Crossbills

Lade - 0630hrs - cool, sunny, sw3 - Another poor catch in the trap last night, although a Red Data Book, White Spot was new for the year, as was a Large Yellow Underwing...
Dungeness - 0800hrs - A stroll around the point produced juvs of Wheatear, Black Redstart and Stonechat, which is incredible considering the number of Magpies, `black crows`, Stoats and Weasels on the lookout for a meal.

                                          White Spot

                                          Kerton Road Pit gull roost

Kerton Road Pit  - 1500hrs - A high tide roost of ca 2,000 gulls comprised mostly immatures of the endangered Herring Gull, plus small numbers of Lesser and Great Black Backs. At least 6 birds were colour ringed, but were too distant to get any details. Waders included 85 Curlews and 110 Oystercatchers.
Whilst scoping the gulls 6 Crossbills flew overhead calling,  towards Lade.
RSPB - 1930hrs - An evening walk for RSPB with 8 others, in cool cloudy conditions, delivered all the expected wildfowl, gulls and Cormorants on Burrowes, plus a Cuckoo by Scott hide. Several Marsh Harriers over Dengemarsh plus 2 Ravens, large creches of feral geese and swans, Reed, Sedge and Cetti`s Warblers, Linnets and Whitethroats singing. A brief stake out from the ramp failed to see Bittern, but all had cracking views of the adult male Marsh Harrier dropping in twice with prey for juvs in the reedbed. Memory of the evening belonged to several large parties of Swifts coming and going over the waters and by the time we arrived back in the car park a `screaming` flock of 100 plus swirled high overhead.