Another trip this morning to my favourite place in Kent and a quick sea watch to start the day. Hundreds of Sandwich Tern flew up with a scattering of Common Terns.
Large groups of Scoter and Brents moved up and the odd Gannet and Fulmar added to the spectacle.
A pair of Mergansers, three Shelduck and five Shoveler made the list complete for just over an hours watch.
On the shingle by the boats a pair of Wheatear showed themselves and on the reserve we found our first Sedge Warblers of the year as they sang from most bramble thickets along the entrance track.A Cetti’s Warbler competed for air space with the Sedge’s and actually sat up for us as we sat waiting for a Sedge to reveal itself.
Down at Gallaways we had just Linnets, Stonechats and Mipits for our trouble with yesterdays Whinchat missing and no newbies in although a fly over House Martin gave another year tick.
On the journey home we stopped off at Elmley where we enjoyed good views of several Marsh Harrier and a group of seven Buzzards. Two Peregrine panicked the marsh as did a plane that continued to buzz over the reserve really low for some reason. Then one of those rare moments when the old man gives a confident shout on ID ..”Yellow Wag!” and it was for a nice year tick.
The M2 was closed adding an hour to the return journey home but a good days birding was enjoyed so I guess it was a small price to pay.
Year list now 196!
Brian Anderson
Essex Birder using the blog as a diary of my trips around the country chasing birds. Enjoying the places it takes me and the people I meet along the way. Great to spend time with my Dad and brother as we chase our year lists and grow our life list in the process.
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