Rainham, Snodland, Oare and Sheppey

The day started off in good fashion, with the Grey Phalorope located immediately on Aveley Pools. Very distant but an early year tick all the same.

The distant Grey Phalorope early morning on Aveley Pool, apparantly it did come closer. (c) Ashley Howe. More photos

A call from another birder, turned our attention to a Black Redstart in the area, although we didn't see it, Lee located the Penduline Tit. Another unexpected year tick in fairly windy conditions.

Penduline Tit at Rainham, opposite Aveley Pools. Very brief and distant. (c) Lee Fuller. More photos

We left the site shortly before 10:30 where we moved onto New Hythe GPs, Kent for the Ferruginous Duck. Negative news was given by a local who hadn't seen it. We walked to the first pit (Brooklands Lake) where we located the bird with no problem at all. So don't no where the other birder was looking.

Ferruginous Duck on Brooklands Lake. (c) Ashley Howe. More photos

We attempted the Long-billed Dowitcher at Oare Marshes, which had been reported earlier in the day, but on arrival had apparantly flown off. There wasn't much there apart from a few other easy year ticks.

Then to Harty Marshes, where it was hit and hope for either Short-eared Owl or Rough-legged Buzzard. We left with neither. But managed a ringtail Hen Harrier, Barn Owl, at least 15 Marsh Harrier and 5 Whooper Swan. The best sighting here was the discovery of a Great-white Egret, viewed from the raptor viewpoint looking west. The bird flew in not long after 16:00 and seemed to drop down into the reeds there. Just one other flight view was obtained and was not seem again.