12 Snow Buntings still at Camber Sands, Black-necked Grebe, 3 White-fronted Geese and a Merlin at Scotney Court Gravel Pit and a Jack Snipe at Northpoint Pit. 3 Velvet Scoter and 18 Eider on the sea at Pett. Also a Barn Owl at Pett Level.
(Dave & Penny Green from SOS web site).
Large numbers of woodpigeon and jackdaw are still present on the farm including this flock of 600 woodpigeon on the barley stubble field north of the quarry. Another flock of 1000+ was also present on the barley stubble along barley lane, the noise of their wings when they are disturbed is thunderous!
Woodpigeon flock - Fairlight Place Farm
Less conspicuous are the smaller numbers of yellowhammers (30+) & reed buntings (20+) that are present in small mixed flocks with chaffinches and bullfinches along barley lane. A firecrest was also present along barley lane near the fishponds cottages.
Yellowhammers & Reed Buntings - Barley Lane
A patch of winter heliotrope is in flower along barley lane.
Petasites fragrans - Barley Lane
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Day list for Warren Glen to Rock-a-nore (a poor 33spp.) Bold = scarce species or good count for site.
red-throated diver (1), great crested grebe (38), fulmar (20+), cormorant (1), kestrel (2), peregrine (1), oystercatcher (3), turnstone (6), black-headed gull (100+), herring gull (500+), great black-backed gull (50+), guillemot (1), woodpigeon (1600+), great spotted woodpecker (2), skylark (2), wren (p), dunnock (p), robin (p), song thrush (8), blackbird (p), firecrest (1), great tit (p), blue tit (p), magpie (p), jay (1), jackdaw (500+), carrion crow (50+), starling (p), house sparrow (p), chaffinch (20+), bullfinch (6), reed bunting (20+), yellowhammer (30+)
Three Common Seals hauled out on the sand at the River Mouth was the main highlight this morning. The seals soon move off the sand and into the river as Camber gets busy, so before 8 a.m is the best time to see them.
Bird highlights this morning have been 2 Bittern, 7 Smew(2 drakes) and Marsh Harrier at Castle Water. And a Merlin on the Beach Reserve.