Last updated: 25th September
The 2017 area bird year list is 179 species (182 species at the same time last year)
25th - A Ring Ouzel, a Firecrest and a Reed Bunting at Abbotscliffe, where 65 Meadow Pipits flew east (Ian Roberts). 7 Chiffchaffs at Nickolls Quarry (Roger Norman).
A Delicate and 3 Clancy's Rustics at Hythe. A Brick at Heane Wood was new for the year (Ian Roberts).
24th - A Cetti's Warbler, a Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Goldcrests, 4 Blackcaps, 10 Dunnocks and 18 Chiffchaffs at Nickolls Quarry (Roger Norman). A Firecrest at Mill Point (Ian Roberts). A Guillemot, 2 Grey Wagtails and 2 Fulmars at Folkestone Harbour (Stephanie Lea / Neil Frampton).
A Delicate, a Scarce Bordered Straw, a Diamond-back Moth and 2 Four-spotted Footman at Seabrook (Paul Howe). A Rusty-dot Pearl, a Silver Y and 2 Clancy's Rustics at Hythe, where Black Rustic was the 900th species for the area year list (Ian Roberts).
23rd - An Arctic Skua and 11 Brent Geese flew past Hythe Redoubt (Brian Harper). 3 Rock Pipits at Folkestone Pier (David Featherbe).
Brown-spot Pinion and The Sallow at Cheriton were new for the year (Brian Harper). A single Clancy's Rustic at Hythe (Ian Roberts).
Brown-spot Pinion at Cheriton
(Brian Harper)
The Sallow at Cheriton
(Brian Harper)
Deep-brown Dart at Seabrook
(Paul Howe)
Pink-barred Sallow at Hythe
(Ian Roberts)
22nd - A Yellow-browed Warbler at the Bell Inn (Hythe) this afternoon, showing well (Paul Howe). A Whinchat, a Wheatear, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Whitethroat, 4 Song Thrushes, 6 Blackcaps and 8 Chiffchaffs at Abbotscliffe (Mark Varley / Ian Roberts). A Merlin and a Marsh Harrier at Botolph's Bridge (Brian Harper).
The Delicate at Seabrook, where Deep-brown Dart was new for the year (Paul Howe). A Scarce Bordered Straw, a Rush Veneer and 4 Clancy's Rustics at Hythe, where Pink-barred Sallow was new for the year (Ian Roberts).
21st - A Pearly Underwing, 2 Silver Ys and 4 Clancy's Rustics at Hythe (Ian Roberts).
20th - A Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Wheatear, 2 Whitethroats, 2 Ravens, 2 Little Egrets, 5 Blackcaps, 8 Stonechats and 14 Chiffchaffs at Abbotscliffe, where a Yellow Wagtail, 3 Siskins and 35 Meadow Pipits flew west (Mark Varley / Ian Roberts). A Merlin, a Whitethroat, 9 Blackcaps and 14 Chiffchaffs at Nickolls Quarry (Roger Norman). A Great Spotted Woodpecker in a garden near the coast at Hythe was likely to be a migrant (Sean McMinn). A Wheatear at Copt Point (Alistair Mackay).
A Scarce Bordered Straw and 2 Clancy's Rustics at Hythe, where Feathered Brindle and Autumnal Rustic were new for the year (Ian Roberts). Barred Sallow and Monopis crocicapitella (Pale-backed Clothes Moth) were new for the year at Seabrook (Paul Howe).
Barred Sallow and Frosted Orange at Seabrook (Paul Howe)
Autumnal Rustic and Feathered Brindle at Hythe (Ian Roberts)
19th - A Redstart, a Whinchat, a Teal, 2 Wheatears and good numbers of Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs at Samphire Hoe (Phil Smith). A Whinchat, a Stonechat, a Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Sand Martins, 5 Blackcaps, 12 Goldcrests and 45 Chiffchaffs at Princes Parade (Nigel Webster). 20 Chiffchaffs at Copt Point (Alistair Mackay). Large numbers of hirundines, mainly Swallows (1,000+), were moving along the coast in the late afternoon and evening (Glenn Tutton / Ian Roberts).
A Convolvulus Hawk-moth at Seabrook, where Large Wainscot was new for the year (Paul Howe). A Clancy's Rustic, a Scarce Bordered Straw, a Rusty-dot Pearl and a Diamond-back Moth at Hythe, where Feathered Ranunculus was new for the year (Ian Roberts).
Redstart and Whinchat at Samphire Hoe (Phil Smith)
Convolvulus Hawk-moth and Large Wainscot at Seabrook (Paul Howe)
18th - A Wood Warbler at Seabrook and a Hobby over Folkestone (Dale Gibson). An Arctic Skua flew west past Hythe (Ian Roberts). 220 Swallows flew west
at Seabrook (Paul Howe).
prasinaria Barred Red at Seabrook (Paul Howe)
Coleophora alcyonipennella at Seabrook (Paul Howe)
Red-throated Diver at Hythe Ranges
(Ian Roberts)
Migrant Hawker at Hythe
(Ian Roberts)
17th - A Greenish Warbler at Seabrook this morning (Paul Howe) was the highlight of Wildlife Migration Day but there was also a noticeable arrival of warblers, particularly Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps, and hirundines were steadily moving west across the area. 2 Wheatears, 4 Sedge Warblers, 9 Whitethroats, 11 Goldcrests, 14 Blackcaps and 97 Chiffchaffs at Princes Parade (Nigel Webster). 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 3 Goldcrests, 48 Blackcaps and 61 Chiffchaffs at Folkestone Warren (Dale Gibson). A Swift, 3 Whitethroats, 10 Robins, 20 Blackcaps and 30 Chiffchaffs at Samphire Hoe (Ian Roberts / Paul Holt). A summer-plumaged Red-throated Diver close inshore off Hythe Ranges, also a Little Egret and 3 Oystercatchers there and 2 Rock Pipits, 40 Meadow Pipits flew west, whilst 19 Chiffchaffs were counted in a garden in Hythe (Sean McMinn). An Oystercatcher, 2 Grey Wagtails and 2 Chiffchaffs at Folkestone Harbour (Stephanie Lea). Hirundines totals were difficult to estimate but probably exceeded 1,000 Swallows and 1,500 House Martins, with a few Sand Martins mixed in.
A Clancy's Rustic, a Pearly Underwing and a Rusty-dot Pearl at Hythe, whilst mines of Phyllonorycter lantanella (Viburnum Midget) at Samphire Hoe were new for the year (Ian Roberts). A Clouded Yellow at Folkestone Warren (Dale Gibson).
16th - A Bar-tailed Godwit at Sunny Sands, Folkestone (David Featherbe). A Little Egret and large numbers of hirundines at Abbotscliffe, and a good scattering of Chiffchaffs across the area (Ian Roberts).
A Clancy's Rustic at Seabrook (Paul Howe). A Delicate and a Scarce Bordered Straw at Hythe. A Clouded Yellow at Folkestone Warren (Ian Roberts).
Bar-tailed Godwit at Folkestone
(David Featherbe)
Clancy's Rustic at Seabrook
(Paul Howe)
Lunar Underwing at Seabrook
(Paul Howe)
The Delicate at Hythe
(Ian Roberts)
15th - The first Red-throated Diver of the autumn was seen off Fisherman's Beach, Hythe (Sean McMinn).
A Scarce Bordered Straw and a Rusty-dot Pearl at Hythe (Ian Roberts).
14th - A ring-tail Hen Harrier flew in off the sea at Abbotscliffe at 10:20, where a Whinchat, a Wheatear, a Reed Warbler, a Willow Warbler, a Reed Bunting, 4 Swifts, 100 Swallows, 200 Meadow Pipits and 1,000+ House Martins were also seen (Mark Varley). Another ring-tail Hen Harrier flew in off the sea at Hythe at 11:45 (Sean McMinn). A Little Egret flew over Folkestone Warren this evening (Alistair Mackay).
A Silver Y, a Rusty-dot Pearl, a Rush Veneer and 2 Scarce Bordered Straws at Hythe (Ian Roberts).
13th - 2 Sand Martins and 2 Grey Partridges at Abbotscliffe (Mark Kennett). c.50 Common Scoter off Hythe (Ian Roberts).
A Vestal, a Rush Veneer, a Rusty-dot Pearl and 2 Scarce Bordered Straws at Hythe (Ian Roberts). A Scarce Bordered Straw at Seabrook (Paul Howe).
12th - A Vestal, 2 Scarce Bordered Straws, 2 Rush Veneers, 2 Silver Ys and 5 Rusty-dot Pearls at Hythe, where Lunar Underwing was new for the year (Ian Roberts). 2 Rusty-dot Pearls at Seabrook (Paul Howe).
11th - A Scarce Bordered Straw, a Rush Veneer and 2 Rusty-dot Pearls at Seabrook (Paul Howe). A Hummingbird Hawk-moth, 2 Scarce Bordered Straws and 5 Rusty-dot Pearls at Hythe (Ian Roberts).
10th - A Redstart, a Reed Bunting and 5 Whinchats at Abbotscliffe (Ian Roberts).
A Clancy's Rustic, a Dark Sword-grass, a Rush Veneer, 3 Scarce Bordered Straws and 7 Rusty-dot Pearls at Hythe (Ian Roberts). 3 Rusty-dot Pearls at Seabrook (Paul Howe).
9th - A Whinchat and 2 Wheatears at Church Hougham (Mark Kennett).
A Delicate, 2 Scarce Bordered Straws, 7 Rush Veneers and 11 Rusty-dot Pearls at Hythe (Ian Roberts). A Thaumatotibia leucotreta (False Codling Moth), a Diamond-back Moth and 2 Rusty-dot Pearls at Seabrook (Paul Howe).
8th - 4 Wheatears at Samphire Hoe, with 2 Fulmars and 40 Gannets offshore (Mark Varley).
A Bordered Straw, a Scarce Bordered Straw, a Dark Sword-grass, 3 Rusty-dot Pearls, 3 Rush Veneers, 4 Pearly Underwings and 7 Silver Ys at Hythe (Ian Roberts). A very productive search for leaf miners and early stages at Brockhill Country Park yielded 33 new micro moths for the year list, including Bucculatrix cidarella, Heliozela resplendella, Parornix fagivora, Mompha terminella, 12 species of Phyllonorycter and 13 species of Stigmella (David Shenton / Ian Roberts). A Hummingbird Hawk-moth at Seabrook (Paul Howe). 2 Harbour Porpoises off Samphire Hoe (Mark Varley).
Bordered Straw at Hythe
(Ian Roberts)
The Gem at Hythe
(Ian Roberts)
Bucculatrix cidarella at Brockhill Country Park (David Shenton)
Parornix fagivora at Brockhill Country Park (Ian Roberts)
7th - A Spotted Flycatcher, a Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Wheatears and good numbers of hirundines at Abbotscliffe (Mark Varley). A Little Egret and 26 Meadow Pipits flew west at Hythe (Ian Roberts).
A Pearly Underwing, 3 Rush Veneers, 4 Scarce Bordered Straws, 4 Dark Sword-grass, 5 Silver Ys and 9 Rusty-dot Pearls at Hythe (Ian Roberts). A Rush Veneer and a Diamond-back Moth at Seabrook (Paul Howe).
6th - A Grasshopper Warbler and a Swift at Abbotscliffe (Mark Kennett). A Cuckoo flew west at Seabrook (Paul Howe). A Whinchat, a Peregrine and a Lesser Whitethroat at Folkestone Downs (Mark Varley). 2 Wheatears at Copt Point (Alistair Mackay) and 3 at Hythe (Sean McMinn). A Peregrine and 2 Whinchats at Botolph's Bridge and 60 Sandwich Terns at the Hythe Redoubt (Ian Roberts).
A Gem, a Pearly Underwing, 2 Dark Sword-grass, 2 Rush Veneers, 3 Scarce Bordered Straws, 5 Silver Ys and 10 Rusty-dot Pearls at Hythe (Ian Roberts).
5th - A Redstart and 2 Wheatears at Creteway Down (Brian Harper).
A Scarce Bordered Straw, a Diamond-back Moth, 2 Dark Sword-grass, 5 Silver Ys and 8 Rusty-dot Pearls at Hythe (Ian Roberts). A Scarce Bordered Straw and 2 Silver Ys at Seabrook (Paul Howe).
4th - A Whinchat, 2 Shags, 5 Wheatears and 5 Whitethroats at Samphire Hoe (Mark Kennett).
A Hummingbird Hawk-moth, a Dark Sword-grass, a Rusty-dot Pearl, a Silver Y and 2 Scarce Bordered Straws at Hythe (Ian Roberts). A Scarce Bordered Straw at Seabrook (Paul Howe).
Whinchat at Botolph's Bridge
(Brian Harper)
Redstart at Creteway Down
(Brian Harper)
Spotted Flycatcher at Creteway Down (Brian Harper)
Clouded Yellow at Samphire Hoe
(Phil Smith)
3rd - A Whinchat at Botolph's Bridge, an Arctic Skua off Hythe Redoubt and a Marsh Harrier along Donkey Street (Brian Harper). A Peregrine and a Cetti's Warbler at Seabrook (Paul Howe).
A Silver Y, a Painted Lady and 4 Scarce Bordered Straws at Hythe. A Rush Veneer at Copt Point (Ian Roberts).
2nd - 2 Turtle Doves at Botolph's Bridge, 3 Hobbies at Lympne Park Wood and 5 Wheatears at Princes Parade (Brian Harper). 3 Buzzards flew east at Hythe (Sean McMinn).
3 Scarce Bordered Straws at Hythe. Orange Sallow, Feathered Gothic and Bactra lancealana (Rush Marble) at West Hythe were new for the year (Brian Harper / Ian Roberts). A Scarce Bordered Straw, a Rush Veneer, a Dark Sword-grass and a Silver Y at Seabrook (Paul Howe).
1st - A Redstart, a Spotted Flycatcher and a Wheatear at Creteway Down (Brian Harper). 3 Willow Warblers at Copt Point (Alistair Mackay). A Wheatear at a Cheriton Hill (Alfie Gay).
A Palpita vitrealis (Olive-tree Pearl) and 2 Scarce Bordered Straws at Hythe (Ian Roberts). 205 Adonis Blues at Cheriton Hill (Alfie Gay). A Dark Sword-grass at Seabrook (Paul Howe).