Ringing with the Regulars

For a change this morning I arranged to meet Chris and Matt Hindle in the Reculver area for some ringing. Chris and Matt regularly ring in the Reculver area and have been doing this for years, their reward last year was a Red flanked Bluetail, imagine seeing that in the net! I arrived just as it was getting light and spent the next few hours walking around the area checking the nets with Chris and Matt and of course having some superb views of the birds up close as well as an education into ringing. Blackbirds seemed to be falling out of every bush and Chris ringed at least 30 birds with over 100 in the area. Other birds today were 1 Kestrel, 1 Green Woodpecker, 8 Goldcrest, 3 Meadow Pipit, 13 Fieldfare, 4 Reed Bunting, 2 Firecrest were seen well but eluded the nets somehow all morning, 1 Ring necked Parakeet, 1 Brambling and Chris returned with a goodie in the bag in the shape of a Bullfinch. A good bird to see at Reculver anyway but a cracker to see so close. I took a few images but the light was not that good at the time.

Bullfinch

There were 5 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Marsh Harrier, 4 Jay, 8 Skylark, 4 Siskin, 12 Grey Partridge, 8 Greylag Geese, 1 Tree Sparrow heard calling and seen a little later flying over and one of the nets produced a fine Yellowhammer, another hard bird to sometimes get. More photos and the light was a little better for this one but brilliant to be able to study at close range.

Yellowhammer

Whilst chatting a MEGA flew over for me. It was a Water Pipit (176), a new species for me at Reculver and a very hard bird to get in the area. It called a few times before it was lost to view in the area but later on Chris and Matt saw it again. Before I left I noted 3 Redwing, 5 Mute Swan. A great morning and many thanks to Chris and Matt for a terrific session.

Yellowhammer

An Hour Larking About!

A few shots from Grove Ferry and Stodmarsh today. A full report of birds seen today can be viewed on the Kent Ornithological Society (KOS) website or click on the link: http://www.kentos.org.uk/Stodmarsh/octobersightings2012.htm

Goldcrest

This afternoon I managed to make a visit to Reculver to once again try to see if I could get any images of the 2 Shorelark and 2 Snow Buntings with the sun on them. On arrival the sun was indeed shining but it did not take long for the clouds to once again fill the sky and on my way back the rain started. I managed to find them easily enough as they were only 10 metres apart at times and I spent some time grabbing photos. The results were not bad but I really need to be here when the sun is shining on them. Another date will be planned hopefully. Other bits noted walking back were 1 Little Egret, 2 Dunlin, 2 Sparrowhawk, 2 Rock Pipit, 15 Ringed Plover, 3 Turnstone, 1 Kestrel and c30 Mallard.

 Snow Bunting

Shorelark

Snow Bunting

Frustrations of Seawatching!

With a very strong north west wind forecast for this morning reaching gusts around 50mph I was out of the house early at 6.30am in anticipation that a few birders would be going to Reculver for a seawatch. I arrived a few minutes later to see Phil Parker already parked up, I suspect he had slept there all night. After a quick chat we made our way up to the towers in the dark where as the light picked up around 20 birders arrived for what we hoped would be a good seawatch. To put it all bluntly, it was not that good at all as we did not see the expected Puffins, Little Auks, Petrels and Shearwaters that were seen either side of Reculver, thats birding for you! I sat it out until 11.15am in very cold conditions noting 25 Gannet, 2 Tufted Duck, 12 Great Skua, 8 Wigeon, 62 Brent Geese, 25 Kittiwake, 2 Knot, 13 Teal, 22 Common Scoter, 21 Little Gull, 7 Razorbill, 4 Dunlin, 12 Shelduck, 3 Lapwing, 1 Red throated Diver, 1 distant Skua species and c20 Skylark. Not much for the camera today but a shot of the birders seawatching from the towers. I have a week off work now and so hopefully will be able to get out a few times and find a few late migrants if I am lucky.

Seawatching at Reculver

A Cold Reculver Stroll

Having finished work sharp this afternoon I drove over to Reculver to see what was on offer. I had a quick look out to sea from the towers and noted 7 Oystercatcher, 33 Gannet east, 1 Curlew, 14 Ringed Plover, 14 Sanderling, 9 Brent Geese, 6 Grey Plover, 1 distant Skua species east, 35 Common Scoter and 1 Rock Pipit. I thought I would then take a walk down the seawall to see if any Larks or Buntings were showing so after dropping the scope off back to the car I walked the path behind the towers and saw 1 Chiffchaff and 1 Firecrest. The seawall was very cold with a fresh north easterly wind biting through me but I carried on and eventually located the Shorelark which showed very well. Although again the light was dull I took a few shots of the bird before leaving it in peace and walked back.

Shorelark

I could see in the distance some birders at Coldharbour no doubt watching the Lapland Bunting but I was cold by then and so decided to give it a miss. It was reported today so here is a photo I took the other day when the sun was kind of out.

Lapland Bunting

Walking back to the towers the wind was picking up and if the forecast is to be believed there could hopefully be a seawatch tomorrow as a fresth northerly wind is forecast. Back near the towers 1 Black Redstart was seen on the rocks. Many thanks again for the comments on not giving up the blog. You certainly made the pain of losing all the photos a little easier. I will endeavour to continue and hopefully have some reports and photos for readers to look at and view. 

The End May Be Near!!

Well where do I start! I had noticed on my mobile that all of my photos from blogger were on there and I do not know how they got there. I can only assume that I must have done something with the blog and they appeared. Anyway I did not want hundreds on my phone so taking some advice from a few I decided to delete them all. Well what brilliant advice that was as they all got deleted from the blog and now I am left with a blog with no photos, in other words a waste of time and space. I am actually quite depressed at it as I have put a lot of time into it and for not much. I am going to have a think about what to do next. Its nearly that time of year when I start thinking about next year and where to bird etc. I may do Reculver or the Stour Valley, who knows as I will change my mind every other day I suspect. I fancy just a photo blog with very little words and maybe linking it to the Stour Valley site. Anyway before I rant on anymore here is a shot of the Lapland Bunting taken today at Reculver. thankfully the sun was kind of out and the fog has gone. Also 1 male Ring Ouzel seen on the rocks by Coldharbour.

Lapland Bunting

Back to Lapland!

Having only heard the Dusky Warbler twice last night I wanted to see if it was still around this morning so I duly arrived on site at 7.30am where I spent 30 minutes listening in the area. Again thick fog did not allow for any type of viewing but birds could be heard calling overhead. Despite walking the area I failed to hear the Warbler so assumed it may have moved on in the night. Birds I did note however were 30 Fieldfare, 2 Brambling, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Grey Heron, a few Redwing, Song Thrush and Blackbird flying around and 1 Black Redstart near the brick building. A call from Chidders this afternoon to see If I was going to Reculver tempted me back out after work and I arrived at the towers where along with Chidders, Adam and I walked on down to Coldharbour in quite dense fog. Birds we noted were 1 Turnstone, 3 Wheatear, 38 Oystercatcher, 64 Brent Geese, 5 Goldcrest, 2 Grey Wagtail and 1 Lapland Bunting showed well again on the mound at Coldharbour. A few more shots were taken but if only the fog would go and the sun would shine I could do the bird justice. Other bits were 20 Fieldfare, 6 Sanderling, 2 Curlew, 1 Snow Bunting, 15 Meadow Pipit, 10 Robin and 1 male Black Redstart back near the towers on the rocks. It seems that tomorrow the fog may go and there may be some sunshine in the afternoon. Guess where I might be going and photographing?

Reculver Keeps Delivering!

With various texts and Tweets around today about birds being seen at Reculver again I eagerly waited until after work where I then made a visit into the area. There had been thick fog for nearly all the day but it seemed that quality birds were falling out of the skies in the area. Chris had text me earlier about a Lapland Bunting and Dusky Warbler which were in the area and the Lapland in particular had been showing well. I parked up at Chambers Wall and made my down to Coldharbour passing the magic bush the Olive backed Pipit had spent yesterday but there had been no sign today. On reaching the seawall 1 male Ring Ouzel was 'chacking' away and it eventually flew out of the bush and into the fog. 5 Redwings flew out soon afterwards and a few Redshank called from the lagoon. I walked west for a few hundred yards and started to check the area the Bunting had been seen in but when you can only see a few yards in front of you, it makes the job a bit harder. I had no luck at first and decided to check the mound and walk back across the shingle. A few paces later and 1 Shorelark flew up and around me and landed again allowing some nice views through the binoculars. Carrying on a few Chaffinch were feeding and 1 Reed Bunting was with them on the shingle. I kept scanning and at last located the Lapland Bunting (174) which after some patience showed very well down to about 5 metres. The camera was soon in action but again in challenging dull and foggy conditions the results were not that brilliant but a few passed the test. Barry Wright and John Tilbrook arrived and after a chat together I made my way back to the car and off for the Dusky Warbler. Arriving a few minutes later by the caravan park the bushes were alive with birds. Goldcrests seemed to be everywhere and Redwings and 4 Fieldfare flew over. I met the Hindles and we made our way to the area whereby on arrival I managed to hear the Dusky Warbler (175) call twice. Lucky really as after this it seemed to shut up shop for the night. Whilst chatting to other birders 2 Brambling were seen and Robins were falling out of the hedges. The light was fading fast but again I returned home very happy with my efforts and what else will this amazing patch deliver in the next few days. A Pallas's Warbler would be nice please!

MEGA at Reculver this Evening

I was happily at home this afternoon helping my eldest daughter with her homework when I had a call from Chris Hindle. I didn't get to the phone in time but I had a voicemail from Chris alerting  me to an absolute MEGA at Reculver, an Olive backed Pipit that had been found by Matt Hindle. I quickly arranged to go out which did not go down well but a few minutes later I was in the car and hastily driving down the Thanet Way to Chambers Wall. After parking up I ran the rest of the way and joined Chris, Matt, Anne, Derek and a couple of other birders. Matt soon put me on to the Olive backed Pipit (173) which spent a lot of time crawling around the base of bushes and long grass but views were good enough to see the features needed to clinch this species. Other birders began to arrive and thankfully the Pipit sat up in a bush for a few minutes and allowed me to grab probably the worst shots I could have taken but considering the light and high ISO's they could have turned out worse. Photos or not, what a cracking bird to be able to study and it goes without saying that this is a new Kent and Reculver bird for me. With the light getting worse and the rain starting again I left the others to it and returned home a very happy man. This is Reculver at its best. A big well done to Matt Hindle for finding the bird and hopefully it will be around in the morning for others to see and appreciate. With a fresh north easterly wind forecast for this morning with rain I thought I had better do a seawatch as this is where most of my gaps in the year list seem to be. I arrived at a dark Reculver at 6.45am and as it got light Chidders arrived and pulled up in the car park. Not really wanting to leave the car as it was pouring down I made my way up to the towers where soon after I was in position in hope of a good seawatch. The wind was nowhere near as strong as predicted and we saw very little indeed. Birds we noted were c60 Oystercatcher, 3 Cormorant, 6 Brent Geese, 1 Rock Pipit and 1 Black throated Diver offshore still. For some unknown reason we then decided to walk along the seawall in search of Shorelarks and Snow Buntings. We got absolutely soaked to say the least but a little reward lie in wait as I found a Little Gull (172) sitting on the beach. We took a few shots as it sat looking very sorry for itself before it eventually flew off high west. I would publish one of the shots but they really were quite bad. Further along Chidders was just showing me where he had seen some Snow Bunting the day before when 1 Snow Bunting appeared on cue. It too, looked very wet and fed up but I took a couple of shots in the pouring rain. Normally this photo would never make it to be published but its the best I could manage today and shows how wet we all got today. Other bits seen through wet, soggy eyes and binoculars were 2 Rock Pipit, 4 Meadow Pipit, 2 Little Egret and c40 Linnet. Hopefully the week ahead will allow for a few better shots of the Buntings and Larks in sunny conditions.

A 'Shore' Few Days Good Birding!

With hopefully a few more good birds to get today I was out of the house this morning at 6.30am where I drove over to Chambers Wall and parked up in the car park. A few Robins were ticking away and 2 Grey Partridge and 1 Red legged Partridge were calling. As I sat in the car having a cup of coffee 1 Long eared Owl flew over the car and soon vanished down the hedge line.  Better was to come when at 7.15am and still in the car drinking I heard a Yellow browed Warbler call. I only heard it once but I could not relocate it when I looked a little later. I then eventually got out of the car and walked along the embankment and on to the seawall where I walked on down to Coldharbour. Birds noted were 35 Redwing, 41 Skylark, 4 Goldcrest, c350 Chaffinch, 26 Cormorant, 3 Chiffchaff, 15 Goldfinch, 8 Mute Swan, 5 Long tailed Tit, 2 Siskin, 1 Golden Plover, 3 Brambling and 2 Grey Heron. I received a call from Chidders alerting me that he was watching a confiding Snow Bunting. I didn't rush wish was just as well as he soon called to say a dog had flushed it. The news got better when I was on the seawall when he called again to say he had just seen a Shorelark, a good Reculver bird. I carried on along the seawall and cut across the ridge at Coldharbour. I was half way along when the Shorelark (171) flew up and flew west before landing again. I retraced my steps and waited in the area until Chidders, Adam, Mike, Chris and Anne arrived before we looked for it. It only took a few minutes before we found it again and a few shots were taken before it flew back east. Chris and Anne went their way and we walked back to find it. It was soon found along the ridge where Chidders and I spent some time photographing this little cracker. With a few photos in the bag we left it in peace and walked on down to Shuart before walking back inland to the cars. Other birds of note were 1 Ring necked Parakeet, 1 Short eared Owl, 3 Stonechat, 1 Kestrel, 3 Wigeon, 3 Little Egret, 2 Wheatear, 1 Marsh Harrier, 24 Lapwing and 3 House Martin. Yesterday (19th) I spent a couple of productive hours at Shuart and noted 1 Ring Ouzel, 1 Peregrine, 2 Brambling,(167) 2 Fieldfare, 3 Goldcrest, 1 Yellow browed Warbler (168) which showed briefly, 4 Ring necked Parakeet and 3 Jay. As I looked for the Yellow browed Warbler I heard an unfamiliar call flying over and looked up to see a Hawfinch (169) flying over and out of sight. I ran to the corner and briefly watched it fly towards Shuart farm and probably land in the area. This is a new species for me in the Reculver area and takes me to 232 species for the area. Other bits of note were 1 Stonechat, 1 Tree Sparrow (170) down at the stables with Reed Buntings and Chaffinch. I took a dodgy record shot in the rain, not good at all but the first time I have photographed this species in the area. There were also c40 Redpoll and c200 Siskin over. A brilliant couple of days with some top birds in the area. What will be next?

Red Breasted Goose at Seasalter

With news breaking a few days ago of a Red Breasted Goose at Seasalter, a potential new Kent species for me, I made a visit along the coast to Seasalter tonight to see if I could connect. I have never really had a chance to see this species in Kent in the wild and the ones that have turned up have normally been deemed as escapes. However this bird surely must stand a chance of being wild as it seems to have arrived in with a few thousand Brent Geese. Having parked up at the Sportsman pub I walked west for a good mile and a half where I met Martyn Wilson who was already watching the bird. I was put straight on to the Red breasted Goose but at the time it was quite distant but stood out well in the evening sun. After a chat Martyn left and I spent some time with Phil Smith photographing this new Kent Mega for me. Eventually the Goose started to come nearer and keeping low beneath the seawall I was able to get a few images of this smart Goose. In the end it was feeding c60 yards away and I was able to get pleasing views through the binoculars and appreciate its colourful plumage. The Brents occasionally gave it a hard time but it carried on feeding happily. With a new bird and a few shots I made my way back to the car noting a few Bearded Tit, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 3 Little Egrets and lots of Ringed Plover, Turnstone, Redshank and Golden Plover. Whatever its credentials a smart bird and one I suggest you go and see if you can.

Red Breasted Goose

Migration Magic!

I was out quite early this morning driving around the lanes in search of Owls but with no luck so I drove over to Reculver and parked up by the towers. As It got light I walked on down to Coldharbour and walked the bushes along the embankment before returning back the way I had come. It turned out to be a very good morning with plenty of migration in action and a thrill to see. Birds noted were 72 Redpoll west, 4 Chiffchaff, 1 Kestrel, 10 Pied Wagtail, 3 Little Egret, 10 Meadow Pipit, 1 Kingfisher, 10 Redshank, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Teal, 6 Rock Pipit west, c50 Linnet, 20 Cormorant and 23 Greylag Geese in fields near Coldharbour. There was an impressive movement of hirundines west which included c4500 House Martin and c800 Swallow. Everywhere you looked they could be seen moving and it made for a nice spectacle. Despite thousands passing my camera lens, none made it passed the editing section. Other birds noted were c100 Goldfinch west, 29 Brent Geese, 2 Grey Wagtail west, 2 Stonechat, 2 Turnstone, 3 Ringed Plover, 5 Curlew, 2 Marsh Harrier, c40 Wigeon, c40 Mallard, 3 Lapwing and in the bushes at Chambers Wall were 2 Ring Ouzel which showed well sometimes but distantly. There were c70 Golden Plover, 1 Merlin, 6 Reed Bunting, 1 Whinchat almost got photographed until a bloody dog appeared and scared it off, 18 Alba Wagtail west, 2 Redwing, 3 Song Thrush, 7 Skylark, 1 Ring necked Parakeet and at the caravan bushes there were 3 Goldcrest and 1 Chiffchaff. As I left Hirundines were still pouring through so who knows the kind of number that could be passing through in the area today.The photos I did take today were pretty rubbish and binned straight away so here is a Stonechat taken earlier. I think I am getting too fussy!

The 'K' Factor!

With another day predicted for sunshine I was eager to see if I could improve on my Kingfisher shots in the last few weeks. I managed to grab an hour or so before work and arrived at Stodmarsh just as Steve Ashton was parking up. He had the same idea as me and we wandered up to the Reedbed hide in the hope the Kingfisher would show for us. In order for the plan to work there were a number of factors we needed to happen, the bird to be present for some time to allow us a good number of shots, the sun shining and behind us and a quiet hide! After chatting for a few minutes the noise of a Kingfisher was heard and it duly arrived on the post outside of the hide. Words cannot describe the colours on these birds when the sun shines on them and we started half an hour of firing off shot after shot. During this time the Kingfisher caught two sizeable roach and a further smaller one. Occasionally it would fly off to preen only to return for us again to get more shots and poses. I wanted to get a few pleasing shots and improve upon my earlier efforts and I think I may have achieved this, in fact I don't think I will probably ever take a more pleasing shot than the first one below. You just can't get enough of these birds and they always entertain and the colours change according to the sun and different angles. A few other birds were noted including 2 Jay, 1 Great spotted Woodpecker, 4 Great crested Grebe, 2 Marsh Harrier, 2 Cetti's Warbler, c30 Bearded Tit, 2 Water Rail, 3 Skylark, c40 Siskin near the alder wood, Mallard, Shoveler, Gadwall, Teal on the main lake and 5 Redwing were in trees along the entrance track as I left allowing me to grab a few shots from the car. I returned to Grove Ferry after work for a bit and made quick visits to the Feast and Harrisons hide and noted 7 Swallow, 1 Sparrowhawk, 12 Snipe, 4 Grey Heron, 8 Goldfinch, 1 Peregrine, c500 Lapwing, 2 Wigeon, 2 Marsh Harrier, c120 Greylag flew in from the east and 65 Black headed Gull were present along with a few Bearded Tits which were seen and heard occasionally. With the sun shining 3 Migrant Hawker and 5 Common Darter were noted. I shall probably be back again no doubt to see the Kingfisher again soon where hopefully some more improvements can be made but if not what a fantastic moment in time with this beautiful bird.

Still Chasing the King!

For a change this morning I decided to take a drive over to the Stour Valley and listen for some Owls before I then went on to Stodmarsh. I spent an hour driving around the Grove/stodmarsh area and managed to hear 7 Tawny Owls and 1 Little Owl. There is something special about being out early in the dark listening to the Owls calling across the valley to each other. I then drove down to Stodmarsh reserve where I spent a few hours in the reedbed hide hoping that the Kingfisher would return for his photo. As most photographers will tell you, you can't have enough shots of a Kingfisher, especially when the sun is shining on them. All sat in position in the hide before the sun was up the Kingfisher arrived on the post and set about fishing. Great that it had turned up but it was too early, the sun was not above the tree line. I had some lovely views through the binoculars as it caught a nice sized fish before flying off out of site. Needless to say not long after the sun was shining but the Kingfisher did not return before I left at 9.45am. Birds that were noted from the hide this morning were 2 Jay, 5 Great crested Grebe, 2 Green Woodpecker, 10+ Bearded Tit, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Water Rail, 1 Little Egret but no sign of any Great White Egrets this morning. There were 5 Marsh Harrier, c100 Greylag Geese out of the reserve, 4 Reed Bunting, 1 Chiffchaff, 6 Mute Swan, 1 Great spotted Woodpecker, 3 Golden Plover were in with c200 Lapwing, 2 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Green Sandpiper and 1 Redwing called a few times but went unseen. No shots this morning despite the lovely light so here is another Kingfisher from the other day. I shall hopefully be back this week for it so expect some more Kingfisher shots If I get lucky.

All Quiet at Sea!

With a north wind forecast with rain I thought the best bet was to see if anything was moving at sea so just after 6.30am I drove down to Reculver in heavy rain where the roads were quite flooded. I soon parked up and as it got light I made my way up to the towers. I was soon joined by Derek Smith who had the same idea and between us we saw 19 Cormorant, 1 Little Egret, 36 Brent Geese, 1 Black throated Diver west, 2 Diver sp, 10 Wigeon west, 1 Oystercatcher, 3 Sandwich Tern, 5 Meadow Pipit, 4 Gannet, 1 Peregrine, 10 Swallow, 1 probable Great Skua chasing Gulls distantly offshore and 4 Dunlin. With the sun appearing and little moving we then opted for a drive over to Chambers Wall for some bush bashing. Birds we noted included 1 Marsh Harrier, 4 Pheasant, 8 Skylark, c30 Chiffchaff, 5 Blackcap, 3 Reed Bunting, 4 Jay west, 1 Common Redstart c100yds west of the railway crossing, 8 Siskin, 1 Short eared Owl was being mobbed by the local Crows, 1 Redpoll, 1 Green Woodpecker and 2 Goldcrest. A pretty quiet session really with only the Cormorant giving me a chance of a photo today. Maybe something will want its photo taking tomorrow!

Kingfishers in the Sun!

The weather forecast was for some good sunshine today so I made a brief visit to Reedbed hide at Stodmarsh again in the hope the Kingfisher would return and enable me to capture a few shots in the sun. I had not been in the hide long when Steve Ashton arrived and after a few minutes the call of a Kingfisher could be heard nearby. With the sun now shining the Kingfisher appeared and landed on one of the close posts to the hide. With the colours shining beautifully in the sun the camera was soon in some serious action and a number of pleasing shots were obtained. The Kingfisher continued to fish from both post and caught a couple of fish before eventually moving off just as Tim Gutsell got into position with his camera. This has got to be one of the best birding moments anyone can witness, a cracking Kingfisher at close range in the sunlight. Other birds noted this morning were 1 Jay, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Great White Egrets with one landing in the pool not far from the hide allowing a few shots before a Grey Heron moved into to flush it off. There were a few Cormorant in the trees, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, 1 drake Mandarin flew east and a few Lapwing moving west.

A Date with the King!

For the last few days I have been trying to photograph the Kingfishers from the Reedbed hide at Stodmarsh after work but due to the birds not showing and the cloud and rain having others ideas I have yet to still see and photograph them. I have been seeing the 2 Great White Egrets  normally flying around with the local Grey Herons in close attendance. I made a brief visit again tonight and with the cloud still present the light was not that good at all should they even appear. I met another birder in the hide who informed me he had seen the Kingfisher on a few occasions and it had even been fishing well from the posts. Natural England have adapted the posts outside of the hide to make a few more landing areas for the Kingfishers, hopefully the areas by the Feast hide can be cleared out as well to allow the Kingfishers to once again fish here. I was soon left alone in the hide and noted a few birds including c150 Lapwing, 3 Jay, 2 Chiffchaff and 1 Hobby when I heard the call of a Kingfisher not far away. A flash of blue appeared and flew straight towards me landing on one of the posts outside of the hide. I was soon firing away like mad and the next 20 minutes were spent watching and photographing this little beauty as it actively dived and caught a few small fish. It flew from post to post and gave me nearly all the views I needed. The only thing missing was the sun as the clouds meant a slightly slower shutter speed and not as sharp a shot as I would have liked. Hopefully if the Kingfisher continues to been seen from here I can return when the sun shines and obtain the desired shots. Other bits noted from here today were 1 Great White Egret in flight, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Wigeon, c35 Cormorant and still lots of Swallows, House and Sand Martins flying west through the reserve.