Norfolk and Kent: Travelled back to Kent but managed a quick visit to Weeting Heath to take a look at the Stone Curlew (6) there. The plan as we arrived back in Kent was to visit Elmley, but the car broke down once on the M11 and a number of times on the M2, so we slowly made our way home and in the early evening popped down to Oare instead. Here we saw: Yellow Wagtail (3), Wood Sandpiper (2), Curlew Sandpiper (1), Greenshank (heard), Black-tailed Godwits, Golden Plover, Ruff (6), Little Egrets (4) and Swallows.

Lapwing

Grey Heron
Grey Heron

Greylag Goose

Rutland Water: A great day out today at the birdfair. Travelled across from our Norfolk home and enjoyed the relaxing day taking in all the latest optics, books and catching up with lots of friends. As we were leaving in the evening, we sneaked a quick look at two Ospreys sitting on a man-made purpose built platform.

Wirral: Visiting family in the Wirral lately, so birding opportunities were sparse! Managed a walk out to Hilbre Island on the 15th but no real birds of note though the seal were great. On the 16th, we walked over to Bromborough Wood and saw Common Buzzards (4), circling the area, Nuthatch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Stock Pigeon and a male Bullfinch posed really well (and of course we hadn't taken the camera!).

Oare: Visited Oare Marsh over the high tide period this afternoon. Good to catch up with the roosting waders and birding friends not seen in a while. Birds seen included: Marsh Harrier (1), Little Egret (8), Sandwich Tern (3), Common Tern (5), Sand Martin, House Martin (1), Yellow Wagtail (1), Avocet (6), Bar-tailed Godwit (5), Black-tailed Godwit (many), Golden Plover (many), Redshank, Whimbrel (12), Dunlin, Curlew Sandpiper (3), Dunlin, Greenshank (2), Ruff (5) and Green Woodpecker (1).

Ruff

Golden Plover

Golden Plover

Golden Plover

Lapwing and Ruff

Lapwing

Greenshank

Dungeness: Visit to the RSPB reserve at Dungeness in very hot and dry conditions resulted in Marsh Harriers (2), Hobby (1), Green Sandpiper (3), Common Sandpiper (2), Little Egret (5), Sedge, Reed and Willow Warblers, Whitethroat (6), Yellow Wagtails, Common Tern (2), Sand Martins and Swallows.

Grey Heron

Willow Warbler
Reed Warbler

Sand Martin

Lapwing

Oystercatcher

Swallow

Yellow Wagtail

Faversham:

Blackbird

Blackbird

Elmley: Visited site this evening specifically to see the LEO. Also managed to catch the Little Owl, Common Sandpiper (1), Marsh Harrier (3) and Green Woodpecker (1).

Long-eared Owl

Collared Dove
Kestrel

Rook

Carrion Crow