Sunday 27.05.12 NHGP

A Fantastic sunny day so a early start to avoid the heat. The sunken marsh produced the first Turtle Dove of 2012 on the wires and purring away. A Fox was sunning himself on the far bank of the medway and on the return at the causeway path another Fox stepped out of the undergrowth in front of me with a full grown rabbit in his mouth. A few seconds where we both did not move then he scampered off into the undergrowth. On to Holborough where another two Turtle Doves could be heard but not seen. Area was full of Dog walkers all getting out before the sun got too hot. The Holborough stream looked very inviting for a paddle. Did not enter the marsh to check for Orchids but none could be seen from the path.

Monday 21.05.012 NHGP

1pm 3.30pm A Cloudy but reasonably warm day.

From Brooklands the river was very high so no waders Cetti's , Nightingales/Blackcaps , reed Warblers all in song and was happy to hear and see my First Sedge Warbler for NHGP in the sunken marsh.

A walk round Holborough Marsh gave great views of Dabchick with young 

Back via Brookhouse One Water Vole very active and at least 9 slow worms and one Newt 

 Buttercups and Forget me nots every where

Dropped into Lunsford House Lake on the way back hoping for Twayblades in Flower but no luck.

But a Hobby drooped in flew round the lake and out again. 

Saturday / Sunday 12/13.05.12 NHGP

Has summer arrived at last ???

Started at Castle lake area as was checking for nightingales for the survey with no luck.

Arrived at Brooklands to find Terry L , Martin's C & W so tagged along till midday. Highlight of the day was when Martin C called Yellow Wagtail and we all managed to see the bird fly over the sunken marsh. I believe that may be a first for me at NHGP. Over 50 species were picked up before I left including Buzzard/Hobby/Sparrowhawk/Kestrel/Peregrine. At the dyke at Brookhouse entrance a 3 foot plus Grass snake was seen in the dyke. along with Water Voles.
Sunday again started at Castle Lake again no Nightingales. On to Brookhouse hoping to get decent photos of Water Vole but though they were seen  posing for the camera is not one of their strong points. Afternoon stroll round Holborough but nothing new to the list. 

Tuesday 08 05 12 NHGP

6.30-9.00 Second round of the Nightingale Count with Phil . Arrived with overcast skies and rain so not too optimistic. Managed 15 Nightingales one less than previous count and mainly in the same ares as before. Brookhouse woods produced Garden Warbler first of the year. The mass of swallows  yesterday are now of House Martins.
A visit to Dungeness late pm gave Little Gull and Common Tern as new to Kent list. Amazing how many Hobbies there were around.

                                                                        Wild Garlic

                                                          Marsh marigold - Holborough

Sunday 06.05.12 NHGP

Bank Holiday Sunday is cold , wet ,cloudy so by 2 pm got stir crazy and ventured out despite of the weather.
Arrived at Brooklands to find hundreds of Swallows with a few House Martins and Swifts and a solitary Sand Martin skimming over the water , to stand on a fishing platform and watch all these flying around is mesmerising. They were joined by a Hobby for a few minutes before he moved to pastures new. Attempted to visit the bucket but found the Medway very high and the path to the bucket was under a few feet of river. Further along the path the river was still flowing into the marsh at the breach point. Here spotted  a Marsh Harrier pick some prey off a stick in the river and land on the far bank to eat his meal only to be harrassed by a Crow who eventually saw him off all down the river before returning with a grin of satisfaction.
Along the train path at Holborough looking into the marsh is a riot of yellow as the Marsh Marigolds are in flower.  Here 2 Cuckoos sat with a Linnet on a bush not calling and looking very bedraggled probably wondering why they did not stay on the Ivory Coast. From the hide 2 Redshanks were disturbed and then a couple of Lapwings followed by a Little Egret what predator did it I could not see. Water Rails were calling from the Reed bed possibly wondering where all the extra water had come from.
Bank holiday weather it may be but a great couple of hours.

Saturday 05.05.12 NHGP

After a week at work getting texts re wheatears/hobbies/whinchat at NHGP I decided an early morning visit in the rain had to be done. Visited only the East Scrub in the rain but found 2 wheatears without any issues, many Hirundines and nightingales singing every where . While watching what could have been a raven being mobbed by a crow a small raptor passed by probably a hobby. Rain stopped play .
Update
House hunting down at Dymchurch today and managed Purple Sandpiper from the groin in front of the Imperial at Hythe and returned via the Dungeness area added a Stunning pair of Whinchat and a Hobby over Arc.