Lade - cold and sunny, nw 2 - A cracking morning spent on the local patch. Firstly we checked the beach up to the Varne just in case any rare larks or buntings were lurking amongst the tideline litter, but could only find a few each of Meadow Pipit and Pied Wagtail. Out on the sands four Brents and two Shelducks were amongst the usual waders and gulls. Overhead a steady trickle of Woodpigeons came in off the bay and headed inland.
On the pits the star bird was a pair of Bullfinches in the buddleia scrub alongside north lake, and personally new for the site. Also present in the bushes, 20 Chaffinches, five Reed Buntings, two Blackbirds, a singing Chiffchaff, 20 Blue, Great and Long-tailed Tits and a Goldcrest. On south lake a newly arrived Slavonian Grebe was a sign of the changing weather, while two Great White Egrets and four Goldeneyes were also present. The 200` wall mirror had attracted a range of Grey Herons, Cormorants and corvids to enjoy the sunshine and shelter from the cool northerly airflow.
Sparrowhawk, Marsh Harrier, Cetti`s Warbler, Water Rail, Green Woodpecker and several Stonechats all added to the variety of 63 species of birds seen within easy walking distance of the cottage this morning.
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