Mild, overcast, light airs - En-route to Lydd this morning I called in at the top end of Long Pits where a highly mobile Iberian Chiffchaff (located in the Trapping Area earlier) showed briefly atop a sallow, but thankfully did sing almost continually during the half an hour I was present. If it wasn`t for the distinctive song (like a demented Common Chiffchaff!) on plumage alone I would`ve passed it off as a Willow Warbler. This is the first one I`ve seen since its upgrade to full species status (formerly regarded as race of Chiffchaff) - if only I kept a British list... However, most of the morning was spent atop All Saints church tower in Lydd for the Bank Holiday Monday Heron-watch, during which a steady flow of punters scaled the narrow staircase up the 132` medieval tower. Six Grey Heron nests were packed into the holm oaks at the corner of Dennes Lane, affording unique views into their life style, complete with adults and `branchers`; at least another 12 nests were scattered across the heronry along with four pairs of Little Egrets. Thanks again to Les and Pat Carter for organising this annual event.
Elsewhere this weekend visits to the bird reserve yielded brief views of a distant Temminck`s Stint on Boulderwall wetlands and a flyover Wood Sandpiper, but best of all was the five families of Lapwings with healthy looking chicks benefiting from the latest RSPB re-wetting project. Also noted a flock of 40 Black-tailed Godwits, four Avocets, two Little Ringed Plovers, a Cuckoo and a Hobby. Ted walks outback of New Romney produced a few more Sedge and Reed Warblers, Lesser Whitethroats, House Martins and a calling Cuckoo.
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