Another poor early morning sea watch in the company of AJG who kindly collated the numbers.

06.00-07.45 from the sea watch hide:

Shelduck: 2 up

Common Scoter: 36 up

Red-breasted Merganser: 5 down

Red-throated Diver: 2 up

Great-crested Grebe: 17 on

Gannet: 32 around

Cormorant: present n/c

Oystercatcher: 5 up

Whimbrel: 1 up

Great Skua: 2 up

Arctic Skua: 1 up

Kittiwake: 2 up

Sandwich Tern: 191 up

Common Tern: 14 up

Auk sp: 3 down

Alba Wagtail: 1 in

Harbour Porpoise: 3+

Grey Seal: 1

A walk around the trapping area and The Desert saw few new migrants, just the odd Willow Warbler, Blackcap and Swallow. The resident male Peregrine put on a fine display chasing off an interloping male.

 Willow Warbler

Parking at Springfield Bridge I wandered down the edge of the Gully to the sea, on the way 2 Corn Buntings were feeding with Linnets and Reed Buntings in the old Sunflower field, a Cetti's Warbler was singing at the top of the gully, a Willow Warbler was picking insects from the glorious display of Gorse in the gully, 2 Wheatears were at the bottom, c30 Swallows flew up the gully and Denge Marsh Road during my walk.

The walk round to Denge Marsh hide saw little of note as the hay fields are now dry, so not sure how the nesting Lapwings will get on.

From the hide a Great White Egret, a White-fronted Goose was consorting with the feral Geese, 2 Marsh Harriers and a Common Buzzard drifted over. 

 Great-white Egret

On my way to the back of Hookers, my first Lesser Whitethroat of the year was singing in it's usual spot on the bend in the track, the Hooded Merganser was showing well, it's origin may be dubious but it is still a very smart looking bird. Opposite the Corral 3 Whimbrel among the sheep. Arriving at Cook's Pool the Ring-necked duck was asleep half down the pool. 2 Chasers were hawking over the reeds so hopefully there will be more for when the Hobby's arrive.  Sedge Warblers and Reed Warblers seemed plentiful all around the reserve.

Hooded Merganser

As I made my way to Burrowes the wind had picked up with more or less solid cloud cover, a Stonechat at Christmas Dell and the Long-eared Owl at the Dipping Pond were the only notable birds seen. A long but very pleasant walk.