Day Trips 2012
Sunday 9th December 2012
The Isle of Sheppey in north Kent is our destination for this day of winter birding.
We will explore the beaches and fields around Shellness for waders and wildfowl such as Purple Sandpiper, Tundra Swan, White-fronted Goose, Ruff and Golden Plover.
Snow Bunting, Horned Lark and Twite can occur on the shingle beaches. Red-breasted Merganser, Common Scoter and the occasional diver can be seen offshore.
It is however the raptors that make this a day to remember. Large numbers of Marsh Harriers can be seen hunting over the reedbeds and fields with Hen Harrier amongst them.
Peregrine, Merlin, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel hunt small birds and mammals and this is one of the best places in the UK to watch wintering Rough-legged Buzzard. As dusk falls we can expect to see Barn and Short-eared Owls quartering the rough grassland.
Corn Buntings sit on the wires before going to roost in dense brambles.
It’s a day not to be missed.
£40