Black-necked Grebes

 Little Owl, Scotney.

As it was a very frosty still start to the morning, I decided on a stroll around the Scotney complex. At the Sussex end 2 winter plumaged Black-necked Grebes, 2 Little Egrets and a Redshank. On the sward 6 Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin and 2 Curlew. Around the farm a Little Owl was enjoying the early morning sun, c20 Chaffinches joined the House Sparrows in the byres. A Great White Egret flew over the farm and joined another at the west end, in the fields and reeds c15 Reed Buntings a handful each of Corn Buntings and Skylarks were the highlights.

 Great White Egret over Scotney Farm

After a cup of coffee a walk around the reserve starting at Dennis's hide saw the Slavonian Grebe still and several Goldeneye among the many Shoveler, Gadwall and Tufted Duck. Once again I was unable to spot the Long-eared Owl behind the Dipping Pool. Between Makepiece and Scott 8 Long-tailed Tits and 3 Chiffchaffs but not the Siberian one. Between Scott and Christmas Dell I got distant views of the Glossy Ibis as flew across into Dengemarsh. I joined MH on the Hookers ramp where we saw another Great White Egret, a Bittern, several Bearded Tits, Cetti's Warblers and Water Rails calling, a flock of c300 Golden Plover, c70 Dunlin among the 100s of Lapwings, a couple of Common Buzzards and 4+ Marsh Harriers. 

2 Black Redstarts on the power station wall

This afternoon very little of note around the lighthouse, apart from the 2 Black Redstarts one of which was ringed.

On the beach 1w Glaucous Gull was still around the fishing boats but again no sign of the 1w Caspian Gull. On the flat calm sea a few Red-throated Divers and Guillemots tooing and froing.

From the causeway 2 Black-necked Grebes on New Diggings were of note.

A look down Dengemarsh Gully with MH this afternoon saw nothing of note.