Alpine Swift

Driving along Hestia Way this morning I was surprised to see 3 Waxwings after a break of nearly 3 weeks. These are by far my latest Waxwings.

Arriving at a nearly full sea watch hide this morning at 08.00 it was clear on entering by the long faces that nothing much was happening on the sea. AJG had been there since 05.45 and the totals below are his sightings till 08.15.

Red Throated Diver 33  E

Gannet 77  E

Brent Goose 59 E , 4 W

Common Scoter 28 E

Whimbrel 7 E

Curlew 3 E

Sandwich Tern 277 E

Common Tern 112 E

Arctic Skua 4 E

Bonxie 2 E

Med Gull 4 around

Kittiwake 11 E

Swallow 1 in

Carrion Crow 12 in

A rather meagre total for the time and effort he put in.

I had a wander with AJG round The Point up to the north end of the Long Pits and back to the observatory seeing of note 1 Black Redstart, 1 Common Redstart, 2 Firecrests, several each of Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff and Swallows also 2 Common Whitethroat.

At the south end of the ARC the highlight was 16 Yellow Wagtails and 2 Little Egrets, also a Great White Egret on New Diggings. A wander around the Willow Trail and track to the pines found more Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs, Common Whitethroats, Sedge, Reed and Cetti's Warblers with a few Hirundines overhead.

At Scotney apart from a few Swallows little of note.

I was just climbing out out of the car at Springfield Bridge when SB phoned to say an Alpine Swift was over Boulderwall Farm heading for Hookers Pit. I immediately scanned over Dengemarsh to Hookers and a few seconds later the Alpine Swift came into view in front the viewing ramp where to people were sitting looking at Pochard totally unaware the Swift was right in front of them. It flew around Hookers for a very brief time before appearing to head back to Boulderwall not to be seen again by 18.00hrs as far as I know. A big thank you to Steve who found it and gave up his chance of photographing it, by phoning me and others, once again many thanks Steve.

Whilst making my way to the viewing ramp with AJG we saw 2 Garganey and a Greenshank in Hayfield 3, in the brambles more Sedge Warblers and Whitethroats. From the viewing ramp 3+ Marsh Harriers, 2+ Bearded Tits and more Hirundines, back at Springfield Bridge a Peregrine dashed through and a Raven went over. Another look at the sea from the fishing boats was disappointing but 8 Wheatears on the beach was good.  

Yellow Wagtails and Garganey

A slow sea watch this morning in the company of MH and BB 08.15 - 09.45:

Red Throated Diver: 5E

Gannet: 32E

Brent Geese: 54E

Common Scoter: 45E

Velvet Scoter: 3E

Oystercatcher: 10E

Great Skua: 4E

Kittiwake: 4E

Common Tern: 15+ off shore

Sandwich Tern: 10+ off shore

Auks: 4E

Swallow: 3 in

Harbour Porpoise 3+ off shore

A plod around the bushes in the mizzle was mercifully cut short after seeing just a couple of Chiffchaffs and a Sedge Warbler by a text from SB about 3 Garganey on Hayfield 3. Parking at Springfield Bridge with BB and making our way to Hayfield 3, we met BH who told us the Garganey had moved to Dengemarsh. On arrival there the birds were easily located and showed reasonably well and showed some signs of display.

With the drizzle worsening we made our back to the shelter of our cars. Next stop Dengemarsh Gully where I found just 2 Chiffchaffs. On the way back to the beach a stop off at the south end of the ARC where 8 Yellow Wagtails and 2 Little Egrets could be seen. On New Diggings 3 Great White Egrets of which only one has moulted to breeding plumage. 15 minutes at the fishing was enough to tell me that sea passage had not improved.

From the entrance track in the field by the Boulderwall Farm 30+ Yellow Wagtails, a Whimbrel by the corral, 3 Marsh Harriers over Hookers Pit also several Sedge Warblers singing. 

A Trickle of Migrants

Sea watch totals from the hide 05.40-09.10 thanks to AJG for collating them:

Red throated Diver 127 E

Gannet 147 E

Fulmar 3 E

Brent Goose 315 E

Eider 22 E

Pintail 2 E

Scoter 624 E

Velvet Scoter 13 E

Red Breasted Merganser 7 E

Oystercatcher 16 E, 5 W

Curlew 2 E

Great Skua 2 E

Arctic Skua 4 E

Mediterranean Gull 2 off shore

Little Gull 2 E

Sandwich Tern119 E

Common Tern 66 E

Carrion Crow 63 in

Swallow 6 in

In the bushes around the point 2 Whitethroats, 1 Sedge Warbler, 4 Northern Wheatears, 4+ Chiffchaffs, 4+ Willow Warblers, 4+ Goldcrests, 6+ Firecrests, 2 Black Redstarts, c20 Linnets and 2 Swallows over.
A report of a possible Dotterel over the reserve heading towards the hayfields found only several Ringed Plovers, 1 Redshank, 2 Dunlin, several Lapwings, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Brent Goose, and another Wheatear.
A Great White Egret and 2 Little Egrets were of note at the south end of the ARC.
Another watch from the fishing boats 14.20-15.30:

Red Throated Diver: 74E

Gannet: 5E

Brent Geese: 2E

Red Breasted Merganser: 3E

Common Scoter: 14E

Turnstone: 8 on beach

Arctic Skua: 2E

Kittiwake: 4+ odd shore

Common Tern: 10+ off shore

Sandwich Tern: 10+ off shore

Swallow: 1 in

A Few Migrants

 A wander around The Point this morning produced a migrants, 4 Swallows, 6+ Goldcrests, c10 Firecrest, 6+Willow Warblers, 6+ Chiffchaffs, 4 Wheatears, 2 Blackcap, a Ring Ouzel, 3 Song Thrushes, a Redwing and a flight view of male Serin which disappeared near the power station, also 2 Ravens over and 145 Brent Geese high along the beach.

Ring Ouzel distant in the heat haze

At the estate entrance a male Stonechat singing. On the ARC the oiled Red Throated Diver trying desperately to clean itself and 4 red head Smew. A single Great White Egret on New Diggings.

Dengemarsh Gully held 2 more Firecrests, 2 Willow Warblers and 2 Chifchaffs and then the rain came down.

First Skua Passage

 Another good sea watch this morning at Dungeness considering the regular showers and poor visibility 06.45-10.15 Totals kindly collated by AJG.

Red throated Diver 98 E

Gannet 177 E

Fulmar 12 E   1 W

Red-necked Grebe 1 E

Brent Goose 516 E

Common Scoter 659 E

Gadwall 2 E

Eider 3 E

Red Breasted Merganser 16 E

Great Skua 42E

Arctic Skua 7 E

Mediteranean Gull 1 E

Little Gull 2 E

Kittiwake 17 E

Sandwich tern 6 E

Common Tern 133 E

Curlew 2 E

Auk 13 E  Mainly Guillemots

Swallow 1 in

                                        North Thames Herring Gull JZ1.T on the beach

                                                    Oiled Red-throated Diver

 On the ARC an oiled Red-throated Diver, 5 Smew, and 3 Goldeneye among the very few common wildfowl that has not left.

Around the reserve a few migrants, 8+ Willow Warblers, 4 Chiffchaffs, 6 Goldcrests, 2 Firecrests, 2 Swallows, 2 Sand Martins and a House Martin. Round Hookers 4 Marsh Harriers, a flight view of a Bittern and 4 Bearded Tits were of note. I was unable to locate any of the 3 Black Necked Grebes that were present yesterday.

A short afternoon watch from the fishing boats was not particularly productive with a few Common and Sandwich Terns, 2 Red Throated Divers and a Red Breasted Merganser. 

King Squacco Awakes!!!

Had a day out with King Squacco today, he has finally come out of his winter hibernation and had a target of a Smew and Garganey on the same day preferably in the same field of view, not much to ask for. After learning that the sea passage was very quiet we decided to start at the ARC pit. From the track to Hanson we managed to see the only red head Smew of the day(though 9 Smew were reported on Twitter this evening). A stroll around the Willow Trail found couple each of Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler and Goldcrest, several Reed Buntings, a Water Rail squealing, Cetti's Warbler chattering  and a brief flight view of a Bittern.

From the hide 4 Goldeneye among very few common wildfowl, a Great White Egret that dropped in front the Screen, a Raven flew over the pit and a Marsh Harrier patrolled the railway bank.

 Along the track to the pines and around the pits more Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers and Goldcrests, a Redwing, Green Woodpecker and 2+ Marsh Harriers.  

 Next stop Dengemarsh Gully. At the bottom a flock of c100 Brent Geese flew east but little else. On the way back up we stopped at the windmill and walked the Gorse where several more Willow Warblers, Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests were seen also a Firecrest, 4 Blackcaps and another Raven sighting. Parking at Springfield Bridge we made our way out to the Hayfield's where we failed dismally in our search for Garganey despite the fields looking excellent habitat, but we did see a few Ringed Plovers, Dunlin, Lapwing, Redshank and a Grey Plover. Reaching Hookers SB spotted a House Martin first of the year for me and more Marsh Harriers were seen displaying. At the back of Hookers the Black Necked Grebe was still present and several Cetti's Warblers were singing, 2 very high flying Marsh Harriers were calling and displaying, our first Sedge warbler of the year was singing by the track and some Tree Sparrows were calling in the copse. A Whimbrel  was in the field by the entrance track from where we saw 3 Great White Egrets, 2 Little Egrets and 2 Grey Herons that had been flushed from New Diggings flying together.

From Christmas Dell a Red-throated Diver could be seen, along the track yet more Cetti's Warblers, Reed Buntings, Willow Warblers, Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests. On New Excavations 2 more Black Necked Grebes among the Tufted Duck. Another search of the Hayfield's on the way back to the car again failed to find Garganey but did see 2 Swallows.
We ended the day at the fishing boats where 30+ more Brent Geese were seen, 3 Red Breasted Mergansers, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 3 Sandwich Terns, a few Red Throated Divers, Kittiwakes, Gannets and 2 more Swallows came in off the sea. Coming off the beach 2 Northern Wheatears and 2 Skylarks were noted. The quest for Garganey and Smew the same day continues!  

Summer Migrants

Sea passage was not quite so good this morning. In a couple of hours from the sea watch hide 300+ Red Throated Divers, 1000+ Brent Geese, 14 Little Gulls, smaller numbers of Red Breasted Mergansers, Common Scoter, Gannets, Dabblers, Common and Sandwich Terns all accompanied by 8+ Harbour Porpoises. Not bad for a supposed quieter day.

One of several first year Kittiwakes patrolling the beach.

On the land 2+ Ring Ouzels in the desert which I failed to see, my first Willow Warblers one of which was found its way into the Heligoland and onto the Dungeness ringing figures. Also there 6+ Chiffchaff, 6+ Goldcrest , 3+ Fieldfare, 4+ Song Thrush, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Merlin. Several Hares were seen here and on the reserve.
The south end of the ARC held 11 Smew still and a little Egret. 2 Great white Egrets on New diggings from the causeway.
On the reserve 2 Spoonbills and the 2 Penduline Tits which I also missed. A Swallow at Boulderwall was my first UK one this year. While looking for the Pendulines I saw the Black Necked Grebe at the back of Hookers and 400+ Golden Plover in the fields behind also a Great White Egret briefly, some in superb summer dress. At several places around the reserve Bearded Tits were pinging but unseen and more Chiffchaffs were seen, Marsh Harriers were displaying and a Whimbrel was in the fields by the entrance track as I made my way back to the car late afternoon. 

All at Sea!!

A photograph cannot convey the spectacle of migration

A brilliant sea watch today in the company of AJG, JRHC, MH, and RJ 05.55-15.30:
Thanks to AJG for collating the totals:

Red throated Diver 474 E
Great crested Grebe 30+ off shore

Red-necked Grebe 3 E, 1 W

Fulmar              12 E

Gannet            198 E

Greylag Goose    1E

Brent Goose     3179 E

Common Scoter  8240 E

Velvet Scoter      2 E

Mallard               10 E

Shelduck              2 E

R B Merganser       151 E

Shoveller          117 E

Pintail              210 E

Teal                   90 E

Gadwall             33 E

Wigeon             31 E

Scaup                 2 E

Tufted Duck       3 E

Curlew              35 E

Whimbrel            2E

Spotted Redshank 1 In

Dunlin                135 E

Knot                      6 E

Sanderling            1 E

Ringed Plover      3 E

Bar-tailed Godwit 9 E

Avocet                  2 E

Grey Plover          7 E

Oystercatcher     27 E

Bonxie          1 E

Meditteranean  Gull 2 W

Sandwich Tern 38 E

Common Tern 108 E

Little Gull 24 E

Kittiwake 8 E

Auk sp 24 E

M/Pipit 4 in

Skylark 4 coasting

Goldfinch 2 in

Peregrine, Resident male chased off an immature male

Harbour Porpoise: 4+ off shore

 On the land 2+Ring Ouzel and a fall of Goldcrests and Robins on The Point. At south end of the ARC still 10 Smew (2 drakes), 3 Goldeneye, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Gt Wt Egret, 1 Little Egret, 2 Marsh Harriers over and a few dabblers.
At the tower a Garganey and the first Sedge Warbler per PT.

Playing catch up!

                                             Presumed Leucistic Herring Gull

Another good day seawatching at Dungeness with AJG, MH : 05.45-11.30, 12.20-14.20, 15.45-16.30 totals:

Red throated Diver: 501E
Black Throated Diver: 2E
Fulmar: 5E
Gannet: 278E
Brent Goose: 2131E
Barnacle Goose: 1E
Shelduck: 11E
Common Scoter: 2103E
Velvet Scoter: 5E
Eider: 5E
Red Breasted Merganser: 50E
Pochard: 4E
Mallard: 8E
Garganey: 2E
Pintail: 118E
Wigeon: 11E
Teal:     99E
Gadwall: 14E
Shoveller: 111E
Oystercatcher: 23E
Grey Plover: 1E
Curlew: 15E
Bar-tailed Godwit: 1E
Knot: 6E
Dunlin: 22E
Sanderling: 1E
Arctic Skua: 1E
Little Gull: 2E
Kittiwake: 13E
Mediterranean Gull: 8E
Leucistic Herring Gull: around
Sandwich Tern: 101E
Common Tern: 3E
Meadow Pipit: 9 in
Carrion Crow: 3 in
Harbour Porpoise: 6+ off shore

 At the south end of the ARC a Yellow Wagtail with 5 Pied Wagtails, 1 White Wagtail, 6 Meadow Pipits, 1 Great White Egret, 1 Little Egret, 1 Curlew, 1 Black tailed Godwit and 12 Smew 2 drakes.

 From the screen hide the Spoonbill was showing quite well.

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!!!!!!!