ARC - 0930hrs - Cold, overcast, occasional snow/sleet, n 3 - Had a run round with MH & BP on what was a nippy old morning with wintry showers and a scudding northerly. MH kept our spirits up with a steady stream of jokes (some new material amongst the old duffers, the jokes, I mean!) while BP kept talking up the merits of hibernating for the rest of the winter and searching for Garganeys amongst the ducks in the vain hope that the warmth of spring wasn't far away... (see you after the equinox Bob!). Anyhow, from Hanson a Kingfisher zipped across the lake in front of the hide while a Bittern flew between reedbeds and a Peregrine cruised towards Tower pits. A decent enough start, plus all the usual ducks including 3 Goldeneyes and a Shelduck. From Screen hide one of at least 4 Great White Egrets present on the bird reserve and a couple of Chiffchaffs in the reedbed. Plenty of activity in the car park where the seed bait attracted a host of Tree Sparrows, Chaffinches, Magpies, Great and Blue Tits.
Johnson`s Corner - News concerning a flock of Waxwings found earlier by BB on the main road near the war memorial necessitated a change of plan; and most worthwhile it was too with 23 birds on show. Unfortunately the light was poor, so only managed a few grainy digi-pics. Other Waxwings were also reported today from Brenzett, Midley and New Romney.
Walland Marsh - A drive back across Walland delivered a tidy flock of sparrows and finches at Midley, thousands of winter thrushes and raptors including Marsh Harrier, Common Buzzard, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk. There was no sign of the wild swans in the field opposite the drying barns.
Burrowes - Back at the bird reserve and a scan from the comfort of the visitors centre produced another Great White Egret and all the usual wildfowl, gulls and Cormorants, where a redhead Smew was reported from Makepeace hide.
Waxwings, Johnson`s Corner
Common Buzzard, Walland Marsh
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