A Very Unexpected Patch Tick

 I called in to the Grove Ferry end of the Stodmarsh reserve (HQ) for a chat.

Whinchat, one of four seen.

Stonechat, one of a pair seen

I did connect with Whinchats earlier, on the 31st August after being alerted to their presence by Martyn Wilson. Always good to get these returning migrants, re fueling at Grove before carrying on their journey back to Africa.

The day's biggest surprise for me and a patch tick to boot, was a very high juvenile Gannet flying from North to South over the viewing ramp on my way back to the car. That was most unexpected.

A record shot of the juvenile Gannet to mark the occasion.