Short-toed Treecreeper 3

What was planned as a pleasant relaxing day in Kent, turned into a mad dash across the county for a Short-toed Treecreeper, very elusive but called regularly. A new British Bird for me as i had missed last years Landguard individual, so was able to catch back up on my crew (who got Yellowthroat back on me the other week!).

The day started at Dungeness with a flyby Bittern, Smew, Yellow-legged Gull, Long-tailed Duck, Bearded Tit, Tree Sparrow and a distant Great White Egret, not bad for starters; moving towards the point we added the resident Glaucous Gull.

The mega-alert hit as we left the reserve gates, so a quick 50 minute drive saw us staring at a bush where the Treecreeper had been some time earlier - dejection disappeared as the bird flew back in calling from across the railway. Difficult to view and only a few record shots grabbed.

The day ended at Harty Marshes, where around 10 Short-eared Owls gave varying views, along with a Barn owl and a few Hen Harriers.

3 good days in as many weeks, the spring will have a lot to live up to!