Sunshine birding

Lade - warm, dry, sunny, light airs - A splendid morning to be out and about birding in pleasant sunshine and no coat required for the first time this year. The two Long-tailed Ducks were active on south lake and the Shoveler count reached 250, where at least four pairs of Great Crested Grebe had teamed up. Goldeneyes though were down to just three birds. The Dartford Warblers proved frustratingly difficult to see despite the fine weather with just fleeting glimpses but lots of vocalising.
By mid-morning three Marsh Harriers and a Buzzard took to the thermals behind the wall `mirror` where a film shoot was underway.

                               Long-tailed Duck, Lade south

                                Crows nest, Kerton Road

Dungeness - By midday the point was busy with visitors and fisherman in the sunshine. A Grey Seal showed well offshore opposite the seawatch hide, while at the Patch the 1st winter Glaucous Gull went between the beach and the power station complex, where both Raven and Kestrel noted.
  A wander around the Kerton Road triangle and down beside the quarry produced several Dartford Warblers, Stonechats and a small flock of Skylarks and Meadow Pipits.