Spoonbill brightens the day!

A cold strong westerly wind was blowing which didn't inspire me as I  wandered down to The Patch this morning.  

 08.05-09.10 saw a very meagre fayre:

Great-crested Grebe: 1

Gannet: 28E   6W

Cormorant: 21 around

Peregrine: 1 around

Black-headed Gull: c200

Herring Gull: c150

Lesser Black Backed Gull: 3

Great Black Backed Gull: 14

Common Tern: 1

Sandwich Tern: 3

Harbour Porpoise: 2

On Burrowes from Dennis's Hide c100 Swifts over the lake in drizzly weather, though all had gone by lunch time as weather cleared, also the eclipse drake Wigeon still there, a Hobby and 3 Ringed Plovers  but little else as the islands seem to be disappearing again.

From the ARC car park 3 more Hobby's and several Tree Sparrows of note.

Early afternoon at Scotney found a Spoonbill on the causeway between the 2 eastern lakes, still present at 17.00. At the back of the lakes at least 5 sitting Avocets, also the usual Yellow Wagtails and Corn Buntings, an Oystercatcher took offence to me walking along the path as its young was hidden several metres away. Around the barns a Little Owl was in its usual spot, also a Tree Sparrow was notable there. The farmers are already cutting the grass for silage so no doubt many Skylarks and Meadow Pipits nest will be destroyed. 

 Another sea watch from the fishing boats this afternoon in the company of MH was very slow. Though it gave us the chance to ponder the folly of Brexit
14.00-15.30
Gannet: 18E   2W
Cormorant: 6 around
Kittiwake: 2W
Common Tern: 6W     6E
Sandwich Tern: 14W
Harbour Porpoise: 1+
Grey Seal: 1