Rossi

A glaring gap in the life list finally filled, with excellent views of the Westcliffe Ring billed Gull. The rest of the day was spent on Sheppey, finishing in style when all 35 Marsh harriers, that had made their way accross the marsh from the RSPB reserve, took to the air together... a fantastic site. Aswell as the Marsh Harriers, the viewing ramp managed to produce a distant Short eared Owl, ringtail Hen Harrier, Common Buzzard, Bewicks Swans, a couple of Green Sandpipers and a flock of at least 60 Corn Bunting. A small group of Bramblings were seen on the way down, feeding in one of the ploughed cover crops, but despite being seen shortly before arrival, the Rough legged Buzzard refused to play.

Slavonian Grebe Still lingering on Burrowes



Green Woodpecker resting on the bank in front of Hanson Hide



Bearded Tit One of up to 20 birds giving excellent views from the viewing ramp at Hookers pits.

Wallcreeper

Part of the assembled crowd on the beach at Bolougne, a large one by French standards (even though more than half of the birders present were British) The previous day saw just three birders present!

A little too far off for decent pictures but still great views through the scope. After a relatively short wait, the bird was located on the cliffs to left of the steps, where it made its way further down towards Bolougne, before being lost and later relocated near the steps. After a 10 minute wait it reappeared in its favoured spot, where it had last been seen, and stayed within the same area of the cliff face, where it fed for at least another 10 minutes, before dissapearing round the corner and making its way towards the Fulmar colony. Several Mediterranean and a 2nd year Glaucous gull were on the beach along with Crested Tits and STTreecreepers seen in the woods nearby. Despite its persistant calling and close range the Black Woodpecker refused to show itself...

Glaucous Gull

The bird in action...