Kent Ornithological Society 
Wood Sandpiper - Peter Eerdmans
The number of returning waders picked up this week. Three Little Stints were at Oare as well as Shellness early in the week, while singles were seen at Pegwell and at Dungeness later. Up to 7 Curlew Sandpipers were seen at Oare while one was at Cliffe,There were plenty of Wood Sandpipers around as well as a few Spotted Redshank.
Sea-watching also was a bit better this week with Pomarine Skua past Herne Bay and Foreness/North Foreland on the 19th, while a couple of Balearic Shearwaters flew past Dungeness.
Hopefully the first of many if we are to see a repeat of last year's good Summer for this globally-threatened species. Black Terns have started their journey back with several seen along the coast this week.
A signing Quail near the Sandwich Bay Obs on the 19th was another good bird. A Pied Fkycatcher was in the trapping area at Dungeness on the 24th. Two Black-necked Grebes at Cliffe from the 21st included a non-adult, have they bred nearby? Further highlights included 7 Spoonbills at Cliffe and two Honey Buzzards in off the sea at Dover on the 18th, with another over Foreness Point on the 24th. And, of course, the Bonaparte's Gull that remained on show at Oare.
As more and more ducks return to lakes around the county for their Summer moult, 1006 Common Pochard were counted across the Dungeness RSPB reserve. Also approximately 1000 Sand Martins gathered on the Point at Dungeness on the 18th before attempting their Channel crossing.
Lots to look forward to as we start to move into migration season. Enjoy.
Peter Eerdmans
Sand Martins - 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)