Thursday, 23 September 2021

23/09/2021

 As I keep being asked when the hides are going to open again. As far as I know Firth Hide will never open again as it  has been replaced by the Firth Look Out which probably seemed liked a good idea, in reality it is only really usable in perfect weather especially with a scope, very few birds stay on the close islands as the first person to walk onto the Look Out flushes them. Makepiece won't open until they can get enough funding to replace it. Scott Hide has been replaced by another Look Out with the same drawbacks as Firth. Dengemarsh should open in the next couple of weeks, don't hold your breath. Hanson won't open until the new Willow Trail Boardwalk is completed, so probably not till next year at the earliest. The Screen is open albeit with the back completely removed, at the moment the vegetation is so high little can be seen, most people walk past the screen and stand on top of the bank. The good news is Christmas Dell hide is open at the moment, so somewhere to eat your sandwiches and have a sleep. Dennis's Hide is open at the moment so at least some of Burrowes can viewed irrelative comfort.

The best hide at the moment is the car, especially by entrance track where the Egrets and Ibis sometimes show very well, though I expect to find double yellow lines there one day.😂

An Obliging Great Egret again today


The Cattle Egrets weren't to bad either
Todays sea watches were again poor but least the sun shining:
07.30-08.30 
Common Scoter: 4W
Gannet: 110 feeding 
Cormorant: 11 around
Merlin: 1 in off the sea
Grey Plover: 2W
Kittiwake: 1 at Patch 1w
Mediterranean Gull: 1 at Patch 1w
Sandwich Tern: 2E
Guillemot: 1E
Swallow: 131 SW
House Martin: 46 SW

13.30-15.30 from Fishing boats:
Common Scoter: 35W       5E
Red-throated Diver: 1W
Gannet: 51W
Cormorant: 14E
Kittiwake: 43W      19 on
Sandwich Tern: 137W
Arctic Skua: 4W      1E
Guillemot: 1E   1 on
Swallow: 28 SW
Wheatear: 1 around
Grey Seal !
Harbour Porpoise: 4

The bushes were very quiet, a few each of Chiffchaff and Blackcap. 
Lydd Fields had a few Yellow Wagtails and  Meadow Pipits over with a couple of Marsh harriers and Common Buzzards. Dengemarsh the 2 juvenile Hobby's still present, a single Wheatear, 2 Ravens and more Yellow Wagtails. 

1 comment:

  1. Hi Martin, Dengemarsh hide reopened today 24th September. For the latest update on the Dungeness RSPB hides please refer to: www.ploversblog.blogspot.com - Cheers, Paul

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