Off we go again 2015, not a bad start in Kent.

A change of plan today as we set off to Kent instead of Norfolk knowing that we would probably be down a few birds but the thinking was to get some ticks with birds that may not hang about to long.
First up it's the  beach at Dungeness, the wind was really blowing & it felt really cold so a welcome sight to find the hide open with only one fellow inside it.
It was still pretty dark but we hung about & soon we had a few Gannets, Razorbill, Guillemot, 3 Fulmar, some Red-throated Divers, a single Common Scoter plus a lot of Gulls.
On Arc Pit 2 Great-white Egret's, as we head to Walland Marsh & pick out many Bewick Swan's but miss out on the single Whooper reported to be with them.
4 Bean Geese are seen with them, as we only saw them a week ago a nice early tick this year.same with the 2 Cattle Egret's also only seen a short time ago another nice tick for the new year.
On to the Reserve to pick up 5 Redhead Smew but miss out on the single Male seen with them.
While here we see 3 Kingfishers putting on a good show for us, 2 Bittern show up over the back with one giving a good flight display for us, Goosander  also spotted here along with a nice male Pintail.
Next stop is Scotney Pit where we see Black-necked Grebe & Scaup.
We set off to Chilham & see the Great- grey Shrike sitting on the wires as we turn into the road so a nice quick tick without getting out of the car.
There is just about enough light left in the day for a very quick drive to Elmley to get the only Redshank we saw all day, plenty of Lapwing & a couple of Kestral along with a few Ruff to add to the day list.
A little down on last years first day with 74 birds seen, so the gamble to go to Kent I think was worth taking with some nice birds seen to start the year off with. so a very happy new year to all the birding
community & I hope you all enjoy this great hobby in 2015 & don't get to many dips

One of the Cattle Egrets