Had a nice stroll around the farm this morning, glourious day without any unexpected birds. The pools held good numbers of wildfowl including Mallard,Teal, Wigeon, Gadwall, Pochard, Tufted Duck, also 4 Little Grebe, 1 Great C Grebe, 2 Water Rail, 70+ Fieldfare in the area along with several Redwing. In the bushes there were 3 Bullfinch, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Chiffchaff and a Treecreeper. Good numbers of Skylark in the stubble field and several Yellowhammer.

Yesterday at Climping Beach, very slow offshore with only 1e Red-throated Diver, 2w Razorbill, 13w Brent Geese, 5 Great-crested Grebe, 1 Rock Pipit and 8 Grey Partridge to show for my efforts.

Monday 14th Nov

After spending the morning seeing virtually nothing, one lucky observer was  rewarded for his afternoon visit to Poole Place when 2 SPOONBILLS flew east overhead over Climping Beach before being lost to view.

First bird up was a late Sandwich Tern just offshore, but it soon drifted away and there was little sea movement thereafter. The Hoopoe showed well, as did the Snow Bunting in the same location as yesterday (W end of dunes). 'Vis mig' was poor with about 200 Goldfinches and 20 Siskins passing overhead but little else. The tit flock was eventually located but today seemed to consist of just 20 Long-tailed Tits, with a few Blue and Great Tits thrown in and 2 Goldcrests, the Short-eared Owl was also seen.

Combined totals for today include the HOOPOE, that was relocated but elusive behind the Black Horse Pub, and near the thatched cottages. One SNOW BUNTING showed well on and off at the far west end of the dunes, by the corner of the golf course, often on the small grass area. A male Black Redstart was at the far east end of the patch, and a Short-eared Owl still in the area. Two or more Chiffchaffs were noted and the Tit flock held a Firecrest, 2 Goldcrest and a Treecreeper.

Seemed very quiet around the Golf Course this morning, still small flocks of Finches moving east and singles of Whinchat on the practise area, and Chiffchaff and Blackcap from 1st wood. Onto West Beach were I decided as it was that quiet just to do the small loop and head for home. A nice surprise firstly was Short-eared Owl flushed from the dunes on 3, 1 Peregrine north over the golf course and 2 SNOW BUNTING, seen 50yds west of the boardwalk, amongst the shingle. They eventually took flight east and lost to view, may still be in the area around the dunes. Good count of 45 Cormorant on the river mouth breakwater  and several Red-breasted Mergansers moving west, 2 Razorbill off Climping Beach.

The HOPOOE still present this morning, ranging from Atherington upto its favoured spot at Kent Farm. Good passage of Finches with 650 Goldfinch, 120 Siskin, 100 Linnets, 150, Chaffinches, and at least 10 Redpoll, totals were for one hour only between 8-9. Also today 3 Blackcap, 1 Swallow, 40 Skylark,  1 Stonechat, 1 Buzzard, 2 Golden Plover, 6 Stock Dove 200+ Wood Pigeon , and 2 Peregrine. Offshore 6 Gannet.

After spending most of the morning around Atherington looking for yesterdays HOOPOE without success, I decided to go back to my car at Kemp Farm and grab my camera to get some shots of the Short-eared Owl roosting in the hedge in the horse field. Driving towards Climping Primary School  I relocated the bird in the middle of the road then it flew into a roasdside tree.

Also today 1 late Whinchat bread lane, 1 Bullfinch, 1-2 Brambling, 1 Female Blackcap, 8 Curlew, 1 Little Egret, still small flocks of finches on the move, singles of Buzzard, Sparrowhawk and several Goldcrest in the area.