TICKING AWAY

I have never been one for rushing around looking at rare birds that turn up but obviously keep records of what I`ve seen and am happy to see birds if I can locally and keep a year list of UK sightings like most birders,so far this year the tally is 115,all in East Kent and quite a lot in the Dover area.Single trips to Stodmarsh,Oare,Dungeness and Sandwich Bay have scored well too.

 RED BREASTED MERGANSER This female stayed around the granville dock area for a few days

DRAKE GOLDENEYE the only thing remotely close at Dungeness RSPB

COMMON SCOTER in the harbour last weekend

a pair were there on monday

FEMALE BLACKCAP very grateful for the apples put out in the garden.