Dartford Warblers

Lade - warm, dry and sunny, S 3 - These past couple of mornings trudging around the local patch has been a joy in the unseasonably mild weather, but we`re making the most of it as next week looks set to go downhill with an icy blast from the east forecast. However, a couple of skulking Dartford Warblers have been faithful to the gorse scrub by the Badgers sett beside south lake along with three showy Stonechats as markers.

  The overhead passage of finches has been reduced to a trickle (not that its exactly been a flood this autumn) and were outnumbered this morning by Skylarks and a late Grey Wagtail. Yesterday a Green Sandpiper flew in from the bay calling wildly although I couldn't find it today in its favoured spot in the willow swamp where the islands are fast disappearing due to the recent rains. On the water today flocks of 50 Wigeon and seven Egyptian Geese were new in, while Buzzard, Marsh Harrier and Sparrowhawk noted behind the `mirrors`.
  Goldcrests were much in evidence around the ponds along with several Chiffchaffs, the resident Cetti`s Warblers and where one or two Common Darters are still on the wing.
Dungeness - En-route to the visitors centre seven Cattle Egrets showed well amongst the cows at Boulderwall. A circular walk for 18 guests took place in glorious sunshine with plenty of insects on the wing including bees, wasps, Common Darters and two Red Admirals. We had superb views of up to six Marsh Harriers, two Buzzards and four Great White Egrets around the circuit, plus six Pintails amongst the ducks, hundreds of Lapwings over, Cetti`s Warblers, Goldcrest, Reed Bunting and Tree Sparrow on the car park feeders. 

                                Cattle Egrets and Teal