Friday 14/05/2021

A cold slow hours sea watch this morning saw just a few Gannets, Terns and Scoter. Next stop the hay fields which was also cold and damp, though the flock of Corn Buntings very nice to see along with the usual Yellow Wagtails. The Hobby's looked very sorry for them selves and are obviously struggling to feed. In the reeds the usual Warblers singing rather half heartedly, also the occasional Bearded Tit calling and Bittern booming. There were at least 3 Lapwing chicks in hay field, the next 2 weeks or so is likely to be very challenging for them with the host of aerial predators as well as Stoats.

There is still a flock of c24 Corn Buntings at Dengemarsh

A cold, damp dejected Hobby at the hay fields

1of 4+ Little Ringed Plovers at Scotney

A wander around Scotney was rewarding with my first Common Sandpiper of the year, nice views of hunting Hen Harrier and Little Ringed Plovers. Good numbers of Avocets can be seen but look very vulnerable to attack from Badgers and Foxes.

My first Common Sandpiper of the year at Scotney

Avocet at Scotney

1 of the many Yellow Wagtails at Scotney

Ring tail Hen Harrier at Scotney

Common Buzzard with a Rabbit

Nesting Avocets at Scotney

Common Gull does little to line its nest site unlike the Herring Gull below

An evening stroll around the reserve was pleasant, 100s of Swallows were hawking over Burrowes but no Terns appeared to be roosting. A Brown Hare gave me prolonged views as it grazed on some Broome, unfortunately the poor light did not do it justice.

Herring Gull taking over 1 of the Common Gull boxes

Brown Hare nibbling on the Broome on the reserve at dusk