KOS News The Newsletter of the Ornithological Society

Number 519 March 2019

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker by Chris White

● News & Announcements ● ●Patchwatch – ● Spotted in the Garden ● Grebes – Five a Day● ●Bird Sightings: -January and February● ● Fifty Years Ago●

1 KOS Contacts – Committee Members

Newsletter Editor: Norman McCanch, 23 New Street, Ash, Canterbury, Kent CT3 2BH Tel: 01304-813208 e-mail: [email protected]

Membership Sec: Chris Roome, Rowland House, Station Rd., Staplehurst TN12 0PY Tel: 01580 891686 e-mail: [email protected] Chairman: Martin Coath, 14A Mount Harry Rd Sevenoaks TN13 3JH Tel: 01732-460710 e-mail: [email protected] Vice Chair.: Chris Roome, Rowland House, Station Rd., Staplehurst TN12 0PY Tel: 01580 891686 e-mail: [email protected] Hon. Sec: Brendan Ryan, 18 The Crescent, Canterbury CT2 7AQ Tel: 01227 471121 e-mail: [email protected] Hon. Treasurer: Mike Henty, 12 Chichester Close, Witley, Godalming, Surrey GU8 5PA Tel: 01428-683778 e-mail: [email protected] Conservation & Surveys: Murray Orchard, 1, Gatesbury Way, Puckeridge, Ware, Herts SG11 1TQ Tel: Home 01920 822955 Mobile 07776 238645 e-mail: [email protected] Editorial & Records: Barry Wright, 6 Hatton Close, Northfleet, DA11 8SD Tel: 01474 320918 e-mail: [email protected] Archivist: Robin Mace, 4 Dexter Close, Kennington, Ashford, TN25 4QG Tel: 01233-631509 e-mail: [email protected] Website liaison: vacant Indoor Meetings organiser: TBA Outdoor Meetings organiser: Ray O’Reily 44 New Road, Cliffe, Rochester, Kent ME3 7SL Tel: 07831-362502 e-mail:[email protected] Ordinary Members:

Editor Kent Bird Report: Keith Privett 6 Tritton Close, Kennington, Ashford, Kent TN24 9HN Tel: 01233 335533 e-mail: [email protected]

Andy Appleton 34 Pennine Walk Tunbridge Wells Kent TN2 3NW 01892 513542 e-mail: [email protected]

2

Editorial

I am pleased to present this edition of the newsletter, as it contains contributions from members and other birders within the county. This is as it should be, relieving the membership of having to read endless drivel written by my own fair hand! Seriously, the newsletter is a vehicle for the society to communicate with its members, but it is also a place for members to share their observations and experiences. Anyone with a tale to tell can contact me for guidance or assistance, all contributions will be gratefully received. A most important communication in this issue is the announcement of our forthcoming AGM in April, an agenda is attached at the end of the newsletter. Each year we see a small and loyal cohort of committed members turning up for the AGM, but by no means are they fully representative of the wider membership. On occasions we hear criticism of the way the society functions, usually as grumbles when birding. If you are at all dis-satisfied as a member, then attend the AGM and put yourself forward to get more involved. I know that most officers are keen to share the workload and new blood is always welcome. Back to birding; spring always brings issues surrounding disturbance of breeding birds, sometimes by birders, sometimes by other people who claim an interest in birds but seem motivated by other goals. We all need to be vigilant, but mindful that criticism is sometimes not received in the spirit it is given. I think we are moving steadily towards a situation where the sharing of information regarding scarce breeding birds will become less common and it is only a matter of time when the same ‘protectionist’ view extends to rarities also. At a personal level I do not see there is any obligation to share information to the widest possible audience, we need to be mindful of the issues involved. We need also to be aware that records on public forums can be shared widely through other social media, sometimes by people not involved in the original record. It is a sad inditement on our modern digital age that the spectre of “suppression” is now a realistic weapon in the fight to protect birds in the wider landscape. And no mention of B****T!

Good birding Norman

3

News and announcements

English Farm Woodland Bird Survey – a new BTO survey for 2019 The following is extracted from the BTO Home Page. Click on ‘Volunteer surveys’ (top banner) and then select ‘Farm Woodland Survey’ under ‘More surveys’ in the left-hand column. Please explore the links for details of the survey as those below may not work.

Since 1988, over 22,000 farm woods have been planted in England. The woods are mostly small, between 1 and 5 hectares in size, which will make survey coverage quite quick and straightforward. These farm woods were planted in a wide variety of settings, ranging from complete isolation through to alongside existing established woodland. This provides a very interesting natural experiment to assess how well birds have colonised these new woodlands on farmland.

A new survey for 2019 plans to provide data on how birds have colonised woods planted in farmland. 4 What is required? Surveyors need to be able to identify birds by sight and sound, and ideally they will have had experience with other BTO surveys or bird territory mapping. This survey will cover many of the 46 farm woodland sites previously surveyed in 1999, as well as up to 2000 other farm woods, which haven’t been surveyed at all. The sites are small, so it should be possible to cover a number of woodland plots in a morning; each plot should take around 20 to 30 minutes to survey, depending on size!Four morning visits are required between 15th March 2019 and 15th July 2019, to record all in and around the farm wood plot. Registrations will be recorded on site maps, using Common Bird Census species and activity codes, mainly to accurately plot all individuals and help avoid double counting. A summary of the number of territories detected will then be determined from each survey visits.Some basic, but essential, habitat recording will be required for farm woods, to record the features such as tree species, boundary type and mammal activity.

Please see the Methods page for further survey details.

How to sign-up for the survey It is now possible to register for the survey. You will be able to view an interactive map of farm woodland locations, summarises by 1-km squares, from which you can select the sites you would like to survey.

Request a square link https://app.bto.org/batmap/squares/FarmWoods 5 Some squares may only have single farm woods, whereas others will have many, so we would encourage you to pick squares with multiple farm woods if possible. Once a location has been selected, we will then need to contact the landowner to request permission to survey the site, which isn’t guaranteed, and then provide contact and visit details to the surveyor.

Further information

More detailed survey information, including instructions and recording is in preparation and will be available in early 2019.

You can contact the survey organisers Daria Dadam and Greg Conway -- via [email protected].

------NCC Seabird Count 2015/19 – survey of urban gulls in Kent 2019 This survey was introduced in the November Newsletter. Full details of the Seabird Count can be found at http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-7413 It’s time to prepare for this year’s survey of our urban nesting Gulls. This will be no mean feat as Kent has huge numbers of roof nesting Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gulls, not just on houses in our coastal towns but inland too, particularly on factory roofs in industrial estates.

Details of the survey have now been issued by the JNCC National Organiser. I will be contacting last year’s local organisers to help again, and to spread the word and enlist volunteers to assist in their areas.

There are two arms to the survey in Kent: a survey of ‘repeat sites’, which are those where Gulls were surveyed during the last seabird census, and a survey of randomly selected squares, aimed to assess the expansion of breeding ranges since the last census. For the former, it will be required to count breeding Gulls in Whitstable, , Birchington-Ramsgate, Folkestone, Greatstone-Dymchurch and Ashford (I’ve no idea why other areas such as Dover and Canterbury are not included as the Atlas suggests that Herring Gulls at least were nesting in these locations at the time of the last census).

For the random squares, a total of 182 1km squares have been selected across Kent using a stratified random sampling approach. This means that all squares will contain potential nesting habitat but not necessarily breeding Gulls, and that some known colonies may not be included. Covering such a large number of squares for the national survey will be challenging, but I would like to ensure that we get good coverage of all known sites in the county so 6 that that Kent population estimates of our breeding Herring and Lesser Black- backed Gulls (combined with last years survey of natural sites) are as accurate as possible. This will mean covering areas that might not be included in the randomly selected squares.

Survey packs are available (Word and Excel files) which contain background details, survey instructions, health and safety advice, recording forms etc. Initially I will supply these to the local organisers who can then send out further to volunteers as required. I can also supply direct to volunteers in areas not covered by the local organisers. These packs contain the list of randomly selected 1km squares with a map link so that volunteers can print out a map of the square they wish to cover or have been requested to cover. Please make sure that the local organiser is aware of the square/s you intend to cover. All results should be returned to the local organiser or directly to me as the regional organiser. I will collate all results and summarise the data for KOS before submitting to the JNCC.

In essence, the survey of repeat sites will involve counting birds (AON – Apparently Occupied Nest; AOT – Apparently Occupied Territory or IND – count of individual adults) from suitable vantage points. The random square survey will involve making ground-based counts as above. Obviously, it may not be possible to determine counts of AON from ground level and so assessments will largely be AOT and more likely IND. Only single visits are required but volunteers may wish to make repeat visits to confirm or otherwise previous observations. The requested survey period is Apr 23rd to May 7th (just two weeks!) but I have agreed with the National Organiser that it will be ok to survey up until the end of June.

If anyone wishes to take part please let me know and I will suggest a town/squares which they can survey and local organiser to contact, unless of course they have an area already in mind that they would like to count. I would also appreciate if anyone knowing of nesting Gulls on houses or factories at sites in Kent away from obvious known areas could let me know of the location so that I can direct survey effort. Please don’t assume that a site or town is a known breeding site already, it may not be, and I would like the survey to be as complete as possible. My thanks to the local organisers and those who have contacted me to say that they are prepared to assist with surveying Gulls in their areas.

Please contact me at: [email protected]

------

7 KWT Coastlife Citizen Science Project

This project is aimed at gathering data on the disturbance of birds in the NNR. Many KOS members will have no doubt witnessed such disturbance first hand. Here is an opportunity to help the take action to reduce this by participating in site surveys to monitor how and where birds are disturbed. An event is planned on March 23rd at Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory to introduce volunteers to the project and provide the necessary training for the required surveys.

About the event ( taken from the Coastlife Citizen Science leaflet)

Sandwich & Pegwell Bay NNR is host to very special and unique habitats and the wildlife associated with it. The site is very popular with visitors, but an increase in recreational activities has had an impact on wildlife.

We want to improve the way we protect our shoreline birds and to do so we need to better understand how human activities affect bird behaviour and populations. We have started an exciting long-term study to survey these human activities and bird responses. This will enable us to move forward with protecting the area and with finding ways for people and wildlife to co-exist.

We are looking for nature lovers who would like to make a real difference to wildlife by monitoring birds and visitor impacts on the reserve.This training session will consist of a classroom workshop focusing on bird identification and survey methodology and a trip to Pegwell Bay to put your new skills into practice".

Booking:- Phone: 07803 625613

Email: [email protected]

Price: Free event Kent Wildlife Trust 8 HERONS IN KENT.

The BTO heronry census is the longest running bird census in the UK https://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/heronries-census. In Kent there are records of a heronry at Chilham in thirteenth century. Unfortunately, we have been less successful at monitoring herons more recently and many heronries have not been counted for several years so we are unsure if an absence of records means the heronries are no longer active or are just not being counted.

The following sites have previously been recorded as having heronries, but no records were submitted for 2018:

Iden Wood Rye

Leasam Wood, Playden

Bewl Water

Great Heron Wood, Appledore Heath, Tenterden

Eastwell Park, Ashford

Grays Farm, Chislet

Trenleypark Wood,Fordwich

Old Hundreds, Elmstone

Tileday Wood, Frittenden

Woodleas Farm, Stonestreet Green, NNR Aldington

Knights Wood, Little Chart

Fairfield Court, Snargate

Gazedown Wood, Tenterden

Cottington Court Farm, Sholden

Posters Park, Tonbridge

Leybourne, near Maidstone

If you are able to visit any of the sites and see if there is still a heronry please either register to count the heronry on the BTO website, or contact the Kent 9 heronry coordinator, Brian Watmough [email protected] for more information.

Heronries which were counted in 2018 Lympne Park Wood, Langdon Court Goodnestone,Eccles Island, Great Wood Lydden Valley, , Bough Beech, Bayham, Sevenoaks, Cliffe and Richborough.

Thanks for your assistance.

Brian Watmough RARE BREEDING BIRDS IN KENT

The Kent Ornithological Society, like other county bird clubs, coordinates records of rare breeding birds and submits them to the national Rare Birds Breeding Panel (RBBP). However, this is not straightforward. At a time when birders are being exhorted to be careful about publishing records of rare breeding birds on social media, we suspect that many observations are not reported. There are several ways in which you can help monitor rare birds and not risk publicising breeding locations.

1. Ensure you follow the bird watchers code, https://www.bto.org/sites/default/files/u10/downloads/taking- part/health/bwc.pdf and do not disturb the bird, 2. Always follow the RBBP guidelines for reporting on social media http://rbbp.org.uk/ 3. Submit to the KOS database, http://birdgroups.co.uk/kos/default.asp, there is an automatic filter, which means that the records are not shown on the website but stored in the database, 4. Submit your records to Birdtrack, there is a similar filter and your observations will be secure. 5. You can e mail in confidence the county recorder Barry Wright [email protected] or the county RBBP coordinator Brian Watmough [email protected].

The RBBP http://rbbp.org.uk/ collects data on the rarer species of birds breeding in the United Kingdom. Its records allow the production of annual totals of breeding pairs for each species on its list. It was formed in 1972 by representatives of the RSPB, the BTO, The Nature Conservancy Council and British Birds. The present Panel is made up of representatives of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, RSPB, BTO, three independent members, and a Secretary and a report is published each year in British Birds and available on their website. Approximately 160 species are monitored by the 10 RBBP, although the list is reviewed and changing so that in 2019 Cettis Warbler will no longer be recorded but Turtle Dove is now being considered. Each year details of between twenty and twenty-five species are submitted by the KOS. Records from Kent are collated by the Kent Ornithological Society and submitted to the UK RBBP. These records form the basis for relevant sections in the annual KBR. In Kent there are between 20 and 25 species for which KOS collates the records and submits to the national RBBP. This monitoring is based on records submitted to KOS database, from BTO surveys especially Bird Track and Heronries Census, from RSPB reserve staff and from a network of observers with a special interest in a particular species. Monitoring rare birds is inherently challenging. The table shows for each rare breeding bird in Kent the totals submitted to national RBBP, the population estimates in the Kent Atlas and the estimated UK population. It is clear that whilst we have reasonable records for some species, for others we are at present unable to monitor the county populations. We need more information not just on the presence of birds but also evidence of breeding. The RBBP considers birds as possible, probable or confirmed breeders. The species in Kent can be considered in three groups: widely distributed but scarce, locally distributed and future colonists. The widely distributed species include firecrest, hobby, lesser spotted woodpecker, marsh harrier and water rail. Although Kent birders may think of these species as widespread, Kent is a stronghold for these species. Our current estimates are based on the Atlas and surveys and our annual submission to RBBP almost certainly massively under records the numbers of these species in the county. The locally distributed species include avocet, black-winged stilt, black necked grebe, shoveller, pochard, bearded tit, marsh warbler and savis warbler. These species are generally easier to monitor and for most the annual estimates are broadly similar to other estimates. Many of the birds are concentrated on the wetland reserves of the Kent coasts and the Stour Valley. For many of these species Kent supports a significant percentage of the national population, for example about 10% of UK population of Pochard, Mediterranean Gull, Marsh Harrier and Bearded Tit.

The third group of species, the future colonists is unknown but includes goshawk, cattle egret, great white egret and who knows what else?

TABLE. RBBP SPECIES IN KENT SPECIES KENT 2016 KENT ATLAS Eurasian Bittern 4 4 147 Black-necked Grebe 4 0-10 54 Wigeon 7 0-10 188 Pintail 1 0-5 25 11 Garganey 5 10-20 97 Shoveler 31 50-100 981 Common Pochard 57 150-200 685 Little Egret 100-150 921 Black-winged Stilt 4 4 Avocet 280 150-300 1791 Little Ringed Plover 4 10-15 587 Little Tern 18 0-10 1554 Mediterranean Gull 750 350-500 889 Water Rail 49 250-300 1353 Common Quail 1 0-50 728 Spotted Crake 1 29 Honey Buzzard 1 0-2 40 Marsh Harrier 40 80-100 354 Peregrine Falcon 11 30-40 1701 Hobby 40 250-300 938 Long-eared Owl 7 5-10 1800 Short-eared Owl 2 0-5 620 Lesser Spotted 30 150-200 1000+ Woodpecker Marsh Warbler 0 0-2 8 Savis Warbler 0 0-1 5 Black Redstart 7 2-15 56 Firecrest 20 100-300 1255 Bearded Tit 82 100-500 595 Woodlark 1 2-10 1000+ Hawfinch

So, if you see a rare breeding bird, • Ensure you follow the bird watchers code, https://www.bto.org/sites/default/files/u10/downloads/taking- part/health/bwc.pdf and do not disturb the bird, • remember the RBBP guidelines for reporting on social media http://rbbp.org.uk/ and • please submit your records and help KOS support the monitoring of are birds.

Brian Watmough [email protected]

12 ------

68th Annual General Meeting of the Kent Ornithological Society

Thursday 11th April 2018 at 7.45pm at Grove Green Community Hall, Penshurst Close, Maidstone ME14 5TQ.

------

Kent Breeding Bird Atlas We still have a modest stock of this useful publication which was well received on its release a couple of years ago. If you do not yet own a copy there will shortly be an opportunity to purchase some of the remainder of the stock at a reduced price. Keep an eye on the KOS web site for further details

Editorial and Records sub-committee The KOS Editorial & Records Committee would like to hear from any individuals within the membership that would like to join the county rarity panel. Contact Barry Wright or Alan Fossey, (details above)

ROBIN MACE Robin Mace has for a number of years done an excellent job looking after the ornithological data base on behalf of the KOS. This involves organising data from a number of sources (e.g. BirdTrack and the KOS online data base) to ensure that a lasting archive is kept and data is available to help write the annual Kent Bird Report. Robin has decided to step down from his role as archivist and data base manager and we need to find someone with the appropriate IT skills to take on this important role. Robin has agreed to stay on to ensure that there is an effective handover. If you think that you could take on this role please talk to our Chairman Martin Coath e-mail: [email protected]

Committee Vacancies At the AGM in April there are two other vacancies on the committee. We would be particularly interested to hear from member willing to join the committee especially if that have IT skills and knowledge that could help in steering the future of the KOS in an increasingly digital world. Again, if you are interest please contact Martin Coath e-mail: [email protected]." ------We like to keep in touch with all our members, so if you change address, email address or phone numbers please remember to inform our membership secretary, Chris Roome. He can be contacted on: Chris Roome, Rowland House, Station Rd., Staplehurst TN12 0PY Tel: 01580 891686 e-mail: [email protected] 13 ------

14

Articles

Patchwatch 2018 : Knole Park, Sevenoaks, Kent

Golf Course Valley

January-March

A visit on January 1st began with 70 Redwings and 10 Fieldfares scattered across the Golf Course, with Lesser Redpolls with Siskins overflying in small groups. On the 27th, a visit to the footpath overlooking Blackhall Lane Fields, found 5 Yellowhammers on the stubble and 3 Skylarks singing over the area, pouring their songs across the fields. Buzzards wheeled over copses across the area, ‘mewing’ from high above, while Kestrels hovered and Sparrowhawks soared. Nuthatches, Stock Doves, Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers could all be found; Knole’s classic birds. A check of the fern patches in Golf Course Valley revealed the overwintering pair of Stonechats, which eventually stayed to breed- a nice inland record!

15 April-June An unexpecting afternoon visit to the park on the 3rd April delivered two new arrivals: the first singing male Chiffchaff had arrived at Knole Woods and a cracking male Wheatear was feeding on the open area at the Golf Course edge, northeast of Knole House- superb!

Golf Course, NE of Knole House

The first Blackcap was found on April 8th. 2 male Yellowhammers could be heard lazily singing across the fern-scrub areas of the Golf Course, staking out territories for the summer. On the 16th, a high-flying Red Kite headed west over Golf Course Valley, while at least 10 pairs of Green Woodpecker were dotted across the area- a species which thrives in Knole’s mature parkland. By April 20th, 7 male Blackcaps and 3 Chiffchaffs were singing from Knole Woods, a joy to listen to on a sunny dawn. To kick off May, an Egyptian Goose was found at Seal Hollow Fields on the 5th. A full circuit of the park on the 19th began with 2 Hobbies heading SW over a sunny Gallops Valley. A 2018 patchwatch dream was fulfilled with the discovery of a pair of Spotted Flycatchers feeding and chasing each other across the mature Chestnuts on the eastern side of Golf Course Valley, while 2 Treecreepers shuffled up chestnuts nearby. Stock Doves could be heard from shady oaks (10 pairs bred in 2018) and 3 Nuthatches pairs were across Gallops Valley. June finally saw a late arrival of hirundines on the 30th, with 10 Swallow, 1 House Martin and 6 Swift hawking the warm, breezy parkland.

16 Golf Course, N of The Birdhouse

A Redwing, the first for the autumn, flew W over the Entrance Track on 4th October, as did a Siskin heading E. A Grey Wagtail was found on the 8th S of the Gate at the Entrance Track. On the 15th, 20 Meadow Pipits were at Golf Course Valley, while 3 Bullfinch were seen at Knole Woods. On the 17th, in the early afternoon Nick Upton discovered a brief male Ring Ouzel feeding on rowan with 60 Redwings on the Golf Course SE of The Birdhouse. That afternoon, having seen 5 Treecreepers near Knole House, I decided to do a vizmig, in which a Reed Bunting flew N over the Golf Course. Also seen were 5 Linnet, 40 Meadow Pipits and 30 Siskins. On the 18th, the autumn’s first Lesser Redpoll flew E over Golf Course Valley, as did 10 Skylarks.

Britannicus Coal Tit and Redwing at Golf Course, 17th October- Nick Upton 17

November kicked off with a Woodcock that flew NE over Knole Woods on the 3rd- a great record! In addition, 10 Fieldfares were also seen at Knole Woods. Throughout the winter, fairly large tit flocks could be found roving Knole Woods and the Golf Course: Coal Tits, Long-tailed Tits, Great-Spotted Woodpeckers, Goldcrests and Treecreepers were all to be seen in good numbers. A Tawny Owl first hooted from the W end of Gallops Valley on the 11th and continued to be heard throughout the rest of the year. An afternoon walk through Knole Woods on the 29th delivered an impressive feeding flock of 200 Redwings- a superb sight!

A mild mid-December produced an adult Common Gull that was found at Seal Hollow Pitches, W of Gallops Valley on 16th. The 2 smart adult Stonechats were seen at Golf Course Valley on the 17th. On the 19th, 2 Lesser Redpolls fed on alders at Gallops Valley. Finally, a Brambling was discovered in the park on 26th December- a fantastic record to round off an enjoyable year! James King

Spotted in the Garden

A dreary January day, too wet and windy for an outside excursion. Inside next to the kettle seems a more comfortable alternative. Thankfully the two recently 18 acquired garden feeders on the plum tree are alive with avian visitors, there are even two House Sparrows to enjoy, they seem to have deserted the garden of late but can still be encountered not that far away. However, the male Blackcap present since December appears to have gone missing but that has happened on several occasions so it will probably return to enjoy the apples I have placed on the twigs. Amongst the coming and goings and the squabbles between themselves there were at least 10 each of Goldfinch and Chaffinch and, good to see again, four Greenfinches. The Greenfinches are particularly aggressive today, especially the males who hold pole position, as it were, fending off anything else that tried to claim the prime place at the bottom of the feeder. Goldfinch have increased remarkably in the garden since 2011 and just before Christmas I counted 20 as they went off to roost. Perhaps they are the “new” House Sparrow, in the gardens at least. Suddenly, all the birds are alarmed and they scatter to the surrounding shrubs and trees. What is the cause? A raiding Sparrowhawk, the aggressive male Blackbird or even the two Collared Doves that often disturb the smaller birds as they attempt to take over the feeders? No, at the back of the tree, an unmistakable pied face comes into view, a Great Spotted Woodpecker. It’s enquiring moving head appears to be working out the best way to approach the now deserted feeders, no doubt wondering how to place its feet once on the apparatus before it. Plan worked out, it was soon on the the front feeder and the red hind crown revealed it was a male. It proceeded to set about the sunflower hearts with a vengeance as the rest of the earlier incumbents watch from a distance. Obviously they are aware of its large size and the rather imposing dagger like bill, a tool that is perfect for feeding and drumming. The woodpecker now held sway and it was particularly noticeable how it wrapped its pointed tail underneath the base of the feeder. I suspect this helped to maintain it’s balance and prevented the feeder swaying too much. After a few minutes it returned to the back of the tree, alighting on a bough and cleaning off the debris from its bill before, briefly, having a few stabs at one of the fat holders. It soon returned to the sunflower hearts whilst a few Goldfinches had re-settled on the back feeder. The woodpecker carried on feeding for a few minutes before abruptly flying off over the garden fence. As usual its appearance is a show piece apart from the usual day to day activities of the smaller birds present. For a while the garden had drama, colour and a change in routine. In fact this was only the species fifth visit into the garden in some 10 years. Normally I hear them more than I see them, their noisy sharp sounding calls emanating from the close proximity of Mote Park. Just before Christmas one had come into the garden and fed for a few minutes, even allowing me to obtain a few images through the window. This too was a male and, I suspect, the same individual as today. Today the light was too dull for photography and there was little chance of improving on what was obtained previously.

19 I always find them a fascinating bird to watch, their rather dramatic arrivals produce a show of colour and, indeed, agility in the tight confines of the trees. It has a character all of its own especially when seen front on, presenting a handsome look, the face beaming out of the branches. Noticeable are the striking black moustachial markings, first running down from the eyes into the shoulder before cutting into the white breast. The breast of the bird I saw appeared stained as if from close contact to the bark of the tree. If seen like this, one is struck by the extensive fiery red on the belly. When seen in their bounding flight the obvious feature is the oval shape white shoulder patches and, if close overhead, the distinctive shape of the tail which ends in two pointed peaks. My sighting was too swift to catch the latter but its cameo garden entry made me appreciate what drab and dreary January days are made for. What chance I stand of attracting a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker is the stuff of pipe dreams. This species is more selective in its choice of habitat preferring trees such as birch and alder which are often in damp habitats, especially slow running streams. In the early spring of 2018 I heard one drumming nearby. I thought it was nearer to the garden than Mote Park but it is often difficult to judge distances with the drumming of woodpeckers. I have, on occasions, heard and seen them in the park, to my ears their drumming is the same returning theme, like a pranged ruler vibrating on a desk. This is, of course, selective hearing but I have written it down several times in my notebook. Chris Bond, January 16th, 2019.

GREBES-----FIVE-A-DAY

I do not have intimate knowledge of the Thames at Cliffe, so it was pleasurable to be in Dave Perrin`s company whose personal recollections of the area cover several decades.

It is of course a `well-worn` area, and highlights the difficulty of control and management of an area which down the years has been partially reclaimed, but still retains many of the fleets and runnels from a past era. The sea defences continue to be tested; erosion of saltings and the littered tideline are visible reminders of the day-to-day efforts that are required to sustain an area of this nature.

20

At the northerly aspect of Cliffe pools is the Cliffe Fort, built in 1860-70 at a strategic point where the Thames Estuary narrows---an ideal spot to deter enemy shipping access to London. Like so many former defence mechanisms, it is now a shadow of its former structure of 160 years ago; in spite of later artillery adaptations during the last century. As a Scheduled Monument, its dereliction, flooding and neglect still evoke memories of WW2 , and indeed the reasoning behind its original construction. Adjacent to the Fort is the `fire-by- wire` Brennan Torpedo system, with its launch rails still visible. The Saxon Shoreway straddles this particular monument. The reason of course for visiting this area was the exceptional opportunity to see all five British grebe species on a single water body—Alpha Pool—which forms a significant part of the Cliffe Pools complex. For many years Cliffe has hosted large numbers of wintering Little Grebes. The visit in question provided 120> on Alpha pool alone.

Although a widespread breeding species in Kent---present on 153 sites ( ref KBR 2015)—it remains under recorded and substantially below the Kent Atlas estimate of 300-500 breeding pairs. Great Crested Grebes were seemingly paired among the fourteen individuals sighted, and indeed were displaying in one instance with typical posturing. There remains a strong breeding bias to the west , with the Kent Atlas giving an estimate of 200-300 breeding pairs across the county. We are all familiar with the over wintering flocks congregating in coastal locations of the county, particularly the Dungeness area where numbers on occasion easily exceed a thousand birds. However, inland lakes and reservoirs continue to hold impressive numbers throughout the year.

21 A small party of three Black-necked Grebes were present, with two in display mode. The birds we encountered remained in a tight group, diving continuously in a synchronized fashion. Prominent features were the high- peaked forehead, dark crown, `puffed-out` white cheeks, flanks and stern. When propelling through the water, the birds` necks were extended forward. The red eye was not easily, seen, save when the bright sun caught the birds` angled heads. In `Birds of the North Kent Marshes` Gilham and Homes 1950; the Black- necked Grebe was considered the rarest of the grebes and interestingly cites records from Cliffe`s water bodies. The Slavonian Grebe is a scarce passage migrant and winter visitor in small numbers to Kent. The bird on Alpha pool was somewhat elusive amongst the many Little Grebes and wavelets. It spent a lot of time diving, moving rapidly from bright sunny water to sheltered, shadowed areas and was sometimes quite distant. The prominent black cap, and flattened sloping crown always contrasted with the white facial aspects. The majority of previous sightings for us have been on open sea waters or estuarine sites.

Strangely, the two Red-necked Grebes were the easiest to find, with one particularly confiding bird, which spent much of our half-hour`s viewing positioned close to the pool`s margins. Red-necked Grebes are scarce winter visitors in Kent, with the North Kent marshes and Swale often the preferred sites down the years. Only once locally have I seen a `full-blown` summer plumaged bird, and that was at Castle Coote thirty years ago. It was pleasing to see a small element of rusty-red appearing on the neck; more obvious when

22 angled against the sun. The yellow bill contrasted with the dark flattened crown. Our experiences with the rarer grebes have usually involved singles or small numbers of one species; so a grebe `fiver` was indeed a bonus. PS. For the record, Mike Gould and I managed a `sixer` in Feb1999 which included the Pied-billed Grebe at Singleton with the other rare grebes seen in waters around the Dungeness area. Mike Roser and Dave Perrin

KENT BIRD SIGHTINGS FOR JANUARY AND FEBRUARY 2019 - Chris Hindle

Where necessary the acceptance of records within this report is subject to ratification by the “British Birds” Rarities Committee (species in capital letters) or the KOS Rarities Committee. The results of their deliberations are regularly published on the KOS Website. Species that fall into these categories and therefore need descriptions can be found in the list at the end of the Kent Bird Report.

WEATHER______January started off dry and settled with high pressure dominant, but it was mainly a cloudy high. This high then moved further away into the second week giving generally mild and less settled weather. It was often colder in the second half of the month with frequent north-west winds, though with occasional milder interludes, notably from 24th-26th. Although the weather was more settled, rainfall amounts were small. The January rainfall total for Bishopstone was 15.25mm. Frost and snow were widespread during the last few days of the month.

February started cold with some snow but in contrast the rest of the month was very mild. From 4th-12th there were westerly winds and then over the next two days there was southerly incursion from north Africa and it was very mild and sunny. There was a brief changeable spell before the southerly flow returned from 21st-27th bringing record breaking February temperatures when 21.2°C

23

Black-throated Diver by Lee Evans

Single Black-throated Divers were recorded from Sandwich Bay, Sandgate, Walmer Beach, Hythe, Walmer Beach, Deal and Dover Harbour and inland at Sevenoaks WR from Jan 29th-31st and Whetsted GPs on Feb 15th whilst single Great Northern Divers were reported from , Sandwich Bay, , Hampton, Walmer, Sandgate, Seabrook, Tankerton, Mill Point, Folkestone, South Foreland and Foreness.

An unseasonal Sooty Shearwater flew E at DBO on Feb 27th.and a Spoonbill was seen at Egypt Bay on Feb 23rd whilst one or two Bitterns were recorded during January and February from Dungeness RSPB, Stodmarsh, Oare Marshes and Lade.

Five of the Cattle Egrets seen at Dungeness RSPB in 2018 were still in the area until the end of February. Others were seen at Ash on Jan 8th, Funton Creek on Jan 19th, Walland Marsh on Feb 6th, Painter's Forstal on Feb 12th with three or four in a sheep field at Smeeth on Feb 15th and 16th, one at Leysdown- on-Sea on Feb 25th and two on Romney Marsh on Feb 26th.

Up to 14 Great White Egrets were recorded from Dungeness RSPB with up to four at Romney Marsh, Stodmarsh/Grove Ferry, Nickoll's Quarry, 24 Conningbrook, Oare Marshes, Lade, Willop Basin, Warehorne, Mill Point, Appledore, Pegwell Bay, Reculver Marshes, Fairfield, West Hythe, Mersham, Brookland, Chillenden and Kenardington.

Up to six Shags were reported from Foreness, Dover Harbour, Mill Point, Samphire Hoe, Seabrook, Sandgate, Swalecliffe, Dungeness RSPB and Chatham.

During January and February two Red-necked Grebes were seen at Cliffe Pools with a single bird at Whetsted GPs whilst one or two Slavonian Grebes were seen at Cliffe Pools, Nor Marsh and Motney Hill, Sandwich Bay and Stonar Lake and there were up to five Black-necked Grebes at Cliffe Pools and Dungeness RSPB.

BIRDS OF PREY______As many as three Hen Harriers were recorded at Sheppey, Stodmarsh/Grove Ferry, Sandwich Bay, Wouldham, Cooling Marshes, Reculver Marshes, Cheyne Court, Seasalter, Funton Creek and New Hythe.

One or two Red Kites were recorded from 23 sites throughout the County.

The Rough-legged Buzzard first seen at Funton Creek at the end of December was joined by another bird between Jan 6th and the end of February. Other bird were reported from Manston on Jan 4th and Highstead on Jan 21st.

RAILS TO WADERS______A Common Crane was found at Dungeness RSPB on Feb 2nd.

Purple Sandpiper by Mike Hook

25 During these two months as many as 14 Purple Sandpipers were seen at Foreness, North Foreland, Margate, Broadstairs, Hythe, Hampton, Willop Outfall, Dumpton Gap and Dover Harbour and there were up to three Jack Snipe seen at Swale NNR, Willop Basin, Ham Marshes, Coldharbour, DBO, Beachborough and Wouldham.

In January up to four Spotted Redshanks were seen at Grove Ferry, Swalecliffe, Scotney, Riverside CP, Shellness, Milton Creek and Otterham Creek.

AUKS TO GULLS______A first winter Kittiwake was found inland at Sevenoaks WR on Feb 1st, an adult Sabine's Gull flew N past Sandwich Bay on Feb 7th and three Little Gulls were seen at DBO on Jan 29th.

In January a Glaucous Gull flew S past SBBO on 26th whilst a juvenile was seen at DBO and Lade on 29th and again at DBO on Feb 4th. During February one was recorded from Pegwell Bay on 15th, a bird that flew E at DBO on 17th was seen later in the morning at St Margarets-at-Cliffe, a second winter bird was found at Swalecliffe on 18th and a bird was recorded from Foreness on 20th.

Glaucous Gull by Andy Taylor

26 During these two months up to six Caspian Gulls were were seen at DBO with one or two at Nickoll's Quarry, Lade, Folkestone, Hythe Ranges, Dartford Marshes, Pegwell Bay, Sevenoaks WR and Chillenden and up to three Yellow- legged Gulls were identified at DBO, Pegwell Bay, Ash, Reculver and Grove Ferry.

The first early Sandwich Tern of the year was found on at Greatstone on Feb 19th.

During the winter up to four Great Skuas were seen at DBO, Sandwich Bay, Samphire Hoe, Walmer Beach, Hythe, Folkestone, Mill Point, Willop Outfall, Deal and South Foreland.

DOVES TO RING-NECKED PARAKEET______In January a Long-eared Owl was found at Cliffe Pools on 2nd with others at Grove Ferry/Stodmarsh on 6th and Reculver Marshes on 12th.

Up to 21 Short-eared Owls roosted on Sheppey in January with up to 26 there in February. There were also as many as six recorded at Reculver, Sandwich Bay, Oare Marshes, Pegwell Bay, Lydd, Allhallows, Funton Creek and Swanscombe.

During January and February single Merlins were seen at DBO, Hythe, Park, Worth Marshes, Reculver Marshes, Swalecliffe, Cliffe Marshes, Acol, Capel Fleet and Conyer.

SHRIKES TO HIRUNDINES______A Great Grey Shrike was found on Worth Marshes on Jan 26th and a Hooded Crow arrived at Reculver Marshes on Jan 24th and remained in the area until 26th whilst another was seen at Dungeness and Lade on Feb 25th and during these two months up to three Ravens were recorded from 20 sites throughout the County.

During the winter up to 15 Waxwings were seen at Jeskyn's Farm whilst 20 were reported from Cobham on Jan 13th, one was heard at Selling on Jan 16th and there were as many as six at Strood between Jan 30th and Feb 16th and up to seven at Folkestone from Feb 3rd-11th. Five were also seen at Mote Park on Feb 11th.

27

Penduline Tit by Mark Chidwick

A PENDULINE TIT was found by the David Feast hide at Grove Ferry on Jan 21st and seen again in the vicinity on 25th.

The Woodlark first seen at Lydd in December 2018 was still there on Jan 17th whilst another flew W at Foreness on Feb 16th and three flew N at North Foreland on Feb 24th. Four Shorelarks were recorded from Conyer between Jan 18th and 30th.

With continuous mild, southerly winds a very early Swallow was seen at Walmer Castle on Feb 18th with two at Littlestone and one at Sandown Castle on 20th and with small numbers at various site during the rest of the month.

CETTI’S WARBLER TO WHEATEARS______A HUME'S WARBLER was seen and heard in a private garden at Lydd on Jan 17th and during these two months one or two Dartford Warblers were seen at various sites on the Dungeness peninsula.

In January and February up to six Firecrests were reported from DBO, Sandwich Bay, Worth Marshes, Botolph's Bridge, Mill Point, Westbere, Enbrook

28 Park, Foreness, South Foreland, Samphire Hoe, Kingsdown, Conyer, Sandgate, Cheriton, Reculver Marshes, Sheldwich and West Hythe.

During winter single Black Redstarts were recorded from DBO, Ramsgate, Reculver, St Margarets-at-Cliffe, Scotney GPs, Finberry and Lydd.

DUNNOCK TO BUNTINGS______An early male White Wagtail was seen on the seawall at Reculver on Feb 22nd.

In January and February up to eight Water Pipits were seen at Stodmarsh/Grove Ferry, Swanscombe Marshes, Dartford Marshes, Sandwich Bay, Worth Marshes, Oare Marshes, Wouldham, Dungeness RSPB and Willop Basin.

Up to 15 Hawfinches were seen in Hemsted Forest, Hothfield, Benenden, Eastling and Denge Wood whilst one of the Twite seen at Conyer since November 2018 was still there on Jan 14th.

The Mealy/Common Redpoll first seen at Bough Beech in December remained there until at least Jan 14th and others were seen at Trenley Park Woods on Feb 10th and Furnace Pond on Feb 17th.

Crossbill by Steve Ashton

29 During the winter up to 45 Common Crossbills were seen in Hemsted Forest, King's Wood, Denge Wood, , Lyminge, Brasted, Beachborough Park, Goudhurst, Sandwich Bay and Hothfield.

During these two months up to nine Snow Buntings were seen at Sandwich Bay, Hampton Pier, Walmer Beach, Oare Marshes and Reculver.

DBO = Dungeness Bird Observatory BBRC = British Birds Rarities Committee RSPB = Royal Society for the Protection of Birds “The Patch” = the warm water outflow from Dungeness Nuclear Power Station NNR=National Nature Reserve NR=Nature Reserve LNR=Local Nature Reserve FC = Field Centre WR = Wildlife Reserve GP = Gravel Pits CP = Country Park

CONTRIBUTORS______This summary owes much to the contributors to the various sites in “Latest Sightings” on the KOS Website at www.kentos.org.uk, KOSForum, Twitter and the RBA Hotline. Records have been contributed by G. Andrews, A. Appleton, J. Bloor, Bockhill Birders, Bough Beech (per A. Ford), M. Bournat, D. Brown, E. Brown, D. Bunney, G. Burton, F. Cackett, S. Carter, M. Casemore, B. Chambers, J. Chantler, M. Chidwick, G. Coultrip, K. Cutting, P. Davies, DBO (per D. Walker), D. De Silva, R. Diggory, R. Dubbins, D. Eade, D. Faulkener, D. Feast, Folkestone and Hythe Birds (per I. Roberts), A. Ford, N. Frampton, M. Garwood, R. Gomes, T. Goss, M. Gould, V. Green, J. Guiver, J. Headley, A. Hindle, C. Hindle, M. Hindle, M. Hollingworth, M. Hook, S. Huggins, B. Hunt, A. Lapworth, J. Massey, T. Manship, N. McCanch, S. Message, J. Metcalfe, M. Norman, J. Neighbour, R. O'Reilly, M. Orchard, D. Perrin, A. Perry, J. Perry, K. Privett, M. Puxley, R. Rackliffe, M. Roser, K. Ross, J. Russell, Samphire Hoe (per L. Collins, P. Holt, D. Smith, and P. Smith), SBBO (per A. Lipczynski and S. Walton), Sevenoaks WR (per S. Clerici), I. Shepherd, J. Sparey, Swale NNR (per R. Smith, D. Faulkner, I. Davidson), T. Swandale, J. Thompson, P. Trodd, A. Ward, M. Wilson, T. Wilson, J. Woolgar, B. Woolhouse, B. Wright and M. Wright.

30 Please send records for this review to: Chris Hindle, 42, Glenbervie Drive, Herne Bay, Kent. CT6 6QL Email: [email protected]

Records sent to me may not all be used for this report as I try to extract the more interesting sightings. However all records are equally important and I forward them to the appropriate Area Recorders who enter them all onto the KOS database.

Letters and Notes

Fifty Years Ago

256. Alpine Swift

Alpine Swift by JG Keulemans

31 One was found at Dover on the early date of March 15th and it died on 18th (TC,OHD,RES et al). This is an exceptionally early date and there are only two previous British March records.

KBR 1969

Norman McCanch

68th Annual General Meeting of the Kent Ornithological Society Thursday 11th April 2018 at 7.45pm at Grove Green Community Hall, Penshurst Close, Maidstone ME14 5TQ.

A G E N D A

1. President’s introduction Chris Cox 2. Apologies for absence 3. Minutes of the last meeting 4. Matters arising 5. Chairman’s report Martin Coath 6. Report of the Editorial and Records Committee Barry Wright 7. Report of the Conservation and Surveys Committee Murray Orchard 8. Treasurers report Mike Henty 9. Election of Officers Martin Coath

32

Nominations for Officers and Ordinary Members:

President: Chris Cox Chairman: Martin Coath Vice Chairman: Chris Roome Hon. Secretary: Brendan Ryan Hon. Treasurer: Mike Henty Membership Secretary: Chris Roome Chairman of Editorial & Records Sub-Committee: Barry Wright Chairman of Conservation & Survey’s Sub-Committee: Murray Orchard Editor of Kent Bird Report Keith Privett KOS News Editor Norman McCanch

Indoors Meetings Organiser: Vacant Outdoor Meetings Organiser: Ray O’Reilly Archivist: Robin Mace Ordinary Member: Stephen Wood Ordinary Member: Andre Farrar Ordinary Member: Vacant

Ex Officio member (BTO Representative) Geoff Orton

Annual General Meeting

Venue - Grove Green Community Hall, Grovewood Drive, Maidstone - just south of Junction 7 of the M20 and adjacent to Tesco’s Supermarket. The hall will be open from 7.15pm for a 7.45pm start.

Map below

33

34