27 March 2023 - Great Grey Shrike at Hothfield Common

A brief trip to Hothfield Common this afternoon for a catch-up with the Great Grey Shrike which has wintered on the site. A superb wee beastie!

 

23 March 2023 - Alpine Swift from the garden!

Last night's Alpine Swift had clearly roosted locally as, despite my not seeing it at dawn, it was located over the lakes from 8am. I managed to slip out for a couple of minutes to view from the garden and, after a few minutes wait, the bird was seen over the far side of the lake - heading towards me at 50'.

22 March 2023 - Alpine Swift at home!!!

 Stunned to find an enormous Alpine Swift flying around the houses when I arrived home this evening. At 18:15 it was powering at car height between the buildings - bloody brilliant stuff!

The last two pictures clearly show the bird trailing something caught in its feet...

19 March 2023 - Stodmarsh

Visited Stodmarsh this morning in the hope of seeing Water Pipits... After slipping and sliding my was to Marsh Hide, news came through of an Alpine Swift over the Lampen Wall. - I'd passed the very same spot 15 minutes earlier, yet had been searching for Cetti's Warblers. I probably had the f******g swift over my head if I'd looked up!

The Ring-necked Duck was distant for photography - Dunnock, Shoveler, Marsh Harrier, Great Tit and Robin were all slightly more obliging... 

Beavers and bees both busy...

18 March 2023 - East Malling, Kent

A brief walk around work this afternoon highlighted that spring is well and truly springing...

Little Egret is nice following the finding of an injured bird that had to be euthanised by the local vet. Stocks Doves and Long-tailed Tits are getting on with it and clearly Mallard have been getting on with it for some time...

 

15 March 2023 - Rock Pipit, Dover

Whilst visiting the Dover Glaucous Gull a small group (not really a whole flock) of Rock Pipits were watched feeding on the grass of a road island at the port - a strange habitat...