Kent Ornithological Society 
Western Bonelli’s Warbler – Neil Davis
A Western Bonelli’s Warbler cemented an excellent week in the Sandwich/Worth area. Only the 12th for Kent, the Western Bonelli’s Warbler was singing actively near the Observatory on the 8th, spending most time in the so-called Oasis. It also called occasionally which clinched the ID. It followed several good sightings in the area during the week. A mini-influx of Red-footed Falcons was very exciting as well with at least three seen in the area, with a male and a female spending the day around Great Wood, Worth on the 5th. The second Temminck’s Stint of the Spring was at Minnis flood, Worth on the 7th, a Golden Oriole sang briefly at Great Wood, a Hoopoe flew past as did an Osprey earlier in the week. And finally, a Hooded Crow spent an afternoon around the Aspargus fields at Sandwich. Following some good birds in recent weeks at Dungeness and North Foreland, it was clearly Sandwich Bay’s turn this week!
But there were good birds elsewhere. The best of which was 2nd year male Montague’s Harrier that lingered briefly at Reculver on the 2nd.
Other interesting raptor news this week were Black Kites reported at Hawkinge and Stodmarsh and a further four Ospreys.
Montague’s Harrier – Matt Hindle
With two Black-winged Stilts at Oare on the 4th, a summer plumaged Curlew Sandpiper at Cliffe on the 6th, a Stone-Curlew calling over Folkstone and plenty of Wood Sandpiper around (plus the Temminck’s mentioned) it was a decent week for waders.
Ring Ouzels were recorded in very interesting ways this week. One was sound-recorded overnight at Bishopstone Glen while another was caught on a camera-trap near Dover! Two others were seen ‘normally’ at Dungeness and Church Hougham.
A few more Pomarine Skuas flew past Dungeness this week, but with the winds too far northeast sea-watching was generally quiet, outside a few Black-throated Divers and a Great Skua. One or maybe a couple White Storks continued to tour the county, while a Wryneck was photographed in a garden in Tankerton on the 7th.
In terms of summer migrants, as expected Wood Warbler and Spotted Flycatcher were added to the Kent year list. Another good addition was a reasonably early Golden Oriole that was heard calling early morning on 3rd at North Foreland. The only summer migrant we are now still waiting for is Nightjar.
As witnessed by the Bonelli’s, May often throws up some rare birds. An exciting time to be out birding. Enjoy.
Peter Eerdmans
Temminck’s Stint - John Carnell
(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)