Bedgebury Pinetum

Lade - 0800hrs - cool, dry and sunny, w2 - Did the Lade Loop walk this morning, taking in the pits first where there was the usual assemblage of Great Crested Grebes and Tufted Ducks with juvs. In the willows several eponymous warblers, Blackcaps, Cetti`s and Reed Warblers. Skylark, Linnet and Mipit on the storm beaches, plus singles of Yellow Wagtail and Whimbrel overhead south. On the beach yesterdays Dunlins, Sanderlings, Ringed Plovers still in evidence, while 30 Sandwich Terns headed towards the Point.

                                         Bedgebury Pinetum

Bedgebury Pinetum - 1100hrs - Had a run over to the pinetum with the `Little Chap` this morning. Must admit when I saw the car park nearly full my spirits sank, but actually when you cleared the Visitors Centre area the crowds soon thinned out. I really like this place and will have to visit early morning when nobodys about; not that I`m anti-social and all, but you can have too much of the human race after a while... Anyhow, the collection of pines are superb and there were a few birds to be seen along the dude circular walk : Goldcrests, Nuthatches, Treecreepers, Greater and Green peckers, 2 Redpolls and 6 `chupping` Crossbills. The lake also had Dabchick and Tufted Duck with young, but probably best of all was the large number of Moorhens present, also with young. I know its a common bird but down on the Marsh hardly any survive due to all the crows, gulls, Minks, Stoats, Foxes and the like.
PS: OL reported Curlew and Green Sandpipers, plus LRP on the Midrips this afternoon where there is no firing all this week. Had two calls today concerning the Ashford One and it appears that Bubo bubo is carrying out a vital public service around town in the form of `Pest Control` by predating rats and rats-with-wings. Long may it continue so...