Last Friday I set off from home at 4.50a.m. for a day's birding in Kent, before arriving in Sidcup to give an illustrated talk on The Camargue to the local RSPB group.
However, as I crossed the Dartford Bridge it was clear that the weather was going to be most unfavourable. I arrived at Stodmarsh Reserve, some 5 miles outside Canterbury at first light to be greeted with cold winds and thick fog. A short walk allowed me to hear reed bunting, water rail, lapwing, cetti's warbler and bullfinch whilst a hazy view of common birds such as chaffinch, great tit and wood pigeon. I packed up and went for breakfast. The weather did change........ for the worse. It began raining so off to Oare Marshes in the fog. Here redshanks called on the estuary and greylags, coot, canada geese, pochards etc could be seen on the reserve. I then headed off to Cliffe RSPB reserve but by now the rain was heavy and I was getting wet, so off to find the venue, have some tea and give the talk.
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| Stodmarsh Reserve. Great birding!! |
Saturday found me checking Amwell Reserve in the late afternoon. Usual suspects, cormorants, grey heron, lesser black backed gulls, tufted , wigeon etc. This LBBG showed a ring but the fading light meant I was unable to read it accurately. In all, not the best 2 birding sessions this year.
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| Ringed lesser black backed gull |
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