Friday 7 December 2012

Pomarine Skua & Waxwings

Dungeness - 0830hrs - Cold, showery, nw 5 - Following torrential overnight rain the brisk, raw northerly airflow made for `proper` winter birding conditions; and Barney was in his element, he loves the cold and wind, running along the beach, rolling around on dead fish and cocking his leg up the fisherman's kit... (sorry chaps!).
A scan from the seawatching hide delivered all the usual Kittiwakes, auks, grebes, Gannets and Red-throated Divers milling around the point and on the sea. The highlight, however, was a Pomarine Skua just offshore which attacked the gulls over the Patch before disappearing down to Penn Bars. The only passerine of note was a Black Redstart on the power station wall.
Down at the boats more of the same seabirds just offshore, plus that old favourite, the 3rd winter Glaucous Gull.
New Romney - Whilst in town this morning 2 Waxwings flew over the high street calling.
New Diggings - 1300hrs - Took a bit of locating but the Black-throated Diver was still present, hugging the bank by the causeway road, plus 2 Great White Egrets on the far bank. A redhead Smew flew in to join 3 Goldeneyes, before the group flew over the road onto ARC where all the usual wildfowl present including c200 Gadwall in the shallows.
Walland Marsh - A circuit round the lanes produced 2 Whoopers and 36 Bewick`s Swans amongst the Mutes, hundreds of winter thrushes, 3 Waxwings at Midley, Merlin, Marsh Harrier, Common Buzzard, Jay and Greater pecker. The sparrow and finch flock at the seed dump contained at least one Brambling.
Lade - Finished off at the local patch where at least 20 Magpies and 3 Little Egrets came into roost amongst a hundred Woodpigeons and Starlings. Didn`t get a chance to check out the Long-tailed Duck, but it was reported earlier on north pit as were 20 odd Waxwings at Johnson`s Corner, Hamstreet.

                                          Sunset, Lade

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