AS I made my way to the beach this morning the & Bewick Swans (3 adults + 4 Juvs) were in there chosen field opposite Cockles Bridge.

08.00-09.00 from the sea watch hide:

Brent Goose: 5 down
Common Scoter: 4 down
Velvet Scoter: 1 down
Red-throated Diver: 158 down.   7 up
Great-crested Grebe: 56 down
Fulmar: 2 down
Gannet: 119 down
Great Skua: 1 down
Kittiwake: 37 down
Guillemot: 26 down

Auk sp: 38 down. 17 up

I joined PT in a wander around the lighthouses and Brittania but drew a blank on the Dartford Warblers and Stonechats.

By the fishing boats plenty of Gulls to look at including an adult and 1w Caspian Gull, also 2 Yellow-legged Gulls an adult and a 3w and several colour ringed Gulls.

 Adult Caspian Gull at the Fishing Boats

 Pitsea colour ringed Herring Gull

 3w Yellow-legged Gull with an injured wing

 Adult Yellow-legged Gull

Scotney was again very quiet with just the usual feral Barnacle Geese, 61 Shelduck, a Marsh Harrier and a few Tufted Duck and Pochard. In the distance Golden Plover and Lapwing could be seen wheeling around the wind turbines.

In the fields opposite Herons Park 4 Egyptian Geese with a Brent Goose, more Golden Plover and Lapwing, Stock Doves and Starlings all being flushed by a very low flying Helicopter inspecting the power lines.

 Long-tailed Tit from Makepiece

In a morning and afternoon visit to the reserve at least 4 Caspian Gulls were seen (adult, 2 x 3w, 2w) also 4 Yellow-legged Gulls including the bird with injured wing seen this morning at the fishing boats. The Long-eared Owl was reported but I failed to find it.

From Hanson the Bittern again showing out to the left of the hide per GP. Still no sign of any Smew.

 3w Caspian Gull from Firth

2w Caspian Gull from Firth