Shore Lark - Simon Ginnaw

The two Shore Larks that were seen on several occasions earlier in the winter around the Swale, reappeared for the first time this year. They were at Elmley on the 15th, discovered during one of the guided tours at the reserve. The rare birds of recent weeks all remained on show, The American Wigeon was seen most days at the main Scotney pit, sometimes straying into Sussex. The Red-flanked Bluetail remained at Crockham Hill while the Pallas's Warbler continued to feast on small insects at the Faversham Sewage Works. The probable Central Asian Lesser Whitethroat also continued to visit the feeder in the garden at Lydd. Attempts to collect some poo for DNA testing to clinch the identification are so far unsuccessful.

Red-flanked Bluetail - Richard Pettet

A White Stork was seen flying over in the Ashford area on the 17th, the fiirst for the year in Kent. A Red-necked Grebe was on the sea at Dungeness on the 18th, while the Black-necked Grebe and Scaup remained at Collard's Lake. The five Scaup continued to be seen at Alpha Pool as well, and were joined by a Red-crested Pochard on the 17th, another first for the year list. The three Snow Buntings remained at Reculver. A single Hawfinch was seen again in the forest near Eastling.

The four Tundra Bean Geese remained in the Dungeness area, the group at Worth grew to 32, while two further new ones were seen at Shelness on the 14th. The biggest count of Hen Harriers coming into roost at Stodmarsh this week was four, of which two were males. Two Whooper Swans remained in the fields near Cockles Bridge, Dungeness, where the highest count of Carrle Egret was 19.

Tundra Bean Goose - Martin Casemore

In terms of sea-watching, the number of Velvet Scoters picked up a bit, a Black-throated Diver flew past North Foreland, while two Great Northern Divers were at Tankerton. Five Eider remained at Foreness.

With temperatures rising, the coming week may feel a little bit more Spring-like, with waterfowl migration likely picking up at the south coast. Enjoy.

Peter Eerdmans

Lesser Whitethroat (halimodendri) - Martin Casemore

(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)