Back on the Peninsular!

 1st summer Mediterranean Gull

Another day of constant strong wind on the peninsular. While making my way to The Patch this morning 2 singing Black Redstarts, 1 at the car park the other behind the hide. while there a 1st summer Mediterranean Gull was over the boil and on the beach along with at least 137 Common Terns. 2 Shelduck flew north and a Guillemot flew west, 30+ Gannets moved east and 15+ Sandwich Terns were off shore.

 Common Terns

At the ARC a Bittern was booming in the Water Tower pits, 2 Marsh Harriers and 3 Hobby's were hawking there spooking the 80+ Swifts that were over the lake. In the screen hide the Swallows are sitting tight as is the Reed Warbler nearby.  

Hobby about to grab a Dragonfly

By the entrance track to the reserve another Hobby was putting a great display completely unseen by most the day visitors as they rushed to and from the visitor centre. From the centre a Dunlin and a Sanderling could be seen on the islands, on the the new Tern raft the pair of Common Gulls are sitting tight possibly joined by a pair of Oystercatchers but no Terns as yet.

One of the 40+ Swifts over Dengemarsh

Parking at Springfield Bridge this afternoon 3 Marsh Harriers and a Hobby were over the reed bed with 40+ Swifts. At Hayfield 3 a Linnet was bathing by the pump, a Little Egret posed by the gate, 4 Shelduck, 6 Gadwall and 2 Egyptian Geese were in the field.

Linnet

Little Egret

1 of  5 Lapwing chicks I saw in the Hayfields

At Christmas Dell a Spotted flycatcher and Whinchat showed well, in the scrub Common Whitethroats, a Lesser Whitethroat, Cetti's Warblers, Sedge and Reed warblers could all be seen despite the gale that was now blowing.

Whinchat

A fresh Light Emerald from this mornings meagre catch!