Dartford Warbler to end the year!

Dartford Warbler at Pigwell this afternoon! (taken with the happy snapper)

A long wander around the fields at the back of Scotney this morning, in the hope of stumbling across Alan's Little Bustard proved fruitless. However it was a beautiful, windless, frosty morning with other birds to look at. The flock of 18 Egyptian Geese still in there favoured field, 3 Tundra Bean Geese dropped in, c 100 Tree Sparrows were in the set aside with a few Corn Buntings, Reed Buntings and Skylarks, several Marsh Harriers were around, c100 Golden Plover and numerous Greylag Geese.

A text from CT about a Dartford Warbler at Pigwell a scarce bird on the peninsular, fortunately I was nearby and had good views of it, but missing my 1d and 400DO.

This afternoon on Walland the Bewick Swan herd as risen 79 with the Whooper Swan and 3 Bean Geese for company. In Lydd the Cattle Egrets had returned to there normal field after moving to Brickwall Farm per MH & CT.

Late afternoon on Scotney the 2 Black-necked Grebes and 1w drake Scaup still.

A good year on the Peninsular for me seeing 227 species with the most notable miss being Brambling and the Bee-eater debacle, however I would have swapped them all to have been with DW as the Ross's Gull flew past. 

Pas De Calais

St Margarets from Cap Gris Nez today with a happy snapper as my Canon gear is in for repair. In the foreground some of the 584 Red-throated Divers that flew south in an hour.

Cap Gris Nez 09.00-10.00 with Tony and Trevor.

Common Scoter: 40 S
Velvet Scoter: 4 S
Goosander: 1 N
Red throated Diver: 584 S
Black throated Diver: 2 S
Fulmar: 2 N
Gannet: 100s S
Great Skua: 1 S
Mediterranean Gull: 3 S
Fieldfare: 75 S
Siskin: 7 S
Green Finch: 20 S
Next stop a couple from Gris Nez was Le Slack, which was some what disappointing bird wise due to heavy human disturbance.
From there we moved to Oye Plage which was also disappointing as it usually comes up with some treats. Despite a long wander along the dunes and around the shooting pools, the best we could muster was a Kingfisher, 2 Little Egrets, c40 Linnet, several each of Skylark, Song Thrush, Blackbird and Reed Bunting.
As time was getting on our last stop was at Guinnes Boardwalk where we manged to find Short-toed Treecreeper, 2 Willow Tits, Chiffchaff, 30+ Fieldfare, 2 Redwing, a Marsh Harrier and a Great White Egret. On the drive to the ferry we saw 6 Common Buzzards.
Looks like tomorrow is going to be a slog around the footpaths of Walland Marsh!

Winter Winds!

An hours watch 08.00-09.00 from the fishing boats in a bitingly cold NE wind. The only count I made as birds were streaming up channel into the bay was of 84 Red-throated Divers, Auks mainly Guillemots numbered in the 100s as did Gannets, Cormorants and Great-crested Grebes with Kittiwakes in the 10s. On the horizon 100s more Auks were barrelling down channel.
New Diggings still held 5 Goosander, a Smew and a Great White Egret.
Burrowes held at least another 2 Goosander, along with a minimum of 6 Smew and good numbers of Wigeon and Shoveler, 12+ Pintail, 5 Great White Egrets and the usual Marsh Harriers.
The Bewick Swan herd on Walland has grown to 59 with at least 8 young, the Whooper Swan and 4 Tundra Bean Geese were still keeping them company.
I was unable to find the Scaup on Scotney but it was probably still present sheltering from the wind, the 2 Black-necked Grebes had moved to the Kent end in the NE corner.
The 2 Cattle Egrets still in there chosen field at Lydd.
No sign today as far as I am aware of the yesterdays 1w Glaucous Gull despite much searching, however at least 1 Caspian Gull at The Patch per OL. 

White Winger!

A late morning trip off the peninsular to Pett with OL was rewarded with views of the Lesser Yellowlegs though comparatively distant. As time was limited we weren't able to wait for it to come to the roadside pools.

Back in Lydd the 2 Cattle Egrets were still performing in their favorite field.
As I was finishing lunch a tweet from AL and crew about a 1w Glaucous Gull at Greatstone changed my plans for the afternoon, minutes later I was on site but the gull was gone. A wander out to the beach and still no sign. I made my way to the lifeboat station where I could see a swirl of Gulls. On arrival I checked the swirling Gulls but no white winger! Walking over the ridge of the beach, a small roost came into a view including the 1w Glaucous Gull also a family with a dog heading straight into the roost. Fortunately for me they flushed it towards and past me heading towards Greatstone.

1w Glaucous Gull, Dungeness.

Mick and Richard were by the fishing boats with there Bread, Popcorn and fish offal hoping to pull in a goody. They did manage a first in the shape of young Grey Heron investigating the offal bucket.

JYY69 1w Great Black Backed Gull

Christmas Egrets!

 I got out for a couple of hours today. The Swans and Geese were still insitu, as were the Scaup and Black-necked Grebes. Galloways was desolate but Dengemarsh came up with a Bittern, a Raven, Great White and Little Egrets and Marsh Harriers. Also it was nice to have the Cattle Egrets all to my self.

A couple of hours at Dunge!

Late morning the 2 Cattle Egrets still performing for those who care to visit them. 3 Great White Egrets could be seen from the causeway as I drove to Greatstone, where on the beach a different Snow Bunting fed unobtrusively on the tide line despite the many the dogs.

Snow Bunting Greatstone

On Burrowes Pit of note from Dennis's Hide now 5 red head Smew, 5 Goosander, 2 Black-necked Grebes, 6 Goldeneye, 2 Great white Egrets, an adult Yellow-legged Gull, 2 Marsh Harriers. In the scrub by the hide a Firecrest and 2 Chiffchaff.

At Scotney the Scaup still present and also the 2 Black-necked Grebes along with all the usual wildfowl and feral geese.

On the marsh by Horsebones Farm the 29 Bewick Swans, Whooper Swan, 4 Tundra Bean Geese and a Greylag all still very distant.

Bits!

Once again the 2 Cattle Egrets were strutting around there chosen field early this morning. At The Point Gannets, Kittiwakes and Auks tooing and froing along with 100s of Cormorants.

 1w drake Scaup Scotney!

At Scotney the Scaup still at the Sussex end but I was unable to locate the Black-necked Grebes.

 Chiffchaffs from Hanson!

At the ARC from Hanson 3 Chiffchaffs in the small reedbed, a Great White Egret, 3 Marsh Harriers and a Kingfisher of note. A raven flew over the carpark.

 Kingfisher from Hanson!

On Burrowes from Dennis's hide 3 Great White Egrets, 2 red head Smew and 5 Goosanders of note, also a Firecrest in the scrub by the hide.
This afternoon at the fishing boats c150 each of Kittiwakes and Gannets off shore along with a few Auks. 

Sea Watching!

A grim day on the peninsular where sea watching from the comfort of the car was the only realistic option.
08.30-11.00

Brent Goose: 39 up
Wigeon:   35 up
Red-breasted Merganser: 1 down
Red-throated Diver: 1 up       2 down
Fulmar: 8 down
Gannet: 504  down
Great Skua:  1 down
Kittiwake:  51 down
Auk sp: 176 down     19 up
Harbour Porpoise: 2

13.45-15.00

Red-throated Diver: 52 down        2 up
Gannet: 26 down
Kittiwake: 41 down
Yellow-legged Gull: 1 ad in roost
Auk sp: 43 down      6 up

In Lydd the 2 Cattle Egrets were still showing well opposite Wraxhalls Aggregates, Dengemarsh Road.
On the marsh the Whooper Swan, Bewick Swans and Tundra Bean Geese were all still present in there usual field.

Not Bad for December!

The 2 Cattle Egrets were on the cow shed roof first thing this morning.

A sea watch from The Point 08.30-11.00: 

 Brent Goose: 9 down

Teal:    30    down

Wigeon: 3   down

Common Scoter: 16 up     13 down

Velvet Scoter: 1 down        Probably same seen Galloways  MH + CP

Red-breasted Merganser:  1 down

Red-throated Diver: 27 down     62 up

Fulmar: 1 up

Gannet:   c50 off shore      

Grey Plover: 1 down

Turnstone: 6 on beach

Dunlin: 1 down

Great Skua:  3 down      2 up

Pomarine Skua: 1 up

Kittiwake: 29 down    15 up      c20 on sea

Guillemot: 8 down

Razorbill: 5 down

Auk sp:  121 down    105 up

   

Shy as ever this afternoon!

At Scotney the 1w drake Scaup still, also the 2 Black-necked Grebes and the usual feral geese.

On Walland still 100s of winter thrushes feeding in the Hawthorns and a few Tree Sparrows in the usual spots, also the 29 Bewicks, 1 Whooper and 4 Tundra Bean Geese still in the field adjacent to Horsebones Farm. 

Dull!

First thing this morning a quick look in Dengemarsh Road, Lydd found the 2 Cattle Egrets still.
An hour sea watching at The Point this morning saw:
Red-throated Diver: 4 down        2 up
Gannet: 89 down        26 up
Little Egret: 1 in
Kittiwake: 7 down     2 on beach
Yellow-legged Gull: 1ad in roost
Auk sp: 27 down
At The Varne lots of waders, 100s of Oystercatchers, 10s of Sanderling and Dunlin, a few each of Knot, Grey Plover, Redshank, Bar-tailed Godwit and Turnstone.
On Lydd airport fields c150 Curlew and c200 Lapwing.
Late morning/early afternoon on the reserve 6+ Great White Egret, 2 Red head Smew, 5 Goosander, 2w Yellow-legged Gull, yesterdays 3w Caspian Gull was present for c30 minutes, several Marsh Harriers and all the common wildfowl.
This afternoon on the Marsh 3 Tundra Bean Geese, a Whooper Swan and 28 Bewick Swans all together between Hawthorn Corner and Horse bone farm. Further out on the marsh 20+ Tree Sparrows, 100s each of Fieldfare, Redwing and Blackbirds.
At Scotney the1w drake Scaup and 2 Black-necked Grebes still present.
Late afternoon at the ARC a Great White Egret and 6 Goldeneye from Hanson of note.
From the screen a Bittern flew from the tower in the failing light.

All about a Gull!

When I managed to get my self out this morning, I looked over to the cow shed to see one of the Cattle Egrets on the roof, then I drove the short distance to Scotney GP where 1w drake Scaup and the 2 Black-necked Grebes were showing quite well at the Sussex end. At the Kent end all the usual feral Geese and 100s of Wigeon.

On the reserve from Dengemarsh hide 3 Marsh Harriers and a Great White Egret of note. Another 2 Great White Egrets from the entrance track. From Dennis's hide 2+ more Great White Egrets, a red head Smew, 5 Goosander, 2+ Yellow-legged Gulls and a superb 3w Caspian Gull sporting what looks like a Polish yellow colour ring PRZC. 

3w Caspian Gull PRZC  (heavily cropped)

A bit of a slog!

At The Point this morning off shore passage was non existent, just 3 Red-throated Divers and a handful of feeding Gannets.

The New Diggings still held the 5 Goosander and 2 Great White Egrets.

With the sun shining, a very light breeze and the ranges open, I parked at the beach at Galloways and walked along the top of beach to The Midrips and back. This stretch of beach is completely undisturbed and ignored by other birders, so there must be at least a couple of Snow Buntings there. 3 hours later I returned to the car having seen 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Redshank, 2 Meadow Pipits, 3 Shelduck, 2 Mallard a few Great Crested Grebes and Red-throated Divers off shore and a few Carrion Crows. Not even a Common Scoter let alone a Surf Scoter! I really wont be in a hurry to do this walk again.

At Scotney the 2 Black-necked Grebes and 1w drake Scaup still.

 1w drake Scaup 

Adjacent to Lydd FC the Cattle Egrets still being camera shy, always staying at least 2 mts away!
A quick drive around the marsh found that the Whooper Swan and 28 Bewick Swans were still present.
From Dennis's hide the 3 red head Smew, 2 Goldeneye and 2 Great White Egrets of note.
Late afternoon at the ARC a Bittern from the screen and another over the Tower pits, another Great White Egret, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Bearded Tits, also Water Rails and Cetti's Warblers seemingly calling from every piece of scrub. 

Barn Owl!

08.15-09.00 from The Point:

Wigeon: 2 down

Great-crested Grebe: 150+ feeding off shore

Red-throated Diver: 45 down   8 up

Gannet: 21 down   4 up

Cormorant: c300 off shore

Kittiwake: 4 down

Guillemot: 2 on sea

Auk sp: 12 down

On the New Diggings the 5 Goosander still, 2 Great White Egrets and 2 Little Egrets plus all the usual wildfowl.

ARC south end the rgular flock of 150+ Gadwall.

Adjacent to Lydd FC the 2 Cattle Egrets still performing for the cameras.

At Scotney the 2 Black-necked Grebes, the 1w drake Scaup, 2 Marsh Harriers hunting the north bank and the usual feral geese.

I spent a few hours wandering the more secluded lanes and paths on Walland Marsh today, Redwing, Fieldfare and Blackbirds were numerous, also plenty of Song Thrushes and 10+ Mistle Thrushes. Several Tit flocks were located but contained nothing unexpected, also Tree Sparrows, Corn Buntings, Reed Buntings and Yellowhammers were found though not in big numbers. The 28 Bewick and the single Whooper Swans were also seen but distant. I didn't look for the Tundra Bean Geese but those that did failed to locate them, they are probably still there but in the longer vegetation. 

 This Barn Owl appeared late afternoon over the ARC car park and round Boulderwall.

Mid afternoon on Burrowes from Dennis's hide saw 3 red head Smew, 5 Great White Egrets and 3 Goldeneye of note.
From the entrance track a Great White and a Little Egret with 2 Cattle Egrets in the distance all in the same field of view.
From Hanson of note a Bittern flew across the lake. In the Willow Trail the Tit flock held 2 Chiffchaffs.
From The Screen another or the same Bittern flew over the lake also 2 Marsh Harriers. On the lake apart from 100s of Coot very little else was seen.
Late afternoon in the ARC car park a surprise in the form of a Barn Owl that flew through. 

As You Were!

On my way to The Point this morning in the frosty early morning, saw no change on the New Diggings with 5 Goosander, 2+ Great White Egrets, 2 Little Egrets and the odd Marsh Harrier stirring things up.

The 5 Goosander in the early morning light!

At The Point no change on the sea this morning with a few Red-throated Divers, Gannets, Kittiwakes, Auks, 6 Wigeon and 2 Common Scoter. DW had 2 Goldeneye just after I left.
A wander around the boats and sea containers found no passerines so no change there.

Stock Dove in the Cattle Egret field!

In Lydd the 2 Cattle Egrets still showing ridiculously well at times if you stay in your car, I have already taken far to many pictures of them so I snapped a Stock Dove instead, also 2 Tree Sparrows there.

1w Caspian Gull, Scotney GP.

At Scotney the usual feral geese and wildfowl, the 2 Black-necked Grebes still, but new in or over looked a 1w drake Scaup picked out by Barry Wright among a party of Tufted Duck.
Early afternoon back at Scotney, a 1w Caspian Gull sporting a bright red colour ring with white letters/numbers put in a brief appearance, unfortunately the grass was to long for me to be able read the ring, also a group of birders that walked up to my car to ask what I was looking at flushed it GRRRR!
On Walland the same 28 Bewick Swans with a single Whooper Swan, also the 3 Tundra Bean Geese(per Twitter) that have been present on the marsh for at least a week, the adult male Hen Harrier seemed to be zigzagging across the marsh today being seen behind Scotney, The Woolpack, Midley and at Coldharbour, where good numbers of Redwing, Fieldfare, Song Thrushes, Blackbirds and 2 Bullfinches(sadly very scarce here) were feeding in the hedgerows in the less visited areas. A Long-tailed Tit flock near Old Romney contained a Treecreeper another notable bird on the marsh.
  

Dark Days

A really miserable day on the peninsular after a particularly stormy night. Little moving at The Point this morning though a Pomarine and 3 Great Skuas moved through just after I left.
A scan of The New Diggings found just the 1 drake Goosander and 2 Great White Egrets of note.
Out on the marsh 18 Bewick Swans from Caldecot Lane, further on Between Horse Bone Farm and Hawthorn Corner 10 more Bewicks(3 juvs) with a single Whooper Swan and a Tundra Bean Goose.
At Scotney the usual feral geese but nothing of note.
In Lydd the 2 Cattle Egrets still performing in the field opposite Wraxalls Aggregates.
The afternoon was taken up with a visit to the dentist!

Stormy!

First thing this morning the 2 Cattle Egrets were still performing opposite Wraxalls Aggregates, Dengemarsh Road, Lydd.

An hours sea watch at The Point in the company of AJG was not very inspiring, 2 Eider were the highlights, with a handful of Red-Throated Divers, Gannets and Kittiwakes also a couple each of Guillemot and Razorbill.  

 Family of Bewick Swans, Walland.

A drive out onto Walland found a family of 4 Bewick Swans near Midley, along with 100s of Fieldfare in the Hawthorns and the usual Tree Sparrows round the feeders.

From Caldecote Lane a Whooper Swan with 23 Bewick Swans later joined by the 4 from Midley.

 Whooper Swan, Walland.

Scotney was wind swept and disappointing unless you are a fan of feral Geese!

Joining CT on the reserve the highlight was 3 red head Smew on Burrowes and plenty of common wildfowl.

Another sea watch this afternoon was even quieter than this morning, though there were plenty of Gulls on the shore feeding on Starfish and Sea Mice washed up the storms.

This afternoon 2 Chinooks landed on the beach behind the observatory for a few minutes, seemingly for no particular reason! 

One of the Chinooks on the beach behind the obs this afternoon

Both the Chinooks leaving the beach behind the obs.

Enjoying the Sun!

At first light the 2 Cattle Egrets were already in the cow paddock in Dengemarsh Road.

Just under an hour sea watching at The Point in the company of AJG, was not very productive with just a few Red-throated Divers, 3 Common Scoter and handful of Gannets and Kittiwakes. 

Mid morning I joined AJG in pleasant wander making the most of the glorious sunshine out the back of Scotney GP. In the fields were c 100 Skylark, 30+ Corn Buntings and few each of Tree Sparrow, Meadow Pipit, Song Thrush and Reed Bunting, also 2 Stonechat, 3+ Marsh Harriers, a Peregrine, a Barn Owl and not forgetting 16 Egyptian Geese.
Most of this afternoon was spent in Dennis's Hide with DW, SB and MH seeing a Firecrest, 2 Chiffchaff, 3+ Great White Egret, a couple of Marsh Harriers and a red head Smew.
Late this afternoon from Caldecot Lane 20+ Bewick Swans and a Tundra Bean Goose found by DB, who also saw 2 Black-necked Grebes on Scotney GP from the double bends.

Caspian Gulls!

Sea watch from The Point this morning 08.00-08.45. By 08.20 the Diver passage had ceased:

Red-throated Diver: 49 up   11 down

Common Scoter: 2 up

Gannet: 17 up        12 down

Kittiwake: 3 up

On the New Diggings the 5 Goosander still along with 2 Great White Egrets.

A trip around Walland Marsh looking for the Bean Geese drew a blank, though there are still plenty of winter Thrushes on the marsh, along with Tree Sparrows, Corn Buntings, Yellowhammers and Marsh Harriers.

 Ad.Caspian Gull

From the entrance track to the reserve an adult Yellow-legged Gull in the roost also an East German colour ringed 2w Caspian Gull or possibly a hybrid according to CR-birding.org. The bird does not seem quite right for Caspian to me. I look forward to the ringers reply. I would have liked to get better images but all the gulls flushed soon after I found it, hopefully I may re-find it tomorrow and get better views.

A visit to Dennis's hide found an adult Caspian Gull and 2 Great White Egrets of note.
In Lydd the 2 Cattle Egrets still showing very well today.

Colour ringed 2W Caspian Gull or Hybrid XUDU 

If you stay in your car the Cattle Egrets will come very close

4 Herons from the garden!

Peering through the curtains this morning seeing a dull damp day, I  went back to bed for another hour. When I eventually got myself out and about the 2 Cattle Egrets were showing well still. On the New Diggings from the causeway now 5 Goosander (2 drakes) and 2 Great White Egrets.

A single adult Yellow-legged Gull was in the gull roost on the beach. 

A half hour sea watch is best described as grim!  

Back at Plodland doing some gardening I could see the 2 Cattle Egrets on the cow shed roof and a Little Egret flew over, so I set the scope up and scanned towards the reserve, it wasn't long before a Great White Egret came into view also 2 Grey Herons and 2 Marsh Harriers, not bad without leaving the garden.

It was the coordinated Harrier count this afternoon, I made the trek out the reed bed I cover and as usual no Harriers roosted there, indeed only 2 flew over a very poor showing. However large numbers of Golden Plover and Lapwing were flying around ans as dusk fell 2 Bean Geese (presumably Tundra) flew past me and landed in the fields by Hook Wall, they were also seen by BH while he was watching his allotted reed bed.

Hen Harrier!

At The Point this morning the sea was very quiet again this morning , with a flock of 12 Red-throated Divers the only movement and a Merlin over the beach.

On the New Diggings the 4 Goosander still, 2 Great White Egrets and 2 Little Egrets.

 Opposite Wraxalls Aggregates, Dengemarsh Road, Lydd the 2 Cattle Egrets performing in the sun.

A walk out to the back of Scotney GP with PW, found a flock of 18 Egyptian Geese, good numbers of Skylarks, Meadow Pipits, Corn and Reed Buntings, 2 Stonechats, 3+ Marsh Harriers and best of all a superb male Hen Harrier, which eventually gave us good prolonged scope views. 

 The Hen harrier when it first appeared flying directly into the sun.

Redwings at last!

A cold drizzly half hour (09.00-09.30) at the point this morning produced only:

Mallard: 2 up

Red-throated Diver: 3 down

Gannet: 27 up 14 down

Kittiwake: 2 up

From the causeway 4 Goosander 1 drake and 4 Great White Egrets on the New Diggings, a Black-necked Grebe and another Great White Egret at the south end of the ARC.

The 2 Cattle Egrets were still insitu by the cattle shed in Dengemarsh Road.

Common Buzzard Caldecott Lane

I spent several hours wandering around the lanes on Walland Marsh today. The Bewick Swans were still in Caldecott Lane although quite distant. A Midley drying barns a flock of c40 Tree Sparrows, c30 Chaffinches a few each of Corn Bunting, Yellow Hammer, Reed Bunting and best of all a single Grey Wagtail which are scarce on the ground round here. Heading from Midley up to Brookland the hedges were alive with Thrushes. Redwing have finally arrived on the marsh, 100s of them and Fieldfare exploded from the hedges as walked the green lanes, along slightly fewer Blackbirds and Song Thrushes, with at least 20 Mistle Thrushes, 4 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, more Chaffinch and Goldfinch flocks.

This evening a small herd of Bewick Swans flew over Plodland, presumably to the lakes to roost. 

No change!

A bitterly cold day on the peninsular today. At The Point this morning out of the NE wind in the relative comfort of the car 08.00-09.15 a very quiet watch:

Brent Goose: 1 drifted up 

Shelduck: 2 up   1 down

Teal: 3 down

Common Scoter:  11 up

Red-breasted Merganser: 1 down

Red-throated Diver:  4 up     13 down

Gannet: c15 off shore

Pomarine Skua: 1 up

Kittiwkake:  6 up  2 down

Razorbill: 1 on sea

Auk sp: 9 down

On the New Diggings of note 3 Goosander, 4 Great White Egrets, an adult Yellow-legged Gull and a Kingfisher. 

2 more Great White Egrets on the ARC with usual wild fowl. In the Willow Trail 4 Chiffchaff, 4 Goldcrest with the Tit flock. Water Rails seemed to be squealing from every bit of cover around the ARC.

In Dengemarsh Road the 2 Cattle Egrets still showing well.

Cattle Egrets on the cow shed roof today.

On Walland this afternoon 21 Bewick Swans from Caldecott Lane, back on the beach just 1 Red-throated diver up in half an hour.

Great Northern Diver!

Early this morning peering through the curtains and seeing the steady rain and not being able to see the power station, I quickly slumped back into bed for another couple of hours.

Although still raining when I finally surfaced I made my way to The Point. DW was already there, as I walked over to his car he gave me that look that said I shouldn't have bothered, however as we chatted he heard a Snow Bunting calling ( it was probably over the French coast at the time) shortly I also heard it and saw it coming in off the sea, it flew over us and we could see it was a male, unfortunately it kept on flying NE towards Greatstone. As the rain started again I went back to my car seeing a few Red-throated Divers moving up and down channel, a handful each of Gannets and Kittiwakes, until a shout from DW of big diver coming, a Great Northern Diver duly appeared flying down channel. The wind picked up and the rain increased again so we decided to leave as 3 drake Eider flew past down channel.

Parking in the lay by at the south end of the ARC I scanned The New Diggings seeing the 3 red head Goosander still present a Great White Egret and on the ARC a Black-necked Grebe.

In Dengemarsh road opposite Wraxalls Aggregates the 2 Cattle Egrets were still present.

The rest of the day was spent on domestic stuff.

Dismal at Dunge!

First thing this morning in the grey half light that seemed to last all day, the 2 Cattle Egrets were still by the cow sheds by the football pitch.

When I arrived at The Point AJG was already watching.

07.15-10.15 with AJG, MH and DW. Thanks to AJG for the records.

Brent Goose: 15 down

Pintail: 3 down

Shoveler: 3 down

Teal:  14 up    69 down

Common Scoter: 5 down

Velvet Scoter: 2 up

Red-throated Diver: 7 up      15 down

Gannet: 95 up

Merlin: 1 up    2 out

Oystercatcher: 2 up

Lapwing: 1 in

Curlew: 1 up

Pomarine Skua: 1 down

Kittiwake: 25 up

Guillemot: 5 up   2 on sea

Razorbill: 2 up      4 on sea

Auk sp:  24 up    57 down

 Cattle Egret at Lydd

Early afternoon at the south end of the New Diggings 3 red head Goosander and 2 Great White Egrets. At south end of the ARC another Great White Egret.

I met MH at Hanson where we saw another Great White Egret on the Cormorant Island and another by the tower with a Little Egret, also red head Smew and 3 Goldeneye. In the bushes a couple of Chiffchaffs were calling.

At Boulderwall another Great White Egret and 2 Marsh Harriers.

From Dengemarsh Hide 2 Marsh Harriers, along with the hordes of Greylags, Canada Geese and Coot.

From Makepeace a Marsh Harrier successfully caught a Coot,and another Great White Egret was on view. A Firecrest was calling by the track to the VC from Makepeace.

 Marsh Harrier makes a Kill!

Great White Egret from Makepeace