Black-necked Grebe

Lade - cold, dry, sunny, nnw 4 - A cracking start to the day with bright sunshine and a nippy northerly airflow. Following a crystal clear night it was no surprise that there were few migrants about apart from a lone Swallow over and several singing Chiffchaffs around the willow swamp. However, the first two Black-necked Grebes of spring put in a welcome appearance on south lake, alongside two Goldeneyes and the few remaining Teal, Pochard and Shoveler, plus good numbers of Little and Great Crested Grebes. Oystercatcher, Marsh Harrier, Sparrowhawk, Cetti`s Warbler, Reed Bunting and Stonechat all noted around the site.

                                Two male Wheatears, Dengemarsh gully

Dengemarsh - Having picked up Clare and Peter from Ashford for a three day Birdwatching Break at Plovers we headed back down to coast where we spent a couple of hours birding the gully. Despite  the brisk wind we managed to locate two male Wheatears, a female Black Redstart, Goldcrest, 10 Linnets, Meadow Pipits and at least 10 Chiffchaffs, plus superb views of a pair of Ravens, a Peregrine alighting on a pylon and a Weasel. The hayfields were less profitable with just a handful of Lapwings. From Springfield Bridge the usual wildfowl and a distant Marsh Harrier.
  From the Lydd Road by the allotment the three Cattle Egrets were in the sheep fold close to the gateway affording cracking close views.

                                 Cattle Egrets, Lydd Road

Greatstone beach - From the Tavern viewpoint we scanned the sands for yesterdays KP without success. However, there was plenty to see in bright afternoon sunshine on a falling tide including 320 Curlews, 15 Ringed Plovers, 50 Sanderlings, 10 Dunlins, 30 Mediterranean Gulls and 80 Sandwich Terns.

                                Sarny Terns and Med Gulls, Greatstone beach