Results of a Bird Survey carried out at 08.00 on 8th June, 2006.

Surveyor: Barry O'Dowd, RSPB Warden, Elmley Nature Reserve, Sheppey, Kent.
In attendance: Bob Baxter.

Most of the birds were resident species. There was no evidence of warblers, probably due to it being slightly late in the season, and the lack of song because of the very hot morning.

Green woodpecker: nesting in old orchard tree, young calling from hole.
Great spotted woodpecker: a bird calling from trees just north of orchard.
Turtle dove: singing from trees just to the south of orchard (declining species)
Blackbird: 2 males singing and 3 feeding in orchard
Mistle thrush: A bird alarming (as with young) from the centre of orchard.
Wood pigeon: many feeding on cherries in orchard.
Stock dove: 2 in orchard.
Blue tit: 3 birds plus 2 families feeding in orchard.
Greenfinch: 4 pairs.
Chaffinch: 3 pairs.
Tree creeper: a bird singing from trees on the northern border.
Wren: 3 pairs in dense hedge on north side.
Robin: 2 pairs on west side.
House sparrow: 3 on south side (many in adjacent gardens)

Additionally: Little owls are regularly seen in the orchard. Pip Neaves, whose house is on the south east of the site, regularly sees great tits, pied wagtails and goldfinches.

The old trees in the orchard provide a rapidly disappearing habitat in North Kent as many are removed due to being un-commercial. They do however provide an incredibly rich habitat for birds, insects and fungi in particular.

To produce a more complete record of breeding birds, a survey is required in April and May also, as many species breed and sing rather earlier in the season.

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