Strong north westerly wind, very cold.
A seawatch of an hour produced 64 Red Throated Divers, 65 Cormorants, 60 Gannets, 25 Fulmars and 150 Auks most of which were moving up channel.
There were four Common Seals feeding just offshore and a Black Redstart joined us at the seawatch shelter.
Simon, Jack.
Seawatch 07:30-11:30 wind light northerly.
Again very little movement at sea apart from two Red-throated Divers down channel and then moving up channel we had three Common Scoters, six Shelducks, four Auks and one Great Skua. Offshore, mainly following the ferries, were at least 100 Gannets.
On the rocks there were 120 Great Black-backed Gulls and 500 Herring Gulls. Whilst counting these we had an adult winter Caspian Gull.
Nigel, Jack.
Next to no wind at all and sea incredibly calm.
A seawatch from 07:30 - 09:00 produced very few birds apart from four Red-throated Divers, one Black-throated Diver and two Great Crested Grebes. However did have an enormous flock of Starlings, probably over 2000, come in and fly north whilst three Common and one Grey Seal fed just off the rocks.
Elsewhere in the area were two Brambling, three Goldcrests and two Firecrests.
Richard, Jack
Today was much quieter than yesterday with birds moving up and down channel.
There were 33 Brent Geese moving NE and 29 SW, eight Red-throated Divers NE and nine SW, a Black-throated Diver SW and 81 Auks moved SW. Other birds, all moving NE up channel, were 35 Cormorants, 15 Shelducks, a male Eider, 36 Kittiwakes and a Sandwich Tern
Most of the morning there were c.105 Gannets feeding offshore as were two Common Seals, one Grey Seal and a Harbour Porpoise.
At 10:05 the stars of the day, two ring-tail Hen Harriers, moved from the SE towards the cliffs before being lost above us.
Nigel, Simon, Jack.
This morning Simon persuaded me to join him in the Bay for a seawatch, although I thought it a waste of time, we stopped from 08:00 - 12:30.
Most birds were moving down channel and we had five Red-throated Divers, two Black-throated Divers, three Wigeon, 62 Auks and circa 250 Gannets. There were also three Great Skuas that moved up channel. Close in the Bay sitting on the sea were 11 Razorbills that makes one wonder if the Auks much further out to sea were all of the same species. Off the the rocks were at least 850 Black-headed Gulls.
We had two birds coming straight in off the sea, the Woodcock reached the trees under the cliffs but the Blackbird was unfortunately caught by Herring Gulls.
There were two Harbour Porpoises and three Common Seals feeding close in the Bay.
Simon, Jack.
Very light SW overcast
Encouraged by news elsewhere in the country of rare wheatears, I ventured out once more in the forlorn hope that one day Bockhill would be blessed with a rare wheatear. Sadly today wasn't to be that day although I did end the day with a rare Wheatear elsewhere in the county but that is another story and location.
A few finches were going over first thing including 32 Siskins, seven Bramblings and four Lesser Redpolls, plus a few Chaffinches and Goldfinches.
Robins seemed particular evident with at least 30 recorded but probably many more. Also four Stonechats, twenty Blackbirds and five Song Thrushes.
A young Brent Goose was in the big field, eventually took flight when chased by a dog.
At sea there were three Red-throated Divers, two Great Northern Divers and a Shag.
 |
| Robins seemed to be everywhere this morning |
 |
| Immature Brent Goose- Big Field |
Moderate SW breeze, overcast
Two Snow Buntings between the Freedown and clifftop were today's highlight. While Snow Buntings are not that unusual at Bockhill, most records refer to fly-overs so these two on the deck were appreciated.
Other birds of note seen today included two Stonechats, two Chiffchaffs (the first for a few days), two Firecrests and two Goldcrests.
Overhead there was a steady trickle of Siskins, a few Redpolls and Chaffinches.
The first Fulmar returned today after being absent since early September
Nigel, Richard, Simon and Brendan
 |
| Snow Bunting |
 |
| Snow Bunting |
A short visit today produced the first Woodcock of the autumn, flushed from the Droveway was the highlight of a quiet morning's birding.
A few finches were passing overhead with 40 Chaffinches, five Bramblings, 15 Siskins and seven Redpolls. There had been a small arrival of Blackbirds with 26 in the Paddock and Farm Wood. The only other birds of note were six Lapwings in off
Brisk to strong NW wind, overcast with occasional sun
Spent the morning birding around the undercliff, Otty Bottom and Oldestairs in the hope of finding some more sheltered spots out of the wind. the net result was disappointing with three Firecrests and two Goldcrests being the highlight. Also seen this morning, one Brambling, four Rock Pipits (resident) and 18 Long-tailed Tits. The first day since August when I have not seen a Chiffchaff.
On the sea there was a strong movement up channel of Gannets, Brent Geese and Cormorants plus a couple of Shelducks a few Kittiwakes and two Mediterranean Gulls
Brendan
Light NW, clear skies, early morning frost
A light overhead passage included a single Snow Bunting and two Tree Sparrows, along with three Reed Buntings, 12 Pied Wagtails, one Redpoll, five Bramblings, 210 Starlings and a single Golden Plover.
One the deck there were three Stonechats and single Chiffchaff, Goldcrest and Firecrest. All a little disappointing given all the activity down the road in the South Foreland Valley.
Brendan, Simon, Jack and Sam
