Red-rumped Swallow

Just a quick post on my sighting today of an adult RED-RUMPED SWALLOW near my local patch at Bockhill this morning. If you don't believe me (I know there are still those of you who WON'T) check http://www.kentos.org.uk/. The bird was seen by several others too, although I found it on my own with no prior knowledge of the bird being there.

Cheers,

Ben

Blasted Golden Oriole...

Having heard constant reports of continental birds rolling in, I decided to try my luck at Bockhill. Rarity count: ZERO. I missed 5 crossbills and a Golden Oriole at Kingsdown by an hour. Seems to be the story of my life, really.

I had a fairly good time on the cliffs, but the peregrines showed at fewer intervals than usual and it was always hard to capture them as the autofocus locked onto the sea. I did manage to take a few quality shots, seconds before noticing a rather bemused fulmar sitting on a ledge only a metre or so from me.

Spring Migrants at Bockhill

Spring is in full swing down at Bockhill, with Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps and Wheatears already arriving en masse. Sand Martins have been seen, and large numbers of Redwings and Fieldfares are gathering to leave- some have already started to head north. It won't be long before the pair of Black Redstarts at Dover Castle arrive and breed. I took some nice photos of the youngsters last year.