Sunday 3rd March - Off on a Twitch

Having missed out on the Penduline Tit at Dungeness a couple of weeks ago, and having only seen one in 2010 I noticed that the one at Stodmarsh had re-appeared after a weeks absence. Waking this am I was unsure whether to go but after walking the dogs decided to go for it. Eventually finding the boardwalk and being told it disappeared about 20 minutes ago I waited and within 10 seconds up it popped. a quick look through the bins and it flew 10 yards, landed on a reed mace giving enough time to get the camera out.

 There had also been 5 Water Pipits reported from the Marsh Hide so I set off in wellies through the deep mud to a deserted hide. A nice view over the marsh and reedbeds but not alot of birds, a couple of Snipe, half a dozen Greylags, a few Teal, and a male Marsh Harrier.

After about half an hour 5 small birds flew in landing on a distant muddy island looked good for Water Pipits through the scope, but a poor very heavily cropped pic.

Set off back for home stopping off on Walland Marsh at the feeders with plenty of House Sparrows, Reed Buntings, the Tree Sparrows staying on the other side of the road. Hundreds of Fieldfares on the ground were put up when a ringtail Hen Harrier floated over.

On Pett Level the 4 Pink feet were still with the Greylags but distant.