KNOT A BAD DAY AT ALL.

Meeting Marc at just before 6.00 a.m. at the Towers this morning all appeared well for an excellent morning's birding.  For once the weather seemed set fair and we hoped for a good selection of migrants.  Four Goldfinch were in the bushes by our cars and we soon added two Pied Wagtail and the first of seven Meadow Pipit.  As we passed the Oyster Farm a Great Crested Grebe was noted about 100 metres out to sea.  As we continued our walk to the Green Wall the mist descended and soon visibility was down to a few metres.  Two Shelduck flew high over our heads and two Red Throated Divers made their way East.  With the tide gradually coming in a number of waders were feeding on the beach and Heathy managed to pick out a Knot, a year tick for me, in the gathering gloom.  Good numbers of Turnstone (31) and Redshank (22) made our notebooks as did a single Sanderling, 12 Dunlin and I Grey Plover.  Our long standing chums the 3 SHORELARKS were found on a nicely constructed new ridge.  Marc's photo (one of 1000's) is in this month's "Birdwatch" magazine of Reculver's favourite visitors.  The HOODED CROW put in a brief appearance and we moved inland and made our way along the Green Wall adding Stonechat, 7 Reed Buntings and 5 'Alba' Wagtails.  A single Chiffchaff sung in the gloom and we made our way back to the cars.  With the fog not lifting we decided on a trip to Bishopstone Glen to hopefully find a Firecrest which Marc did in about 2 minutes. We then spent 30 minutes with the bird giving fantastic views and Marc obtaining some great photographs.  Surely tomorrow a Black Redstart or Wheatear?