Kent Birding Highlights for April 2025

                                               OARE MARSHES

                                                 7th April 2025

                                               

Cattle Egret

A trip to Oare Marshes on the 7th April produced a fly over Cattle Egret which landed on the West Flood, there was various waders on the East Flood including a distant Spotted Redshank.

A walk up to Dan's Dock added my first Wheatear of the year plus Marsh Frogs were in fine voice.

Wheatear.

CLIFFSEND  THANET

11th April 2025

Booted Eagle from 2000.

On the 10th April stunning news of a Pale Morph Booted Eagle showing well in the Thanet area late afternoon, problem was it was being seen in various locations, i decided it was to risky and would most likely disappear by the time i got there.

I was wrong, it was seen well into the evening and eventually was seen going into roost somewhere near Cliffsend.

I made arrangements to meet up with Mw & SC early the next morning (11th) and hope upon hope the Booted Eagle would appear.

I joined MW & SC at a high point looking over Cliffsend & Pegwell Bay, we were joined by 4 other Kent birders including local Birder Craig .S.

After a 3 hour wait Craig picked out the Booted Eagle over Manston, we watched this superb bird for roughly 5 minutes before it flew out of view behind some trees.

We put the news out and were soon joined by lot's more birders, the Booted Eagle eventually reappeared and showed really well , although it was quite distant the views through the scope were really good.

Eventually the Booted Eagle drifted off out of view alongside a Red Kite.

BISHOPSTONE GLENN

13th April 2025

Wryneck.

News of a Wryneck showing well at Bishopston Glenn on the 13th had me heading there and after a short wait i had some very good views of this superb Woodpecker.

Wryneck.

NEW HYTHE LAKES

17th April 2025

Nightingale

Several walks around New Hythe Lakes in April eventually produced some good numbers of Nightingales , including this very showy bird on the 17th April.

OARE MARSHES

21st April 2025

Egyptian Goose

A visit to Oare Marshes on the 21st April & the target bird today was a Ring Ouzel that had been found by MW earlier that morning.

On the walk towards Uplees 2 Egyptian Geese  flew past and a Great White Egret was seen on the West Flood , a distant Bittern was also heard 'Booming'.

Great white Egret

We eventually reached the area the Ring Ouzel had been found and thankfully it was still present and showing well, there was also 2 Wheatears nearby.

Ring Ouzel

Other birds of note were Bar tailed Godwit, Whimbrel & 2 Little terns on the Swale plus 500+ Med Gulls & a Juv Kittiwake was a surprise bird flying up the Swale. 

St. OSYTH in ESSEX

27th April 2025

Female Dotterel

Ok i confess, this last report is not a Kent highlight !!!!, but a 'Trip' into Essex on the 27th April was rewarded with 4 Dotterel (1♀ & 3♂).

These stunning birds were seen really well going about their business feeding & sleeping in a pea field.

Dotterel