14/04/2021

A long distance record image of the male Hen Harrier that came in from France this morning

The Hen Harrier was undoubtedly the highlight of an otherwise poor sea watch for mid April:

0630-0930 with AJG,RW, SM,AP

Brent Goose: 3E

Greylag Goose: 2E

Teal: 2E

Eider: 6E

Common Scoter: 64E

Red-breasted Merganser: 2E

Red-throated Diver: 19E    2W

Great-crested Grebe: 6 on

Fulmar: 1W

Grey Heron: 1 in off

Gannet: 548E

Cormorant: 112 feeding off shore first thing

Hen Harrier: 1 adult male in off

Oystercatcher: 4E

Whimbrel: 3E

Kittiwake: 2E

Mediterranean Gull: 2E

Common Tern: 2 over The Patch then flew East

Sandwich Tern: 42E

Great Skua: 1E

Guillemot: 1E

Auk sp: 72E

Swallow: 3 in off

Harbour Porpoise: 12

Common Seal: 1

The long staying 2nd cy Iceland Gull this morning

Common Seal on the beach

Boulderwall and Cockles Bridge area was very quiet with just a few Yellow Wagtails in the crop fields.

After a late breakfast I couldn't resist another look at the stunning male Pied Flycatcher at Littlestone, which fortunately showed quite well, a Jay there was a bonus first for the year for me(I don't get off the shingle much).

An hour staring at the sea this afternoon produced just a few more Scoter, Red-throated Divers, Sandwich Terns, Gannets and Auks. 

The lighthouse garden held a female Redstart  and an Acredula type Willow Warbler both of which avoided my camera, but 4+ Chiffchaffs weren't so shy.  A male Redstart was in a private garden this afternoon. The only news from the reserve was that at least 3 Garganey remain at Dengemarsh per RW. This time of year I like to wander around the reserve in the evenings ,but at the moment it is just to darn cold and uncomfortable in the brisk NE wind.

Chiffchaff at the lighthouse garden this afternoon