets and 40 Black-headed Gulls, just before I went to the cemo I once again covered The Haine Park Industrial Estate and still present at 8:40am, was the 33 Waxwings by the top of Leigh Road.

Wednesday 15th December

Waxwings

My intention today was to cover as many sites in Thanet mainly around the Margate/Ramsgate and Broadstairs areas that I possibly could for Waxwings which I did exactly that, I started off at 9:00am, and my first port of call was on the Haine Park Industrial Estate, where once again 33 Waxwings were present at the top of Leigh Road (1st picture), but today these birds were very mobile as they were also sitting on various roof tops around the park, I then headed over to Pysons road to hopefully catch up on yesterday's birds to which I was successful, in total there was a large group totaling 150 birds sitting in a lone tree near Fuji (2nd 3rd and 4th picture), I watched them for about 10 minutes as they just sat there giving superb views and excellent photo opportunities (even if the light was fairly poor), There was also another 30+ Waxwings over Dane Court School (another or part of the same lot I don't know but they headed off towards Asda, I then went off to Margate cemetery and recorded 3 birds heading west, but on the way I found another 26 Waxwings over Margate Hospital heading towards my patch but couldn't locate them there, I was certainly enjoying this and in high spirits when Phil and Craig texted to say there was over 1,000+ birds near Stoneless, I managed to get over about 2 hours later, I missed the big flock but did record 200+ birds there giving a finishing total of at least 442 Waxwings so I'm well pleased you certainly cannot get bored with these birds. Away from the Waxwing counts there was also 1 Firecrest, 1 Chiffchaff and 1 Woodcock in the cemetery.

Tuesday 14th December

Today my plans didn't go as they were meant to as I also needed to get over to Deal and Canterbury, but before I left I had another look around Haine Industrial Park for Yesterday's Waxwings, and straight away at 9:00am, they were in the same location feeding in hawthorns and sitting in a nearby tree near Watkins House at the top of Leigh Road, once again I counted 33 birds, soon after I received a call from Scott saying that there was a further 100 birds around the Nethercourt area, unfortunately I couldn't get to these but tomorrow I am spending my time on a Waxwing hunt including some known areas which I will be seeking out, in this will be the local patch so fingers crossed.

Monday 13th December

Away from the normal site I received a text from Craig early afternoon mentioning the amount of Waxwings that Phil Milton was seeing passing through Pegwell, in total at least 650+ birds Wow, I was desperate to get out of the house but couldn't do so until 3:00pm, I was then driving near the Haine Road Industrial Park when I saw Phil watching about 30 Waxwings some were feeding in nearby hawthorns with the others in a nearby tree, I then joined him for a few minutes and together we got gripping views of a few of these spectacular birds feeding on berries, at the time I didn't have any bins or photographic equipment so I did what I had to do and returned back at 3:40pm, luckily the birds were still showing in the same location and I managed to count a total of 33 birds, unfortunately by this time the light was poor but I did manage some record shots before the group disappeared. Of interest I have checked this area in the last few weeks hoping that some Waxwings may just find these berries and today they have. I will return tomorrow in the hope of some better photo's, or even more birds if they are still around who knows!!.
Sunday 12th December

Firecrest

I managed to get out for just an hour this morning and finally got the chance to take a very quick record shot of one of the overwintering Firecrests, which to be honest has certainly been difficult in recent weeks, its not the best photo but hopefully I may get another chance soon, in total there was 2 Firecrests seen, also 2 Chiffchaffs and a Woodcock which I flushed by the main entrance. Away from the site when I was out and about at Westwood this afternoon 2 Waxwings headed east over the Toby Carvery.

Thursday 9th December

Common Gull

It was in general very quiet this morning, but there was still a nice few bits to be seen including a Crossbill which headed west at 9:40am, also 3 Firecrests which now look certain to overwinter, others noted included 1 Woodcock, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Siskin, 1 Redwing, 3 Jackdaws, 1 Chaffinch, 7 Goldcrests, 7 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Linnets, 4 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Pied Wagtail, 17 Magpies, 52 Black-headed Gulls, 1 Common Gull and 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls.

Sunday 5th December

Over the years of watching this place it has always been good, but recently I mentioned about the quality of habitat this place does actually hold for Woodcocks especially in the winter months with snow or when a decent cold spell arrives, but I was a bit gutted that I couldn't get out in the last few days when the snow was here as it would of been interesting to see how many of these birds were around, but today even with the snow gone it was still another successful winter count with a total of 13 Woodcocks this included a total of 8 in the allotments which were all flushed together, followed by another 5 single birds in the cemetery including a bird that stayed motionless for 5 minutes about a foot away as we both stared each other in the face. But the main highlight was a Serin which I originally heard calling over the cemetery at 10:20am, and then managed to see the bird as it headed off west. Other bits recorded were 4 Firecrests and a Common Buzzard which to my surprise was seen hunting in the cemetery and was certainly a rare treat but the bird soon headed off after a few minutes, also noted was 4 Siskins, 7 Goldcrests, 5 Redwings, 10 Chaffinches, 1 Snipe, 1 Grey Heron east, 4 Common Gulls, 33 Black-headed Gulls, 29 Ring-necked Parakeets, 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Linnets, 3 Long-tailed Tits and 2 Meadow Pipits.

2010-11-30T14:10:00.000-08:00

Tuesday 30th November

Great Woodcock Habitat

With the continuing spell of light snow showers and biting winds I was today on the look out for Woodcocks, this morning I managed just a single bird but would imagine if this weather continues I might hopefully manage a few more, and if the total gets anywhere near last winter's I will thoroughly look forward to it. In total I was only out for an hour so other bits noted in the cemo within this time were 2 Firecrests, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 7 Goldcrests, 3 Chaffinches, 1 Green Woodpecker, 10 Magpies, 2 Common Gulls, 2 Lapwings and 7 Long-tailed Tits.

Sunday 28th November

I was out for a couple of hours this morning as I needed to be back home for 9am, I covered the cemo for just an hour which produced 400 Golden Plovers heading west, 2 Chiffchaffs, 31 Lapwings west, 31 Ring-necked Parakeets, 3 Redwings, 7 Chaffinches, 3 Jays, 7 Goldcrests, 15 Black-headed Gulls, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 7 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Goldfinches, 2 Linnets and 1 Meadow Pipit. I then headed back over to Park Avenue Broadstairs when at the time just a single Waxwing was seen.

Friday 26th November

I covered the patch from 9:00 - 11:30am, which produced 2 Firecrests, 4 Chiffchaffs, 1 Brambling, 1 Peregrine west, 5 Siskins, 8 Goldcrests, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Redwing, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Lapwing, 5 Goldfinches, 10 Chaffinches, 3 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Pied Wagtail, 8 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Kestrels, 2 Meadow Pipits, 13 Skylarks, 5 Jays and 8 Black-headed Gulls.

Away from my normal site I received a text from Craig (many thanks) to say there was up to 50 Waxwings in Park Avenue Broadstairs, I managed to get over during the afternoon to which there was still 16 present, they are certainly superb birds and a joy to watch and photograph at close quarters.

Thursday 25th November

With this current cold spell of weather I'm hoping that it just might produce some more Waxwings, the cemo does have a few good berry bushes but are very spaced out so as usual I will be giving them all a thorough check on me travels. Today was certainly a cold one with a biting northerly wind especially in the open areas but nevertheless it still produced some good bits. The 2 Firecrests were still present in with 7 Goldcrests and 10 Long-tailed Tits, also 4 Chiffchaffs which remained pretty much together throughout the day. Other bits included 3 Siskins, 2 Reed Buntings, 8 Chaffinches, 2 Redwings, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Goldfinches, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Kestrel, 7 Skylarks, 2 Meadow Pipits, 5 Jays and 7 Black-headed Gulls in the paddocks.

Tuesday 23rd November

Chiffchaff

Looking at various reports around the country there still seems to be a few very late lingering summer migrants, today I was certainly on the look out but without any joy, but present was a total of 4 Chiffchaffs and although they are getting more common in winter it is still a very rare bird to over winter here, there have been 2-3 birds seen for a little while now so hopefully some may do just that, also noted today were 2 Firecrests, 17 Siskins west, 2 Lesser Redpolls west, 1 Reed Bunting, 10 Goldcrests, 1 Redwing, 3 Chaffinches, 70 Lapwings north, 2 Goldfinches, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Kestrel, 12 Skylarks, 1 Meadow Pipit, 2 Pied Wagtails, 15 Magpies, 7 Jays and 2 Ring-necked Parakeets.
Friday 19th November

It was another glorious day wandering around the patch, I was out a little later this morning at 9:30am, after a busy day with the wife Christmas shopping at Lakeside yesterday. Once again I only had time to cover the cemo which produced another year tick when a Lapland Bunting (114) was seen and heard calling over the garden of rest, the bird headed off at 10:30am, in a southerly direction. Other bits included 2 Firecrests, 3 Chiffchaffs, 13 Siskins, 10 Goldcrests, 1 Golden Plover west, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 4 Pied Wagtails, 10 Chaffinches, 7 Long-tailed Tits, 25 Magpies, 3 Meadow Pipits, 2 Skylarks, 4 Jays, 5 Ring-necked Parakeets, 10 Blue Tits, 2 Goldfinches, 1 Linnet and 1 Kestrel.
Tuesday 16th November

Fieldfares

Today felt like a mid summer's day with glorious sunshine and a good selection of birds to go with it. I decided to spend all of the time in the cemo from 9:00 - 11:35am as it was pretty busy, and wished I could have stayed longer as along with the grounded stuff there was also a few bits on the move. The morning started well with a Woodcock being flushed near the main entrance followed by a Lesser Redpoll heading west. In total there was a very respectable 39 species seen not bad for a morning's watch considering I didn't venture into the allotments/horse paddocks. Others noted this morning were 2 Firecrests, 3 Bramblings, 3 Chiffchaffs, 18 Siskins west, 11 Fieldfares, 11 Redwings, 65 Chaffinches mostly heading west, 11 Goldfinches, 10 Goldcrests, 11 Greenfinches, a very notable 8 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 6 Sparrowhawks, 1 Corn Bunting west, 400+ Starlings west, 6 Pied Wagtails, 7 Long-tailed Tits, 4 Ring-necked Parakeets, 10 Magpies, 10 Blue Tits, 2 Skylarks west, 1 Meadow Pipit north, 2 Linnets, 8 Jays, 4 Jackdaws south and all the other normal bits.

Friday 12th November

Great Spotted Woodpecker

There was a few bits around today including the first Woodcock of the autumn, with at least 1 Firecrest, 2 Chiffchaffs and 10 Goldcrests still present. Little movement happened overhead but others noted around the cemo were 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Green Woodpecker, 7 Chaffinches, 1 Redwing, 7 Linnets, 7 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Pied Wagtails and 5 Ring-necked Parakeets.

Wednesday 10th November

After a few days of other commitments it was once again nice to be out, I managed to cover a morning session from 9:00 - 11:20am, to which I spent the whole time wandering around the cemo, this in turn produced 4 Firecrests, 4 Chiffchaffs, 1 Peregrine west, 7 Redwings, 7 Goldcrests, 7 Chaffinches, 105 Starlings, 7 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Goldfinches, 3 Linnets, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 3 Pied Wagtails, 5 Jays, 3 Ring-necked Parakeets, 10 Magpies, 10 Blue Tits and 2 Skylarks.

Saturday 6th November

This morning I was only out for a couple of hours but within that time it was pretty good, in this brief spell there was no sign of the Pallas's Warbler but the cemo did produce another Waxwing which headed south at 8am, and was then followed soon after by a Tree Sparrow (113) which headed west. Other bits around included 1 Firecrest, 1 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Brambling, 3 Redwings, 15 Goldcrests, 5 Siskins, 10 Goldfinches, 10 Chaffinches, 7 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Kestrel, 2 Meadow Pipits, 2 Skylarks, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Linnet, 18 Magpies, 3 Pied Wagtails, 7 Ring-necked Parakeets and 5 Jays.

Friday 5th November

Pallas's Warbler

Today started off very quiet but ended up with another autumn beauty, the first 30 minutes was dead (excuse the pun) but soon got a lot better when a Firecrest was seen near the main entrance followed by 6 Siskins and 4 Lesser Redpolls which headed west, but it certainly didn't end there when unbelievably after talking about it a few days ago a House Martin my first ever record in November headed south. I by this time was in higher spirits and more bits began to emerge, I headed into the large overgrown area by the 2 chapels where about 8 Goldcrests were feeding in some low down sycamores, but soon after at 9:40am, I heard another distinct call, I new straight away what it was but I just had to find it, yes my 2nd Pallas's Warbler of the autumn and 3rd record for the cemo was calling on and off somewhere extremely close by, but how easy these birds can be missed and it took me a further 10 minutes to find the bird feeding high up in a small areas of mixed trees, I managed (just about) another record shot of the bird feeding before it headed off and out of sight, I am now 100% sure I had this bird yesterday as I also had it calling twice in the same area but it wasn't seen and it was so windy at the time I just dismissed it, perhaps the autumn isn't over after all but unfortunately after a long search I didn't see or hear the bird again. The rest of today's news included 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Redwings, 3 Goldfinches, 15 Chaffinches, 5 Pied Wagtails, 1 Kestrel, 4 Long-tailed Tits, 18 Magpies, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 13 Starlings and 10 Blue Tits.

Thursday 4th November

Nice birds these Firecrests!!

While I was birding in my own little world today I was thinking about how quick this autumn had come, and in theory nearly gone, It has certainly been an exciting time wandering around the patch spending many hours thrashing out the same areas over and over again (which I love doing) and have thoroughly enjoyed throughout, it only seems about 5 minutes ago that this place was buzzing with all kinds of birds both common and the scare/rarer migrants which once again has included a fantastic autumn for the latter, this year it has produced no fewer than 1 Dusky Warbler (2nd record), 1 Pallas's Warbler (2nd record), 3-4 Yellow-browed Warblers and 3 Richard's Pipits (record year by far), with other goodies such as 1 White Stork, 1 Wryneck, 1 possibly 2 Hooded Crows, 6 Waxwings (so far) and 2 Rough-legged Buzzards. So far it has also been a record year for Common Buzzards with at least (117) birds seen including a total of 60 birds on one day, and how many more missed I wouldn't like to say, also Red Kites and Reed Buntings with the latter holding up to 20 birds on a single day far greater than has ever been recorded here before, but although most of this excitement will shortly be over for another few months It will also be nice to look back and reflect on old bird notes/records from the last 19 years. Now for today's news I covered the patch for most of the morning in a blustery westerly wind, it was pretty difficult at times even in the most sheltered of areas, highlight of the day was a Snow Bunting (112), which headed west over the cemetery and is only the 2nd record for the site. There was at least 4 Firecrests including one bird showing about 4 feet away, also 3 Chiffchaffs, 5 Goldcrests, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Chaffinches, just 1 Redwing, 1 Goldfinch, 3 Meadow Pipits, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Pied Wagtail and a slight passage of 15 Great Tits, and to wrap the day off a lovely hat-trick by Stevie G in Liverpool's 3-1 win over Napoli (lets hope it lasts against Chelsea at the weekend).

Monday 1st November

I was out today from 7:20 - 10:05am, and there was a good selection to be seen. As soon as I arrived it was busy with Goldcrests with at least 15 being recorded in one bit of bramble alone along with 4 Firecrests and 3 Chiffchaffs, there was also a few bits on the move including 10 Bramblings, 74 Redwings, 8 Fieldfares, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 3 Siskins, 18 Chaffinches, 1 Golden Plover, 48 Lapwings, 4 Goldfinches, 2 alba Wagtails, and 60 Starlings. Others noted were 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Linnets, 7 Long-tailed Tits and 15 Ring-necked Parakeets.

2010-10-29T20:00:00.000-07:00

Friday 29th October

Today's highlights included 4 Firecrests, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Peregrine, 13 Redwings, 4 Chaffinches, 8 Goldcrests, 1 Kestrel, 1 Green Woodpecker and 4 Long-tailed Tits.

Thursday 28th October

I had another pleasant few hours birding on the patch this morning whilst the builders came round to put in my new bathroom (well it's got to be done), unfortunately on the down side it was very quiet and for the first time in weeks it felt as if autumn may nearly be over. Even so there was a few bits around including 2 House Martins which headed west early on, (I do believe, and would need to check on old records that I have never recorded a House Martin here in November so that's the challenge this year, also today the rather large female Peregrine which has been hanging around a little while was hunting over the paddocks and once again successfully killed another Wood Pigeon (no wonder it's so fat), also present was 7 Goldcrests, 8 Redwings, 4 Goldfinches, 2 Pied Wagtails, 7 Chaffinches, 2 Meadow Pipits, 6 Jays, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 2 Linnets and 3 Ring-necked Parakeets.

Tuesday 26th October

Just another quick session possible today from 7:10 - 9:10am, which was pretty good in the time period, there was a few bits around including 20 Bramblings west, 5 Lesser Redpolls west, 10 Siskins, 14 Fieldfares, 14 Redwings, 112 Chaffinches mainly heading west, 1 Reed Bunting north, 1 Chiffchaff, 25 Greenfinches, 2 Goldfinches, 7 Linnets, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 97 Ring-necked Parakeets, 100 Starlings, 2 Sparrowhawks, 7 Goldcrests, 6 Jays, 1 Jackdaw and 25 Magpies.

Monday 25th October

I could only cover a late afternoon session today which produced 1 Firecrest, 10 Bramblings, 10 Goldcrests, 10 Redwings, 2 Fieldfares, 1 Siskin, 7 Chaffinches, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Sparrowhawk, 7 Meadow Pipits and 500 Starlings.

Sunday 24th October

I covered the patch this morning from 9:10 - 11:10am, and although it was fairly quiet it did produce a nice few bits, best of all was a Waxwing which headed west at 10:30am, and 3 Firecrests which showed very well alongside 7 Goldcrests. Others today included 2 Bramblings, 1 Peregrine, 3 Chiffchaffs, 13 Fieldfares, 10 Redwings, 1 Lesser Redpoll west, 4 Sparrowhawks north, 1 Jackdaw, 1 Rook, 2 Goldfinches, 1 Corn Bunting, 4 Jays and 2 Chaffinches.

Saturday 23rd October

The best highlight on a rather miserable day was a Mallard which headed west late morning and on the basis that it is no (111) for the recording area this year, apart from that there was a few bits around but nothing to get the pulse racing. First of all I checked for the Hooded Crow in fields by the main cemetery entrance but without any luck, in fact nearly all of the Crows had disappeared from yesterday. Other bits included 1 Curlew south, 2 Crossbills north, 2 Peregrines (hunting together over the paddocks), 2 Lesser Redpolls west, 3 Siskins west, 3 Fieldfares, 15 Redwings, 1 Reed Bunting, 3 House Martins west, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Kestrel, 4 Goldcrests, 6 Goldfinches, 4 Chaffinches, 1 alba Wagtail, 1 Lapwing, 1 Meadow Pipit, 2 Corn Buntings, 4 Ring-necked Parakeets, 43 Skylarks, 150 Starlings, 6 Jays, 500 Wood Pigeons, 4 Rooks, 30 Black-headed Gulls and 2 Linnets.

Friday 22nd October

I covered the area along with Dave Gilbert from 9:10am - 1:20pm, and it was certainly a lot quieter (for the smaller stuff) than previous days, but not so for raptors with a new autumn record of 15 Common Buzzards, 9 birds went through between 10:50 - 10:58am, including 5 single birds and a group of 4, it was followed soon after by another 6 individuals tail gating each other, all the birds were seen heading off in a westerly direction, It's been an amazing year for Common Buzzards with at least 117 birds recorded so far which has obviously smashed all previous records from years gone by. Other highlights today included the Hooded Crow which was still present in fields by the main cemetery entrance, but there was no sign of the Yellow-browed Warbler after a fairly long search. Other bits around were 2 Firecrests, 16 Bramblings north, 4 Sparrowhawks, 4 Kestrels, 7 Goldcrests, 10 Redwings, 3 Fieldfares, 20 Chaffinches, 2 Siskins, 2 Reed Buntings, 47 Skylarks, 2 Meadow Pipits, 2 Swallows west, 3 Chiffchaffs, 1 alba Wagtail, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Ring-necked Parakeets, 100 Linnets, 60 Crows, 3 Rooks, 30 Jackdaws and 10 Jays.

Thursday 21st October

Hooded Crow (Photographed distantly in fields outside of the main cemetery entrance)

WHAT an excellent autumn this is turning out to be and today once again was no exception, I couldn't get onto the patch until 9:10am, so probably missed out on a bit of early vis mig, but generally there was a few bits moving throughout the day anyway. I met up once again with Dave Gilbert and between us we covered the area until 4:30pm, as soon as I arrived there was a Yellow-browed Warbler calling in exactly the same spot as I had it yesterday with tits and crests, but yet again after a few brief minutes it disappeared never to seen again. After such a good start I/we wondered if that was going to be it, but next we decided to check out the fields just outside of the cemetery as recently there have been a good build up of Crows, just as we were beginning to do exactly that a Hooded Crow flew over and landed in fields opposite the main entrance,to which I managed a distant record shot, this maybe the bird I had a few days ago over the allotments (but who knows this autumn). After watching the bird we carried on in higher spirits and were soon rewarded when at 10:55am, 2 Rough-legged Buzzards (108) headed west, followed shortly after by 1 of the 3 Common Buzzards recorded today. The rest of the goodies didn't end there as at 4:20pm, 5 Waxwings (109) headed west over the cemetery (a rare bird here with very few records so I was well pleased with these), and a Hawfinch (110) (only the 3rd record), which headed north about 5 minutes after. Other bits seen were 1 Firecrest, 3 Chiffchaffs, 7 Goldcrests, 67 Fieldfares, 50 Redwings, 1 Swallow west, 32 Lapwings, 4 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 3 Sparrowhawks, 18 Chaffinches, 1 Grey Wagtail, 28 Blackbirds, 60 Crows (with another 60 with the Hooded Crow), 3 Jays, 10 Magpies, and 4 Goldfinches. (Could this superb month finish with a nice Radde's Warbler or perhaps one of the coastal Red-flanked Bluetails, who knows but what a dream it would be), I look forward to tomorrow.

Wednesday 20th October

I've been here, there and everywhere today and eventually managed to find sometime on the local patch where I arrived at 3:30pm, its certainly been a pretty cold day and this seemed evident with a fair number of Blackbirds scattered around the place, but the highlight was a Yellow-browed Warbler which I heard calling in the large sycamore tree by the main entrance at 3:40pm, the bird called about 4 times and I finally managed to see the bird about 10 minutes after, but it was extremely elusive and wasn't seen or heard again after 3:55pm, this is potentially the 4th record this autumn, but may also of been the bird present here 2 days ago. I had to leave by 4:30pm, so didn't have time to cover much else, but also recorded within this time period was 2-3 Firecrests, 5 Redwings 10 Goldcrests, 10 Long-tailed Tits and a single Chiffchaff.

Tuesday 19th October

All the recording area wasn't covered today as Dave Gilbert and I spent nearly all of the time trying to relocate yesterday's Pallas's and Yellow-browed Warbler, unfortunately we had no luck with either but it was pretty windy at the best of times. Due to this I suppose we didn't concentrate to much on anything else but what we did record was 1 Firecrest, 20 Goldcrests, 3 Chiffchaffs, 10 Redwings, 2 Swallows west, 4 Sparrowhawks, 3 Reed Buntings, 10 Jays, 1 Siskin north, 10 Goldfinches, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Green Woodpecker and 5 Long-tailed Tits.

Monday 18th October

Pallas's Warbler

Do excuse me, at the moment I feel like I'm on cloud 9, I have had a fantastic mornings birding, a gem of a bird (shown above), along with a total of 50 species. I started out at 7:00am and had to finish at midday but what a wonderful time I had, but strangely enough it didn't feel has half as good as what it did yesterday, but although this felt the case I recorded 50 species in literally no time at all. When I first entered the cemetery it seemed fairly quiet until about 8:00am, when it was all systems go, the best part of the morning came between 9 - 9:30am, when at first I heard a Richard's Pipit at 9:00am, calling over the main entrance, I then managed to see the bird very well as it headed off in a westerly direction, about 10 minutes after I heard a Yellow-browed Warbler calling in the crematorium, after a little search I managed to find the bird feeding in trees by the crematorium entrance, it must of then stayed around the same location as it was heard again just before I left, but the best of the bunch was amazingly to come shortly after at 9:30am, when I found only my 2nd ever record of PALLAS'S WARBLER (107) for the site, it was seen and also heard calling on several occasions in the large overgrown area by the 2 chapels, then in an area of sycamores just to the right where it showed very well on and off for 10 minutes, it then disappeared and after a very long search was not seen again until 11:45am, when again it was heard calling in roughly the same location. I had to wait 17 years to record my first ever bird on my patch which didn't show for to long, and ever since I have prayed for another and today was the day, I managed to get some record shots but it was pretty difficult at the best of times as it didn't keep still amongst the Goldcrests, even so I got some excellent views for the time I had, I texted Craig and Barry wright/friends also came down but without any joy, I just hope it might be present tomorrow, don't worry guys I will let you know. The rest of today's news included my first Bullfinch (106), for a long time it's always nice to see these birds here again, also 1 Ring Ouzel, 1 Stonechat, 4 Bramblings, a new record of 19 Reed Buntings many of the birds heading west, (what a year it's been for them here), 3 Firecrests, 20 Goldcrests, 40 Redwings, 4 Lesser Redpolls, 4 Siskins, 50 Chaffinches, 16 Swallows north, 1 House Martin west, 3 Chiffchaffs, 1 Blackcap, 1 Grey Wagtail, 20 Meadow Pipits, 10 Pied Wagtails, 4 Grey Partridges, 25 Skylarks, 33 Ring-necked Parakeets, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 100 Linnets, 7 House Sparrows, 33 Crows, 10 Jays, 10 Robins, 40 Blackbirds, 20 Song Thrushes, 1 Cormorant east, 2 Sparrowhawks, 7 Lapwings west, 1 Jackdaw, 30 Black-headed Gulls and 1000+ Wood Pigeons.

Sunday 17th October

Between us Dave Gilbert and I covered the area for several hours hoping for another good patch rarity, unfortunately after searching every inch of the place it didn't happen but nevertheless it was a really good day's birding in pretty much perfect conditions, there was plenty on the move, a daily record for one species and a nice selection of grounded migrants to go with it. As soon as we both arrived it was buzzing with activity especially finches which included an overall total of 210 Chaffinches and 7 Bramblings, the rest of the birds noted were 1 Ring Ouzel, 4 Firecrests, 4 Lesser Redpolls west, 70 Siskins north/west, 17 Fieldfares, 210 Redwings, a record for the site of 32 Jays mainly heading north, 6 Grey Wagtails north, 35+ Goldcrests, 1 Swallow west, 1 Peregrine north, 6 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 4 Chiffchaffs, 115 Blackbirds, 20 Song Thrushes, 30 Robins, 1 Reed Bunting west, 4 Sparrowhawks, 1 Kestrel, 10 Meadow Pipits, 30 Skylarks, 4 Goldfinches, 20 Magpies, 2 Linnet and 1 alba Wagtail.

Saturday 16th October

I was out for a couple of hours this morning just before football in very blustery winds, even the most sheltered areas were difficult to cover, birds noted were 3 Firecrests, 2 Swallows, 10 Goldcrests, 20 Redwings, 1 Grey Wagtail west, 2 Chaffinches, 3 Goldfinches, 25 Meadow Pipits, 1 alba Wagtail north, 2 Skylarks, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers and 1000+ Wood Pigeons.

Friday 15th October

I was out from 9:15am - 12:15pm, and if timed allowed I would of liked to have stayed longer, even so it was a pretty good day with the main highlight being my 2nd Yellow-browed Warbler of the autumn which I managed to find a mere 20 minutes away from leaving the site, the bird this time wasn't calling but instead found with a mixed flock of crests and tits, within the 20 minutes of watching the bird on and off it was pretty mobile and followed this certain flock around the cemetery when eventually it was lost to view. Today also produced 3 Firecrests, 1 Peregrine (with a Wood Pigeon kill), 1 latish Wheatear, 4 Chiffchaffs, 18 Swallows north, 5 Lesser Redpolls, 35 Siskins, 4 Bramblings, 6 Fieldfares west, 175 Redwings, 25 Goldcrests, 82 Goldfinches, 500 Linnets west, 6 Reed Buntings, 4 Chaffinches, 9 Jays, 28 Meadow Pipits, 15 Skylarks, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Sparrowhawks, 3 Jackdaws, 4 Grey Partridges, 7 Pied Wagtails and 25 Song Thrushes.

Thursday 14th October

The weather this morning once again looked pretty good with a northerly wind and overcast conditions so I made my way across early morning, and although there was a few birds around it wasn't as good as the last few spoilt days, even so I managed to record a Short-eared Owl heading east over the paddocks which is no (105) for the year, the female Peregrine was also pigeon hunting around the paddocks to which she made another successful kill. Also noted was 1 Firecrest, 6 Swallows north, 7 Chiffchaffs, 4 Bramblings, 50 Redwings, 1 Fieldfare, 12 Goldcrests, 153 Goldfinches, 7 Chaffinches, 10 Meadow Pipits, 1 Reed Bunting north, 3 Sparrowhawks, (1 bird eating a Song Thrush), 1 Kestrel, 2 Linnets, 2 Pied Wagtails, 1,000 Wood Pigeons, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers and 2 Green Woodpeckers.

Wednesday 13th October

I was in meetings for most of the day so didn't get to the patch until 4pm, I covered the area until the light eventually got the better of me, highlights were 1 Firecrest, 16 Bramblings north, 60 Redwings, 7 Chiffchaffs, 7 Chaffinches, 40 Meadow Pipits, 10 Goldcrests, 2 Sparrowhawks, 2 Goldfinches and 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers.

Tuesday 12th October

I covered the area from 9:15 - 11:30am, and due to other commitments out of town couldn't return back today, a little bit unfortunate as there was a few birds stationary and on the move. Before I display today's sightings I must thank Craig for the text regarding the Pallas's Warblers at Pegwell I will certainly be down tomorrow if they hang around. Birds noted this morning within the time period shown included 1 Ring Ouzel north, 12 Fieldfares, 4 Bramblings, 260 Redwings, 4 Siskins, 10 Goldcrests, 7 Swallows, 4 Chiffchaffs, 70 Chaffinches, 2 Reed Buntings north, 1 Grey Wagtail, 8 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Pied Wagtails, 2 Sparrowhawks, 50 Meadow Pipits, 45 Skylarks, 13 Jays, 1 Kestrel, 2 Linnets, 3 Jackdaws, 50 Starlings, 500 Wood Pigeons and 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull.

Monday 11th October

Brambling

So far, this autumn has been excellent and has certainly made up for a fairly poor spring (well rarity wise anyway), I started off at 7:00am, and had to finish at 10:30am due to a meeting but as soon as I arrived it was pretty much buzzing with activity, I got back for a couple of hours this afternoon and between the two managed a total of 46 species. The best bird of the day was a Hooded Crow (104) which headed east over the allotments at 7:30am, a very smart bird well I think so anyway, and the last record was of 2 birds in July of all months, several years ago. But I do remember my first Hooded Crow very well way back when I first started watching this place when it was present in a garden opposite the main cemetery entrance for about 2 days frequently sitting on the occupants roof before moving off into nearby fields. The rest of the bits today were also good with 4 Ring Ouzels north, 1 Firecrest, 15 Sparrowhawks including 4 birds that I flushed from under some sycamores presumably sheltering from the strengthening winds, amazing sight even so, 34 Bramblings, a new record 15 Reed Buntings, 127 Redwings, 4 Fieldfares, 9 Siskins, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Grey Wagtails, 13 Chaffinches, 4 Chiffchaffs, 10 Goldcrests, 43 Goldfinches, 1,000 Starlings, 20 Meadow Pipits, 10 Skylarks, 85 Ring-necked Parakeets, 11 alba Wagtails north, 4 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 15 Grey Partridges, 2 Corn Buntings, 1 Rook, 3 Jackdaws, 30 Song Thrushes and 1 Grey Heron west.

Sunday 10th October

There was no sign as far as I know of the Dusky or Yellow-browed Warbler today, but there was certainly an overnight clear out of the smaller birds with less Goldcrests and Chiffchaffs. Barry Wright and Jeremy came down for a visit this morning and along with Dave Gilbert saw a ring-tailed Hen Harrier which was actually on the ground being mobbed by a few magpies, a shock to all I would expect to see something of that quality sitting behind a gravestone, obviously a tied bird but when spotted it soon headed off. Barry also found a fly over Yellowhammer a good bird for the site, I haven't seen one here for a few years and I do believe this is only the 3rd record for the cemetery. I eventually arrived on site at 9:30am, unfortunately missing the ring-tail but when Dave and I did wander round for 3 hours we did record 1 Firecrest, 5-600 Redwings mainly heading west, 1 Whinchat, 10 Bramblings, 5 Siskins, 1 Grey Wagtail west, 30 Chaffinches, 2 Reed Buntings, 15 Goldfinches, 3 Linnets, 1 Pied Wagtail, 40 Song Thrushes, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 3 Meadow Pipits, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 60 Starlings and 10 Skylarks.

Saturday 9th October

I have finally got home at 11:25pm, after a night out with friends to up date the website, it has certainly been a busy day and after the mist had just about cleared I started off birding at 7:50am, it looked like it could be very promising as last night it seemed like hundreds of Redwings were passing over the house from about 9pm - midnight at least, so I was looking forward to getting to the patch, the day started off well with a Ring Ouzel in the garden of rest, followed shortly after by a very elusive Yellow-browed Warbler which called on a few occasions but was extremely mobile around the cemo, from then on the day got better, I met up with Dave Gilbert at 9:00am, and straight away we both saw a small Phyllosc type warbler in some sycamores by the 2 chapels, at first it was a bit on the skulking side but eventually the bird came out in the open and our initial thoughts were confirmed when a very obliging DUSKY WARBLER showed a few feet away for about 2-3 minutes, it then showed on and off till 9:30am at least when I had to leave for parental duties, but Dave stayed behind and once again saw the bird very well on and off for a further 30 minutes, it was then lost to view but after a wander round he managed to relocate it at 11:50am, briefly in the same position, I then met up with Dave at 1:30pm and we both saw the bird for 10 minutes but not after. This is the 2nd record for the cemetery and a great bird to which we will both certainly look for tomorrow. Due to the excitement not all areas were covered but also noted was 1 Firecrest, 1 Crossbill east, 18 White-Fronted Geese north/east, 30 Redwings, 5 Bramblings, 1 Fieldfare, 10 Siskins, 7 Goldcrests, 20 Chaffinches, 11 Jays, 10 Lapwings, 4 Chiffchaffs, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers and 2 Green Woodpeckers. The day finished well when Dave and I watched my local team Margate beat Horsham 6-1 at Hartsdown Park.

Friday 8th October

As soon as I entered the cemetery this morning I found a Firecrest, followed soon after by 4 Siskins, but the best was to come, which also became my 100th bird species this year in the recording area. I was watching several Goldcrests and 10 Long-tailed Tits when I heard a very vocal Yellow-browed Warbler in with them, the bird continued to call and show on several occasions when it eventually followed the mobile flock around, other bits around included 10 Wheatears, 1 Whinchat, 1 Grey Wagtail west, 1 Peregrine east, 32 Grey Partridges, 2 Reed Buntings, 92 Linnets, 22 Goldfinches, 3 Chiffchaffs, 10 Meadow Pipits, 20 Skylarks, 4 Jackdaws, 10 Chaffinches, 4 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 16 Starlings and 1 alba Wagtail north. Away from the patch Dave Gilbert and I went over to see the Great Grey Shrike in Ramsgate this evening which showed very well on and off, also seen was a Tree Pipit heading south and several Redwings.

Thursday 7th October

I watched the recording area from 9:00am - 1pm, which was pretty good with a very respectable 44 species seen, within this was a record total for the site of 9 Reed Buntings eight of which came out of the same bit of hawthorn, there was also a few bits moving through. today's totals were: 1 Ring Ouzel south, 1 Hobby west, 4 Wheatears, 2 Redpolls east, 4 Chiffchaffs, 16 Siskins west, 2 Grey Wagtails north, 2 Bramblings, 6 Swallows west, 16 Chaffinches, 2 Redwings, 103 Linnets, 5 Goldcrests, 2 Grey Partridges, 43 Meadow Pipits, 35 Skylarks, 370 Starlings west, 5 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Kestrels, 10 Pied Wagtails, 1 Sparrowhawk, 8 Jackdaws north, 3 Goldfinches, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 300 Wood Pigeons, 8 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Rook and 10 House Sparrows with the latter being seen for the first time in a number of days.

Wednesday 6th October

Goldfinch

I covered the area from 9:00 - 11:30am, and dodging the heavy showers was certainly the name of the game, but once they had disappeared there was a few birds to be seen this included 3 Wheatears in the paddocks, and a female Peregrine over the allotments, others noted were 48 Goldfinches, 12 Pied Wagtails, 3 Goldcrests, 4 Chaffinches, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 5 Meadow Pipits, 5 Skylarks, 5 Linnets, 1 Kestrel, 50 Black-headed Gulls, 3 Common Gulls, 150 Herring Gulls, 400 Wood Pigeons and 15 Song Thrushes. There was also a few bits passing through with a total of 38 Siskins south, with 7 Redwings, 18 Swallows, 20 House Martins, 1 Reed Bunting and 5 Great Spotted Woodpeckers heading west.

Monday 4th October

Due to a busy morning at home I couldn't get to the patch until 1:00pm, last nights weather must of been promising as by first light the wind for a little while had swung round to a light northerly, along with overnight rain it may of been a good morning to be out. I was certainly Itching to get over to the patch and when I finally arrived it did seem pretty busy with a Ring Ouzel near the paddocks, followed by 5 Bramblings which headed east. I had to leave by 2:30pm, so in this time I also recorded 40 Chaffinches, 10 Goldcrests, 1 Reed Bunting, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Blackcap, 1 Redwing, 75 Skylarks west, 45 Linnets, 3 Meadow Pipits, 1 Goldfinch and 13 Pied Wagtails.

Sunday 3rd October

Brambling

It's certainly very hard work birding in these strong southerly winds, and once again not surprisingly it remained very quiet, probably the most interesting was a total of 4 Reed Buntings in the paddocks, joined soon after by a female Peregrine. Other bits included 1 Brambling, 4 Chiffchaffs, 5 Goldcrests, 1 Redwing, 27 Chaffinches, 1 Blackcap and 1 Green Woodpecker.

Saturday 2nd October

There was a little bit more going on this morning with a slight increase of 10 Goldcrests and 10 Siskins, but again generally quiet, others noted were 1 Brambling, 1 Blackcap, 20 Blackbirds, 4 Chiffchaffs, 5 Chaffinches, 3 Meadow Pipits, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers and 2 Green Woodpeckers.

Friday 1st October

Surprisingly it was extremely quiet in the 2 hours I was out today, best of the highlights was 1 Brambling, 3 Swallows, 4 Redwings, 4 Siskins, 4 Goldcrests, 4 Chaffinches, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers and 2 Green Woodpeckers.

2010-09-30T22:10:00.000-07:00

Thursday 30th September

Chiffchaff

The last day of the month felt very quiet but in fact it was quite the opposite and produced a total of 42 species, I covered the site from 6:30 - 10:50am, which produced a new arrival of 6 Wheatears and 1 Yellow Wagtail in the paddocks, apart from that it was pretty much the same as the previous couple of days, other bits noted today were 1 Brambling, 1 Whitethroat, 9 Chiffchaffs, 6 Blackcaps, 6 Redwings, 6 Siskins, 6 Swallows, 27 Chaffinches, 26 Linnets, 16 Meadow Pipits, 13 Goldfinches, 4 Sparrowhawks north, 24 Song Thrushes, 4 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Green Woodpecker, 60 Starlings west, 9 Skylarks, 3 Pied Wagtails, 3 Jackdaws, 1 Kestrel, 47 Ring-necked Parakeets and 200 Herring Gulls passing through.

Wednesday 29th September

Due to a very busy day I didn't get over to the patch until 3:40pm, and had to depart once again by 4:35pm, so with very little time for a proper watch I concentrated my efforts purely around the cemetery, this in turn wasn't to bad with a Ring Ouzel present near the paddocks, and a good overhead movement of 500 Swallows which were mainly heading in a northerly direction. Other bits included 73 Chaffinches west, 1 Brambling, 3 Siskins, 4 Redwings, 4 Goldcrests, just 1 House Martin, 6 Golden Plovers south, 20 Song Thrushes, 2 Linnets and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Tuesday 28th September

Ring Ouzel

I couldn't get out when I wanted to at first light so had to settle for a 9:00am start, by this time I had probably missed a few things going through but I suppose what you don't know about you don't miss, anyway like yesterday there was a few bits on the move including 4 Pink-footed Geese that headed north late morning, also thrushes which were still going through when I had to leave at 11:20am, and included 77 Song Thrushes and 3 Ring Ouzels which stayed around a little while before heading off south/east. Other bits around were 1 Hobby north, 10 Bramblings, 30 Siskins, 60 Redwings mainly heading west, 10 Chiffchaffs, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Grey Heron south, 7 Chaffinches, 4 Goldcrests, 27 Meadow Pipits, 4 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 10 Linnets, 7 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Pied Wagtail, 15 Starlings, 20 Crows, 200+ Wood Pigeons, 1 Goldfinch, 5 Jays and 1 Rook.

Monday 27th September

Pied Flycatcher

I couldn't wait to get back on to the patch this morning especially after yesterday's not so desirable weather, I covered the area between 7:00 - 11:20am, and was pretty good with a very respectable total of 47 species seen. There was a very light northerly wind which certainly contributed to a busy start, best bird of the day was my second Richard's Pipit for the autumn which was heard calling and then seen heading west over the crematorium at 7:35am, it was followed soon after by the first of 5 Bramblings also 18 Redwings and 17 Siskins, there was certainly a slight movement of thrushes taking place which included 32 Song Thrushes and 33 Blackbirds with my first Ring Ouzel of the autumn also seen. It's a shame I had to leave so early as it looked more promising, but the rest of the birds noted during that time were 1 Pied Flycatcher, 14 Chiffchaffs, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Whitethroat, 5 Blackcaps, 141 House Martins, 17 Swallows, 4 Goldcrests, 300 Golden Plovers south, 9 Grey Partridges, 5 Chaffinches, 37 Meadow Pipits, 21 Skylarks, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 120 Starlings west, 10 Goldfinches, 17 Linnets, 4 Rooks, 4 Jackdaws, 29 Magpies, 2 Cormorants north, 35 Ring-necked Parakeets, 2 Pied Wagtails, 1 Common Gull, 70 Black-headed Gulls and 2 Long-tailed Tits.

Saturday 25th September

I had a good look round for the Wryneck but without any joy, but to be honest it was pretty difficult walking round in a blustery north/westerly wind. Highlights today included 2 Redwings which were the first birds this autumn, and a total of 21 Pink-footed Geese that headed west early afternoon. Other bits noted were 20 Chiffchaffs, 3 Blackcaps, 4 Goldcrests, 3 Swallows, 3 Sparrowhawks, 1 Chaffinch, 1 Kestrel and 1 Green Woodpecker.

Friday 24th September

Star bird of the day was a Wryneck a good old favourite of mine which I managed to flush late afternoon from one of the allotments, it then briefly sat on some nearby bramble before disappearing low down, unfortunately soon after the heavens opened so I couldn't spend much more time looking for it, but will certainly give it another good go tomorrow. This is the 18th bird for the area that I have found, and the 20th overall. Apart from that excitement it was fairly quiet, others that were noted included 14 Chiffchaffs, 3 Blackcaps, 3 Goldcrests, 1 Sparrowhawk and 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers.

Tuesday 21st September

Today was very slow but eventually picked up and produced 2 Hobbies heading east, 2 Wheatears, 6 Blackcaps, 6 Chiffchaffs, 110 Linnets, 14 Meadow Pipits, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker and 1 Kestrel.

Monday 20th September

There was very little vis-mig taking place today, and even wandering around the most sheltered areas was a little difficult in blustery westerly winds, even so there was still a few varieties to be seen including 25 Chiffchaffs, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 12 Blackcaps, 9 Swallows, 32 House Martins, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Goldcrests, 6 Sparrowhawks, 1 Snipe west, 46 Golden Plovers east, 4 Jackdaws, 10 Rooks, 4 Long-tailed Tits, 15 Blue Tits, 29 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Kestrel, 5 Meadow Pipits, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Linnets and 1 Pied Wagtail.

Saturday 18th September

I met up with Dave Gilbert this morning and together we covered the area in glorious sunshine, between us we recorded 22 Chiffchaffs, 12 Blackcaps, 1 Reed Warbler, 6 Sparrowhawks, 1 Peregrine east, 1 Chaffinch, 6 Meadow Pipits, 3 Goldcrests, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Green Woodpecker, 20 Blue Tits, 6 Linnets and 2 Kestrels.

Friday 17th September (Private Site)

I relocated what I presume was the White Stork that I had on Wednesday over Margate Cemetery, I contacted Dave Gilbert who also came over to see the bird to which it showed extremely well for the duration we was there, the bird was a juvenile and un-ringed it was also quite approachable like they are in Eastern Europe but also quite wary, even so it was certainly a superb bird to see, below are some record shots that I took on the day.

White Stork

Friday 17th September

Many apologies to my readers for the lack of recent sightings as during the week I have felt like death with a nasty head cold, and although I did a couple of hours on Tuesday 14th and Wednesday the 15th today was my first proper watch since Sunday, and I didn't even have the energy to up date the site (which I will do now). Anyway after all that today was pretty quiet but there was still a few bits around including 1 Firecrest, 1 Hobby, 1 Whitethroat, 9 Blackcaps, 12 Chiffchaffs, 5 Swallows, 6 Goldcrests, 13 Meadow Pipits, 2 Kestrels, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker and 1 Green Woodpecker.

Wednesday 15th September

I covered the site for a couple of hours which at first seemed to be a waste of time in horrible westerly winds, in the first hour I recorded just 1 Swift, 1 Blackcap, 3 Swallows, 1 Grey Partridge, 1 Kestrel, 30 Linnets and 3 Meadow Pipits but all was to change as I was just leaving the site an hour later at 5:45pm, when about 50 gulls went completely mad over the main entrance, when I looked up they were mobbing a WHITE STORK, and although this was going on the bird was still happy to soar overhead and this remained the case for a further 5 minutes, it then slowly headed off to which I manged to follow the bird as it moved in a south/westerly direction and eventually out of site in heavy cloud cover, this is the 4th record for the area and my first autumn bird here, it just goes to show never give up on patch watching even if it seems it could be a bad day, as the rewards will eventually come.

Tuesday 14th September

There was a few varieties around but nothing in any great numbers, birds noted were 2 Sand Martins south, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Grey Wagtail, 7 Chiffchaffs, 5 Blackcaps, 1 Whitethroat, 6 Swallows, 6 House Martins, 2 Goldcrests, 6 Grey Partridges, 4 Linnets, 1 Kestrel, 32 Crows, 2 Meadow Pipits, 1 Green Woodpecker and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Sunday 12th September

Goldcrest

There was a few bits around today but in general it was fairly quiet, most of the birds seen yesterday had cleared out and replaced by 7 Whinchats and 2 Spotted Flycatchers by the paddocks, with the first autumn Chaffinch and 3 Goldcrests. Other bits included 3-4 Chiffchaffs, 4 Blackcaps, 10 Rooks, 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Kestrel, 10 Meadow Pipits, 4 Skylarks and just 5 Linnets.

Saturday 11th September

Reed Warbler

I was out for a few hours this morning but had to leave by 10am, it certainly turned out to be quite productive and surprisingly the first bird I saw was a Little Egret which headed south over the garden of rest, but without a doubt the best bird of the day was a Spotted Redshank (new bird for the site), which was originally heard calling over the crematorium and was then seen as it headed off in a westerly direction. Another new year tick for the area was a Reed Warbler in the allotments which also held most of the 7 Blackcaps, 10 Chiffchaffs and a Whitethroat. Other highlights included 1 Pied Flycatcher, 1 Redstart, 2 Firecrests, 1 Grey Wagtail east, 7 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Sand Martin, 20 Swallows, 115 House Martins, 15 Linnets, 15 Meadow Pipits, 3 Sparrowhawks, 1 Kestrel, 178 Ring-necked Parakeets, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 20 Starlings, 4 Jackdaws, 1 Goldfinch and 1 Long-tailed Tit.

Friday 10th September

I watched the area for most of the day but on the whole it was pretty quiet, birds of note included the first Firecrest of the autumn, and a Siskin which headed west. There was a Peregrine Falcon sitting on pylons by the paddocks with the latter holding 4 Wheatears, just 10 Swallows and 7 House Martins. Also around the area was 5 Blackcaps, 5 Whitethroats, 4 Chiffchaffs, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 15 Linnets, 7 Meadow Pipits, 1 Sparrowhawk and 2 Kestrels. Dave Gilbert and I had a wander over to Grove Ferry tonight at 6:30pm, to see the Wilson's Phalarope which eventually showed at 7:15pm, from the ramp.

Thursday 9th September

Spotted Flycatcher

Yet another late afternoon visit in sunshine and showers which produced 2 Spotted Flycatchers, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Blackcaps, 2 Chiffchaffs, 10 Meadow Pipits, 3 Grey Partridges, 7 Swallows, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Lapwing and 1 Kestrel.

Wednesday 8th September

I went out after the heavy rain had cleared but it produced very little, at best was 1 Whinchat, 1 Yellow Wagtail and 20 Swallows, although to be fair most of the cemetery, paddocks and allotments were not properly covered.

Tuesday 7th September

Another late afternoon visit which included 1 Tree Pipit heading east, 8 Whinchats, 12 Wheatears, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 100 Swallows, 4 Blackcaps, 1 Chiffchaff and 1 Green Woodpecker.

Monday 6th September

It was a little difficult today in windy conditions but it did produce 1 Marsh Harrier heading west at 12:30pm, with a nice little total of 15 Whinchats and 20 Wheatears, but that was pretty much it in a fairly quiet day, others of note were 1 Yellow Wagtail and 40 Swallows with the sheltered areas holding just 2 Blackcaps and 1 Whitethroat.

Saturday 4th September

I couldn't do much birding this weekend due to a friend's wedding in Maidstone, I did manage a few hours this morning which produced 1 Redstart, 4 Whinchats, 4 Wheatears, 12 Blackcaps, 3 Whitethroats, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker and a Grey Heron which headed east.

Friday 3rd September

Today produced my first Redstart of the year there was also 8 Whinchats, 6 Wheatears, 4 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Blackcaps, 2 Whitethroats and 4 Swallows.

Thursday 2nd September

Another late afternoon session which produced 3 Whinchats and 1 Peregrine which was hunting over the paddocks, there was also a very good total of 29 Grey Partridges in field next to the paddocks and 39 Lapwings which headed east over the garden of rest.

Wednesday 1st September

Just a late afternoon session which was very quiet, I had a good look round for Yesterday's Richard Pipit but with no joy, birds of note today included 5 Wheatears, 3 Blackcaps and just 2 Whitethroats.

2010-08-31T20:35:00.000-07:00

Tuesday 31st August

Wheatear

They say that football can be a game of two half's well I think this also applies to birding, I like to blitz this place as much as I can during the busier times of the year, as I've learnt in the past so much can change within a few hours or even minutes. Due to work commitments the morning session only lasted a couple of hours between 6:20 - 8:20am, and to be honest it felt very quiet pretty much everywhere, the main highlights were 1 Tree Pipit, 12 Blackcaps, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Whitethroats, 6 Willow Warblers, 4 Chiffchaffs, 70 Linnets, 1 Green Woodpecker, 12 Swallows, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrels, 55 Ring-necked Parakeets and 25 Black-headed Gulls, but as the weather was improving all the time I couldn't wait to get back.

After work the afternoon session started off at 3:45 - 5:00pm, which was excellent and such a difference from this morning, it only took until 4pm, till the first good bird off autumn arrived, I was by the horse paddocks watching 2 Hobby's chasing Swallows when all of a sudden a Richard's Pipit came out of an area of long grass, it was then spooked by a horse and flew off high in a westerly direction constantly calling as it went, I do believe this is my 4th record for the site. After that the rest off the day just got better with a new fresh arrival of 6 Whinchats, 4 Wheatears, 3 Yellow Wagtails and 40 Swallows. At 4:35pm the gulls went a bit mad over the paddocks and when looking up the first of 2 Common Buzzards for the autumn were seen heading slowly east, a great end to the day just a shame I couldn't have been there for the rest of it.

Of interest an orange colour ringed Herring Gull was in the paddocks this afternoon but I couldn't get close to the bird for a photo.

Monday 30th August

A very difficult morning in blustery conditions so it was hard to say what was actually around but it did produce a Pied Flycatcher sheltering from the wind, also 1 Hobby, 5 Blackcaps, 3 Whitethroats, 15 Swallows, 5 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Sparrowhawks and 10 Ring-necked Parakeets.

Sunday 29th August

I could only manage a very quick hour walk round today so the best of the bunch was 1 Whinchat, 8 Yellow Wagtails, 10 Swallows and 2 Green Woodpeckers with singles of Chiffchaff and Blackcap.

Saturday 28th August

Pied Flycatcher

Spotted Flycatcher

Today's list included a total of 41 species including 2 Whinchats which were new for the year but unfortunately it didn't start off that well. When I arrived outside the main cemetery entrance lying by the kerb was a Spotted Flycatcher which to be honest didn't look in great condition, when approaching the bird it was pretty obvious that it had suffered damage to it's right wing and struggled to fly anywhere, shortly after I decided to take the bird to the vets where on examination it had suffered a broken wing, sadly I don't need to say anymore to the overall outcome, but in my own mind at least it was put out of its misery rather than suffer in another way. Soon after the Spotted Flycatcher was seen a Marsh Harrier headed north over the main entrance which contributed to a good day amongst the commoner migrants. Also noted was 2 Pied Flycatchers (including 1 ringed bird), 1 Sedge Warbler, 5 Lesser Whitethroats, 8 Whitethroats, 8 Blackcaps, 3 Willow Warblers, 4 Chiffchaffs, 1 Wheatear, 2 Swifts, 20 Swallows, 2 House Martins, 2 Curlews north, 2 Sparrowhawks, 20 Ring-necked Parakeets, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 20 Linnets, 1 Common Gull, 3 Long-tailed Tits and a single Goldfinch.

Wednesday 25th August

There was a slight change from yesterday with 6 Willow Warblers added to the total and 100 Swallows, also noted was 4 Lesser Whitethroats, 12 Whitethroats, 8 Blackcaps, 3 Chiffchaffs, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 5 Green Woodpeckers, 30 Linnets, 17 Ring-necked Parakeets, 5 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Sparrowhawks, 2 Kestrels, 100 Herring Gulls and 31 Crows.

Tuesday 24th August

Bird wise there was certainly a slight improvement on Sunday's performance, more than I can say for watching Liverpool's effort at Manchester City last night I wonder if they really do have the quality to win the Premiership, anyway today's highlights on the patch were 4 Lesser Whitethroats, 10 Blackcaps, 10 Whitethroats, 2 Chiffchaffs, 7 Swallows, 3 House Martins, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 40 Linnets, 4 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel and 40 Ring-necked Parakeets.

Sunday 22nd August

Dave Gilbert and I covered the area today but it was extremely quiet, at best was a Peregrine Falcon over the paddocks, 1 Willow Warbler, 40 Swallows, 40 Linnets, 2 House Martins and 1 Chiffchaff.

Friday 20th August

There was certainly a clear out of birds today, new overnight arrivals included 1 Garden Warbler with the rest being pretty much the same, others noted were 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Blackcaps, 5 Whitethroats, 3 Willow Warblers, 3 Chiffchaffs, 7 Swallows, 4 House Martins, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 15 Linnets, 1 Sparrowhawk, 72 Ring-necked Parakeets and 2 Common Gulls.

Thursday 19th August

Wryneck

Like many birder's I can't wait till the autumn gets underway, and one of the challenges I love is to hopefully find this beauty the Wryneck one bird I certainly do enjoy watching, I have managed to find 17 birds on the patch since 1991, with a record total of 4 birds in 2006. In 2002 a bird was present for a record 29 days from the 13th September to 11th October, there has only ever been 1 spring record, with the latest autumn departure date being the 23rd October so lets hope another can be found this year.
Today was the best so far this autumn with a few different varieties seen, the day started off well with the first bird being a Pied Flycatcher no (91) for the year, followed shortly after by 3 Whimbrels which headed north/west. In total I spent several hours thrashing out all the area which also included 1 Tree Pipit east, 1 Peregrine west, 1 Hobby, 1 Cuckoo (now a very scarce bird here in autumn), 1 Sand Martin, 1 Wheatear, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 6 Willow Warblers, 13 Whitethroats, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 45 Swallows, 3 Swifts, 30 House Martins, 7 Blackcaps, 3 Sparrowhawks, 1 Kestrel, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 15 Linnets, 109 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Goldfinch and 150 Wood Pigeons.

Wednesday 18th August

Once again today I could only manage an hour between 5-6pm, which produced 1 Sand Martin, 1 Tree Pipit, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Blackcaps, 5 Whitethroats, 1 Chiffchaff, 7 House Martins, 13 Swallows and 3 Sparrowhawks.

Tuesday 17th August

I only had an hour spare this morning this in turn produced the first Tree Pipit of the year, also present were 2 Willow Warblers, 5 Whitethroats and a single Chiffchaff.

Sunday 15th August

I went out for a few hours this morning in rather windy conditions, it was certainly hard work doing the patch but it did produce 5 Wheatears in the paddocks, 3 Blackcaps, 5 Whitethroats, 4 Green Woodpeckers, 10 Linnets, 20 Mistle Thrushes, 2 Rooks, 10 Swallows, 1 Corn Bunting, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 House Martins, 1 Kestrel and 10 Lesser Black-backed Gulls.

Saturday 14th August

Of interest whilst shopping in Sainsbury's today there was 2 Pied Flycatchers in the car park.

Wednesday 11th August

The morning produced 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 1 Garden Warbler, 8 Willow Warblers, 10 Whitethroats, 5 Blackcaps, 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 88 Ring-necked Parakeets, 1 Swallow, 10 Linnets, 6 Rooks, 15 Magpies and 1 Kestrel.

Tuesday 10th August

Today's sightings included a total of 227 Ring-necked Parakeets many of the birds heading north, there was also a trickle of warblers including 10 Whitethroats, 4 Willow Warblers and 6 Blackcaps. Others recorded were 4 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 6 Rooks, 1 Sparrowhawk, 8 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 200 Wood Pigeons.

Monday 9th August

Juvenile Green Woodpecker

It was another pleasant walk round today with a few birds to go with it, the main highlight was another adult Mediterranean Gull which headed east over the garden of rest, there was also a nice selection of warblers flitting around the bushes which included 1 Sedge Warbler, 4 Garden Warblers, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 12 Willow Warblers, 20 Whitethroats and 7 Blackcaps. Others noted were 9 Swallows, 64 Ring-necked Parakeets, 13 Linnets, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 2 Jackdaws and 2 Long-tailed Tits.

Sunday 8th August

I had family visiting today so I didn't have time to complete the whole circuit, in the little time I had my efforts were concentrated around the paddocks, this in turn produced my first juvenile Wheatear of the autumn, followed by a Golden Plover which was seen heading east over the garden of rest.

Saturday 7th August

Myna bird sp

Today was certainly interesting, I started off a little later than usual at 8:40am, after a long spell of heavy showers delayed proceedings, when arriving it was fairly busy with a few warblers flitting around the area but very little moving overhead. When entering the allotments the first decent bird noted was a Sedge Warbler no (89) for the year, followed by 1 Garden Warbler and 1 Lesser Whitethroat, there was also a total of 20 Whitethroats, 11 Willow Warblers and 6 Blackcaps scattered around the area, but probably the most interesting of species was seen when entering the garden of rest. A strange like call was frequently heard in trees near the paddocks a bit similar to a Green Woodpecker with a sore throat, but what it was I had not a clue. After a couple of minutes the bird showed itself as either a Jungle or White-vented Myna, a rather classy bird especially in flight with its prominent white wing bars, although it will never get on the British list it was certainly an interesting spectacle watching this bird flying around even if it had the disapproval of the local Blackbirds. I watched the bird on and off for about 10 minutes before it eventually disappeared further into the cemo sheltering from the next heavy downpour. Other bits today included 18 Swifts, 2 House Martins, 10 Linnets, 4 Ring-necked Parakeets, 4 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers and 2 Goldfinches.

Friday 6th August

I could only cover the patch early morning for a couple of hours, it seemed quite busy within that time and there was a few bits around including 1 Garden Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 18 Whitethroats, 7 Willow Warblers, 6 Blackcaps, 7 Swallows, 103 Ring-necked Parakeets, 4 Lapwings, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 4 Green Woodpeckers, 18 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 11 Linnets, 1 Sparrowhawk and 1 Pied Wagtail.

Thursday 5th August

The strangest record today was a Redshank which was originally heard calling and then seen heading west over the crematorium, apart from that it was pretty much business as usual on a quiet session with 8 Willow Warblers, 10 Whitethroats, 2 Blackcaps, 84 Ring-necked Parakeets, 4 Green Woodpeckers, 3 Kestrels, 8 Rooks, 10 Linnets and 2 Goldfinches.

Wednesday 4th August

The worst moment of the day was a rather unfortunate juvenile Green Woodpecker which got taken by a Sparrowhawk in the garden of rest, all the Woodpecker did was to land in a pine tree, but little did he know that one of his enemies was already there lying in wait for his breakfast. Within seconds the Sparrowhawk had the bird between its claws and off with its meal towards the rubbish dump. On a good note an adult Mediterranean Gull was seen heading east over the allotments which also held 1 Lesser Whitethroat and most of the 11 Whitethroats. Willow Warbler numbers were slightly down but still produced 8 birds, but at least 6 Blackcaps were around the site. Other bits today included 9 Swallows, 15 Linnets, 2 Rooks, 99 Ring-necked Parakeets, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Sparrowhawk, 70 Wood Pigeons and 30 Starlings.

Monday 2nd August

Star bird of the day without a doubt was a Wood Warbler a bird I haven't recorded here for a long time, in years gone by I used to get them on passage quite frequently but times have certainly changed and apart from today the last sighting was several years ago. A stunning bird which showed well between 7:35 - 7:40am, in a small woodland area before disappearing high up into the canopy. Dave Gilbert and I had another look tonight but without any joy, also today was the first Garden Warbler of the year. Other highlights included 14 Willow Warblers, 4 Blackcaps, 9 Whitethroats, 14 Swallows, 8 Swifts, 2 Cormorants (north), 6 Rooks, 82 Ring-necked Parakeets, 15 Linnets, 1 Goldfinch, 2 Lapwings (both juveniles in the paddocks), 30 Starlings, 7 Green Woodpeckers, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers and 170 Wood Pigeons.

Sunday 1st August

Dave Gilbert covered the recording area today which produced 1 Hobby, 12 Willow Warblers, 4 Whitethroats, 1 Blackcap, 13 Swifts and 40 Swallows.