03/03/2021

1 of the 2 Iceland Gulls at The Patch this morning

Part of the flock of 227 Russian White-fronted Geese in the fields at Cockle Bridge this morning. 304 were recorded at Dengemarsh this morning per CP.

In the almost constant drizzle today The Dusky Warbler was reported as still being present this morning, but I was unable to find it in a couple of visits. The Glossy was still visiting its island in the lake, the usual Marsh Harriers and Egrets were also around, a lovely sight this morning was the flock of 227 Russian White-fronted Geese flying into the fields opposite Cockles Bridge. Click HERE for a short YouTube video of the White-fronts.14 Bewick Swans turned up on the ARC this afternoon which made my visit there in the pouring rain worthwhile. At the fishing boats this afternoon a couple of Caspian Gulls, a flock of a minimum of 260 Kittiwakes sat just off shore along with 40+ Mediterranean Gulls, also present were a few Red-throated Divers and Gannet.

12 of the 14 Bewick Swans on the ARC this afternoon. (9 adults + 5 juveniles)

1w Caspian Gull behind the fishing boats

2 x 1w Caspian Gulls at the fishing boats this afternoon

1w Caspian Gull

1 of 40+ Mediterranean Gulls at the fishing boats this afternoon

 

02/01/2021

Dusky Warbler in lovely sunny conditions New Years Eve

Today at least 3 Iceland Gulls were at The Patch along with several each of Caspian and Yellow-legged Gulls. Offshore the sea was littered with Guillemots, Razorbills, Gannets and Red-throated Divers. Early morning on the ARC saw the 2 Whooper Swans roosting, while the Black-throated Diver was on the New Diggings. The Dusky Warbler was showing well at the ARC today if you happened to be in the right place at the right time, the Glossy Ibis was again frequenting the what is left of the old Cormorant Island, it is also seen frequently flying back forth over the track to the screen hide. In the reeds Bearded Tits, Water Rails and a Kingfisher.

While in the bushes at the ARC at least 3 Firecrests, Goldcrests, Chiffchaff and Long-tailed Tits, also a party of 8 Fieldfares over.

At Boulderwall the usual Egrets, Lapwings, Golden Plover and a few Ruff, also a Peregrine over. The Greater White-fronted Geese flock is quite mobile at the moment, usually due to disturbance by the farmers or helicopter.

Late yesterday afternoon  the male Hen Harrier was out on South Brooks where it seemed to roost. At Scotney all the usual feral Geese, along with Green Sandpiper, Long-tailed Duck, 2 Scaup and good numbers of Corn Buntings.

Dusky Warbler in todays dull overcast conditions

1 of several Firecrests at the ARC

Kingfisher ARC

A distant Glossy Ibis on its favourite Island

2 x 2w Iceland Gulls at The Patch early this morning

2w Iceland Gull early this morning

The regular 1w Iceland Gull on New Years Eve still present today

1 of the many Caspian Gulls that have been at The Patch recently

Common Seal at The Patch

White-fronts on Dengemarsh

 

01/01/2021

This excellent montage was put together by John Young showing some of last years highlights at Dungeness 

29/12/2020

Juvenile Glaucous Gull at The Patch was todays highlight

A flat calm sea today made a poor sea watch with just small numbers of the usual fare.

Juvenile Glaucous Gull with a 1w Caspian Gull at The Patch today

juvenile Glaucous Gull over The Patch today

1w Caspian Gull opposite Jarmans this morning

White-fronted Geese over Lydd this morning

Glossy Ibis on its favourite island

Glossy Ibis diving into the Tower Pits

Scaup at Scotney

 

27/12/2020

Some of the 1,000s of Guillemots and Razorbills past the fishing boats on each the past few days 

Today was another for sea watching, with huge numbers of birds passing

My thanks to AJG, CP, RW and OL for helping to keep count:

08.00-12.00 from the fishing boats:

Brent Goose:16E

Velvet Scoter: 1W

Common Scoter: 97W

Red-breasted Merganser: 1W

Red-throated Diver: 117W     4E        4 on

Fulmar: 13W

Gannet: 1,069W

Cormorant: Present n/c

Turnstone: 7 on the beach

Kittiwake: 2,702W

Black-headed Gull: Present n/c

Little Gull: 1W juvenile

Mediterranean Gull: 11W

Common Gull: Present n/c

Great Black-backed Gull: Present n/c

Herring Gull: Present n/c

Great Skua: 3W

Guillemot: 5,592W

Razorbill: 8,388W

Grey Seal: 1

                                                Velvet Scoters past the fishing boats yesterday

Eider past the fishing boats yesterday

Red-throated Divers past the fishing boats a couple of days ago

100s of Gannets being seen most days

Juvenile Little Gull at the fishing boats today

Bonxie at The fishing boats. 3+ being seen daily

2w Caspian Gull at the fishing boats yesterday

There was 3 x 1w Caspian Gulls and a 3w Yellow-legged Gull on Burrowes this afternoon viewed from the new Firth viewpoint, also a couple of Goldeneye but still no Smew. The Glossy Ibis is still present but elusive, not so the the 100+ Greater White-fronted Geese frequenting Dengemarsh.

1w Iceland Gull at the fishing boats yesterday

A minimum of 4 Iceland Gulls have been around The Point the last few days possibly as many as 6.

2w Iceland Gull at the fishing boats yesterday

2w Iceland Gull at the fishing boats

2w Iceland Gull at The Patch

2w Iceland Gull at The Patch

2w Iceland Gull at The Patch

1w Iceland Gull on the beach at The Patch

1w Iceland Gull over The Patch

Marsh Harrier at Boulderwall

 

23/12/2020

2 busy sea watches today, though the majority of the birds went through in the morning. Great Skuas seem to be a daily occurrence this December, the juvenile Pomarine Skua gave nice views while attacking a Kittiwake. Although no Sandwich Terns were recorded from The Point today, 2 continue to linger in Lade Bay per PT.

70+ Greater White-fronted Geese continued to feed in the field opposite my garden until this morning when the farmer put up a scarecrow, which may fall down over night. On the ARC the Black-throated Diver is still present. A long circular walk yesterday around around Scotney Gravel Pits found the female Scaup at the Sussex end, 3 Green Sandpipers in the westernmost working pit but no sign of the Long-tailed Duck. The Bewick and Whooper swans can still be found on Walland Marsh. 

Adult Yellow-legged Gull on the beach yesterday along with a juvenile Lesser Black-backed Gull below

Black-throated Diver on the ARC yesterday