Cold, dry, cloudy, light airs - A day out with Ted commenced at the local patch where we checked out Mockmill and the fields behind the lakes. It was slim pickings apart from a few Song Thrushes, Blackbirds and Great Tits in the scrub, vocalising Cetti`s Warbler and Water Rail, plus Common Buzzard and a flushed Common Snipe. South lake held the usual wildfowl.
Moving onto Walland Marsh where the flooded fields around Hawthorn Corner attracted a number of Egyptian Geese, Teal and Mallard along with three Tree Sparrows and several Fieldfares by the model flying club bend. Hundreds more Fieldfares were noted across the Marsh farmland but only a handful of Redwings. At Clubb`s Lane we paused to view the two Bean Geese of the tundra variety alongside four Bewick`s Swans. Next stop the Woolpack and a walk out towards the wind farm where 10 Common Snipes and one Jack Snipe were the highlights on the sheep folds, plus two Great White Egrets three Marsh Harriers, a Kestrel and a Corn Bunting. A prepared field to the south of Hamstreet continued to harbour a decent flock of around 50 Tree Sparrows and 20 Yellowhammers, while several more Common Buzzards and Kestrels, a Jay and a Great Spotted Woodpecker were noted along the lane to Snargate. Back at the coast Boulderwall fields was full of birds and in amongst a mixed flock of 800 Canada and Greylag Geese were 22 Barnacle Geese, while several hundred Lapwings also harboured 15 Dunlins and four Ruffs. Two more Great White Egrets were on Cook`s Pool and the four divers remained on Burrowe`s. On the way home a check of the airport road delivered six Cattle Egrets and 500 Lapwings. In summary, a decent enough day around the Marsh where it was also good to bump into several birders I`ve not seen for a while and have a natter.
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