Return of the Penduline

 A beautiful clear spring morning at Dungeneness. 06.30-10.00 from the sea watching hide with AJG, DW, BH, CT, BB thanks to AJG for collating the numbers.

Red-throated Diver: 116E   15W                         Curlew:                 57E
Fulmar: 1E                                                         Oystercatcher:       34E
Gannet: 138E                                                     Auk:                     138E Mainly Guillemots
Barnacle Goose: 1E                                            Mediterranean Gull: 4E
Brent Goose: 1424E                                           Kittiwake:              1176E
Shelduck: 3E                                                      Arctic Skua:           1E
Pintail: 26E                                                        Sandwich Tern:      1E
Wigeon: 4E                                                        Skylark:                 2 in
Teal: 11E                                                           Harbour Porpoise:  1+ off shore
Common Scoter: 91E
Velvet Scoter: 7E

A visit to Hanson Hide at the ARC Pit was richly rewarded by virtually the first bird to be seen being a Penduline Tit. It is ringed and probably the returning bird making it nearly 4 years old at least.
Also seen were 1+ Bittern, a Great White Egret, 2+ Marsh Harriers, 5+ Smew, 5+ Goldeneye of which 2 were performing in front the hide. In The Willow Trail 4 Chiffchaffs, 2+ Goldcrests, 2+ Water Rail squealing and 1+ Cetti's Warblers.

  

14.00-15.30 from the fishing boats AJG, MH and myself:

Red-throated Diver: 43E
Fulmar:                    1E
Gannet:                   2E
Brent Goose:         243E
Common Scoter:       7E
Eider:                       4E
Curlew:                  63E
Auks:                     24E
Harbour Porpoise: 1+ off shore

Late afternoon on Walland a Barn Owl coming out of a shed in Caldecott lane. At Midley 37 Bewick Swans still and at the Tickners Lane seed dump 16+ Yellowhammers, 12+ Corn Buntings, 4+ Reed Buntings and 20+ Chaffinches.