The single female snow bunting was still present at it's favoured patch by Swale hide today (22nd). But while we're welcoming our winter visitors, don't forget that there are still summer birds heading south: also around the reserve today a swallow, a wheatear and a chiffchaff.
A ring-tail hen harrier was around again today - there are certainly at least 3 birds hunting the reserve: an adult male and two ring-tails (females or immature males). Also present were at least one peregrine & merlin. A single little stint was with 4 dunlin on the Flood, where there was also 15 black-tailed godwit and there are still at least 4 green sandpipers around the reserve. A flock of 150 golden plover were in the fields below Kingshill Farm. A single stonechat was feeding along the fence line at Southfleet hide and small parties of bearded tits can be found in most of the reserves areas of reeds.