October 3rd : Dungeness Area
Glossy Ibis
First bird i saw going along the track at Galloways on the 3rd October was a very bright looking Yellow Browed Warbler, however only brief views were obtained of this really smart leaf warbler.
Common Redstart.
The trapping area held 2 each of Common Redstart & Garden Warbler, plus 25+ Lesser Redpoll & 100+ Siskins overhead, on checking my notes the Siskin is a new species for my Dungeness bird list.
2 Glossy Ibis from the Rspb entrance track was another good bird to see today.
Wryneck.
An undoubted highlight of October was this superb Wryneck seen on the 6th , and new bird for my Oare Marshes bird list, i had really good views of this superb Woodpecker species on & off for approx 1 hour.
Wryneck.
October 14th : Dungeness NNR
Red Flanked Bluetail
Another trip to Dungeness NNR with 2 target birds on offer, well for me it was about seeing the Red Flanked Bluetail as it would not only be a new bird for my Dungeness bird list but it is also a stunning bird to see !!!
Lovely Blue tail.
Thankfully the Red Flanked Bluetail showed really well , with fading light and the weather closing in i tried for the Short toed Treecreeper which was seen in the Old Lighthouse garden.
Sadly i never managed to see this bird but having seen 2 Short toed Treecreepers at Dungeness before i wasn't to disappointed and who be after seeing the superb RFB.
Red Flanked Bluetail.
An afternoon visit to Oare Marshes and this time my target bird was Dartford Warbler, a walk out from the car park towards Dans Dock and i was soon enjoying some views of the Dartford Warbler which was keeping close company with 2 Stonechats.
This was a welcome addition to my Oare Marshes bird list.
October 17th : Shuart Farm
1st winter Masked Shrike.
I have already done a blog post this month on the Masked Shrike seen at Shuarts farm , however i could not leave it out of my October highlights, a truly remarkable addition to my Kent bird list.
Also seen this day at Chambers wall was a delightful Pallas's Warbler which also showed well at times.
Pallas's Warbler.
October 20th : Oare Marshes
American Golden Plover with Golden Plover.
A morning spent at Capel Fleet & Leysdown which resulted in seeing a superb male Hen Harrier over the fields at Capel Fleet plus several Goldcrest & Redwing in the bushes at Leysdown on Sea.
An afternoon visit to Oare marshes was rewarded with superb views of the moulting American Golden Plover which was roosting with a large number of Golden Plover.
24th October : St. Mary's Bay & Capel Fleet
Red Backed Shrike
Having seen lot's of photos of the 1stw Red Backed Shrike online, temptation got the better of me and a trip to St.Mary's Bay on the 24th was the plan.
A long story short , the Red Backed Shrike showed very well indeed and was a very tame bird , the only RBS as tame as this one i have seen before was on Shetland.
Red Backed Shrike.
There was also a showy Shorelark nearby which was keeping company with Meadow Pipits.
Shorelark.
An afternoon visit to Capel Fleet was rewarded with distant but good scope views of the Great Grey Shrike which is a new bird for my Sheppy bird list , great to see 25+ Corn Buntings in the bushes here to.
Well that about covers my October Kent bird highlights, let's hope November is just as good !!!
