SATURDAY'S CRAKE AND LESSER YELLOWLEGS

For once a half decent picture

The Spotted Crake not obscured by reeds

Two posts in a day!Saturday I decided to go and hopefully see the Crake at Oare and the Lesser Yellowlegs at Cliffe.However,the best laid plans of mice and men often go astray.As Burns rightly observed the ....Crake showed magnificently down to a few metres and then it was a quick dash to Cliffe for the Yellowlegs.Thanks to Gary Howard for the use of the scope.Good day but a bit of route march

RED BREASTED FLYCATCHER AT RECULVER

Thanks to Marc for this photograph...always quicker of the mark than me.

I wasn't planning on a trip out today after a long vigil for the Crake at Oare and a flying visit to Cliffe for the Lesser Yellowlegs yesterday.However, with news of a Two barred Crossbill found by Neil Burt this morning at Challock I hoped that something local might arrive.A few more sightings of Yellow Browed Warblers and then I received Heathy's "Tweet" of a R-B Fly at Reculver.Having added Pec. Sand earlier this year ,the opportunity to add to my Reculver list was too good a chance to miss.Arriving just before 12.30 the bird had not been seen for about 40 minutes.There was a decent gathering of "Kent's Finest" and after a few false alarms the bird flitted onto a dead branch in clear view for a moment and then jumped to the branch above before it  disappeared right.Always great to see this rare Kent species and although not as showy as the Dunge bird a few year's back it is always nice to see one.Good to catch up with  a few people I haven't seen much of later...and hopefully this heralds the promise of more to come.

DOTTEREL AT BOCKHILL

Dotterel nearly in another county

Wryneck at Cliftonville

Obliging Wheatear

Apologies for the lack of posts during the Summer but a lack of birds and the arrival of our first Grandson has meant birding has taken a bit of a back seat.However, it was great to see a Wryneck so close to home the other week and a big thanks to Barry for finding this great little bird.With a Dotterel at Bockhill I thought it was worth the effort to see one of my favourite birds.On arrival it was obvious this was not going to be like the Sandwich Bay bird of a few years ago,which you could almost pick up.It stayed loyal to the middle of the field in the hour I viewed it and the photograph is a record,record shot.I'm sure you'll agree it is similar to a few of Grove's Wilson Phal. shots from a few years back and a couple of Spot. Crakes I've seen.Well done to Tony Morris for getting 200 yards closer to the bird.

BEE EATER IN THE GLOOM!

This morning and this afternoon I have mostly been chasing a Bee Eater around Stonelees.Arriving this morning just after 10 a.m. the bird had been seen by Martyn and Chidders and then disappeared as Steve and myself arrived on the scene.The next hour and and half aroundc30 birders all had fleeting views of it.I decided to return this afternoon in the hope of better weather and a more active bird.I managed to relocate just in time for the departing Ann and Chris Hindle.I did take some very poor pictures, hence me nicking one of Heathy's.However I am sure the bird and the assembled crowd couldn't believe it was June.Roll on October for some sunshine!

MONTAGU'S HARRIER AT RECULVER.

After the excitement of Saturday in the Cemetary it was still a very good day yesterday at Reculver.Arriving at Chamber's Wall yesterday in bright sunshine I was looking forward to a display from the long staying Monty's and I was not disappointed.Intially it was fairly distant from the Green Wall but I was fortunate that a Short- Eared Owl decided to play "statues" in a field .Moving on to Brook a few Tufted Duck and a close pair of Marsh Harriers kept Heathy and myself company.Final destination was the Oyster Farm where the bird performed well for about half an hour.A few distant record shots were too poor for the blog, so a big thanks to Heathy for a picture of the bird.