Bittern!

Again this morning Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps made up the majority of birds trapped and processed while I was at the observatory, a Sparrowhawk found the nets after I left.

The Patch is still looking in a sorry state making barely a ripple, consequently no Gulls on the beach there and seem s as though it will remain in this state for a few more weeks. On the rocks behind the hide 3 Black Redstarts, a Wheatear, 6 Meadow Pipits and c50 Linnets, also 6 Swallows over.

 1 of 3 Black Redstarts on the rocks behind The Patch

Wheatear on the Patch Hide

 Bittern posing in front of Hanson Hide

A mid morning visit to Hanson Hide paid dividends, as the Bittern that seems to have performed to everyone bar me was out in the open stalking a Marsh Frog. On the islands, 5 Dunlin, a Ruff, a Garganey and a colour ringed Lapwing. Very little other news from the reserve. At Scotney the Buff-breasted Sandpiper is still in its favoured field in East Sussex giving poor distant views.

 Stalking a small Marsh Frog

 Eating the small Marsh frog

An hour watching from the garden late morning saw of note a Common Buzzard, a Great White egret, 2 Cattle Egrets and c30 swallows.
AJG did a sea watch from the fishing boats 14.30-16.30:
Common Scoter: 5E
Red-throated Diver: 1W
Gannet: 168W
Ringed Plover: 12E
Sanderling: 15E
Great Skua: 2W
Pomarine Skua: 1W
Arctic Skua: 4W
Mediterranean Gull: 17 around
Kittiwake: 5 around

Great White Egret coming into roost

This evenings Egret roost in the company of DS saw 22 Great White Egrets, 6 Cattle Egrets and 13 Little Egrets roost at the ARC.

5 of the 6 Cattle Egrets coming into roost