Danson Park Lake and Bog Garden
Ralph Todd, Wednesday 28th December 2011, 10.45-12 noon

A short walk primarily to see if the Water Rail had returned and to photograph it if it had.

Bird List
Egyptian goose (4), Canada goose (34), mute swan (2), great crested grebe (2), cormorant (3), grey heron (2), common gull (40), lesser black-backed gull (3), black-headed gull (min 310), many mallard, coot and moorhen and 1 water rail (by the bridge by the Bog Garden).

Other species – ring-necked parakeets, greenfinch, wren, robin, blackbird, blue tit, great tit and carrion crow.

Weather: Mild, grey, cloudy.

Foots Cray Meadows – Five Arches and River Cray
Ralph Todd, Monday 26th December 2011, 10.15-11.30am

A short walk along the south eastern corner and along the River to Five Arches – primarily looking for fungi and hopefully jack snipe. I wasn’t counting species.

Bird List
Chaffinches, goldfinches, blue, great and long-tailed tits, redwing (4), usual crows, jackdaws, ring-necked parakeets, blackbirds, a single green woodpecker, grey wagtail, c12 little grebe, c200 black-headed gulls, mallard, gadwall (4 pr), tufted duck (4pr), coots, moorhen, Canada geese (4), Egyptian goose,

Alas, not many fungi and no snipe or jack snipe.

Weather: Mild, grey.

Dungeness/Walland Marsh
Maurice Ewart, Eric Brown, Dave Thompson, Tuesday 11 October 2011, 10.30 – 15.45

A leisurely drive through Walland Marsh then an hour long trip along the Denge Marsh road. In the afternoon a visit to the ARC pit on the RSPB reserve followed by a seawatch in front of the power station.

Bird List
Red-throated diver, great crested grebe (8), gannet (20+), cormorant, great egret, little egret, grey heron, mute swan, greylag goose, brent goose (1000+), wigeon, gadwall, teal, mallard, shoveler, pochard, tufted duck, marsh harrier (3), sparrowhawk, common buzzard, kestrel (6), pheasant, coot, moorhen, golden plover (200+), lapwing, dunlin (20+), snipe (4), black-tailed godwit, redshank, pomarine skua, black-headed gull, common gull. lesser black-backed gull, herring gull, great black-backed gull, stock dove, woodpigeon, collared dove, ring-necked parakeet (Sidcup), great-spotted woodpecker (h), swallow, house martin, meadow pipit (20+), pied wagtail, robin, black redstart (3), wheatear (2), blackbird, fieldfare, mistle thrush (12+), song thrush, chiffchaff (h), blue tit, jay, magpie, jackdaw, carrion crow, rook, starling, house sparrow, tree sparrow, chaffinch, greenfinch, goldfinch, linnet, reed bunting (3). 67 species

General Observations
First fieldfare of autumn seen on Walland Marsh. Tree sparrows at Midley but no sign of cranes. Fields full of corvids and plovers along Denge Marsh road and great egret seen in flight from here plus 2 wheatears. Sparrowhawk chasing sparrows. Highlight though was the fairly close pomarine skua within 2 minutes of the start of our seawatch. Day finished well with 3 black redstarts on the power station fence.

Weather: Sunny periods with a fresh SW wind making seawatching difficult.

Cliffe Pools RSPB Reserve
Maurice Ewart, Eric Brown, Tony Dunstan, Tuesday 27 September 2011, 10.00 – 15.30

A walk from the car park to the sea wall at the North End of the reserve in the morning and then a visit as far as Black Barn Pool on the east of the reserve to look for pallid harrier and others in the afternoon.

Bird List
Little grebe (40+), great crested grebe (20+), black-necked grebe, cormorant, little egret (30+), grey heron, mute swan, shelduck (100+), wigeon (5), mallard, pintail (2), shoveler (4), pochard (20+), tufted duck, marsh harrier, pallid harrier, common buzzard, kestrel (2), sparrowhawk. moorhen, coot (200+), oystercatcher, avocet (300+), grey plover (60+), lapwing (100+), dunlin (12), ruff (5/6), black-tailed godwit (50+), redshank (300+), green sandpiper, black-headed gull, herring gull, woodpigeon, collared dove, kingfisher, green woodpecker (h), swallow, pied wagtail, yellow wagtail, dunnock, robin, blackbird, blackcap, chiffchaff (4), long-tailed tit, blue tit, great tit, magpie, jackdaw, carrion crow, starling, house sparrow, chaffinch, greenfinch, goldfinch, linnet. (56 species)

General Observations
High tide around 1pm.

Many shelduck, coot and grey plover have returned over the last 2 weeks.

Highlight was undoubtedly the juvenile pallid harrier which appeared in mid-afternoon and gave superb and prolonged views particularly when being bombed by a marsh harrier which seemed to resent its presence. A strangely plumaged raptor had created a puzzle earlier in the day but turned out to be a common buzzard which was harried by an annoyed kestrel.

Weather: Warm and sunny with a light southerly after a cool and misty start.

Bird List
Mute swan (2), little egret, linnet (25), mallard (26), grey heron (5), ring-necked parakeet (31), carrion crow (14+), long-tailed tit (2), blue tit (4), magpie (8+), wood pigeon (c46), starling (c115), great tit (2), chaffinch (2), cetti’s warbler, sparrowhawk (2), great spotted woodpecker, green woodpecker, chiffchaff (2), kestrel (2), swallow (8), wren (2), black-headed gull (c220), lesser-black backed gull (c36), great-black backed gull (c17), moorhen, jay (2), lapwing (13), redshank, greenshank, cormorant (8), yellow-legged gull (2), herring gull (3), common gull, ringed-plover (14), common sandpiper (3), pied wagtail, meadow pipit (12), robin, little grebe.

General Observations
Good number of dragonflies – migrant hawkers, darters; butterflies – red admirals, speckled woods, large and small whites and comma.

Weather: Light SW winds, bright, sunny warm.

Isle of Sheppey
Maurice Ewart, Steve Sheppard, Wednesday 14 September 2011, 10.30 – 16.00
A short visit to Elmley viewing the marshes from the car park and surrounding area then a walk from Leysdown to view the high tide roost at Shellness before a visit to the raptor viewpoint at Capel Fleet and a look over the Swale from the Ferry House Inn car park.

Bird List
Little grebe, cormorant, little egret (20+), grey heron, mute swan, canada goose, greylag goose, mallard, coot, moorhen, marsh harrier (6), common buzzard, kestrel (4), pheasant, oystercatcher (500+), ringed plover (200+), golden plover (100+), grey plover (30+), lapwing, sanderling (20+), dunlin (50+), black-tailed godwit (30+), curlew (400+), redshank (50+), turnstone (50+), black-headed gull, herring gull lesser/greater black-backed gull, woodpigeon, collared dove, sand martin, swallow, meadow pipit, yellow wagtail (7+), pied wagtail, robin, whinchat, blackbird, wheatear (5), magpie, jackdaw, carrion crow, starling (3000+), house sparrow, chaffinch, goldfinch, linnet,

General Observations
Another big tide around 15.15 almost cut us off at Shellness. A flock of over 300 curlew in a marshy field here was quite impressive. Vast numbers also on the marshes at Elmley along with huge flocks of starling and a large number of greylags. Yellow wagtails were feeding around the feet of grazing cattle. Four marsh harriers at the same time gave good aerial and perched views at Capel Fleet. The golden plover flock were very flighty but eventually settled on marshes to the left of the Ferry House Inn

Weather: Sunny but with a fresh WSW wind

Isle of Grain
Eric Brown, Maurice Ewart, Tony Dunstan, Tuesday 13 September 2011, 10.30 – 16.00

A walk along the Medway foreshore and surrounding area at Grain village before moving on to Cliffe Pools RSPB reserve, visiting the viewing mound with several stops on the way.

Bird List
Little grebe (20+), great crested grebe, cormorant, little egret (10+), grey heron, mute swan, shelduck, teal, mallard, pochard, sparrowhawk (2), kestrel (3), moorhen, coot, oystercatcher, lapwing, curlew sandpiper (2), dunlin (2), little stint, ruff (7), black-tailed godwit (50+), curlew, redshank (50+), greenshank (3), green sandpiper, black-headed gull, lesser black-backed gull. woodpigeon, collared dove, green woodpecker (2), meadow pipit, yellow wagtail, pied wagtail, robin, wheatear, blackbird, common whitethroat, chiffchaff (3), willow warbler, long-tailed tit, blue tit, great tit, magpie, jackdaw, carrion crow, starling, house sparrow, greenfinch, goldfinch, reed bunting. (49 species)

General Observations
There was a big tide today. High water was around 14.15. Most mud was already covered at Grain although there was a steady stream of curlews, godwits and oystercatchers flying up the Medway to their high tide roosts. A good mixed flock of passerines were in the bushes along the track here. At Cliffe we located 2 smart curlew sandpipers on Radar Pool. A little stint on Black Barn Pool with a variety of other waders was spooked by a large female sparrowhawk.

Weather: Sunny am, squally showers pm. Wind fresh WSW.

Oare Marshes
Eric Brown, Maurice Ewart, Steve & Sandra Sheppard, Friday 2 September 2011, 12.00 – 15.45

A leisurely walk round the east flood after an earlier visit to Darland Bank Gillingham for Adonis Blue butterfly.

Bird List
Darland Bank : Sparrowhawk, carrion crow, magpie, jay, jackdaw, blackbird, robin, chaffinch, house sparrow, great tit, woodpigeon, collared dove.

Oare: Little grebe (15+), grey heron, little egret (20+), mute swan, teal, mallard, shoveler, coot, moorhen, common buzzard(2), kestrel (2), hobby, avocet (120), ringed plover (3), golden plover (200), lapwing (50+), ruff ( 30+), black-tailed godwit (300+), redshank (100+), greenshank (3+), black-headed gull, great black-backed gull, herring gull, stock dove, swallow, yellow wagtail (7), pied wagtail, whinchat (2), bearded tit (2), starling (1000+), linnet, reed bunting. (43 species)

Butterflies : Adonis blue (1m), gatekeeper, meadow brown, large white.

General Observations
Quite a big tide and all mud was covered so practically no small waders apart from 3 which could not be identified. Highlights were the 2 whinchats sitting on a gate and constantly hawking for insects and 2 superb bearded tits which we were able to scope at fairly close range. A very large sparrowhawk at Darland Bank gave rise to questions of goshawk

Weather: Warm and sunny with a light SE breeze.

Dungeness
Eric Brown, Maurice Ewart, Steve Sheppard, Wednesday 27 July 2011, 10.30-16.00

A visit to Dungeness RSPB to view Burrowes and the ARC pits followed by a seawatch in front of the power station and finally a visit to the moat at the bird observatory.

Bird List
Red-throated diver, great crested grebe (6), gannet (4), cormorant (50+), little egret (3), grey heron, mute swan, greylag goose, gadwall, teal, mallard, shoveler, pintail, garganey (2), pochard (100+), tufted duck, goosander, marsh harrier (2), kestrel (2), moorhen, coot, oystercatcher (10+), ringed plover, little ringed plover (5), golden plover (30+), lapwing (200+), dunlin (5), black-tailed godwit (6), curlew (2), redshank (2), green sandpiper, common sandpiper (6), little gull (2), black-headed gull, common gull, lesser black-backed gull, herring gull, yellow-legged gull, great black-backed gull, sandwich tern, common tern, guillemot, collared dove, woodpigeon, house martin, meadow pipit (2), pied wagtail, stonechat (4), wheatear (3), blackbird, reed warbler, common whitethroat, chiffchaff (2), willow warbler, goldcrest, long-tailed tit, blue tit, great tit, magpie, rook, carrion crow, starling, house sparrow, tree sparrow, linnet, reed bunting. (66 species)

General Observations
Early wader passage was evident with breeding-plumaged golden plovers intermingled with the many lapwings and a variety of common sandpipers. The female goosander was a surprise.

Highlight though was probably the group of porpoises off Dungeness Point which remained in view throughout our hour long sea watch.

Weather: Mainly dull with a light northerly wind.

Oare Marshes
Eric Brown, Maurice Ewart, Doreen Newson, Tuesday 19 July 2011, 10.15 – 15.45

A look at the paddocks then a leisurely walk round the east flood

Bird List
Little grebe, great crested grebe, cormorant (15+), little egret (10+), grey heron (3), mute swan, greylag, shelduck, teal, pochard, mallard, common buzzard, marsh harrier (2), kestrel (2), peregrine, moorhen, coot, oystercatcher (10+), avocet (150+), ringed plover, lapwing (15+), dunlin, ruff (6+), black-tailed godwit (c300), whimbrel (6+), redshank (100+), greenshank (7+), common sandpiper (2), turnstone (2), black-headed gull, herring gull, great black-backed gull, common tern, collared dove, stock dove, woodpigeon, green woodpecker (2h), sand martin, swallow, pied wagtail, wren (h), blackbird, sedge warbler (3), reed warbler (20+), common whitethroat (2), bearded tit (20+), magpie, carrion crow, starling, house sparrow, greenfinch, linnet, reed bunting (6+). Total 53 species (also 14 common seals)

General Observations
High tide at 15.30.

Whimbrel were an early feature seen well from the slipway. Many godwits were feeding on exposed mud with the majority in breeding plumage. As the mud was covered these flew onto the east end of the east flood where many others joined them. Bearded tits were seen well throughout and appear to have had a good breeding season. Avocets bred here this year and the roosting flock is much larger than before. Smaller waders were in short supply.

Weather: Warm and sunny in a light NW wind

Stodmarsh NNR
Eric Brown, Maurice Ewart, Friday 1 July 2011, 10.15 – 15.30

A leisurely walk round the western part of the reserve as far as the Marsh Hide and back.

Bird List
Great crested grebe, cormorant (50+), little egret (6), grey heron (6+), night heron, mute swan, greylag goose (20+), teal, shoveler, mallard, pochard, tufted duck, marsh harrier (4), sparrowhawk (2), kestrel (2), hobby (3), water rail (h), coot, moorhen, lapwing (4), snipe, black-headed gull, herring gull, great black-backed gull. common tern (20+), collared dove, woodpigeon, green woodpecker (2), swallow (3), wren, blackbird, song thrush (2), Cetti’s warbler (7 h), reed warbler, common whitethroat (2), garden warbler (6+), blackcap (10+), chiffchaff (4), willow warbler, bearded tit (5), blue tit, magpie, carrion crow, rook, jackdaw, starling, house sparrow, chaffinch, reed bunting (20+). Total 49 species

General Observations

Butterflies: red admiral, comma, tortoiseshell, gatekeeper, green-veined white, painted lady, meadow brown.

Main target bird, night heron was eventually spotted distantly with some help before giving excellent flight views and then sitting perched in the sun for a few minutes. Hundreds of dead fish on the main lake were giving off a strong smell. Superb close views of a family group of bearded tits feeding by the path about 50 yards from the Marsh Hide.

Weather: Mainly sunny and feeling quite warm in the light wind.

East Wickham Open Space
Ralph Todd, Thursday 2 June 2011, 0725-0830

2nd BTO Atlas visit

Bird List
Wood pigeon (13), ring-necked parakeet (5), green woodpecker, swift (2), wren (4), robin (5), blackbird (6), song thrush, blackcap, common whitethroat (4), long-tailed tit (7 incl. 5 young), blue tit (4), great tit (9 incl. 6 young), jay, magpie (9), carrion crow (7), starling (25 incl. 17 young), house sparrow (20), chaffinch (2), greenfinch (8).

General Observations
Very little song

Weather: Glorious sunny morning – clear blue sky

Upper College Farm Bexley/Albany Park
Ralph Todd, Tuesday 10 May 2011, 0730-0900

On my perimeter circuit I bumped into one of the owners from Bexley Sand and Gravel who confirmed what I had loosely heard before that the whole site is private land with no access other than through the right of way that leads across the middle from Bexley Cricket club to Albany park (Kelsey farmland).

Bird List
Grey heron, Canada goose (2), mallard (3), kestrel (pair), moorhen, coot (3), stock dove, woodpigeon (10), ring-necked parakeet (14), skylark (4), wren (6), dunnock (3), robin (3), blackbird (11), song thrush, mistle thrush, blackcap (6), common whitethroat (17), lesser whitethroat, chiffchaff (6), blue tit (2), great tit (3), jay, magpie (8), carrion crow (6), starling (10), house sparrow (8), chaffinch, greenfinch (3), goldfinch (2).

General Observations
Best skylark count in recent years.

Weather: Sunny and warm.

Dartford Marshes, Rainham Marshes, Crayford Marshes
Maurice Ewart, Eric Brown, Steve Sheppard, Friday 29 April 2011, 0945 – 1630

A look at the flooded pools along University Way heading towards Dartford.

A walk along the seawall at the west end of Rainham Marshes.

A walk from Moat Lane, Slade Green to the River Darenth.

Bird List

Dartford Marshes: Little egret, grey heron, shelduck, mallard, greenshank, green sandpiper, wood sandpiper (2), redshank, lapwing, little ringed plover (6), black-headed gull, woodpigeon, carrion crow, common whitethroat, pied wagtail, starling, ring-necked parakeet.

Rainham Marshes: Little grebe, cormorant, little egret, grey heron (6+), mute swan, greylag goose, Canada goose, shelduck, mallard, kestrel (3), hobby (6), peregrine, pheasant, oystercatcher (2), bar-tailed godwit (30+), whimbrel (2), redshank, black-headed gull, lesser black-backed gull, herring gull, woodpigeon, stock dove, meadow pipit, pied wagtail, wren, robin, wheatear, blackbird, sedge warbler, reed warbler, common whitethroat (30+), great tit, magpie, carrion crow, starling, linnet, reed bunting.

Crayford Marshes (additional species): Coot (with young), moorhen, sparrowhawk (2), house martin, swallow, skylark, mistle thrush (2), blue tit, dunnock, house sparrow, chaffinch, greenfinch. Total 55 species

General Observations
Superb views of waders on the pools off University Way although these are drying up. Common whitethroats were song-flighting everywhere. Excellent views of hobbies catching insects in flight (1 also over Crayford Marshes) where a perched sparrowhawk gave spectacular views. Bar-tailed godwits were on the move on both sides of the Thames with the males in breeding plumage.

Weather:Cloudy start with a steady NE wind. Becoming brighter and warmer as the day went on. High tide just after 1200.

East Wickham Open Space & Bostall Woods
Ralph Todd, Wednesday 4 May 2011, 0715 - 0915

BTO Atlas Square walk

East Wickham open space – woodpigeon (8), ring-necked parakeet (2), green woodpecker, great spotted woodpecker (2), wren (7), dunnock (3), robin (11), blackbird (5), song thrush, blackcap (2), common whitethroat (9) chiffchaff, long-tailed tit (3), blue tit (4), great tit (8), magpie (2), carrion crow (8), starling (75+), house sparrow (14). chaffinch (2), greenfinch (4), goldfinch (2).

Bostall woods – stock dove, woodpigeon (6), ring-necked parakeet (6), green woodpecker (3), great spotted woodpecker (2), wren (6), dunnock, robin (5) blackbird (6), song thrush, blackcap (4), chiffchaff (3), long-tailed tit (2), blue tit (3) great tit (10), nuthatch, jay (2), magpie (2), carrion crow (4), chaffinch.

Weather: Some light cloud, sunny, clear.

Bursted Woods and Erith Cemetary
Ralph Todd, Tuesday 3 May 2011, 0845 - 0930

BTO Atlas Square walk

Bursted Woods – woodpigeon (7), ring-necked parakeet (3), great spotted woodpecker (2), wren (3), dunnock, robin (5), blackbird (5), song thrush, blackcap (2), chiffchaff (2), long-tailed tit (2), blue tit (4), great tit (4),nuthatch, magpie (4), jackdaw (2), carrion crow (6), starling (60+), house sparrow (2).

Erith Cemetary – woodpigeon, collared dove, ring-necked parakeet, wren, blackbird (4), blackcap, goldcrest, great tit (2), magpie (2).

Weather: Some light cloud, sunny, clear.

Birchwood Golf Course and Road (Wilmington)
Ralph Todd, Tuesday 3 May 2011, 0615 - 0800

BTO BBS walk

Greylag goose (2), Canada goose (10), mallard (3), moorhen (4), stock dove (2), woodpigeon (14), collared dove (2), ring-necked parakeet (9), green woodpecker (2), swallow (4), pied wagtail (3), wren (4), dunnock (5), robin (4), blackbird (9), whitethroat (8), garden warbler, blackcap (5), chiffchaff, blue tit (7), great tit (2), magpie (6), carrion crow (7), starling (48), house sparrow (8), chaffinch (3), greenfinch (7), goldfinch (5), linnet (3).

Weather: Some light cloud, sunny, clear.

Upper College Farm (Albany Park end)
Ralph Todd, Tuesday 8th March 2011, 8.40 – 9.10 am

Two redpoll a highlight

Bird List
Woodpigeon (12), ring-necked parakeet (3), great spotted woodpecker, grey wagtail, dunnock (2+pair), robin (5), blackbird, magpie (13), carrion crow, starling, chaffinch, greenfinch (2), goldfinch, lesser redpoll (2).

Weather: Frosty but clear blue sky, sunny.

Sheppey
Maurice Ewart, Eric Brown, Monday, 24th January, 2011, 10.15 – 16.15

A slow drive down the entrance track at Elmley and a look round the Kingsmill Farm area followed by a drive down the Harty Ferry Road with various stops on the way.

Bird List
Little grebe, little egret (3), grey heron, mute swan, white-fronted goose, greylag goose, brent goose (500+), Canada goose, shelduck (200+), wigeon (3000+), teal, mallard, common buzzard, marsh harrier(18+), hen harrier (2f), kestrel (4), merlin (3), peregrine (2), pheasant, red-legged partridge, moorhen, coot, oystercatcher (300+), avocet, ringed plover (20), golden plover, lapwing (1500+), dunlin, curlew (200+), redshank, black-headed gull, common gull, herring gull, great black-backed gull, collared dove, woodpigeon, little owl, green woodpecker (h), wren, dunnock, robin, blackbird, song thrush, goldcrest (2), blue tit, great tit, magpie, rook, carrion crow, starling (1000+), house sparrow, chaffinch, greenfinch, linnet, corn bunting (20+). Total :55 species

General Observations
Merlin and peregrine seen at both Elmley and Capel Fleet. Little owl in oaks behind Kingsmill Farm. 11 marsh harriers together pre roost at Capel Fleet. Hen harrier flew across right in front of us as we lunched by the church at Harty Ferry.

Also seen: brown hare, rabbit.

High tide was around 15.45

Weather: Cold with some bright spells. Wind – light NW

Upper College Farm and Foots Cray Meadows
Ralph Todd, Tuesday 18th January 2011, 10.30 – 12.30

Walked the cultivated area of UCF and then as far as Five Arches and back.

Upper College Farm – Grey Heron, kestrel, woodpigeon (40), ring-necked parakeet (9), great spotted woodpecker, dunnock (3), robin, blackbird (5), song thrush, long-tailed tit, blue tit (6), great tit (2), magpie (5), starling, house sparrow (5), chaffinch (2), greenfinch (4), goldfinch (4), siskin (3), reed bunting (3 females), pheasant.

Foots Cray Meadows (watery Lane to five arches and back). Mute Swan (2), Mallard (15), tufted duck (20), pochard (drake), moorhen (12), coot (18), black0-headed gull (56), woodpigeon (50 – including 40 in Royal Park school playing field), ring-necked parakeet (4), great spotted woodpecker, grey wagtail, wren, robin (8), blackbird (2), song thrush, long-tailed tit (4), blue tit (14), great tit (5), jay (2), magpie, carrion crow (8), chaffinch (3), greenfinch (3),

Weather: Sunny, bright.

Reculver/Oare Marshes
Maurice Ewart, Steve Sheppard, Eric Brown, (+ Tony Dunstan at Oare), Tuesday 4 January 2011, 10.15 – 13.45 at Reculver then 14.30 – 16.00 at Oare

A walk along the seawall from Reculver Towers to Coldharbour and back followed by a look at the East Flood at Oare and a walk to the Swale hide.

Bird List
Reculver: Red-throated diver (2), little grebe (8), great crested grebe (2), cormorant, little egret, grey heron, mute swan (40+), brent goose (200+), shelduck (15+), wigeon (2000+), gadwall (4), mallard (20+), marsh harrier, hen harrier, kestrel, oystercatcher (30+), ringed plover (40+), lapwing, sanderling (4), curlew (2), redshank (8), turnstone (12+), black-headed gull, herring gull, woodpigeon, shore lark (3), meadow pipit (2), pied wagtail, waxwing (15-20 from A299), stonechat (3), blackbird, mistle thrush, magpie, carrion crow, starling, reed bunting (4). 36 species

Oare (additional species only): Greylag, teal, pintail, shoveler, tufted duck, eider (f), moorhen, coot, avocet (30+), golden plover (3), grey plover, dunlin (200+), snipe, black-tailed godwit (150+), common gull, lesser black-backed gull, great black-backed gull, collared dove, barn owl, robin, jackdaw. 21 species

General Observations
All ducks at Reculver were on the sea including vast numbers of wigeon. High tide was around 12.30. Shore larks in usual place on shingle towards Coldharbour. Just missed a kingfisher which flew along one of the channels next to the oyster beds. Waxwings were seen on a bush on the south side of the dual carriageway about 2 miles before the Reculver turn-off.

A female eider at the mouth of Oare Creek was a surprise. Prolonged views of barn owl over the east flood from about 15.15 onwards

Weather: Cold and mainly dull with a light southerly wind.