Squacco Heron

Lade - 0700hrs A decent catch in the trap last night with the first Lackey, Sharp-angle Peacock and L-album Wainscott of the season. Best of all though was a superb Barred Yellow, new for the trap.
Dungeness - 0930hrs - warm, dry, sunny sw3 Spent the day with Bill and Anne on the peninsula, starting with a seawatch from the concrete road, which delivered a steady flow of Gannets, Kittiwakes, Sandwich Terns, 6 Med Gulls, Guillemots, Fulmar and Common Scoter. Old Faithful (aka Shortie the Glauc) was lanquishing by the boats, and having not seen it for a few weeks appears to have moulted and become much whiter. Also superb views of Skylark, Mipit, Wheatear and Stonechat elsewhere on the estate.
Moved to Dengemarsh at midday for the reported Squacco Heron, and we were not to be disappointed as had stunning views of it from the bench by Hookers, in the willows and in flight whereupon it transformed from buffy to snow white! Only my second since moving here and the 4th reserve record, so pretty rare, and found by the Lord of Hookers (who else!) early on. Locals noted during the afternoon included the Romney Twitcher, Gullmann, Marshman, Luddites, Sainsbury Kid, and, a real rarity - the Oldest Swinger in Town. Great White Egret, Hobby, `booming` Bittern and all the usual wetland birds noted around the reserve.

Record pic of Squacco Heron, Hookers. Oystercatchers, Dengemarsh