Bearded Tits

Dengemarsh Gully - warm, dry and sunny, 20C - I don't know what it is about the gully that keeps luring me back as I rarely find anything of note here, but it does have form and even during my time on the Marsh has delivered, but not today. However, the weather was kind and once the mist had evaporated a scattering of migrants popped up to take in the early morning sunshine, mostly Chiffchaffs, Reed Buntings, Robins, several Stonechats and singles of Whitethroat, Whinchat and Redstart. Overhead a trickle of Swallows, Mipits, Reed Buntings, Skylarks, Chaffinches and alba wagtails headed west. At the far end of the gully a handful of grounded Wheatears hopped about on the shingle and a brown Merlin paused awhile having failed to catch breakfast of Linnet. Also noted, four Kestrels, Buzzard, Raven, Cetti`s Warbler and a lone Grey Plover over. A scan of the sea produced plenty of gulls and Cormorants, plus a few Sandwich and Common Terns.

                                Dengemarsh Gully

   On the walk back a party of three or four Bearded Tits lifted out of the gully reeds `pinging` loudly and dropping back into cover a hundred yards further along. By the time we returned to the metalled road they`d moved three times and eventually headed back over towards the bird reserve. Also noted two Clouded Yellows, Small Copper, Small Heath and Red Admirals on the wing.

                                Barney `helping out` at the allotment this morning

  From Springfield Bridge a large flock of House Martins were feeding over the reedbed while Marsh Harrier, Great White Egret, Ruff and Snipe all noted amongst the usual wildfowl.
  A one hour seawatch from the fishing boats this afternoon with the locals produced very little of note apart from two Arctic Skuas and single figures of Sandwich Tern, Guillemot and Gannet. Several parties of Sand Martins struck out for France and at least half a dozen Harbour Porpoises and a Grey Seal were feeding just offshore.