Where's the Sun!

Another cold dismal spring day on the peninsular. From the sea watch hide 07.05-08.05:

Common Scoter: 2 E

Red-throated Diver: 12 E     2 on sea

Great-crested Grebe: c40 on the sea

Gannet: 19 E

Merlin: 1 in being harassed by the gulls while chasing a Chaffinch in.

Oystercatcher: 4 E

Mediterranean Gull: 1 on sea

Harbour Porpoise: 4+

A check of the Gull roost at The Point found nothing of note, though a Black Redstart was by the New Lighthouse and large female Peregrine put all the gulls up.

A wander up to the pines was grim in the strong east wind, avian interest was limited to a few dabblers in front the screen. By 10.30 I gave up for the morning.

This afternoon I walked around the hayfields and Dengemarsh. At Springfield Bridge the Alba Wagtail flock had risen to at least 20 birds including a spanking White Wagtail, on hayfield 3 just 1 Ruff, 6 Redshank, 6 Ringed Plovers, 27 Dunlin and Black-tailed Godwit was new in. While trying and failing to photograph a Bearded  Tit I almost trod on a Jack Snipe, not sure who was most surprised. From the empty hide a Great White Egret and 2 Little Egrets, 2+ Marsh Harriers and a Raven over. On the north bank c200 Wigeon and 2 Tundra Bean Geese among a few Greylags. Making my way back to Springfield Bridge 4 Curlews and 30 Lapwing flew over and another Great White Egret dropped into Hayfield 3.

 Late afternoon at Brickwall Farm the Cattle Egrets were showing very well, a pity about the poor light though.