Foggy Sheppey

We popped over to Sheppey but the fog ensured that our visit was briefer than it might have been! Starting at Capel Fleet, we managed to locate a barely visible flock of c200 White-fronted Geese through the fog. We also saw: Common Buzzard (1), Linnet (60) and Marsh Harrier (4). Driving round to Shellness, we saw: Brambling (1), Chaffinch (70), Ruff (1), Marsh Harrier (2) and Brent Geese (6).

Goose Chase

Winchelsea (East Sussex): We travelled down to Winchelsea in East Sussex this morning to see the Red-breasted Goose located yesterday. After a little over an hour in very cold winds, the bird was located and we enjoyed reasonable views. Other birds enjoyed today included: Brent Goose (four Pale-bellied and c60 Dark-bellied), Barnacle Goose (c60), White-fronted Goose (c150), Barn Owl (1) and Marsh Harrier (3).

White-fronted Geese

Barnacle Geese

White-fronted, Greylag, Red-breasted & Barnacle Geese

Red-breasted Goose

Barn Owl

Trilling in Gillingham

Travelling to visit family for lunch we quite literally bumped into a Waxwing flock along the hedge at the Anchorians playing fields near 'Ito Way' in Gillingham. Stopping the car to take stock, we were surprised to count a minimum of 160, but more probably nearer 200 as small numbers were already leaving!

Trilling Waxwings and the tailess Glaucous

The dilemma today centred around the need to complete further Christmas shopping while still managing to get out in to the field; as Waxwings were in evidence at many sites throughout the county and the juvenile Glaucous Gull was still at Dungeness. We travelled to Folkestone arriving soon after 10:30 and shortly after arrival were watching some 240 Waxwings at the busy retail park. After soaking in the experience for a while, we left for Dungeness and visited the RSPB reserve to pick up a few suitable presents for family and garden birds before catching up with the 'tailess' juvenile Glaucous Gull near the fishing boats. Other species seen on the ARC included: Goosander (2 females), Ruddy Duck (6), Goldeneye (3), Yellow-legged Gull (1) and Cetti's Warbler (heard).

Waxwing

Thawing Snows

Ham Road Pits, Faversham (Kent): The recent snows were melting away quickly so we stayed local: Red-breasted Mergansers (2), Kingfisher (1), Great Spotted Woodpecker (1), Marsh Harrier (1), Redwing (1), Green Woodpecker (1), Green Sandpiper (1) and Greenshank (1).

Red-breasted Merganser

Rook
[Aberrant] Herring Gull

[Aberrant] Herring Gull

[Aberrant] Herring Gull