Friday 25 September 2015

Sunshine Day!

 Hirundines at The Moat
As I drove along the approach road to the observatory the sky was full of House Martins and Swallows. A walk around The Desert with AJG found the Wryneck still present, but only 2 each of Common Whitethroat and Blackcap, 8+ Chiffchaffs, a few Siskins, Meadow Pipits and Goldfinches over,
 Wryneck 
A stroll around the ARC was very pleasant, a couple of Marsh Harriers were over the Tower Pits and 2 Common Buzzards over the airport, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Chiffchaffs, a Blackcap and Common Whitethroat were seen at The Pines, over the lake a party of c70 Golden Plover were looking for somewhere to settle, alas there are no longer any islands for them.  Another wander around The Point this afternoon in the gloriously warm sunshine was fruitless, though the Hirundines were still moving through.
The Cattle Egret was reported as still being present late afternoon, also 2 Spoonbills flew over per PT.

Thursday 24 September 2015

Mainly Skua Watching!

Sea watch totals for  06.45-12.00 & 13.15-15.15 from The Point/Fishing boats with DW,BM and AJG who collated most of the totals:
Brent Goose: 4W
Teal: 1W
Common Scoter: 44E      49W
Great-crested Grebe: 7 around
Balearic Shearwater: 1W
Gannet:   17E      384W
Great Skua: 5W
Arctic Skua: 15E   95W     5 around
Kittiwake: 3W
Little Tern: 5W
Black Tern: 3W
Sandwich Tern: 23E      951W
Common Tern: 134W
Arctic Tern: 2W
Razorbill: 1W
Auk sp: 1E   3W
Sand Martin: 10 out
House Martin: 1 out
Swallow: 1162  out
Meadow Pipit:  103 in
Linnet: 15 around
Harbour Porpoise: 4+

From the entrance track to the visitor centre by Boulderwall Farm 3 species of Egret could be seen, 4 Little Egrets, 2 Great White Egrets and the Cattle Egret which always seems to be distant.
Late afternoon at the ARC still plenty of Sand Martins over the lake, no waders as there are no longer any islands, the usual wildfowl still present along with a couple of hunting Marsh Harriers.
Up at the pines there was not a passerine to be seen, though it was blowing a gale. Hopefully the forecasted easterlies will bring us some passerines in the next few days and maybe something good with them.






Wednesday 23 September 2015

The Day After!

With clear skies, the short drive to The Point this morning was made with the forlorn hope that the Flycatcher would still be present. The approach road was lined with cars and there was a wall of birders staring into Dave Bunney's garden. Their demeanour told me instantly that the bird had not been seen nor probably would. I was disappointed for them, but especially for Mark who was due back from a Spanish sea watching trip this afternoon. Mark a Dungeness stalwart of many years, who when I moved to Kent 6 years ago made me feel welcome at Dungeness. In those years we have shared many good birds and laughs (Buff-breasted Sandpiper morphing into a Ruff at Scotney and then 2 Buff Breasts appear) to have been able to share the Flycatcher with him would have been the icing on the cake. I dare say tomorrow he will regale me with tales of legions of Pomarine and long-tailed Skuas, with waves of various Shearwaters and probably a few jokes. Mind you if he mentions some of the older Dungeness mega's!!!!!!!
When I reached the observatory I met AJG and walked a lap of The desert with him. It became obvious that there had been an overnight clear out of migrants, with just 4 Common Whitethroats, 4 Blackcaps, 2 Wheatears, a Stonechat, 5 Robins also a few Hirundines, Siskins, Reed Buntings and Meadow Pipits over.
Back at the observatory news of a Pallid Harrier and Red-footed Falcon at Worth Marshes came through. AJG who had not seen a Red-footed Falcon for some time suggested we go there, I was more than willing to accompany him there. An hour later we watching a superb juvenile Red-footed Falcon hawking Dragonfly's, amazingly we had the bird to our selves. We didn't see the Pallid Harrier , that would have been greedy.
Back at Dungeness a short sea watch this afternoon saw the usual 6+ Arctic Skua's beating up the Sandwich Terns, a Bonxie west and 3 Kittiwakes west.
Just realised that the Flycatcher is my 201st species for Dungeness this year, not a bad local patch!
juvenile Red-footed Falcon
Juvenile Red-footed Falcon
Juvenile Red-footed Falcon

Tuesday 22 September 2015

Monday 21 September 2015

A Quiet Day!

 A much quieter morning around The Point, though still some Hirundines and Meadow Pipits going through, a few Siskins, 3 Wheatears, a Common Redstart trapped along with a few Goldcrests and Chiffchaffs, a single Marsh Harrier hunting the area and Black Redstart on the perimeter fence.
  Brent Geese
14.10-16.10 from the fishing boats:
Brent Goose: 70W the first reasonable size flock of the autumn.
Common Scoter: 2E
Great-crested Grebe: 5 around
Gannet: 95W
Cormorant: 18 around
Arctic Skua: a minimum of 8 individuals loitering off shore
Kittiwake: 1W
Sandwich Tern: 94W
Common Tern: 27W
Swallow: 87 out
Harbour Porpoise: 3+
 Great Black-backed Gull swallowing a whole Plaice!
 Barred Sallow in the trap this morning
Large Wainscot NFY
Another Convolvulus Hawkmoth by the trap this morning!

Sunday 20 September 2015

Another good day!

 Goldcrest reluctant to leave the observatory
Another excellent mornings wander around The Desert:
Chiffchaff: 39
Willow Warbler: 2
Blackcap: 8
Lesser Whitethroat: 3
Common Whitethroat: only 2
Common Redstart: 1
Black Redstart: 1
Whinchat: 2
Wheatear: 3
Spotted Flycatcher: 2
Goldcrest: 2
Swallow/House Martin: 1,000s could be seen all day around the peninsular
Siskin: c100 most unseen over
Redpoll: 13 over
Skylark: 2 over
Grey Wagtail: 2 over
Meadow Pipit: c120 around
Tree Pipit: 1 over
Yellow wagtail: 5 over
Reed Bunting: 9 over
Wryneck: 1
Marsh Harrier: 2 out + 1 over
Sparrowhawk: 2 around
 The elusive Wryneck
 Willow Warbler
 Black Redstart at Lloyds
A couple of hours watching from the garden saw 5 Common Buzzards, 3 Marsh Harriers, a Hobby, more Siskins and Meadow Pipits over, 2 Yellow Wagtails over and numerous Hirundines.
15.30-16.30 from the fishing boats with RW:
Gannet: 27W
Turnstone: 2 around
Pomarine Skua: 1 around
Arctic Skua: 2 around
Black Tern: 2W
Sandwich Tern: 46W
Common Tern: 14W
Swallow: c200 out
Wheatear: 3 on beach
Convolvulus Hawkmoth
A good weekend in the moth trap with a Convolvulus Hawkmoth, 3 Scarce Bordered Straws, Dark Swordgrass, Pearly Underwing, 54 Noctuella and the first Feathered Brindle of the year in the trap hiding among 100s of Setaceous Hebrew Characters.

Saturday 19 September 2015

Wilson's Phalarope

Redstart at Lloyds
A bird filled walk around The Point this morning, every bush and piece of scrub seemed to have birds
in Chiffchaffs were everywhere closely followed by Common Whitethroats, Robins, smaller numbers of Willow Warblers, Blackcaps, Lesser Whitethroats and Wheatears A Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Sparrowhawks, a Common Redstart and 5 Black Redstarts, while overhead 100s of Swallows, House Martins, smaller numbers of Yellow Wagtails, Siskins, Meadow Pipits, 2 Tree Pipits.
A quick look at the New Diggings saw 100s of Sand Martins over the lake and Great White Egret on the western shore.
Redstart at Lloyds
Wilson's Phalarope Panel Valley Scrape
I was just about to go down to the fishing boats for an afternoon sea watch when I received a call from Brian Murray to say he had just found a Wilson's Phalarope on the Panel Valley Scrape. A very quick change of plans, as I missed the 1987 bird at Sidlesham Ferry due to being on holiday in the old Yugoslavia. Within the hour I was getting very distant views of the Phalarope, it did come a little closer though not much. I was surprised at the neglected state of this once excellent site, the islands were all overgrown and the height of the reeds made viewing difficult. While there 4+ Hobby's were seen, a Peregrine, 2 Marsh Harriers, a Common Buzzard, Barn Owl, Whinchat, 2 Stonechats and 100s of Hirundines. Thanks again for the call Brian.
A short video of the Wilson's Phalarope

Friday 18 September 2015

Wash Out!

 Sooty Shearwater past the fishing boats this morning
08.50-10.05 from the fishing boats:
Common Scoter: 5W
Great-crested Grebe: 4 around
Sooty Shearwater: 1W
Gannet: 194W      21E
Cormorant: 9 around
Turnstone: 5 on beach
Arctic Skua: 6 around
Sandwich Tern: 124W    73E
Common Tern: 15W
Swallow:  500+ out
Yellow Wagtail: 5 on beach
Meadow Pipit: 27W
Wheatear: 2 on beach
Grey Seal: 1
Harbour Porpoise 4+
Most of today was a wash out, giving me the chance to do some domestic stuff.
 Whinchat ARC
During a lull in the weather I made a quick visit to the ARC. The walk to the Pines found Chiffchaffs in every bush, also a few Common Whitethroats, Blackcaps and a Lesser Whitethroat, at the Pines a Whinchat more Chiffchaffs 2 Goldcrests and a constant stream of Swallows through, the islands on the lake have all but gone, though a few Lapwings were still roosting on what is left of them. Back at the car park a Spotted Flycatcher on the wires then the rain returned. The Great White Egrets and Cattle Egret were both reported as still being on the reserve today. The Wryneck was seen again today in the Gorse south of the trapping area.
A little better in the moth trap this morning with a Small Mottled Willow, Scarce Bordered Straw, 3 Noctuella's and 3 Silver Y.


Thursday 17 September 2015

Migration!

Whinchat, 1 of at least 9 around The Point
Despite no sign of the Wryneck there were still many birds around and over The Point this morning, including the beach up to the lifeboat station a minimum of 42 Wheatears, 9 Whinchats, 2 Stonechats, many Common Whitethroats and Chiffchaffs, smaller numbers of Reed Buntings, Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap and Willow Warblers, lots of Siskins over though probably only 40-50 seen, many more Meadow Pipits, 3+ Tree Pipits, Grey and Yellow Wagtails, 100s of Hirundines, at least 3 Swifts, a Black Redstart, 2 Marsh Harriers, 2+ Sparrowhawks, a Hobby, a Goldcrest in the observatory garden.
 Wheatear, 1 of at least 42 around The Point
At the north end of the Long Pits at least 3 Spotted Flycatchers, many Sylvia Warblers and Chiffchaffs, a Cetti's Warbler, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Green Woodpecker, more Siskins, Meadow Pipits and Hirundines over, also another Hobby.
 Spotted Flycatcher north end of the Long Pits
At lunchtime Dengemarsh Gully was surprisingly quiet except for the steady stream of Swallows leaving for the continent. The hedges in Denge Marsh Road did however hold lots of Common Whitethroats and Chiffchaffs, in the fields more Wheatears, 2 more Whinchats and Yellow Wagtails. A short visit to Springfield Bridge saw the usual Marsh Harriers but not a single Egret, though Great White, Little and the Cattle Egret were seen by others around the reserve.
Juvenile Gannet passing the fishing boats
The main event this afternoon was the spectacle of countless Swallows streaming out to sea over and either side of me, as far as I could see. ere the main event this afternoon, I started counting them but could not keep up, so I sat back and enjoyed the spectacle.
14.20-16.20 from the boats:
Great-crested Grebe: 4 around
Gannet: 62W
Oystercatcher: 2W
Turnstone: 2 on beach
Knot: 1W
Arctic Skua: 1W
Mediterranean Gull: 1W (1stW)
Sandwich Tern: 492W
Common Tern: 15W
Auk sp: 1W
Swallows: 2,000-3,000 out (probably a very conservative estimate)
Harbour Porpoise: 3+

Turnstone on the beach this afternoon

Wednesday 16 September 2015

A good day despite the weather!

Meadow Pipit resting on the beach this morning
Another thoroughly miserable day on the peninsular. In the partial shelter of the fishing boats with CP 08.05-10.45:
Common Scoter: 16E  1W
Great-crested Grebe: 3 around
Fulmar: 2W
Gannet: 41E  6W
Ruff: 1 in
Arctic Skua: 9E
Sandwich Tern: 165E   17W
Common Tern: 3E
Swallow: 31 out
Yellow wagtail: 4E
Meadow Pipit: 51E
Linnet: 22 around
Siskin: 32 out
Harbour Porpoise: 2+
Common Seal: 1around
Grey Seal: 1 around
I missed a Pomarine Skua and a Great Skua which were seen by AJG and BC who were in the sea watch hide.
I only left the boats because the rain was making viewing very difficult, also the lure of a hot cup of coffee and full English at home was irresistible. On the way back 2 Great White Egrets could be seen on the New Diggings, a brief look at the fields at Boulderwall saw the Cattle Egret through the gloom. 
After breakfast and a warm up at home, the rain eased around midday. I decided to go back to the beach, on the way DW tweeted a Wryneck at the south end of the trapping area, a few minutes later I was at the area where the Wryneck was last seen. The rain started up again, a Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Blackcap and Whitethroat were seen, fortunately I almost trod on the Wryneck so got a brief flight view of it as it disappeared into some Sallows. The rain was now very heavy so I wimped out and made my way back to the observatory.
A party of 4 Balearic Shearwaters off the fishing boats this afternoon
It was either go home, or go to the relative shelter of the fishing boats for another sea watch, the boats won!
13.45-17.00 joined later by PT, AJG and BM:
Brent Goose: 1W
Wigeon: 4W
Common Scoter: 3W
Great-crested Grebe: 5 around
Fulmar: 3W
Manx Shearwater: 1W
Balearic Shearwater: 12W
Gannet: 492W
Cormorant: 17 around
Dunlin: 8W
Great Skua: 5W
Arctic Skua: 10W
Kittiwake: 4W
Yellow-legged Gull: 1 on beach
Black Tern: 3 around
Sandwich Tern: 626 W
Common Tern: 25W
Swallow: 1,413 out
Grey Seal: 1
Harbour Porpoise:  3+

Yellow-legged Gull on the beach this afternoon