Two White-tailed Eagles flew over Bough Beech together on the 30th. After consulting the Roy Dennis Foundation they indicated that one was a female from the Isle of Wight introduction program born in 2021, but that the other was likely a true vragrant from the continent! Another intriguing rapter was a possible Pallid (or Montague's) Harrier high over Dungeness on the 27th. There also were a handful of Osprey crossing the county, with two past Bough Beech this week.
A male Ring Ouzel at Worth Marshes on the 30th was the first of the year. It was followed by another at Dungeness on 1 April. Willow Warblers arrived back, with the first on the 27th. Over 20 Wheatears on the beach at Dungeness was a nice arrival on the 26th, but other than that Spring migrants were quite sparse this week.
A Crane flew over Dungeness on the 26th, as did two Short-eared Owls on the 2nd. A White Stork was seen over Faversham on the 29th. Five Black-necked Grebes were on the ARC, Dungeness, from the 31st. The Red-flanked Bluetail was not reported this week, while the possible Central Asian Lesser Whitethroat that wintered in a garden in Lydd, turned out to be a normal Lesser Whitethroat following DNA analysis. A juvenile White-fronted Goose remained in the Otford area.
This is a new project which commences this year on April 1st, continuing until the end of June.
Birds in Greenspaces is a UK-wide citizen science survey of birds that use our public-access greenspaces. These spaces play many important roles for both birds and people, particularly in urban areas. For birds they offer resources and shelter that cannot be found in the surrounding built-up environment, and for people, are important hubs for socialising, exercise, and cultural activities. For many they are also the only accessible place to connect with the natural world, something which can be very beneficial for mental health.
Public access greenspaces include places like parks, cemeteries, and playing fields, to name a few, meaning a wide range of different habitat on offer. The way in which habitat is managed also varies, determining which birds (and how many of them) make use of these sites. If we can find out the importance of different greenspaces for birds, and people, we can use the findings to inform management guidance, so that decisions are made that benefit both.
The Kent Ornithological Society is supporting this survey and both the KOS and Kent BTO would like to see as many people as possible get involved and contribute data to the survey. It’s a very easy and simple survey to do and it’s hoped that experienced birders, as well as members of the public and less experienced birders, will pick a local greenspace in their neighbourhood to complete a visit or two (or more!). As well as improving our knowledge of how important these areas are for birds (urban greenspaces are generally poorly recorded) the survey represents a great opportunity to promote and recruit interest in counting birds. It also provides an opportunity for experienced birders to encourage and help other people they may meet who are also taking part, perhaps leading to new members of the KOS and/or the BTO – and maybe future BBS participants!
You don’t have to register for a given site, there are no limits to how many people can cover a given greenspace, how often visits are made, when the visits are made (as long as between April 1st and June 30th) or what time of day the surveys are done – although preferably in the morning when birds are more active. A very easy to use mobile phone app is available – just search “Birds in Greenspaces” and upload, but observations can also be entered online.
Anyone can take part in Birds in Greenspaces! From April to June, we will be asking you to record the birds in your local greenspace(s), or any other of your choice from the greenspaces UK map. By simply recording which greenspace you visited, how long you spent there, which birds you saw and how many, you will be contributing key data. Whatever your experience level, we will be offering a range of resources to help you to take part and build your skills.
We will be offering recording options that are accessible to everyone, with thousands of survey sites in cities, towns and villages across the UK. We want this project to engage all groups and organisations, not just those with a background in natural history. So, if you’re a member of or involved with a group, club or community that uses a particular greenspace that you know or visit, please pass on details of this survey and encourage their participation.
You can sign up for the monthly newsletter via this link to stay up to date with how the survey is progressing.
The Red-flanked Bluetail at Crockham Hill was seen regularly this week, but the Pallas's Warbler was not reported. A single Shore Lark was again reported from Cliffe on the 21st. Another Black Kite, possibly the same bird as last week, was reported, this time over Tenderden on the 20th. But perhaps the rarest sighting was a Marsh Tit caught and ringed at Sandwich Bay, the first in the area for 30 years.
The Red-necked Grebe remained on view at Tankerton all week, with Great Northern Diver, Black-throated Diver and several Merganser also present on some days. A Little Stint was at Worth Marshes on the 25th, while the Iceland Gull was again seen there on Minnis Flood on the 20th and 22nd. One Greater Scaup remained on Alpha Pool, Cliffe, but the Ruddy Duck was not reported this week. Black-necked Grebes were on ARC (2) and Lade Pits in the Dungeness area.There were good numbers of White Wagtail and Black Redstarts seen.
A nice varied week in Kent birding. Sea-watching picked up, with particularly Dungeness having a good day on the 17th. Good numbers of Pintail (308) and Brent Goose (2708) were seen, but the best were a female Smew (rare in the county these days and even rarer on sea-watches) and a Long-tailed Duck. A Black-throated Diver in full summer plumage was also a nice sighting that day. A group of 7 Black-necked Grebe drifting past the sea-watch hide on the 15th was another highlight this week. The north coast was a bit quieter with the main sightings a Great Northern Diver at North Foreland on the 15th and a Red-necked Grebe at Swalecliffe/Tankerton on the 18th and 19th.
The March edition of the KOS newsletter is now available for members (remember to log in) from Publications >> Newsletters. This edition contains a history of the demise of Willow Tits in the county courtesy of Andrew Henderson, a review of recent sightings, an obituary for long term KOS member John Tilbrook and a discussion on 'Spark' birds.
The best bird of the week was a Little Bunting that was seen by one of the locals at North Foreland for a few minutes in the early morning of the 12th. There have been less than 20 records of this species before in the county. A pair of Gargeney at Oare Marshes on the 10th were the first of the year, which is exactly on the typcial date over recent years. The first Osrpey of the season flew over Bough Beech on the 11th, a couple of weeks earlier than normal. The (Kumlien's) Iceland Gull was discovered on Worth Marshes this week, showing well for a couple of hours on the 7th before once again flying off. One wonders were it will next show up. The long stayers, the American Wigeon at Scotney, Red-flanked Bluetail at Crockham Hill, Pallas's Warbler at Faversham Creek and the Ruddy Duck at Cliffe were all seen again on most days this week. Cliffe also continued to host two Scaup as well as a Spotted Redshank.
The highlight of the week was an Iceland Gull at South Foreland on the 3rd as it came off the roost with other gulls as the tide came in. Interestingly it seemed to be the same bird that was photographed on the north Coast a few weeks ago. More detailed photos seem to confirm its identification as a Kumlien's Iceland Gull, but it is difficult to be entirely sure in this plumage. For a great discussion on its ID see perdixbirding.com. Further highlights were an unseasonal Black Kite that was seen over Wye on the 28th, and a Serin at Pegwell on the 3rd. Unfortunately none of these stuck around.
Other than that there were the first signs of Spring with the arrival of the first Sand Martins at Dungeness on the 28th and the first White Wagtail at Cliftonville on the 3rd. There was also a marked increase in singing Chiffchaffs, which included a Siberian Chiffchaff at Stodmarsh on the 3rd. A nice surprise was the reappearance of the American Wigeon at Scotney on the 5th after a couple of weeks absence. The Red-flanked Bluetail and Pallas’s Warbler remained in their respective locations, it won’t be long till they start their return journey it would seem.
On the 20th four Common Cranes were seen flying over Restharrow Scrape at Sandwich Bay. The Red-flanked Bluetail and Pallas's Watbler were reported on most days this week, but the American Wigeon seems to have gone. This week three Shore Lark were seen, this time at a Cliffe. The first Wood Larks of the year arrived off the sea at North Forland and King George VI park. A Glossy Ibis was photographed at Hayden CP. A report of a Bonaparte's Gull at Oare was a surprise this time of year.
The two Shore Larks that were seen on several occasions earlier in the winter around the Swale, reappeared for the first time this year. They were at Elmley on the 15th, discovered during one of the guided tours at the reserve. The rare birds of recent weeks all remained on show, The American Wigeon was seen most days at the main Scotney pit, sometimes straying into Sussex. The Red-flanked Bluetail remained at Crockham Hill while the Pallas's Warbler continued to feast on small insects at the Faversham Sewage Works. The probable Central Asian Lesser Whitethroat also continued to visit the feeder in the garden at Lydd. Attempts to collect some poo for DNA testing to clinch the identification are so far unsuccessful.
The Kent Ornithological Society was founded in 1952
Our aims are to record and monitor the county’s bird life providing both an accurate historical record of Kent’s birds but equally importantly providing data that can be used to help protect valuable habitats from development and other threats.
In doing this, we seek increase knowledge and understanding of birds and their habitats in the county and encourage and support people seeking to take up birdwatching as a hobby.
Membership of the society is open to all and costs £15 a year. Members receive a free copy of the annual Kent Bird Report and regular electronic newsletters. See details
The Society runs regular online talks and an outdoor programme of field meetings. They are opportunities for both beginners and experienced birdwatchers to meet others in the county and to develop their knowledge and skills.
We are a charity regulated by the Charity Commission registered as charity number 212489.
Kent Ornithological Society 
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