Today I had a day trip to Marquenterre with the Maidstone RSPB group.We went through the Channel Tunnel,arriving in France at 8:10am and had reached our destination by 9.45.

We had been accompanied all the way to within just a few miles of Marquenterre by horrendous weather,strong winds,low cloud and rain.Although at the reserve we still had the very strong wind and dull conditions,it stopped raining just long enough for us to nearly complete the loop walk.The sun did come out eventually,but not until an hour before we were due to leave at 3.pm.

I believe our species count for the day was just over (70).It may well have been higher,if it had not been for the strong winds.

Notable birds
White Stork,Spoonbill,Night Heron,Cattle Egret,Common Crane,Crested Tit,Short-toed Treecreeper,Grasshopper Warbler,Honey Buzzard (one bird,first this spring),G W Egret,White Wagtail,Avocet,Med Gull,B W Stilt 2 and L R Plover.Many hundreds of Swallows and Martins,with a sprinkling of Swifts were feeding in the area.

My thanks to the group for a very enjoyable day out,despite the weather.