From Divers to Warblers

I met up with Chris and Brendan at 6:30 and we went straight off to catch the Great Northern Diver which was at Theale Gravel Pits. We arrived just as some light was beginning to come through the dense clouds. We walked along the bank trying to find a good viewing point and after a bit we found one. It took us about half an hour and the help of a local to locate the GREAT NORTHERN DIVER (life tick). It was on the other side of the Pit from us so we headed off with the car to a different viewing point. It took us about an hour before I relocated it and when we did we had a nice scope view but unfortunately no chance of a photo. After looking at it for a bit we had to go. We then headed off at 11 again down to Dungeness to see the Pallas's Leaf Warbler. By this time Paul had also joined us. I was also hoping to connect with the Glaucous Gull which was also seen there. After a 2 hour drive we arrived and we rushed to the garden that the Warbler had been seen in. After waiting for about 10 minutes the PALLAS'S LEAF WARBLER (life tick) gave us a very quick show and then darted back in the hedges. From then on we saw glimpses of the bird but only once saw it for longer then 5 seconds when it hovered and it revealed its lemon yellow rump. After this success we had a quick look for the Glaucous Gull but we were fruitless and we headed off for Harty Ferry Lane for the raptor watch point. When we arrived at the point it was already beginning to become dark and by the end of the watch it was almost pitch black. On the point we saw a dozen Marsh Harriers, a Merlin which was a nice surprise and a Barn Owl before we left.