Nightingales

05.00 in Orlestone Forest counting Nightingales. 2 extra territories found today, 23 singing males in the 2 Tetrads. Also seen on my plod around the tetrads 10+ fly over Crossbills, 2 Turtle Doves purring, 2 cuckoo's, several Garden Warblers, Blackcaps, Willow Warblers, Chiffchaffs, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker calling and a Tawny Owl.

After finishing in the forest I made the short drive to Rye Harbour NR. Most the waders have moved on though it was low tide, Plenty of Common and Sandwich Terns, Black-headed Gulls, Mediterranean Gulls on Ternery Pool and 3 newly arrived Willow Warblers by the hide. 8+ Little Terns on The Quarry and at least 3 Avocet chicks on the new flood.



Newly arrived Willow Warbler Rye Harbour

At Scotney 2 Curlew, 3 Whimbrel, 1 Grey plover, 8 Dunlin and c20 Ringed plover.

 Back at Dungeness at the ARC Pit 8+Hobbys, Cetti's,Reed and Sedge Warblers but little else probably due to the very high water levels, even Stilts would need stilts.

 By the entrance track to the reserve centre a very confiding Wheatear a superb bird. On the reserve much the same as the ARC Pit  plus a Spotted flycatcher, 2 Lesser Whitethroats. Hopefully the new Tern raft on Dengemarsh will attract more breeding Terns.