24/12/2024

 With very a light WNW wind and overcast this morning I gave the sea watch a miss and drove straight to the ARC car park. I decided on a wander right around the reserve without being burdened by a heavy camera and lense thinking that due to the gloomy weather I wouldn't use it, so I  headed off towards Dengemarsh. The usual feral Geese were on Boulderwall fields, along with a couple of Great White Egrets, some Lapwing and Wigeon, a Swan that had recently died was being torn open by crows. Marsh Harriers drifted over as did a Common Buzzard. By the time I reached Dengemarsh there was bright sunshine, Bearded Tits were seen and heard from the ramp, along with Cetti's Warblers and a Chiffchaff.

I sat in Dengemarsh Hide for a while studying the Gulls but found nothing unusual, so moved onto Christmas Dell Hide which was more birdless than usual, I have no idea why birds shun Christmas Dell as it does look to have great habitat. I carried on wandering around to Makepiece where I flushed c500 Cormorants the moment I stepped onto the concrete pad to view the lake, as they flushed they took just about everything else that was on the lake with them, I still can't fathom where the RSPB got the idea that viewpoints are better than hides. I moved onto Dennis's Hide where 4 Goldeneye were the highlight. I checked the car park feeders but needless to say they were all empty, I guess they will remain that way until the new year when the VC opens again, if it ever does, I have my doubts as the gates were supposed to be unlocked at 09.00 today but remained firmly shut all day, much to the chagrin of several elderly birders I met on my way out who were unable to walk the mile to the Burrowes, I doubt the RSPB really care about those people because they are already members. Leaving the car park I walked along the Outland track to the New Diggings, a little way along the track I regretted my decision not to bring the camera, when a Brown Hare casually sauntered along it towards me coming to an abrupt hale about 10mts away when it realised I was blocking the track, it sat motionless for about 15 seconds before sauntering off 

to the side of the track and hiding in some brambles.

When I reached the New Diggings the Long-tailed Duck was very close to roped off area and in excellent light giving me the best best views I have had of it, causing me another moment of regret at not bringing the camera, the Great Northern Diver was as usual distant. By the time I arrived back at the car park it was again overcast and the fog was rolling in off the sea.

Darford Warbler

As I didn't use the camera today, here are some images of Dartford Warbler taken in May when it was nesting on The Point, the first record of Dartford Warblers breeding on The Point.

Darford Warbler

Darford Warbler