Tree Sparrows

Cold, cloudy, W 4 - We spent the morning at Scotney sand pit which is now flooded, and then along the footpath back east towards the farm. The main target species was Tree Sparrow where a flock of at least 85 birds was soon located close to where the footpath from the road bisects Jury`s Gut Sewer. I spent about an hour watching their antics as the flock regularly retired to the safety of bramble and elder scrub, `chipping` away constantly, in between foraging on the ground amongst a sward of weed-seeds that included tangles of fat-hen, dead grasses and thistles. It was great to watch them at such close range and I made a mental note to crack on and construct some more nest boxes for the forthcoming breeding season. The working sand quarry, which delivered a host of waders last summer, has now morphed into a lake attracting a decent range of ducks: 85 Mallard, 31 Shoveler, 15 Tufted Duck, 4 Gadwall, 2 Wigeon, 18 Teal and 2 Pochard. 

    Tree Sparrows, Scotney

The fields outback towards Scotney farm contained several thousand Golden Plovers and Lapwings, a handful of Curlews, Redshanks, Skylarks and Meadow Pipits, plus four Brents, 100 Greylags, 50 Stock Doves and two Ruffs. A lakeside margin provided two more Redshanks, a Green Sandpiper, a Little Egret and a Grey Wagtail, while two each of Common Buzzard, Marsh Harrier and Kestrel were also seen. However, Corn Buntings were notable by their absence. 

                                 Brent Geese, Scotney

    Golden Plovers

Woodcock

Mild, overcast, drizzle, W 5 - An awful morning to be out and about for our Ted walk and a first visit of the New Year to the local patch at Lade, today being the date we moved down here to the Marsh 18 years ago - where has the time gone... South lake held a couple of Goldeneyes amongst the usual diving ducks and Shovelers, while 20 Teals and five Dabchicks were sheltering in the calmer waters within the willow swamp. Ted flushed a Woodcock from scrub by the ponds, that promptly flew over the embankment and into the caravan park, a male Sparrowhawk flapped over the track and both Chiffchaff and Cetti`s Warbler called from cover. Elsewhere over the weekend we`ve walked out from home across the local farmland noting several Yellowhammers, two Stonechats, 50 Meadow Pipits, 10 Fieldfares, a Common Snipe and a Chiffchaff around Hope Lane. 

New Year`s Day +1

Cool, dry and sunny, NW 2 - Due to the wind and rain of NYD we delayed our traditional outing until today in far more favourable weather conditions. Commencing, as usual, in the Wealden woods near Appledore all the expected common woodland species were logged including several hooting Tawny Owls, a screeching Barn Owl, the two woodpeckers, Goldcrests, Nuthatches and Treecreepers. A drive along Moor Lane yielded a few winter thrushes, at least 50 Yellowhammers and lesser numbers of Linnets and Meadow Pipits. Moving down onto the flatlands and along the RMCanal between Kennardington and Warehorne, Kingfisher, Bullfinch and Peregrine went onto the day list. The Marsh farmland was relatively quiet with the highlights being 32 distant Bewick`s Swans near Newlands farm and three Green Sandpipers in a flooded field at Midley. Seven Cattle Egrets were seen along the airport road and a Little Owl at Pigwell. Scotney pits saw the day list fly past the 50 mark due to a host of common wetland birds, plus a Greenshank and a Black-necked Grebe, while the long-staying Great Northern Diver and Long-tailed Duck were ticked off on New Diggings. Conditions were unsuitable for a midday seawatch but we gave it a go from the boats and eventually, after an hour, managed a respectable tally of regular seabirds, plus an east-bound passage of 300 Brents and a Red-necked Grebe on the sea that flew into the bay. Next stop the Tavern viewpoint overlooking the sands on a falling tide and with bright sunshine behind us - what perfect timing! Eleven species of beach waders included 10 Black-tailed and 20 Bar-tailed Godwits, 100 Knots, 20 Grey and 19 Ringed Plovers and our only Shelduck of the day on the sea. Our final port of call was on the bird reserve where a Lesser-black Backed Gull was number 100 and a `pinging` Bearded Tit at 105 in a blazing sunset.

                                  Green Sandpipers, Midley

                                 Little Owl, Lydd

And so concluded a great day in the field, birding from dawn to dusk in fine company. Many thanks to Chris for driving the 56 mile route and Phil for keeping the list of the 105 species we ended up recording.