Marsh Harriers

08.00-09-30 at a very gloomy Point this morning with a bitingly cold easterly blowing the sea was positively brimming with birds. 

Red-throated Diver: c150 mainly East

Gannet: c40 off shore

Shelduck: 2w

Common Scoter: 42E  18W

Velvet Scoter: 3E  2W

Red-breasted Merganser: 1E 

Kittiwake: c200 W

Auks: c5,000w   50/50 split Guillemot and Razorbill + many on the sea.

At Greatstone I was unable to find the Snow Buntings but they were reported as being present earlier. While I was there 7 Brent Geese flew East as did 3 Eider and 24 Wigeon. On the shore large numbers of waders mainly Oystercatchers but good numbers of Sanderling, Dunlin and Knot with a few Grey Plover, Ringed Plover, Redshank, Turnstone and Bar-tailed Godwits.
New Diggings held 8 red head Smew among the common wildfowl. The ARC held another 8 red head Smew, 8 Goldeneye and 2+ Marsh Harriers. The Willow Trail was full of Redwing, Song Thrushes and Blackbirds with 2 Water Rail and 2 Goldcrest.
Winter Thrushes were in large numbers all over the peninsular. By the track to the VC near Boulderwall Farm 6 Greater White-fronted Geese and 7 Barnacle Geese which could be the real deal unlike the the feral flock at Scotney. Marsh Harriers were much in evidence quartering the peninsular. A Great White Egret from Dennis's Hide but little else of note in very few wildfowl on Burrowes.
At Scotney this afternoon 1000s of Wigeon the feral Barnacle Goose Flock and 100s of Greylags.
Coming back across Walland 160+ Bewick Swans, 2 Whooper Swans, the Black Swan and more Marsh Harriers.