Birding and other distractions

A cold day, temperatures no more than -1, and still much snow underfoot. However, plentiful sunshine to lift the spirits. Starting at RDE I was hoping to find a Woodcock in the area beyond the trees where they've been seen before. No luck with that though very good numbers of Redwing, probably in the region of 200 birds.  Two Cetti's Warbler showed well, also a smart male Greenfinch. In the nearby reedbed a pale Buzzard sat atop a low bush in full sun. At Berengrave my thoughts always turn to finding Firecrest at this time of year. After nearly an hour I was successful this afternoon, an individual approaching quite close though very difficult  to photograph as usual. Two Goldcrest were also present, plus one Chiffchaff and approx. four Blackcap. Berengrave NR Firecrest

Today the weather was gloomy with a cold NE wind though thankfully dry. We decided to forego a seawatch at Dunge due to the wind chill factor and started at the ARC with plenty of Lapwing, Teal and Cormorant though nothing unusual. Next, at the RSPB reserve there was no sign of the Green-winged Teal though gulls proved of interest with an adult Caspian and at least one Yellow-legged Gull, albeit both very distant at the north end of Burrowes Pit. Whilst there news came through of a Dotterel amongst a large flock of Golden Plover in fields near Lydd airport. Leaving the reserve a Great White Egret was seen on Cooks Pool on route to Lydd. I managed to see the Dotterel though views were somewhat brief before the whole flock of plover flew off. The bird had a very obvious supercilium though weak breast band. In the same field were several Ruff and three Cattle Egret. Near the end of the day at Scotney Pits it was a pleasure to see a dozen Little Gull, mainly adults though one first winter ...