Unfortunately the Short-Toed Treecreeper had departed overnight but it was nice to catch up with GB, IR, MC, KP & DB along with a handful of other birders who had come from much further afield - Gloucestershire being one County mentioned. We had to make do with a lone Kestrel, while others had 1-2 Firecrests along the railway line.
Moving along the coast to Deal and then along the Ancient Highway to the Sandwich Bay Estate, we met up with PP who had a clear but distant view of the 2 Common Cranes on Worth Marshes. We soon got on the birds, a nice sight. There was also a large number of Starlings, single Common Buzzard, Marsh Harrier and Sparrowhawk, plus 3 Grey Herons, a Curlew and 2 Green Woodpeckers.
We then followed PP to the Restharrow Scrape hide, where between us, we managed to locate 4 of the 5 Garganeys reported (2 pairs), the first genuine summer migrant of the year. A number of shots were rattled off, PP gaining the best results. Plenty of the usual duck species also present, while a second Sparrowhawk flew north. An enjoyable chat ended with a cracking White Wagtail that pitched down on the nearest island for several more birders to enjoy. A good little visit to a very little hide.
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| Three of the four Garganey seen on Restharrow Scrape around midday. |
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| This White Wagtail also appeared while we were in the hide watching the Garganey. |
Back on the road and home towards Ashford, we first called in at Godmersham, where we noted a male Grey Wagtail along the river Stour, plus a Pied for good measure. Final port of call was Eastwell Lake where amongst the usual suspects, we had a preening Coal Tit, a Common Buzzard, and another much closer view of the female Red-crested Pochard from the road bridge, rounding off another enjoyable weekend.
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| The female Red-crested Pochard has reappeared on Eastwell Lake - showing well today! |
Yep! wont be long now Neil, and we'll be seeing all sorts of spring birds :-)
ReplyDeletenice that you found the Cranes :-)