Some good birds but dodgy images!

The sea was again very unproductive this morning:

O7.30-08.00 from The point:

Common Scoter: 20E

Gannet: c25 around

Kittiwake: 1W

Sandwich Tern: 2E

Guillemot: 2 on sea

Auk sp: 13E

Harbour Porpoise: 2

I spent the rest of the morning around The Desert and Long Pits. Good numbers of Siskin, Redpolls Goldfinches and 3+ Brambling flew over, 44 Ring Ouzels including a flock of 37 that dropped in as bad weather approached, Fieldfares, Redwing, Song Thrushes and a Mistle Thrush flew through. More details of numbers can be found D.B.O.Web Site A Jack Snipe was flushed, also 2 Common Snipe and up to 5 Short-eared Owls were in the area.

 Jack Snipe at The long Pits

 Short-eared Owl in The Desert

I met MH at Brickwall farm who pointed out this superb male Brambling. Pity about the image.

I walked both sides of Dengemarsh Gully and barely a bird was seen. Galloways was opened early this afternoon. I spent 90 minutes there and was very surprised not to see a Short-eared Owl there considering the numbers around the peninsular, I did see 6 Stonechats, Chiffchaff, Blackcap and Meadow Pipits but little else.

I had just arrived home when David Walker called to say he had a Rough-legged Buzzard at Scotney. A couple of minutes later I was there and the Buzzard soon appeared hovering over the fields north side of the lake viewed from the double bends. A Short-eared Owl, 2 Marsh Harriers and  2 Sparrowhawks were also there.

 Rough-legged Buzzard over the border in Sussex.

 Rubbish long distance images but you can see what it is. Hopefully it will still be around tomorrow when I will be able to get around the to the back of the lake for better views