Church tower herons

Lydd - cold, cloudy, nw 3 - Spent the morning atop All Saints church tower, Lydd for the regular Bank Holiday RSPB Heron Watch where there was a steady stream of admirers fit enough to climb the tower steps and enjoy the view. Of the ten nests below the tower in the Holm Oaks most only had a single chick, some had two, but all looked quite small for the time of year. Due to the chill wind the adults were hunkered down brooding their young; some years its been the complete opposite with the juvs panting in hot sunshine, not so today! A single Little Egret flew in and quickly changed over nest duties with its partner, although several others were seen in distant trees. This years survey resulted in a minimum 21 Grey Herons and seven Little Egrets actively nesting.
  The view around the Marsh and along the coastline across to France was superb due to the frigid air. Also noted several House Martins, Swifts, a Raven and distant Buzzards and Marsh Harrier.

                                Grey Heron and Little Egret

                                View from the tower

Birdwatching Break - This afternoon I picked up Clare and Peter from Ashford who`re down for a three day break. We crossed the Marsh via Warehorne noting a superb `purring` Turtle Dove along Arrowhead Lane, where also Cuckoo, Tree Sparrow and Whitethroat. Moving onto Scotney Farm plenty more Tree Sparrows were seen around the farmyard along with the usual Yellow Wagtails and Corn Buntings, plus Linnets, 10 Swifts, three species of hirundines, Reed and Sedge Warblers, Skylarks, Buzzard, Marsh Harrier, 10 Avocets, 30 Whimbrels, Barwit and Little Ringed Plover.

                                Turtle Dove, Warehorne