5-6/11/2020

As yesterday was such a calm morning I decided to walk down Galloways and check out Brett's Marina for Leaf Warblers. As I walked by Lydd camp the Little Owl was in its usual cubby hole soaking up the early morning sunshine, I'd just reached the marina when I received a call from DW about a Hume's Warbler calling in the trapping area. An about was in order and made my way to the observatory. As I passed the red white gates there was another 10+ very cold sad looking migrants wrapped in silver foil surrounded by police and border force, on arrival at the observatory I got another message this time from Sam that he'd trapped a Dusky Warbler. It was duly ringed and released into The Moat where it quickly dived into cover, though was seen briefly later. I then spent a considerable time trying to see and photograph the Hume's warbler which was calling frequently, but it was a devil to see let alone photograph, as you can see from the laughable images below. A blackcap feeding on a strategically placed apple was a bonus as was a Short-eared Owl that flew over The Moat as I was leaving.

In the afternoon I walked out onto the marsh to watch Marsh Harriers coming into roost, only 2 birds came in, but on the plus side there many squealing Water Rails and a few Bearded Tits. 

Dusky Warbler

Hume's Warbler

Hume's Warbler, if only I'd presses the shutter a fraction of a second earlier 😢

Hume's Warbler 

Blackcap in the trapping area

Short-eared Owl over The Moat

This mornings stunning sun rise over Dungeness taken from my bedroom

Two Sea watches today with SM and AJG who kept the log: 

07.00-09.30 & 13.30-15.00

Brent Goose: 39W   2E

Eider: 1W

Velvet Scoter: 3W

Common Scoter: 8W    11E

Red-breasted Merganser: 1W

Red-throated Diver: 8W    6E

Great-crested Grebe: 4W

Gannet: 46W    167E

Cormorant: present n/c

Merlin: 1 present

Sparrowhawk: 1 flew out to sea

Oystercatcher:15E

Kittiwake: 127W     21E

Mediterranean Gull: 15W    9E

Sandwich tern: 3E

Great Skua: 3W

Guillemot: 7W    21E

Razorbill: 19W    5E

Grey Seal: 2

Goldfinch : 400+E

Some time spent in the trapping area looking for yesterdays Hume's Warbler drew a blank, the same with the Dusky Warbler, there was increase in Crests and a few Chiffchaffs.

The same was the case this afternoon at the ARC, where a Common Snipe was seen along with usual wildfowl but generally very quiet.