Tuesday 25 September 2012

Tuesday 25th September 2012


More Swallows and House Martins swarming over Gallagher's Gallop off Kiln Barn Road this evening - estimate of 100+ Swallows and 30+ House Martin.



Imagine what Marc Heath or Steve Ashton could have done with those backlit streamers, tails and wings!

Monday 24 September 2012

Monday 24th September 2012


 Masses of Swallows and House Martins over Gallagher's Gallop both this morning and this evening.  A small passerine sitting on the Gallagher's Gap fence gave me the slip this morning just before I got my bins on it - it flew high and west never to be seen again.  It had a whiff of Whinchat/Stonechat to me :-(  Three Chiffies were flitting around a hedgerow on the footpath from Kiln Barn Road to Four Acres.  A Wheatear was also reported from the Research Station at the weekend.


Jumbo heading east, Swallow heading South!


Thursday 20 September 2012

Thursday 20th September 2012

A quick round up from the last few days:

Thursday 20th Sept




30+ Meadow Pipits, 12x Skylarks and assortment of Linnets and Goldfinches on the pasture N of Easterfields, East Malling at lunchtime, occasionally flying up to the telegraph wires.

Wednesday 19th Sept



A distant Wheatear and 2+ Meadow Pipits in the Sweets Lane Paddocks, East Malling.

Tuesday 18th Sept



A possible White Wagtail in the Sweets Lane Paddocks, East Malling (right-hand bird in above photo - double click to enlarge).  I've not seen one of these for a number of years now so I'd be happy to hear views on its ID.  It was distant, but looked very neat and smart compared to the Pied Wags nearby and with an obviously pale grey mantle.  I didn't get to see the rump unfortunately.  The grey on the flanks is the only thing that sways be away from White towards Pied for me.  It would be a new patch tick if anyone could confirm the ID!

A good day for Red Admirals with 19 seen on a short ride (1.5 mile) around the back roads of East Malling.

MONDAY 17th SEPT

A quick visit to the Sweets Lane Paddocks with Mike Easterbrook looking for Yellow Wags.  No luck but a Wheatear and Little Owl both put in an appearance.  A cracking September sunset this evening over Barming.




Sunday 16th Sept

An early start off patch for Baillon's Crake at RSPB Rainham, and back before the kids were up!  A Comma butterfly took a shine to my oldest lad.


Thursday 13 September 2012

Thursday 13th September 2012


Back from a trip in Cornwall and nice to see up to 4x Yellow Wags in one of the East Malling paddocks. Also a Wheatear reported on the Research Station this evening.