St Catherines Drive, Faversham (Kent)

Robin
Redwing

Redwing

Wren

Blackbird

Funton (Kent): Afternoon WeBS count in cold and snowy conditions. Highlights included Marsh Harrier (3), Red-breasted Merganser (3 males, 2 females), 2/3 Rock Pipits and a nice surprise in the form of a Dartford Warbler associating with a female Stonechat.

Dungeness (Kent): As we drove to Dungeness RSPB Reserve through Romney Marsh, we managed to catch up with some small mixed flocks of passerines including Yellowhammer (14), Chaffinch (25), Linnet (12), Pied Wagtail (c30) and Meadow Pipit (8). We also located a small group of Bewick's Swan (6). At Dungeness RSPB Reserve itself, we managed to catch up with Smew (1 redhead) on the New Diggings pits, Little Egret (3) and there were at least five Marsh Harriers in the area.

Curlew

Cliffe (Kent): It's been difficult for us to get out recently with work being so busy, so we were pleased to have managed a three hour visit to Cliffe this afternoon. The birds weren't close enough to photograph; however the views of Shorelark (3) near the 'Flamingo' pool, a male Goldeneye nearby and a female Sparrowhawk and single Great Northern Diver on the Alpha pool made for a pleasant afternoon.

WeBS Count, Funton (Kent): Marsh Harrier (4), Fieldfare (20), Avocet (400), Brent Goose (15), Pintail (117), Wigeon (161), Teal (110) and Black-tailed Godwit (140).

Dungeness (Kent): Ignoring the poor weather, we travelled down to Dungeness determined to enjoy our day off work together. Despite both getting completely soaked, we made good use of our time and enjoyed among others: Goldeneye (4 female), Cetti's Warbler (heard), Kingfisher (1), Marsh Harrier (6), a Bittern flying across the ARC from the Hanson hide, the Great White Egret from Denge Marsh Road (1), Little Egret (6), Stonechat (2) and at least one of the Glossy Ibis.

Snipe

Kingfisher
Little Egret

Mute Swan

Faversham Creek (Kent): Went for a well-earned run during lunch break when working from Faversham today and managed a Kingfisher and Little Egret at the creek.

Oare (Kent): Quick lunch time visit. Golden Plover (c400+), Little Egret (1), Peregrines (2) and Snipe (6).

Grey Plover

Swalecliffe (Kent): Walked out to Swalecliffe to see the Shore Lark that had been found yesterday and been reported again this morning.

Shore Lark

Shore Lark

Pegwell Bay (Kent): Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Golden Plover (1300+) and eventually we managed several views of the Zitting Cisticola (Fan-tailed Warbler), that has been eluding us for the two previous visits to this site!

Dersingham Bog, Burnham Market and Titchwell (Norfolk): Started at Dersingham Bog where we saw Sparrowhawk, Green Woodpecker and Crossbill (3 males, 7 females). We then moved to Burnham Market and found the white-phase Snow Goose among Pink-footed Goose (5000+). We finished the day at Titchwell, staying until dusk, where we saw: Snow Bunting (31), Pink-footed Goose (1000+ distant), Ruff (31), Marsh Harrier (2), Hen Harrier (1 ring-tail), Little Egret (3), Golden Plover (800+) and Sparrowhawk (1).

Robin

Sculthorpe Moor, East Runton and Cley (Norfolk): Started at the wonderful Hawk and Owl Trust reserve at Sculthorpe Moor where we saw: Chiffchaff (1), Marsh Tit (4+), Siskin (heard), Stonechat (1 male) and Kingfisher (1). We then moved to East Runton where we saw little of note other than an adult Mediterranean Gull. We finished the day at Cley where we stayed until dusk: Stonechat (1), Barn Owl (1), Marsh Harrier (4+), Peregrine (1), Cetti's Warbler (heard), Spotted Redshank (1), Ruff (21), Avocet (2), Little Egret (1), Brent Goose (50), Avocet (2), Black-tailed Godwit (140+) and Pink-footed Goose (20+)

Barn Owl

Barn Owl
Wigeon

Wigeon

Spotted Redshank

Moorhen

Marsh Harrier

Peregrine

Pink-footed Goose

Mediterranean Gull

Marsh Tit

Wren

Kingfisher

Kingfisher

Chaffinch

Kingfisher

Coal Tit

Great Tit

Chaffinch

Brancaster and Snettisham (Norfolk): Started at Brancaster this morning among the 5000 Pink-footed Geese, a single Pale-bellied Brent Goose and two Common Buzzard. After lunch we moved on to Snettisham to see how the high tide wader fest would unfold despite less than ideal tidal conditions. Happy to see c5000 Knot flying around with supporting cast in the area of Bar-tailed Godwits, Peregrine and hunting Barn Owl.

Pink-footed Goose

Pink-footed Goose

Titchwell and Holme (Norfolk): We arrived at Titchwell shortly after 09:00 and walked first to Island Hide from where we saw: Bearded Tit, Water Rail (1+) and Cetti's Warbler (3 heard). We then walked to the coast and back: Bar-tailed Godwit (c20), Black-tailed Godwit (2), Snow Bunting (13), Ruff (12), Pink-footed Goose (13), Little Egret (3), Eider (5), Brent Goose (c100), Golden Plover (c200), Gannet (2) and an obvious movement of Fieldfare and Redwing. After 12:00 we moved west along the coast to Holme to see the Yellow-browed Warbler which showed well through the scope before driving down to Holme Dunes where we saw Barn Owls (4), Cetti's Warbler (2 heard) and we continued to enjoy the large numbers of Thrushes moving in (Blackbirds, Fieldfares and Redwings).

Yellow-browed Warbler

Teal
Shoveler

Little Grebe

Brent Goose

Cley and Holkham (Norfolk): We started at Cley and managed to catch up with the reported White-rumped Sandpiper and male Green-winged Teal. Also saw Kingfisher (1), Egyptian Goose (10), Marsh Harrier (1), Little Egret (2), Brent Goose (3), Pink-footed Goose (20), Ruff (3), Stonechat (1) and Peregrine (1). We then visited Holkham, where we saw: Snow Bunting (5) and Pink-footed Goose (c80).

Snow Bunting

Snow Bunting
White-rumped Sandpiper

Welney (Norfolk): Afternoon visit to Welney. Common Crane (5), Sparrowhawk (1), Merlin (1 male), Whooper Swans (c80), Ruff (15), Golden Plover (1) and Stock Dove (2).

Whooper Swan

Whooper Swan
Pochard

Egyptian Goose

Common Crane

Staines Moor (Surrey) & Sandwich Bay (Kent): Visited Staines Moor to view the first winter Brown Shrike which we saw well but could only obtain record shots. Also heard Cetti's Warbler and Ring-necked Parakeet. After, we drove to Restharrow Scrape at Sandwich to see the Jack Snipe, where we also saw a single Brent Goose.

Jack Snipe

Jack Snipe
Jack Snipe

Jack Snipe

Brown Shrike (First Winter)

Brown Shrike (First Winter)

Brown Shrike (First Winter)

Brown Shrike (First Winter)