Gravel pits

Lade - mild, cloudy, se 3 - Decided on a tour of the local gravel pits this morning commencing at the local patch where, due to a brisk southerly wind, north lake was the favoured water for over a thousand Coots, grebes and wildfowl. There was plenty of activity in the shelter of the willow swamp with a large mixed tit flock dragging in several Goldcrests, Chiffchaffs and at least one Firecrest. Also noted Kingfisher, 2 Cetti`s Warblers and calling Water Rails.
ARC/New Diggings - From the causeway road 2 Black-necked Grebes, a Great White Egret, two Ravens over and a late Swallow.
Scotney - All the usual feral geese, Lapwings, Goldies, Wigeon and diving ducks, plus 5 Ringed Plovers, 2 Dunlins, 2 Redshanks, a Ruff and several Marsh Harriers and Kestrels out back.
Pigwell  - Pretty quiet wildfowl wise but a passerine flock in the bushes by the farmhouse proved interesting with a number of finches, tits, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, Reed Buntings and Goldcrests. A recently ploughed fields attracted large numbers of corvids, Woodpigeons, Stock Doves and 30 Skylarks.

                               Barnacle Geese, Scotney

Greatstone Beach - Checked the sands from the Tavern this afternoon on an ebb tide where there were thousands of Black-headed and Common Gulls present. All the usual waders including 100 Knots, 25 Barwits and 15 Ringed Plovers.