More Migrants!

 A bit of a lay in this morning as a light northerly wind was forecast. My first stop was the Boulderwall Pools to see if the Spoonbill was still present, as I scanned the pools I was pleasantly surprised to see 2 adult Spoonbills at the far end of the second pool, 5 Smew including 2 drakes(the first time I have seen 2 drakes here this winter) were swimming around in front of the Spoonbills. On the banks of the pools a Great White Egret and 3 Little Egrets also c40 Wigeon, 12 Curlew, a Common Buzzard was sitting on a fence post and 2 Marsh Harriers were hunting the ditches.
On the New Diggings 2+ Black-necked Grebes still.

 Firecrest feeding on the grass

In the lighthouse Garden 4+ Firecrests, 3 of which were feeding on the grass with 3 Chiffchaffs.

 Chiffchaff in the lighthouse garden

 Continental Coal Tit

While watching the Firecrests and Chiffchaffs 2 Continental Coal Tits appeared, stayed for a short while before apparently flying off south. In the lighthouse area 4+ Black Redstarts mainly around the research station. Around the rest of the scrub another 12+ Firecrests, 6 Chiffchaffs, 5 Goldcrests and another 2 Black Redstarts.

 Firecrest at Lloyds

A text from SO had me twitching my first Wheatear of the year, a female on the beach near Jarmans. The Gorse and Broom beside the entrance road held at least another 5 Firecrests and 2 more Black Redstarts. While wandering around the beach c270 Brent Geese flew east.

My first Wheatear of the year (picture for Steve Gale)

At Scotney still 2 Black-necked Grebes still and the Little Owl showed briefly otherwise very quiet there.

A scan of the fields in front of Plodland put Spoonbill on the house year list as it had a little fly around, also Great White Egret, 3 Marsh Harriers, Common Buzzard, Peregrine, Raven and 2 Red Legged Partridges.

A mid afternoon sea watch was very slow, 3 Red-throated Divers and 2 Gannets flew east in 30 minutes.

Late afternoon at the pines 2 more Black Redstarts but no sign of the male Wheatear seen by SO.