Wild geese

Lade 0730hrs - cool, cloudy, n 2 - Wildfowl took centre stage this morning with two flocks of 50 and 80 Brents moving south along the coastline, plus a massive skein of c500 high-flying grey geese probably White-front/Pink-footed but too far off to be sure. On south lake 60 Shovelers were new in, but there was no sign of yesterdays Osprey by the time I left site at 0930hrs.
  A 30 minute viz mig from the aerial ramp produced a trickle of Linnets, Goldfinches, Skylarks, Pied Wagtails and Mipits south, plus single figures of Grey Wagtail, Siskin and Redpoll. Two each of Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Marsh Harrier and Kestrel also noted from the ramp. In the willow swamp Water Rails seemed particularly vocal suggesting that there may have been an overnight arrival.
Scotney - 1330hrs - We started a three day bird tour this afternoon, for Penny, Peter and Roy, at the farm where all the expected feral Barnacle, Greylag, Canada and Egyptian Geese were on the fields and lakes along with 500 each of Golden Plover and Lapwing, two Wheatears, a Black Redstart and 10 Pied Wagtails. Outback 50 Linnets, several Mipits, four Corn Buntings and several Yellow Wagtails over unseen. A male Peregrine scattered the flocks before perching on a pylon affording good scope views. Also noted a Green Sandpiper, Stock Doves, Buzzard and Kestrel plus all the usual gulls, egrets and common wildfowl and grebes.
Dengemarsh - A circuit of the range road delivered a few Stonechats, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and little else. From Springfield bridge the usual range of wildfowl, several Marsh Harriers, a Kingfisher and a Garganey made for a fine end to the day.