Michael Walter writes:
Recently there has been a very small but definite trickle of redpolls passing through the wood, which was quite exciting, as this is now a fairly unusual bird here. Back in the 1980s and early 90s a few redpolls bred on the reserve, and it occurred quite widely in Kent away from the coast, but now it is all but unknown as a breeding species in the county. In the past, wintering flocks in the hundreds were not particularly unusual at Blean, the best years being 1983-4 and 1984-5, finally peaking with a flock of 340 in 1990-1, when the birds were accompanied by up to three Arctic redpolls. Nationally, there has been a major decline since the 1990s, the losses being concentrated along the eastern side of Britain, while in Scotland, Wales and Ireland the bird has become much commoner. The reasons for these distributional changes are not understood, but the result is that this charming little finch is now essentially a footnote in the history of Blean Woods, and we have to make the most of the odd individuals that do turn up.
More information about the lesser redpoll can be found on the RSPB website at: http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/l/lesserredpoll/
A few crossbills have also been reported in the woods this week.