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News Waxwings ‘flocked to county’


SIGHTINGS of waxwings in the Maidstone area featured in the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch re- sults this year. Almost half a million people took


part in the annual wildlife survey and the exotic migrant visitor was among the more interesting results from Kent. The waxwing, pictured, usually


ends up in the south east from Scan- dinavia as a results of berry crop fail- ures.


Therewere 19 sightings of the bird


– which is incredibly high – during the last weekend of January, when the survey takes place across the country. Therewas also a large jump in the


Dodgers’ bill


ROAD tax dodgers have had vehi- cles clamped with a bill of £260 each to release them, following a joint operation by Kent Police and the DVLA. A total of 16 vehicles were clamped in the area onWednesday, March 29, as part of an ongoing monthly initiative run by the two organisations. The action aims to crackdown on motorists leaving vehicles parked on public roads without having valid road tax.


number of visits from other migrant birds, such as redwing and fieldfare, as the sub-zero temperatures on the continent forced them to go in search


COMMUNITIES are being called on to take part in a na- tional Beacons of Light celebra- tion to mark the end of World War I. Parish councils across the re-


gion have been invited to join The Battle’s Over tribute, which will see beacons lit across the country at 7pm on November 11, 2018.


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of milder conditions. The south east saw numbers of redwings triple, while our gardens saw a five-fold increase in fieldfares. Dr Daniel Hayhow, RSPB conser-


vation scientist, said: “In the lead up to the Birdwatch, there was some speculation as to whether we could see a ‘waxwing winter’ and the re- sults prove that to be the case. “Flocks of these striking birds ar-


rived in theUKalong the North Sea coast and will have moved across the country in search of food, favouring gardens where they can feast on berries. With it only hap- pening once every 7-8 years, it will have been a treat for thosewhoman- aged to catch a glimpse of one.”


Lights to mark bale end


100th anniversary commemora- tive “light of hope” celebration will begin in April 2017, when a special guide to taking part will be published. Parishes and community groups are being urged to con- firm their involvement as soon as possible. Detling Parish Council is among those to have, so far, con- firmed its interest in taking part.


Kent's most common garden bird


is the house sparrow, with an aver- age of five recorded in about two thirds of all the gardens surveyed in the county. Starlings and blackbirds took the second and third places re- spectively. The county is losing its collared doves though, with their numbers having dropped 30% in 10 years after decades of increases. The goldfinch has seen its num-


bers swell 57% over the decade, while blue tits and great tits saw their numbers drop 19% and 16% compared with last year. RSPBOfficer TimWebb said: “Our


theory is that this behaviour change is because they are finding it easier to find food and shelter in gardens.”


Love fined


A REFORMED heroin addict has been fined for driving offences in Maidstone. Richard Lovett (38) admitted driving a Peugeot 207 in PalaceAv- enue on March 6, despite having no licence or insurance. He was stopped due to a faulty brake light. Lovett, of Duncan Road, Gilling-


ham, was fined £150 and given six penalty points, making his total nine. He is due to take a driving test.


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