A pale-morph Booted Eagle was first reported in Cornwall on January 12th, and it remained there until April 1st, with unconfirmed reports again on the 2nd and 4th. Brian had considered making the trip during this time, but the six hundred miles round trip and 12 hours of driving plus plenty going on at home always proved good reasons not to go. The bird had been missing since early April until yesterday evening when it was reported some 360 miles away in Broadstairs, Kent. It was first reported at 17.49 and seen several times during the next two hours until it tried to roost in trees along the railway embankment. Unfortunately, it was flushed by the local corvids and was last seen heading further west along the embankment.
Broadstairs is eighty miles from home and much more appealing than the 300 miles to Cornwall. But would the eagle still be in the area? Brian was keen to make the trip, thinking that if we put ourselves in the area, we might have a chance if it appeared. After some doubts and several texts, I agreed to make the trip.
Brian picked me up at 5.30am, and we arrived in Broadstairs shortly before 7am. We had no clear idea where to park or which area to view. Luckily, as we approached the first roundabout, we saw Barry W and Jake set up on the grass bank. We joined them and were told that another eight birders were watching from Cliffsend. Two and a half hours later, Barry got a call that the eagle had been seen and was heading west towards Manston. We scanned the skies but failed to see the bird, so we drove into Manston village. Barry jumped in the car with us as he was in contact with the other birders through the Kent WhatsApp group. We scanned several areas, and at least fifteen Buzzards were seen from one layby and another six from another spot. Three Sparrowhawks, four Red Kites, and two Kestrels were also seen. But there was no sign of the eagle! We jumped back in the car, and as we drove along Spitfire Way, Barry got news that the eagle was in the air again with a Red Kite. As we headed back along the road, a Red Kite was spotted. We parked by the Polar helicopter entrance, jumped out of the car, and scanned the skies. At first, all we could see was a single Red Kite. After another scan, a second Red Kite was seen, and closely behind it was the eagle! We watched it for several minutes, managing good views through the bins and scope. It eventually drifted further north and was lost to view. It wouldn't be reported again today. The gamble had well and truly paid off. We dropped Barry back off at his car and headed home, eager to beat the Friday traffic through the Blackwall Tunnel.
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| Barry and I watching the eagle |
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| Where we watched the eagle |
