Thursday 14 February 2013

A different day!

Mid morning the rain cleared as I made my way across Walland Marsh. The Tickners Lane seed dump was alive with Finches and Buntings, the Common buzzard perched on its usual bush. 
From the Triangle no sign of the Whitefronts but 2 Marsh Harrriers, further on the bushes opposite the feeders were teaming with Finches and House/Tree Sparrows and the Water Rail.
From Hawthorn Corner the 200+ Bewick swans could be seen but very distant.
At Scotney a female Scaup among the Tufties and Pochard was the highlight, though OL saw a male Hen Harrier earlier. 
 As a 1st winter Glaucous Gull was seen west of The Patch, I wrapped up and made my way along the sea wall, but it had moved on before I arrived feeling positively over dressed in such mild conditions. An adult Mediterranean Gull over The Patch was the highlight. At sea a dramatic decrease in the numbers of Auks and Divers and just a few Gannets and Kittiwakes. A brilliant male Black Redstart was by one of the beach properties.
At the fishing boats the 3w Glaucous Gull did a couple of fly bys. The Snow Bunting found last night by DW reappeared but was elusive, probably due to its camouflage as I very nearly ran it over and only saw it because it flew onto the beach.   

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