I went out last night at 6pm to put the recorder out and spent 30 minutes listening as it got dark. birds noted included 7 Grey Partridge and 1 Barn Owl. Recording throughout the night produced 2 Water Rail and at 23:47, a flock of Brent Geese (82) flew over calling. Always a special moment knowing under the cover of darkness, that these birds are migrating over land. There were also a number of Grey Partridge calls during the night. 

Brent Geese

Nocmig recording last night produced a few species including only the second record of Red legged Partridge (81) in 10 years of recording. Although a little distant on the recorder, I can certainly hear it. It would be nice to see them spread more into the area. Other birds heard included Little, Barn and Tawny Owl, 1 Little Grebe, Moorhen, Golden Plover, Skylark and Grey Partridge were calling on and off throughout the night. 

Grey Partridge

Skylark

I managed a brief session after work today at 16:45 at Chitty Lane watching over the marsh in beautiful sunshine. Birds noted included 7 Mallard, 3 Grey Partridge, 12 Woodpigeon, 1 Moorhen, 1 Snipe, 96 Cormorant, 3 Grey Heron, 7 Marsh Harrier towards Grove Ferry, 1 ring tail Hen Harrier (80) high towards Grove Ferry. A welcome year tick and quite a tricky bird at times to get on the year list. There was 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine, c30 Rook, 2 Carrion Crow, 2 Raven, 1 Blue Tit, 1 Great Tit, 1 Skylark, 2 Blackbird, 1 Chaffinch, 10 Linnet and 2 Reed Bunting. The 'nocmig' recorder is out tonight in the hope a few birds are passing through the area.

Looking over Chislet Marshes