Kent Ornithological Society 
Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler – James Dee
Last week’s mega was topped by another this week, an Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler was found in the trapping area near the Dungeness Bird Observatory! The first confirmed record for Kent no less, and only the 9th for the whole of the UK. Many birders descended on the area during its one day stay. While it had shown well to the initial finder, as the winds picked up, it became increasingly hard to see during the day, with many of those present struggling to get ‘tick-able views’. It did sing almost constantly though and also called its diagnostic ‘chip’ on occasion.
The Dungeness area also enjoyed a Bee-eater which finally showed well on the morning of the 23rd. As the female Red-footed falcon disappeared from Stodmarsh, one turned up at Dungeness and was seen hawking with the local Hobbies for most of the week. Stodmarsh didn’t have to do without one long, as a second calendar year male Red-footed Falcon showed up on the 26th.
Red-footed Falcon – Martin Casemore
A male Golden Oriole was heard (and briefly seen in flight) at Margate Cemetery on the 26th, while one was singing at Pegwell Bay the day after. At Sandwich Bay a Serin was seen on the 25th, while a White Stork visited Worth Marshes nearby also on that day. Little Stints passed through at Oare and Dungeness, a Hooded Crow was seen at Margate and the male Red-crested Pochard remained at ARC, Dungeness. Perhaps the two Common Cranes from two weeks ago didn’t leave the county, as two were seen flying south at Sandwich Bay on the 28th.
Many birders will push back on visiting a shopping mall in May, but a Glossy Ibis that flew over Bluewater on the 25th showed scarce birds can show up anywhere.
As the winds and (welcome) rain made for an autumn feel on the 27th, there was finally some sea-watching to be done, with 15 Manx Shearwaters flying past St Margarets Bay.
It has been an excellent Spring in Kent for scarce and rare birds, can the run continue as we move into June? Enjoy.
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)