Statistically, it was a very average month with 85 species recorded (ten-year average 84.6) and the a three-month total of 104 species (ten-year average 103.1). A total of 15 species were added during the month including our third ever Red-legged Partridge on 9th, two Ravens and a Kingfisher on 18th, our earliest ever Willow Warbler on 20th and a Long-tailed Duck from 26th.

A total of 104 species so far this year

109 species by this time last year

31st

Cloudy, cool with a light SE wind. There were four Great Crested Grebes offshore, two Shelducks flew east, another west, and the Long-tailed Duck dropped in in front of the Obs at 9.20 am. Five of the larger auk species flew east.

30th

Cloudy, calm. There were four Red-throated Divers and ten Great Crested Grebes offshore and the Long-tailed Duck was offshore all morning at least. Waders included a Grey Plover (not the injured bird that wintered here) and 11 Curlews on the Hampton flats. Three adult Mediterranean Gulls flew west and other birds noted included two Buzzards, two Stock Doves and three Siskins that flew south over the upper brook.

29th

The Long-tailed Duck was reported again and there three Sandwich Terns offshore in the afternoon.

28th

Sunny, freshening SW wind. One Red-throated Diver flew east, another was offshore with two Great Crested Grebes. Four Brent Geese flew west and two Shelducks flew east and west and the Long-tailed Duck was again present offshore. Waders included nine Oystercatchers, eight Sanderlings, eight Dunlin and 22 Turnstones on the beach, six Curlews and seven Redshanks on Hampton flats and two Snipe visible on the Marsh Pool. Two adult Mediterranean Gulls flew west. A Grey Wagtail was along the middle brook by the sluice.

27th

The Long-tailed Duck was still present.

26th

Sunny, calm. There were four Red-throated Divers and seven Great Crested Grebes offshore. A Long-tailed Duck offshore was the first of the year. One was seen regularly from early November until 23rd December, and then off the Tankerton slopes until 6th January, and one has been recorded regularly in the Swale off Elmley and Murston up to the present. It has not been clear how many individuals were involved but there are at least two birds present. Nine Shelducks flew west. Waders included a Sanderling and nine Dunlin, nine Redshanks on the Marsh Pool and 26 Turnstones between the groynes. Other birds noted included three Buzzards and three Chiffchaffs were singing.

25th

A Red Kite over the caravan park was new for the year.

23rd

Two Swallows, six Stock Doves, a flock of 15 Jackdaws and our first two Siskins of the year were noted.

21st

Cloudy and calm. There were three Red-throated Divers offshore, a Shelduck flew west and there were 57 Brent Geese on the beach. Waders included 15 Sanderlings, the Purple Sandpiper and ten Redshanks on the Marsh Pool. A Great Spotted Woodpecker in trees south of the caravan park was only our second of the year. A Blackcap was singing in the Elms Wood and five Greenfinches flew overhead.

20th

Sunny, warm, calm. There were c25 Red-throated Divers offshore and a single Great Northern Diver. 5 Greylag Geese flew SE in off the sea, a Shelduck, a Pintail and a Common Scoter flew west and there were 44 Brent Geese on the beach. Waders included 112 Sanderlings roosting between the groynes and the Purple Sandpiper. A Willow Warbler, singing in the bushes opposite the Obs, was our earliest recorded here. Other birds noted included our first Swallow of the year, a Stock Dove, a Blackcap and five Chiffchaffs and a Reed Bunting.

Two Peacock butterflies were also seen.

19th

Two Avocets flew west. Another addition to the year list. Five Pintail and two Shovelers flew east. An increase in Sanderling, with a total of 73 birds, suggests a passage movement. Also some evidence of vis mig with 16 Stock Doves and 60 Goldfinches flying west.

18th

Sunny, warmer, light SW wind. There were four Red-throated Divers offshore, two Shelducks flew west whilst waders included 17 Sanderlings and the Purple Sandpiper. Of particular note were our first two Ravens of the year, which flew SE over the caravan park, and Kingfisher, not seen previously this winter because of the soil-laden state of the brook; a combination of heavy rains the housing estates being built along its course. Also noted were six adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls on the beach, three Chiffchaffs, and another year tick in the form of a Greenfinch heading west over the Obs.

Butterflies noted included two Brimstones, Peacock and Small White.

16th

Sunny and calm. There were four Red-throated Divers and three Red-breasted Mergansers offshore, five Canada Geese, five Greylag Geese and two Shelducks flew east, six Shovelers flew west and there were 28 Brent Geese along the shoreline. Waders included a single Ringed Plover, eight Sanderlings and the Purple Sandpiper. Other birds noted included a female Blackcap along the upper brook, our first of the year, three Chiffchaffs an two Rooks in-off the sea and south over the Obs.

Peacock and Small White butterflies were noted.

15th

A Great Northern Diver and three Red-breasted Mergansers were noted offshore.

14th

Cloudy, mild (up to 13 degrees C), light SW wind. A Cattle Egret which flew west with a Little Egret low over the sea, was a first for the year. Two Canada Geese and flocks of eight and 25 Pintail flew east, a Shelduck flew west and there were eight Red-breasted Mergansers offshore. Other birds noted included an adult Mediterranean Gull, three Skylarks, two Reed Buntings and two Corn Buntings west and nine Linnets on the coastal path.

13th

Cloudy, milder with a moderate SW wind. There were four Red-throated Divers, eight Great Crested Grebes and five Red-breasted Mergansers offshore. 87 Brent Geese scattered along the shoreline and a Teal flew west. Waders included two Lapwings west low over the sea, three Sanderlings and 30 Dunlin. Nine Mediterranean Gulls flew west. Other birds noted included three Meadow Pipits, including one in display flight over the coastal path, a Chiffchaff and two Reed Buntings.

12th

A Wigeon flew west, waders included six Ringed Plovers, a Grey Plover and the Purple Sandpiper a Little Gull flew east.

11th

Cloudy, murky, light NW wind. A Red-throated Diver flew east, a Great Crested Grebe offshore, a drake Common Scoter flew west and there were 20 Brent Geese on the beach. Waders included 12 Oystercatchers the beach and ten Redshanks on the Marsh Pool. Other birds included a Mediterranean Gull west, two Stocks Doves on the beach and a Song Thrush in song in the bushes opposite the Obs.

9th

Sunny, light SE wind. Two Red-throated Divers, a Gannet and 20 Common Scoters flew east, three Shelducks flew west, a drake Shoveler was on the sea west of the tidal ponds, and a pair were later off the Obs, and a pair of Red-breasted Mergansers were on the tidal ponds with a drake off the Obs. Surprise of the day, however, was a Red-legged Partridge which flew west in front of the Obs, appearing to drop onto the beach, but was not seen again in the face of the oncoming park run! This was only the third live record of this species after birds recorded in April 2004 and 2006. A dead bird was found on the beach several years ago. Other birds recorded included three Ringed Plovers, a Jay in the Elm Wood and two Rooks in-off the sea and heading south by the Obs.

7th

A quiet morning. Birds noted included a Stock Dove, a Skylark flying south over the foot ball pitch, two Long-tailed Tits and a Reed Bunting.

6th

Cloudy, calm. There were c20 Red-throated Divers and c15 Great Crested Grebes offshore and 14 Shelducks and four Pintail flew east. Waders included four Ringed Plovers, 15 Sanderlings and the Purple Sandpiper. Other birds noted included four adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls in flight over the area, three Meadow Pipits and a Jay.

5th

A Great Northern Diver was on the sea, a Knot was on the beach and the Purple Sandpiper was on the groynes.

4th

Sunny and calm. There were ten Great Crested Grebes and four Red-breasted Mergansers offshore, a duck Shelduck was on the sea close inshore and there were four Little Egrets on the beach. The Purple Sandpiper was in the bay but only four Ringed Plovers were seen. Other birds included two Skylarks, west and south, and six Linnets.

A Red Admiral briefly at the Obs was our first butterfly of the year.

2nd

Cloudy with showers and a fresh southerly wind. One Red-throated Diver, three Great Crested Grebes and seven Red-breasted Mergansers were noted offshore. A Marsh Harrier west close inshore at 9.40 am was only our second of the year.

1st

A Fulmar flying west at 7.10 am was our first of the year, Red-breasted Mergansers were noted offshore and the Purple Sandpiper was still present at the east end of the beach.