SNOW AND SNOW BUNTING

Snow Buntings at Snowy Sandwich

Shorelark at a Snowy Sandwich

Just Snowy Sandwich, thanks Martyn for the pics.

Arriving at a frost bound Grove Ferry at just before 7.00a.m. this morning, the temperature guage on the car read minus 3'C !  Walking down the entrance track a solitary Redwing was happily feeding on the berries offered.  Meeting Mark Chidwick and Matrtyn Wilson on the ramp two Curlew drifted over the ice bound main lake where half a dozen miserable Lapwing congregated.  Over the next hour, twelve Marsh Harriers and a single Ring-tailed Hen Harrier left the roost.  A stroll down to the Feast Hide added Bearded-Tit, Cetti's Warbler and Green Woodpecker to the notebook.  It was decided by Martyn and myself to visit Sandwich to search for the Shorelarks which had been seen recently.  Chidders headed off to Stodmarsh and we soon arrived at New Downs and parked next to Dylan.  A quick look at the nearby pond/lake/reservoir yielded 18 Tufted Duck and two Pochard while a party of nine Long-Tailed Tits and a sinlge Great Tit flitted in the trees above.  During the stroll to the Point 6 Fieldfare and one Redwing were observed feeding in the lane.  Twenty minutes later Martyn almost simultaneously spotted Dylan and two Shorelarks.  After a few seconds they flew over Dylan's head.  Chatting for a few minutes we decided to walk slowly back as Dylan had spotted two Snow Buntings on his walk down.  Almost immediately quite a heavy snow fall began but about 200 yards later two more Shorelarks were sighted feeding with five Skylarks and a Reed Bunting.  Both Dylan and Martyn mangaged several photographs and after the Shorelarks decided to find their chums the two Snow Buntings presented themselves.  The rest of the return journey was fairly uneventful although 20 Grey Partridge huddled in a field, Goldcrest, Golden Plover, two Snipe and a Grey Wagtail were recorded.  An excellent morning in top company and remember for all those who missed it last Sunday - RUSTIC BUNTING - IT'S JUST A BIRD !