Bye, bye, Bewick`s

Lade - 0800hrs - cool, sunny, se 2 - A cool, bright start but by mid-morning warm sunshine and most spring-like. Couldn`t find the Merganser on south pit but it may well have been lurking in its favourite channel by the dish `mirrors`. Several Goldeneyes on the water, 2 Marsh Harriers over the back and singing Skylark and Reed Bunting. Just as we were about to leave the unmistakable trumpeting sound of Bewick`s Swans could be heard flying towards the pit. Eventually, a tight flock of 22 came into view and I followed them as they disappeared high out over Lade Bay, heading east, a truly magical birding experience.

22 Bewick`s Swans, Lade       

Low Weald - Headed up onto the hills this morning in the company of MH. En-route we stopped to scan 3 Common Buzzards at Old Romney with several others seen above the woods. At Park Wood the usual range of tits including, Long-tailed, plus Nuthatch, Mistle Thrush and calling Treecreeper, Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers. Back at the car park we were amazed to see a Marsh Tit feeding low down on a burdock plant only 5 yards away! Elsewhere around Woodchurch several flocks of Fieldfares and more Nuthatches and tits.
ARC - On the way back we briefly called in at Hanson hide where a Penduline Tit had been seen and photographed earlier by PB. Typically it had not been seen for while and to the best of my knowledge was not seen again during the afternoon.
1530hrs - Round two for the tit drew another blank but two Bitterns in front of Screen hide provided ample compensation. Also, 14 Smew (including 2 drakes), 8 Goldeneyes, 2 Little Egrets and a Great White Egret. On the walk back to the car park the wintering Red-crested Pochard emerged from a reedbed on Tower Pits, the first time I`ve seen it for a month or so.

                                Red-crested Pochard, Tower Pits

                                Bittern, ARC