Well that was quite a definite return to winter with snow greeting me upon arrival just before seven this morning. I was wise to come in early as the weather quickly deteriorated and persistent snow and a fierce north easterly wind.
Pretty... but...
The marsh was once again white but thankfully the snow stopped just long enough to take the KBC out on a walk. We were all well wrapped up and there was still quite a bit to see although the chances of any summer migrants were somewhat reduced!
The White High Seat - Jackie Suttling
Snowy Snipe - Jackie Suttling
The walk back along the foreshore was bitter and we returned with numb faces but with a couple of Water Pipits and close views of Wigeon, Teal and Redshank for our troubles.
Foreshore - Mike Rumsby
Plastic rubbish can be quite disturbing at times...
With the weather closing in the rest of the day was spent staring forlornly out of the windows at the grey river hoping for something to materialise and eventually it did when Ruth found two very early Sandwich Terns sitting on the Whimbrel Posts down on the foreshore.
Shaky and through the windows and snow! Two Sandwich Terns and a Black-headed Gull - HTV
They sat there for 15 minutes before heading out of the river. An adult Med Gull careened the other way and six adult Little Gulls battled their way out making the strenuous effort of sitting in a nice warm visitors centre with a coffee and a slab of cake all the more worthwhile.
Highlights from the day...