The last couple of days have been hard work around Dungeness, the high winds, cold and rain reminiscent of November, as for the early morning sea watches they have been dire and the bushes avian free zones.
The Scotney Herring Gulls yesterday sitting tight despite the waves breaking over them!
I have spent several hours in the last couple of days scanning 100s of Hirundines for something unusual to no avail. Today in particular at the ARC, House Martins numbered in the 100s as did the Swifts little wonder that there were plenty of Hobby's in attendance. I watched a Reed Warbler building its nest showing amazing dexterity winding strips of reed around a reed stem. Very close by a Cuckoo was perched up, I will keep a close eye on this nest just in case the Cuckoo decides to use it as well. The Swallows in the Screen hide are now sitting on eggs, so please try not use that end of the hide, though I don't think they take much notice of people in there.
A walk around the Hayfields and Dengemarsh today just about dodging the showers, found 9 Ringed Plovers and 2 Little Ringed Plovers of note on Hayfield 3, a Lapwing chick showed very briefly on Hayfield 1, hopefully it will avoid the hordes of predators and fledge. Sheltering from a shower in Dengemarsh hide a Bittern flew across the reed bed and 3+ Marsh Harriers could be seen. An unseen Cuckoo was calling and Reed, Sedge and Cetti's Warblers were singing. The Tern rafts were more or less Tern free hopefully they were all out fishing. On the way back to Springfield bridge 2 Yellow Wagtails were with the cattle on Dengemarsh Flood and a cold Hobby posed on the anti predator fence.
As for the Plodland moth trap for last 2 nights nil points!
Hobby Dengemarsh
Stunning Hobby shot Martin.
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