Weekly Summary

Lade - mild, cloudy with drizzle, W2 - Much milder than of late with rain throughout the morning. We drew a predictable blank on the local patch, while all was quiet at Dungeness and around Tower Pits. However, three Cattle Egrets were in the horse paddocks between Boulderwall and Cockles Bridge. A local harrier roost proved productive this evening with 11 Marsh Harriers dropping in.
  Its been a bit samey this week across the peninsula and there have still been no Smew, white-winged gulls or scarce grebe sightings on the gravel pits, and just a few Goldeneyes and the occasional Goosander. However, on the bird reserve typical winter fare such as Marsh Harrier, Bittern, Water Rail, Bearded Tit, Firecrest and Great White Egret are present.
  Elsewhere, the Army ranges, when open, has delivered late afternoon Short-eared and Barn Owls, Hen and Marsh Harriers and Merlin, while the two wintering Whooper Swans have been seen in the fields from Cockles Bridge. Also, the Bewick`s Swan flock has remained faithful to fields by Horse`s Bones Farm on the back road from Lydd to Midley.