04/12/2023

I was happy to see Polish ringed Black-headed Gull TJVV has returned today to Dungeness for at least its fourth winter.

An excellent if the most comfortable of sea watches today, even in the shelter of the hide the strong SSE wind blew straight in through the slats. 

08.00-09.30 with RW & OL 

Wind SSE 5, Temp  6° Cloudy with rain

Brent Goose: 56E

Common Scoter: 1W

Great-crested Grebe: 2W

Kittiwake: 68W

Little Gull: 3W (1 juvenile)

Black-headed Gull: present

Mediterranean Gull: 1E

Common Gull: present

Great Black-backed Gull: 47W

Herring Gull: present

Lesser Black-backed Gull:  3W 

Sandwich Tern: 1W

Guillemot: 13W

Razorbill: 112W 

Auk sp: 145W

Red-throated Diver: 61W 

Fulmar: 13W 

Gannet: 958W

Cormorant: Present

Grey Seal: 1 

At present there are up to 1,000 Greylag Geese out in the fields in front my house, among them today were these 3 White-fronted Geese.

This is the first drake Goosander I have seen for a few years, this one is currently residing on the small pool c150mts west of Rye Golf Club. 

There was still at least 1 Great Norther Diver present on the reserve

I've not seen any Glossy Ibis for a several days and am inclined to think they may have moved on due to the cold weather. There were still up to at least  8 Cattle Egrets around at the weekend. On Walland there are still at least 4 Whooper Swans and 30+ Bewick Swans all of which are are feeding just about as for from the road as is possible.

A mid week check of a Harrier Roost with CP & RW produced 25 Marsh Harriers, a male Hen Harrier and a Short-eared Owl.