Sunday 11th December 2011

Another late pass to get out this afternoon, but what a difference to yesterday's crisp, bright weather.  I'm nursing a heavy cold that seems to be getting worse, but I needed some fresh air, even though it was struggle to drag myself out.  I travelled off patch to catch the last 1.5 hours of daylight at Oare Marshes.  The Great White Egret that has been present for a few days was easily found, hunched up on the mud in Faversham Creek, just east of the sluice.  It was joined by a mix of the regular waders (Curlew, Redshank, Oystercatcher, Black-tailed Godwit).  A Peregrine scythed through the flock, but was unsuccessful in its attempts to chase down any prey, and eventually retreated back to the pylon from whence it came.

A walk up to Dan's Dock disappointingly failed to turn up any owls, but a couple of Marsh Harriers drifted to roost and a brace of disgruntled wildfowlers shivered below the seawall, staring up at the darkening,dusk sky. 

Saturday 10th December 2011

Nearly a month since my last post - life seems to get busier and busier!  I'll try and get some posts backdated - the only real highlight on patch was a Raven, NW over Barming Bridge on the afternoon of Sunday 27th November.

This morning started well - a crisp morning, graced by this immaculate steam engine passing through Barming (35017 Belgian Marine).

I had hoped to get up to Sheppey this afternoon, but circumstances conspired against me, so I stayed local (ish) and made a long overview visit to Burham Marshes.  All fairly quiet on the bird front until this Raven flapped lazily by!  There were a supporting cast of Redshank, Teal, Little Grebe and Lapwing but not much else.  The late afternoon light was fantastic and it was good to spend the rest of afternoon of a couple of fellow birders (Les Foster and other half and springer spaniel!).