Black-necked Grebes

 Little Owl, Scotney.

As it was a very frosty still start to the morning, I decided on a stroll around the Scotney complex. At the Sussex end 2 winter plumaged Black-necked Grebes, 2 Little Egrets and a Redshank. On the sward 6 Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin and 2 Curlew. Around the farm a Little Owl was enjoying the early morning sun, c20 Chaffinches joined the House Sparrows in the byres. A Great White Egret flew over the farm and joined another at the west end, in the fields and reeds c15 Reed Buntings a handful each of Corn Buntings and Skylarks were the highlights.

 Great White Egret over Scotney Farm

After a cup of coffee a walk around the reserve starting at Dennis's hide saw the Slavonian Grebe still and several Goldeneye among the many Shoveler, Gadwall and Tufted Duck. Once again I was unable to spot the Long-eared Owl behind the Dipping Pool. Between Makepiece and Scott 8 Long-tailed Tits and 3 Chiffchaffs but not the Siberian one. Between Scott and Christmas Dell I got distant views of the Glossy Ibis as flew across into Dengemarsh. I joined MH on the Hookers ramp where we saw another Great White Egret, a Bittern, several Bearded Tits, Cetti's Warblers and Water Rails calling, a flock of c300 Golden Plover, c70 Dunlin among the 100s of Lapwings, a couple of Common Buzzards and 4+ Marsh Harriers. 

2 Black Redstarts on the power station wall

This afternoon very little of note around the lighthouse, apart from the 2 Black Redstarts one of which was ringed.

On the beach 1w Glaucous Gull was still around the fishing boats but again no sign of the 1w Caspian Gull. On the flat calm sea a few Red-throated Divers and Guillemots tooing and froing.

From the causeway 2 Black-necked Grebes on New Diggings were of note.

A look down Dengemarsh Gully with MH this afternoon saw nothing of note.

Unusual Glaucous Gull Behaviour!

 1w Glaucous Gull livening up a poor sea watch this morning.

Weather wise an altogether much better day on the peninsula, light winds and sunshine.
08.00-08.45 from the fishing boats:
Brent Goose: 2E
Shelduck: 3W
Common Scoter: 1E
Red-throated Diver: 23E   2W
Great-crested Grebe: c250 on sea
Gannet: 12W
Cormorant: c200 on sea
Oystercatcher: 1W
Turnstone: 4 on beach
Kittiwake: 5W
Glaucous Gull: the regular 1w bird on beach
Guillemot: 4 on sea

On the reserve 2 Great White Egrets from the entrance track, the Long-eared Owls excellent camouflage took me at least 5 minutes staring into the Dipping Pool bushes to spot it. The drake Smew and Slavonian Grebe were a lot easier. I joined MH at the Hookers viewing ramp, where we watched 3+Marsh Harriers put up 100s of Lapwing and Golden Plover, also 70+ Dunlin there. In the reed bed Bearded Tits were calling as were Cetti's Warblers and Water Rails, also a party of 9 Long-tailed Tits and what appeared to be 5 White-fronted Geese distantly.

At Scotney very little on the main lake and sward, at the back 3 Avocets were the first this year for me but little else seen there. 

Back at the fishing boats this afternoon the sea was even quieter than this morning, but I did have the 1w Glaucous Gull all to my self, I sat on the beach and it walked past me coming to close to photograph at times. As it walked along the shingle ridge, it was I assume feeding in some way by probing the soft shingle deeply taking large beak fulls then shaking it out which it numerous times in the half hour I was watching it. 

 Unusual feeding behaviour of the 1w Glaucous Gull probing deeply!

Shaking out another beak full!

  Again!

Again!

Late this afternoon at Galloways just 8 Reed Buntings, 2 Stonechats, a Kestrel and the usual Corvids. 

Constant Drizzle!

Yesterdays Harrier count at the airport had just 2 birds coming in to the roost, but 14 Little Egrets and a Great White Egret flew over at last light, also 2 Common Snipe and 2 Jack Snipe were seen on the way to the watch point.

JZ235 Great Black Backed Gull a Dungeness regular in the puddles this morning.

 The seemingly now resident 1w Glaucous Gull this morning

Yet another thoroughly miserable day on the peninsula, constant drizzle with a light Northerly wind. 

08.00-10.00
Brent Goose: 11W
Red-throated Diver: 273W     6E
Great-crested Grebe: N/C
Gannet: 6W    3E
Turnstone: 8 on beach
Kittiwake: 9W
Yellow-legged Gull: 1  3w on beach
Glaucous Gull: 1 the regular 1w bird on the beach
Guillemot: 1W
Auk sp: 1W

A walk from the ARC car park up to The Pines saw of note a Common Snipe, 3 red-head Smew and a Bittern.

 3cy Yellow-legged Gull in front the fishing boats this morning

On Burrowes the Slavonian Grebe still, the drake and 3 redhead Smew, 10+ Goldeneye also 2 Long-eared Owls behind the dipping pool.

Drake Goldeneye from Makepiece

Back at the fishing boats this afternoon 14.15-15.45 with JW

Red-breasted Merganser: 2W
Red-throated Diver: 112W
Great-crested Grebe: 851 in 1 sweep from the fishing boats feeding on calm sea.
Gannet: 55W
Cormorant: c200 on sea
Oystercatcher: 1W
Kittiwake: 19W
Glaucous Gull: still on the beach
Guillemot: 12W
No sign of the 1w Caspian Gull today.

Strong westerly wind and drizzle made for a thoroughly miserable day at Dungeness today. 

 Feeding Frenzy!

09.00-10.00 from the fishing boats: 

Brent Goose: 20E

Common Scoter: 1W

Red-throated Diver: 5E        13W

Great-crested Grebe: c40 present

Fulmar: 3W

Gannet: 4E   15W

Cormorant: c200 present

Turnstone: 4 on beach

Caspian Gull: the regular 1w bird at the puddles

Glaucous Gull: the regular 1w bird at the puddles

Kittiwake: 43W

Guillemot: 223W

Razorbill: 1W

Auk sp: 32W

 Whiting swallowed whole

North Thames U6ST in the puddles

On the reserve both Long-eared Owls showing today per SB. From the entrance track 3 Smew including the drake, along with 100s each of Lapwing and Golden Plover. At a windswept Scotney the usual feral Geese on the sward with 8 Ringed Plover, 6 Dunlin and 2 Curlew. A wander around Pigwell saw nothing of note.

A wet morning with cold NNW wind didn't inspire me to rush down to the beach. Instead a leisurely breakfast and extra Coffee. 

When I finally arrived at the beach around 10.00 there was absolutely no movement off shore, but the sea was covered in birds. c500 Guillemots, c30 Razorbills, c500 Cormorants, c500 Great-crested Grebes, c30 Red-throated Divers and 100s of Gulls all busy feeding. On the beach the 1w Glaucous and 1w Caspian Gull were loafing around the puddles.

On Burrowes a red head Smew, Slavonian Grebe and a 1w Little Gull flew through. No sign of any of the Long-eared Owls today, hopefully they have just buried themselves deeper in the bushes.

Late afternoon look at Scotney, Bretts Marina and Scotney saw nothing of note.

Much the Same!

 The 1w Glaucous Gull enjoying a drink at the puddles.

A short uninspiring sea watch this morning as it seems we seeing exactly the same birds each day. The only new bird was a drake Tufted Duck which is scarce on sea watches here.

08.15-08.45 from the fishing boats:
Tufted Duck: 1W
Red-throated Diver: 21W     13E
Great-crested Grebe: N/C many present
Gannet: 9W
Cormorant: N/C many present
Oystercatcher: 2E
Kittiwake: 3W
Glaucous Gull: the regular 1w bird on the beach
Caspian Gull: the regular 1w bird on the beach
Guillemot: 47 o/s
Razorbill: 6 o/s
Auk sp: 62 o/s

I couldn't resist taking more pictures of the Glaucous and Caspian Gull as I had them all to myself in excellent light conditions. Both were still present this afternoon.

1w Caspian Gull showing well on the beach

A walk from the ARC car park to the Pines saw 2 Chiffchaffs with c9 Long-tailed Tits also 3 Cetti's Warblers and a Green Woodpecker.

At Scotney the 2 Black-necked Grebes were the only birds of note on the main lake, a few Ringed Plover and Dunlin on the sward.

A walk from Springfield Bridge around the reserve in the sunny conditions was a bit of a slog. No sign of the hoped for Glossy Ibis in the The hayfields or much else apart from a flock of 9 Curlews that landed briefly before a Marsh Harrier flushed them. At the back of Dengemarsh the Lapwings and Golden Plover and wildfowl were constantly being flushed by up to 5 Marsh Harriers, in the reed bed a few Reed Buntings and a Kingfisher. By Scott hide 2 Chiffchaffs one a regular Colybita the other probably a Tristis, It spent most of its time out of site on the lakeside of the bank giving just a couple of very brief views. 2 Smew including the drake was on view at Burrowes and the Long-eared Owl was still behind the Dipping Pool. On the way back a Great White Egret appeared at Christmas Dell. 

Back on the beach this afternoon the Caspian and Glaucous Gulls were in the roost. With the now overcast and windy conditions the temperature plummeted, I wimped out of another sea watch instead going home for a mug of tea.  

Glossy Ibis!

Thick fog at Dungeness this morning kept me at home till 10.00. As it cleared I drove the short distance to Scotney where a few Dunlin, Redshank and Ringed Plovers were on the sward as was the feral flock of Barnacle Geese. On the lake 2 Black-necked Grebes were of note (3 seen later per PT) a Peregrine and Marsh Harrier were terrorising the Wigeon. Brett's Marina and Galloways were very quiet.

As I arrived at Boulderwall Farm PB sent a message that a Glossy Ibis had flown over Burrowes, a few minutes later the Ibis (130 for the local patch) flew over the viewing ramp and disappeared into Dengemarsh. Later it made it's way to the fields north of Boulderwall where several 100s of Golden Plover could be seen among even more Lapwing and 76 Dunlin. Also there 8 White-fronted Geese and 5 Egyptian Geese among the Greylag and Canada Geese, a red head Smew among Coot and Wigeon there, another Peregrine and several Marsh Harriers, a male Stonechat was in the reeds also 2 Great White Egrets there.

 The best I managed of the Glossy Ibis

 some of the 100s of Golden plover present

On the beach this afternoon the regular 1w Glaucous and 1w Caspian Gull were still present along with a few Kittiwakes, Red-throated Divers, Auks and Great-crested Grebes.
Late afternoon 4 Great White Egrets and 22 Little Egrets roosted at the ARC.

Grebes!

 With a little imagination you can pick out the Slavonian Grebe flying with a Great-crested Grebe.

A very busy sea watch this morning from the fishing boats in a bitter NE wind 09.00-10.40:

Red-throated Diver: 32E   5W
Great-crested Grebe: 2,661 moved North into Lade Bay
Slavonian Grebe: 1E
Gannet: 53E   2W
Cormorant: N/C but several 100s present
Oystercatcher: 1E
Kittiwake: 37E   + c25 in feeding flock o/s
Glaucous Gull: 1 the regular 1w bird around
Caspian Gull: 1 the regular 1w bird around
Guillemot: 248E
Razorbill: 14E
Auk sp: 135E   27W

1w Caspian Gull in the puddles this morning!

Mid morning from Cockles Bridge, 8 Red-legged Partridge, c150 Golden Plover, c500 Lapwing, 2 Egyptian Geese with the Greylags, 2 Marsh Harriers, a Common Buzzard and a Great White Egret.

Early afternoon back at the boats more Red-throated Divers and Guillemots moving into Lade Bay and both Glaucous and Caspian Gull in the roost.

A drive around Dengemarsh, Brett's Marina, Galloways and Scotney saw the usual suspects but nothing of real note.

Apparently the Long-eared Owl was flushed by a photographer, who left the footpath and walked behind the Dipping Pool. Lets hope it will return to its favoured roost tonight.

Hen Harriers make the day!

I went to the fishing boats this morning full of hope as a cold SE wind was blowing, after a few minutes I realised today would not be a classic day>
08.10-09.10 from the fishing boats:
Common Scoter: 3E     4W
Red-throated Diver: 14W   2E
Great-crested Grebe: many present
Fulmar: 3W
Gannet:  29W    4E
Cormorant: many present
Mediterranean Gull: 2W
Glaucous Gull: the regular1w bird on the beach.
Kittiwake: 9W
Auk sp:  66W    9E
A look around Dennis's Hide for yesterdays possible Siberian Chiffchaff drew a blank, as did a few minutes staring into the bushes behind the Dipping Pool for Long-eared Owls, though not surprising as the SE wind was blowing straight into the roost. A drake and 3 duck Smew and 10 Goldeneye were the highlights on Burrowes, 2 Great White Egrets from the entrance track also 300+ Golden Plover, c40 Dunlin, c500 Lapwing and 2 Marsh Harriers.

 The flooded Wicks

Late this afternoon I walked along the sea wall from Jury's Gap to the Midrips/Wicks, on the beach several more clusters of Goose Barnacles, also c120 Oystercatchers, 27, Sanderling, 3 Dunlin, 1 Knot and 2 Grey Plover. On the pools 16 Shelduck, c80 Wigeon, 12 Shoveler, 4 Teal, 10 Redshank and c100 Golden Plover. At dusk a Ring-tailed Hen Harrier and an adult male Hen Harrier my first this year, also a Marsh Harrier came in.

Sanderling on the beach at the Wicks

 1 of the clusters of Goose Barnacles on the beach at Dengemarsh Gully

With a brisk North Westerly blowing I decided against my usual sea watch from The Point this morning, instead I drove to the seaward end of Dengemarsh Gully and walked along the tide line to the switching station and back. I found several clusters of Goose Barnacles but no Columbus Crabs among them. Avian interest was in the form of a Raven and a Peregrine.

 My first Black-tailed Godwit of the year!

Parking at Scotney Farm entrance I walked through the farm past the back lakes to Jurys Gap then back along the cycle path to Scotney. Despite the sunny weather avian interest was very poor, just 11 Brent Geese and c25 Greylag Geese on back lakes, along with 4 Pintail, a few Shoveler, Teal, Shelduck, 5 Little Grebes, 3 Little Egrets and a couple of Marsh Harriers over. In the fields a few Skylarks and Reed Buntings, 2 Corn Buntings and 2 Tree Sparrows. Jurys Gap to Scotney was virtually bird less. The highlight was my first Black-tailed Godwit of the year in the pools on the sward with 10 Ringed Plovers. Also on the sward the feral Barnacle Goose flock has reappeared after a couple of weeks absence.

Video of Glaucous Gull in the puddles this afternoon.

This afternoon the 1w Glaucous Gull was showing well in the puddles and the 1w Caspian Gull was on the beach. Little else of note to be seen there this afternoon other than the visibility out to sea.

Bolougne from Dungeness.

A walk late afternoon at the ARC to the pines saw the usual Marsh Harriers but no Bitterns today, 5 more Black-tailed Godwits flew over towards Greatstone, a red head Smew was on the lake, a Tit flock with c15 Long-tailed Tits was around the pines also a Chiffchaff there.