A good start with a better finish!

Sitting in the front garden early this morning drinking coffee while waiting for the plumbers to arrive, 2 Ravens flew over towards Scotney, 100s each of Corvids and Starlings, c400 Greylag and Canada Geese, joined by Wood Pigeons, Stock Doves, Collared Doves all dropped into the field opposite to feed, a Marsh Harrier hunted the ditches and a few Skylarks and Meadow Pipits flew over, 4 Grey Herons and 3 Little Egrets flew out to the reserve from the roost, as did a Common Buzzard also a party of 8 Goldfinches and 2 Chaffinches came onto the Plodland feeders. A very pleasant start to the day!

 Cattle Egret from Hanson

Mid morning at the ARC with most the islands now submerged, there were no waders to seen from Hanson. A Great White Egret paddled around in front the hide, 2+ Water Rail were squealing and a Cetti's Warbler was chattering in the reed bed by the hide. On the lake 100s of Common Wildfowl, including several superb drake Pintail but still no Goldeneye.  

The Long-tailed Tit flock in the Willow Trail held at least 4 Chiffchaff. a Goldcrest and the usual Great and Blue Tits. 

The Cattle Egret was still at Boulderwall Farm though distant. In the Gull roost halfway down the track to the visitor centre I could only find 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls of any note.

 Chiffchaff in the Willow Trail

A sea watch from the fishing boats late afternoon with MH was very productive:

14.55-16.10:

Gannet: 67 W

Great Skua: 2 E

Pomarine Skua: 3 W

Arctic Skua: 3 W

Mediterranean Gull: 18 W  + 7 on sea with the Kittiwake flock

Kittiwake: 84 on sea + 59 W

Little Gull: 25 W

Sandwich Tern: 1 W

Common Tern: 6 W

Arctic Tern: 4 W

Guillemot: 4 W

Razorbill 1 on sea

Auk sp: 22 W