Dengemarsh Gully- warm, dry, sunny, light airs - 0845hrs - For a change of scene we headed out to the gully, which so often disappoints, although not this morning. A light viz mig of mainly Skylarks, Mipits, Redpolls, Reed Buntings, Goldfinches, Chaffinches and a Great Spotted Woodpecker, plus a few Siskins and Pied Wagtails was still underway, but quickly fizzled out as the morning warmed up.
On the ground most of the activity was in the brambles and elders at the northern end of the gully which attracted at least 30 Blackcaps to feed on blackberries and one Lesser Whitethroat. Twenty Chiffchaffs also noted, along with similar numbers of Goldfinches and Redpolls feeding on weed-seeds, Linnets, Mipits, Great Tits, Robins, Chaffinches, Goldcrests, 10 Stonechats, 3 Wheatears, Cetti`s Warbler and a Firecrest.
Present, towards the bird reserve flying around were several Marsh Harriers and two each of Great White Egret, Raven and Peregrine.
Lydd Camp - With the ranges silent we took the track through the gorse scrub by the watch towers searching for Dartford Warbler without success. Plenty more Stonechats, Goldcrests, Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps and Redpolls were noted, plus a `kettle` of 5 mewing Common Buzzards overhead.
Dengemarsh - The local grapevine was roused into action early this afternoon when DB and family spotted a Common Crane circling over the peninsula that eventually landed on the flooded field adjacent to Springfield Bridge. Always a treat to see this magnificent bird, and my first for the year (202). Cranes are just about annual down here and this one was a smart adult bird that showed well before eventually flying off towards Hooker`s, but still visible from the ramp.
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