Pittswood Birds

A change of scenery was had today, with a day trip out to Dungeness RSPB reserve.

View of the power station from the hide

On our arrival one of the forecast showers was underway, this lasted virtually the whole of the 5 hours we were there, at times the rain was torrential !!  Needless to say, we didn't get out of the hides much!

Some nice birds were noted though, best of those were the long staying LONG EARED OWL that arrived on the reserve on the 25th November.

The obligatory twiggy shots of the Long eared Owl!

Also, out on the water, 3 female and a male SMEW were a nice sight, along with at least 3 female and 2 male GOLDENEYE among scores of commoner Ducks species.

Mainly CORMORANTS on a shingle island, along with a few SHOVELER DUCKS

It was pretty pointless trying to get any decent bird images in the poor conditions, this ROBIN ventured near to the hide windows in a lighter period of rain.

As well as the Robin, a mixed feeding flock passed just a couple of meters from the hide windows, this included a stunning FIRECREST, a couple of GOLDCREST and 3 CHIFFCHAFF, but the camera would hardly focus in the dire light, absolutely infuriating!

Before leaving for home we went to see if we could locate the frequently recorded immature CASPIAN GULL down on the seafront, it was chucking it down at virtually dusk, but luckily we didn't have to get out the car to scan a flock of GREAT BLACK BACKED, LESSER BLACK BACKED and HERRING GULLS, with them was a possible candidate for the Caspian gull (above), but i'm not sure, Gull ID is not my strong point! ( EDIT: Gull confirmed as Caspian, a new bird for me!)