On the beach!

Most of today was spent around the fishing boats where this morning Kittiwakes and gannets were streaming by mainly along way out. This afternoon Mick and Richard were there with buckets of fish heads and popcorn drawing in the gulls including a brilliant new Polish ringed Caspian Gull.

Brent Goose: 1W   4E

Common Scoter: 5E

Red-throated Diver: 1 around

Great-crested Grebe: 4+ around

Sooty Shearwater: 2W

Gannet: 200+

Knot: 25W

Turnstone: 22 around

Pomarine Skua: 1W

Mediterranean Gull: 12+ W

Yellow-legged Gull: 1ad around

Caspian Gull: 4+ around

Little Gull: 1W

Kittiwake: 400+ W

Sandwich Tern: 1W

Goldfinch: 1,000+ over

Linnet: 100+ over

65P5 Caspian Gull

A new Polish ringed Caspian Gull 85P5

Yest another 1w Caspian Gull

A distant Sooty Shearwater

Mediterranean Gull over the fishing boats this morning

some of the 36+ Goldfinches frequenting the Plodland feeders

Not a Great Day!

Rain and mist made it a thoroughly miserable day on the peninsular, made worse this morning by the smart entry to system to my car being so smart that it would not let me into the car. When it did unlock all the alarms went off and promptly locked me out again! The engineer told me it was probably an intermittent fault that would resolve its self! What was worse Gannets, Kittiwakes and more were streaming past The Point per SG.

I did manage to get to the beach for hour mid afternoon, visibility was abysmal though a few Gannets and Kittiwakes were feeding close in shore also a single Sandwich Tern moved west. In the Gull roost an adult Caspian gull spotted by DW also an adult Yellow-legged Gull there.

 Caspian Gull

Woodcock Surprise!

 B4 Great Black Backed Gull (probably Dutch ringed)

 Pink billed Herring Gull

Most of my day was spent on the beach looking at Gulls and sea watching. I  don't really know why I enjoy sea watching so much especially on drizzly miserable afternoon like today. 4 hrs on my own staring out to sea counting mainly Kittiwakes, then I spot a dark dot miles out and start to follow it with the scope, it appears to be coming towards the shore but I have no idea what it is, a couple of minutes later it's still coming in but still I have no idea what it is, all I know it's dark and fast, very fast and agile as it easily evades the attentions of Great Black Backed Gull, is it a Merlin? no to big, wrong shape and flight, then it rises briefly above the horizon showing a long bill, the penny drops Woodcock! I grab the camera and fire off some shots, it is approaching the shore quickly, I press the shutter again and hope for the best as it comes ashore, up and over the beach in land towards The Desert. Those few minutes watching it come in trying to identify it, managing a poor record shot made my 4hr vigil worthwhile. Thats why I love sea watching you just never know what will happen.   

                                  07.40-09.00                                       12.10-16.20
Brent Goose:                                                                          17W
Teal:                                                                                         4W
Common Scoter:          2E
Red-Throated Diver:                                                               1W
Great-crested Grebe:   3W                                                      7 on sea
Gannet:                    181W                                                    47W         4E
Curlew:                        3W
Turnstone:          1 on beach                                                    4 on beach
Woodcock:                                                                              1 in
Mediterranean Gull:   1W                                                       7W
Kittiwake:                36W                                                    323W
Sandwich Tern:                                                                       7W
Guillemot:                                                                             38W    2 on sea
Razorbill:                                                                                6W    1 on sea
Auk sp:                   12W                                                       54W
Swallow:                4 out
Pied Wagtail:         3 on beach
Goldfinch:          176 over
Siskin:                4 over
Linnet:              35 over
Harbour Porpoise:                                                                   2
Grey Seal:                                                                               1

Sandwich Tern 1 of 7 this afternoon

This Woodcock was a real surprise coming in off the sea.

A mid morning look at Burrowes found a different 1w Caspian Gull from Makepiece, also of note the 2 red head Smew, Goosander, 3+ Great White Egrets plus the usual Wildfowl.

Scotney held 300+ each of Golden Plover and Lapwing, c400 Wigeon and the usual feral Geese, also a couple of Marsh Harriers hunting the north bank but again no sign of the Rough-legged Buzzard which has presumably moved on.

Brent Geese (no juveniles) past the fishing boats

Caspian Gull again!

 A very poor early morning sea watch, was mercifully cut short when the Polish colour ringed 1w Caspian Gull appeared on the beach in front of me. 

The over night rain had grounded a few migrants, 3 Goldcrests and 2 Song Thrushes that were foraging around the fishing boats. More Goldcrests and 5 more Song Thrushes were flushed from the Broom along with 3 Chiffchaffs. 2 Black Redstarts at Lloyds and another 1 by the research station.

 1w Caspian Gull

 5AA1 Great Black Backed Gull a Dungeness regular

When I got back to my car after photographing the Caspian Gull this Mottled Umber was on the drivers door.

My latest ever Common Whitethroat

Around the trapping area many Goldcrests, 2+ Firecrests, my latest ever Common Whitethroat, a trickle of Siskins and Redpolls. A Long-eared Owl was seen in the area by SG who also saw a Woodlark fly over.

A Great White Egret and 2 Black-necked Grebes were still at the south end of the New Diggings. On Burrowes the 2 red head Smew, Goosander and Goldeneye were still present today. 

1w Caspian Gull

Thick fog and cold S.E breeze this morning at The Point and few birds. When the fog cleared the temperature rose rapidly but still few birds. A Peregrine, 2 Ravens. 2 Black Redstarts around the research station, a few Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests in the Broom and Gorse, 2+ Brambling over, also a few each of Siskin, Redpoll and Skylark, a Lapwing was grounded in The Desert. In the trapping area of note more Goldcrests and Chiffchaffs, 3+ Firecrests, a Blackcap and a Great-spotted Woodpecker.

The new Diggings held of note a Black-necked Grebe and Great White Egret, with another at the south end of the ARC.

 Lunchtime at Plodland basking in the now glorious sunshine, a Mediterranean Gull in the field opposite was following the tractor with 100s of other gulls. A Marsh Harrier cruised through and 2 Common Buzzards were overhead.  

.1 of 2 Common Buzzard over Plodland

 Marsh Harrier from Plodland

Early afternoon at the ARC a walk to The Pines found more Goldcrests and Chiffchaffs, several Cetti's Warblers were shouting, also Water Rails were squealing, a Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker were opposite the Screen hide where 3+ Bearded Tits could be seen and heard in the reed bed. From Hanson a Bittern was seen skulking distantly, also another  Great White and Little Egret.  

 A very slow mid afternoon sea watch from The point was interrupted by the arrival of the Polish ringed 1w Caspian Gull which showed very well, taking a Whiting thrown back into the sea by a fisherman.

 65P5 1w Caspian Gull

Bat Rescue!

 Sunrise over Dungeness from Plodland

 Dusky Warbler

As a SE wind was blowing all night I was expecting a good sea watch this morning, unfortunately it was a non event, with a few Brent Geese, Sandwich Terns, Gannets and a Merlin the highlights. At the observatory both Goldcrests and Firecrests were trapped and processed, a Yellow-browed Warbler in the NE corner of The Desert per OL, 4 Woodcock and Continental Coal Tits in The Desert per PT. The Dusky Warbler still present and showing well at times.

 Dusky Warbler

 Dusky Warbler

As Dungeness seemed packed with tourists this afternoon, I opted for a walk from Scotney out to the wind farm and back with Sally. Walland Marsh was windless and warm which is unusual, it was also very quiet avian wise.

On the walk out the low sun made seeing anything in front of us very difficult, consequently little was seen, though a White Wagtail in the sheep paddock was a surprise. Around the wind turbines 3 Common Buzzards were soaring around with a Marsh Harrier. Coming back 2 Tree Sparrows, several Reed Buntings and a couple of Stonechats were seen. I found a Bat impaled on the barbed wire fence. Having never handled a Bat before I was unsure as how to release it with out injuring it. I managed to gently hold it, while unhooking its wing from the barbs, having done that I released it, only to find one of its claws was jammed in the wire, taking hold of it again I unrolled the barb releasing the claw and getting bitten for my trouble, I then released the Bat which flew off strongly. As we walked through the farm yard a Barn Owl flew out landing briefly on a post before heading off towards Bretts. 

 Bat sp???

 Barn Owl

 White Wagtail

A fairly busy night in the Plodland trap with 5 Feathered Thorns which are new for the trap, a Vestal, Large Wainscots, Angle shades etc.

I do like to be beside the seaside!

A steady passage of Kittiwakes today

3 sessions at the fishing boats today with AJG, SG & KR. 06.30-08.30, 09.30-10.30, 13.50-16-20
Brent Goose: 23E   22W
Gadwall: 1W
Pintail: 15W
Shoveller: 10W
Common Scoter: 142W
Great-crested Grebe: 7 around
Red-throated Diver: 8W
Black-throated Diver: 1W
Gannet: 1,086W
Cormorant: c40 around
Dunlin: 9W
Turnstone: 4 on beach
Pomarine Skua: 2W
Arctic Skua: 1W
Mediterranean Gull: 13W
Yellow-legged Gull: 1 on beach
Kittiwake: 1,226W
Sandwich Tern: 40W
Guillemot: 187W
Razorbill: 18W
Auk sp: 49W
Swallow: 1 out
Pied Wagtail:12W
Skylark: 4W
Starling: 14 in
Goldfinch: 240 out
Grey Seal: 1
Harbour Porpoise: 2+

c60 Common Scoter

The Dusky Warbler was still present and still as skulky in the windy conditions. No sign of the Yellow-browed Warbler or much else in the lighthouse garden today.

On the reserve 4+ Great White Egrets and 2 Black-necked Grebes also the leucistic Bittern per MH & SG. In the gull roost by the access track 3 Caspian Gulls (DW) and at least 2 Yellow-legged Gulls. 

A tatty Palpita vitrealis only my second

Mottled Umber first for me (Scarce here)

Another Dusky!

08.00-08.40 from The Point with AJG:

Brent Goose: 13E   25W

Pintail: 32W

Wigeon: 37W

Teal: 146W

Tufted Duck: 4W

Red-throated Diver: 2E

Gannet: 32W

Kittiwake: 9W

Guillemot: 6 on sea        3W

Razorbill: 1 on sea

Auk sp: 1E   7W

Pied Wagtail:  3 on beach

At  08.40 a call from Steve Gale who was less than 100yds away telling me he was looking at a Dusky Warbler brought a sudden end to our sea watch. A couple of minutes later we watching the bird, which was a little more showy than Mondays bird, though getting photographs of it was still very difficult. While watching and trying to photograph it there was a constant flow of Goldcrests coming in over the beach, while overhead, Siskins, Redpolls, Tree Sparrows, Chaffinches, a Brambling and Goldfinches. Another call came through from AJG saying that SO had found a Yellow-browed Warbler in the lighthouse garden was enough to make me leave the Dusky Warbler and head for the lighthouse. Once again minutes later the Yellow-browed Warbler popped up in the Sycamore but giving no chance of photographing it. Also in the garden many Goldcrests with arriving, a minimum of 2 Firecrests, several Chiffchaffs, also at least 3 Black Redstarts that literally dropped out of the sky. 

 Dusky Warbler an excellent find by Steve Gale

 Dusky Warbler

 Dusky Warbler

Black Redstart

After a quick lunch I visited Scotney where a Slavonian Grebe was new in, also there of note c400 Golden Plover and several 100s of Wigeon.

On the New Diggings the 2 Black-necked Grebes and a Great White Egret , while a quick late afternoon look at the sea produced a flock of c80 Brent Geese, a flock of 15 Kittiwakes and 2 Harbour Porpoises of note. 

Polish Caspian Gull!

An excellent start to the day this morning when I opened the door, a superb male Black Redstart was perched on the aerial of my car. 

On my way to The Point I stopped at the south end of the New Diggings where the 2 Black-necked Grebes were still in residence.

I cut my sea watch at The Point short, when after 15 minutes I'd only seen a single Gannet go west and 2 Starlings arrive in from the sea. 

 1 of c15 Black Redstarts I saw around the peninsular today.

Goldfinch by the old lighthouse

 A walk around the area with AJG gave the distinct feeling of after the Lord Mayors Show. There appeared to be far fewer grounded migrants today, just the 1 Ring Ouzel in The moat, 3 Firecrests, c30 Goldcrests. Goldfinches, Siskins, Redpolls, Chaffinches and Brambling continued to pass overhead there were fewer of them.

 Polish ringed Caspian Gull

Late afternoon I was with David Walker near the fishing boats, he through out a couple of slices of stale bread for the gulls, within seconds a Polish colour ringed 1w Caspian Gull appeared. It was difficult to photograph as it so tame, coming close enough for us to read the metal ring. It was a pity it was so late in the day as the light was fading rapidly, hopefully it will still be around tomorrow.

Dusky Warbler!

06.30-08.00 from The Point with AJG who collated the numbers:
Brent Goose: 47W
Shoveller: 4W
Red-breasted Merganser: 1W
Common Scoter: 11W
Red-throated Diver: 1E  3W
Sooty Shearwater: 3W
Gannet: 56E
Mediterranean Gull: 2W
Kittiwake: 1W
Sandwich Tern: 4E
Guillemot: 3W
Auk sp: 3E   4W
Pied Wagatil: 9E
Skylark: 1 in
Starling: 55 in
Goldcrest: 1 in
Goldfinch: 194 E
Redpoll: 10 over
Next stop was the observatory where DW was busy ringing some of the 100+ of newly arrived Goldcrests which seemed to be everywhere. There was also an arrival of Black Redstarts with a minimum of 40 around.
A walk out into The Desert was relatively quiet apart from Goldcrests and Black Redstarts, also few Skylarks, Siskins, Bramblings and Redpolls which flew over. As I reached the northern end of The Desert news came through of a Duky/Radde's Warbler in front the power station seen by Paul Trodd.
With no sign of the bird when I arrived, those looking started to check other areas. I was by the lighthouse garden, where more Goldcrests, a Firecrest and Chiffchaffs were seen, when MH who was with SG called from c50yds away pointing to a small patch of Broom. We quickly made our way there, shortly after the bird called then flew to another patch of cover, a pattern it repeated several times before disappearing into a private area. It certainly wasn't a poser. Also seen 2 Wheatears and 3 Stonechats by the Britannia also a Ring Ouzel in The Moat.
A short video of yesterdays 1w Caspian Gull can be seen HERE

 A skulking Dusky Warbler (217)

Another walk around The Desert this afternoon with SG was very pleasant and rewarded with a Dartford Warbler (218) and another 16 Black Redstarts, though we failed to see the Great Grey Shrike that flew in front of AJG, who also had a flock of 14 Continental Coal Tits in his garden today.

Dartford Warbler