To Hythe and Back

 Back to Botolph's Bridge first thing this morning for a couple of hours just in case the White Tailed Sea Eagle was still around. Unfortunately no sign of it, but there was some compensation in the form of partially oiled Red-throated Diver in Nickoll's Quarry on the sailing pit, also good numbers of Redwing and Song Thrushes feeding around the sewage works and a Chiffchaff. Next stop Littlestone sea front where the tide was out. Plenty of waders on show including Sanderling, Dunlin, Knot, Curlew, Bar-tailed Godwits, Oystercatchers, Redshanks, Grey Plover and couple of Ringed Plovers.

 On to the New Diggings where a Great White Egret was showing well. Also there 8 Goosander, 6 Smew and 6 Goldeneye.

 Next stop the ARC Pit Hanson Hide where 33 Bewick Swans were resting after being chased off the marsh. A Cetti's Warbler was feeding on the ice in front the hide and a 1+ Water Rails were squealing in the reeds. Out on the pit 8+Goldeneye, 1000+ Wigeon, 400+ Shoveler, 150+ Gadwall, 100+ Teal a few Shelduck and 2 Pintail. 2 Marsh Harriers hunted the reeds. I had a treat while I was there when old friends John and Doreen Cooper came into the hide enabling me to catch up on Beachy Head and things in general. 

Pity about the reed stem

 A red head Smew fed close to the hide for a couple of minutes before flying off and walking back to the car park a Bittern flew towards Boulderwall Farm.

 On the reserve from Dennis's Hide the Long tailed Duck was distant and 2 Goosander were seen. Being half term the reserve was busy, so I made my way to Dengemarsh Road stopping to admire the Tree Sparrows on the feeders at Boulderwall Farm. At the Dengemarsh chicken sheds i finally caught up with the Black Redstart there. Opposite the sheds an abherrant plumaged or hybrid Wigeon.

Abherrant Wigeon

 Walland Marsh was very quiet with little of note, except for a Common Buzzard feeding on worms near The Woolpack PH.

 Heading for home I found my first Green Sandpiper of the year in ditch by Fairfield Church and near Woodchurch 60+ Yellowhammers by a game strip. A very good day out.