Walland Marsh

Walland Marsh 1500hrs - Cold, sunny, nw 1- Drove out onto Walland with Marshman this afternoon. First stop Midley where the Bewick`s Swans had increased in number to 36, of which at least 12 were juvs; no sign of the Whoopers though.The usual gang of sparrows around the feeders further along the lane and hundreds of Fieldfares, Redwings, Blackbirds and Song Thrushes in the hedgerows. Finished off at a reed bed roost site where 2 Marsh Harriers came to roost, with ten or more in the general area. Also, distant views of Common Crane, Peregrine and Barn Owl, with the latter (or a second bird) coming much closer at dusk. Several Water Rails calling from the reed bed along with Cetti`s Warblers and `pinging` Beardies.
On the celestial front, stunning views this evening of the planet Jupiter, the gas giant, showing 3 of her many moons in the eastern sky.
ps: Elsewhere today the Glaucous Gull was reported from Dungeness, plus Black-throated Diver, Smew and Great White Egrets on the bird reserve.