Back on The Marsh

As I drove to Dungeness this morning there was still 20+ Waxwings at Johnson's Corner on the A2070 at Hamstreet, 60 were reported there this afternoon.

In Lydd turning on to Dungeness road 5 more Waxwings were feeding on Apples in the allotments.

A short look at the sea was all that was needed to know that not much was moving off shore just a few Auks and Kittiwakes.

From the causeway the Black-throated Diver could be seen on New Diggings and c200 Gadwall could be seen on the ARC Pit.

A walk around the reserve with TG saw 5 Smew(1 Drake), 1 red head Goosander, 4 Goldeneye, 4+ Marsh Harriers, 1 Great White Egret, 100s each of Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler, Pochard and Coot, lesser numbers of Tufted Duck and Pintail.

On the ARC from Hanson 2 Goldeneye, 1 Great White egret and 2 Marsh Harriers.

 A drive round Walland Marsh 22 Bewick Swans and 2 black Swans  from Bell Corner. Near Old Romney 2 Waxwings one of which posed in the sun for me. Noticeably less winter thrushes on the marsh today.

 Wandering around the paths on Walland this afternoon saw 100s of Golden Plover, 4 Snipe were flushed, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Sparrowhawks and distant views of the Common Crane and a Barn Owl.

 In one of the reed beds 4 Bearded Tits showed well, 2 Stonechats and several squealing Water Rails. c15 Marsh Harriers were seen but only 5 roosted where I was watching.

Common Crane Walland