Snipe

Lade - 0900hrs - cool, sunny, se 2 - Another bright but nippy morning and ideal for walking Mockmill Sewer where the highlight was 2 Snipe flushed from the flooded tussock grass in the sewer bottom. Several Song Thrushes broke cover along with a few Dunnocks, Robins, Wrens and Blackbirds. The rough grassland behind the `mirrors` attracted several hundred Lapwings, Stock Doves and Curlews, while a Redshank, 2 Marsh Harriers and a Common Buzzard drifted over. On the lake the usual wildfowl including 5 Goldeneyes and the Black-throated Diver on north pit.
Dungeness - 1400hrs - An hour at the fishing boats delivered the expected auks on the sea plus a trickle of Gannets, Red-throated Divers and Kittiwakes rounding the point.

                                         1st winter Kittiwakes, Dungeness

RSPB - Had a quick look at the fields near Boulderwall where 2 Egyptian and 5 Bean Geese amongst the feral goose flock. Also noted 50 Curlews, 2 Great White Egrets and 3 Marsh Harriers. News came through that a Firecrest was showing well over the road near Hanson hide. By the time I arrived MH had it pinned down and we enjoyed fine views of this gorgeous little sprite, one of my favourite British birds. Also in the area 20 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Goldcrests, 2 Chiffchaffs and a Cetti`s Warbler..