Started at Leysdown for the high tide wader roost (including Sanderling) then drove down the potholed access track as far as it was possible to go (ie just before the bit that was flooded to several feet). Scanning the sea picked up a Black throated Diver and a flock of about 250 Wigeon. On the fields a flock of 1500+ Brent included two Pale bellied birds (an adult and 1st winter) and a probable Black Brant. Probable in this case because it was facing directly towards me - I could see the complete neck ring and even the white flank patches but couldn't rule out a hybrid on the views I had. But a shed load of other people have seen the bird so I’m sure there’s no doubt about the ID just bad views – unfortunately that makes it untickable for me.
Also decent numbers of Shelduck, Teal and Gadwall (regularly put up by a Marsh Harrier). Beyond the Brent were a flock of c30 White fronts (part of a larger flock reported in the area). Later found out that there’d also been a flock of Barnacles in the same area but no luck.
Drove down to Harty Ferry to check the Swale for Mergansers, then a massive blizzard hit the site – the other birder there headed off and I had to retreat to the car for a bit. Just as the blizzard stopped looked out of the car to see a big white, neck outstretched bird flying across the saltmarsh: Spoonbill. Landed in the saltmarsh and (despite disappearing every now and then) showed until I left 45 mins or so later. Nice surprise. Looking around the Ferry also picked up an ad male, then a juv Hen Harrier working the fields and saltmarsh.
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