Twitching Again

 DW, GH, TG, OM and myself went to Queen Mother Reservoir today to see the Buff-bellied Pipit. The bird showed very well indeed and optics were not required. In fact it was too close most of the time under the concrete rim of perimeter mostly in deep shade. It was still difficult to photograph well in the sun light as it never stayed still moving very jerkily but still close. The Long-tailed Duck and Great Northern Diver were on show distantly It was nice to see a Grey Wagtail which put in an appearance on the concrete as few are seen on the deck at Dungeness.

Harriers

On the sea this morning plenty of Guillemots, Red-throated Divers and Kittiwakes tooing and froing off shore, along with a few Gannets and Common Scoter.

On New Diggings from the causeway, The Black-throated Diver still present, also 3 Great White Egrets, 2 Little Egrets and 3 Goldeneye there.

On the ARC from the causeway 200+ each of Gadwall, Teal and Shoveller

On the reserve 4 Smew including 1 drake, 2 red head Goosander, 4 Goldeneye, the usual Marsh Harriers and what looks like a near adult Caspian Gull.
I spent most the afternoon on Walland Marsh wandering Knee deep in mud and puddles that swamped my wellies. A ring tail Hen Harrier flew through and disappeared into East Sussex, a Male Hen Harrier made several appearances hunting along the ditches and bunds. Sparrowhawk, Merlin,  Peregrine, 2 Common Buzzards and double figures of Marsh Harrier were seen. These were instrumental in flushing 1000s each of Lapwing, Golden Plover and Starlings which all put on a superb aerial displays for most of the afternoon. At the reed bed I was watching at dusk several Bearded Tits were pinging, Water Rails squealing and 2 Stonechats hunted insects, also 1 Marsh Harrier roosted the first here for along time. The long staying Common Crane made a dusk flight around the marsh.     

A lazy day

After a leisurely breakfast I made my way down to Walland Marsh. Driving past Johnson's Corner I didn't see any Waxwings but they can be mobile. (BB saw 3 there later). On the marsh a distinct lack of winter thrushes compared to this time last week. The Swans had moved to Cheyne Court where at least 64 Bewick and 2 Whoopers could be seen though they were being harassed by dogs. 6 Marsh harriers could be seen by the windmills.

A stroll along the sea wall at Littlestone golf course was bracing, 150+ each of Sanderling and Turnstone with a few Grey Plover were the highlights.

At Dungeness the 3w Glaucous Gull and an adult Yellow-legged Gull were in the roost behind the fish sales shop, off shore plenty of Guillemots, Kittiwakes and Red-throated divers. The roadside gull roost had a colour ringed Herring Gull of note, about the only bird that allowed me to point the camera at it.  

TU3.T

From the causeway the Black-throated Diver could be seen on the New Diggings with 3 Great White Egrets, ( A Slavonian Grebe also there per PT).
Most the afternoon was spent in the warmth and comfort of the visitor centre looking at Gulls. 2 Caspian Gulls flew off as I arrived (DW) at least 4 Yellow-legged Gulls were seen along with 1 Goosander and a Peregrine also the ever present Marsh Harriers and a 4th Great White Egret. 

Bits and pieces

A gloomy morning at Dungeness saw very little change on the sea. A few each of Red-throated Diver, Guillemot, Great Crested Grebe and Kittiwakes tooing and froing with the tide off shore, also a few each of Common Scoter and Brent Geese past. The 3w Glaucous gull was on the beach by the fishing boats.

Red-throated Divers head shape is not always difinitive

 The Black-throated Diver was still on New Diggings as was 4 Goldeneye. At the south end of the ARC Pit 250+ each of Teal and Gadwall. From Hanson 3 Goldeneye and 2 Marsh harriers were the highlights. A Chiffchaff and 2 Goldcrest  in the Long-tailed Tit flock in the Willow Trail also 2 Cetti's Warblers and several Squealing Water Rails there.
On the reserve 4 Smew(1 drake), 1 red head Goosander brightened the gloom, along with large numbers of the common wildfowl.

58 of 60+ present

On Walland fewer winter thrushes than yesterday, 30 Bewick Swans at Midley and 2 Common Buzzards. Early afternoon at Johnson's Corner the sun came out for a couple of minutes, as 60+ Waxwings sat atop bushes beside the main road.

Back on The Marsh

As I drove to Dungeness this morning there was still 20+ Waxwings at Johnson's Corner on the A2070 at Hamstreet, 60 were reported there this afternoon.

In Lydd turning on to Dungeness road 5 more Waxwings were feeding on Apples in the allotments.

A short look at the sea was all that was needed to know that not much was moving off shore just a few Auks and Kittiwakes.

From the causeway the Black-throated Diver could be seen on New Diggings and c200 Gadwall could be seen on the ARC Pit.

A walk around the reserve with TG saw 5 Smew(1 Drake), 1 red head Goosander, 4 Goldeneye, 4+ Marsh Harriers, 1 Great White Egret, 100s each of Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler, Pochard and Coot, lesser numbers of Tufted Duck and Pintail.

On the ARC from Hanson 2 Goldeneye, 1 Great White egret and 2 Marsh Harriers.

 A drive round Walland Marsh 22 Bewick Swans and 2 black Swans  from Bell Corner. Near Old Romney 2 Waxwings one of which posed in the sun for me. Noticeably less winter thrushes on the marsh today.

 Wandering around the paths on Walland this afternoon saw 100s of Golden Plover, 4 Snipe were flushed, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Sparrowhawks and distant views of the Common Crane and a Barn Owl.

 In one of the reed beds 4 Bearded Tits showed well, 2 Stonechats and several squealing Water Rails. c15 Marsh Harriers were seen but only 5 roosted where I was watching.

Common Crane Walland

Twitch

After seeing the superb images of the Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll at Aldeburgh on various web sites, then being asked if I'd like to join DW and GH on a trip to see it today I was raring to go. We arrived just after 10.00 to see the birders that were present looking at nothing in particular, not a good sign! Asking one of them if the bird was still about, he told us it had flown towards the town and not been seen for a while, again not a good sign. We started walking back along the sea wall and after a few yards DW heard it call then again as it flew over our heads towards the Martello Tower and dropped out of site. We made our way towards the tower and much to her (GH) delight, DW and myself walked past it so she had to wave us back when she spotted it. From then on the bird behaved impeccably which is more than can be said for one or two photographers.

In the snow

More Barnacles

At Johnson's Corner this morning 36 Waxwings sitting in atop the roadside bushes.
The juvenile Black-throated Diver was still on New Diggings from the causeway this morning along with 2 Great White Egrets and 4 Goldeneye.
At Boulderwall 20+ Tree sparrows round the feeders and another Great White Egret in the field adjacent to the farm from the entrance track. Despite walking round the reserve twice this morning there was no sign of yesterdays Ring-necked Duck, but 5+ Marsh Harriers , 1 Bittern, 2 Bearded Tits, 5 Cetti's Warblers, a Chiffchaff, 1 Avocet, 2 red head Smew and a redhead Goosander were seen. On the ARC from Hanson 2 Goldeneye and a Kingfisher but little else of note. The Willow Trail held a roving Tit flock with Long-tailed, Great and Blue Tits, 2 Goldcrests and a Chiffchaff.

A very wary party of Barnacle Geese

A look Scotney GP found little of note apart from the feral Barnacle Goose flock had grown from 60+ to 80+ including a very wary party of 6.
Late afternoon back on the reserve I made my way to Makepiece Hide to watch Gulls coming to roost sadly very few did, the Goosander put in another appearance as did did a Smew and the Avocet was still on its island.

Soon they will be gone!

With just a couple of hours to spare today I thought I'd spend the time with the local Waxwing flock (25 today). All to soon they will be gone so make the most of them. Once again the light was rubbish most the time.

Orlestone Forest

As it was brilliant still sunny morning and thinking that Walland and Dungeness would be crowded, I decided to go for a wander around Orlestone Forest. Parking in Faggs Wood the unofficial feeding station was very busy with countless Great and Blue Tits, 3+ Coal Tits, 4 Nuthatches, 4 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, several Chaffinches, at least 6 Jays and a couple of Magpies.

Away from the car park the paths and tracks were very wet and muddy making it hard going in wellies, the birds were few and far between as well. A couple of Redpolls flew over as did a couple of Siskins but no Crossbills today, 4 Bullfinches were seen during the walk, a Tawny Owl called and Common Buzzard flew over. It was at least 2 hours into the walk before I came across a roving Tit flock containing at least 15 Long-tailed Tits more Blue,Great and Coal Tits, 2 Nuthatches and 2 Goldcrests. It was a very peaceful wander albeit quiet on the bird front. I did not take the camera today as I did not fancy carrying it all round the woods or leaving it in the car.

Even more Waxwings

 I thought i'd have a look at the berry bushes by Hamstreet Garden Centre this morning on my way to Dungeness, as back in December 2010 a party of Waxwings took up residence there for a week  or so. I pulled on to the verge and there they were 20+ Waxwing. They gave great views coming down to drink in a puddle beside the car. It was a pity the light was so poor and then it started to rain. Further on down the A2070 another 18 Waxwing were sat atop some bushes completely ignoring the traffic hurtling by. On Walland the 2 Whooper Swans were still associating with the Mute Swans and at least 32 Bewick Swans could be seen from Bell Corner with 2 Black Swans and more Mute swans.  4 more Waxwing with the 100s of winter thrushes at Midley.

On New Diggings the juvenile Black Throated Diver, 2 Great White Egrets and a Goldeneye among the usual wildfowl. At the south end of the ARC a flock of c100 Gadwall.
Down at The Point 100s of Guillemots and Great Crested Grebes with a few Red Throated Divers on the sea. Many Auks, Kittiwakes and a few Gannets and Divers were tooing and froing off shore.
The Glaucous Gull was perched on top of one of the containers.
On the reserve a red head Smew, 4 Goldeneye, 2 more Great White Egrets, 18 Pintail, c200 Wigeon and 2 Marsh Harriers were of note.

A visit to the ARC Hanson hide was in order after getting news news of a Pallas's Warbler there, alas I was unable to find it but did see 9 Long-tailed Tits, several Blue and Great Tits, 2 Chiffchaffs and a Goldcrest, also a superb male Goldeneye there.
On the way back I stopped at the rubbish pile in Tickners Lane, where apart from the 100s of winter thrushes, there were 50+ Chaffinches and 6 Yellowhammers, as I drove away the male Hen Harrier flew across the field opposite.