Hard Times

Lade - 0800hrs -bitter cold, grey with a scudding north-easterly 3- The only bird of note was yet another Woodcock flushed from scrub on one the storm-beaches by Barney.
Galloways - 1330hrs - A circuit around the range road produced plenty of small gull activity at the sheep troughs, mostly Common Gulls, plus a few Stock Doves and Magpies. Good views of a Bittern and 2 Smew on Brett`s Pit, plus a couple of sickly Common Gulls. On the chicken sheds a male Black Redstart seemed to be finding food in sheltered corners, but once again there was no sign of any Little Owls.
Dengemarsh - From Springfield Bridge, Raven overhead `cronking`, single male Marsh Harrier, a Woodcock and 5 Curlews on the field edge and hundreds of Wigeons on the open water.
New Diggings At least 7 Smew on the far side from the causeway road.

                                           Galloways                                         

                                          Dengemarsh Sewer