Kumlien's Iceland Gull - Jamie Partridge

The highlight of the week was an Iceland Gull at South Foreland on the 3rd as it came off the roost with other gulls as the tide came in. Interestingly it seemed to be the same bird that was photographed on the north Coast a few weeks ago. More detailed photos seem to confirm its identification as a Kumlien's Iceland Gull, but it is difficult to be entirely sure in this plumage. For a great discussion on its ID see perdixbirding.com. Further highlights were an unseasonal Black Kite that was seen over Wye on the 28th, and a Serin at Pegwell on the 3rd. Unfortunately none of these stuck around. 

Other than that there were the first signs of Spring with the arrival of the first Sand Martins at Dungeness on the 28th and the first White Wagtail at Cliftonville on the 3rd. There was also a marked increase in singing Chiffchaffs, which included a Siberian Chiffchaff at Stodmarsh on the 3^rd.  A nice surprise was the reappearance of the American Wigeon at Scotney on the 5th after a couple of weeks absence. The Red-flanked Bluetail and Pallas’s Warbler remained in their respective locations, it won’t be long till they start their return journey it would seem. 

Red-flanked Bluetail - Louise Kahan

There were still some White-fronted Geese in Kent, but no Bean Geese or winter swans were reported this week and neither were Hen Harriers or Short-eared Owls. The Scaup at Collard's Lake was still seen at the start of the week, while at least two remained at Cliffe. A Snow Bunting was seen at Shellness on the 4th.

Sea- watching was relatively quiet with 403 Pintail past Dungeness on the 2^nd the main highlight. North Foreland recorded 1200 Chaffinches past on the 28^th while 3 Woodlarks flew in off the sea on the 2^nd. 

At the end of February the unofficial Kent year list stood at 191. Notable additions over the month were American Wigeon, (Kumlien's) Iceland Gull, Shore Lark, Glossy Ibis and Black Kite. We will likely add several summer migrants in March. 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)