Greenshank

Warm, dry and sunny - Had to take Ted to the vets in Tenterden this morning, so crossed the Marsh to check on the Turtle Doves at the railway crossing where at least three birds were in song with another two perched on wires. Also present: Yellowhammer, Whitethroat, Chiffchaff and Blackcap. On the way back we called in at the bird reserve and walked down to the hayfields where at least 12 Redshanks were joined by an Avocet and a late Greenshank. A Great White Egret flew across the back of Hookers where a Marsh Harrier food pass was witnessed; otherwise it was a case of the usual suspects, plus a few Swifts moving through. Also had good views of a Weasel by the corral. More Swifts were over Lade pits and a Cuckoo was calling by the wall `mirror`. The only other recent local news concerned a Black Tern (Saturday) and a Little Stint (Sunday) on Burrowes, plus a Long-tailed Duck past the point this morning (MC).

                                   Buff Ermine and Silver Y

Over the weekend walks across the farmland around NR produced little of note. As the winds were light yesterday evening I ran the garden moth trap which attracted a paltry six species of macros this morning, probably due to the wind picking up again during the early hours.