Kent Mini-break

Well that didn't quite go to plan. I was waiting for something good to turn up on the east coast that I could twitch and then do some rarity hunting in that area. However by Sunday night there was nothing within striking distance so I thought I would do a couple of days in North Kent so I left at 6am and started off at Grain. Within minutes news was confirmed of the Steppe Grey Shrike in Suffolk- that would have been perfect- it's a lifer. Traffic was murder getting to Grain so I thought I'd stick to the plan and go for the shrike the day after (today). So I did Grain for most of the day- migrants included 1 Wheatear, 10 Siskin, 3 Lesser Redpoll, my first Brent Geese of the autumn (100+), 10 Blackcap,  50+ House Martin, 10 Swallow, 10 Chiffchaff, 4 Goldcrest, 2 Stonechat, 40 Meadow Pipit, 11 Skylark, 1 Rock Pipit, a notable presence of Robins, a Gannet in the Thames and a good selection of other wintering wetland birds in the Thames. Also had Clouded Yellow and Wall Brown butterflies. 

I spent the evening on Sheppey in the campervan (at Warden Springs) and put the moth trap out despite the moderate south west winds and rain. Surprisingly there were a few migrants. This morning I did the bushes at Warden Point, which were very quiet and then decided to set off to twitch the Shrike. 

No sooner I had I started my journey, did my phone decide to completely pack up (no internet access) so I had no idea how to get to the bird and simultaneously I was dealing with phone calls about chaos at work so I had to abort and go back home (so much for my month off) to sort stuff out. I ended up back at the farmlands for an hours birding in the evening! I can't escape!! Will try again tomorrow.  

First-winter Wheatear

Migrant Robins were quite conspicuous 

A walk for my dinner (cockney cockles) took me along Leysdown Beach which hosted roosting Sandwich Terns, Mediterranean Gulls, Ringed Plover, Dunlins and migrant Mips, Pied Wags and a Wheatear. 

First Brents of the autumn 

A Delicate- my first in the UK if I remember right. Had a few other migrants including Clancy's Rustic (below), Rusty-dot Pearl, Silver-Y, and Turnip. Mainly (apart from the Craneflies!) Lunar Underwings, Lesser and Large Yellow Underwings,  Beaded Chestnut, Small Rannunculs and a few other typical autumn species. 

Gold Spot are always a treat 

Brick was a new for year for me 

I wasn't sure about this- thought maybe a worn Feathered Rannunculus ? 

Another mystery moth- not sure at all, a drab? or a melanic Square-spot rustic? 

Moth trap on the cliff last night 

Warden Point (the cliff in distance) , Sheppey from Leysdown Beach 

Highlight of the evening visit to the farmlands was 150+ House Martin hawking over the South Lake. They've been around for a couple of days so presumably being held up in the weather conditions.