Sand Martins!

After going through a poor moth catch this morning I went straight to the ARC Hanson hide, where staring into the early morning sun a Little Stint, 7 Ringed Plovers, 2 Green Sandpipers could be seen among c100 Lapwing, also there the 1st summer Little Gull and 100s of Sand Martins which were abundant all day all around the peninsular. A late afternoon visit to Hanson added a Black-tailed Godwit and a Common Sandpiper.

 juvenile Little Grebe on the discovery pool

Between the VC and Firth I flushed a Green sandpiper from the discovery pool, also 2 juvenile Little Grebes there. From Firth hide another Green Sandpiper, a Common Sandpiper, a Wood Sandpiper, 4 Redshank and a Greenshank. Another Redshank showed well from Makepiece. At Dengemarsh a Hobby and the usual Marsh Harriers and myriads of Sand Martins. A Bittern flew over the return trail as did a Green Woodpecker. 

 A poor image looking into the sun of the Wood Sandpiper

 Redshank from Makepiece

 An hour spent sea watching lunch time from the fishing boats, where the highlights were a juvenile Yellow-legged Gull, an adult Mediterranean Gull a couple of Porpoises but little else.
At Scotney in a very strong wind this afternoon, the 2 seemingly resident Spoonbills, plenty of Yellow Wagtails, a few Corn Buntings and a Little Owl.

Early evening from Firth just a Greenshank of note.