Lydd Heronry

ARC - 0900hrs - cool, dry, sunny, sw3 - Following 12 hours of continuous rain and a brisk south-westerly, moth trapping was a non-event last night.
At the south end of ARC the usual eclipse ducks included a large Mallard type job with a whitish head, probably of hybrid/plastic origin. No sign of any plovers although 2 LRPs from Hanson hide, plus 3 Little Egrets (one a juv), Wigeon, 2 juv Shelducks and hundreds of Swifts and hirundines over the water.
Lydd Heronry - 1000hrs - Met Ted Carpenter in Lydd and was given the tour of the heronry  opposite the church as a prelude to taking over the Grey Heron Census next year. Was surprised at the variety of tree species in which they nest; mostly in Holm Oak but also Horse Chestnut, Ash and Oak - there was even one nest still occupied! Could`ve stayed chatting to Ted all morning as his knowledge of the history and wildlife of Lydd and the Marsh in general is legendary. Felt privileged in way to have been asked to carry on the census from Ted, on what is one of the longest running British Bird Surveys, dating back nationally to 1928.
Dungeness - 1600hrs - An hours seawatch from the boats, in a strengthening westerly delivered nothing more than a few terns and Gannets. Barney enjoyed it for a change, as he found a large Brown Rat to chase amongst the fishing detritus... That dog is hopeless, my old Jack Russell would`ve nailed it in a trice. Needless to say the rat survived the ordeal.