A Grey Day Turned Brighter!

Once again the weather dictated my plans today but I managed to dodge some of the showers but eventually I did get a soaking. There was a strong wind this morning as I left home and thought I would try and add a few year ticks to my Reculver list. I started off at Shuart where I found the first of 10 year ticks today, a cracking Firecrest which could be heard calling and eventually showed quite well, just a shame it was so dark. Walking on I soon come across 2 Common Buzzard soaring in the strong wind and also seen here were 5 Chaffinch, 1 Goldfinch, 5 Pheasant, 7 Red legged Partridge, 1 Fieldfare, 5 Snipe, 2 Water Rail, 1 Stonechat, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Mute Swan, 15 distant Brent Geese, 1 Green Woodpecker, 5 Song Thrush, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel and 4 Long tailed Tit. Before going home for some breakfast I drove over to Reculver where I met Chris and Anne Hindle who were sensibly watching from their car. I spent a few minutes chatting away and Chris picked out a smart adult winter Mediterranean Gull flying west. Driving home I added Collared Dove and after having some tea and breakfast I then made a second visit out where the sun was actually shining, although it clouded over later with more rain. I walked down West Brook Valley and had a productive time seeing 1 Grey Wagtail which let me get quite close for some shots, the camera seemed excited to be out of the bag at last! Also noted here were 4 Chiffchaff, 1 Jay, 1 Bullfinch heard, a scarce bird in the area and a drive down to the sea at the towers produced 1 Peregrine, 3 Guillemot, 2 Red throated Diver, 1 Kittiwake and 3 Great crested Grebe. Despite the weather, a very productive session with some nice birds seen and today's total bringing the list up to a respectable 75 species, some easy birds still needed including Mistle Thrush, Pied Wagtail, Great spotted Woodpecker, Little Grebe and Goldcrest. The weather looks rubbish again in the morning but I will probably give it a go and see if anything can be added.

Grey Wagtail