Local Birding, unfortunately.

My original plan was to go to Dungeness early doors to see the Purple Herons and the Great White Egret. I was going to start at Denge Marsh for the herons, then have a bit of a sea-watch, have a quick look on the ARC pit for waders, and then come home. In the event my patch instincts got the better of me and I went out on the Flats. I got one Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) for my troubles. I am afraid that this is a tale of what might have been. Guess what turned up Dunge? A Lapwing, but not vanellus..... Need a clue? What if I told you that it has a white tail? Un-bloody-believable. Merseyside, then Holland. Then a small gap, followed by Rainham, then Slimbridge, and now Dungeness. I wonder where it will go next? I know where I'd like it to go next....

Still, not finding megas aside, Wanstead Flats was rather pleasant. Rather than bore you with a series of photographs of a White-tailed Lapwing, here instead are some photos of Thrushes and Crows from this mornning. I don't have time to write any more, I'm off to dig a wader-scrape in my back garden.

Song Thrush

Mistle Thrush

Jackdaw

Carrion Crow

Jay