Penduline Tit

An early start as Martin and I trekked to the far end of Kent to "twitch" the highly visible Penduline Tit at Stodmarsh. This very small bird was on view from the moment we arrived although not always close, anyway we managed some shots and were very grateful for a rarity as a year tick.

 

 

The plan was to get the PT in the bag and then travel to Dungeness and the coast for several other specifically targeted birds. However, as always, a swift change of plan found us wading through heavy mud to the Marsh hide at Stodmarsh to get a glimpse of two very distant Water Pipits, apparently 30+ were reported over the weekend.

Two ticks and the rest of a gloriously sunny day to find more hidden treasures. At Dungeness on the way to the ARC hide we were treated to flybys of Marsh Harrier and Great White Egret. Out on the water locating the red headed Smew was relatively simple but it did manage a rapid disappearing act before I got the camera out. Two Goldeneye were doing the business in front of the hide and on completion of the nuptials the female came fairly close to the hide.

 

 

A quick glance at the fields behind Boulderwall gave just Canada Geese and a rack of Curlews, we couldn't resist a peek at the Tree Sparrows but alas they weren't really playing today, most of them deep under cover.

On, On they say and we made Scotney Pit by 3pm to find both the drake and female Scaup on the far side of the lake, susbsequent analysis of the maps show that these birds were actually on the Sussex side of the border, not only a tick but a Sussex tick, albeit on the eastern part of the county. Twenty minutes later we were on the roadside of Pett Level examining a flock of Greylag Geese and sure enough within the group we found the previously reported 4 Pink Footed Geese. Unfortunately no sign of the White Fronts

 

 

At least two of the Greylag Geese were ringed.



Ringed Greylag "H3L"

Ringed Greylag "Y3N"

So there we have it, a great day's birding with 5 year ticks and dry, warm and sunny weather to boot.