15/03/2026

There has been little improvement in the sea watching apart from a nice flock of 7 Black-necked Grebes that drfted slowly East in front of the sea watch hide this morning, Sandwich Tern numbers are improving but wildfowl numbers remain very low. however I have high hopes for later this week providing the weather forecast doesn't change.

The Cockles Bridge Whooper Swans are still insitu as are the family of 3 at the Jurys Gap sand pit, the former came into the ARC to roost last night at 18.45, also 2 Bitterns seen there. The reserve remains very quiet but I'm confident the new Boulderwall flood will come good.

2 of the 3 Dartford Warblers in the Dengemarsh Gully yesterday

The Lydd Little Owls sunbathing yesterday

One of the 17 Cattle Egrets at Cockles Bridge yesterday

This Great Spotted Woodpecker is becoming a regular visitor to my feeders, it is only the second I have seen in my garden in 16 years.

The Lesser Whitethroat still present but becoming more elusive each day

13/03/2026

This mornings sea watch was as expected with a due West wind very poor, but one has to keep on trying.

Whooper Swans at Cockles Bridge today

Cattle Egrets at Cockles Bridge today

 Elsewhere the first Wheatear of the year was found at Greatstone Beach by Kevin, apart from a White Wagtail at Burrowes nothing else was noted.

A record count today of 26 Greenfinches around my garden feeders. unfortunately several birds were suffering with Trichomonosis.

The Lesser Whitethroat (halimodendri) still in the garden for day 75

11/03/2026

Some of the 6,000+ Brent Geese that moved East past The Point yesterday, but little else apart from Gulls.

The survey vessel spent all up and down in front of the power station.

Gannets and Cormorants around the bouy early morning today

Some of 1,000+ Brent Geese that moved East today, but again little else of note.

 The 2 Whooper Swans and 15+ Cattle Egrets were still around Cockles Bridge today. A walk around the ARC and the main reserve was again very quiet with very little sign of spring migration.

The Lesser Whitethroat still in the garden today for its 72nd day

07/03/2026

Black Redstart on the perimeter wall yesterday

Sea watching is still a little slow, an early morning and an afternoon sea watch produced:

Great-crested Grebe: 6 present

Sandwich Tern: 22E

Kittiwake: 3E  

Black-headed Gull: Present

Common Gull: present

Herring Gull: present

Great Black-backed Gull: present

Guillemots: 29E    1W

Auk sp: 9E      5W

Red-throated Diver: 66E     9W

Fulmar: 1E 

Gannet: 148E      

Cormorant: present no count

Harbour Porpoise: 6 present

Grey Seal: 1 present

A wander around the ARC and reserve was as expected unproductive in todays  gloomy weather.

The American Wigeon was again seen in the Scotney complex.

15 Cattle Egrets still at Cockles Bridge

 

2 Whooper Swans at Cockles Bridge and still the family of 3 at the sand pit, though starting to get fidgety.

The Lesser Whitethroat still present today for its 68th day

Greenfinch with a severe case of Trichomonosis on my 

feeder today

05/03/2026

The morning sea watch was uneventful with just the usual Red-throated Divers, Auks, Gulls, Gannets etc.

At Cockles Bridge the 2 Whooper Swans were still present along with 15 Cattle Egrets.

Chiffchaff at Bretts Marina

A late morning visit to Dengemarsh Gully via Bretts Marina by bicycle in search of Wheatears, Black Redstarts etc was interrupted by message that the American Wigeon had been re-found at Scotney. It was still showing when I eventually arrived. Marsh Harriers seemed to be displaying high over all the reed beds, 2 Red Kites flew through which I missed. The family of 3 Whooper Swans were still around the old sandpit at Jurys Gap.

American Wigeon at Scotney

Lesser Whitethroat(halimodendri) still present in the garden today

04/03/2026

 

Large Tortoiseshell

As  Dungeness was fog bound all day, we had a Wednesday club day out to Orlestone Forest which was bathed in warm sunshine, primarily to hopefully see Large Tortoiseshell butterflys was ver successful. We also had super views of Crossbills and a Goshawk and got a few year ticks we don't see at Dungeness on the shingle like Nuthatch, Coal Tit, Jay, Treecreeper, Bullfinch etc. The trip ended in the usual manner with Tea and cake provided by Owen.

Large Tortoiseshell

Large Tortoiseshell. Wings closed.

Male Crossbill

Male and Female Crossbills

03/03/2026

An hours sea watch this morning in flat calm conditions was as expected unproductive avian wise, 26 Harbour Porpoises were counted off shore.

At Cockles Bridge the 2 Whooper swans and 15 cattle egrets were still insitu. The ARC held little maybe due to a digger working there. Between the VC and Scott at least 3 Firecrests and 3 Chiffchaffs, a single Common Snipe at Christmas Dell were the other highlights. 

The new Boulderwall Flood is definitely attracting the birds

2 White-fronted Geese at the back of the Boulderwall flood

The family of 3 Whooper Swans still in the field behind the Jurys Gap sand pit East Sussex

The first Comma of the year to visit my garden

A new male Sparrowhawk visited my garden today

Also 2 Marsh Harriers and 3 Common Buzzards over.

The Lesser Whitethroat(halimodendri) still in the garden todat, but far more elusive in the warmer weather

02/03/2026

Flock of 70+ Pintail passing the sea watch hide this morning

An excellent morning sea watching, sadly petered out rapidly c11.00

07.15-12.00  from the hide with OL, Wind SSE 7 Temp 10º,

Brent Goose: 164E   

Shoveler: 158E

Gadwall: 2E

Pintail: 403E

Teal: 10E

Eider: 1 E female
Common Scoter: 97E

Red-breasted Merganser: 2E
Great-crested Grebe: 12E     2W

Curlew: 2E    1W

Sandwich Tern: 2E
Kittiwake: 132E  
Black-headed Gull: 87E

Mediterranean Gull: 10E
Common Gull: 104E
Herring Gull: present
Great Black-backed Gull: 54W

Lesser Black-backed Gull: 2E 

Guillemots: 43E    6W
Auk sp: 9E      5W

Red-throated Diver: 158E     16W
Fulmar: 6E 
Gannet: 19E       8W
Cormorant: present no count

Starling: 1 SE out to sea

Harbour Porpoise: 3 present

Grey Seal: 1 present

Elsewhere the 2 Whooper Swans and Cattle Egrets were still at Cockles Bridge. A stratospheric White-tailed Eagle flew over the peninsula seen by Brenda, the alarm it caused was seen by several observers around the peninsula.

Shovelers

Brent Geese

Adult female Eider

The gorgeous Lesser Whitethroat still present in the garden today.

01/03/2026

Brent Geese passing the sea watch hide this morning

The weekend sea watching  has been less than inspiring in the miserable weather, however I'm hopeful for next week.

There has been very little else around the peninsula, 2 Peregrines frequenting Dengemarsh along with 2 Water Pipits. Yesterday saw the arrival of 4 Sand Martins at the ARC, sadly they had gone by the time I got there, they are quite scarce in the Spring here but abundant in the Autumn. As well as the 2 Whooper Swans at Cockles Bridge, the family of 3 were still in the field behind the Jurys Gap sand pit, East Sussex today. 26 White-fronted Geese were on Walland Marsh.

Guillemots West past the Bouy this morning

Common Scoter West past the Bouy this morning

Great-crested Grebes west past the sea watch hide this morning

 

Water Pipit at Dengemarsh Flood yesterday afternoon

Shoveler from Hanson this morning

Some of the Cattle Egrets at Cockles Bridge this morning

  

The 2 Whooper Swans at Cockles Bridge this morning

The Lesser Whitethroat has made it into March