11/06/25 More Honey Buzzards and calling time on Spring.

Over a week since the last spell of decent Raptor arrival weather (see previous post) Amazingly todays long awaited light SE winds are the first from this direction since April. With them came a plume of warm air and with that shift in temperature, a sea fog had developed. Mostly cleared by 11am by which time Colin & Kevin J had a male Honey Buzzard arrive at South Foreland (10.35). Buoyed by this news and hoping my efforts at the other end of the patch would be rewarded I was very happy to pick up my first Honey Buzzard of the day just after 11.40 – a female picked up over the water gunning NW over the Eastern arm of the Harbour.

Drawing some attention but moving at speed she continued inland up the Jubilee way.

Things this side of the channel were clearing further and I spent the next 2.5 hours staring out to sea before giving up and heading for lunch at 2pm

During the walk back I decided to have a final scan over the harbour before I reached my street and picked up another female Honey Buzzard at 14.10, coming in over the Eastern ferry entrance and heading straight for me.

The Peregrines went bonkers but she managed to get above East cliff and headed North.

Tomorrow I head to Switzerland for a couple weeks of work so am calling time on spring here. Its not been bad really, some things lacking but others in relative abundance aswell as some memorable birds. Alot of effort put in and some dire moments but I love the place and feel more connected than ever to it.