Continental Cousins

Overnight rain eventually stopped at 7.30am however an hours watching in the garden from 6.30am turned up a Blackcap and a very smart "Continental" Coal Tit. Slightly larger than our UK birds, the continental race are much greyer and "colder". As it happens, there was a small influx with other birds turning up at Sandwich and Dungeness. Sadly it was chased off the feeder by a Robin!

A quieter day on the patch, but the female Black Redstart remained and a Fieldfare was a new bird for the year. As the rain clouds disappeared, a blue sky and bright sunshine dominated the rest of the day. At least 3 more Firecrests turned up showing really well. A small influx of 8 Chiffchaffs was evident and around 150 Chaffinches and a White Wagtail headed north with 9 Siskin. Good numbers of Blackbirds were joined in a paddock by two Redwing.