Wind and Rain

With the rain lashing down and the wind howling, where else would I be but sitting in my car sea watching at The Point on Dungeness beach. At times the car felt as if would be blown over in some of the squalls. In 2.5 hrs  150+ each of Gannets and Kittiwakes moved west, also 3 Red-throated Divers, 2 Red-breasted Mergansers, 2 Sandwich Terns, c40 Auks, c30 Starlings in, a Merlin just offshore and 2+ Harbour Porpoises. As I drove back across the causeway a Great White Egret and 2 little Egrets were sheltering on the New Diggings.

 A soggy Glaucous Gull in its favoured puddle.

 Merlin just off shore

 At midday the wind seemingly strengthening I called it a day and headed over Walland, where the Whooper Swans were feeding reasonably close to the road. Little else was seen due to the wind.

A record shot of the Crossbill that Mike Buckland kindly informed me about at the pines yesterday taken in virtual darkness. This is the only Crossbill that I have seen on the peninsular that was not a fly over. 

Long-tailed Duck

The Whooper Swans were still at Midley as I drove across the marsh to Dungeness. A Marsh harrier hunted the field behind and 2 Swallows were hawking along the roadside ditch.

At the north pit Lade a Long-tailed Duck which kept its distance, a Goldeneye, a few each of Pochard and Tufted Duck, some dabblers, Great-crested and Little Grebes. In the Sallows several Water Rails squealing 3 Cetti's Warblers and 2 Chiffchaffs.
A sea watch from The Point in constant rain was poor with the usual Gannets off shore, 5 Red-throated Divers west, 4+Kittiwakes off shore with 3 Mediterranean Gulls 2 of which were robbing the kittiwakes. On the beach by the fishing boats the Glaucous Gull and a Yellow-legged Gull.

More of the same

Driving across Walland this morning the 2 Whooper Swans still present at Midley with Mute Swans, 2 Marsh Harriers hunting the fields, the Hawthorn hedges were full of Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, Redwings and a few each of Fieldfare and Mistle Thrushes. In the bushes opposite the feeders a mixed flock of finches including 10+ Tree sparrows.

 In 2 visits to the fishing boats, 6 Red-throated Divers moving west, as were 2 Red-breasted Mergansers, 26 Common Scoter, 14 Kittiwakes, 1 Sandwich Tern, 1 Bonxie and few Gannets. On the beach the 3w Glaucous Gull and an adult Yellow-legged Gull.

At the entrance to the reserve Boulderwall Farm held 10+ Tree Sparrows. In the Gull roost by the track another adult Yellow legged gull and on Burrowes 4 Great White Egrets, 7 Little Egrets, a Marsh harrier over and a Goldeneye among the usual wildfowl. At the ARC from Hanson 2 more Goldeneye and c300 Wigeon with other dabblers. 2 Chiffchaffs were in the reeds by the hide. On New Diggings a Great White Egret (a 5th bird or one of the 4)

Quiet

The 2 Whooper Swans were still at Midley this morning as I crossed the marsh on my way to Dungeness. From The Point the sea passage was disappointing 5 Common Scoter, 4 Red-throated Divers, 2 Teal, 7 Kittiwakes, 3 Guillemots, 2 Razorbills, a few Gannets and a Merlin in 2 visits this morning and lunchtime.
On the reserve 3 Great White Egrets on Burrowes and an adult Yellow-legged Gull in the roost by the entrance track. The ARC was quiet with of note 2 Goldeneye, 2 Marsh Harriers, 40+ Golden Plover, 7 fly through Dunlin and the usual Wildfowl. Looking at the forecast there wont be much change this week.

Egrets

The 2 Whooper Swans were still with the Mute Swan herd at Midley as I drove across Walland to Dungeness this morning. As I parked on the beach a Merlin flashed by after a Meadow Pipit. A plod along the beach towards the Lifeboat Station found the 3w Glaucous Gull and 2 adult Yellow Legged Gulls on the beach. 3 Red-throated Divers flew west and 26 Common Scoter east. 3 Guillemots were on the sea, a few Auk sp and Gannets were tooing and froing off shore. Highlight was a 1w Arctic Tern moving west. When I got back to the car the wind had got up and showers were threatening to come ashore.

At the ARC I spent an hour on my own in the empty Hanson hide staring at the Bull Rushes hoping that a Penduline Tit might appear. No luck with a Penduline but 2 Bearded Tits dropped into the reed bed frustratingly staying on the outside out of sight most the time and couple Water Rail were squealing. A Kingfisher made 4 fly pasts once attempting to perch on reed by the hide without success. (Oh for some perches to be strategically placed but that seems to be against RSPB rules). A party of 4 Goldeneye was round the Cormorant Island and C100 Golden Plover, c200 Lapwing, c400 Wigeon with smaller numbers of the usual wild fowl regularly being spooked by 2 Marsh Harriers and Sparrowhawk.

On the reserve 4 Great White Egrets and 3+ Little Egrets also a drake Goldeneye per CT and BH. From Firth Hide one the Great White Egrets often comes quite close allowing photo opportunities pity about the light. With the weather deteriorating I gave Dengemarsh and Hookers Pit a miss and went back to the ARC  for another look for a Penduline Tit, no luck, but another glimpse of the Kingfisher flashing by.

At Scotney the feral Barnacle Geese flock still present, c150 Golden Plover, 8 Dunlin and a Redshank on the flood and 2 Marsh Harriers hunting the fields at the back of the pit.

Coming back across Walland the 2 Whooper Swans showing well close to the road, 10+ Tree Sparrows, a Marsh Harrier and a Common Buzzard.

Walland Whoopers

Thanks to a text from Neil this morning I picked up on the 2 Whooper Swans he located with Mute Swan herd near Midley Drying Barns, both were still present late this afternoon.

 A stroll along the beach from the fishing boats to the Lifeboat station hoping for a Little Auk  or better on flat calm sea drew a blank. 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls were near the fishing boats. While searching the Gull flock for a Caspian Gull and failing the Glaucous Gull flew in landing a few feet from me hence another picture of it. 3 Swallows flew along the beach and 20+ Stock Doves came in.

 On the reserve there was 4 Great White Egrets on Burrowes and 6 Little Egrets, 4 Swallows flew south over Christmas Dell where there were many Blackbirds and Song Thrushes. Cetti's Warblers were calling all around the reserve. At Hookers 2 Stonechats, 4 Bearded Tits, 2 Marsh Harriers and several young Smooth Newts crossing the path.

Not Today

With the forecast of strong NNW wind and very cold with it I did not hurry out this morning. After domestic duties and a full English breakfast I made my way to Dungeness. On arrival TG and DW were already on site staring out to sea with the news that I had missed nothing good. I stayed after they left but saw nothing much of note. A short visit to the ARC was fruitless. Back at the beach the Glaucous Gull was on the beach also 2 Yellow-legged Gulls but still little of note passing off shore. A windswept Walland was only notable for the lack of avian activity.

Divers

08.00-14.00 A windy, chilly, damp and rewarding sea watch from the car on the concrete road with TG, later joined by DW, BB and MH.

Great Northern Diver: 1E  (very scarce at Dungeness)    Dunlin: 42E

Black-throated Diver: 2w                                                Curlew: 6E

Red-throated Diver: 6E  2w  4 on the sea                        Oystercatcher: 2E

Red-necked Grebe: 1 on sea                                             Yellow-legged Gull: 2 on beach

Brent Goose: 1408w   64E                                               Knot: 6E

Common Scoter: 69w  57E                                               Ringed Plover: 1 On beach

Velvet Scoter: 1E                                                             Turnstone: 4+ on beach

Wigeon: 132w  15E                                                          Bonxie: 2w

Teal: 33w  2E                                                                   Kittiwake:39w  4E

Pintail: 4w  2E                                                                  Little Gull: 2w   1E  

Red-breasted Merganser: 10w                                          Mediterranean Gull: 5w

Shelduck: 4w                                                                    Starling: 400 in

Merlin: 1 out   1 in off                                                       Goldfinch: 80+E

record of  todays Red-necked Grebe(will be glad to get my 7d back next week)

 Of note on the ARC from Hanson was c150 Golden Plover, 1 Marsh Harrier and the usual wildfowl. In the Willow Trail 2 Chiffchaffs and 2 Goldcrests with the Tit flock. On the reserve c25 Tree Sparrows at Boulderwall Farm and the 3 Great White Egrets on Burrowes being harassed by Grey Herons.

2w Male Hen Harrier

 As I drove out of Lydd on to Walland a superb 2w male hen harrier hunting a Kale field but staying distant. Further on 20+ Redwings at Hawthorn Corner and 10+ Tree Sparrows at Midley.

Goldfinches

A busy morning sea watching from the fishing boats this morning.With much needed help from TG, DW, BB, AB counting the finches moving east over the beach.

Red-throated Diver: 7w

Black-necked Grebe: 1 drifted west

Gannet: c40 off shore

Brent Geese: 112w 6E + 1 Pale bellied w

Common Scoter: 113w 6E

Merlin: 1 over beach

Sparrowhawk: 1 over beach

Curlew: 1E

Dunlin: 1E

Turnstone: 6 on beach

Bonxie: 2w

Guillemot: 6w 4E

Raorbill: 4W 2E

Auk sp: 412w

Sandwich Tern: 14 off shore

Kittiwake: 17w

Mediterranean Gull: 8w

Glaucous Gull: 1 on beach

Yellow-legged Gull: 1 on Beach

Swallow: 75

House Martin: 5

Skylark: 3 in

Meadow Pipit: 17 E

Redwing: 1 in

Chaffinch: 20E

Goldfinch: 3460E

Linnet: 277E

Redpoll: 16E

Siskin: 4E

Harbour Porpoise: 3+ offshore

1 of 3 on Burrowes Pit

On the ARC from Hanson of note 150 Golden Plover, 2 Marsh Harriers and 6 Swallows. In the Willow Trail 3 Goldcrests and 2 Chiffchaffs.

On the reserve 3 Great White Egrets showing well on Burrowes Pit (shame about the light) and the usual wild fowl.

Vis Mig Dengemarsh Gully

This morning I joined MH and BM by the sluice for a very enjoyable vis mig at a foggy Dengemarsh Gully 08.00-12.00: Totals below are birds identified most of which appeared to be coming straight in off the sea and up the gully. There were many more unidentified due to the conditions and some of us being a bit hard of hearing.

Brent Geese: 70w
Wigeon: 58w
Shoveller: 3w
Mallard: 2w
Tufted Duck:1E
Kestrel: 2 around
Curlew: 5E
Jack Snipe: 1 in and dived straight into the gully
Short-eared Owl: 1 just east of the gully.
Swallow: 31 in
Pied Wagtail: 11 in
Meadow Pipit: 38 in
Skylark: 122 in
Goldcrest: 4 in the gully
Chiffchaff: 5 in the gully
Robin: 22 in the gully
Song Thrush: 157 in
Redwing: 104 in
Blackbird: 112 in
Ring Ouzel: 5 in
Fieldfare: 3 in
Starling: c370 in
Chaffinch: 286 in
Brambling: 1 in
Goldfinch: c90 in
Linnet: c120
Siskin: 6+ in
Redpoll: 12 in
Reed Bunting: 7 in
Later a male Black Redstart was seen on the Dengemarsh Chicken sheds and a Great White Egret from the viewing ramp.