A mainly grey and quite cold day at Dungeness. Best birds were Glaucous and Caspian Gulls, pair of Smew, Black-throated Diver, Tree Sparrows and Great White Egret. There were 1000’s of Guillemots, 100’s of Great-crested Grebes and quite a few Red-throated Divers offshore of the fishing boats.
Smew
Black-throated Diver
Great White Egret
Dungeness
An enjoyable day at these two reserves. It was good to see a Willow Tit at Lakenheath, not a common bird these days in the south of the country. There was also at least one Marsh Tit here to confuse matters. The willow Tit had been ringed on its left leg whereas the commoner Marsh Tits had been rung on their right legs, which aided identification. There were also 2 Common Crane, an early House Martin and a Great White Egret here. I then went to Cavenham Heath for the first time and although the weather had started to deteriorate I still managed to see a Stone Curlew.
Willow Tit
Marsh Tit
Common Crane
Great White Egret
Stone Curlew
A Hudsonian Godwit was found at Shapwick Heath NR last Saturday whilst I was at Southend for the football. I was going to see it the next day but it was not reported that day or for the next few days. It was however seen again a few days later. I decide to go for it early Saturday morning and was hoping to get back in time for Luton’s last game off the season. Left at 3.30am Saturday morning arriving at Shapwick Heath just after 6.30 am. Luckily the bird was present when I arrived. I also managed to see Great White Egret, Bittern, Cetti’s Warbler, Garganey and Kingfisher. I was back in time to be down the pub by 12.30 and Luton beat Stevenage 2-0. Here are a few poor record shots of the bird, it was nearly always quite distant in dull conditions.
Great White Egret
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