12/09/2024

 With a NW wind blowing again this morning, I once again gave the sea watch a miss and went straight to the ARC, where the Pectoral Sandpiper was still showing in terrible light conditions, a single Garganey, 3 Ruff, the Glossy Ibis and a Great White Egret that had the decency to pose in good light. A good start to a great days birding.

Great White Egret at the ARC this morning

My next stop was at The Point and a wander around The Desert. A search for the Wryneck drew a blank but a flock of 11 mobile Tree Sparrows were nice and 2 even posed for me.

Tree Sparrows are now a scarcity in The Desert

In the sheltered spots a few Warblers were found mainly Chiffchaffs, but also Willow Warblers, Common and Lesser Whitethroat. I got a brief glimpse of Dartford Warbler and while waiting for it to show itself a Sedge Warbler peeked out of a Gorse bush.

Dartford Warbler

Sedge Warbler

Willow Warbler

Lesser Whitethroat

Just as I about to go home for brunch a smart juvenile Honey Buzzard drifted West over The Desert then a few minutes later came back East and was lost to view towards Lade.

Juvenile Honey Buzzard being mobbed by a Kestrel

                                     Juvenile Honey Buzzard being mobbed by a Kestrel

                                    Juvenile Honey Buzzard being mobbed by a Kestrel

Juvenile Honey Buzzard being mobbed by a Kestrel

The superb White Winged Tern this afternoon

White Winged Tern

White Winged Tern with 4 Black Terns