Bittern and Barn Owl

 Arriving at The Point this morning the as rain cleared and the gale subsided a little, an hour watching the sea produced many Guillemots, Razorbills, Red-throated Divers, Gannets and Kittiwakes could be seen tooing and froing. A Fulmar moved west as did a Bonxie.

 On the beach 100s of Black-headed Gulls and a few Kittiwakes one of which was bathing in a puddle. A Knot resting on the beach was unusual. As I left the beach the 3w Glaucous Gull flew over.

On New Diggings from the causeway, 2 Great White Egrets and a single Smew among the common wildfowl sheltering under the western bank, on the ARC 2 more Great White Egrets and 12 Smew (2 drakes) among large numbers of common wildfowl sheltering behind the bushes.

 From Hanson Hide 2 Bitterns, one of which flew in front the hide. A kingfisher was fishing inside the bushes by the hide and 2 Marsh Harriers were doing there best to spook everything.

 Among the many common Wildfowl a female Red Crested Pochard and a female Common Scoter.

 At Boulderwall Farm c20 Tree Sparrows round the feeders. Looking north from the track to the VC at the junction of the track to Hookers, 7 Barnacle Geese and the Greater Whitefronted Goose still present behind the fence in the sheep field also another Great White Egret making at least 5 at Dunge today.

 At Scotney 2 Black-tailed Godwits (my first of the year on the marsh), 4 Ruff, c500 Golden Plover, 22 Dunlin and the feral Barnacle Goose flock. Feeding round the hay bales by the sheep troughs 16 Corn Buntings.

 On Walland still 100s of winter thrushes, c160 Bewick Swans, 1 Black Swan, 2 Common Buzzards. By the feeders 20+ Tree Sparrows, 4 Yellow Hammers and c10 Green finches. At the triangle a stunning Barn Owl. Another excellent day on the peninsular with 84 species seen today and 132 so far this year.