Sun 10th Nov 19

Once again today I joined Ian & Pete in the hide around 10:00, things were much the same although they had been watching 2 Water Rails & 2 Lt. Grebes in the ditch in front of the hide before my arrival.
From the hide :- 1 Mute Swan, Greylag Geese, c70 Brent (on arable), 150+ Teal, c20 Wigeon, c100 Lapwing, 5 Curlew, 2 BlkWits, 1 Redshank, 1 House Martin, 2 Kestrel, 5 Buzzard, PL/IM/MR 1 Marsh Harrier (PL).

At 11:00 Barbara Leport reported a Waxwing near the carpark so we all made a hasty exit. Pete Loud was first to join the Laport's and got a view of the Waxwing on top of one of the hawthorns beside the orchard but by the time Ian and I arrived it had flown. The next 15 mins. were spent trying to relocate it, we were joined by Matt and thankfully Pete Loud re-found the bird on the hedge alongside Manor Way just a few metres from where it was seen originally, a few minutes later it flew to the small bushes on the greensward before again being flushed and flying off along the greensward being lost to view in the area of the sailing club compound.

Pete Loud

Nice to be out this morning in the quite warm November sunshine, and if that wasn’t enough to brighten our day, then the stunning Waxwing certainly did the trick. Good that a few people on site managed to see it before it flew off. A 1st winter Kittiwake landed on the sea briefly, just off the Sluice before continuing on its way. A late House Martin was feeding over the arable from the Hide. 2 Water Rail and 2 Little Grebe were showing on and off in the channel in front of the Hide. 4 or 5 Gannets were seen offshore and a Bonxie. Other birds noted, Marsh Harrier, 4 Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, 4 Stonechat, 3 Goldcrest & 3 Redwing and all the usual fair on the Scrape.

A much better picture from the finder Barbara Leport©