Another day of cold north easterlies blasting across the Dungeness peninsula today. Before having my annual check up with the doctor I had a quick look at the New Diggings,where the 3 Black-necked Grebes were associating with c25 Tufted Duck and Coots, a single Slavonian Grebe was feeding under the bushes at the south end. At the south end of the ARC c100 each of Shoveler and Gadwall, c50 each of Tufted Duck and Pochard, a few Teal and 3 Goldeneye, also a Marsh Harrier hunting the railway line.
At Scotney 2 more Black-necked Grebes, the feral flock of Barnacle Geese still on the sward along with 2 Curlew and 3 Ringed Plover. Around the lakes c250 Wigeon with smaller numbers of Teal, Tufted Duck and Pochard.
Late morning at Cockles Bridge a Common Buzzard hunched on a post, 2 Red-legged Partridges, c100 Golden Plover and 200 Lapwing running around the fields and flock of 20 Stock Doves all being harassed by a couple of Marsh Harriers, also 2 Great White Egrets sheltering from the wind in the ditches.
From the visitor centre a drake Smew still, 4+ Goldeneye along with 100s of Shoveler and Gadwall sheltering under the far bank. From Dennis's a red head Smew.
A sea watch this afternoon from The Point in the comfort of my car:
14.20-15.50
Brent Goose: 281E    (flock of 250 at 14.40)
Common Scoter: 6E
Red-throated Diver: 5E
Great-crested Grebe: 12 on sea
Gannet: 44E    9W
Cormorant: present N/C
Dunlin: 1E
Snipe: 2E  (along the beach)
Auk sp: 1E   2W
Stock Dove: 2 in
Harbour Porpoise: 3+