Pallas's Warbler - Peter Eerdmans

The highlight of the week was a lovely Pallas's Warbler at the Faversham sewage works. First reported as a Yellow-browed Warbler on the 18th, it was reidentified the next day and showed well among the dozens of Chiffchaffs in the area taking advantage of the abundant insects around the sewage works. Another Glaucous Gull was seen, this time a juvenile spent some time on a field near Hythe on the 18th (in the company of a Pale-bellied Brent). The Red-flanked Bluetail at Crockham Hill continued to show on occasion in its favourite rhododendron bush, but remained elusive. At Worth, a very impressive 17 Water Pipits were counted. Another amazing count was that of 2620 Great Crested Grebes on the sea at Lade Bay.

Glaucous Gull - Ian Roberts

The group of 29 Tundra Bean Goose remain at Worth, while Hen Harriers, Short-eared Owls, Caspian Gulls, Greater White-fronted Geese, Bewick's and Whooper Swans all continue to be seen in their usual winter places. Three Snow Bunting were at Reculver. The Great Northern Diver was at Burrowes, Dungeness throughout the week, while a second probable Siberian Lesser Whitethroat appeared in a garden in the Dungeness area (this one at Greatstone). The Greater Scaup remained at Collard's Lake, with the one at New Hythe seen again after some absence. A Slavonian Grebe was on the Swale seen from Elmley, while a Spotted Redshank and a Little Stint were at Pegwell. Possibly of less interest to some birders since the downgrade to subspecies, but a Mealy Redpoll was at Furnace Pond on the 17th. For what its worth, an immature Ruddy Duck was on Crystal Pool at Cliffe Pools all week.

In terms of sea-watching, a large number of Auks and Red-throated Divers were seen. Highlights were a few Velvet Scoter, Little Gull and Black-throated Divers, and a Puffin past North Foreland on the 19th. Five Eider remained in the Foreness area.

It is amazing how many good birds have already been found in Kent this year, may the good run continue. Good luck.

Peter Eerdmans

Water Pipits - Nigel Jarman

(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)