Still braving the chill

Winter is truly with us now but that is not stopping me getting out and about... yet... more snow might confine me to watching the garden.


Thursday 17th January.

Hythe Imperial Hotel, 10:30,
2 Purple Sandpipers on the rocks.
Went A over T on a patch of black ice on the promenade but fortunately survived with only minor bruising to right hip and elbow... so too did the optical equipment thankfully - only the tripod took a heavy knock. Angela, in true style stayed on her feet and helped a shaken Ashford Birder back to his feet!!!

Dover, 11:00 to 13:00, Harbour - Prince of Wales Pier
2 Common Scoters (a pair), 1 Black-throated Diver (wintering juvenile), 10+ Great Crested Grebes, 1 Shag, 2 Kittiwakes, 3 Guillemots, 2 Razorbills.

Chilham, 14:00 to 15:00, Pickelden Lane and Chilham Mill Lakes - not completely frozen.
4 Mute Swans, 6+ Wigeon, 10+ Gadwall, 10+ Tufted Ducks, 5 Little Grebes, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 12+ Cormorants, 1 Grey Heron, 50+ Coot, 1 Grey Wagtail (Chilham Mill), 1 Wren, 1 Dunnock, 1 Robin, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Goldcrest (with Blue, Great and Long-tailed Tits), 1 Goldfinch, c20 Siskins, 2 Lesser Redpolls, 1 Bullfinch (male).

Eastwell Park, 15:30 to 16:00, Eastwell lake area
8 Gadwall, 3 Little Grebes, 1 Little Egret, 3 Grey Herons, 2 Nuthatches.


Friday 18th January.

Hothfield, 10:00 to 10:30, Waterfall Lake - not completely frozen
4 Mandarin (3 drakes and a duck), 2 Teal (a pair), 1 Little Grebe, 1 Little Egret, 1 Great White Egret.

Worten Mill, 10:30 to 11:30, Flood Gap area
1 Grey Heron, 2 Coots, 2 Snipe, 1 Black-headed Gull, 1 Wren, 1 Robin, 10+ Fieldfares, 1 Song Thrush, 5+ Redwings, 1 Coal Tit, 2 Goldfinches.