17/02/2025

A very cold and a very poor watch this morning.

07.35-09.00 from the hide with JS,RW, OL  
E 3-4    2º    
Brent Goose: 12E
Common Scoter: 2E  
Great-crested Grebe: 5 on  
Oystercatcher: 9E
Ringed Plover: 1E
Kittiwake: 6E
Black-headed Gull: 16E
Common Gull:  27E
Herring Gull: Present n/c
Great Black-backed Gull: Present n/c
Guillemot: 3E
Auk sp: 102E  
Red-throated Diver: 39E     9W 
Gannet: 23E   2W 
Cormorant: 27E       24W
Harbour Porpoise: 2 

There were 3 Cattle Egrets in the Cockles Bridge triangle when I went home for breakfast

The female Smew was on the ARC this morning per JY but it sucessfully avoided me, a coule of hours of thermalling drew a blank as well. The Long-tailed Duck was still on the New Diggings , as usual it kept its distance,

The Black-necked Grebe was still present on Denge Marsh this afternoon

Some of the 15 Bewick Swans left on Walland Marsh, I assume the rest have started their return journey.

16/02/2025

 

A party of Pintail moving East past the sea watch hide this morning

Even in the relative comfort of the sea watch hide the bitingly cold east wind this morning made for an uncomfortable watch. I guess I'm getting old!

07.30-09.30 from the hide with RW, OL  ENE 4-5    2º    Overcast

Brent Goose: 38E

Pintail: 37E   (5+9+23)

Wigeon: 38E   (7+5+2+23)

Aythya sp: 2E    (probably Scaup)

Common Scoter: 7E  

Great-crested Grebe: 2E    6 on  

Oystercatcher: 28E

Little Gull: 6E (single flock all adults)  

Kittiwake: 12E

Black-headed Gull: 9E

Mediterranean Gull: 1E

Common Gull:  7E

Herring Gull: Present n/c

Great Black-backed Gull: Present n/c

Razorbill: 2E

Guillemot: 6E

Auk sp: 25E  

Red-throated Diver: 62E     27W 

Gannet: 176E   3W 

Cormorant: 180E       21W

Harbour Porpoise: 2

Grey Seal: 1

On the reserve the Long-tailed duck was still present on The New Diggings per JY et al and the Black-necked grebe was again on Dengemarsh, but no sign of the female Smew, though it could well be tucked away out of the the freezing East wind, 1 Water Pipit was seen on the hayfields per DB. There are still at least 2 Russian White-fronted Geese on the reserve per JY et al. The Egrets were all to be found in the usual places, a Bittenr was booming on Denge Marsh per RW. On Walland still 15 Bewick Swans at Coldharbour Lane per NB.

Late afternoon at my allotted reed bed no Harriers came in to roost, a Barn Owl flew over and a Little Owl was calling. 

14/02/2025

Black Redstart feeding behind the sea watch hide this morning

A bitterly cold morning despite the bright sunshine.  ESE 3-4    2º    Sunny

This mornings sea watch carried on in the same vein as the last few days.

07.25-10.00 from the hide with RW, CP, JY, OL    

Common Scoter: 5E  

Great-crested Grebe: 37 drifted E  

Oystercatcher: 29E  

Dunlin: 8E

Kittiwake: 16E

Black-headed Gull: 71 drifted E

Common Gull:  23E

Herring Gull: Present n/c

Great Black-backed Gull: Present n/c

Razorbill: 14E

Guillemot: 6E

Auk sp: 17E  

Red-throated Diver: 264E     7W 

Fulmar: 3E  1W

Gannet: 193E  

Cormorant:  46E      17W

Raven: 2E along shoreline

Black Redstart: 1 behind hide

Harbour Porpoise: 1

Common Seal: 1

Grey Seal: 2

 

Black Redstart

Black-necked Grebe at Denge Marsh

After a late breakfast and warm up I ventured out onto the reserve. 4 Cattle Egrets with 2 Little Egrets were in the Cockles Bridge triangle as I drove past, at Boulderwall Fields 2 Great White Egrets and the usual feral geese but no sign of the 19 Russian White-fronted Geese that were present yesterday. From Dennis's just 4 Goldeneye of any note. From Firth and adult Caspian Gull among c30 Great Black-backed Gulls. I went into the new Makepiece Hide and immediately realised one of the doors did not close properly with out physically lifting it into place, I feel sorry for any disabled person who may be on there own as I would imagine access and egress would be very difficult for some and near impossible for others, large handles on the inside and outside of both doors may help them. I was also surprised to notice that the screws holding the hinges in place were already starting to rust. I have to say there is plenty of room inside the hide for wheelchairs to move around easily, I assume wheelchair users would automatically gravitate towards the large viewing windows in order to view, these spots were nice and warm, but viewing straight into the sun I imagine would not be a very nice experience.

At Denge Marsh the female Smew was still present as was the Black-necked Grebe, a Dartford Warbler was singing near the viewing ramp and several Water Pipits were on the hay fields.

Late this afternoon a 2w Caspian Gull was viewable from Firth and a Barn Owl was flying around the ARC car park.

12/02/2025

Brent Geese passing the Bouy this morning

 07.55-09.55  from the hide with RW & PT  

NNW 2    3º

Bent Goose: 23E

Pintail: 85W  Appeared to come across the channel.   (250 were recorded at Cap Gris Nez this morning)

Common Scoter: 2E    9W

Great-crested Grebe: 9 present   

Oystercatcher: 4E  1W

Kittiwake: 4E

Herring Gull: Present n/c

Great Black-backed Gull: Present n/c

Razorbill: 57E      51W

Guillemot: 1 Present

Auk sp: 68E   13W

Red-throated Diver: 147E     22W 

Gannet: 64E  24W

Cormorant: Present N/c

Harbour Porpoise: 2

Grey Seal: 1

Bird of the day was this female Smew discovered by Alan & Peter on Dengemarsh, the first one since January 2022. It is sad this once relatively common winter visitor to Dungeness has become such a rarity.

The 48 Bewick Swans are still on Walland Marsh but have moved to the farthest reaches of Horses Bones farm and can only be seen distantly from the back of Scotney. There were 19 Russian White-fronted Geese on Boulderwall Fields that had originally been flying around Scotney per OL. Also the Long-tailed Duck was still present on the New Diggings today.

These images were taken in the 2010s from Scott hide before the invasion of Cormorants

10/02/2025

Another wet, cold and dreary day. 

07.55-09.55  from the hide with RW & OL  

ENE 4-5    4º   Rain

Bent Goose: 2W

Common Scoter: 4E    all drakes

Great-crested Grebe: 43E    

Dunlin: 6E

Kittiwake: 33E

Black-headed Gull: Present n/c

Mediterranean Gull: 1E

Common Gull:  Present n/c

Herring Gull: Present n/c

Great Black-backed Gull: Present n/c

Razorbill: 6E

Guillemot: 174E

Auk sp: 109E  

Red-throated Diver: 102E     7W 

Fulmar: 2E  

Gannet: 283E  

Cormorant:  38E      13W

Harbour Porpoise: 1

Common Seal: 1

After an early afternoon optician appointment in Tenterden I saw a Red Kite near to the Tenterden garden centre as I drove back to the peninsula, cutting back across Walland I was unable to find any Bewick Swans or anything else notable. There was no local news today at all, as I guess most sensible people stayed at home in the dry and warm.

08/02/2025

 A very cold SE wind that even in the hide chilled me to the bone, a few birds but still nothing to get to excited about.

7.50-09.50 from the hide with RW & OL 

Wind SE 4-5    3º

Pintail: 4E   2 drake

Common Scoter: 6E

Great-crested Grebe: 26E    

Oystercatcher: 27E

Dunlin: 36E

Kittiwake: 18E

Black-headed Gull: Present n/c

Mediterranean Gull: 3E

Common Gull:  Present n/c

Herring Gull: Present n/c

Great Black-backed Gull: Present n/c

Razorbill: 2E

Guillemot: 3E

Auk sp: 46E

Red-throated Diver: 102E     9W 

Fulmar: 17E    1W

Gannet: 252E    11W

Cormorant:  523E      121W

Harbour Porpoise: 2

An afternoon visit to the reserve was really only to have a look inside the new Makepiece Hide. I am told it is designed with wheelchair access in mind with 2 doors that open both ways, it is as you can see from the images very spacious inside, which I guess makes it easier for wheelchair users to move around in the hide. Thankfully not myself being in a wheelchair I would have to ask a wheelchair user whether they would be able to use the flaps or even open them, they would be able to see through the large windows providing they are clear of salt spray, general dirt and rain, I fear anyone using these windows in sunny weather will be baked alive. The large swing doors are great in theory, but we opened one of the flaps and the door blew open causing a freezing through draft, so I can see that users will be looking to find some way of wedging the door shut as I was tempted, which defeats the object. One of the hinges already looks as though it is ready to break, so i'm guessing it wont be long before the doors that are very sturdy and heavy get damaged. As for what the 2 tiers at one end of the hide is for I have no idea. Hopefully teething troubles will dealt with quickly. At the moment all I can say is it is better than a viewpoint. 

What are the 2 tiers for?

A walk late afternoon at the ARC with Colin found Jack Snipe, an unusual newly arrived flock of Fieldfare, but where did they come from?  where are they going? also 2 Great White Egrets but little else notable on this cold grey afternoon.

Jack Snipe

Jack Snipe

Jack Snipe

A flock of c60 Fieldfare in the Sallows between ARC car park and the Screen late afternoon

05/02/2025

 As it was a lovely sunny still morning I gave the sea watch a miss, instead I parked up at the ARC and walked over to Denge Marsh, down to Burrowes and over to the New Diggings and back to the ARC. The 8 Russian White-fronted Geese were still at the back of Boulderwall Fields today along with the usual feral Geese and a few Curlews. 2 Great White Egrets were feeding on Cooks Pool.

Great White Egret on Cooks Pool

Lapwing at Dengemarsh

The Black-necked Grebe was still at the back of Dengemarsh but I saw little else notable there, apparently 2 Spoonbills dropped in for a short while a couple of hours after I left. For some reason the hayfields were devoid of birds, possibly the 2 displaying Marsh Harriers disturbed everything. Burrowes was also very quiet which was not surprising with all the work going on at Makepiece. The walk  over to New Diggings was uneventful but pleasant, on arrival the Long-tailed Duck was with a party of 8 Goldeneye but as usual about as far away as is possible. I glimpsed a Diver briefly through the bushes which I suspected was a Red-throated Diver, a short walk along the causeway confirmed my suspicions. Another Fieldfare was by the entrance track as was the Red-legged Partridge. At Cockles Bridge the usual 4 Cattle Egrets and Little Egrets. The 48 Bewick swans were still at Midley viewed from Cutters Bridge.

Red-throated Diver on the New Diggings

Jack Snipe on the reserve found with the Thermal Imager 

04/02/2025

Sea watch from the hide with RW, CP, OL 

07.55-09.30  WSW 4-5    6º 

Brent Goose: 61E    2W
Common Scoter: 2W
Great-crested Grebe: 1E     2 present
Kittiwake: 51W       26E  
Black-headed Gull: Present n/c
Mediterranean Gull: 6W     13E
Common Gull:  Present n/c
Herring Gull: Present n/c
Great Black-backed Gull: Present n/c
Razorbill: 19W
Guillemot: 33W     3 present
Auk sp: 35W      19E   
Red-throated Diver: 108W    9E  
Gannet: 51W      83E
Cormorant:Present n/c
Grey Seal: 1
Common Seal: 1

Most of my day was taken up with domestic stuff but I did manage to get out for a wander around the sandpit this afternoon. It is a shame that it has been allowed to fill up and become just another deep lake in the Scotney complex. It would appear bureaucracy got in the way as the complex straddles county boundaries, leaving Brett's to do whatever they like and take the cheap option and do minimal landscaping. TQ996 190

Alas the Sandpit is now just a very deep lake😢

The Plovers and huge flock of Starlings were often disturbed by raptors, several Common Buzzards, 2 Marsh Harriers, a Kestrels, 2 Sparrowhawks, a Merlin and a ringtail Hen Harrier were seen, also a turquoise flash as a Kingfisher whizzed along the Jury's Gut Sewer.

Some of the 1,000s of Golden Plover and Lapwing in the fields at the back of the sandpit 

Some of the 100+ Tree Sparrows going to roost late afternoon at the sandpit

Only other news were the 48 Bewick Swans still at Midley veiwed from Cutters Bridge TR008238

03/02/2025

This Fieldfare in Dengemarsh Flood yesterday was the days highlight for me, as it is a scarce species around the reserve.
 

A very long hour in the sea watch hide

08.00-09.00     SSW 1-2    3º

Wigeon: 4W

Great-crested Grebe: 2 present

Kittiwake: 3E   

Black-headed Gull: Present n/c

Common Gull:  Present n/c

Herring Gull: Present n/c

Great Black-backed Gull: Present n/c

Razorbill: 10E

Guillemot: 1 present

Auk sp: 11W      11E   

Red-throated Diver: 5W    3E

Fulmar: 1E    

Gannet: 5E      17W

Cormorant: 672W    14E

Grey Seal: 3

Common Seal: 2

I found this Woodcock in dense bushes at the Long Pits this morning with the aid of a Thermal Imager, without the imager I would have blundered on and flushed it, instead it allowed me to photograph it and leave site with it still insitu.

Jack Snipe at The ARC found with the aid of a Thermal Imager, also 8 Common Snipe present.

One of 4 Cattle Egrets in the Cockles Bridge Triangle

My local Little Owl watching a couple of Buzzards fly over.

Now at least 9 Yellowhammers at Lydd FC. To put it in perspective thats more than were seen over the whole of peninsular the last few years.

On the reserve there were still 8 Russian White-fronted Geese present but no sign of the Pinkfeet, 2 Water Pipits were reported from the hayfields and the Long-tailed Duck is still present, otherwise very little of note.

01/02/2025

Pink-footed Geese and Russian White-fronted Geese

 08.00-09.00 with RW    Very Poor watch today despite a promising breeze.

Wind SSE 2-3    3º

Great-crested Grebe: 3E        13 around

Oystercatcher: 1E

Kittiwake: 5W    

Black-headed Gull: Present n/c

Mediterranean Gull: 2E

Common Gull:  Present n/c

Herring Gull: Present n/c

Great Black-backed Gull: Present n/c

Guillemot: 1W

Auk sp: 5E    

Red-throated Diver: 7W    12E

Fulmar: 1E    

Gannet: c30  feeding off shore  

Cormorant: Present n/c

Grey Seal: 1

The first Black-necked Grebe of the year was showing on Denge Marsh early afternoon

Part of the group of 6 Pink-footed Geese and 8 Russian White-fronted Geese behind the Corale today

These Goldeneye on the New Diggings are part of the c20 strong group on the reserve

The Long-tailed Duck on the New Diggings remaining as distant as ever

There was a Red-throated Diver in the SW corner of the New Diggings this morning but no sign this afternoon.

4 Tundra Bean Geese on Scotney main lake about to swim from Sussex into Kent

Some of the 48 Bewick Swans at Midley today, a very nice herd but sadly only 1 juvenile among them, it wont be long before they leave us and hopefully return next November with lots of youngsters, though I have serious doubts about that happening. Also at Midley c100 Fieldfare and 4 Tree Sparrows.