26th March 2018

It was extremely cold today when Brendan and I did our vis. mig, however we kept at it for the morning and had 760 Chaffinches, 31 Siskins, 4 Bramblings, 10 Linnets and 210 Starlings moving NE. In the area there were up to 9 Buzzards that appeared to be loafing around rather than migrating and at 11:05 we had our bird of the day a Hooded Crow come in from the sea and fly off in a SW direction.

25th March 2018

A morning of 'vis. migration' produced quite an assortment of birds moving NE. There were 4150 Starlings (mainly one flock of at least 3000), 4 Alba Wagtails, 5 Fieldfares, 21 Great Tits, 250 Chaffinches, 3 Bramblings, 135 Linnets, 30 Goldfinches, 7 Siskins, 1 Hawfinch and 2 Reed Buntings.
On the sea, moving up channel, were 28 Red-throated Divers, 62 Brent Geese and 2 Canada Geese.
Our first Wheatear of the year flew along the cliff-top and a Black Redstart sat in the bushes by the Monument.
In the bay having a coffee, before we left, a flock of up to a 1000 Cormorants flew in, presumably after a shoal of fish, and  then within 15 minutes moved off north.
Gerald, Nigel, Richard, Jack.

24th March 2018

Limited evidence of migration with a mere three Chiffchaffs between the Monument and Little Green. Pick of the day was a Red Kite over the Golf Course eventually heading inland and also seen by Richard from Kingsdown. The lingering Black Redstart was still on the undercliff as per Nigel. A few divers were moving up channel. All those identified were Red-throated. Brendan and Jack
Also two Harbour Porpoises off Hope Point.

Red Kite

Red-throated Diver 

21st March 2018

A vis-mig in a light NW breeze proved to be very productive and in two and a half hours we had 65 Common Buzzards coming in from the sea. The birds mainly in small flocks of 5 to 7 circled over the South Foreland Valley gaining height before moving off NW very quickly. Other than buzzards we had very little apart from 730 Starlings flying NE. Earlier on the sea 50 Red-throated Divers and 240 Auks flew up the channel in an hour. Brendan, John, Jack.

11th January 2018

Although there was no wind and the sea extremely calm, Richard and I had a seawatch from 09:45 - 11:00 which proved to be quite successful. Moving SW were 79 Red-throated Divers, 830 Cormorants, moving NE were 21 Brent Geese and offshore were 50 Gannets, 30 Great Crested Grebes, 3 Shags, 2 Great Skuas and 1500 Auks of which 90% were Guillemots.

30th December 2017

In an hour from 09:45-10:45 Phil and I had, moving down Channel, 15 Red-throated Divers, a Black-throated Diver, 160 Gannets, 430 Cormorants, 7 Curlews, 8 Great Skuas (6 down and 2 up), 1200 Auks (mainly Razorbills) and 700 Kittiwakes.

15th November 2017

A walk around the area produced nothing, the only notable record today was early this morning when Richard had 3 Hawfinches fly over his garden at Kingsdown.

12th November 2017

Very little apart from 7 Grey Partridges, 2 Snow Buntings and 70 Yellowhammers. (Phil,Jack)

11th November 2017

Phil walked the area this morning and had our first autumn Woodcock, 180 Fieldfares, 30 Redwings,
3 Stonechats, 2 Snow Buntings and 124 Yellowhammers.

9th November 2017

On a cold and beautifully clear morning there was a small overhead migration of Starlings, Goldfinches, Redpolls of which at least three were Common, a single House Martin and a male Hen Harrier that came in at Hope Point and moved off W.
Elwsewhere in the area were good numbers of thrushes with 112 Blackbirds, 38 Song Thrushes, 4 Redwings and 4 Mistle Thrushes. Other notable birds were 150 Skylarks, 2 Stonechats, 7 Bullfinches and a Snow Bunting.
On the sea in the Bay were 70 Mediterranean Gulls.

5th November 2017

Very little today, the only notable birds being two Sparrowhawks, two Buzzards and singles of Woodlark, Stonechat, Chiffchaff and Firecrest. (Phil, Richard, Jack)

4th November 2017

A walk in the gloom and showers was brightened up with the discovery of a Pallas's Warbler in the bushes near the toilet block at Kingsdown at 7.30. It was with 12 Long-tailed Tits and 2 Goldcrests, but unfortunately could not be relocated. Also in the area were 2 Firecrests, 2 Ravens and a flock of 350 Starlings in off. (Nigel)
Phil walked the area at Bockhill and had 140 Skylarks, 70 Yellowhammers, 11 Grey and two Red-Legged Partridges in the big field, 40 Redwings, five Fieldfares and 60 Blackbirds in the Freedown, and 20 Goldcrests around the Farm.
There were also 540 Starlings in off the sea. (Phil)  

3rd November 2017

On a very pleasant afternoon Phil and I walked around the area, on the cliff-top we had two Stonechats and  flyovers of Raven and Brambling. In the stubble field were 120 Skylarks and a male Snow Bunting, in the Free Down was a Little Owl and a Long-Eared Owl, and around the Farm a Chiffchaff and a Firecrest.
Richard had a Ring Ouzel at Kingsdown.