4-5/05/2026

This Iberian Chiffchaff found by Jacob early yesterday morning was the standout bird of the day, there were virtually no other new migrants on the peninsula.

Iberian Chiffchaff

 Iberian Chiffchaff

As with yesterday there was no new migrants on the peninsula, also the same was lack of sea passage.

This afternoon I visited The Midrips where I found 36 Avocets(some attempting to nest) 26 Dunlin, 17, Whimbrel, 9 Bar-tailed Godwits, 6 Ringed Plovers, 4 Redshanks, 2 Greenshank, 2 Turnstone, 26 Shelduck, 4 each of Wheatear and Yellow Wagtail.

 

Turnstones posing on a groyne  at The Midrips

Dunlin on the Midrips

Yellow Wagtail at The Midrips

Wheatear nesting around a shot up old tank on The Midrips

03/05/2026

A flock of 50 Black-tailed Godwits toured the peninsula in the fog before settling down on the ARC, it is unusual for a flock of this size to be seen at Dungeness.

On the new Boulderwall Flood the Temmincks Stint, Wood Sandpiper and Glossy Ibis were all still present today but very elusive and distant, hiding behind the islands at the back of Boulderwall.

Burrowes was very disappointing, usually in foggy conditions Hirundines and Terns will turn up but not today.

Dengemarsh held all 3 Egret species, a Bittern was booming by hayfield 3, Bearded Tits were busy nest building at several spots around Dengemarsh and 5+ Hobbys were hawking there.

A presumed migrant Short-eared Owl was found at Galloways late morning.

The undoubted highlight for me was a Turtle Dove that was found this afternoon near Springfield Bridge, a once common species that is now barely annual on the peninsula.

Black-tailed Godwits

                                                             Black-tailed Godwits

 

Turtle this afternoon near Springfield Bridge

Numerous Painted Ladies were around the reserve today

02/05/2026

A partially Leucistic Brent Goose passing the sea watch hide

I've not posted for a few days due to me sea watching from dawn to dusk and falling asleep as soon i got back home each day. So far the sea watching has not been exceptional apart from a day of 1,500 Little gulls movng East. There have been reasonable numbers of Pomarine Skuas passing, whereas Great Skua and Arctic Skua numbers have been low, Common Scoters have also been low as have all the Terns, Black-throated Diver numbers have been good and there is still time for other species to pick up.

Whimbrel and Bar-tailed Godwit passing the sea watch hide

On Friday afternoon we bade goodbye to Tony (Panzerman) Greenland who passed away on 1st April after a long illness. He still had the last laugh on us, as while we were at his wake a superb adult Long-tailed Skua flew past the sea watch hide.😂😂

Members of the Dungeness Bird Observatry at Tony's wake

One of the many Sedge Warblers on the reserve today

First Glossy Ibis of the year on the peninsula today

Lapwing Chicks on the new Boulderwall Flood

The first Wood Sandpiper of the year on the peninsula

One of several Little Ringed Plovers around the reserve today

27/04/2026

This mornings sea watch started well with 2 majestic Pomarine Skuas sailing past the sea watch hide soon after I arrived, unfortunately the watch went downhill rapidly from then on, 3hrs watching this afternoon was lovely in the sun, it was only the company of Richard and James that stopped me from going to sleep.

However this morning was rescued by James finding a lovely trilling Wood Warbler in the trapping area, it was typically elusive in the canopy of the Sallows but eventually gave nice views and photo opportunities.

Wood Warbler in the canopy of the Sallows in the trapping area this morning

Wood Warbler in the canopy of the Sallows in the trapping area this morning

Grizzled Skipper in The Desert today

From Hanson late morning 7 Ruff, 2 Avocet, 2 Common Sandpipers, 3 Ringed Plovers and a Black-tailed Godwit. The reserve was once again disappointing. On the new Boulderwall Flood a White Wagtail also several Lapwing Chicks and Little Ringed Plover. 6 Hobbys were hawking over Dengemarsh.

7 Ruff at the ARC from Hanson late morning

26/04/2026

Pomarine Skua over the Dungeness Bouy

An excellent weekend mostly sea watching with 1,000s of birds passing East. 

 

Pomarine Skua

3 Pomarine Skuas

Some of the 1,500+ Little Gulls seen

One of the Great Skuas

On a visit to to Hanson the first birds I saw were these 2 smart Spotted Redshanks

Todays visit to Hanson found just this Ruff but no Spotted Redshanks

Adult Lapwing with 4 chicks at the new Boulderwall Flood, also 3 Little Ringed Plovers there, 7 Greenshanks over, while at Makepiece a Curlew Sandpiper and a Common Sandpiper.

The hayfields are all but dry so very little avian interest there.

6 of 7 Greenshanks touring the reserve

24/04/2026

An excellent day spent sea watching despite the strong cool ENE wind.

One of todays Pomarine Skuas. Image Credits and thanks are due to David Scott

One of todays Pomarine Skuas. Image Credits and thanks are due to David Scott

 The bushes and reserve were covered by some of the locals but few birds were found.

22/04/2026

Dark morph Pomarine Skua and a Harbour Porpoise

 

Intermediate morph Pomarine Skua

Another day of cool strong ENE winds that increased to near gale force by early afternoon. Due to the wind the land on the peninsular was barely looked at, those that did venture out around the area saw no sign of any new migrants in the bushes.

Though the sea watch totals look quite good there were long periods with little passing , those that did were mainly in small numbers.

Fulmar

Some of the 100s of Gannets past today

Fox walking the tideline looking for scraps