Sawbills and a Brambling

Dungeness - 0815 - Foggy start, clearing to warm, dry and sunny, misty late afternoon. I met Lew from north Kent, who`s down for a couple of days birding, first thing at the point in thick fog. However, it didn`t last for long and by the time we walked down to the Sanctuary it had cleared, although there was no sign of the Dusky Warbler, but we did see a late Swallow flying around and settling on overhead wires. There was little else of note around the bushes apart from a Blackcap and a few Goldfinches, plus 2 Kestrels, a Sparrowhawk and superb views of a Raven overhead.

                                Raven, Dungeness

RSPB -   Moving onto the bird reserve we met Elizabeth and family for a circular walk during which time we clocked up 83 species of birds, mostly for 8 year old James` benefit! The highlights included a Black Redstart on the VC roof, our first 2 Smews of the season, along with 3 Goldeneyes, a Goosander and 20 Pintails on Burrowes, 8 Great White Egrets around the site, 20 Golden Plovers, Stonechat, 4 Marsh Harriers, Goldcrests, 10 Cetti`s Warblers, 5 Siskins, 2 Chiffchaffs, `pinging` Bearded Tits and 4 Snipe from the viewing ramp. At the Boulderwall feeders a stunning male Brambling was my bird of the day. From Hanson hide all the expected wildfowl, plus 2 more Great White Egrets, a Kingfisher and a Bittern in flight.
Walland Marsh  - We finished the day in some style with 10 Marsh Harriers coming to roost and 2 Barn Owls hunting around the reedbed site. Also noted Kestrel, Common Buzzard, Water Rail, Cetti`s Warbler and Bearded Tits.