06/11/2021

An uninspiring sea watch done by AJG & RW who kindly sent me there numbers:

07.00-08.45 

Brent Goose; 6W    1 around

Shelduck: 4W

Common Scoter: 2E

Red-throated Diver: 3E   2 on

Great-crested Grebe: 3W. 2 on

Gannet: 233W

Cormorant: present 92W

Kittiwake: 24W

Black-headed Gull: present n/c

Mediterranean Gull: 1W

Herring Gull: present n/c

Great Black-backed Gull: present n/c

Lesser Black-backed Gull: present n/c

Guillemot: 3W

Razorbill: 3E

Auk sp: 61W

Pied Wagtail: 3 around

Siskin: 3 in

Linnet: 24W

After the last couple of mornings with reasonable numbers of Thrushes, Finches and Starlings flying over , todays walk around the trapping area was very disappointing, barely a Thrush to be seen, just a handful of Siskin and Redpolls over and no Brambling for me today or any more Woodcocks.

This female Kestrel seems to be a regular around the reserve centre car park

One of the many Gannets passing the fishing boats this afternoon

13.45-15.15 with RW, OL and SP,

Brent Goose: 8W    1E

Common Scoter: 2W

Red-throated Diver: 1W    1 on

Great-crested Grebe: 5 around

Gannet: 158W         12E

Cormorant: 187 out of Lade Bay

Kittiwake: 2W        11E

Mediterranean Gull: 1W     1W

Yellow-legged Gull: 1 around (2w bird)

Sandwich tern: 9W

Guillemot: 9W       3 on

Razorbill: 14W  2 on

Auk sp: 15W    12E

Harbour Porpoise: 2

Late afternoon myself RW and SP went to Dennis's Hide for the Gull and Starling roost, we were not disappointed. We found at least 5 Yellow-legged Gulls, an adult Caspian Gull and 16 Cattle Egrets flew through Burrowes to roost, but to me these overshadowed by the Starlings. A conservative estimate by us thought at least 50,000 Starlings came to the Open Pit roost, where their murmurations was a fantastic sight. I don't know why the RSPB don't advertise it as I'm sure many people would like to witness one natures finest spectacles. The following link shows only some of the birds involved in the murmuration Starling Murmuration at Dungeness

Razorbills passing West at the fishing boats this afternoon

Razorbill at the fishing boats this afternoon

A few Sandwich terns still hanging around at the fishing boats

This Great Black-backed Gull at the fishing boats this afternoon was ringed as a pullus at Masseholmen Skjernøysund, Mandal, Vest-Agder, Noway on 25/06/2021

This Goldcrest yesterday was my first and only one of the Autumn so far

Dont you just hate it when this happens! 😂