Caspian Gull makes the day!

Once again the sea was very quiet this morning with a few Gannets and Kittiwakes coming and going, small numbers of Red-throated Divers and Common Scoters moving into Hythe bay.

At the south end of the ARC my first Smew of the winter and 4 Goldeneye along with c200 Gadwall.

On the reserve the Marsh Harriers were much in evidence and on Burrowes another Smew, a Black Necked Grebe, a Great White Egret and many common wildfowl. At Christmas Dell 2 Stonechats by the trail, 4 Curlew over, in the distance 100s of Golden Plover and Lapwing flushed from the fields and more Marsh Harrier activity.

A brief visit to Scotney saw the Long Tailed duck at the Kent end.

This afternoon a call from MS had me hot footing it back to the fishing boats where a 1w Caspian Gull had been attracted to the buckets of fish pieces and loaves of bread put down by him and RS.   Much better images will appear on:

 http://birdingthedayaway.blogspot.co.uk/ and http://mybirdwatchingdaysout.blogspot.co.uk/

 1W Caspian Gull

 1W Caspian Gull

 1W Caspian Gull

 1W Caspian Gull

 1W Caspian Gull

 1W Caspian Gull

Late this afternoon there were 3 Smew at the south end of the ARC and another Great White Egret with 4 Little Egrets.