Common Snipe

Lade - 0800hrs - cold, sunny, ne 4 - A slight reduction in the wind this morning made it feel a little more like spring, although the wind increased as the day progressed. With something of a mini-influx of Bluethroats in progress along the south coast decided to deviate from my normal route and give Mockmill Sewer a look, a perfect spot for the spindly legged skulker. En-route a Black Redstart noted on the storm beaches along with singing Skylarks and Mipits, plus at least 10 grounded Song Thrushes and 2 Med Gulls over calling, heading towards the bird reserve.
At first glance the sewer looked birdless but by the time we got to the other end had yielded 8 Common Snipe (most I`ve seen here this year), 2 singing Reed Buntings, 5 more Song Thrushes and a host of Blackbirds, Robins, Wrens and Dunnocks. A Sparrowhawk zipped over and 2 hares broke cover.
On south pit there was no sign of yesterdays Black-necked Grebe with only 5 Goldeneyes of note.
ARC/New Diggings - 1000hrs - From the causeway road the usual dabbling ducks on ARC along with 4 Blackwits in the shallows. Three Smew flew in and 2 Great White Egrets were taking shelter at the eastern end of New Diggings.
Littlestone -1300hrs - Checked the beach out at several places for shorebirds in a stiffening easterly wind. All the usual suspects present including 50 Barwits, 30 Knot, 10 Grey Plovers and 8 Ringed Plovers.