Gannets!

After emptying a disappointing catch from the Plodland moth trap, I drove the short distance to the beach for an hours sea watch.

 One of the closer flocks of Gannets this morning.

08.35-09.40 from The Point.

Common Scoter: 12 E
Great-crested Grebe: 2 on sea
Gannet: 218 W   including flocks of 58 & 43   also 24E
Cormorant: 3W
Oystercatcher: 2E
Ringed Plover: 1 on beach
Mediterranean Gull: 1 ad E
Sandwich Tern: 47E  38W
Common Tern: 21W        3E
Swift: 3 in
Skylark: 1 on beach
Pied Wagtail: 3 on beach
Harbour Porpoise: 1
At the ARC  a Cuckoo in the Willow Trail also a Water rail squealing, the first I have heard here for a while. From Hanson the Lapwing numbers are building nicely c150 today, many eclipse Gadwall, Pochard, Tufted Duck and Shoveler could be seen along with hordes of Coot and c50 Mute Swans.

 Little Owl sunbathing

A late morning stroll around the Scotney complex found one of the Little Owls in its usual spot on the barn, Yellow Wagtails and Corn Buntings feeding young, 5 Little Egrets and the 2 Spoonbills in their usual pose. The remaining Avocets were still sitting tight, as were the Black-headed Gulls in their small colony. 2 Egyptian Geese and 2 Barnacle Geese still present along with many Greylag and Canada Geese.

2 distant Spoonbills

A disappointing watch this afternoon 13.35-15.00 from the fishing boats:
Great-crested Grebe: 2 on sea (same 2?)
Fulmar: 1E
Gannet: 2E  8W
Cormorant: 1E  2W
Mediterranean Gull: 1 2nd S  E
Sandwich Tern: 8W

Fisherman trying to find new ways of wasting the Dungeness lifeboatmen time this afternoon. Appears not to be wearing a life jacket.

This evening a short walk around Walland Marsh saw the usual Tree Sparrows, Yellow Wagtails, Turtle Dove, Common Buzzards, Marsh Harriers and a Barn Owl but I did not hear any Quail