Once I arrived at Willow Tree Fen, it was a 40 minute wait before the Bluethroat eventually emerged from the reedbed and fed at close range on and around the main track. Very happy to have finally caught up with one after dipping several previous birds.
Bluethroat - Willow Tree Fen
Had another 2 Red Kites when driving back down the A1(M). Next stop was Monkton, Kent to look for the taiga bean geese, a species I've needed since IOC was adopted. Two other birders who arrived at the site at the same time as me showed me the field were the geese were ussually seen, however there was no sign. The others decided to search elsewhere, but I investigated some greylag calls in the next field where I found the 2 Taiga Bean Geese. A little perseverance can go a long way! Also had a pair of Ring-Necked Parakeets.
Taiga Bean Geese - Monkton
The greylag-like build and long, wedge-shaped bill and head is quite different to tundra bean.
I headed back over to Milton Creek after hearing that the pine bunting had reappeared, but scanning through the yellowhammers and reed buntings failed to produce the target bird. The final stop was dungeness to try for caspian or iceland gull, however a thick sea mist made this an impossible task
All in all a good day, seeing both the lifers I originally went for.
