Jack Snipe at Lemsford Springs

I've added a year ticks since the last update, a walk around Rainham gave me the chance to see my first Water Pipit of the year on the foreshore along with both Rock Pipit and Meadow Pipit. Avocet was another year tick as did a pair of Stonechat close to the car park.

The 8th saw me take a run down to Wallasea island either side of the school run. I added Reed Bunting as I walked out to search the fields for the wintering Red-breasted Goose. Scanning the geese I added Brent Goose and Barnacle Goose but didn't find the target although there was a Black Brant or at least a Black Brant/DB Brent hybrid. A male Hen Harrier quartered the far corner as I approached the bank of the river. Being careful not to stick my head above the wall and spook anything on the other side I scoped throught the grass to find about 300 more Brents but again didn't find the RB goose. On the mud were Curlew, Oysterctcher and Grey Plover to give more year ticks. Also present but not first for years were Dunlin, Redshank and Black-tailed Godwits.

This morning between family commitments I took a short drive up the A1 to Lemsford springs hoping to see a Jack Snipe and I wasn't dissapointed as one showed well in front of the first hide. 7 Snipe, 5 Green Sandpiper, a Kingfisher and Grey Wagtail made up the other highlights along with several Redwing and a first for year Jay.

year list now 103