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Whinchat – Andy Taylor

The warm weather and easterly winds brought a few more scarcities to the county, although ‘Pom season’ at Dungeness probably just took the limelight. No fewer than 64 Pomarine Skuas flew past during the week, with a group of 26 on the 30^th. The many hours of sea-watching at Dungeness also delivered some further highlights. Puffin and Roseate Tern were notable, both being additions to the Kent year list.

Two Long-tailed Ducks during the week and 3500 Bar-tailed Godwits on the 25^th were also good. Other sea-watching points also reported decent numbers of Pomarine Skuas.

There was a good mix of other scarce birds. Best of the bunch were a Richard’s Pipit that flew past North Foreland and a Green-winged Teal at Cliffe Pools. A Temminck’s Stint was discovered on Minnis flood, Worth, while the good Spring for Red-rumped Swallows continues with sightings at Godmersham and past South Foreland. A Hoopoe was heard singing at Old Park, Canterbury and one was seen briefly at Marden. Another Purple Heron was seen flying over New Hythe and then discovered at Burham Marsh where it spent the afternoon on the 27^th.

The female Ring Ouzel remained at Oare while others were seen at Langdon Cliffs and Dungeness. An Osprey flew over South Foreland.

In terms of summer migrants, Whinchat arrived on the 30^th with a bird at Swalecliffe. We are still waiting for Wood Warbler and Spotted Flycatcher, but two early Honey Buzzards were seen during the week.

At the end of April, the Kent year list stands at 233. As we move into May surely more rarities will be added. Good luck.

Peter Eerdmans

Grasshopper Warbler – 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)