May 20th

Over the past week or more there has been good numbers of Red Kites moving through Kent.So I was hoping to see at least one at New Hythe,but I had this bird flying over this morning not far from my house whilst taking the dogs for a walk.I also saw two leucistic Magpies,which I thought was rather unusual.

May 15th (Marquenterre,France)

Black Necked Grebes

I had a trip today to Marquenterre with members of S.B.B.O,We caught the 07,20 train arriving at the reserve around 0930,in windy and overcast conditions.The wind kept many of the smaller birds in cover and difficult to see,but it was nice to hear a close Marsh Warbler and Bluethroat,Wader numbers were disappointing with just 2-3 Common Sandpipers,1 Greenshank,1 Black-tailed Godwit,1 Ringed Plover and the usual Oystercatchers Lapwing Avocets and Black Winged Stilts being seen.Best birds of the trip for me personally were the Black-necked Grebes,of which I saw three,On my last trip to the reserve in May 2014,they kept their distance,being just scope jobs.This time around though they came reasonably close for the camera.

Black Necked Grebes

White Storks and Spoonbills

Common Crane

Black Winged Silts

May 7th (Elmley)

Redshank

I spent a very pleasant morning at Elmley,I walked as far as the flood.

Yellow Wagtail and Redshank

Lapwing and Avocets

Marsh harrier and pheasant

Hare

Shoveler (pair)