Month: July 2026

I had been talking up the weather on Friday the 24th, SSW both here and in Calais but nothing came in at the harbour, Rob R had a Honey Buzzard arrive at Walmer so at least the weather delivered. Today however, I thought, held less promise as it was forecast to be very light WNW winds in Calais but moderate Southerlies from mid channel north. It seemed to do the trick though as Marsh Harrier, Osprey and Honey Buzzard all came off the sea between Light house down and the harbour. The latter of these a female in wing moult that looked like it would be a direct hit before it circled over the Eastern docks and headed inland over the National trust cafe, my 7th HB here this summer.

One or two lemon’y Willow warblers in the bushes, along with a Reed warbler today but nothing more exciting than that for me so far.

After seeing my first juvenile Yellow-legged Gulls from the back garden on the 6th and another one along the cliffs on the 7th this was the first time I’ve been out looking for Gulls with my camera and struck gold with the earliest Juvenile Caspian Gull I’ve ever seen in the UK at Walmer beach.

Wearing a Dutch ring ‘N:3’ I texted Mars and Thijs who replied with some details, ringed in the de Krupel colony.

A single juvenile Yellow-legged Gull, below, was also present alongside juv Lesser black backs, herring and Med gulls.

Met office and Ventusky had different ideas about today but the actual weather was a light South Easterly. At first I thought perhaps too light but I was wrong.

Another 2 Honey Buzzards arrived off the sea over the Eastern docks. The first a male at around midday.

The bird came right over head and continued inland towards the castle. Circling over broadlees bottom and giving lovely views.

Buoyed by this and knowing that if theres one there can be more – I was busy scanning for the next 20 minutes and picked up a HB coming in from way beyond the harbour break water. I absolutely love viewing them like this, over the channel, entering harbour airspace and gaining height before giving a fly past.

A pale female, flew straight for the castle and got buzzed by one of the Peregrines, it turned back and gave nice views whilst circling over the A2. Then carried on North as they often do.

That puts me on 6 for the year, slightly behind last years total by now . The reason for this is the lack of suitable days with Southerly winds, hoping for more! Colin also had a Honey Buzzard fly NW at South Foreland.

Other notables recently have been the odd Yellow Wagtail, small numbers of Sand Martins departing and a Cuckoo.