13/07/2026

Despite the gale force NE wind I went to the sea watch hide for an hour this morning, a handful each of Sandwich and Common Terns, along with small numbers of Mediterranean Gulls and Gannets all just messing around offshore, there appeared to be absolutely no sea passge.

The NE gale ensured the moth traps were virtually empty despite the high night time temperatures.😢

One of 2 Garganey at the ARC from Hanson today

Black-tailed Godwits at the ARC from Hanson today

                                           Green Sandpiper at the ARC from Hanson today

One of at least 12 Common Sandpipers around the reserve today, this one at Dengemarsh

2 Ruff from Firth today

There were signs of Autumn migration today with a few waders around the reserve and a steady eastward passage of Sand Martins through the peninsula. From the garden a few Yellow Wagtails over though they may have been local breeders.

Ruff from Firth today

3 Greenshanks on distant island from Firth today

11/07/2026

Highlights of a cycle ride to Jurys Gap this morning were 2 young Bearded Tits calling on the edge of the copse. Ther sward was covered in Canada, Greylag and Egyptian Geese and not much else.

A brief visit to the ARC saw one of the female Garganey among all the other eclipse ducks, two Lesser Emporer were patrolling the back of Hanson.

2 young Bearded Tits at the Sussex end of the Scotney copse, presumed disspersal movement

A moulting adult Mediterranean Gull at the fishing boats

3 Common Scoter drifted past the fishing boats in the strong winds

A tatty Light Crimson Underwing only the second record for my garden

Gypsy Moth the first of the year

Six Belted Clearwing a first for my garden

09/07/2026

Some of the 100+ Tree Sparrows on Walland Marsh last evening

Adult Little Owl last evening

Juvenile Little Owl last evening

Early morning at the Midrips

An Early morning cycle ride to visit The Midrips and Wickes this morning was very pleasant. Yellow Wagtails, Pied Wagtails, Meadow Pipits, Linnets and Corn Buntings were all along the raised sea wall, at least 2 pairs of Wheatears are still present. Waders were represented by 3+ Little Ringed Plovers, several each of Oystercatchers and Ringed Plovers 1 of which was sitting on 4 eggs, also a single Curlew. I guess low numbers of waders are explained by the speed at which the pools are drying out.

A couple of the locals visited the reserve but found nothing to report.

The Guardhouse and Coastguard Cottages at Jurys Gap

Juvenile Little Ringed Plover at The Midrips

08/07/2026

An early morning visit to Rye Harbour LNR to avoid the heat of the day to see the Sandwich Tern colony before they are all gone. A wonderful sight and sound sadly lacking at Dungeness for many years now.

From Parkes Hide with the early morning sun behind us we had superb views of the Terns and some waders.From near Gooders Hide we had nice but distant views of some Little Terns with chicks, Greenshanks, Avocets and 100s of Mediterranean Gulls. Many thanks to John for driving and being our carer today.

Sandwich Terns

Common Tern

Juvenile Redshank

Common Sandpiper

Oystercatcher family

Turnstone

07/07/2026

An hours sea watch from the hide this morning was as expected very poor, the upside was the very pleasant sea breeze. The highlight was this quite far out juvenile Yellow-legged Gull my first of the autumn.

Juvenile Yellow-legged Gull off shore with 3 Herring Gulls

I could only find 3 Hummingbird Hawkmoths along the east facing perimeter wall, most of any nectaring plants have shrivelled up in the heat and wind.

There was very little news from the reserve and surrounding area apart from the elusive female Garganey still present on the ARC.

A juvenile Corn Bunting at Scotney

There were lots of Corn Buntings and Yellow Wagatils at the back of Scotney but no sound of any Quail.

A juvenile Yellow Wagtail at Scotney

A Bright Wave just about annual in my trap this morning

Syncopacma larseniella apparently only the second Greater Dungeness area record was in my trap last Friday. Many thanks to Sean Clancy for sorting the ID.

05/07/2026

The superb Caspian Tern at Dengemarsh from Springfield Bridge for its 5th day. It spends much more time sitting on a distant island on Burrowes, so sometimes a long wait to see it at Dengemarsh, the views make the wait worthwhile.

Caspian Tern preparing to dive into Dengemarsh

Emerging from the lake after its dive

Just a Cow chilling in Dengemarsh lake

7 stunning Icelandic Black-tailed Godwits from Hanson, some Little Ringed Plovers there and gemale Garganey.

 

Small Red Eyed Damselfly from Hanson

One of many stunning Yellow Wagtails at the back of Scotney

Scotneys seemingly resident Spoonbill

Emperor Dragonfly, a new visitor to my moth trap

A good turn out for the DBO Moth event. A superb number and range of Moth species were shown and photographed. Many thanks to all who came and to the locals fro bringing there traps.

Rose Plume a gorgeous moth.

Leopard Moth, another stunner