Review of January

Review of 2011 January There was a fairly chilly start to January though nothing like the events of the preceding December, with temperatures remaining above freezing. The first half of the month saw the weather gradually revert to a more typical Atlantic type - milder with some rain at times - and by the 13 th temperatures had climbed to around 12 C, however with frequent strong winds and rain it did not feel particularly pleasant. With high pressure becoming established nearby the last fortnight of the month was more settled, but it was often cloudy and cold again at times, with occasional frost or fog. Overall it was a particularly dull and damp affair. It was also a more typical month for birds, compared to the excesses of December, though there were still a good variety of wildfowl and waders that had been displaced by the cold weather of late 2010, and a few Waxwings remained to brighten up those dull days. Unfortunately the Bewick s Swans from late December had moved on but up to 50 Mute Swans remained in the Botolph s Bridge area through January and a flock of 5 Egyptian Geese flew west over there on the 2 nd, having previously flown in from the west and completed a circuit of Nickoll s Quarry. This flock contained an albino individual and had earlier been seen at Dungeness. The following day a flock of 25 Canada Geese and a single Greylag flew north over Botolph s Bridge and continued inland over Pedlinge. Brent Geese were noted off Hythe Ranges (3 on 1 st ), Willop Outfall (4 on 8 th ) and Seabrook (9 on 29 th ). A female Mandarin on the canal west of Hythe on the 1 st was unusual and at the normal sites there were 2 at Chesterfield Wood, 4 at Kiln Wood and 10 at Folk s Wood. Wigeon numbers rapidly diminished after the exceptional influx in December, though there were still 50 at Nickoll s Quarry on the 2 nd. A male took up residence at Samphire Hoe from the 15 th, and the second half of the month also produced 2 off the Hythe Redoubt, 7 at Westenhanger Racecourse and 8 off Seabrook. There were also 27 Gadwall at Nickoll s Quarry on the 2 nd, with 3 at Botolph s Bridge from the 22 nd and 24 at Westenhanger Racecourse on the 31 st. A Shoveler was at Botolph s Bridge on the 1 st and 40 Teal were at Chesterfield Wood on the 9 th. A Goosander was at Botolph s Bridge on the 1 st and a drake Pochard at Samphire Hoe from the 1 st until at least the 15 th was a good record for the site. At Nickoll s Quarry there were 15 each of Pochard and Tufted Duck on the 2 nd and at Westenhanger Racecourse 5 Pochard and 14 Tufted Ducks were counted on the 31 st. There were reasonable numbers of Red-throated Divers at both ends of the month, including 62 off Samphire Hoe on the 1 st and 50 there and 60 east past Seabrook on the 29 th, when a Black-throated Diver also flew east past the latter site, but fewer in the middle. Late January also saw an increase in Great Crested Grebes, with a peak of 30 off Seabrook on the 31 st. On the 15 th 50 Gannets flew west past Samphire Hoe and on the 24 th an exceptional flock of 77 Cormorants flew east there, with a flock of 30 having earlier flown east past Folkestone on the 21 st. The Great White Egret remained in the Botolph s Bridge area, where there were also up to 3 Little Egrets (with another found dead there), and 2 Little Egrets were at Westenhanger on the 7 th. Single Marsh Harriers were at Nickoll s Quarry on the 2 nd and flying east over Pedlinge on the 3 rd, and a Goshawk flew east over Sandling on the 9 th. At least 8 Buzzards were seen and 2 Peregrines at Botolph s Bridge on the 3 rd were away from the usual sites on the cliffs. Water Rails were noted at Samphire Hoe and along the canal at Seabrook and west of Hythe, and 2 Coot in Folkestone Harbour from the 10 th were an unusual record. A Grey Plover, 2 Knot, 6 Oystercatchers and 13 Ringed Plovers were along Hythe Ranges on the 1 st, and another Knot flew west at Hythe Redoubt on the 16 th. 30 Ringed Plovers were on Folkestone Beach on the 24 th and Sanderling were seen at the Hythe Redoubt (on the 7 th ) and the Willop Outfall (peak of 7 on the 8 th ),

whilst up to 7 Purple Sandpipers remained at Hythe throughout. Lapwing numbers were low, with a peak of just 70 at the Willop Outfall on the 8 th, and Curlews were noted at Samphire Hoe, inland of the Hythe Redoubt (2) and at the Willop Outfall (3). Snipe continued to be widespread, with peaks of 7 at Hythe Roughs on the 31 st, 10 at Botolph s Bridge on the 2 nd and 25 at Court Farm, near Pedlinge on the 3 rd, whilst Woodcock were recorded at Botolph s Bridge, Chesterfield Wood, Cowtye Wood, Thorn Wood, Little Stone Wood (2) and Kiln Wood (4). Up to 2 Green Sandpipers frequented Botolph s Bridge and 3 Redshank and 6 Turnstone remained in Folkestone Harbour. The stormy weather mid-month increased Kittiwake numbers to 30 off Samphire Hoe on the 15 th and 16 off Hythe the next day, when 6 Lesser Black-backed Gulls were counted at the Willop Outfall. These conditions also induced a reasonable movement of auks, with 100 west past Samphire Hoe on the 15 th and 175 off Hythe the next day, which included a high proportion of Razorbills, and a further 80 Razorbills flew west past Seabrook on the 25 th. Following the record-breaking influx in December several small flocks of Waxwings lingered into 2011, with the largest being 25 in the Shellons Street area of Folkestone on the 7 th. This flock resided in this area until the end of the month, though numbers dwindled down to 8. Elsewhere there 12 by Hillside Farm near the Alkham Valley on the 15 th, 12 on Foreland Avenue, Folkestone the next day, 10 at Pond Hill Road, Cheriton on the 13 th, 8 by North Road, Cheriton on the 23 rd and 2 at the Durlocks, Folkestone on the 6 th. In Hythe there were 2 on St. Leonard s Road on 3 rd and 1 by Scanlon s Bridge on the 1 st. Finally a single was at Newington on the 26 th. Waxwing at Folkestone (Ian Roberts) The Sky Lark dispersal continued from late December, with 22 flying east at Samphire Hoe and 8 east over Hythe Ranges on the 1 st, and 45 had returned to Abbotscliffe by the 18 th. Stonechats appeared to have been badly affected by the cold weather and the only reports were of 2 at Nickoll s Quarry on the 3 rd and one at Samphire Hoe throughout. There were also few records of Kingfisher and none of Cetti s Warbler. Winter thrush numbers remained low with peaks of just 20 Fieldfares at Bluehouse Wood on the 20 th and 30 Redwings at Capel-le-Ferne on the 18 th and Summerhouse Hill on the 30 th. Single Blackcaps were in two gardens in Folkestone (with one lingering until late March) and 2 Chiffchaffs and a Firecrest were at Enbrook Park, Sandgate on the 3 rd, with another Firecrest at Mill Point on the 21 st. Marsh Tits were noted at Bluehouse Wood (2) and Postling Wents. Two Ravens, presumably the same pair, were seen at Abbotscliffe, Church Hougham and Samphire Hoe during the month. Two Tree Sparrows were along the canal west of Hythe on the 1 st, and single Siskins were noted there and at Little Stone Wood, with 2 at Chesterfield Wood and 7 at West Hythe. Linnets were at several localities with the highest counts at Hythe Fishing Beach (10) and Kiln Wood (20). Finally a Hawfinch flew east over Hythe Roughs on the 3 rd. A total of 111 species were recorded (the same as in January 2010).

February February was almost entirely dominated by a south-westerly airflow and as a consequence was generally mild and overcast. Most days saw some precipitation but spells of heavy rain were few. There was a brief interlude of more easterly influence in the third week of the month, when it turned a little cooler, and the final three days saw a shift to chilly northerly winds which persisted into March. There were a few early Brent Geese flocks noted moving up-channel, with 20 on the 9 th, 40 on the 13 th and 13 on the 15 th, before a larger total of 476 flew east past the Hythe Redoubt on the 20 th. Another 16 went east past Hythe on the 27 th, when 5 Pintail flew east past Samphire Hoe. Five Shelduck flew east past Mill Point on the 8 th and one flew west at Seabrook on the 13 th, when 5 Velvet Scoter also flew west there. Up to 9 Pochard and 10 Tufted Ducks remained at Nickoll s Quarry. Red-throated Divers were only present in small numbers, with a peak of just 10 of Seabrook on the 6 th, but there were 20 Great Crested Grebes there the same day, and 40 were off Hythe on the 27 th. The maximum count of Gannets was just 20, off Seabrook on the 13 th. There was just one sighting of Little Egret at Westenhanger on the 17 th and no reports of the Great White Egret. The two Coots remained in Folkestone Harbour until at least the 18 th and 15 Ringed Plovers were counted there on the 1 st. The first Golden Plovers since early December were seen late in the month, when 6 were at Abbotscliffe on the 20 th and 3 were at Botolph s Bridge on the 22 nd. Lapwings appeared to be on the move at the same time, with 85 seen flying over Cheriton on the 20 th and 45 heading east over Abbotscliffe the next day. Up to 5 Purple Sandpipers remained at Hythe throughout and a single Dunlin was in Folkestone Harbour on the 1 st. A Jack Snipe was flushed at Nickoll s Quarry on the 1 st when a Woodcock was also seen there, and other singles of the latter species were recorded at Bargrove Wood on the 3 rd, and Casebourne Wood and West Hougham on the 14 th. A Curlew flew east at Seabrook on the 13 th and 4 were at Samphire Hoe on the 25 th. A Green Sandpiper was at Nickoll s Quarry on the 1 st. At least 6 Redshank and 12 Turnstone remained in Folkestone Harbour. Mediterranean Gulls were widespread as always, but a count of 98 on a playing field in Cheriton was noteworthy. Three Razorbills flew west past Hythe on the 10 th and one was on the sea off Seabrook on the 13 th. Mediterranean Gull at Folkestone (Brian Harper) There was an intriguing report of a probable Turtle Dove at Grimston Gardens, Folkestone on the 16 th, but there were no further sightings. A total of 9 Tawny Owls were logged at 6 sites during winter survey work on the evening of the 27 th. The 8 Waxwings were still in Folkestone at the Guildhall Street / Shellons Street junction on the 1 st but this was the only report of the species received this month. February also saw only one record of Stonechat at Samphire Hoe on the 10 th. Winter thrush numbers remained low, with a peak of 48 Fieldfares and 19 Redwings at Church Hougham on the 1 st. A Redwing was in song in Folkestone on the 17 th and at least one was heard on the night of the 27 th /28 th an early returning migrant perhaps.

A Cetti s Warbler was heard at West Hythe on the 27 th giving hope that some have survived this cold winter, and a Firecrest was also noted there on the 12 th. A Marsh Tit was seen at Frogholt on the 1 st. Two Ravens were seen again at Samphire Hoe on the 3 rd. Small numbers of Siskins were recorded at Casebourne Wood, Cheriton, Frogholt and Folkestone, and 16 Linnets were in stubble at West Hougham, where a flock of 30 Yellowhammers had also accumulated. Without the influence of cold weather the species count for the month was a lowly 95. Siskin at Cheriton (Brian Harper) 2011 saw the end of the fieldwork for the BTO Winter Atlas. The provisional results included: A total of 167 species recorded across the 88 one-kilometer squares in the Folkestone and Hythe area A total of at least 60 species recorded in 17 of the one-kilometer squares: Rank Grid ref Location Species 1 TR1233 Botolph's Bridge / Nickoll's Quarry (North) 92 2 TR2939 Samphire Hoe (East) 90 3 TR1232 Nickoll's Quarry (West) / Redoubt 88 4 TR1634 Hythe Town (Seafront / Canal) 85 5 TR1333 Nickoll's Quarry (East) 72 6 TR1231 Hythe Redoubt (West) 71 7 TR1834 Seabrook 70 8= TR1130 Willop Outfall 67 8= TR1131 Willop Sewer (South) / Sewage Works 67 10 TR1134 West Hythe Dam 65 11= TR1133 Canal Cutting (Botolph's Bridge - Dam) 64 11= TR1332 Hythe Ranges (West) 64 11= TR1734 Hythe Bay / Canal 64 11= TR2838 Abbotscliffe (East) / Samphire Hoe (West) 64 15 TR2035 Sandgate 63 16 TR1234 West Hythe / Lympne Park Wood 62 17 TR2235 Mill Point (East) 61

22 species recorded in at least 80% of the one-kilometer squares: Rank Species % of 1km 1= Magpie 99% 1= Carrion Crow 99% 3= Black-headed Gull 98% 3= Herring Gull 98% 3= Wood Pigeon 98% 3= Dunnock 98% 3= Robin 98% 3= Blackbird 98% 3= Song Thrush 98% 3= Blue Tit 98% 11= Common Gull 97% 11= Wren 97% 11= Great Tit 97% 14 Chaffinch 95% 15 Starling 94% 16 Jackdaw 89% 17 Greenfinch 88% 18 Feral Pigeon 85% 19 Redwing 84% 20= Collared Dove 83% 20= Long-tailed Tit 83% 20= Goldfinch 83% March March began with a cold north-easterly airflow in place and consequently it was a quiet start to the month. Wintering birds included up to 10 Pochard and 11 Tufted Ducks at Nickoll's Quarry, a Water Rail on the canal at Seabrook, up to 6 Purple Sandpipers at Hythe and a long-staying Curlew at Samphire Hoe. Two Greylag Geese flew west at the Willop Outfall on the 5 th, when a Ringed Plover and 4 Sanderling were also noted there. Water Rail at Seabrook (Brian Harper) Curlew at Samphire Hoe (Phil Smith) Purple Sandpiper at Hythe (Brian Harper)

The 8 th saw a change in the wind direction to southerly and this induced some passage at sea, with 4 Fulmars, a flock of 61 Bewick's Swans, 107 Red-throated Divers and 720 Brent Geese flying east past Mill Point. The wind continued round to the south-west, where it remained for the next five days, and it became milder, with temperatures approaching 12 C. Despite the milder conditions there was little migration evident, with just a single Redwing at Samphire Hoe on the 9 th and 2 Linnets and 11 Siskins flying in/west at Capel-le- Ferne on the 11 th. Finally however, on the 12 th, some birds did arrive, including 3 Black-necked Grebes on the sea off Seabrook, the first Wheatear at Samphire Hoe, and the first migrant Blackcap (at Hythe) and Chiffchaff (at West Hythe) of the year. A Raven was also seen at Samphire Hoe, where 2 Siskins flew east, and a Collared Dove and a Redwing were at Abbotscliffe. A Cetti s Warbler was singing at Nickoll s Quarry on the 13 th. Black-necked Grebes at Seabrook (Brian Harper) Chiffchaff at Seabrook (Brian Harper) The cooler north-easterly wind returned from the 14 th but this time it produced some exceptional movements of Chaffinches moving into the headwind, including 2,055 at the cliffs on the 14 th and 3,035 there on the 19 th. A smaller number of Bramblings were identified in their midst, with one on the 14 th, 2 on the 15 th and 2 on the 19 th, and other finches moving east during this period included 8 Goldfinches, 16 Greenfinches and 34 Siskins. A Merlin, a White Wagtail, 19 Meadow Pipits and 60 Starlings were also logged. In the bushes a Firecrest was at Abbotscliffe on the 15 th and Chiffchaffs were at Folkestone and Seabrook on the 18 th. Abbotscliffe also hosted 2 Lapwings on the 14 th and a Jack Snipe on the 19 th and a Raven was again at Samphire Hoe on the 15 th, when 8 Shoveler and 14 Red-throated Divers flew east there and the first Sandwich Tern was off Hythe on the 16 th. Lighter, southerly winds accompanied building high pressure from the 20 th and temperatures soared to over 15 C. Two Slavonian Grebes and 45 Great Crested Grebes were on the sea off Hythe on the 20 th, when a Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Sandwich Terns and 11 Teal flew east at the Willop Outfall, and a Firecrest was at Brockhill CP. The next day saw a flock of 12 Avocets go east past Samphire Hoe and the first Swallow was seen at Hythe, whilst Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps continued to arrive. A Wheatear and the first Black Redstart were at Samphire Hoe on the 22 nd and a Redwing was at Abbotscliffe, where 2 Collared Doves, 4 Stock Doves, 4 alba wagtails and 10 Siskins flew over.

North-easterly winds reappeared once more on the 23 rd but daytime temperatures remained quite reasonable. Visual migration was again a feature, with a Fieldfare, a Redwing, 2 Bramblings, 14 Siskins and 355 Chaffinches flying east at Capel-le-Ferne on the 23 rd and a Redpoll, 27 Siskins and 65 Chaffinches east there the next day. On the 25 th 15 Siskins went east at Samphire Hoe and a Whimbrel, 2 Sandwich Terns, 28 Brent Geese and 180 Black-headed Gulls passed by at sea. The following day saw the first Willow Warbler in song there, along with another Black Redstart, and a Lapwing, 4 Sandwich Terns, 13 Red-throated Divers and 770 Brent Geese flew east. Wheatear at Samphire Hoe (Phil Smith) Brent Goose on the Hythe Imperial golf course (Ian Roberts) Two Slavonian Grebes were on the sea off Samphire Hoe on the 27 th and offshore passage gathered pace with 2 Gadwall, 8 Shoveler, 9 Cormorants, 10 Teal, 11 Razorbills, 12 Guillemots, 12 Dunlin, 15 Kittiwakes, 21 Brent Geese, 23 Red-throated Divers, 30 Gannets, 50 Common Scoters and 157 Sandwich Terns flying east and 3 Red-breasted Mergansers and 6 Shovelers flying west. Overhead 25 Siskins flew east and a Wheatear was on the seawall. A Swallow flew east at Capel-le-Ferne, and 2 Bramblings and 125 Chaffinches flew east at Abbotscliffe, whilst a Black Redstart was seen in a garden in Folkestone. It was quieter in variable winds on the 28 th but a Shag was on the sea off Samphire Hoe, 15 Red-throated Divers, 76 Sandwich Terns and 80 Black-headed Gulls flew east there and 20 Siskins went over. The 29 th was pleasant, with a southerly breeze, and a Red Kite, a Merlin and a Buzzard flew east along the Hougham Valley in the afternoon, whilst a Black Redstart, a Fieldfare and 2 Chiffchaffs were at Abbotscliffe. Rain arrived late on the 29 th and was followed by fog the next morning, when a Cetti's Warbler, a Willow Warbler, a Jack Snipe, a Green Sandpiper, 4 Chiffchaffs and 6 Tufted Ducks were at Nickoll s Quarry. A Firecrest was at Abbotscliffe and 3 Goldcrests were at Samphire Hoe, with 5 at The Bayle, Folkestone the following day. A total of 108 species were recorded. April There was a mild start to the month, due to a moderate south-westerly airflow, and it was fairly cloudy with occasional showers. Migrants continued to trickle in, mainly Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs, Swallows, Wheatears and Willow Warblers, but including the first Whitethroat at Princes Parade, Hythe on the 3 rd and the first Yellow Wagtail over Pedlinge on the 4 th. A Black Redstart at Beach Road near the Hythe Redoubt on the 1 st (with 2 at Abbotscliffe on the 6 th ), and 2 Firecrests at Samphire Hoe on the 2 nd were also of note.

Another Red Kite flew east over Abbotscliffe on the 4 th, 2 Siskins flew east at Nickoll's Quarry on the 2 nd, and a Brambling and a Siskin flew over Pedlinge on the 4 th. The first Corn Bunting of the year along Donkey Street on the 3 rd also is worthy of mention. Blackcap at West Hythe (Brian Harper) Whitethroat at Folkestone Warren (Dale Gibson) The temperature increased to 20 C in lighter southerly winds on the 7 th and there was a decent arrival of summer visitors, including a male Ring Ouzel, 2 male Redstarts, 3 Black Redstarts, 6 Willow Warblers and 15 Wheatears at Samphire Hoe, a Firecrest, a White Wagtail, 2 Sand Martins and 3 Willow Warblers at Scene Golf Course, and a Whitethroat and 16 Wheatears along the seafront at Hythe. Highlight of the day however was a Red-necked Grebe off West Parade, Hythe (the third scarce grebe species recorded in Hythe Bay this spring), and 30 Sandwich Terns were also noted there. The next three days were slightly cooler as the wind switched round to the north-east and migration slowed a little. A Black Redstart was at Capel-le-Ferne on the 8 th, when a Sand Martin, a Swallow, 2 Siskins, 10 Linnets and 18 Goldfinches flew in off the sea, and an early Reed Warbler was singing at Botolph's Bridge the following day, when 8 Crossbills flew in off the sea at Capel-le-Ferne Gun Site. The 10 th brought a Ring Ouzel, a Whitethroat and a Willow Warbler to the Hougham Valley, and a Wheatear and 2 Swallows were at Samphire Hoe. The 11 th was another warm day with a light southerly breeze, which again saw a reasonable arrival: an early Hobby, a Whinchat, 2 Black Redstarts, 3 Whitethroats and 9 Wheatears were at Samphire Hoe, a Ring Ouzel and 5 Swallows were at Mill Point, the first House Martin, 3 Wheatears and 4 Whitethroats were at Abbotscliffe and 2 House Martins were at Pond Hill Road, Cheriton. The wind increased from the west on the 12 th, with temperatures returning to normal, though it remained dry, and a Blackcap, 2 Wheatears and 7 House Martins were at Samphire Hoe. The next day saw another early arrival in the form of a Lesser Whitethroat at Abbotscliffe and 6 Wheatears were at Samphire Hoe, whilst 2 Ring Ouzels were at the former site on the 14 th. Four Buzzards were seen over Folkestone on the 15 th, when the wind dropped and headed round to the south south-west, and it began to get warmer again. A Black Redstart, 2 Lesser Whitethroats and 4 Wheatears were seen along Hythe Ranges on the 16 th and 3 Red-breasted Mergansers flew east, whilst another Lesser Whitethroat was at West Hythe. A Yellow Wagtail was at Botolph's Bridge on the 17 th and there was a very good count of 83 Sanderlings along Hythe Ranges. A local news programme ran a story of a Hoopoe in a garden in Saltwood on about the 18 th.

Wheatear and Stonechat at Samphire Hoe (Phil Smith) Temperatures began to soar from the 19 th and reached 25 C on Easter Saturday (23 rd ) which is quite exceptional for April. A Slavonian Grebe, a Merlin, 3 Kittiwakes, 7 Whimbrel, 20 Sandwich Terns and 24 Common Scoter flew east at Mill Point on the former date, when the first Cuckoo of the year was at Botolph's Bridge, and a Raven, 3 Wheatears, 4 Black Redstarts and 5 Whitethroats were at Samphire Hoe. A Crossbill flew over Crete Road East on the 20 th and a Wheatear and 3 House Martins were at Abbotscliffe. The 22 nd produced a Common Sandpiper at Mill Point, where 10 Little and 70 Sandwich Terns flew east, and the first Swift of the year was seen over Folkestone. Single Cuckoos were at Blackhouse Hill and Nickoll's Quarry, and a Yellow Wagtail flew over Hythe, whilst another Cuckoo was in a garden in Hythe briefly the next day. Single Hobby and Sedge Warbler were at Botolph's Bridge on the 24 th and 4 Purple Sandpipers were still at Hythe. The wind picked up from the north north-east from the 25 th and there was an excellent series of raptor records, comprising a Black Kite flying north over Folkestone (following a possible over town on the 21 st ) and 2 Rough-legged Buzzards flying north over Hythe, both on the 25 th, a male Montagu s Harrier in off the sea at Copt Point on the 27 th and a female Red-footed Falcon in off the sea there on the 30 th. Seawatching started to be productive too, with a Bar-tailed Godwit and 2 Whimbrel flying east on the 27 th, a Black-throated Diver, 2 Pomarine Skuas, 2 Knot, 10 Dunlin, 13 Whimbrel, 35 Grey Plovers and 265 Bar-tailed Godwits east on the 28 th, a Black Tern, a Common Tern, 2 Arctic Skuas, 4 Little Terns, 19 Whimbrel, 140 Bar-tailed Godwits and 200 Gannets east on the 29 th, and a Pomarine Skua, Great Skua, 2 Avocets, 4 Sanderling, 13 Commic Terns, 21 Bar-tailed Godwits, 29 Grey Plover and 29 Whimbrel east on the 30 th. There were also totals of 35 Kittiwakes, 39 auks and 67 Sandwich Terns over the four days. Grounded waders included the first Greenshank of the year at Samphire Hoe on the 27 th and 3 Common Sandpipers at Copt Point on the 30 th. Six Eider were off Hythe Ranges on the 29 th.

Sanderling and Ringed Plover at Hythe Ranges (Brian Harper) Raptors aside it was fairly quieter on the land, though the first Garden Warbler was at Cowtye Wood on the 25th, 3 Swifts were seen over Hythe on the 28th, and a Cuckoo was at Hythe Ranges on the 29th, when a House Martin and 11 Swallows arrived in off the sea at Folkestone Beach. The first 2 Turtle Doves of the year were at West Hythe on the 30th, when a Raven and 2 Hobbies were at Abbotscliffe, and a Sand Martin, 8 House Martins and 28 Swallows flew east at the cliffs. Overall it the warmest April nationally for a century and the sunniest for over 80 years, thanks to the presence of high pressure over or near to the UK for much of the month. It was particularly dry, with a rainfall total of just over 3.5mm, which is somewhere around only 10% of normal levels. A total of 132 species were recorded. Fulmar at Hythe Ranges (Brian Harper)

May The moderate east to north-easterly winds persisted into the first four days of May and seawatching continued to be productive. A Great Northern Diver, 2 Black-throated Divers, 3 Greenshanks, 4 Arctic Skuas, 5 Pomarine Skuas, 6 Red-throated Divers, 7 Shoveler, 12 Knot, 17 Grey Plover, 19 Whimbrel, 84 Gannets and 114 Bar-tailed Godwits were seen flying east past Copt Point / Samphire Hoe on the 1st and a Great Skua, a Common Sandpiper, a Ringed Plover, 2 Arctic Skuas, 2 Turnstone, 2 Tufted Ducks, 3 Grey Plovers, 3 Blackthroated Divers, 5 Shoveler, 16 auks, 17 Sanderling, 20 Whimbrel, 26 Knot, 70 Common Scoters, 90 Commic Terns (including the first Arctics) and 228 Bar-tailed Godwits flew east past Copt Point on the 2 nd. On the 3 rd a very good total of 24 Pomarine Skuas (including 3 dark phase birds, and a flock of ten) flew east close inshore past Copt Point, as did a Great Skua, 3 Arctic Skuas, 4 Brent Geese, 22 Shoveler, 26 Little Terns, 69 Sandwich Terns, 87 Whimbrel and 229 Commic Terns. The next day saw a further 5 Pomarine Skuas heading east there, whilst an Arctic Skua, 2 Little Gulls, 2 Grey Plovers, 3 Eider, 10 Little Terns, 12 Knot, 35 Bar-tailed Godwits, 40 Sandwich Terns and 115 Commic Terns were also logged. Pomarine Skuas at Copt Point (Ian Roberts) Meanwhile an Osprey flew in off the sea over Folkestone Pier on the 2 nd and a total of 21 Crossbills flew east on the 3 rd (5 over Abbotscliffe and 16 over Folkestone), but otherwise it was relatively quiet on the land, though a Yellow Wagtail flew over Samphire Hoe on the 4 th, when 2 Wheatears were at Abbotscliffe, and a few Swifts, Swallows and House Martins continued to arrive. A Little Egret at Westenhanger on the 4 th was also of note. Bar-tailed Godwits and Whimbrel at Folkestone Sands (Ian Roberts)

The wind switched round to the south from the 5 th which brought an abrupt end to any passage at sea, with the exception of 3 Little Terns and 16 Commic Terns that passed Copt Point on the 6 th, but it did however herald the start of an improvement on the land, beginning with a Tree Pipit at Capel-le-Ferne Gun Site on the 6 th. The following day produced a Marsh Harrier in off the sea at Capel-le-Ferne, a Nightingale singing at the eastern end of Folkestone Warren, a Hobby at Samphire Hoe, and a Turtle Dove and 2 Yellow Wagtails at Abbotscliffe, whilst on the 8 th a Red-rumped Swallow, 2 Ravens and 5 Little Egrets were at Samphire Hoe. Another Nightingale was in song at the opposite end of the Warren on the 9 th and the next day saw a second Red-rumped Swallow, which arrived in off the sea at Capel-le-Ferne Café then lingered for almost half an hour. Swallows were also arriving at this time, with at least 85 logged over the week, as were smaller numbers of Swifts and House Martins. The 14 th saw a change to a north-westerly wind which can be productive at this time of year and proved to be so, with the third Red-rumped Swallow of the week flying east at Capel-le-Ferne Café, a Roughlegged Buzzard flying west there and a Red Kite going west over Church Hougham. There were also a scattering of late migrants at the cliffs which included a Turtle Dove, a Tree Pipit, a Wheatear and 3 Reed Warblers, whilst 3 Crossbills flew in off the sea at the Café and 6 Swifts, 35 House Martins and 180 Swallows flew east. Tree Pipit at Capel-le-Ferne (Ian Roberts) Nightingale at Folkestone Warren (Dale Gibson) The following day however saw just a Yellow Wagtail and 27 Swifts moving over Abbotscliffe, but a further 8 Crossbills flew west over Capel-le- Ferne on the 16 th, when 3 Turtle Doves were at West Hythe. A Nightingale was seen in the clifftop bushes at Abbotscliffe on the 17 th and a Black Kite flew west over Cherry Garden, Cheriton on the 19 th. The first Spotted Flycatcher of the year was at Church Hougham on the 20 th and a Hobby and a Yellow Wagtail flew west at Abbotscliffe. A Greenshank and 2 Common Sandpipers were at Nickoll's Quarry on the 21 st, and a Hobby was at nearby Botolph's Bridge on the 23 rd. The fourth Nightingale of the month was Asholt Wood, near Frogholt on the 24 th. Rough-legged Buzzard at Capel-le-Ferne (Dale Gibson)

It had remained dry until now, with nothing more than a few light showers and a cumulative total of barely 1.5mm of precipitation, but eventually the influence of high pressure waned and there was a damp end to the month, with nearly 6mm of rain (more than in the last two months combined) in the last 6 days of May. With the rain came strengthening south-westerlies which prompted some seawatching that produced an Arctic Skua and 110 Gannets flying west past Copt Point on the 28 th, another 30 Gannets west there the next day, and 30 west past Samphire Hoe on the 30 th. There were also a few late migrants to be seen, including a Spotted Flycatcher at Pond Hill Road, Cheriton on the 28 th, a Grey Wagtail flying west at Samphire Hoe on the 30 th, a Marsh Harrier west over Hythe and a Hobby in off the sea at Abbotscliffe on the 31 st. Red-rumped Swallow at Capel-le-Ferne (Dale Gibson) Some early highlights of the final breeding season of the BTO Atlas included a pair of Canada Geese raising 4 young at Nickoll s Quarry, at least 3 successful pairs of Mandarins in the vicinity of Saltwood, up to 6 pairs of Tufted Ducks across the area, a pair of Great Crested Grebes probably nesting at Nickoll s Quarry, a pair of Oystercatchers on eggs there, and a pair of Lesser Black-backed Gulls nesting amongst the 50 or so pairs of Herring Gulls on the Park Farm Industrial Estate, Folkestone. Notable passerine nesters included a successful pair of Black Redstarts at Samphire Hoe, with a pair of Wheatears probably breeding there, and 3 male Black Redstarts holding territory at other sites, whilst Cetti s Warblers were singing at Nickoll s Quarry and West Hythe. A pair of Corn Buntings bred successfully at Abbotscliffe and there were 2 singing males at Capel-le-Ferne. A total of 124 species were recorded in May, the second highest monthly total in 2011 so far.

June The warm weather at the beginning of the month encouraged two single Marsh Harriers to cross the channel and were seen arriving in off the sea at Abbotscliffe on the 1 st. A Red Kite was reported flying east over eastern Folkestone on the 3 rd, a male Hen Harrier flew over Botolph's Bridge on the 11 th, and a Honey Buzzard that flew west over eastern Folkestone on the 14 th completed the wandering raptors. The highlight of the month however was a Black Stork flew north-east over Hythe on the 8 th and was only the second area record. A flock of 23 Crossbills, which flew east over Cauldham Lane, Capel-le-Ferne on the 4 th were also notable. Some early signs of return passage were provided by a Curlew which flew west at the Willop Outfall on the 12 th and two Gadwall and 50 Swifts flew west at Copt Point the next day. Continued breeding Atlas surveying revealed a pair of Great Crested Grebes on a nest at Folkestone Racecourse, Westenhanger, single pairs of Little Grebes there and at the Willop Outfall, two pairs of Lapwings breeding at the latter site, Lesser Black-backed Gulls possibly nesting at a further two locations, confirmation of the pair of Wheatears breeding at Samphire Hoe, at least 5 Sedge Warblers holding territory (with at least 3 paired and raising young) and a Spotted Flycatcher in suitable habitat at Folkestone Racecourse, Westenhanger. Confirmed breeders... Black Redstart at Samphire Hoe (Phil Smith) Corn Bunting at Abbotscliffe (Ian Roberts) House Martin at Samphire Hoe (Phil Smith) Despite the few late overshooting migrants the monthly total of 93 species was the lowest of the year so far. July After a generally fine first few days, the weather became unsettled. With low pressure close by, it was rather cool with showers and periods of rain. A brief settled interlude towards mid-month was followed by a return to low pressure and cool, unsettled conditions. The last week saw higher temperatures and drier weather but still with plenty of cloud at times. The highlight of the month was a pair of Great White Egrets which flew east at Samphire Hoe on the 5 th. This was only the second area record, following the individual which has spent the last two winters in the Botolph s Bridge area.

Otherwise most of the interest was provided by the beginning of return migration. As usual Sand Martins were one of the first to move, with 25 flying west over Folkestone on the 3 rd, 10 west over Princes Parade, Hythe on the 10 th, 8 at Abbotscliffe on the 11 th and 15+ at Nickoll's Quarry on the 13 th. Cuckoos are another early migrant, and singles were at Abbotscliffe on the 4 th and 11 th. Returning waders also tend to be a feature of July, and included single Lapwings at Abbotscliffe on the 4 th and Princes Parade, Hythe on the 12 th, and a Common Sandpiper at Hythe Ranges on the 9 th. An early Guillemot was at Samphire Hoe on the 4 th and a migrant Turtle Dove was at Abbotscliffe on the 11 th, when a Yellow Wagtail flew west over Princes Parade, Hythe. 5 Teal were at Nickoll's Quarry on the 13 th, when 60 Swifts were counted there many more were seen moving west during the month but there were no other specific counts. Great White Egrets at Samphire Hoe (Colin Fisher) Willow Warblers tend to appear later in the month and the first two, along Hythe Canal on the 20 th, were right on cue. Two Crossbills flew over Casebourne Wood in the morning of the 22 nd and a further 11 Crossbills flew west over Church Hougham in the afternoon. On the 27 th a Yellow Wagtail and a Reed Bunting were at Abbotscliffe, and a Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Wheatears, 3 Willow Warblers and 15 Whitethroats were logged there on the 31 st. Also of note were 2 Ravens which flew over Capel-le-Ferne on the 14 th. July 2011 saw the end of the fieldwork for the BTO Breeding Atlas. The final results included a total of 94 species with a breeding status of at least possible across the Folkestone and Hythe area. The 20 most widespread species are shown in the table below. The percentage indicates the proportion of the 88 one kilometer squares where a breeding status of at least possible was recorded. Rank Species % of 1km 1= Wren 100.0% 1= Magpie 100.0% 1= Wood Pigeon 100.0% 4= Blackbird 98.8% 4= Dunnock 98.8% 4= Chaffinch 98.8% 4= Carrion Crow 98.8% 8= Blue Tit 97.7% 8= Great Tit 97.7% 10 Robin 96.5% 11 Greenfinch 94.2% 12 Blackcap 91.9% 13 Whitethroat 89.5% 14 Song Thrush 87.2% 15 Chiffchaff 86.0% 16= Starling 82.6% 16= Green Woodpecker 82.6% 16= Collared Dove 82.6% 19 Goldfinch 79.1% 20 Jackdaw 76.7%

The fifteen or so squares with the largest diversity of species with a breeding status of at least possible are shown below. August Rank Grid ref Location Species 1 TR1233 Botolph's Bridge / Nickoll's Quarry (North) 59 2= TR1234 West Hythe / Lympne Park Wood 52 2= TR1232 Nickoll's Quarry (West) / Redoubt 52 3 TR1334 Hythe Roughs (West) 47 4= TR1434 Hythe Roughs (East) 46 4= TR2939 Samphire Hoe (East) / Round Down 46 4= TR1134 West Hythe Dam 46 4= TR1333 Nickoll's Quarry (East) 46 9= TR1537 Bluehouse and Cowtye Woods 45 9= TR1736 Bargrove Wood / Dibgate 45 11= TR1435 Brockhill CP 43 11= TR1235 Lympne 43 11= TR1737 Beachborough Ponds / Frogholt 43 14= TR1735 Scene Wood 41 14= TR1131 Willop Sewer (South) / Sewage Works 41 14= TR1635 Saltwood Castle 41 14= TR1336 Kiln Wood / Hillhurst Farm 41 Despite a promising start, with temperatures reaching 25 C on the 3 rd, the weather during August was predominantly unsettled and cool, with areas of low pressure over or close to the UK for most of the month. Cloud cover on most days suppressed daytime temperatures and there were showers or more persistent rainfall on about half of the days in the month. In total rainfall was above average and sunshine totals below. Migration was typically slow in getting going in August, although a Whimbrel, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Lesser Whitethroats and 7 Whitethroats were at Abbotscliffe on the 1 st. A Wheatear and 20 Whitethroats were seen there the following day, as were a pair of Ravens the first of a series of sightings during the month. The next arrivals of note were a Wheatear and 2 Common Sandpipers along Hythe Ranges on the 7 th but things began to gather pace thereafter. Two Green Sandpipers at Abbotscliffe were a good record for the site on the 8 th, when a Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Wheatears and 8 Whitethroats were also noted there, and a Willow Warbler, a Chiffchaff, 4 Sand Martins were at Samphire Hoe, where 40 Gannets were offshore. Eight Wheatears were at Samphire Hoe on the 9 th, when 17 Mediterranean Gulls flew west there and 2 Grey Herons flew west over Hythe. The wind direction had been predominately southwesterly, but a brief switch to north-westerly on the Sandwich Tern at Copt Point (Dave Featherbe) 10 th produced a Redstart, a Whinchat, a Sedge Warbler, 2 Wheatears, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 4 Willow Warblers and 13 Whitethroats at Abbotscliffe and a Common Sandpiper, a Yellow Wagtail, 3 Blackcaps, 5 Wheatears, 8 Willow Warblers and 9 Whitethroats at Samphire Hoe.

The 11 th saw a return of the southwesterlies and these were blustery enough to induce some sea passage. A Balearic Shearwater was seen off Hythe Ranges on the 11 th, followed by a Great Skua, 2 Common Scoters, 3 Arctic Skuas, 75 Gannets, 80 Sandwich Terns and 150 Common Terns there on the 14 th, and 20 Common Scoter, 50 Gannets, 145 Sandwich Terns and 185 Common Terns off Copt Point on the 16 th. A Montagu's Harrier flew west at Samphire Hoe on the 16 th, and a Merlin flew out to sea at Hythe Ranges on the 14 th, but otherwise it was fairly quiet on the land, though a Redstart, a Blackcap, a Willow Warbler, 2 Yellow Wagtails and 4 Whitethroats were at Abbotscliffe on the 14 th. Montagu s Harrier at Samphire Hoe (Phil Smith) A Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcaps, 2 Whinchats, 3 Willow Warblers, 5 Wheatears and 16 Whitethroats were at Samphire Hoe on the 17 th, and 4 Whitethroats and 9 Wheatears were at Abbotscliffe. The next day produced a Hobby, a Swift, 2 Sand Martins and 5 Wheatears at the latter site and a Common Sandpiper flew over Hythe that evening. The 19 th saw just a Whinchat, a Willow Warbler and 3 Wheatears at Abbotscliffe, and the following day 2 Whinchats, 4 Wheatears and 10 Whitethroats. On the 21 st 2 Hobbies were seen at Hythe Ranges and 2 Whinchats were at Botolph's Bridge. A Willow Warbler, 2 Whinchats, 2 Wheatears, 3 Whitethroats and 187 Mediterranean Gulls were counted at Abbotscliffe on the 22 nd, when single Wheatears were at North Road, Cheriton and South Road, Hythe. Another brief change in the wind direction, this time to a north-easterly, produced a small arrival on the 23 rd, with a Whinchat, a Reed Warbler, a Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Common Spotted Flycatcher at West Hythe (Brian Harper) Sandpipers, 3 Wheatears, 4 Blackcaps, 6 Black Redstarts, 8 Whitethroats and 10 Robins at Samphire Hoe. The following day saw a Shag, a Hobby, a Redstart, a Spotted Flycatcher, a Whinchat, a Reed Warbler, 3 Chiffchaffs, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 5 Wheatears, 15 Willow Warblers and 17 Whitethroats there and 5 Wheatears, 9 Yellow Wagtails and 10 Whitethroats at Abbotscliffe. A further 11 Wheatears at Princes Parade, Hythe increased the total for the day to 21.

South-westerlies returned yet again, and there were just a Whinchat and 2 Blackcaps at Samphire Hoe on the 26 th, though 70 Gannets flew east. Two Arctic Skuas were seen off Hythe Ranges the following day, when a Spotted Flycatcher was at West Hythe. On the 28 th a Redstart, 2 Little Egrets and 4 Wheatears were at Samphire Hoe, with the egrets also being seen the following day. The month ended with a more productive north-westerly wind, and a Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Willow Warbler, 2 Sedge Warblers, 2 Whinchats, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 5 Wheatears, 7 Blackcaps and c.10 Whitethroats were at Abbotscliffe on the 29 th, when a Tree Pipit, 3 Swifts and 10 Yellow Wagtails flew west there. Elsewhere a Garden Warbler, a Reed Warbler and 15 Blackcaps were at Copt Point, a Turtle Dove was at Samphire Hoe, and a Goldcrest was at Crete Road, whilst a Buzzard flying east over Seabrook was well away from the areas frequented by the resident population. Six Wheatears and 11 Black Redstarts were at Samphire Hoe on the 30 th, when 290 Mediterranean Gulls were seen following a tractor at Winehouse Lane, Capel-le-Ferne. Finally on the 31 st, 2 Dotterel, 3 Wheatears, 4 Blackcaps, 5 Whitethroats and 6 Yellow Wagtails were at Abbotscliffe and a Willow Warbler, a Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Common Sandpipers, 2 Buzzards, 2 Whinchats, 5 Wheatears and 6 Blackcaps were at Samphire Hoe. A total of 95 species were recorded in August. September There was a quiet start to the month with just a Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Yellow Wagtail and 2 Wheatears at Abbotscliffe, and another 2 Wheatears at Hythe Imperial Golf Course, on the 1 st, and a Turtle Dove, a Tree Pipit, a Whinchat and 2 Yellow Wagtails at the former site the next day. Two Wheatears were at Abbotscliffe on the 3 rd when 6 Yellow Wagtails flew west there. An adult male Red-backed Shrike was seen briefly at Hythe on the 4 th but unfortunately did not linger and the following day saw a Buzzard, 2 Sand Martins and 12 Wheatears at Samphire Hoe. The first Atlantic depression of the autumn brought strong winds on the 6 th and produced a Balearic Shearwater, a Razorbill, 3 Arctic Skuas, 25 Gannets and 30 Common Terns flying west past Copt Point. The wind then calmed but remained in the south-west and there was little of note until a Whinchat, 3 Blackcaps, 3 Whitethroats, 4 Willow Warblers and 31 Wheatears arrived at Abbotscliffe on the 9 th, when 4 Sand Martins, 6 Yellow Wagtails and 83 Meadow Pipits flew west. A Hobby, a Grey Wagtail, a Sedge Warbler, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Willow Warbler, 2 Whinchats, 2 Wheatears, 2 Blackcaps and 6 Whitethroats were seen there the next day, and a Reed Warbler, a Blackcap, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 4 Whitethroats, 7 Chiffchaffs and 18 Wheatears were at Samphire Hoe. A Raven was also noted at Abbotscliffe on both dates and a single Arctic Skua flew west past Copt Point on the 10 th. The 13 th produced 3 Chiffchaffs, 4 Wheatears and 7 Black Redstarts at Samphire Hoe, and 4 Grey Wagtails flew west there, with another 3 Grey Wagtails and 21 Sand Martins flying west at Hythe, and around 80 Sand Martins feeding at Nickoll's Quarry. On the 14 th a Willow Warbler, a Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Whinchats, 4 Whitethroats, 5 Chiffchaffs and 7 Wheatears at were at Abbotscliffe and 12 Yellow Wagtails flew west, whilst there was a notable movement in the late evening, when a Yellow Wagtail and 130 Meadow Pipits flew west at Hythe and a large number of hirundines, including at least 500 Swallows, moved east over Cheriton. A Sedge Warbler, 2 Tree Sparrows, 3 Wheatears, 3 Blackcaps, 3 Whitethroats and 15 Chiffchaffs were at Abbotscliffe on the 15 th and a Hobby and 2 Spotted Flycatchers were at Church Hougham the following day, when the first Brent Goose of the autumn, an Arctic Tern, 3 Arctic Skuas, 12 Common and 35 Sandwich Terns were seen off Copt Point. On the 17 th a Marsh Harrier was at Botolph's Bridge and 450 Swallows flew west there.

Lesser Whitethroat at Botolph's Bridge (Brian Harper) and Sandwich Tern at Battery Point (Ian Roberts A Spotted Flycatcher, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Yellow Wagtail, 2 Grey Wagtails, 2 Wheatears, 2 Siskins and 12 Chiffchaffs were at Abbotscliffe on the 18 th, and a Redpoll flew over Botolph's Bridge. The 19 th produced a Blackcap, 2 Whinchats, 2 Goldcrests, 2 Whitethroats, 4 Sparrowhawks, 6 Wheatears and 13 Chiffchaffs at Abbotscliffe, and 75 Meadow Pipits, 260 House Martins and 450 Swallows flew west, whilst around 1,000 hirundines, mainly House Martins, were at Sandling in the evening. Another Atlantic depression passed through on the 20 th, and a Great Crested Grebe, 2 Arctic Skuas, 4 Arctic Terns, 6 Sand Martins, 15 Sandwich Terns, 20 Common Terns and 310 Swallows flew west past Copt Point, and a Hobby was at Perry Wood. Tree Sparrow at Abbotscliffe (Ian Roberts) Once again the wind eased but refused to move from the south-westerly quarter. A Shag, a Whitethroat, a House Sparrow, 3 Grey Wagtails, 3 Goldcrests, 4 Wheatears, 24 Blackcaps and 33 Chiffchaffs were at Samphire Hoe on the 23 rd, with 4 Arctic Skuas offshore, whilst a Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Whinchat, a Whitethroat, 3 Blackcaps, 4 Wheatears and 12 Chiffchaffs were at Abbotscliffe. The 24 th produced a Merlin, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Whinchat, a Blackcap, a Reed Bunting, 3 Ring Ouzels, 3 Whitethroats, 5 Robins and 6 Chiffchaffs at Abbotscliffe, where a Grey Wagtails, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 6 Grey Herons and 9 Siskins flew over, and 4 Chiffchaffs, 5 Stonechats, 8 Blackcaps and 17 Robins at Samphire Hoe. Away from the cliffs a Cetti's Warbler was at Botolph's Bridge and an Arctic Skua, a Guillemot and 3 Brent Geese were seen off Hythe Ranges. A Redstart, a Wheatear, a Blackcap, a Whitethroat and 4 Chiffchaffs were at Samphire Hoe on the 25 th and the wintering Little Owl returned the following day, when 2 Blackcaps and 3 Brent Geese were also logged.

The last few days of the month saw a very warm, sunny spell, resulting from high pressure over continental Europe and a southerly air flow. There were some exceptionally high temperatures for the time of year, in excess of 25 C, making it the warmest end to September for over a century. Perhaps surprisingly these conditions produced some interesting sightings. On the 27 th two Marsh Harriers flew east at Botolph's Bridge, with another over Samphire Hoe, where 3 Wheatears, 11 Blackcaps and 15 Chiffchaffs were noted, and the next day a Yellow-browed Warbler was found in a garden in Cauldham Lane, Capel-le-Ferne. The 28 th also saw 2 Goldcrests, 6 Blackcaps, 15 Chiffchaffs and 17 Robins at Samphire Hoe, where a Great Spotted Woodpecker flew west and 65 Siskins flew east, and a Goldcrest, 2 Whinchats, 2 Wheatears, 2 Blackcaps, 6 Chiffchaffs and 70 Goldfinches at Abbotscliffe, where a Grey Wagtail and a Reed Bunting flew west. On the 29 th a Hobby and a Turtle Dove flew west at Abbotscliffe, and 8 Pied Wagtails flew east. The month ended with a Short-eared Owl flying out to sea from Capel-le-Ferne Gun Site on the 30 th, and a Hobby, a Whinchat, 2 Goldcrests, 3 Blackcaps and 6 Chiffchaffs at Abbotscliffe, where 2 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Redpolls, 2 Reed Buntings, 6 Pied Wagtails and 11 Siskins flew over. Elsewhere the first Kingfisher since early January was seen at Botolph s Bridge. A total of 104 species were recorded in September. Kingfisher at Botolph's Bridge (Brian Harper) October The southerly airflow continued from late September and resulted in some exceptionally high temperatures, which were in excess of 25 C locally on the 1 st, when at Gravesend in Kent a new UK record for October was set (29.9 C). The 2 nd was again very warm but the following day was the last of the heat-wave before the wind veered towards the west, bringing frontal systems and returning temperatures to more normal autumn values. There was a fairly quiet start to the month. On the 1 st a Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Yellow Wagtail, a Whinchat, a Whitethroat, a Blackcap, 2 Wheatears, 2 Reed Buntings, 3 Goldcrests and 7 Chiffchaffs were at Abbotscliffe, and 2 Grey Wagtails flew over. Three Wheatears and 4 Chiffchaffs were seen there the next day, when a Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Collared Doves, 3 Brent Geese, 4 Redpolls, 4 Tree Sparrows, 8 Reed Buntings, 9 Siskins and 32 alba Wagtails flew over. The Little Owl was seen again at Samphire Hoe on the 3 rd, where it remained throughout the month, and 2 Whitethroats, 2 Blackcaps, 3 Chiffchaffs, 5 Black Redstarts and 8 Stonechats were also present. Singles of Chiffchaff, Goldcrest and Reed Bunting were at Fisherman s Beach, Hythe, whilst 5 alba wagtails and 26 Meadow Pipits flew west there. The rest of the month saw mostly mild westerly or southerly airstreams and it was mainly dry with further relatively warm days. A Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Blackcap, a Goldcrest, 3 Wheatears, 4 Chiffchaffs and 6 Stonechats were at Abbotscliffe on the 4 th and a Tree Pipit, a Yellow Wagtail, 4 Reed Buntings, 7 alba wagtails and 100 House Martins flew west there, whilst 2 Goldcrests, 3 Chiffchaffs, 6 Black Redstarts and 8 Wheatears were at Samphire Hoe, where 30 Meadow Pipits flew west. A Wheatear, a Blackcap and 2 Goldcrests were at Abbotscliffe the following day, and a Reed Bunting, 5 alba wagtails, 15 Goldfinches and 155 Meadow Pipits flew west.

A brief interlude of north-westerly winds began on the 7 th which improved passage on the land, including a Lapland Bunting, a Ring Ouzel, a Hobby, a Lapwing, a Wheatear, 13 Blackcaps and a noticeable increase in Dunnock numbers at Samphire Hoe, and a Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrests, 5 Wheatears, the first 8 Redwings of the autumn and 55 Goldfinches at Abbotscliffe. Another Lapland Bunting was at Abbotscliffe the next day, as was a Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Wheatear, a Blackcap, 2 Goldcrests, 4 Chiffchaffs, whilst a Grey Wagtail, 4 Reed Buntings, 6 Siskins, 11 Redpolls, 95 Linnets and 140 Meadow Pipits flew west. At Samphire Hoe a Short-eared Owl, a Little Egret, a Wigeon, a Hobby, a Goldcrest, 2 Wheatears, 3 Song Thrushes, 6 Redwings, 6 Blackcaps, 8 Black Redstarts and 14 Chiffchaffs were logged. Another Little Egret was along Hythe Ranges and a Wheatear was at Botolph's Bridge. On the 9 th a Grey Wagtail, a Goldcrest, 2 Wheatears, 6 Black Redstarts, 8 Chiffchaffs, 13 Chaffinches and 18 Blackcaps were at Samphire Hoe, and 27 Sky Larks flew in off the sea there. A little surprisingly given the offshore wind, it was also productive on the sea. On the 8 th an Arctic Skua, a Guillemot, 12 Kittiwakes, 15 Brent Geese, 30 Gannets and 40 Common Scoters were noted off Samphire Hoe, whilst 9 Common Scoters, 15 Brent Geese and 46 Wigeon were seen off the Hythe Redoubt. The following day was better still, with a Sooty Shearwater, a Black-throated Diver, 2 Common Terns, 3 Redthroated Divers, 4 Kittiwakes, 5 Sandwich Terns, 10 Razorbills, 15 Great Skuas, 17 Arctic Skuas, 41 Teal, 64 Common Scoter, 70 Gannets, 97 Wigeon and 916 Brent Geese passing Samphire Hoe. The wind returned to a more westerly direction from the 10 th and it was significantly quieter, with just a Ring Ouzel of note at Abbotscliffe. A Firecrest, 3 Chiffchaffs, 40 Chaffinches and 100 House Martins were seen there on the 12 th and 18 Redwings and the first 68 Fieldfares of the autumn flew south over Saltwood the following day. On the 14 th a Crossbill flew over Capel-le-Ferne and 3 Buzzards arrived in off the sea there, whilst a Fieldfare, a Wheatear, 2 Blackcaps and 3 Black Redstarts were of note at Samphire Hoe, where 4 Siskins and 85 Goldfinches flew east, and a Wheatear, a Reed Bunting and 2 Goldcrests were at Abbotscliffe. The 15 th produced a Wheatear, a Firecrest, a Goldcrest, 3 Chiffchaffs, 5 Stonechats and 35 Sky Larks at Abbotscliffe, where a Buzzard arrived in off the sea, and a Grey Wagtail, a Reed Bunting, 5 Redpolls, 8 Greenfinches, at least 40 Siskins, 45 Fieldfares and 335 Goldfinches flew over. A Marsh Tit, 2 Redwings and 3 Fieldfares were seen at Saltwood and another Buzzard, a Swallow, 8 Redpolls, 13 alba wagtails and 19 Siskins flew over. The following day saw a Ring Ouzel, a Redwing, 6 Goldcrests and 11 Chiffchaffs at Capelle-Ferne, with 5 Crossbills, 6 alba wagtails and 6 Siskins flying over, a Blackcap, 8 Redpolls and 13 Song Thrushes at Abbotscliffe, and 18 Redpolls and 19 Siskins flying over Saltwood. Chiffchaff at Botolph's Bridge (Brian Harper) Firecrest at Abbotscliffe (Paul Edmondson) Buzzard at Abbotscliffe (Ian Roberts)

A Richard's Pipit was on the cliff-top at Abbotscliffe on the morning of the 17 th, and a Wheatear was also seen there, whilst a Grey Wagtail, 3 Song Thrushes, 13 Redpolls, 19 alba wagtails and 110 Siskins flew over. Elsewhere a Little Egret was at Westenhanger, 2 Ravens flew over Capel-le-Ferne Café and 5 Redpolls flew west over Hythe. On the 19 th a Short-eared Owl, 3 Swallows, 7 Redpolls, 12 Siskins, 120 Goldfinches and 500 Chaffinches flew over Abbotscliffe and 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Goldcrests, 5 Reed Buntings, 7 Grey Partridges and 35 Sky Larks were present. The morning of the 20 th saw the first air frost of the autumn and a Redpoll, a Siskin, a House Martin, 2 Swallows, 22 Linnets and 70 Chaffinches flew over Abbotscliffe, and 3 Buzzards flew south-west at Saltwood. Richard's Pipit at Abbotscliffe (Ian Roberts) A Snow Bunting was in the gully at Abbotscliffe on the 21 st and was also seen briefly the next day, when a Hen Harrier flew north over Saltwood. A Reed Bunting, 2 Goldcrests, 10 Redpolls, 22 Siskins and 150 Goldfinches were at Abbotscliffe on the 23 rd. The third Short-eared Owl of the month flew over Saltwood on the 24 th, when a Redwing, 2 Firecrests and 3 Goldcrests were at Capel-le-Ferne, where 4 Redpolls flew over. Two Crossbills and 8 Redpolls flew north-east over Saltwood the following day and a Red-throated Diver, a Grey Heron, a Razorbill, 2 Dunlin, 3 Great Crested Grebes and 5 Kittiwakes flew past Folkestone Pier. On the 26 th just a Wheatear and 2 Grey Herons were of note at Abbotscliffe. A Cetti's Warbler in gorse at Abbotscliffe was an unusual record and a new species for the site on the 27 th, and a Firecrest, 2 Wheatears, 8 Goldcrests and 60 Sky Larks were also seen there, whilst 5 Redpolls and 250 Goldfinches went east. Snow Bunting at Abbotscliffe (Paul Edmondson) A Wheatear, 2 Firecrests, 3 Goldcrests, 60 Sky Larks and 80 Goldfinches were at Abbotscliffe on the 28 th, when a Firecrest and a Chiffchaff were at Capel-le-Ferne and a Swallow, 5 Crossbills, 15 Linnets, 17 Siskins, 35 Redpolls and 235 Goldfinches flew over. A Grey Heron flew west over Hythe at dusk which was followed by a nocturnal movement of Redwings. On the 29 th a Little Grebe, a Fieldfare, a Blackcap, 2 Firecrests and 3 Redwings were at Samphire Hoe, where 15 Redpolls flew over, and a Chiffchaff, 2 Black Redstarts, 2 Wheatears and 3 Swallows were at Abbotscliffe. A Blackcap and 3 Goldcrests were at Capel-le-Ferne and a Swallow flew over Hythe. The month ended with 2 Swallows and 8 Crossbills flying over Abbotscliffe on the 30 th. A total of 103 species were recorded in October.

November November began well when a juvenile Rough-legged Buzzard was found at Nickoll's Quarry on the 1 st and it remained all month, attracting a steady stream of admirers. Five Crossbills flew over Church Hougham the same day, as did 3 Siskins and 3 Redpolls, and 6 Goldcrests were present, whilst a Firecrest was along Hillcrest Road, Hythe and 4 Bramblings flew west over Saltwood. At Samphire Hoe the Little Owl was still present and a Blackcap, a Goldcrest, 2 Wheatears, 2 Black Redstarts, 2 Ravens and 8 Rock Pipits were also noted. A quieter second day of the month saw just single Wheatear and Goldcrest at Samphire Hoe and 35 Siskins flew east there. At least 3 Firecrests and 3 Goldcrests were at Enbrook Park, Sandgate on the 4 th when 27 Brent Geese flew past Folkestone Pier. Rough-legged Buzzard at Nickoll s Quarry (Brian Harper) A mild south to south-westerly airflow had been in place at the start of the month but there was then a shift round to a cooler north to north-east wind and this induced some considerable movements of birds. The 5 th gave some hint of this when 30 Redpolls, 35 Linnets, 116 Siskins, 170 Starlings and 180 Goldfinches flew over Samphire Hoe and a Buzzard, 10 Redpolls, 10 Lapwings and 120 Brent Geese flew over Nickoll's Quarry. Summer visitors were still evident on this date, with a Swallow and 3 Chiffchaffs at the former site and a Chiffchaff and 2 Swallows at the latter. The 5 th also saw the return of one of the wintering Purple Sandpipers at Hythe and 3 Little Egrets at Samphire Hoe.

There was a significant arrival of thrushes on the 6 th, including at least 5 Song Thrushes, 20 Fieldfares, 200 Redwings and 300 Blackbirds at Samphire Hoe, a Fieldfare and 25 Redwings at Abbotscliffe, 6 Fieldfares, 20+ Redwings and a large increase in Blackbirds at Mill Point, and a Fieldfare, 2 Redwings and an increase in Blackbirds at the Willop Outfall. A Snow Bunting, a Snipe, 3 Lapwings, 9 Sky Larks and 300 Starlings also arrived in off the sea at the latter site, whilst 20 Starlings, 80 Siskins and 90 Goldfinches flew over Samphire Hoe, and 2 Curlews, 3 Siskins and 270 Goldfinches flew over Abbotscliffe. A ringtail Hen Harrier was at Nickoll's Quarry, a Woodcock, a Chiffchaff, a Brambling, 4 Goldcrests, 5 House Martins and 22 Lapwings were at Abbotscliffe, a Little Egret, a Water Rail, a Wigeon, a Swallow and 6 House Martins were at Samphire Hoe, a Black Redstart was in a garden in Folkestone, 2 Ravens were at Capel-le-Ferne and 6 House Martins were at Mill Point. There was also some very notable sea passage on the 6 th, with a Pink-footed Goose, a Shoveler, a Knot, a Redshank, a Curlew, a distant skua sp., 9 Pintail, 14 Red-breasted Mergansers, 14 Shelduck, 75 Teal, 111 Dunlin, 154 Wigeon and 207 Brent Geese passing the Willop Outfall and a Mute Swan, a Curlew, 2 Teal, 4 Guillemots, 6 Gadwall, 12 Dunlin, 15 Red-breasted Mergansers, 16 Wigeon, 21 Shelducks and 26 Lapwings going east past Samphire Hoe where another Little Egret flew west. 5 Sanderling, 13 Curlew and 25 Turnstones were also at the Willop Outfall. In similar conditions on the 7 th seawatching off Folkestone Beach and Samphire Hoe produced totals of one Mallard, 2 Great Skuas, 3 Dunlins, 4 Wigeon, 4 Razorbills, 5 Red-throated Divers, 5 Shelducks, 5 Kittiwakes, 6 Lapwings, 6 Razorbills, 9 Eider, 35 Gannets, 39 Brent Geese and 50 Guillemot heading east. 10 Siskins and 190 Goldfinches also went east and 480 Starlings arrived in off the sea. A Wheatear, a Little Egret, 2 Black Redstarts, 2 Swallows, 6 House Martins, 11 Redwings and 25 Blackbirds were also seen at Samphire Hoe, whilst a Snipe, 2 Swallows, 3 House Martins, 24 Redwings, 24 Fieldfares and 45 Blackbirds were at Abbotscliffe, a mixed flock of 15-20 House Martins and Swallows were at Mill Point and 6 House Martins and 6 Swallows were at Hythe. The wind went round to the south-east on the 8 th and it was much quieter on the sea, though 10 Greylag Geese flew east at Mill Point, where an adult Yellow-legged Gull was roosting and 12 Siskins and 70 Goldfinches also flew east. A Snow Bunting, a Black Redstart, the last Wheatear of the autumn and 6 Stonechats were at Samphire Hoe, a Lapwing, 2 Golden Plover and 60 Sky Larks were at Abbotscliffe and 2 Chiffchaffs, 3 Redwings and 26 Blackbirds were noted at Nickoll's Quarry. Yellow-legged Gull at Mill Point (Ian Roberts) Snow Bunting at Samphire Hoe (Phil Smith)

Winds remained southerly or south-easterly for the next week and interesting birds continued to arrive. On the 9 th two Whooper Swans flew west over Nickoll's Quarry and 2 Tundra Bean Geese were in a winter wheat field at Abbotscliffe before flying west. 3 Chiffchaffs were also seen at the former site, whilst a Lapland Bunting, a Redpoll, 6 Goldcrests, 40 Chaffinches, 50 Sky Larks and 50 Goldfinches were at the latter. 3 Fieldfares, 3 Siskins, 3 Redpolls and 11 Golden Plovers flew over Church Hougham the next day and a Firecrest, 3 Goldcrests and 4 Redpolls were at Mill Point on the 11 th, when a Chiffchaff was at Nickoll's Quarry and Purple Sandpipers increased to 2 at Hythe. Six White-fronted Geese that flew over Botolph's Bridge Road on the 12 th were the fourth grey goose species recorded in the month, and a Chiffchaff, 25 Golden Plovers and 80 Lapwings were also seen there, whilst another Chiffchaff and 5 Goldcrests were at West Hythe. A Firecrest was found dead on the seawall at Samphire Hoe. A Snow Bunting was at Samphire Hoe on the 13 th, and a Chiffchaff, a Corn Bunting, a Reed Bunting, 2 Swallows and 2 Mistle Thrushes were at Abbotscliffe, where 6 Redpolls, 11 Sky Larks, 18 Chaffinches, 21 Lapwings and 160 Wood Pigeons flew over. 11 Stock Doves flew east over Saltwood. The 15 th produced a Long-eared Owl at Abbotscliffe, a Raven and a Little Egret at Samphire Hoe, where a Dunlin and 5 Greylag Geese flew east, the same or another Raven at Capel-le-Ferne, and 2 Siskins and 10 Redpolls flying east at Copt Point. A Firecrest and 13 Linnets were at Fisherman s Beach the following day, when 2 Black Redstarts were at Samphire Hoe, 4 Golden Plovers were at Abbotscliffe and a very late flock of c.50 House Martins were reported along the canal at Hythe. On the 18 th 5 Crossbills, 25 Redwings and 58 Fieldfares flew west at Abbotscliffe. A Chiffchaff, a Blackcap and 9 Goldcrests were in Folkestone Warren the next day, when 2 Redpolls and 4 Siskins flew over, and a Firecrest, 2 Ravens and 4 Stonechats were at Samphire Hoe, whilst a Common Buzzard flew over Folkestone. Two Firecrests were at Mill Point on the 20 th (remaining until the 24 th, with one at least until the 28 th ) and another 2 Common Buzzards flew over Saltwood, and a Snipe was at Hythe Roughs. A Short-eared Owl was hunting along the cliff-top at Samphire Hoe on the 22 nd, where a Little Egret and a Black Redstart were also noted and the wintering Little Owl remained. A Kingfisher was in Radnor Park, Folkestone and 15 Yellowhammers were in stubble at Church Hougham. Buzzard and Swallow at Seabrook (Brian Harper) On the 23 rd a Teal, a Water Rail, a Green Sandpiper (with 2 having been present earlier in the month), a Grey Wagtail, a Stonechat, 2 Cetti's Warblers (having been seen, or more usually heard, on several dates in the month), 5 Gadwall and 8 Cormorants were at Nickoll's Quarry. The same day saw a Lapland Bunting, a Redpoll and 3 Siskins fly east at Abbotscliffe. A Kingfisher, a Cetti's Warbler and 5 late Swallows were along the canal at Seabrook on the 25 th and a Common Buzzard flew west. A Firecrest and a Common Buzzard were at West Hythe on the 27 th, when Purple Sandpipers increased to 7 at Hythe. The last week had seen a run of south-westerly winds which increased towards the end of the month, with the 29 th being particularly blustery, and producing a little movement at sea, with a Red-breasted Merganser, an adult Little Gull, 2 Dunlin, 3 Kittiwakes and 14 Common Scoters passing the Hythe Redoubt. A total of 116 species were recorded the third highest monthly total in 2011 so far.

December It was quite appropriate that the second warmest year on record nationally should end with a particularly mild month. Daytime temperatures remained generally between 5 and 10 C and night time lows rarely fell to zero. The mild weather was mainly due to the influence of Atlantic weather systems, which led to a couple of notably wet and windy periods. The last week of the month was particularly mild, with temperatures reaching 13 C. December began with the long-staying juvenile Roughlegged Buzzard in residence at Nickoll's Quarry, where it remained until at least the 17 th, with two subsequent reports of presumably the same bird near West Hythe on the 22 nd - 23 rd. Another highlight of the month was a photographic juvenile Great Northern Diver which was found on the canal in the centre of Hythe on the 6 th and remained until the 11 th, though it ranged as far east as Seabrook. A second Great Northern Diver was at Samphire Hoe on the 7 th and these were evidently part of a small influx into the county as another was seen in nearby Dover Harbour at the same time. Another notable influx in December involved a large number of gulls along the shore between Sandgate and Hythe around mid-month, which appeared to feeding on a wreck of shellfish. Highlights amongst these were a first-winter Caspian Gull at Hythe on the 14 th, which carried a yellow colour ring (so was presumably ringed in Poland though unfortunately the ring could not be read), an adult Little Gull off Battery Point on the 15 th, and a Norwegian-ringed Great Black-backed Gull at Seabrook on the 11 th. Great Northern Diver at Hythe (Brian Harper) Little Gull at Seabrook (Ian Roberts) Caspian Gull at Hythe (Ian Roberts) A drake Mandarin was seen at West Hythe on the 4 th and 8 Brent Geese, 8 Shelduck and 27 Teal were noted off Hythe Ranges on the 17 th. Two Brent Geese flew east at Hythe on the 27 th, with what was possibly the same pair later passing Samphire Hoe. A Tufted Duck, 2 Wigeon and 67 Mallard were on the lake at Folkestone Racecourse on the 28 th, and 106 Mallard were counted on the Hythe Canal on the 7 th.

Peak counts of Red-throated Divers were 43 flying west off Samphire Hoe on the 21 st and 48 flying west there on the 27 th, when 24 Gannets were fishing offshore, and the first Fulmar had returned to the cliffs there by the 21 st. A Shag was photographed in Folkestone Harbour on the 11 th, with a count of four at Samphire Hoe on the 23 rd, singles off Folkestone Pier and Mill Point on the 27 th, and one at Samphire Hoe on the 28 th. Single Little Egrets were at Samphire Hoe on the 21 st and Westenhanger on three dates from the 21 st. A Moorhen in Folkestone Harbour on the 14 th was an unusual record for the site. Up to 7 Purple Sandpipers frequented the rock groynes at Hythe throughout and other waders of note included 6 Curlews, 9 Lapwings and 17 Snipe at the Willop Outfall on the 2 nd, 6 Golden Plovers and 40 Lapwings there on the 13 th, a Green Sandpiper at Botolph's Bridge on the 17 th, a peak of 20 Turnstones at Hythe on the 3 rd and a count of 41 Ringed Plovers roosting on Folkestone Beach on the 23 rd. Three Kittiwakes were off Samphire Hoe on the 21 st and 8 were off Folkestone Beach on the 27 th, when a flock of 134 Mediterranean Gulls were on the sea off Sandgate. A Razorbill was in Folkestone Harbour on the 11 th, with 4 off Samphire Hoe on the 21 st, 10 off Folkestone Beach on the 27 th and at least 21 off Samphire Hoe the following day. Purple Sandpiper at Hythe (Brian Harper) Shag at Folkestone Harbour (Ian Roberts) Razorbill at Folkestone Harbour (Ian Roberts) The wintering Little Owl remained at Samphire Hoe throughout. A Rock Pipit opposite the Hythe Imperial on the 8 th was a notable record there, whilst 23 were logged at Samphire Hoe on the 21 st. A Black Redstart was at Folkestone Harbour on the 6 th and 4 Stonechats remained at Samphire Hoe on the 21 st. The only noteworthy count of winter thrushes was 35 Fieldfares at Pedlinge on the 31 st. A Cetti's Warbler was seen at Seabrook on the 9 th, a female or immature Blackcap was at Enbrook Court, Sandgate on the 16 th, single Chiffchaffs were at Saltwood Castle on the 4 th and Seabrook on the 11 th, and a Firecrest was at Mill Point on the 24 th. A flock of 15 Linnets were Fisherman s Beach, Hythe throughout. A total of just 91 species were recorded in December but the 2011 area year list was 195 species, the highest total to date.