Waxwing Surprise

 A thoroughly miserable day started at the sea watch hide where AJG had already done 90 minutes.
Totals 06.20-08.50:
Red-throated Diver: 278E    33W
Fulmar: 2E
Gannet: 526E
Brent Goose:  56E
Common Scoter: 8E
Curlew:   8E
Bar-tailed Godwit:   3E
Oystercatcher:   11E
Little Gull: 8E
Mediterranean Gull: 1E
Kittiwake: c50E
Auk sp:  92E
In the roost by the fish shop North Thames colour ringed Herring Gull  TY3.T

Herring Gull  TY3.T

At the ARC 6+ Smew(1 drake), 2+ Marsh Harriers, several Water Rails squealing 1 showing briefly, 1 Great White Egret in front the screen hide, 4+ Chiffchaffs and the Red-crested Pochard the only birds of note in the horrible weather. The Red-crested Pochard can usually be found on on the first lake on the left as walk from the car park to the screen hide. 

 Across Walland  I was unable to locate any wild swans, but still plenty of Buntings and finches at the Tickners Lane seed dump.

 As I drove along Hesta Way a few hundred yards from home, I saw the unmistakable silhouettes of a party of 15 Waxwings. As I tried to get one or two record images of them, in the terrible light and now persistent rain, another 11 flew in. I gave up after a few minutes due to the light and rain. when I left they happily tucking into some Cotoneaster berries.