OUT WITH THE BUNTING AND UP WITH THE LARK

Its been a busy couple of days with a hike over the cliffs on sunday morning a quick sprint up to Whitstabubble with messrs Holt and Collins for the bunting rusticana,seen in fading light,and another attempt to see the shore larks at Sandwich Bay today.
The clifftop hike was pleasant but largely uneventful,only goldfinch and siskins on the move kept me going,on the way back I counted over 70 skylarks which is a very good number,but not a single meadow pipit was seen,not a good number.
Having just got home had a cuppa and settled down for an afternoons football/snooze, Paul phoned all twitchy with rustic bunting disease,so we duly made our way to Island Wall Whitstable to see this rare visitor from northern scandinavia,for once it was very straight forward the bird being easily seen in the grass about thirty feet away,the light was fading quickly so for once things worked out fine.I find twitching quite amusing and annoying at times but everyone here was well behaved and the locals were friendly too even the doggers showed an interest,so it was an enjoyable afternoon.

RUSTIC BUNTING(steve ashton and steve ray have much better pics on their blogs)

RUSTIC BUNTING

SLEEPY SNIPE

SNIPE AT REST( HARROW)

GREY PARTRIDGE

SANDERLING

SNOW BUNTING

SNOW BUNTING

SNOW BUNTING

SHORE LARKSHORE LARK  I determined to go to Sandwich Bay again today having failed to find the shore larks on friday afternoon and evenyually on the return journey from the point located a single bird about 400 m from the restricted access area and as a bonus two snow buntings were in the same spot.Back at the Obs a possible Rough Legged Buzzard was reported by Steve Ray but a thorough search failed to relocate it,so it was home for Countdown and a deserved cup of tea ,what a life, oh well someone has to do it.