12/10

A day of possible migration with low cloud and drizzle. A little owl in the usual place but since then the hole in the roof has been fixed so will it be seen again?
Ringed Ouzels had been reported but I was unabe to locate any.
On Scotney I saw a large group of watchers to be told an American Golden Plover was present but difficult to locate in the very large flock of Golden Plover so again I dipped.also present was Ringed Plover Barnacle Geese and a few blue phased Snow geese.Total a lowely 32 species

Sunday 14/9

A nice day dawned so decided to get out for the second time this week on the 10th went to visit friends on Sheppey and visited Oare on the way, with a very high tide Oare was spectacular with masses of birds on the marsh.
Leaving Home today decided to go to Dungeness via the back roads on the marsh behind our house. Within yards of leaving home noticed a bird sitting on the hedge top which turned out to be the above Whinchat. The first time I have ever managed to photo a Whinchat and the first sight of one this year.
Rest of the morning at Dungeness at Hanson Hide. Glossy Ibis was still present and an unusual visit of 2 Avocets on Cormorant Island There was a massive migration of Sand Martins. Total 34

Saturday 6/9

Finding the impetuous to get out birding lately has been difficult even though I have been well enough to get out.
Today was different being September the morning starting warm but misty and with low clouds and having a couple of hours to spare decided to check for migrants. The reserve had plenty of Spotted Flycatchers and at least 2 Pied Flycatchers also of note was Glossy Ibis , Willow Warblers,Blacknecked Grebes and masses of Sand Martins. Did not go down to the point but apparently   Wryneck was present and what we have been seeing many of over the last fortnight is Humming Bird Hawk Moths  when I purchased this house was told they visited the garden and this week was honoured with a visit from a solitary Hawk Moth for a while.Little Owls still at Caldicote Lane.

THURSDAY 29/5

                                                                           Little Owl
Updates
Due to current medical condition keeping up with the blog has been difficult/

23/5
Again around Dungeness 42 species no sign of anything good on hayfield 3 not even a Garganey  .
Amount of Hobbies was impressive.and one buzzard of note,without the scope could not confirm if Honey Buzzard..Little Owl showed well as it does nearly every visit. Understand it has 3 youngster now.

24/5
Dungeness again  now 44 species. Bird of the day had to be a very showy Peregrine Falcon

25/5 Dungeness again but duerto poor weather conditions did all watching from the car.species 31. Still nothing new for the bird list 2014

29/5 As a change and Baby sitting grandchildren as it is half term took my grandson round NHGP.
His count was 3 common lizards and 10 slow worms some very young. As I found it very difficult walking around did not do much . The amount of Nightingales signing was excellent and joined by 2 Blackcap.
Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker with Cettis and Cuckoos all heard but not seen. Whitethroat numbers down since this was my Patch.
Now all lakes belong to one fishing company the amount of stands and the abhorant adjoining "Car Park" must be having a severe impact as there is no OUT OF SEASON Fishing. I can only assume it is the fishermen who are deficating all over the Park..
No sighting of any Voles was also a dissapointment.

Important local news 4 Bee-eaters have for best part of a week being flying around the area even reported near home but mostly at Dungeness. Which answers any questions of why have I been out so many times lately. As you have probably guessed I have dipped on every occasion.

Tuesday 21/5

Another wonderful morning but after lunch managed to get Val to drive me out to the Kent end of Scotney. As is our luck before even getting to Dymchurch it started raining gentle at first but got harder later.
Remembered my scope for a change and managed Avocet and Little Ringed Plover to add to my list but unable to see Egyptian Goose.
Returning by a very wet Dengemarsh road the sight of close flying Hobbies (3) and a sky awash with swifts was worth getting wet for. Did not find any Marsh Harriers ( do they not like rain )
Species total 40.

FRIDAY 16/5

Another lovely day so decided to visit the whole of the reserve and persuaded David to join me. 9 am start  and watched the Little Owl at close range and of course the camera was in the boot. Straight onto the reserve hoping for Stilts or Flycatchers and a hopefull Purple Heron which was reported over Nickolls quarry flying towards Dungeness so a walk straight to the view mound.  All the usual species and at long last for me good views of the Bearded Tits A slow walk back had all the singing Cettis,Sedge and Reed Warblers and at the first hide as you enter the reserve a very obliging Lesser Whitethroat show very well just outside the hide.Of note was 2 Hobbies which were in sight most of the day. By one oclock I had had enough so we made our way to a Bistro for lunch . Late afternoon early evening did the walk from our house along the beach to Dymchurch and back not a single wader was sighted.
40 species was the total.

Various Dates Catch up

 Wednesday 16/4 (I think)

Phil Sharp came down to Dungeness and kindly invited me to join him on a trip around the reserve.42 species including Swallow,Common Tern,Sedge and Willow Warbler and very nice was a Booming Bittern.

Many thanks to Phil for putting up with my moaning and constant complaining about my situation.

17/4 a short walk round NHGP and added Blackcap also Slow Worms  and Water Vole

21/4 a quick drive round Dungeness gave up 22 species    

24/4 another trip round Dungeness and saw 47 species including my first Little Tern of the year.

5/5 33 species including a lovely Barn Owl 

7/5 21 birds

9/5 36 birds including a stunning male Garganey on  ARC

11/5 30 birds including my first House Martin 

12/5 42 birds including Ringed Plover and a Turtle Dove

13/5 a day out with Frank a walk along the Canal Path by the Zoo where we got caught in a rain and hail stone storm as it stopped we then went to Dungeness reserve where the rain started and did not stop so went home. Happy to find 4 Yellow Wagtails near Haguelands.

15/5 today a quick trip to Larkfield and got David to join me at NHGP for a short walk. Nightingales were singing every where , which I miss living down on the marsh