Rain and Waxwings

A short sea watch this morning due to the poor weather found 2,000+ Great Crested Grebes on the sea, with 100+ Guillemots (but no Razorbills), 40+ Red-throated Divers and good numbers of Kittiwakes and Gannets off shore.

New Diggings held 19 Smew (2 drakes) and 2 Great White Egrets. The ARC from Hanson held 12 Smew (later joined by the 2 drakes), another Great White Egret, 2+ Marsh Harriers annd the Red-crested Pochard among the Wigeon.

The 7 Barnacle Geese and 2 Ruff could be seen from track to the VC. When I arrived at Scotney BH had his scope on a very distant Common Crane, also there 5 Ruff, 20+ Dunlin, 300+ Golden Plover and the feral Barnacle flock. 

85 Waxwings at the Outlet

 Coming back across Walland 235 Bewick Swans counted by PT, still a few winter thrushes and a Common   Buzzard. While I was in Hanson Wendy told me that she had seen 100+ Waxwings early morning by the Ashford Designer Outlet. After a text from her at 15.00 saying they were still present, I made a short diversion to see them. Pity the light was failing when I arrived but still a brilliant sight.