Bluethroat Dip

Lade - 0700hrs - cold, cloudy, n1- With only a light northerly airflow a few more passerines stuck their heads above the parapet this morning. The 3 squabbling Black Redstarts were still in the scrub at the bottom of Taylor Road while a stroll along the main broom-clad storm ridge shifted several grounded Blackbirds, Skylarks, Mipits, Linnets, Song Thrushes and 2 `crests. Around the willow swamp singing Chiffchaffs, Reed Buntings and Great Tits, plus the usual Water Rail and Cetti`s activity. Behind the `mirrors` 2 Marsh Harriers and a distant flock of Golden Plovers. Not much on the lakes apart from the usual diving ducks, grebes and 3 Goldeneyes.

                                "You should`ve been here 20 minutes ago..."

                                Samphire Hoe foxes

Samphire Hoe - 1100hrs - Convinced myself that the Hoe would be a good place to go for a family walk, which of course it is; except when a Bluethroat is there and you spend the next three hours staring at a bramble thicket, not seeing it. Of more interest was a couple of foxes high up on the chalk cliff barking and sun bathing between the snow flurries. Also noted Raven and Peregrine along the cliffs and Stonechat and Redwing in the scrub, while around the bird feeders plenty of Blue and Great Tit, Robin, Wren, Blackbird and Dunnock activity.
NB: News came through this evening of a male Bluethroat seen at the back of Hookers this afternoon, on the track to Lydd near the style (so, for those who saw the last one, same area). Got to be worth a look in the morning.