WAXWINGS AND GEESE

Arriving at Reculver just before 7.20 a.m. I waited for Marc to arrive with a dull morning outside.  On emerging from his car a very "pallid"  looking Heathy was as grey as this December morning.  We climbed to the top of the hill and scanned the fields eventually finding the WHITE FRONTED GEESE  more by luck than judgement.  A Marsh Harrier spooked all the geese and as they sat on the sea 46 WHITE FRONTED GEESE  were joined by c300 Brent Geese.  A raft of duck on the sea were made up of c 375 Wigeon, Mallard, 4 Pochard, 3 Common Scoter and a few Gadwall.  A Peregrine sped past the Towers and 62 Skylark and Curlew flew over our heads.  As we left Reculver 6 Grey Partridge were feeling very exposed in a field.

Onto Stonelees to allow Marc a photo opportunity for Waxwings approximately 40 were sitting in a tree and after parking in Stonelees and returning to the road c200 WAXWINGS flew over our heads in a huge flock.  We were soon joined by Dylan, Steve Ashton and Mike Gould.  Over the next 45 minutes birds came and went allowing the "Pros" to take a few more snaps.  An estimate of c100 Redwings, a few Fieldfare and a small party of Siskins feed with the Waxwings.  Steve lead a little trip down the A256 to see the ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD and we were rewarded with excellent views very close to the road.  All in all a pretty good  morning in dull overcast conditions