Kent Ornithological Society 
White-fronted Geese – Swale NR – photo Richard Hanman
Even as the weather stayed cold and grey, there were still a few good birds to be found in Kent. Two Tundra Bean Geese on Sheppey from 21 January were the best of the bunch and the first for the year in Kent (although two had been seen earlier very close to the Kent border at Scotney). A Balearic Shearwater past North Foreland was also a first for the year and very unseasonal, with also a Black-throated Diver flying past that day (16 January).
The Smew at Seaton GPs was last reported on 19 January, while the Scaup at Collards was last seen on 17 January, although both could still be in the area as they have been proven to be illusive at times. The Long-tailed Duck on New Diggings, Dungeness, was seen on most days of the week, even if the Great Northern Diver there seems to have moved on.
Three Black-necked Grebes remained on Alpha Pool at Cliffe, with a Red-necked Grebe also at Cliffe on 19th. Two Black-necked Grebes were on the sea at Swalecliffe. The large group of around 40 Bewick’s Swans remained on Walland Marshes (the Whooper’s weren’t reported this week). White-fronted Geese were reported from a good number of locations, with the largest group of nearly 50 at South Swale, while a single Pink-footed Goose was seen at Worth Marshes on 17 January and a Pale-bellied Brent was briefly at Longrock SSSI on the 22nd. A Spoonbill was seen along Harty Ferry road, Sheppey.
Three Snow Buntings remained on the beach at Reculver as well as Swalecliffe. The good winter continues for Hawfinches with sightings from Godmersham and Penshurst this week. Short-eared Owls, Hen Harriers and Caspian Gulls were seen around the county in the usual spots such as Elmley, Sandwich, Dungeness and Stodmarsh. In terms of numbers, 10+ Short-Eared Owls at Elmley and 6 Hen Harriers at Stodmarsh stood out.
The weather in the coming week is looking quite unsettled with some days with very strong southerly winds. It may make for some tougher birding, but one never knows what strong winds may bring. 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. If anyone has any photos they think may be useful for the weekly, please send to me by Wednesday)
