Migrating geese

Lade - clear, calm, sunny, - Having been blasted and doused with weather systems off the Atlantic these past weeks it looks as though we`re in for a more settled, and dry, period of high pressure with  an easterly airflow. The water levels down here are very high for late September with some of the net rides in the Trapping Area already flooded and the cormorant island on ARC almost submerged as though its mid-winter. With anticyclones off the continent at this time of year thoughts begin to turn to eastern sprites such as Yellow-browed and Pallas`s Warblers, although after what occurred on Tuesday perhaps we should set the bar a little higher, we shall see...
Anyhow, back to reality, once again the garden fir trees received Goldcrests and Chiffchaffs this morning with the occasional Siskins and Goldfinch overhead whilst checking the moth trap, which yet again yielded little.
A quick circuit of the local patch before doing breakfasts revealed few migrants apart from singles of Wheatear and a trickle of Swallows south. The main lake however was packed with waterfowl, including an influx of 50 Shovelers attracted to the rafts of floating water weed. Marsh Harrier and Buzzard were already on the wing behind the `mirrors`.
Littlestone -  Late morning two high-flying flocks of yapping geese passed south with the second group of 19 confirmed as White-fronts.
Scotney - All the usual feral geese, Lapwings and gulls here, plus 5 Dunlins, 6 Curlews and a Black-necked Grebe on the lake nearest Lydd.

                                Sea Campion, Lade

RSPB -  This afternoon from Dennis`s hide two Spoonbills soared over Burrowes and a Great White Egret was on the fields at Boulderwall. Over the road a walk down to the pines delivered a few Chiffchaffs, Long-tailed, Blue and Great Tits and a Spotted Flycatcher, while a Grass Snake showed well in front of Screen hide.