Trip to Sheppey today with friends and a day of two halves. Started at Elmley and dipped on the first bird of the day as no Little Owl showing in the tree by the car park. Then found out that the Swale Hide was closed due to falling to bits and no money to repair, so bang goes looking for a Merganser and waders. Down to the hides and a wasted trip with very little about with the only highlight a number of Marsh Harriers and a Merlin.
Back at the car park decided to go down to Muswell Manor and look for the Lapland Buntings seen in the fields behind. Yet again dipped as could not find them, plenty of other birds and a Hen Harrier, large flock of Brent Geese and Peregine so things started to look up.
Down then to the Harty Ferry, Red Legged Partidge on the way. At the ferry it was freezing in the biting wind but this was forgotten with fantstic views of the Rough Legged Buzzard and a Spoonbill.
Due to the wind did not wait around to see if any owls showed, I had all 7 raptors I would expect to see so then went down to Kingsferry Bridge and then Funton Creek, plenty of waders around with Bar Tailed Godwit, Avocet and Grey Plover which I hadn't seen this year.
So, not the best visit to Sheppey, but it wasn't a total washout, birds are hard to find this year.
Well done with all the Raptors, it certainly hasn't been the busiest winter for birds!!
ReplyDeleteHi Alan, I agree, it is one of the quietest for a while, hopefully a better summer with a few rarities would be nice
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