Tuesday 27 June 2017

Sand Martins herald the autumn migration!

 My alarm clock and raptor alert!
I had a late start this morning due to domestic stuff despite my avian alarm going off at around 04.30.
 1s Common Tern
On the reserve 7 Sand Martins heralding the autumn influx to Dungeness, the unseasonal Goldeneye was still present, also a Cuckoo still, 8 Swifts came and went with a few drops of rain and a 1s Common Tern was of some note.
 The unseasonal Goldeneye
As DW had seen 16+ juvenile Yellow-legged Gulls at The Patch I made my way there, a Fulmar flew around the power station, at least 9 Juvenile Yellow-legged Gulls were still present around The Patch but to distant to photograph, I'm sure within the next couple of weeks they will be coming to our offerings giving excellent views. The 3 young Peregrines in the power station eyrie were flapping there wings a bit today. 
 Fulmar at the Power Station
Early afternoon from Hanson in the company of MH a juvenile Garganey, 3 Little-ringed Plovers and a Redshank were the pick of the avian fayre there today.
 Common Scoter at the fishing boats
A mid afternoon sea watch from the fishing boats with MH gave us both the best views we have ever had of a Common Scoter:
15.45-17.00:
Common Scoter: 1 around
Great-crested Grebe: 2 around
Gannet: 24 up  7 down
Cormorant: 4 around
Black-headed Gull: 16 around
Mediterranean Gull: 5 around
Common Gull: 3 down
Herring Gull: c30 around
Lesser Black-backed Gull: 1 around
Great Black-backed Gull: 4 around
Common Tern: 2 up
Sandwich Tern: 29 up  8 down
Swift: 5 out
Pied Wagtail: 3 around
Skylark: 1 singing behind boats
Wood Pigeon: 5 on beach
Carrion Crow: 4 on beach
Harbour Porpoise: 1

 nr adult Mediterranean Gull at the fishing boats
Barn Owl at Boulderwall
Late afternoon on the way home I joined CT watching the remaining adult Barn Owl hunting around Boulderwall, holding our breathe every time it flew across the road.

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