WEDNESDAY 30/9

Am managing to get out for a short time most days and yesterday 29/9 went to the reserve to see from the shop Great White Egret- Little Egret - Grey Heron and Cattle Egret.
30/9 managed Yellow wagtails all the feral geese and a good few Mipits. Birds of the day was Firecrest and Yellow Browed Warbler.

Wednesday 21/7

Dropped off at ARC Hanson Hide for 3 hours. 36 Species in total.
Excellent views of Little Stint and the whole time I was there a Little Gull was sitting on the water with 2 x 10 minute fly abouts. Many Sand Martins still on the move. Both Ringed and Little Ringed Plovers present. regrettanly no Megas so must try again tomorrow.

Sunday 19/7

With reports of White Winged Black Tern on Arc yesterday and the only other I have seen was in The Gambia I managed to get an early afternoon lift around the marsh. Started at the reserve to be informed that there was no sighting WWBT. But ever hopefull Val and  I still went to Hanson hide.
Excellent to see so many islands now and waders a plenty. Common and Green Sandpipers,Little and ringed Plovers,Godwits Dunlin. For my part there were a lot of Sand Martins which unbelievably is my first record for 2015. My next door neighbour has cut our boundary bush and we now have 2 baby Dunnocks wandering round the back garden I believe they have left the nest too early as they can not fly. But have managed to avoid local bird killers sorry Cats .Species 35

Friday 17/7

A shopping trip to Ashford was quicker than expected so returned via Orlestone Forest and came out without any sightimgs.On to Walland Marsh a view of a Marsh Harrier outside the pub was nice. Further along no sight of Tree Sparrows ,Then alongside the Lydd Model Areodrome, Val called Raptor and stopped the car, in the Adjacent field was a Juvenile Red Kite many attempts were made to catch prey but we saw no success before it left our sight.
We journied on to. Scotney hoping at last to see the Spoonbills again no luck  After that along Dengemarsh and Galloways .many Linnets but also Stonechats and Reed Buntings.
Then home with 33 species all seen from the car.
So a good afternoon

MONDAY 6TH JULY

Today managed to get a lift to North Kent and was very pleased to park in layby at Oare Marshes to find the Bonapartes Gull on the nearest island of mud where it stayed for at least half an hour before all birds were lifted by a noisy motorbike. Excellent views and is it the same bird coming back to Oare each year for its holidays. Only 32 species in the few hours which did include a Ring Necked Parakeet which are not present on the marsh.

Friday 19/06

Managing to get short or very short birding trips of late. And nothing exciting to report.Today returning late afternnoon we drove across the marsh. First stop was for 4 Turtle Doves which gave good views and music to our ears. Also there was Yellow Hammer /Skylark/Pheasant/Chaffinch and Swallows untill a Sparrow Hawk joined the party and ruined it as it sat on a nearby hedge.Further along added Reed & Sedge Warblers and Greenfinch. A good search for Tree Sparrows was fruitless. Parked at the side of the road listening when a small (young) Badger walked into the road in front of the car a mad rush for the camera before I remembeered it was at home.  We watched for a while at close range untill it saw us and rushed away up the road untill eventually going back into the Hedge.   I can not remember such close views. Futher up a Marsh Harrier was quartering a Potato field.. Passing the Chicken Farm the Little Owl was sitting on a large tank and kept his eyes on us untill it eventually flew. A very pleasant ride home.
Of note recently is the amount of Humming Bird Hawk Moths as yet none in my garden but babysitting at my daughters the other day there was a visit from at least one Moth if not more.

100 Thursday 02/04

When a lift offered to Dungeness and a pick up a few hours later was accepted as the weather was not too poor and there were no migrants on my list.
Yearly total is abysmal but as not driving any more it is to be expected.
Dropped off at Dengemarsh Road after not recording the little Owl the Hayfield held Little Egret Oystercatcher Widgeon Shelduck and Curlew. Walking round to the Hide all the usual Geese/Lapwing Swans and Little Grebe. Arriving at the crossroads outside the hide. A singing Sedge Warbler in a swarm of Insects was my first migrant and a welcome sight. Making 100 for 2015.Reed Bunting and Cettis were singing around the reserve Chiffchaff found on the rear track Main lake was quiet but Goldneye gadwall common gull chaffinch and Lesser Black backed Gull. The first calling Marsh  Frog was heard.