Gary Howard's birds and wildlife

As I drove into fairly thick mist heading over Wrotham Hill I though it might be local but as I headed east it became more extensive.

When I got to my destination, overlooking woodland near Canterbury, I could barely see 500 yards and so raptor watching was rather pointless.

Mike Cottrell and John Tilbrook appeared having read the same weather forecast - sunny and very warm.............

It took an age to clear. In the meantime a few others joined the party.

Soon after 11.00 the birding commenced. Highlights over the 6 hour's I was present were at least 2 Red Kites, 4+ Hobby -including a spectacular two Hobby robbery of a female Sparrowhawk quite close to us and just a few feet off the ground - 6+ Buzzard and 2+ Sparrowhawks. Cuckoo, Swifts, and common woodland/field birds helped fill in the gaps in activity.

I dropped in at Oare Marshes for a quick look on the way home. Highlights there were 2 drake Garganey, a summer plum SpotShank and c300 Black-t-Godwit.

Garganey