Bonaparte's Gull

A trip to Princes Park Eastborne today. After a quick look at the sea from the fishing boats where the usual Auks, Gannets and Kittiwakes were off shore,  we (DW,TG myself and picking GH up on the way) set off from Dungeness Obs. A quick stop on the causeway saw 2 Great white Egrets and at least 5 Smew ( 2 drakes ) on the ARC with another Great White Egret behind Boulderwall farm. At Pett level the 2 Pink-footed Geese showed distantly as did a Barn Owl and 3 Greater White-fronted Geese on the way back.

Arriving at Princes Park the Bonaparte's Gull was showing well and did so throughout our stay. It readily came to the bread being fed to the Mute Swans.

 In a quick look at Scotney on the way home a surprise in the form of 2 Scaup picked by TG. Scaup are few and far between on the marsh these days, last year I failed to see one so this male and female were very welcome. Hopefully the weather will be kind tomorrow for a trip to Thetford to see the long staying Black-bellied Dipper.