26th

Following last evening's torrential rain, with thunder and lightning, it is becoming difficult to differentiate between the Observatory pond and car park. Still, a dull start gave way to brighter conditions, but in a strengthening wind the only highlights were a Brambling at HQ and single female Hen and Marsh Harriers.

25th

An adult Mediterranean Gull was strutting about among the gulls on the flooded field opposite the Observatory and a subsequent splash around a saturated Worth Marshes proved rewarding, particularly for raptors, which included at least 3 Marsh Harriers, a lovely adult male Hen Harrier and singles of Peregrine and Merlin. Large numbers of gulls included at least 700 Black-headed and 180 Common Gulls, a Water Pipit was on the river at Roaring Gutter and there were at least 130 Fieldfares and 1,800 Starlings, which was the most for some time, possibly indicating the start of a build-up prior to their departure in a week or two.

24th

Despite another gloomy start, with pulses of light rain, there was a palpable whiff of spring in the air at Restharrow Scrape, where. 2 Canada Geese were inspecting the islands, the Coots were trying to drive everything off and 2 Oystercatchers were in situ, taking not a bit of notice. Elsewhere, 2 Bean Geese were seen with the Barnacles and a ringtail Hen Harrier flew past the scrape in warm afternoon sunshine. Just to celebrate, h ere's a picture of the Great White Egret, taken by Colin Fisher.

23rd

Dull but dry until the afternoon, today featured the Barnacle Geese and the Great White Egret, flitting about in their preferred spots on Worth, while 5 Bar-tailed Godwits flew NE out to sea over the Estate.

22nd

The Great White Egret was still present yesterday, with a Hooded Crow over the Oasis - probably the individual seen a few days earlier in Worth. The Barnacle Geese were seen again this morning in pouring rain on the molehill field near the Chequers.

19th

The 7 Barnacle Geese were seen early on in the molehill field near the Chequers, but were generally elusive.

18th

What a difference a day makes, as Esther Phillips so aptly remarked. Yesterday's sunshine was replaced by low cloud, occasional rain and a marrow-chilling SE breeze. Still, the 7 Barnacle Geese were back among the molehills, with 220 Fieldfares nearby, a male Marsh Harrier drifted around Restharrow Scrape and the Great White Egret was still on Worth.

17th

Coverage of Worth marshes on a lovely sunny day was rewarded by the Great White Egret, a male Peregrine and the escaped Lanner, though the highlight was a redhead Smew on the RSPB's reserve. There were also 28 Song Thrushes, 300 Fieldfares and a notable total of 4 Water Rails - 2 along the Delf Stream and singles on Restharrow Scrape and the Observatory pond. Obviously impressed by the sunshine, a Golden Plover was singing from one of the fields Worth side of the railway.

16th

On a cheerless, overcast morning with light rain 7 Barnacle Geese appeared on the turf field near Restharrow Scrape, moving to the molehill field just north of the Chequers when they were disturbed. Coincidentally, 7 Barnacles flew N offshore last Tuesday, so for those who don't like pankakes this could set a trend ...... Offshore, 3 Pink-footed Geese flew S and at least one Black-throated was sitting on the sea.

15th

2 Black-throated Divers and a Red-breasted Merganser were seen offshore and a walk along the beach to the Point produced a Woodcock, 23 Song Thrushes, 73 Skylarks, 9 Snow Buntings and a Siskin that flew in off the sea, while another flew over the Estate later on.

14th

The highlight of the weekend was the Great White Egret, which was unearthed in its usual spot on Worth, while nearly 300 Fieldfares and 40 Redwings were feeding in the fields just north of the Chequers. Offshore, a moderate influx of divers on the 13th included one Black-throated Diver.

12th

A walk around a snow-bound Estate under a leaden sky was quite productive, though I could have done without the occasional improptu Torville and Dean impression! 100 Redwings, 5 Woodcocks, 24 Snipe and 23 Meadow Pipits were scattered about and at least 3 Yellow-legged Gulls were along the shore with large numbers of gulls - I estimated 1,400 Common Gulls, 1,200 Herring Gulls and 1,000 Black-headed Gulls. There were even 180 Common Gulls on Restharrow Scrape.

11th

After heavy overnight snow heavy and prolonged snow showers continued well into the afternoon, driven on by a fierce NE wind.

10th

As sleet showers became increasingly of snow, driven on by a hostile NE wind, 30 Wigeon flew N offshore and at least 1,200 Common Gulls and a similar number of Herring Gulls remained close inshore. There was little else on the move and apart from the windchill, winter returned with renewed enthusiasm as blizzard conditions set in around mid day.

9th

The morning remained overcast with a raw NE wind, but at least it was dry and four hours of seawatching proved quite productive. Several hundred gulls were strung out along the shore, including at least 500 Common Gulls, 4-500 Herring Gulls and 2-3 adult Yellow-legged Gulls. Wildfowl moving N offshore included 527 Wigeon, 23 Shelduck, 6 Pintail and 7 Barnacle Geese and 3 Snow Buntings and a Peregrine flew N along the beach.

8th

There was little to report on a day of Mordor-like gloom with persistent light to moderate rain.

7th

Offshore movement on a gloomy morning included 36 White-fronted Geese (30-40 had been reported on Worth earlier in the day), 2 Eider and 98 Wigeon.

5th

After a dreary, wet start it became almost springlike and it was good to hear Great Tits and Robins singing all over the place in warm sunshine. A handful of Chaffinches moved up from the south and a white wagtail was scurrying about among the sheep opposite the Observatory. Talking of which, the latest on the spring lambs is that they've apparently taken to gambling in the fields. If their luck is anything like mine they'll end up being fleeced something rotten.

4th

A thoroughly miserable morning turned into an overcast but dry afternoon, which provided the chance to visit Pegwell for the afternoon high tide. 720 Common Gulls and an adult Yellow-legged Gull were probably the highlights, though a decent dose of Vitamin D remained elusive.

3rd

A walk across Worth marshes on a dull but calm morning turned up the Great White Egret, 2 Water Pipits, single female Marsh and Hen Harriers, 240 Wigeon and 210 Teal. 30 Song Thrushes were also evident and Wrens don't appear to have been hit too badly by the cold spell - about 11 were fiddling about in the ditches.

2nd

A seawatch at low tide in the murkiest of conditions established that a few Brent Geese are on the move, but not much else. However, the Great White Egret put in an appearance over by the railway line and the first spring lambs were evident. Aaaah.