UP THE CREEK.

Went to Milton Creek at Sittingbourne on Friday in search of the Long Tailed Ducks that have been wintering there for a while.I had never been there before and my ordnance survey map was not up to date,however eventually after a little trial and error found the Saxon Shoreway,there was no signage at all,and started off towards the Swale.The creek was full of Teal,Redshank,Curlew, Greenshank,Grey Plover, even a Kingfisher on the muddy bank.

 GREENSHANK

 GREY PLOVER
Further out there is a reed bed which held a party of about 20 Bearded Tits and lots of Wigeon were on the creek.

 BEARDED TITS

WHO ATE ALL THE SEEDS?
I met up with Murray Orchard out towards the Swale and he said he had seen the Long Tailed Ducks fly in behind the muddy islands quaintly named the Lilies,so it was a waiting game as the tide came in lots of Shelduck were feeding on the Swale a drake Red Breasted Merganser and 4 Common Scoters were seen while on the lake inland 3 drake Goldeneye were resting up,no sign of the LTDs though.After a while Murray re appeared and said the ducks had gone up the creek without our seeing them .......

LONG TAILED DUCKS-the most and the best I have seen in Kent

At about this time Brendan Ryan joined us,to enjoy the four birds swimming up and down the creek continuously diving for food in the muddy waters.

THIS DRAKE CAUGHT A SMALL FLATFISH

So it was a very enjoyable mornings birding,with not a single dogger ,jogger biker or hiker to be seen for a change,its a bit of a walk through the industrial estate and a less than pretty path at the start but once beyond the brick works it is all worthwhile.

A TURNERESQUE SUNSET AT HOME TO END WITH.