Twitch and be Damned

Today I was going to twitch, I knew when I woke before dawn. Enough of this patch-beating, I want some ticks! And there were some birds within reach that would be good targets, starting with a small flock of Waxwings that arrived yesterday by B&Q in Folkestone.

There were still in the same tree when I got there, and flew down to some road-side Rowans. I was pleased to meet Brian of the 'Isn't Nature Brilliant' local website, who tries to take good photos....we all try, he succeeds.
If they stay around, I may be able to see them in reasonable light.

Next, to Hythe to see the much-twitched Night Heron, which was conveniently placed by the dam as usual. It stayed for a while, then was spooked by a dog-walker shouting into her mobile.
Next, down to Lade gravel pits to tick a female Long-Tailed Duck, and fail to find a Scaup. At the Hanson pit were one male and seven redhead Smews, and a Goosander. One particular gull stood alone, and having no shame I'm putting it down as a Yellow-legged - well, it is December. And it did have yellow legs and a bright beak.

Back towards home via Walland marsh, where there was a flock of swans by the Tree Sparrow barn - fortunately a birder with telescope was there to pick out twenty Bewicks and two Whoopers among the Mutes.

Finally, back to B&Q, where the Waxwings were now outnumbered two-to-one by twitchers. Many interesting people were met during the morning, from as far as Southampton and Northampton - maybe twitching's not that bad after all.

PS Waxwings and Long-Tailed Duck were both 'lifers'!