Quiet

The 2 Whooper Swans were still at Midley this morning as I crossed the marsh on my way to Dungeness. From The Point the sea passage was disappointing 5 Common Scoter, 4 Red-throated Divers, 2 Teal, 7 Kittiwakes, 3 Guillemots, 2 Razorbills, a few Gannets and a Merlin in 2 visits this morning and lunchtime.
On the reserve 3 Great White Egrets on Burrowes and an adult Yellow-legged Gull in the roost by the entrance track. The ARC was quiet with of note 2 Goldeneye, 2 Marsh Harriers, 40+ Golden Plover, 7 fly through Dunlin and the usual Wildfowl. Looking at the forecast there wont be much change this week.

Egrets

The 2 Whooper Swans were still with the Mute Swan herd at Midley as I drove across Walland to Dungeness this morning. As I parked on the beach a Merlin flashed by after a Meadow Pipit. A plod along the beach towards the Lifeboat Station found the 3w Glaucous Gull and 2 adult Yellow Legged Gulls on the beach. 3 Red-throated Divers flew west and 26 Common Scoter east. 3 Guillemots were on the sea, a few Auk sp and Gannets were tooing and froing off shore. Highlight was a 1w Arctic Tern moving west. When I got back to the car the wind had got up and showers were threatening to come ashore.

At the ARC I spent an hour on my own in the empty Hanson hide staring at the Bull Rushes hoping that a Penduline Tit might appear. No luck with a Penduline but 2 Bearded Tits dropped into the reed bed frustratingly staying on the outside out of sight most the time and couple Water Rail were squealing. A Kingfisher made 4 fly pasts once attempting to perch on reed by the hide without success. (Oh for some perches to be strategically placed but that seems to be against RSPB rules). A party of 4 Goldeneye was round the Cormorant Island and C100 Golden Plover, c200 Lapwing, c400 Wigeon with smaller numbers of the usual wild fowl regularly being spooked by 2 Marsh Harriers and Sparrowhawk.

On the reserve 4 Great White Egrets and 3+ Little Egrets also a drake Goldeneye per CT and BH. From Firth Hide one the Great White Egrets often comes quite close allowing photo opportunities pity about the light. With the weather deteriorating I gave Dengemarsh and Hookers Pit a miss and went back to the ARC  for another look for a Penduline Tit, no luck, but another glimpse of the Kingfisher flashing by.

At Scotney the feral Barnacle Geese flock still present, c150 Golden Plover, 8 Dunlin and a Redshank on the flood and 2 Marsh Harriers hunting the fields at the back of the pit.

Coming back across Walland the 2 Whooper Swans showing well close to the road, 10+ Tree Sparrows, a Marsh Harrier and a Common Buzzard.

Walland Whoopers

Thanks to a text from Neil this morning I picked up on the 2 Whooper Swans he located with Mute Swan herd near Midley Drying Barns, both were still present late this afternoon.

 A stroll along the beach from the fishing boats to the Lifeboat station hoping for a Little Auk  or better on flat calm sea drew a blank. 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls were near the fishing boats. While searching the Gull flock for a Caspian Gull and failing the Glaucous Gull flew in landing a few feet from me hence another picture of it. 3 Swallows flew along the beach and 20+ Stock Doves came in.

 On the reserve there was 4 Great White Egrets on Burrowes and 6 Little Egrets, 4 Swallows flew south over Christmas Dell where there were many Blackbirds and Song Thrushes. Cetti's Warblers were calling all around the reserve. At Hookers 2 Stonechats, 4 Bearded Tits, 2 Marsh Harriers and several young Smooth Newts crossing the path.

Not Today

With the forecast of strong NNW wind and very cold with it I did not hurry out this morning. After domestic duties and a full English breakfast I made my way to Dungeness. On arrival TG and DW were already on site staring out to sea with the news that I had missed nothing good. I stayed after they left but saw nothing much of note. A short visit to the ARC was fruitless. Back at the beach the Glaucous Gull was on the beach also 2 Yellow-legged Gulls but still little of note passing off shore. A windswept Walland was only notable for the lack of avian activity.

Divers

08.00-14.00 A windy, chilly, damp and rewarding sea watch from the car on the concrete road with TG, later joined by DW, BB and MH.

Great Northern Diver: 1E  (very scarce at Dungeness)    Dunlin: 42E

Black-throated Diver: 2w                                                Curlew: 6E

Red-throated Diver: 6E  2w  4 on the sea                        Oystercatcher: 2E

Red-necked Grebe: 1 on sea                                             Yellow-legged Gull: 2 on beach

Brent Goose: 1408w   64E                                               Knot: 6E

Common Scoter: 69w  57E                                               Ringed Plover: 1 On beach

Velvet Scoter: 1E                                                             Turnstone: 4+ on beach

Wigeon: 132w  15E                                                          Bonxie: 2w

Teal: 33w  2E                                                                   Kittiwake:39w  4E

Pintail: 4w  2E                                                                  Little Gull: 2w   1E  

Red-breasted Merganser: 10w                                          Mediterranean Gull: 5w

Shelduck: 4w                                                                    Starling: 400 in

Merlin: 1 out   1 in off                                                       Goldfinch: 80+E

record of  todays Red-necked Grebe(will be glad to get my 7d back next week)

 Of note on the ARC from Hanson was c150 Golden Plover, 1 Marsh Harrier and the usual wildfowl. In the Willow Trail 2 Chiffchaffs and 2 Goldcrests with the Tit flock. On the reserve c25 Tree Sparrows at Boulderwall Farm and the 3 Great White Egrets on Burrowes being harassed by Grey Herons.

2w Male Hen Harrier

 As I drove out of Lydd on to Walland a superb 2w male hen harrier hunting a Kale field but staying distant. Further on 20+ Redwings at Hawthorn Corner and 10+ Tree Sparrows at Midley.

Goldfinches

A busy morning sea watching from the fishing boats this morning.With much needed help from TG, DW, BB, AB counting the finches moving east over the beach.

Red-throated Diver: 7w

Black-necked Grebe: 1 drifted west

Gannet: c40 off shore

Brent Geese: 112w 6E + 1 Pale bellied w

Common Scoter: 113w 6E

Merlin: 1 over beach

Sparrowhawk: 1 over beach

Curlew: 1E

Dunlin: 1E

Turnstone: 6 on beach

Bonxie: 2w

Guillemot: 6w 4E

Raorbill: 4W 2E

Auk sp: 412w

Sandwich Tern: 14 off shore

Kittiwake: 17w

Mediterranean Gull: 8w

Glaucous Gull: 1 on beach

Yellow-legged Gull: 1 on Beach

Swallow: 75

House Martin: 5

Skylark: 3 in

Meadow Pipit: 17 E

Redwing: 1 in

Chaffinch: 20E

Goldfinch: 3460E

Linnet: 277E

Redpoll: 16E

Siskin: 4E

Harbour Porpoise: 3+ offshore

1 of 3 on Burrowes Pit

On the ARC from Hanson of note 150 Golden Plover, 2 Marsh Harriers and 6 Swallows. In the Willow Trail 3 Goldcrests and 2 Chiffchaffs.

On the reserve 3 Great White Egrets showing well on Burrowes Pit (shame about the light) and the usual wild fowl.

Vis Mig Dengemarsh Gully

This morning I joined MH and BM by the sluice for a very enjoyable vis mig at a foggy Dengemarsh Gully 08.00-12.00: Totals below are birds identified most of which appeared to be coming straight in off the sea and up the gully. There were many more unidentified due to the conditions and some of us being a bit hard of hearing.

Brent Geese: 70w
Wigeon: 58w
Shoveller: 3w
Mallard: 2w
Tufted Duck:1E
Kestrel: 2 around
Curlew: 5E
Jack Snipe: 1 in and dived straight into the gully
Short-eared Owl: 1 just east of the gully.
Swallow: 31 in
Pied Wagtail: 11 in
Meadow Pipit: 38 in
Skylark: 122 in
Goldcrest: 4 in the gully
Chiffchaff: 5 in the gully
Robin: 22 in the gully
Song Thrush: 157 in
Redwing: 104 in
Blackbird: 112 in
Ring Ouzel: 5 in
Fieldfare: 3 in
Starling: c370 in
Chaffinch: 286 in
Brambling: 1 in
Goldfinch: c90 in
Linnet: c120
Siskin: 6+ in
Redpoll: 12 in
Reed Bunting: 7 in
Later a male Black Redstart was seen on the Dengemarsh Chicken sheds and a Great White Egret from the viewing ramp.

Siberian Stonechat

At a very foggy Dungeness this morning an arrival of Thrushes with 27 Blackbirds, 13 Song Thrushes, 9 Redwing, 1 Ring Ouzel and 18 Robins grounded between Lloyds and the Old lighthouse with more flying over unseen. Also seen 3+ Black Redstarts, 11 Goldcrests, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Stonechat, 5+ Skylarks and a few Siskins over.

A look in the trapping area found more evidence of an arrival with Blackbirds seemingly everwhere and another Ring Ouzel.

With news that the Siberian Stonechat was still present at Beachy Head I gave in to temptation and twitched it with GH. AS we arrived at Birling Gap the fog cleared and the sun came out letting us enjoy  the Siberian Stonechat in good light. While there a Hobby flew over, we also saw a Whinchat which sometimes sat very close to the Siberian Stonechat, 1+ Brambling over, my first Fieldfare of the Autumn among many Thrushes and in Shooters Bottom several Goldcrests and Chiffchaffs, more Thrushes and Robins, a Black Redstart and a Hobby possibly the bird seen at Birling gap.

Wet and Miserable

Probably the most photographed Glaucous Gull ever.

As I drove on to the beach in the near dark this morning, I could see the Glaucous Gull bathing in the puddles by the fishing boats along with the adult Yellow-legged Gull. In couple of hours of staring through the rain from the end of the concrete road I recorded:
Red-throated Diver: 1E
Gannet: 136E
Brent Geese: 93w  2E
Wigeon: 7E
Common Scoter: 38w
Turnstone: 4 on the beach
Bonxie: 1E
Arctic Skua: 1W
Kittiwake: 14E
Sandwich Tern: 15E
Arctic Tern: 1E
Swallow: 7E
Meadow Pipit: 6 in
Skylark: 5 in
Redwing: 4 in
Starling: c250 in
Goldfinch: c500E
Linnet: c150E
Grey Seal: 1
Harbour Porpoise: 3+
Leaving the beach the light was a little better so I took yet more pictures of the Glaucous Gull.
In the Lighthouse garden a couple of Goldcrests and Chiffchaffs. Viewing The Patch from by the seawatching hide 3+ Mediterranean Gulls and a little Gull could be seen round the boil.
At Scotney the feral Barnacle Geese still present along with several hundred Greylags, a single Brent Goose, c300 Golden Plover, c1000 Lapwing, a single Redshank and a Marsh Harrier. With the weather getting worse I gave in to the inevitable and headed home.

Sprites

Near the the fishing boats this morning the Glaucous Gull was on the sands with the bait diggers, c600 Starlings came in and a few flocks of finches over. In the Lighthouse garden 4+ Goldcrests, 2 Chiffchaffs and 2 Song Thrushes. Round the moat 6+ Goldcrests, 6+ Chiffchaffs, 4 Blackcaps and a Ring Ouzel. Late this afternoon a Sparrowhawk was trapped and ringed at the obs. 

Late morning and most of the afternoon was spent round the trapping area with Mark T, where we came across a large Tit flock that contained 6+ Chiffchaffs, 6+Goldcrests and a Firecrest. Having been alerted that a Pallas's Warbler had been heard deeper into the trapping area, we slowly made our way to the area seeing more Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests also fly over Brambling, Siskin and Redpolls. After a while I heard it call 3 times but no sight of it. While looking for a it a Long Eared Owl was flushed which I missed, while looking for the Owl DW spotted the Pallas's Warbler which I glimpsed before it disappeared. SM heard and found a Yellow-browed Warbler amongst numerous Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests which I managed to get slightly better views of than the Pallas's. Some very good birds seen  but very frustrating views of most.    

Camera Problems

Sea watching this morning was uneventful with a couple of Arctic Skuas(probably the birds that have been around for weeks) a few Gannets and Terns, a Red-throated Diver on the sea, c250 Swallows and House Martins over, 350+ Goldfinches a few Siskins, Chaffinches and Redpolls, also 12 Pied Wagtails. The Glaucous Gull flew in and landed less than 10mts from me, I raised my camera and pressed the shutter and disaster, nothing happened, some frantic fiddling still nothing.The camera was saying both batteries and a spare apparently completely exhausted, which could not be as all 3 were charged fully last night. So spent the rest day on a trip to London to hopefully get the problem sorted. The repairers tried their batteries and still nothing. Will have to use my 40D for a while. 

Gulls

2 hours at the fishing boats  this morning was a let down after yesterday. Even so 2 Sooty Shearwaters, 1+ Arctic Skua, a few Common Scoter, a single Eider, 2 Red-throated Divers, a few each of Razorbills and Guillemots with more Auk sp, along with a few Sandwich Terns and Gannets passed by off shore. c300 Swallows went out and c400 Goldfinches and c30 Siskins moved over the beach. It was good to see that the Glaucous Gull was getting back into its old routine.

 At the ARC from Hanson a Merlin flashed across the lake, a Little Stint, a Knot and a Snipe were on whats left of the islands. A Great White Egret flew in being harassed by a Grey Heron and a Goldeneye was present., in the bushes Goldcrests, Chiffchaffs, Cetti's Warblers and Water Rail squealed. At the pines a Crossbill flew over, a Ring Ouzel, Redwing, several Song Thrushes and 3 Marsh Harriers were seen.

 At the reserve on  Burrowes pit 2 more Great White Egrets, 6 Jays flew over as did a Sparrowhawk and a 1w Yellow-legged Gull.

 In the gull roost on the reserve late this afternoon an adult Caspian Gull and an adult Yellow-legged Gull courtesy of DW.

Leach's, Sooty's and a Sabines

Leach's Petrel. Another contender for worst image of the week!

 A brilliant sea watch today 08.00- 15.00: 

Red-throated Diver: 1 off shore                        Sabines Gull: 1w

Great-crested Grebe: c20 off shore                 Glaucous Gull 3w on beach

Sooty Shearwater: 14w                                    Sandwich Tern: 43w

Leach's Petrel: 3w                                            Common Tern: 2w

Gannet:195                                                       Guillemot 26w

Common Scoter: 42w 8E                                  Razorbill: 84w                                

Red-breasted merganser: 1w                           Auk sp: 78w                          

Turnstone: 14+ on beach                                 Skylark: 4 in                               

Dunlin: 5w                                                         Swallow: 96 in                                      

Curlew: 1w                                                        Meadow Pipit: 5 in

Great Skua: 24w 2E                                          Pied Wagtail: 9 in 2 on beach

Arctic Skua: 6+ off shore                                  Starling: 26 in

Mediterranean Gull 2winiter: 1w                       Linnet: 20 over beach

Yellow-legged Gull ad: 1 on beach                   Goldfinch: 498 over beach

Little Gull: 1-3adults 1 1winter all west              Siskin: 7+ over beach

Kittiwake : 6w                                                    Harbour Porpoise: 3 off shore

Sooty Shearwater. Yet another contender for worst photo of the week

As I was driving off the beach a Gull caught my eye. As screeched to halt and fumbled for my camera I realised it was a 3w Glaucous Gull hopefully back for the winter.

The  only snatched shot I managed 

First Goldeneye

Highlights of a plod around The Point this morning with TG were 3 Ring Ouzels, 2 Bramblings, c20 Siskins, c15 Redpolls, c100 Goldfinches, c20 Stock doves, c80 Woodpigeons, 4 Green Woodpeckers, 3 Sparrowhawks, 12 Chiffchaffs, 15 Long-tailed Tits and a flock of 61 Blue Tits.   

 At the south end of the ARC a Little Stint with 30 Lapwing, a singing Cetti's Warbler and a Marsh Harrier over. On the track to and around the pines 2 Jays, a Black Redstart, a Ring Ouzel, 4 Chiffchaffs, 3 Cetti's Warblers, c 100 Golden Plovers over, a Snipe and 2 Marsh Harriers. Across the road at Boulderwall farm 16 Tree sparrows round the feeder.

 On the reserve little of note on Burrowes and New Excavations. At Christmas Dell 4 Blackcaps and a Stonechat. Dengemarsh still hosts the Great white Egret and 2 more Marsh Harriers. At Hookers 2 Blackcaps 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Cetti's Warblers, a photogenic Kestrel and a Ring Ouzel flushed from opposite the ramp.

In a late afternoon look at the ARC from Hanson 2 Little Stints, a Common Snipe and PT spotted my first Goldeneye of the Autumn among the usual wildfowl.  

Harrier Roost

Noticeably less migrants today in a stroll around all the areas on The Point a Common Redstart was the highlight, also seen 6 Stonechats, 1 Wheatear, 2 Black Redstarts, 2 Brambling over, a few each of Siskin and Redpoll over, 140+ Goldfinches, 40+ Swallows, 8 Chiffchaffs, 3+ Sparrowhawks and 13 Jays.

A scarce bird this autumn at Dungeness

 Arriving back at the observatory a Jay was being processed, a ringing tick for young David.

At the ARC 3 Black Redstarts at The Pines and 6 Chiffchaffs. From Hanson 300+ Golden Plover, 2 Little Stints and 2 Marsh Harriers were the highlights. At the south end another Little Stint.
The Harrier roost count on Walland this evening was some what disappointing with only 3 Marsh Harriers being seen and none roosting in the reed bed I was watching. However 2 Merlins, 2 Sparrowhawks, a Common buzzard and 2 Stonechats were seen with Water Rails squealing in the reeds.

A few migrants

A later start today staring out to sea in the rain for the best part of an hour. Very little moving the highlights being a Bonxie and Red-throated Diver west and 2 Arctic Skuas off shore.

 A plod around The Point found a fair scattering of birds including 2 fly over Ring Ouzels, 14 Song Thrushes, 1 Wheatear, 6 Black Redstarts, 48 Chiffchaffs, 6 Blackcaps, a Reed Warbler, 12 Goldcrests one of which performed well for the camera, 3 Firecrests, c60 Siskins, c35 Redpolls, c90 Goldfinches. Much fewer Hirundines today only 86 Swallows.

Spiders legs still  protruding from beak

Not so obliging Firecrest

The track from the ARC car park to The Pines and along the railway found another 22 Chiffchaffs, 4 Blackcaps, 12 Long-tailed Tits, the stunning male Black Redstart still present, 2 Red-legged Partridges, c30 Blackbirds, c10 Song Thrushes and 2 Marsh Harriers. From Hanson 2 Little Stints still, c250 Golden Plover and a female Red-crested Pochard.

At Dengemarsh Gully this afternoon most of this mornings migrants had moved on leaving just a Goldcrest, 3 Chiffchaffs and Peregrine over. 

More of the same

Another 2 hrs watching from The Point this morning with TG and DW :

Red-throated Diver: 10w

Black-throated Diver: 2w

Gannet: c50 off shore

Wigeon: 8w

Common Scoter: 8w  16E

Red-breasted Merganser: 1w

Sanderling: 1w

Dunlin: 6w

Bonxie: 1E

Arctic Skua: c5 off shore

Little Gull: 5w

Mediterranean Gull: 3 off shore

Kittiwake: 3w

Yellow-Legged Gull 2 on beach ad + 1w

Sandwich Tern: c40 off shore

Skylark: 2 in

Rock Pipit: 1w 

Yellow Wagtail: 1w

Swallow: 585

House Martin: 367

Redpoll: 3

Harbour Porpoise: 3+ off shore

 A wander around The Desert, Trapping Area, The Moat, Lloyds and West beach found a single  very photogenic Wheatear, 2 Stonechats, 6 Firecrests, 3 Goldcrests, 2 Blackcaps, a Reed Warbler, a Common Whitethroat, 2 Black Redstarts, 2+ Sparrowhawks, 3 Skylarks over and several each of Siskin, Redpoll and Goldfinch over.

A walk up the track to The Pines found 8+ Chiffchaffs, 4+ Cetti's Warblers, 2 Marsh Harriers but very little in The Pines. From Hanson 2 Little Stints, 5 Dunlin, c200 Golden Plover, c 150 Lapwing  and the usual wildfowl.

A wind swept Dengemarsh was very quiet with the Great White Egret making a couple of second flight over the reed bed and flock of c100 Linnets in the field.

Seawatching

Soggy Yellow-legged Gull

With a moderate SE wind blowing this morning hopes were high for a good sea watch. But once again the flocks of hoped for Shearwaters, Petrels and Skuas failed to materialise. At midday and the rain lashing down, it was almost a relief when the fisherman turned up to take the boat we were sheltering by out.
Red-throated Diver:  2E 1w
Black-throated Diver: 1w
Fulmar: 1w
Gannet: c50 off shore
Brent Goose: 197w    21E
Common Scoter: 47w
Wigeon: 12w
Teal: 2w
Sparrowhawk: 1 over beach
Mediterranean Gull: 3+ off shore
Yellow-legged Gull: 1 on beach
Kittiwake: 39w
Bonxie: 6w
Arctic Skua: 3+ off shore
Sandwich Tern: c40 off shore
Common Tern: 8w
Arctic Tern: 1w
Razorbill: 1w
Auk sp: 19w
Swallow: c1000+ out
House Martin: c150+ out
Pied wagtail: 22 out
Rock Pipit: 1 on beach
Goldfinch: c300+ over
Linnet: 40+ over
Harbour Porpoise: 2+ off shore

Redpoll Problems

This mornings watch from the fishing boats was again disappointing. c350 Brent Geese , c100 Wigeon , a few Teal and 32 Common Scoter moving west. 3 Red-throated divers were off shore as were c50 Gannets and few Sandwich Terns. c250 Goldfinches flew over as did 29 Carrion Crows and 190 Starlings came in.

Round the lighthouse this morning 1 Wheatear, 1 Black Redstart, 2 Stonechat and a Whinchat. In a lunchtime visit there were 2 Winchat, 3 Black Redstart, 2 Firecrests and 2 Ravens.

At the observatory 5 Firecrests were trapped and some Redpolls, a couple of which were Common Redpolls or not, depending on which learned scholar wrote the book or paper you read. They  don't look like Cabaret's to me, but I screw Little Stints up.  

A stroll around The Desert and trapping area with TG was also somewhat disappointing, seeing just a handful of Chiffchaffs, a few Tits, a Firecrest and 2 distant Ravens.
An afternoon visit to The Pines at the ARC found a Spotted Flycatcher, a Common Redstart and superb male Black Redstart presumably yesterdays birds also several Chiffchaffs and another Firecrest in the car park.
In Dengemarsh Gully 2 more Firecrests, a Stonechat and Common Buzzard over.

A few migrants

Just a half an hour sea watch this overcast morning as it was still very quiet:

Red-throated Diver: 2 off shore

Gannet: c30 off shore

Brent Geese: 25w  9E

Arctic Skua: 1 off shore

Guillemot: 2 on sea

Auk sp: 6w

Swallow: c80w

Goldfinch: c120w

The Lighthouse garden held just 2 Goldcrests.

A plod around The Desert and the trapping area found 1 Wheatear, 6 Skylark over, 5 Jays flew north, 7 Reed Buntings, c150 Goldfinches, c50 Linnets, also a few Siskins and Redpolls, c150 Hirundines over, 6 Chiffchaffs 3 of which were part of a mobile Tit flock, 14 Jackdaws flew north and a Raven over the power station.

 A visit to Dengemarsh Gully with MH found a Black Redstart, 2+Firecrests, 1 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 5+ Chiffchaffs, 3+Continental Song Thrushes and 4+ Blackbirds. In another visit later on a Wheatear and a Peregrine. On Dengemarsh wandering down to Hayfield 3, I flushed the Great White Egret which flew to one of its usual feeding spots, also 2 Marsh Harriers there.

At the ARC a Little Stint, 8 Dunlin, c200 Golden Plover, 2 Marsh Harriers and the usual wildfowl.
By the track to Hanson Chiffchaffs and 2+ Cetti's Warblers, 2 more round the Willow Trail with 4 Chiffchaffs + a Goldcrest. The Pines late afternoon held c10 Chiffchaffs, a Common Redstart and a Spotted Flycatcher.

Gloomy Morning

With Cap Gris Nez clocking up 10,000 Brent Geese, 200+ Bonxies and more yesterday in a Northerly wind. A forecast of south easterly winds and overcast for this morning at Dungeness my hopes for good sea watch were very high. Arriving just after 07.00 it was very gloomy and stayed liked that, TG was already on site and DW arrived shortly after. It soon became apparent that we would not rival Cap Gris Nez and at 10.00 in  rapidly deteriorating weather we gave up.

 Our Totals:
Red-throated Diver: 3 on sea                                      Little Gull: 2w
Gannet: 80+ off shore                                                Kittiwake: 193w
Brent Geese: 446w                                                    Sandwich Tern: 50+ off shore
Common Scoter:                                                       Common Tern: 16w
Wigeon: 77w                                                             Arctic Tern: 4w
Gadwall: 8w                                                              Razorbill: 1w
Teal: 3w                                                                   Guillemot: 2+ off shore
Shoveler: 5w                                                             Auk sp: 47w
Pintail: 1w                                                                Swallow: 91 out
Grey Plover: 1w                                                        Rock Pipit: 3w                                              
Arctic Skua: 2+ off shore                                           Meadow Pipit: 3 in
Mediterranean Gull: 2w                                             Goldfinch: 24w

Probably a Sand Martin (Very heavily cropped)

At the ARC c150 Hirundines among them an almost white one, which was probably a Sand Martin unfortunately it never came close in the hour I was watching it. Also seen of note a single Hobby, 2 Marsh Harriers, 8+ Chiffchaffs and 12 Tree sparrows in the car park.

The Pines

With a light north wind I gave the sea a miss this morning and went for a tramp around The Point ,The Desert and trapping area. Plenty of finches moving overhead, mainly Goldfinches, Linnets and Siskins with a few Redpolls, Meadow Pipits, Hirundines 2 Bramblings. I probably missed a lot more because of my poor hearing. In the bushes c20 Chiffchaffs and I flushed a Snipe from a newly formed pool. 

At The Patch just 2 Common Terns among the Black Headed and Herring Gulls and a Black Redstart behind the shelter. 

At the ARC by the track to the pines c10 Chiffchaffs with another 10 in the pines also a Common Redstart and a Pied Flycatcher courtesy of CT. Back by the car park c10 Tree sparrows.
On Dengemarsh from Springfield Bridge the Great White Egret strutting around with 5 Little Egrets, 2 Marsh Harriers and a flock of c150 Linnets.
At Scotney the Barnacle Geese still present with c200 Golden Plover and 3 Bar-tailed Godwits.