Another 13 year ticks at Dungeness and Oare.

With Brian's car back on the road, the three of us head off to Kent. Arriving around 8 am we start off at Walland Marsh where we find the two Bean Geese along with about twenty Bewick's Swans to give the day a great start, we knew where to look for them but nice to get there and they are still there.  We drive around the Marsh and find a very large flock of Treesparrows feeding on the seed crop for another tick, this is the most Treesparrows any of us have seen maybe two hundred or so. Many Yellowhammers and Reed Buntings were also seen but not needed for a tick.   As we drive on we spot a Merlin and a Mistle Thrush both needed for a tick.  Off now to Dungeness where we head up to the beach hide, Hundreds of divers pass through then three ticks for us as we see Gannets, Razorbills, and Guillemot.   As we head off a Cattle Egret is spotted in the sheep field just past the reserve entrance, not needed but always have to stop to get a photo. Jimmy and I also pick out some Barnacle Geese for a tick.    Off now to round the day off at Oare Marsh. A Spoonbill is asleep on the far bank but is soon joined by another to give a good display to us. A Water rail was close in feeding on a dead fish, and we got our first Avocet of the year, We got another tick when a Kingfisher flies up and down the gully. A Stock Dove gives Jimmy and I another tick. A really nice day birding with the boys that gave me another 13-year ticks.

Just after the Spoonbill had flown in.