Squacco Heron

Royal Military Canal - 0600hrs - mild, grey and misty - A farmland bird survey for RSPB revealed 65 species along a 3 mile stretch of the cut covering both banks. Spotted Flycatchers, Reed Warblers and Hobby were all new from last months visit, while migrant Nightingale, Turtle Dove, Garden Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat were all on territory along with resident Yellowhammers, Bullfinch and Treecreeper. Still hardly any water birds on the canal, but a did see a large blackish Mink, so therein lies the problem...
Dungeness - 1015hrs - News of a Squacco Heron on Dengemarsh attracted a steady flow of local birders to see this beautiful little heron, albeit in misty conditions. For most of the time it was performing on a small island opposite the five bar gate, hunting for small fish, frogs and the like. It also flew over the lake towards the main reedbed whereupon it morphed into a Barn Owl before returning to lay in the prone position opposite the gate once more. Garganey, Shoveler, Pochard and Little Egret also noted, plus the Bittern was heard `booming` along with 2 flight views.
19 species in the moth trap last night with Dwarf Cream Wave and Cabbage new for the year.

                                       Squacco Heron, Dengemarsh - poor record shot

                                          Mullein Wave

                                          Cream Spot Tiger

1900hrs - Spent the evening in the company of Marshman and the Joker looking for owls of which we connected with a pair of chicken farm Little Owls and one or two Barn Owls. Also noted 2 Hobbies, several Marsh Harriers, Kestrel and Buzzard, Stonechats, Mipits, Skylarks, Yellow Wagtails, 2 Corn Buntings and a Yammer.