A cold return to Dungeness!

A shock to the system this morning arriving at a very cold sea watch hide after the warmth of Morocco. AJG had already been watching for 90 minutes for very scant reward, in the 30 minutes I was there with him just a handful each of Scoter, Brent Geese, Gannets and Terns moved east.

I joined him for a wander to the north end of the Long Pits and back where 8 Swifts and 2 House Martins were new for me at Dungeness this year, a male Ring Ouzel chacked before flying off towards The Desert, a few Common Whitethroats, Lesser Whitethroats and Reed Warblers were singing half heartedly, joined by 3 Cetti's Warblers but very little else and no sign of AJGs Purple Heron from yesterday.

Late morning at the ARC from the causeway a Wheatear and 2 Yellow Wagtails at the southern end, halfway along the causeway a summer plumage Black-necked Grebe was showing well and still there late afternoon.

At The Pines a Cuckoo was my first of the year also several more Swifts with Swallows, House and Sand Martins and plenty of singing Sedge and Reed Warblers.

 Whimbrel at Scotney.

An early afternoon hours sea watch from the fishing boats was a complete non event. At Scotney 1 of several Whimbrel was showing well, also 12 Ringed Plovers, 4 Dunlin and several Yellow Wagtails were flying around.

Dengemarsh Gully was bereft of avian life. Galloways was opened early but all I could find was a handful of Common Whitethroats.

Late afternoon a fine male Whinchat had joined the Wheatear at the ARC.

Whinchat at the ARC