9th

Cold again, with a cantankerous NE breeze, the only real change involved the presence of 60 or so Fieldfares and Redwings in the field opposite the Observatory and 50-60 Chaffinches in the hedgerows. Otherwise, it was pretty grim.

8th

In line with the pessimistic weather forecast, today had little to recommend it, with a dour easterly breeze and little sunshine after a sunny start. However, a Woodcock was the first for two weeks and a drake Pintail was on Restharrow Scrape.

5th

In wall-to-wall sunshine 3 Marsh Harriers were soaring together over Worth and the redhead Smew was seen again. 4 Sparrowhawks were also seen, drifting about in various directions, suggesting that they might be on the move.

4th

Although it was brighter, the boisterous and chilly easterly wind persisted and there were even fewer birds of note than yesterday.

3rd

A grey and charmless morning with a chill east wind brought little of note, although a Black-throated Diver and 9 Pintail were seen offshore. Still, it provided an ideal opportunity to proceed with the essential task of reducing the water level in the Observatory pond and, consequently, the car park. While not quite in the same league as Mao's plan to divert the course of the Yangtse it did ensure that the car park is now accessible by car, bicycle and foot, not just the HQ coracle.

2nd

Despite almost identical conditions, today was very different. The only raptors were a female Hen Harrier, a Merlin and 2 distantly soaring Sparrowhawks and 2,800 Starlings was well down on yesterday. However, there was a Siskin in the Haven and a trickle of Skylarks, Meadow Pipits, Linnets and Pied Wagtails along the coast suggested that the onset of visible migration might not be far away.

1st

A Redwing in song in the Oasis set the scene for what proved to be a very enjoyable day, particularly after yesterday's deluge. Starlings featured strongly, with at least 8,000 swirling about the area, while 240 Fieldfares included over a hundred climbing high before setting out towards the sea. The erlangeri-type Lanner was still about, though a female Peregrine eventually chased it away and the Great White Egret put in a couple of appearances on the inland side of the railway. On such a bright March morning it was no real surprise when birds of prey started to appear, beginning with a Red Kite, circling about near Mary Bax. It was joined by a Marsh Harrier, then a Common Buzzard and two more Common Buzzards moved N in the next hour or so. The high spring tide, swelled by yesterday's strong onshore wind, created a huge influx of waders in Pegwell, presumably amounting to a significant proportion of the Thanet population of Turnstones and Sanderling, with at least 927 Turnstones and 386 Sanderling roosting below the cliff.