Several birders went in search of the Long-tailed Duck this morning and reported negative news back to the visitors centre around midday, so I checked the lake out this afternoon just before dusk and can confirm the duck was still present, along with the Slav Grebe, although there was no sign of the sawbills.
A couple of tips for anyone visiting tomorrow. The Long-tailed dives continuously, surfacing between dives for barely a couple of seconds, so it is easy to miss, particularly as it slumps low in the water. It seems to favour the far side of the lake from the footpath between the 200` wall `mirror` south to the small islands in front of the reed beds, often amongst the roosting gulls. The Slav Grebe sticks mostly to the north-western corner of the lake by the `mirror` reed bed and occasionally disappears into the channel behind the willow swamp. Good luck!
Dungeness - 1000hrs - A guided walk for RSPB around the circular route this morning, in calm weather conditions, delivered a typical range of wintering birds for the guests. Burrowes was heaving with thousands of gulls, Cormorants, ducks and Lapwings, every island being smothered in birds; and if gulls are your bag then this is the place to be with a variety of Caspian and Yellow-legged Gulls amongst the five common species. Also on Burrowes, three Ruff, two Dunlin, 20 Pintails, plus brief views of a Water Rail from Scott hide. At Dengemarsh two Great White Egrets along with several Marsh Harriers, a Buzzard and two Ravens atop a pylon. Bearded Tits were heard from the viewing ramp while Golden Plover, Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker, Meadow Pipit, Cetti`s Warbler, Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit and Kestrel were all noted elsewhere during the circuit. There was no sign of yesterdays roosting Long-eared Owl behind the Dipping Pool.
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