LAPLANDS STILL PRESENT

Walked along the Strood seawall on Saturday 13th and was rewarded with views of 3 lapland buntings which was nice. There were still a gathering of various small birds in one corner of the weedy field since I was last here two weeks ago. The distinctive "tew" call of the lapland bunting rang out across the field as it circled around a few times before landing back again.

Amongst the 100 linnets, 30 skylarks, 12 corn buntings were two other lapland buntings that were seen on the ground a few times. The two laplands were feeding with some of the linnets sometimes on the near edge of the winter wheat field and also feeding on top of the seawall path. They were easier to pick out in flight amongst the linnets as they were always calling. Also seen in the area were rock pipit, reed buntings and a few meadow pipits.

Along the Strood Channel the tide was out and there were plenty of waders on show with 14 species noted. Three spotted redshanks standing together along the central channel was an interesting sight for early winter. Other waders noted were a green sandpiper, 100 knot, 500 golden plover, 200 lapwing, 30 black-tailed godwit and a bar-tailed godwit along with many of the othe regular waders.

More shelduck were present since the last visit with 60 birds and also 200 wigeon roosting on the mud. Twenty little grebes were in the shallow waters and there were 5 little egrets seen too

Scattering all the waders along the channel was a peregrine chasing briefly after a wood pigeon. The peregrine soon gave up and headed over to Ray Island where a kestrel briefly flew with it, showing the difference in size. The peregrine continued over to the Ray Channel where it stooped unsuccessfully down on another bird.

Martin Cock watched a short-eared owl flying over Langenhoe, during his visit to Maydays Farm.