A trip to Lydd/Dungeness with Paul F, Samuel and Ephraim P. Less than ideal weather for birding but the inclement weather could not dampen our spirits. Again another later start than normal as Mrs F had a plane to catch. After dropping Carol at T2 Heathrow we headed off around the m25 and m20 then briefly onto Bad Munster Eifel Road (which was nice!) Our first port of call was Walland Marsh our more accurately Horse Bones Farm. A less than thorough search and no sign of Bewick's, Tundra Bean Geese or Whooper Swan. No horse bones either which was a bit of a relief. Buzzard and Stonechat were nice "car ticks". We didn't waste too much time in this area as we were keen to find the Cattle Egrets at Dengemarsh Lane. On arrival at Wraxalls Agregates we immediately connected with the Cattle Egrets that were sheltering from the now heavy rain under a trailer. Encouraged by our success we headed back to look for some more horse bones. Whilst looking we stumbled upon a large flock of small swans. On closer inspection there were 70+ Bewick's, a single Whooper and 3 or 4 Tundra Bean Geese. Onwards to RSPB Dungeness a quick look at the feeders near the entrance track, no Tree Sparrows but double figures of Reed Bunting. On Burrow's Pit several redhead Smew and a Great White Egret. In some scrub near Dennis's? Hide a Firecrest played hardball for a while before giving itself up. We didn't linger on the reserve and headed off for a bit of a sea-watch, pausing long enough at the feeders at the entrance to the reserve to add 5 Tree Sparrow to our "day list". Sea-watching at "the patch", "fishing boats" and "the point". Good numbers of Kittiwake, Great-crested Grebe, Red-throated Diver, Guillemot and Gannet. Time was getting on so after a team meeting we decided to give the Cattle Egrets another bash. As we were about to trudge back to the car a distant Bonxie was found by Samuel and then after a couple of minute's a much closer Bonxie showed well before disappearing into the distance harassing a gull.
Back at Wraxall's Agregates the Cattle Egrets were even further away than before, but luckily as we were getting back in the car they flew towards us and landed with the nearest cattle, offering great views and photo opportunities. Not much daylight left now so we headed for home. A few Cattle Egret pics below and then below the pics our "day list".
1 : Robin : Maple Lodge
2 : Jackdaw : m25
3 : Carrion Crow : m25
4 : Magpie : m25
5 : Black-headed Gull : m25
6 : Wood Pigeon : m25
7 : Common Gull : m25
8 : Starling : m25
9 : Grey Heron : m20
10 : Blackbird : Lydd
11 : Kestrel : Lydd
12 : Mute Swan : Walland Marsh
13 : Herring Gull : Walland Marsh
14 : Lesser black-backed Gull : Walland Marsh
15 : Rook : Walland Marsh
16 : Buzzard : Walland Marsh
17 : Cattle Egret : Dengemarsh
18 : Chaffinch : Dengemarsh
19 : Bewick's Swan : Walland Marsh
20 : Whooper Swan : Walland Marsh
21 : Tundra Bean Goose : Walland Marsh
22 : Mallard : Walland Marsh
23 : Teal : Dungeness
24 : Wigeon : Dungeness
25 : Marsh Harrier : Dungeness
26 : Lapwing : Dungeness
27 : Reed Bunting : Dungeness
28 : Little Egret : Dungeness
29 : Shoveler : Burrow's Pit
30 : Great-crested Grebe : Burrow's Pit
31 : Goldeney : Burrow's Pit
32 : Coot : Burrow's Pit
33 : Tufted Duck : Burrow's Pit
34 : Cormorant : Burrow's Pit
35 : Great Tit : Dungeness
36 : Smew : Burrow's Pit
37 : Pintail : Burrow's Pit
38 : Pochard : Burrow's Pit
39 : Great black-backed Gull : Burrow's Pit
40 : Firecrest : Burrow's Pit
41 : Great White Egret : Burrow's Pit
42 : Moorhen : Burrow's Pit
43 : Kittiwake : Patch
44 : Gannet : Patch
45 : Pied Wagtail : Patch
46 : House Sparrow : Patch
47 : Brent Goose : Patch
48 : Great Skua : Patch
49 : Red-throated Diver : Patch
50 : Guillemot : Patch
51 : Stonechat : Walland Marsh
52 : Blue Tit : Burrow's Pit
53 : Tree Sparrow : Dungeness
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