Egrets!

Just before dawn this morning I met Ol & CT at Jury's Gap to have a look for the Shorelarks that were seen at The Midrips yesterday. As we had to vacate the area by 08.00 before firing commenced it did not give us long. We failed to find the Larks but did see a bonus Barn Owl and 2 Wheatears, I might try again tomorrow.

When I got to the observatory I assisted JTM on a couple of net rounds where a few Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps were caught and processed. OL had gone out into the area and flushed a Wryneck from the High Gorse, then found a Yellow-browed Warbler at the bottom of the Long Pits, then accidentally flushed a roosting Long-eared Owl further up the Long Pits. The Wryneck was very flighty and gave me a couple of long distance views, as for Yellow-browed Warbler it disappeared before I got a chance to go and see it, I'm sure there will be more in the next few days.

 9 Great White Egrets high over the observatory this morning after coming in off the sea

While having a cup of tea at the observatory with some of the other locals a group of 9 Great White Egrets came in off the sea flying inland high over the observatory and appeared to land on the reserve. This evening in a coordinated Egret count with DW who was in Makepiece Hide keeping radio contact with me as I counted the birds dropping into the roost we only had 23 Great White Egrets go to roost, which is good count, however we were expecting to see 30+ with the extra 9 birds that arrived today, we can only think that these birds did not stay or flew straight through, 5 Cattle Egrets and 11 Little Egrets also roosted and a Merlin flew through.

 An hours sea watch from the fishing boats this afternoon was very slow, of note a single Red-throated Diver, and a few each of Sandwich Terns and Gannets. An hour in Denge Marsh Gully was equally fruitless seeing 4 Chiffchaffs, 5 Robins and a Wheatear.

A Redwing that was found in the Heligoland yesterday

Mediterranean Gulls!

06.35-07.35 from the sea watch hide with AJG who kindly collated the numbers:

Common Scoter: 3E

Red-throated Diver: 2W

Great-crested Grebe: 1W

Gannet: 41W

Arctic Skua: 5W

Mediterranean Gull: 2W

Black-headed Gull: c2,000 around

Kittiwake: 28 on

Sandwich Tern: 417W

The bushes were very quiet this morning with barely a handful of Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps making there way into the nets.

 1 of 6 Cattle Egrets in the Hayfields this morning

At Denge Marsh the 6 Cattle Egrets have taken up residence in the Hayfields now that the cattle have been moved there. On the lake of note 2 Great White Egrets and 2 Ruff but generally very quiet. 

 Some of the Mediterranean Gulls and Kittiwakes that were around this afternoon

12.00-16.00 from the fishing boats with WN, OL, AJG, JTM, DS, DW
Brent Goose: 1E    2W
Common Scoter: 12E  1W
Red-throated Diver: 1 on
Great Northern Diver: 1W
Great-crested Grebe: 1W
Manx Shearwater: 1E
Gannet: 40W   32E
Great Skua: 1W
Arctic Skua: 5+ around
Mediterranean Gull: 102+ on
Kittiwake: 108+ on
Sandwich Tern: c30 around
Common Tern: 2W
Swallow: 5 out
Harbour Porpoise: 3+

 2w Mediterranean Gull

 Adult Mediterranean Gull

Up to 29 Mediterranean Gulls were on the beach in front of us for most of the afternoon, certainly the most I have seen on the beach here. At least 2 Belgian colour ringed birds among them.
The Plodland MV produced its 9th Convolvulous Hawkmoth of the year this morning but nothing else of note.

 Juvenile Marsh Harrier going out to sea

With fog covering the peninsular first thing very little visible migration seemed to be taking place, a Green Sandpiper flew over the observatory. In 3hrs of looking around The Point a Marsh harrier flew out to sea, 15 Swallows flew north, 15+ Chiffchaffs, 4 Blackcaps, 13 Stonechats, c50 Meadow Pipits over, 4 Green Woodpeckers, 3 Sparrowhawks, 8 Kestrels and a Wheatear were seen, not much for the effort.

A quick visit to Dennis's Hide saw 13 Great White Egrets. Up to 9 Cattle Egrets were seen in the hayfields today.

Hummingbird Hawkmoth in the lighthouse garden

A slow but very good sea watch this afternoon.
13.45-16.00 from the fishing boats with AJG & MH:
Brent Goose: 23W
Common Scoter: 11E
Red throated Diver: 2 on (summer plumaged adults)
Sooty Shearwater: 1E
Manx Shearwater: 1E
Gannet: 57W
Great Skua: 1E
Arctic Skua: 8W
Mediterranean Gull: 12E
Kittiwake: 6E
Sandwich Tern: c30 around
Auk sp: 1E    1W
Rock Pipit: 2 around the boats

 Great White Egret from Hanson

Late afternoon from Hanson a Black-necked Grebe and Goldeneye among the usual wildfowl, also a Hobby there and 2 Great White Egrets. In the hide a Western Conifer seed bug.

Western Conifer Seed Bug in Hanson Hide

 My first Plumed Fan-foot of the year

 A surprisingly busy MV today the Plumed Fan-foot being the highlight.

Migrant Hawker in the MV this morning

Woodlark, Hirundines and a reasonable Sea Watch!

This morning while doing a net round with JTM & AJG a Woodlark flew over the bushes appearing to drop into The Desert, a quick scout around soon relocated on the ground where upon it flew off north where it was seen again by OL. While Blackcaps and chiffchaffs were being extracted from the nest number of Reed Buntings and Siskin flew over as did a Merlin, also a large flock of Swallows and House Martins were hawking over the trapping area, a net was set in The Moat catching 80+ of these keeping the observatory staff busy.

Early afternoon I walked out the back of Scotney to try and see the Buff-breasted Sandpiper, unfortunately the farmer has put sheep in its favoured field and there was no sign of the bird and I fear it has gone, however I did see of note a Wheatear, a Yellow Wagtail and a Little Owl.

 Adult Yellow-legged Gull at the fishing boats this afternoon

An interesting sea watch this afternoon made more interesting by the appearance of 3 naval ships, 2 were clearly very modern vessels but just to far make out the flags they flying. (probably British, I'm sure I could see made in China stamped on the side of them).
15.00-16.30 from the fishing boats with AJG & JTM:
Brent Goose: 11W
Common Scoter: 5W
Red-throated Diver: 1E
Black-throated Diver: 1W
Manx Shearwater: 1E very close I was to slow with the camera.
Gannet: c20 around
Arctic Skua: 7W   3E
Mediterranean Gull: 12W
Yellow-legged Gull: 1adult around
Kittiwake: 92W
Sandwich tern: c30 around
Common Tern: 5W
Guillemot: 1 on
Auk sp: 7E
Grey Seal: 1 around
Harbour Porpoise: 3+ around
On the reserve the Egrets are still the main attraction. The Somerset born colour ringed Great White Egret(Red AAH) has not been recorded anywhere since it was last seen at Dungeness in September 2017, it will be interesting to see if it returns to Somerset next spring as an adult.

Another Clancy's Rustic, seems a good year for them.

Egrets!

06.30-09.00 with AJG et al:

Common Scoter: 1E

Gannet: 393W

Grey Plover: 1W

Knot: 1W

Arctic Skua between 10 and 13 mostly West

Mediterranean Gull: 6W

Kittiwake: 8W

Sandwich Tern: 356W

Common Tern: 3W

Razorbill: 2 around

Auk Sp: 16E

I went to The Patch after and saw very little, the highlight being a single Wheatear.

 13 Great White and 2 Little Egrets, red ringed AAH is 4th from the left

After spending quite a few hours over recent days trying to read the ring details I finally managed it this morning. This bird spent some time at Dungeness last Autumn.

 Although I see them daily it's still an amazing sight to me

A new brood of Little Grebes on the Dipping Pool

Also on Burrowes a Ruff, 4 Dunlin and still at least 4 Cattle Egrets.

13.30-15.30 from the fishing boats with AJG and MH:

Red-throated Diver: 1W  and 1 on

Gannet: c50 around mainly moving off E

Dunlin: 15W   7W

Arctic Skua: 3 around

Mediterranean Gull:3W

Kittiwake: 19W

Sandwich Tern: c50 around mainly moving off E

Common Tern: 3W

Guillemot: 2W    1 on

Auk sp: 6E

Swallow: c250 out

House Martin: 3 out

At Scotney just 2 Curlews of any note among among the hordes of feral Geese now joined by a Black Swan.

Galloways late afternoon saw just 4 Stonechats on any note

06.30-08.15 from the sea watch hide with AJG who kindly collated the numbers:

A huge shoal of fish was c1 mile offshore and attracting a blizzard of Terns, Gulls and Gannets.

Common Scoter: 2E

Red-throated Diver: 1E

Gannet: c200

Gulls: c2,000

Sandwich Terns: c300

Harbour Porpoise: 10+

Grey Seal

A walk around The Desert and trapping area saw of note 3 Sparrowhawks, a Common Buzzard, a Peregrine, 13 Stonechats, a Wheatear, c20 Meadow Pipits, Green Woodpecker and a few each of Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps.

Mid morning from Hanson hide my first Goosander of the Autumn, 104, Golden Plover, a Ruff, a couple of Great White Egrets and the usual wildfowl.

Late morning at Scotney 100s of feral geese and a Marsh Harrier. The Buff-breasted Sandpiper was still present today but not looked for by me.

13.30-15.00 with AJG, MH & JTM

Wigeon: 6 in

Red-throated Diver: 1E

Gannet: c40 around

Kestrel: 1 in

Arctic Skua: around

Mediterranean Gull: 12 around

Kittiwake: 19 around

Sandwich Tern: c50 around

Auk sp: 1w

Harbour Porpoise: 4+

 11 of the 15 Great White Egrets on Burrowes late this afternoon.

My 8th Convolvulous Hawkmoth of the year today

Bittern!

Again this morning Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps made up the majority of birds trapped and processed while I was at the observatory, a Sparrowhawk found the nets after I left.

The Patch is still looking in a sorry state making barely a ripple, consequently no Gulls on the beach there and seem s as though it will remain in this state for a few more weeks. On the rocks behind the hide 3 Black Redstarts, a Wheatear, 6 Meadow Pipits and c50 Linnets, also 6 Swallows over.

 1 of 3 Black Redstarts on the rocks behind The Patch

Wheatear on the Patch Hide

 Bittern posing in front of Hanson Hide

A mid morning visit to Hanson Hide paid dividends, as the Bittern that seems to have performed to everyone bar me was out in the open stalking a Marsh Frog. On the islands, 5 Dunlin, a Ruff, a Garganey and a colour ringed Lapwing. Very little other news from the reserve. At Scotney the Buff-breasted Sandpiper is still in its favoured field in East Sussex giving poor distant views.

 Stalking a small Marsh Frog

 Eating the small Marsh frog

An hour watching from the garden late morning saw of note a Common Buzzard, a Great White egret, 2 Cattle Egrets and c30 swallows.
AJG did a sea watch from the fishing boats 14.30-16.30:
Common Scoter: 5E
Red-throated Diver: 1W
Gannet: 168W
Ringed Plover: 12E
Sanderling: 15E
Great Skua: 2W
Pomarine Skua: 1W
Arctic Skua: 4W
Mediterranean Gull: 17 around
Kittiwake: 5 around

Great White Egret coming into roost

This evenings Egret roost in the company of DS saw 22 Great White Egrets, 6 Cattle Egrets and 13 Little Egrets roost at the ARC.

5 of the 6 Cattle Egrets coming into roost

Egrets and a Buff-breasted Sandpiper!

A walk around the Desert and Long Pits with AJG and SO this morning saw 14 Stonechats, 2 Whinchats, 3 Wheatears, a Blackcap, several Chiffchaffs and few Swallows over. A firecrest was trapped and processed, still plenty of Kestrels around but a fairly quiet morning.
I spent a long time at Scotney and was rewarded eventually with good views of the Buff-breasted Sandpiper, also there 2 Yellow Wagtails, 100+ Golden Plover, a Greenshank, a Little Stint, a Redshank and 8 Dunlin. The Greylag population must now be 2,000, also 160+ Barnacle Geese, 46 Egyptian Geese, a Bar-headed Goose and Canada Geese there.

 Buff-breasted Sandpiper at Scotney today

Great White Egret coming into roost this evening

A Dungeness record count of 23 Great White Egrets came into the ARC this evening with 16 Cattle Egrets and 14 Little Egrets.

 Once again Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs made up the bulk of birds ringed at the Observatory this morning, overhead smaller numbers of Hirundines than yesterday and very little else was moving.

At Scotney a Greenshank, 100+ Golden Plover, 2 Redshank, 2 Black-tailed Godwits but no sign of the Buff-breasted Sandpiper.

A walk along sea wall at The Midrips saw 3 Curlew, a Whimbrel, 2 Dunlin on the pools but not a single duck was seen. 3 Clouded Yellows were seen and 5 Turnstones were by the guard house.

On the ARC from Hanson very few waders, of note 2 Ruff, 2 Black-tailed Godwits and 1cy Black-necked Grebe.

 Cattle Egret on a Sheep at Boulderwall this afternoon

13.30-16.30 with AJG, DS, MH, JTM & DW
Common Scoter: 19E
Red-throated Diver: 1E
Gannet: 46W
Sanderling: 1 around
Common Sandpiper: 1 over heard only
Great Skua: 1W
Arctic Skua: 3+ around
Sandwich Tern: 38W
Common Tern: 2W
Arctic Tern: 1W
Guillemot: 4 around
Swallow: 233 out
Sand Martin :11 out

 Another victim of careless fisherman by the fishing boats this afternoon

The hook has pierced the web

1 of 2 Convolulous Hawk Moths from the Plodland MV last night 

All a bit distant!

Swallows, Sand Martins House Martins by the observatory

 Arctic Skua

Another morning of Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps and Hirundines with an attendant Hobby. A good number made their way into the nets to be ringed at the observatory. Though ringing came to an abrupt end as news of a Beluga Whale in the Thames at Gravesend broke. I probably should have joined the others and gone, but when I see one I want it to be in the Arctic. (If it's still around tomorrow I might crack)

13.30-16.30 from the fishing boats with AJG who kindly collated the numbers, joined by MH & ML.
Brent Goose: 3W
Pintail: 2W
Common Scoter: 32W
Red-throated Diver: 1E
Black-necked Grebe:1 around but distant
Gannet: 47W
Oystercatcher: 1E
Grey Phalarope: 1 present all afternoon but distant, a different bird from the weekend.
Arctic Skua: 12W
Mediterranean Gull: 8W
Kittiwake: 5 around
Sandwich Tern: 31W
Common Tern: 2W
Guillemot: 1 around
Swallow: 351 out
Harbour Porpoise: 5+

 1cy Black-necked Grebe, I did say it was distant

1cy Grey Phalarope Honest! even more distant

Late afternoon at the ARC from Hanson Hide, 60+ Golden Plover,2 Ruff, 2 Dunlin all among c200 Lapwing, also seen there a Cattle Egret, 2 Great White Egrets, a Hobby, a Merlin, a Water Rail and the usual wild fowl including an albino Egyptian Goose. While there around 18.00hrs I got a call from Marcus Lawson letting me know that he was watching the Buff-breasted Sandpiper at the back of Scotney in Sussex.. I immediately headed off to Scotney, when I was about 100yds from him the rescue helicopter based at Lydd flew over flushing everything, fortunately after a few minutes for me Marcus picked it out again, also there  a Little Stint, Common Snipe, c15 Dunlin, 3+ Ruff and a Greenshank. Out by the wind turbines as sun set 100s possibly 1,000s of Hirundines were swarming over a Maize field presumably preparing to roost.   

 Carrying on the rubbish distant images, spot the Buff-breasted Sandpiper!