SNOW BUNTINGS AT FORENESS

In very gloomy conditions I managed to find the Snow Bunting flock that Chris Gibbard found yesterday.I reckon there are 40+ birds which is certainly the most I've seen in Kent.Above are two very dodgy pictures which were taken at about 3.45.If  you get a chance go and see them they really are great little birds.I caught up with them on the beach and the dunes area underneath the pumping station.

PURPLE SANDPIPERS AT HAMPTON...HERNE BAY.

With the best chance of sunshine for a week I hoped to photograph some Purple Sandpipers which had been at Hampton Pier in Herne Bay for a while.Having seen some pictures by Marc I hoped to emulate them.However having seen a Caspian Gull fest down at Dunge I tried to persuade Heathy that a trip would be in order particularly if Mick Southcott could pick them out for us in the1000s present. Unfortunately Marc only had an hour so we arrived in glorious sunshine and soon found them feeding on the shoreline.It was tricky lighting but we managed some decent pictures.Although there had been 3 birds recorded it soon became 4.The forecast looks shocking for the week so the lads who made it to the Guilli. and the Diver did well today.

BEWICK'S ON TOUR

Saturday was dull and gloomy and expectations weren't too high, with very little seen at Reculver during the week except a few wandering Snow Bunts. and 3 Bewick Swans.Marc and myself managed to pick out the Bewick's in the gloom from the seawall whilst grazing at Brook.The stroll to Cold Harbour and back was very uneventful except for a Merlin followed by a Kestrel followed by a Marsh Harrier.Sounds a bit like an Aldi ad for a 3 bird roast.On our return we tried to refind a dual ringed Rock Pipit but only managed some pics of a naked mate.A drive round to Brook a least allowed me to point my camera at the adut Bewick's