Yellow-legged Gull (1w, top left) and Caspian Gull (1w, centre & adult right hand side) - Martin Casemore

Despite occasional wet conditions, it was a week of nice winter birding. Best bird of the week was a Black Guillemot that was on the sea briefly at North Foreland on the 7th. A possible Dusky Warbler at Minster could not be confirmed unfortunately. The Hume's Warbler was still at Sandwich, but was only reported on the 11th.

There was a small uptick in winter visitors. Seven White-fronted Geese were seen at Dungeness, while four Bewick's Swans and a Whooper Swan were at Walland Marsh. The number of Caspian Gulls around the county continues to increase as well, with 18 seen together at Dungeness on the 11th, while there were also 5 Yellow-legged Gulls present. Four Snow Buntings were seen again at Sandwich, while three frequented the shingles at Minnis Bay. A Lapland Bunting flew over at Sandwich. The Greater Scaup remained at New Hythe, while a Long-tailed Duck was again seen on the north coast, this time at Cliftonville. There were upto five Hen Harriers at the roost at Grove Ferry, with smaller numbers elsewhere. The Glossy Ibis remained at Worth, while two were seen at Stoke Marshes on the 5th. Eight Spoonbill were on the saltings on Isle of Sheppey. A very unseasonal House Martin was reported from Woodchurch.

Bewick's (2) and Whooper Swans - Martin Casemore

Outside of the Black Guillemot and Long-tailed Duck, sea-watching was quiet, with just the occasional Velvet Scoter, Great Northern and Black-throated Divers seen.

Not much change in the weather the coming week, probably means we will continue to enjoy a similar set of birds. 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)