Bewick`s Swans

ARC - 1230hrs - Cold, dry, sunny, sw3 - From Hanson hide a family party of newly arrived Bewick`s Swans (2 ads, 3 juvs) was hopefully a prelude to the main flock that should be back on the Marsh by the months end. All the usual wildfowl crowded onto what remains of the shingle islands, plus 50 Lapwings, Marsh Harrier, Kestrel and a Chiffchaff by the car park.

                                          Bewick`s Swans, ARC

                                         Long-tailed Duck, Lade

                                          Black Redstart, Lade

Scotney - The fields beside the pits are always worth a look after heavy rain and today proved the  point with birds everywhere. The main contingent were feral geese with 1,200 Grey Lags, 75 Barnacle/hybrid Geese and 20 Canadas, plus 500 Golden Plovers, 200 Lapwings, 200 Wigeons and assorted Starlings, Teal, Redshank and Dunlin.
Lade - 1400hrs - The juv Long-tailed Duck was in the same position on north pit as yesterday, but still tantalisingly out of range for a decent dig-pic. A Goldeneye was amongst the many common diving ducks, grebes, and briefly, 3 Brents, plus 2 Chiffchaffs and Cetti`s Warbler in the willows and a Black Redstart along the caravan park fence.
ps: Elsewhere today at least 3 Great White Egrets were on the bird reserve, plus a group of Crossbills at the firs. The 2 Whooper Swans remained within the Mute flock at Midley.