20/06/2026

As today was to hot to do much in the way of birding and I fear the next week will be the same, I make no apology for posting more images of the fabulous Squacco Heron that spent the 16th  around the Long Pits and ARC.

 

 

19/06/2026

I've been spending time out on the marsh listening for but not hearing any Quail, but seeing lots of Yellow Wagtails, Corn and Reed Buntings also Marsh Harriers, Hobby, Tree Sparrows, a Little Owl and superb fly past of a Barn Owl

Barn Owl 

Corn Bunting

Little Owl

At the ARC this morning a Reed Warbler was still nest building but little else noted. On Boulderwall one of the Avocet pairs was close to the road but unfortunately seems to have already lost one of its chicks.

A quick look at the sea was as suspected very quiet and little else was seen on the peninsula.

Reed Warbler with nest material at the ARC

Avocets on the Boulderwall Flood

16/06/2026

A superb day at Dungeness, the undoubted highlight being able to spend an hour with the Squacco Heron at the Long Pits, which was first found early this morning by David Carrington then promptly disappeared then re-found by Jacob at the top end where it showed superbly well fishing from the Lilly Pads, before moving off to the ARC where it has gone to roost.  I still have  800+ images to look at.

Anyone who knows Dungeness would assume this Bittern is over the ARC track, it has in fact just come out of Christmas Dell, the image was taken from Dengemarsh this morning.

7 Cattle Egrets over Boulderwall

Brown Hare at the back of Hookers

Young Bearded Tit at the back of Hookers this morning

Squacco Heron about to strike a small Pike 

The Squacco Heron with its prize

Squacco Heron on on its way to the ARC

14-15/06/2026

I spent several hours last evening walking and cycling around the fields at the back of Scotney, where I was listening for singing Quail but I failed to hear any. There did seem to be good numbers of Yellow Wagtails nesting along with Corn Buntings, Reed Buntings and Skylarks, most of the Tree Sparrow nest boxes that we have put up appear to be occupied, the Raven family and Peregrines were much in evidence, on the down side once again no Barn Owls were seen. 

Yellow Wagtail preening after a bath

Wood Sandpiper at the ARC

After a very slow sea watch this morning I visited the ARC where from Hanson more or less the bird I saw was a Wood Sandpiper, I guessing its a failed breeder returning early. I did manage to overlook an eclipse Red-crested Pochard that Kevin found a few minutes after I left Hanson 🙄

A wander across the reserve found nothing new. A visit this afternoon saw 32 Common Terns had returned to the Island they usually nest on, unfortunately a pair of Lesser Black-backed Gulls are already nesting there, it wont end well.

Common Terns and Lesser Black-backed Gulls on Burrowes

13/06/2026

Its that time of year when the birding becomes very hard work for little reward, though young birds often pose for the camera because they know no better.

A fledgling Sedge Warbler

 

Little Ringed Plover at Boulderwall

Little Ringed Plover

Young Reed Warbler

Cattle Egret over Boulderwall with my house in the background

There are dozens of Norfolk Hawkers around the reserve at the moment

Small Tortoishell on the reserve this morning

Remarkably this is my 5th Striped Hawkmoth this year

Shore Wainscot just about annual in my trap

Large Emerald is just about annual in my trap

Dusky Brocade is barely annual in my trap

Chilo phragmitella a regular in my trap

11/06/2026

One of at least 49 Manx Shearwaters that passed west today

Apart from the Manx Shearwaters there was very little else passing at sea, full details cab be seen HERE

The poor weather means there are many Swifts over the lakes, there appeared to be little else of note around Dungeness.

A newly fledged Black redstart on the perimeter wall this morning

Marsh Harrier hunting the field opposite my house while I was sitting on the bench having my breakfast

Southern Marsh Orchids along the track to Hanson Hide

Dytiscus Marginalis larvae (Great Diving Beetle) on the Willow Trail track this morning

Four-spotted Chaser along the Willow Trail track this morning

Hobby over the Willow Trail

08/06/2026

Corvids are major predators on the reserve and are one one of the biggest nest thieves and chick killers along with Grey Herons and Herring Gulls. All the anti predator fences are useless against them.

Carrion Crow stealing a Grebes egg after luring her away from the nest at the ARC

Carrion Crow luring the Grebe away again

A little stand off

The crow jumps over the Grebe and grabs another egg

Another very quiet day avian wise around the peninsula, on the reserve the usual Bearded Tits, Warblers and Bittern but nothing new, heavy rain this afternoon meant an early finish.

Little Ringed Plover at Boulderwall

Reed Bunting collecting food for young

One of several Common Lizards basking on the boardwalk in the early morning sun

One of several Silver Y around the reserve