Black-bellied Dipper

 Myself TG, DW and GH who was our brilliant chauffeur today twitched the superb Black-bellied Dipper today at Thetford. It performed admirably from the moment we arrived all be it in the heavy shade, where it caught many Caddisfly larva. It was amazingly tolerant of birders and photograghers  showing down to a few feet.

 A couple of hours spent looking for Otters was fruitless, even though just about every resident of Thetford seemed to have seen them. One lady out for a walk with her mother, produced her I Phone and showed us a video she took on it yesterday, of 2 Otters playing just a feet from her in the river. We did manage to see a Kingfisher several times, Marsh, Coal, Long-tailed, Blue and Great Tits, Brambling, nuthatch and Treecreeper.

Bonaparte's Gull

A trip to Princes Park Eastborne today. After a quick look at the sea from the fishing boats where the usual Auks, Gannets and Kittiwakes were off shore,  we (DW,TG myself and picking GH up on the way) set off from Dungeness Obs. A quick stop on the causeway saw 2 Great white Egrets and at least 5 Smew ( 2 drakes ) on the ARC with another Great White Egret behind Boulderwall farm. At Pett level the 2 Pink-footed Geese showed distantly as did a Barn Owl and 3 Greater White-fronted Geese on the way back.

Arriving at Princes Park the Bonaparte's Gull was showing well and did so throughout our stay. It readily came to the bread being fed to the Mute Swans.

 In a quick look at Scotney on the way home a surprise in the form of 2 Scaup picked by TG. Scaup are few and far between on the marsh these days, last year I failed to see one so this male and female were very welcome. Hopefully the weather will be kind tomorrow for a trip to Thetford to see the long staying Black-bellied Dipper.

Round the Marsh

As it was a bright sunny morning a rare event lately, I had another look at the Waxwings at the Ashford Designer Outlet. Mick,Richard and Kev were already there, Mick had done some gardening arranging some berries and apples on Kevs tripod to get the perfect shot. 60+ Waxwings were there when I arrived and more came in making 100+. I took a few a shots but when the cloud arrived the cold in the bitter wind got the better of me.
Across the marsh noticeably less winter thrushes but the highest count of Bewick Swans so far with 242. The 2 Whoopers were elusive but eventually showed in flight at Midley disappearing among the windmills. At Scotney c200 Golden Plover, 2 Ruff, the feral Barnacle Goose flock and an Egyptian Goose in the fields at the western end. Galloways was open but very disappointing with nothing seen on the drive to the sea. Off shore a few Red-throated Divers, Guillemots and Great Crested Grebes. Spending 30 minutes by the wrecked armoured car just a few Crows and a distant Raven.
From the track to the VC the 7 Barnacle Geese, 3 Great White Egrets, 2 Marsh Harriers, c50 Curlew, 3 Ruff, c100 Golden Plover and the usual Tree sparrows at Boulderwall Farm.
Back out on Walland the ring tail Hen Harrier near Hawthorn Corner, at the seed dump in Tickners Lane 20+ Yellow Hammers, 2 Corn buntings, 5 Reed Buntings and 2 Common Buzzards.
It looks like the northern part of the marsh at Snave is to be blighted with 6 more Wind Turbines see Here 
    

Rain and Waxwings

A short sea watch this morning due to the poor weather found 2,000+ Great Crested Grebes on the sea, with 100+ Guillemots (but no Razorbills), 40+ Red-throated Divers and good numbers of Kittiwakes and Gannets off shore.

New Diggings held 19 Smew (2 drakes) and 2 Great White Egrets. The ARC from Hanson held 12 Smew (later joined by the 2 drakes), another Great White Egret, 2+ Marsh Harriers annd the Red-crested Pochard among the Wigeon.

The 7 Barnacle Geese and 2 Ruff could be seen from track to the VC. When I arrived at Scotney BH had his scope on a very distant Common Crane, also there 5 Ruff, 20+ Dunlin, 300+ Golden Plover and the feral Barnacle flock. 

85 Waxwings at the Outlet

 Coming back across Walland 235 Bewick Swans counted by PT, still a few winter thrushes and a Common   Buzzard. While I was in Hanson Wendy told me that she had seen 100+ Waxwings early morning by the Ashford Designer Outlet. After a text from her at 15.00 saying they were still present, I made a short diversion to see them. Pity the light was failing when I arrived but still a brilliant sight.

Bittern and Barn Owl

 Arriving at The Point this morning the as rain cleared and the gale subsided a little, an hour watching the sea produced many Guillemots, Razorbills, Red-throated Divers, Gannets and Kittiwakes could be seen tooing and froing. A Fulmar moved west as did a Bonxie.

 On the beach 100s of Black-headed Gulls and a few Kittiwakes one of which was bathing in a puddle. A Knot resting on the beach was unusual. As I left the beach the 3w Glaucous Gull flew over.

On New Diggings from the causeway, 2 Great White Egrets and a single Smew among the common wildfowl sheltering under the western bank, on the ARC 2 more Great White Egrets and 12 Smew (2 drakes) among large numbers of common wildfowl sheltering behind the bushes.

 From Hanson Hide 2 Bitterns, one of which flew in front the hide. A kingfisher was fishing inside the bushes by the hide and 2 Marsh Harriers were doing there best to spook everything.

 Among the many common Wildfowl a female Red Crested Pochard and a female Common Scoter.

 At Boulderwall Farm c20 Tree Sparrows round the feeders. Looking north from the track to the VC at the junction of the track to Hookers, 7 Barnacle Geese and the Greater Whitefronted Goose still present behind the fence in the sheep field also another Great White Egret making at least 5 at Dunge today.

 At Scotney 2 Black-tailed Godwits (my first of the year on the marsh), 4 Ruff, c500 Golden Plover, 22 Dunlin and the feral Barnacle Goose flock. Feeding round the hay bales by the sheep troughs 16 Corn Buntings.

 On Walland still 100s of winter thrushes, c160 Bewick Swans, 1 Black Swan, 2 Common Buzzards. By the feeders 20+ Tree Sparrows, 4 Yellow Hammers and c10 Green finches. At the triangle a stunning Barn Owl. Another excellent day on the peninsular with 84 species seen today and 132 so far this year.

Red-throated Divers

As soon as I arrived at The Point a flock of Red-throated Divers was moving west totalling 596. Off shore many Guillemots, Razorbills and Kittiwakes with a few Gannets. The 3w Glaucous Gull was on the beach.

At the Varne Sailing Club Greatstone the 2 Snow Buntings as shy as ever, On the mudflats there 100s of Oystercatcher, Knot, Dunlin and Sanderling with smaller numbers of Redshank, Bar-tailed Godwits, Ring Plover, Curlew and Grey Plover.

 On New Diggings from the causeway 3 Great White Egrets and 4 red head Smew among the common wildfowl, with another Great white Egret at the southern end of  the ARC. From Hanson  5+ red head Smew were made several fly bys, many Wigeon, Pochard, Tufted Duck and Shoveller with 6+ Goldeneye and a Kingfisher. (I'm sure Mr A will have obtained some great shots)
At Scotney 300+ Golden Plover, 1,000+ Wigeon and a single Ruff were of note.  

 On Walland a Merlin posed, nearby the Bewick Swan flock numbered 82 and another family party of 5 that seem to keep to themselves on an adjacent field. The seed dump at Tickners Lane held 4 Yellow Hammers and 8 Corn Buntings. Another good day with 76 species seen on the peninsular.

Bitterns

At The Point this morning visibility was very poor in the the driving misty rain. Small numbers of Guillemots, Razorbills and Red-throated Divers were tooing and froing, a small movement of Kittiwakes east and the occasional Gannet ghosted in out of the mist disappearing just as quickly.  The 3W Glaucous Gull was in  a roost next to the concrete road.

From the south end of the New Diggings 8 red head Smew were sheltering under the western bank with the common wildfowl and 2 Great White Egrets were in the reeds nearby.

Another Great White Egret was at the south end of the ARC.

 As the ARC car park was empty I braved the weather on the walk to Hanson as recently a Bittern has been showing well in the reed bed to the left of the hide. I got my self settled in the hide and gently opened the shutter, immediately a movement caught my eye  about 30mts out, raising my binos a beautiful Bittern could just about be seen motionless and then a quick movement as it caught a Stickleback or similar. As I was unable to focus the camera through the reeds and the light was awful, I just sat and watched it as it caught several fish. After c20 minutes I was joined in the hide by a new birder who had never seen a Bittern, needless to say he was delighted. A few minutes later the bird stalked off out of sight the flew over to the screen hide.

 I was later joined by BH and CT who were also sheltering from the weather. A red head Smew flew in and swam into a small bay in the reed bed to the right of the hide, another movement caught my eye and the Smew shot out. A few minutes later another Bittern jumped out of the bay flew slowly in front the hide (to close for me focus quickly or even get the whole bird in) and landed c8 mts from the hide among the Bull Rushes, where it clambered and stalked around for at least an hour for the 3 of us to watch and enjoy it and take one two pictures.

 At Scotney apart from the large numbers of Wigeon there was little of note. On a very wind and rain swept   Walland c150 Bewick Swans still and a ring tail Hen Harrier. With rain still coming down I called it a day.

Bewick's and Smew

Some of the 100s of Gulls at The Patch this morning

 After a few minutes of staring into the bright sunshine at The Point this morning I moved to The Patch which was very busy. Several 100s of Black Headed Gulls dominated with smaller numbers of the big gulls. At Sea noticeably less Auks, a few Gannets, c300 Kittiwakes and 25 Common Scoter moved east.

 From the causeway New Diggings held 9 red head Smew and 2 Great White Egrets and the ARC had 10 Smew (2 drakes) and another Great White Egret. From Hanson a Bittern showed well as did 2 Marsh Harriers and a Goldcrest also a Peregrine shot across the lake.

 At Scotney the Tundra Bean goose showed well among the Greylags, the feral Barnacle flock was still present, also 100s of Wigeon and Golden Plover, 6 Ruff and 14 Dunlin. 12 Bewick swans were in fields to the west of the pit. At the back of Scotney Court farm 12 Greater White-fronted Geese, 16 Corn Buntings, 2 Marsh Harriers and c200 Fieldfare and Redwing. Though in general winter thrush numbers were well down on previous days.
This afternoon the wind had really started to blow and the duck on the ARC were sheltering behind the bushes by the causeway. Among 100s of the common wildfowl were 19 Smew and there were 10 sheltering on New diggings making 29 for the day my biggest count this year.

Out on Walland 13 Bewick Swans at Hawthorn Corner, near Midley Cottages a further 177 Bewick Swans making a day total for the marsh of 202. 5 more Bean Geese that I assumed to be Tundras were with the largest Bewick Swan flock but distant and were flushed by dog walker on the marsh, 4 Greater White-fronted Geese flew over.

Wild Geese

Mid morning at The Point and the change of wind direction was really noticeable. With little avian activity at sea compared to recent days. Guillemots and Razorbills could still be seen but most were distant though some were fishing close inshore. Red-throated Divers were still much in evidence, also a few Kittiwakes and Gannets. The 3w Glaucous Gull was still around. 

 At the Varne Sailing Club the 2 Snow Buntings not so shy. Several Skylarks come in off the sea and Merlin flew east over the sea. As the tide dropped the waders came in and show very well for the first hour at least after the high tide. (Redshank, Grey Plover, Ringed Plover, Sanderling, Knot, Dunlin, Turnstone, Bar-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Oystercatcher)

 New Diggings held of note 9 Smew (1 drake), 4 Goldeneye and 2 Great White Egrets. The ARC from Hanson 4 red head Smew, 6 Goldeneye, 2 Kingfishers (hope they find the perches soon), 2 Marsh Harriers, 2 Common Snipe over and a Goldcrest by the hide.
From the reserve entrance track of note the 7 Barnacle Geese, a Greater White-fronted Goose, a Common Buzzard, 2 Marsh Harriers and 2 Great white Egrets.

 At Scotney of note the Tundra Bean Goose showed well from the perimeter path, 16 Greater White-fronts flew over and the long staying Common Crane could  just about be seen at extreme range.

Winter Thrushes

08.35-10.05 at The Point:

Red-throated Diver: 200+

Gannet: c40 off shore 

Shelduck: 2W

Common Scoter: 26W  9E

Velvet Scoter: 17W  with 15 Common Scoter

Kittiwake: c100 off shore

Mediterranean Gull: 2W

3w Glaucous Gull: 1 on beach

Auks: c5,000 tooing and froing 

 With the sun peeking out occasionally, I went to the Varne Sailing Club, Greatstone, where the Snow Buntings were showing well.

 Also at The Varne a good selection of waders, Knot, Sanderling, Dunlin, Redshank, Turnstone, Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, Oystercatchers and Bar-tailed Godwits.

All over the Peninsular still large numbers of winter thrushes. At the southern end of the New Diggings 10 Smew (1 drake) and 4 Goldeneye among the common wildfowl also 2 Great White Egrets.
From Hanson 2 red head Smew, 4 Goldeneye  and 2 Marsh Harriers hunting the reed beds. In the Willow Trail still dozens of Redwing, 2 Chiffchaffs, 3 Goldcrests and 2 water rails squealing.
At Scotney still many Wigeon but little else of note.
The 7 Barnacle Geese that maybe the real deal still viewable from the reserve entrance track c600mts north west of Boulderwall farm, while round the farm c30 Tree Sparrows.
At Midley on Walland Marsh 176 Bewick Swans (42 juveniles), 2 Whooper Swans, a Black Swan and 2 Marsh Harriers. Another good day with 85 species recorded on the peninsular today.
On the way home driving through Shadoxhurst a Barn Owl swept across the road.