Catkins and bees

Long Pits - 0800hrs - sunny, cold, ne 4 - En-route to the allotment in Lydd a circuit of the pits and the adjacent desert delivered few birds apart from three singing Chiffchaffs, Skylark, Mipit and 20 Chaffinches amongst the expected tits, Dunnocks, Wrens and the like, plus a single Snipe flushed by Barney. A willow bush on the edge of the desert was smothered in pussy willow catkins and even on a cold day such as this attracted at least ten bumble bees to the pollen-rich flowers.

                               Willow catkins and bumble bee, Dungeness desert

ARC/New Diggings - From the causeway road a redhead Goosander on ARC and a Black-necked Grebe on New Diggings were the only noteworthys.

                                Ruff, Ringed Plovers and Dunlin, Dengemarsh

Dengemarsh - By late morning the cloud cover returned and the cold northerly wind increased bringing back the winter. At Brickwall Farm the two Cattle Egrets were feeding amongst the sheep in the field behind the battery sheds. From Springfield Bridge our first White Wagtail of the season was noted in a mixed flock of Pied Wagtails and Reed Buntings, while two Great White Egrets flew over Hookers. Hayfield Number 3 continues to be the place to watch with a decent collection waders, best of which were four Ruff, plus 23 Dunlins, 12 Ringed Plovers, six Redshanks, two Oystercatchers, a Knot, two Shelducks and two Little Egrets. On the walk back a Raven flew over towards its nest site on the power station with a bulging crop of goodness know what...