Wilson`s Phalarope

Oare Marshes - mild, cloudy, sw 2 - Spent the morning in north Kent with CP on a wader fest. The highlight was the long-staying juvenile Wilson`s Phalarope which showed well on the east flood where, at times, it fed close to the road. It was regularly flushed when spooked by a raptor, but quickly  returned to the lagoon to `spin` energetically in circles, often in association with a Ruff or Teal.
As always with this superb wetland there was always something happening and we soon rattled up an impressive wader list including hundreds of Lapwings, Golden Plovers, Redshanks, Blackwits and Avocets, plus 12 Snipe, four Little Stints, Curlew Sandpiper, Turnstone, 10 Dunlins, two Grey Plovers,  Curlew, five Ringed Plovers and a Barwit.
  Plenty more waders, Brents, Shelducks and several Little Egrets were noted on the Swale, plus three Marsh Harriers, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel, an overhead passage of Skylarks, Mipits and Reed Buntings and in the reeds and ditches Bearded Tits, Stonechats and a very showy Cetti`s  Warbler. Also noted 20 Linnets, Grey Heron, Grey Wagtail and hundreds of common dabbling ducks.
  A superb mornings birding and a good turn out of Dungeness regulars to natter too from the roadside viewpoints.

                                   Cetti`s Warbler by the roadside sluice

                                Wilson`s Phalarope following a Ruff

Lade - 0600hrs - The first Redwings of the autumn flew over the cottage in the dark this morning, calling as they headed inland.