7th March

Weather: Wind N f3, sunny spells, dry, cold in the wind (2-3°C)

The undoubted highlight was Geoff Barter's discovery of a female Dartford Warbler, which spent a couple of hours frequenting vegetation either side of the road between Lunch Wood and Perrott's Farmhouse. It frequently perched on fence posts and barbed wire, allowing close views. Those observers who live nearby (and were not otherwise detained) were able to share in Geoff's good fortune, including David Campbell, who was on his way to Dungeness to take up the position of DBO assistant warden - a well deserved parting gift! This is the first record for the site and is the 142nd species to be recorded here. Luckily the cameras came out and a gallery of this delightful warbler follows.

Canons Farm: 1 PHEASANT, 1 LITTLE OWL (Greenbelt Field), 1 KESTREL, 1 GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL1 GREY WAGTAIL, 1 MEADOW PIPIT, 1DARTFORD WARBLER (between Lunch Wood and Perrott's Farmhouse), 8 LINNET


Dartford Warbler, Canons Farm, 07/03/16 (Geoff Barter)
Dartford Warbler, Canons Farm, 07/03/16 (Geoff Barter)
Dartford Warbler, Canons Farm, 07/03/16 (Duncan Jennings)
Dartford Warbler, Canons Farm, 07/03/16 (Duncan Jennings)
Dartford Warbler, Canons Farm, 07/03/16 (Duncan Jennings)
Dartford Warbler, Canons Farm, 07/03/16 (Duncan Jennings)

Observers: Geoff Barter, David Campbell, Steve Gale, Duncan Jennings, Phil Wallace