11/05/2025

This short video courtesy of David Scott of a Long-tailed Skua might not mean much to most people, but I have dreamed of seeing a spring Long-tailed Skua on a sea watch at Dungeness. I so very nearly missed it as myself and John Young had packed up watching and just reached the old lighthouse car park, when over our walkie talkies Jacob was shouting Long-tailed Skua close in. Both myself and John set off running the couple of hundred yards across the shingle to the beach, John was well in front of me but stumbled and fell as we neared the beach, when we got to the beach thanks to Jacobs instructions we both managed to see the bird, I have to admit it was not the views I have dreamed of but I am very grateful for the view I had.😀 Many thanks to David Scott for letting me have this video which I will cherish. 

What with seeing 7 Pomarine Skuas, a Bonxie and several Arctic Skuas today it was also a 4 Skua day. 

A full list of the days sea watching will be HERE  late this evening. 

3 of a flock of 4 Pomarine Skuas passing this morning

Ringed Plover in the ranges

I have been visiting the Ranges ie The Midrips and Wicks for last 3 days as they are very under watched,

There have been up to 74 Avocets present along with 30+ Whimbrel, 10+ Bat-tailed Godwit, 5 Grey plovers, 6 Turnstone, Dunlins, Sanderlings, Ringed Plovers, Little Ringed Plovers, Redshanks and Greenshanks but nothing scarce so far.

Avocets in the ranges

Whimbrel in the ranges

Winter Plumaged Curlew Sandpiper at Kerton Road Pit

Summer Plumaged Curlew Sandpiper at Kerton Road Pit

Bar-tailed Godwits, a Knot and Oystercatchers at the Kerton Road Pit

Bar-tailed Godwits and a Knot  at the Kerton Road Pit

 

A distant image of a White Stork taken from my garden this morning

The White Stork toured the peninsula this morning, also a Bee-eater made a brief tour of The Point, various waders were to be found on the reserve along with the resident birds, but no bid arrival.