Herring Gull, VOWT at the fishing boats this morning

 08.15-09.45 joined by OL & AJG,

                              Up Channel        Down Channel
Common Scoter:         21                         3
Red-throated Diver:    51                         4
Black-throated Diver:           1 on sea
Great crested Grebe:          c60 around
Gannet:                       65
Cormorant:                        c400 around
Oystercatcher:             6
B.H.Gull:                           Present  n/c
Common Gull:                   Present  n/c
Herring Gull:                      Present  n/c
L.B.B.Gull:                         Present  n/c
G.B.B.Gull:                        Present  n/c
Kittiwake:                          10 around
Guillemot:                   7
Auk Sp:                       5
Grey Seal:           1

Mid morning myself and AJG had look around the Kerton Road Triangle but found no sign of any Stonechats or Dartford Warblers.

On the reserve the Ring-necked Duck was at the far end of Cook's Pool, though this afternoon it had moved down to the track and was showing well, also Great White Egret there and a Merlin flew through. The Long-eared Owl was back on its chosen perch at the Dipping Pool. On Burrowes 3 red head Smew, 3 Black-tailed Godwits, several Goldeneye among the usual wildfowl. 2 Mediterranean Gulls were among the Gulls in front of Firth.
At Scotney the Black-throated Diver was still on the lake to the west of Lydd caravan park but little else of note there.

 Late afternoon at the ARC from Hanson a Water Rail was giving superb prolonged views, 12 Bewick Swans came into roost, 2 Marsh Harriers were over the tower pits and a couple of Cetti's Warblers were calling from the Sallows.

2 of the 12 Bewick Swans roosting on the ARC