Kent Ornithological Society 
Black-necked Grebe – Dungeness – photo Richard Hanman
The days are getting a little brighter, the sun is out a little more. Mistle Thrushes are singing, and Great Crested Grebes are getting fuller crests. But it is still cold and we are far from Spring, which meant little change in the bird highlights over the week. On eBird, for instance, there was no new bird added to the Kent year-list in the past seven days.
Two good birds, but of probably ‘untickable’ origin, were a White-tailed Eagle over Bough Beach on the 3rd and the long-staying Lesser White-fronted Goose at the Swale NNR. Two Glossy Ibis on the 5th for 10 minutes on the West Flood at Oare Marshes were also good as there hasn’t been a regular Glossy this winter in Kent so far.
The usual sea-watching points were relatively quiet, although Velvet Scoters were seen past Dungeness (5) and Cliftonville (1), a Black-throated Diver also past Dungeness and two Slavonian Grebes drifted west past Tankerton. A Black-necked Grebe was discovered from Dengemarsh Hide, Dungeness, while the three at Cliffe Pools remained. The Tundra Bean Geese from Harty Ferry Road were not reported, but one was seen at Elmley. Here also a Ruddy Shelduck and the usual owls, including 10+ Short-eared Owls and Hen Harriers. The 48 Bewick Swans remained at Walland Marshes, while White-fronted Geese were seen around the county. A 1st winter Little Gull was in a field near Burmarsh on 1 February.
All three uncommon winter ducks remained at their respective locations: Smew at Seaton GPs, Long-tailed Duck at Dungeness and Scaup at Collard’s Lake. But it looks like the Snow Buntings have moved as there were no reports this week. Caspian Gulls were seen at Dungeness, Deal, Elmley, with 10 at Pegwell Bay on 31 January.
The weather is forecast to turn a bit colder again with the possibility of some sleet or even snow. So it looks like the focus will remain on winter birds, maybe more Bramblings and Crossbills will be pushed down. Good luck.
Peter Eerdmans
(Thanks to all the observers who posted their records on the KOS Sightings website, BirdGuides, eBird and/or the main Kent Birding WhatsApp groups, Thursday-to-Thursday. Apologies for any omissions. If anyone has any photos they think may be useful for the weekly, please send to me by Wednesday. All records of rarities are still subject to official confirmation by the relevant rarities committees)