The Law of Sod!!!!!

As I predicted with me in Portsmouth this weekend the spring sea migration at Dungeness kicked off big time. Yesterday was good but today was exceptional.
Today's totals below: 05.50-15.20 with thanks to AJG for the info.

Red throated Diver 3171 up   A record day total for Dungeness!

Black-throated Diver 9 up

Great Northern Diver 1 up

Fulmar 55 up

Gannet 443 up

Brent Goose 5612 up

Scoter 1166 up

Velvet Scoter 13 up

Eider 24 up

Merganser 18 up, 2 down

Shelduck 18 up

Wigeon 8 up

Pintail 8 up

Shovellor 8 up

Teal 5 up

Gadwall 1 up

Marsh Harrier 2 in

Common Buzzard 1 in

Peregrine 1 about

Curlew 159 up

Whimbrel 1 up

Oystercatcher 41 up

Sanderling 3 up

Knot 9 up

Auk sp113 up

Little Gull118 up

Kittiwake 202 up

Med Gull c25 around?????

Sandwich tern 455 up

Meadow Pipit 6 in

Carrion Crow 2 in

Herring Gull 1 albino

Black Headed Gull and Herring Gull: many 1000s feeding off shore and on the beach.

No doubt tomorrow when I am back at Dungeness things will be back to normal. Hey ho!!!!!!!

Another thoroughly miserable day!!

08-15-10.00 from an empty sea watch hide in rain/sleet and snow and strong north easterly winds:

Red Throated Divers: 204E

Great Crested Grebe: 76 on sea

Fulmar: 9E

Common Scoter: 11E

Red Breasted Merganser: 4E

Bar-tailed Godwit: 1E

Sandwich Tern: 1E

Kittiwake: 65E

Auks: 19E

Harbour Porpoise: 2+

It was still raining hard when I left the hide, by the time I reached the car I was very wet and some what fed up with this thoroughly miserable weather.

From the comfort of a warm car on the causeway 14 Smew(1 drake) was the only birds of note on the ARC. 2 Great White Egrets still on New Diggings.

Driving back across the marsh still plenty of Winter Thrushes and on the fields opposite Midley Barn 27 Ruff with c100 Golden Plover and c100 Lapwing.
As I will be in Portsmouth for the weekend for family stuff I have no doubt that the sea watching at Dungeness will be brilliant and the reserve will be full of rare and scarce migrants.

The Winter Continues

Arriving at the sea watch hide at 08.30 in another snow/sleet shower and a fierce north easterly. I had the hide all to my self, not surprising considering how cold it was in the hide, by 09'30 I'd had enough.

Red Throated Diver: 120+ on the sea 38E

Great Crested Grebe: 60+ on sea

Gannet: 117E

Brent Geese: 4E

Common Scoter: 33E

Shoveler: 7E

Wigeon: 2E

Oystercatcher: 3E

Bar Tailed Godwit: 1E

Knot: 9E

Kittiwake: 21E

Sandwich Tern: 1E

Common Tern: 1E  my first of the year

Auks sp: 26E

Harbour Porpoise: 4+ off shore

After a warm up I had look around the bushes on The Point and finding just 1 Black Redstart and a Raven overhead of any note.

The south end of the ARC from the causeway 5 red head Smew still but little else. 2 Great White Egrets still on New diggings,

Scotney G P was virtually bird less apart from the Herring Gulls on there nesting island. As another snow shower swept in and my house move to the coast imminent I called it a day to get some domestic stuff done.

Last of the Summer Wine Crew in Northern France

Myself, MH,CP,AJG and PT our driver for the day had a superb day in Northern France today in search of Black Woodpeckers and Middle spotted Woodpeckers. We went over early via Eurotunnel and drove straight to Crecy Forest seeing several pairs of Grey Partridges on the way and my first Swallow of the year over the motorway.

In the forest we parked up and wandered along one of the tracks having brief views of Red Kite and Hawfinch. Nuthatches were calling all around and several Marsh Tits were seen. It was not long before we heard a Woodpecker calling which then flew over us, as soon it landed CP got onto it immediately identifying it as a Middle Spotted Woodpecker. It eventually showed well to all of us along with its mate. Being buoyed with our success we drove onto another part of the forest for Black Woodpecker. As we got out the car the forest floor appeared to rise up as 100s possibly 1000s of Redwing took off moving to the canopy. For a few minutes the cacophony of sound from calling Redwing, something which I have never experienced and recalled a large Starling roost resounded through the forest. While watching and listening to this we heard another pair of Middle Spotted Woodpeckers which also showed well Fantastic! While in the forest we also had good views of several Short-toed Treecreepers which were busy calling and chasing one another, Firecrests and more Marsh Tits. Although we did not achieve our prize of Black Woodpecker we had a truly amazing time in the forest. 

                                   Middle Spotted Woodpeckers Crecy forest

                                   c50 miles as the Woodpecker flies from Dungeness!!!!

 We move on to Sailly Bray, on arrival the wind had increased so the chances of seeing the Bluethroats were not good and weren't surprised not to see any. However at the entrance a fine male Black Redstart, a White Wagtail, several Chiffchaffs, a Sand Martin and 12 Swallows greeted us. 2 Stonechats were along the fence line, 2 Great White Egrets, 2+ Marsh Harriers, a ringtail Hen Harrier, 2+ Common Buzzards were over the marsh, as we leaving another Red Kite and Goshawk gave us brief views.

 Next stop was Le Crotoy ponds which can be viewed easily from the road or if you are feeling lazy you need not leave the warmth of the car.

 At Le Crotoy we saw a pair of Garganey, 2 Spoonbills, 2 more Great White Egrets, 5 White Storks flew over, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 2 more superb White Wagtails, 3 Little Ringed Plovers, 7 Common Snipe and at least 2 stunning Water Pipits. More about our day out can be seen HERE

Our last stop of the day was at Sangatte where AJG picked out a Stone Curlew despite the freezing and now blasting wind. A superb end to a brilliant day in Northern France with 87 species seen without really trying. I am sure the The Last of the Summer Wine Crew will be back in Northern France a few more times this year having loads more laughs and superb birding.

A Black Day

An hour at the sea watch hide this morning was not particularly  productive with c60 Red-throated Divers Divers east, c40 Gannets feeding off shore and very small numbers of Common Scoter, Sandwich Terns and Auks.

A walk around The Point in increasingly strong winds produced a male Black Redstart, a Stonechat and 4 Meadow Pipits a very poor total for April.

The south end of the ARC there were 4 Black-tailed Godwits, 8 Smew (2 drakes) and 3 Goldeneye. New Diggings held 2 Great White Egrets and a red head Smew.

From Hanson and the Screen another Great White Egret and a Chiffchaff  by the track.   

 By lunch time the NE wind had strengthened further making the land virtually unbirdable. In Dengemarsh Gulley a Black Restart and a Wheatear were struggling to perch in the wind, overhead a Peregrine and a Raven made light of the wind. Parking at Springfield Bridge I plodded around the hayfields seeing little of note. Round Hookers 3 Marsh Harriers put on a marvellous aerial display and the Black-necked Grebe shone in the sun.

Lazy Day

Waking up at 05.30 and seeing the trees swaying in the the easterly gale I went back to bed. When I finally surfaced I made my way to Dungeness seeing a new bird for the year in the form of 2 Mandarin Ducks chasing round over some gardens near Shadoxhurst. (Were you looking up Pete and Pam). On the Lydd road at Belgar Farm the Barn Owl was hunting, this time away from the road  with no photo opportunities.   

An earlier shot of the same bird as today 

As I am a year older today I had family things to do so couldn't stay at Dunge to long, so decided to park at the ARC and wander out to the back of Hookers to look for yesterdays Bluethroat.
I joined the Burt family on the walk there seeing Tree Sparrows at Boulderwall, at least 3 different Marsh Harriers, Curlews, Wigeon and Stock Doves of note. At Hookers the Black Necked Grebe was still present, 2+ Bearded Tits, Cetti's Warblers shouted, Water Rails squealed but no sign of the Bluethroat.   

North Easterly still blowin!

With the NE wind still blowing and occasional snow/sleet showers heralded yet another bitterly cold day on the peninsular. An hour from the sea watch hide 08.20-09.20 was not particularly inspiring:

Red-throated Diver: 37E

Great-crested Grebe: 100+ on sea

Fulmar: 1E

Gannet: 40+ feeding off shore

Brent Goose: 7E  2W

Common Scoter: 2E   9W

Oystercatcher: 4E

Little Gull: 2E

Arctic Skua: 1E

Auk sp: 14E

Carrion Crow: 4 in off

Meadow Pipit: 8 in off

Harbour Porpoise:  4+ off shore

In a snow shower around the lighthouse 3+Black Redstarts but little else.

At the south end of the ARC 3 Smew still (1 drake), 3 Goldeneye, 5 Pied Wagtails, 1 Black Redstart, 3 Meadow Pipits, 1 Redshank, 1 little Egret and the usual Shoveler, Gadwall, Teal, Tufted Duck and Pochard.

On New Diggings 2 Great White Egrets and a Little Egret.

 The Little Ringed Plover was still on its muddy patch down Dengemarsh Road. Parking at Springfield Bridge I walked round the hay fields and once again failed miserably in my quest to find some Garganey there, but I did have 2 flight views of Bitterns, a Raven and a Peregrine over and 3 Pintail on the flood.
At firth hide 2 red head Smew and 3 Goldeneye were the pick of the wildfowl, behind the hide 3 Chiffchaffs but no sign of the Penduline Tits.
Wandering back up to Dengemarsh 4 Marsh Harriers were displaying and another Bittern and great white Egret dropped into the New Excavations.
Wandering round Hookers 3 more Chiffchaffs, several Cetti's warblers chattering, 4 Bearded Tits, another Bittern, 50+ Stock Doves. On the shooting pool another Great white Egret and 100+ Wigeon, among the feral Geese.
At the back of Hookers a Black Necked Grebe with the Coot and Tufted duck but stubbornly staying as far away as possible and into the light. While watching the Grebe the Marsh harriers continued hunting the ditches and fields, putting up another Great White Egret out towards Lydd. In the reeds more Bearded Tits were pinging and a Peregrine flew through.
Wandering back to the car the Raven came through again as did a Peregrine.
Apparently soon after I left Hookers someone found a male Bluethroat, life can be a bitch sometimes! Hey Ho! (I would be grateful if anyone has any more information on this bird).

No Garganey

My plan today was to scour the reserve today for some Garganey. Arriving at Boulderwall Farm to find a Police car across the entrance and the fire brigade steaming up behind me (apparently a horse was stuck in a ditch) it was time for plan "B". Straight on to the south end of the ARC where a Great White Egret and Little Egret were in the reed bed with a Cetti's Warbler singing nearby. Carefully scrutinising every duck and finding 5 Smew(1 drake) and 2 Goldeneye and definitely NO Garganey. While checking the Meadow Pipits for something better a smart male Black Redstart hopped into view. Across the road on New Diggings 3 Great White Egrets sheltering from the sleet and wind and a Marsh Harrier flew over the road.
I drove round to Dengemarsh Road where the Little Ringed Plover was still on its muddy puddle, parking at Springfield Bridge I could see several emergency service vehicles in the distance near Boulderwall farm. From the bridge I made my way round the flooded hay fields, once again scrutinising every duck and every tuft of sedge for a lurking Garganey and once again failing. However a smart pair of Pintail were some compensation also 20+ Dunlin, 8 Ringed Plover, 3 Common Snipe, 6 Curlew and 2 displaying Lapwing. along the ditch at the top of hayfield 3, 2 Bearded Tits were flitting through the reeds, while trying to get an angle to photograph them I virtually trod on a Bittern, in my resulting panic I failed to photograph any of them. From the viewing ramp another Bittern (the one with the missing primaries) that came up from Christmas Dell dropped into the Hookers reed bed. While there a Marsh Harrier put on a superb aerial display flushing 200+ Wigeon, 100+ Stock Doves, 50+ Curlew, 50+ Golden Plover, 4+ Ruff and 100+ Lapwing and countless Starlings.
At the sheep coral another Bittern (the pale bird) jumped out and flew to Boulderwall and at the same time a Great White Egret flew towards Lydd. My last hope of Garganey was at the shooting pool but that was bird less, then I remembered the emergency vehicles.
Wandering back to the car I saw yet another Bittern in the distance at the back of Dengemarsh, 6 Common Snipe flew over as did a Raven.
In Dengemarsh Gulley another smart Black Redstart and a Chiffchaff were of note. In Dengemarsh Road I met NB and parents who told me of 2 Penduline Tits at Firth hide, although I was there in minutes there was no sign of them and as far as I know they weren't seen again. A last look at Dengemarsh found 2 LRPs on the muddy pool. Walland Marsh was quiet, except for the male Hen Harrier which flew across the road by the cut turf field, the Tickners lane seed dump was virtually bird less. Not a single usable photograph today.   

Plodding around

No sign of any Waxwings in the garden or on my way to Dungeness this morning. I arrived at the car park by the power station at c07.50 in a snow storm and after a cup of tea started sea watching from the hide with AJG and SO at 08.30- 10.00:

Red-throated Diver: 42E

Gannet: c50E

Shag: 2E   species no.150 for me on the marsh this year.

Brent Goose: c100E

Common Scoter: 14E

Eider: 4E (3 drakes)

Merlin: 1 in

Sparrowhawk: 1 in

Grey Plover: 3E

Curlew: 4E

Knot: 3E

Bar-tailed Godwit: 2E

Oystercatcher: 3E

Auks: c50E

Bonxie: 1E

Sandwich Tern: 5E

Meadow Pipit: c30 in

Common Seal: 1 off shore

Harbour Porpoise: 2+ off shore

A wander around The Point found of note, 1 Wheatear, 1 Black Redstart, a Raven, a Peregrine and a Stoat.
At the south end of the ARC little of note, 2 Great White Egrets on New Diggings.
A wander up the track to the pines and back saw a Bittern, another Great White Egret, another Black Redstart , 2+ Common Snipe and a Green Woodpecker.
Round the reserve it is still very quiet, another Great White Egret, 3 flight views of Bitterns and a few Ringed Plovers, Dunlin and Redshanks on the flooded hayfields. Though 2 Garganey have since been reported and photographed.

From Dengemarsh Road c400mts south of Springfield Bridge a muddy puddle in the arable field held a Little Ringed Plover which showed very well. Further down in the Gully another Black Redstart, 2 Chiffchaffs, a Song Thrush and a Green Woodpecker.

That's better a very good day!

The day started in fine style with sun shining and 2 Waxwings gorging on the Cotoneasters in my Garden.

At The Point I only watched the sea for 30 minutes as the passage was thin but still better than yesterday, with a steady trickle of Red-throated Divers and Auks moving east with lesser numbers of Gannets and kittiwakes. While checking the gull roost the 3w Glaucous Gull landed beside the car encouraging me take yet more pictures of it. 

 A wander around the bushes found 5 Black Redstarts, a Wheatear, a Stonechat, 4 Meadow Pipits and a Pied Wagtail.
Wandering around the ARC several Cetti's Warblers chattered, a Green and Great spotted Woodpecker flew along the track, in the Sallows 3 Chiffchaffs and a Black Redstart. Further on I flushed a Jack Snipe(very scarce at Dungeness), 2 Common Snipe and 2 Marsh Harriers flew over, also a Bittern where the Bamboo has been cut.

Record shot of Jack Snipe

From Hanson a Little Gull was fluttering over the the surface, 3+ Goldeneye, a Marsh Harrier and 2 Great White Egrets could be seen. In the Willow Trail 2 Goldcrests and 2 Chiffchaffs with the Long-tailed Tit flock.

At the south end of the ARC the first Little Ringed Plover of the year, a Little Egret, 5 Smew(1 drake) and another Cetti's Warbler.

A phone call from OL telling of a Bluethroat at Samphire Hoe had me hot footing it back to the car,  45 minutes later myself and another birder walked up the path towards a bush being watched by the assembled birders, to see the female Bluethroat fly out of another bush in front of us. The Bluethroat showed in some long grass being mainly obscured for a couple of minutes allowing a couple of record shots. As far as I know was not seen again while I was there. A very good day.