Winter regulars

Lade - cold, cloudy, S 3 - Not too bad a start to the day weather wise, although the wind picked up again during the morning meaning passerines were at a premium. The wintering Long-tailed Ducks continue to remain faithful to south lake and a Great White Egret was again present in the main reedbed.

                                Winter ducks on Burrowes

Dungeness - A guided walk for RSPB this morning around the circular walk made for difficult birding conditions in the strong wind. However, three Smew and a Slavonian Grebe were located on the lakes in front of Christmas Dell hide, while a Goldeneye showed well from Makepeace hide. At Dengemarsh a Great White Egret and male Merlin were the highlights. Also noted hundreds of Golden Plovers, Lapwings, Stock Doves, Starlings and Linnets on the fields behind Dengemarsh and on Boulderwall. Elsewhere, the Black-throated Diver was back on ARC and the Glaucous Gull was at the Patch.