Black Redstart Dengemarsh Gully this morning

As the wind was from a North Westerly vector this morning I didn't think a sea watch would be very productive, so I went to Dengemarsh Gully instead. While wandering out to the the converter station, I was alerted by the Gulls to a Marsh Harrier that came in off the sea at a great height and continued on towards Lydd. A Raven came over harassed by Crows, a Black Redstart was at the bottom of the gully as was 4 Pied Wagtails and 20+ Linnets.

At Dengemarsh from Springfield Bridge a Peregrine was on the pylons, a Bittern gave a brief flight view, the Raven flew over again, a Great White Egret was feeding in the reeds, many Reed Buntings, Linnets, Chaffinches and Stock Doves were feeding in the Sunflower fields and 4 Russian White-fronted Geese were with 8 Egyptian Geese and the other feral Geese.

I checked Brett's Marina but was unable to find the drake Goosander.

 2 of the 3 Tundra Bean Geese at Scotney this morning

At  Scotney 3 more Russian White-fronted Geese and 3 Tundra Bean Geese flew in with the feral Greylag flock, also there c150 Golden Plover, 3 Curlew and 4 Oystercatcher.

Russian White-fronted Geese at Scotney this morning

An hour at the beach early afternoon saw a few Gannets, Guillemots, Kittiwakes, 11 Turnstone and c200 Great-crested Grebes. 

On the reserve this afternoon 2 Slavonian and a single Black-necked Grebe on the New Diggings, a drake Smew and the Ring-necked duck were on the second pools along the entrance track, also Great White and Little Egret there.

2 Long-eared Owls behind the Dipping Pool, one of which was sitting right out in the open, also a Little Grebe there.

5 Ruff from Makepiece and 5 Goldeneye there also.

Late afternoon 5 Little Egrets at Cockles Bridge.