DAY TRIP TO DYMCHURCH

Amazingly on waking up this morning the sun was attempting to break through and I decided to make a trip to Dymchurch to see the long staying NORTHERN LONG TAILED TITS.  My wife very kindly agreed to chauffeur me down and we arrived just before 10.30 a.m.  There was only one other birder in the churchyard who had not seen the birds but help was on its way with the arrival of 'Batman and Robin', Steve Ashton and Mike Gould.  We spent the next 20 minutes unsuccessfully searching the area.  However, just before 11.00 a.m. the Cavalry arrived in the form of Martyn Wilson, Mark Chidwick and other assorted birders.  Chidders found some 'ordinary' Long-tailed tits, but no sign of the 'Special Ones'.  Mike needed a 'tea-break' - no surprise there and Martyn and myself decided to search the area again.  On reaching a more secluded area I immediately heard LONG TAILED TITS calling and a couple of minutes later a superb NORTHERN LONG TAILED TIT popped onto a branch a few metres away.  Then two more emerged from a ivy clad tree.  Martyn contacted the rest of the gang and for the next 45 minutes about a dozen of us enjoyed excellent views of these beautiful visitors.

Thanks Martyn for the images.