Around the Desert area this morning 16 Common Whitethroats, 3 Blackcaps, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Chiffchaffs, 2 Willow Warblers, 2 Whinchats, 3 Wheatears, 3 Black Redstarts, a Marsh Harrier, 2 Sparrowhawks and many Hirundines.
1 of 3 Black Redstarts at Lloyd
Common Whitethroat
Whinchat
House Martin over the Desert
A drive down the track to the visitor centre saw the Red-backed Shrike and another 2 Whinchats.
Late morning while emptying the Plodland moth trap the local Herring Gulls started kicking off, I looked up and saw to large raptors overhead, I ran to the car to grab my binoculars then remembered the keys were indoors, by the time I got my binoculars onto them the first one was disappearing into the sun, fortunately I got long enough views of the second bird to see that it was a Honey Buzzard. Knowing that MH was at Dengemarsh I phoned him, while speaking to him he saw both birds, confirming 1 bird as a Common Buzzard the other as a Honey Buzzard.
Cattle Egret
Midday at Springfield Bridge the Cattle Egret found by MH earlier popped up on top a bush in front of Dengemarsh hide for a few minutes before flying towards and around me. While there 3+ Hobby's could be seen along with a Peregrine, several more Common Buzzards,, 3 Sparrowhawks, 3 Kestrels, 3+ Marsh Harriers, 3 Great White Egrets, 3+ Little Egrets, 15+ Yellow Wagtails, 100s of Sand Martins and more, just another day at Dungeness.
Cattle Egret
A very worn Hobby
Yellow Wagtails
This afternoon from Hanson c100 Golden Plover, 7 Knot, 5 Ruff, 6 Dunlin, 2 Redshank c200 Lapwing all trying to cram in on what is left of the islands, another Hobby, a White-winged Black Tern, 100s more Sand Martins, House Martins and Swallows as well as all the usual wildfowl. Round the car park, a mixed flock of Tits joined by Willow, Reed and Sedge Warblers, Chiffchaffs, Common Whitethroats and a Lesser Whitethroat, also a couple of Cetti's Warblers calling.
Tomorrow we're off to Cap Gris Nez hopefully for a good sea watch.
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