1,000+ Mediterranean Gulls!

07.00-09.00 from the sea watch hide with SO, RW and AJG who collated the numbers:

Brent Goose: 4W

Common Scoter: 9W

Red-throated Diver: 1E

Great-crested Grebe: 1W

Gannet: c200 around

Arctic Skua: 1 around

Med Gull: 18W

Sandwich Tern: 44 around

Auk sp: 4W

Starling: 32 in

After a very mediocre sea watch we walked through The Desert to the top of Long Pits and back, on the way we saw the Wryneck briefly in the High Gorse, c15 Song Thrushes, c200 Siskins, c200 Goldfinches, a few Chaffinches and Meadow Pipits, 4 Chiffchaffs, 6 Swallows and a couple of singing Cetti's Warblers, a Firecrest was caught and processed. A morning that seem to promise so much but gave very little.

Late morning David Walker found an Asian Hornet at the lighthouse garden, the second in 2 days at Dungeness after Dave Bunney found one in his garden yesterday which was destroyed by the authorities, todays Hornet was caught and will also be destroyed by the authorities as it is an alien species that kills Honey Bees.

 Asian Hornet ( please click on any of the images to see them full size)

A very poor image of some of 1,000+ Mediterranean Gulls off the fishing boats this afternoon

13.00-16.00 from the fishing boats with AJG, RW, JTM, DW,
Brent Goose: 27W
Common Scoter: 5E
Red-breasted Merganser: 2W
Great-crested Grebe: 2 around
Gannet: 48W
Merlin: 1W
Arctic Skua: 7-14
Mediterranean Gull: 1,000+ came out of Lade bay
Kittiwake: 350+ came out of Lade bay
Sandwich Tern: 137 came out of Lade bay
Guillemot: 1 around
Auk sp: 2W
Grey Seal: 1
Harbour Porpoise: 3+
Other news 5 Ring Ouzels were by the pines at the ARC per SO. 6 Cattle Egrets are still present as are the Great White Egrets and a Black-necked Grebe.

Merlin 

All at Sea!

07.00-09.30 from the sea watch hide with SO, RW, Doug and AJG who collated the numbers:

Common Scoter: 21W

Gannet: 2,290W   (I did a single sweep of the horizon and counted 530 Gannets)

Great Skua: 2W

Arctic Skua: 7W

Mediterranean Gull: 116 around 

Kittiwake: 23 around

Sandwich Tern: 67W 

Black Tern: 1W

Razorbill: 1W

Auk sp: 8W

Starling: 75 down

Pied Wagtail 7 down

Harbour Porpoise: 1+

After I had my breakfast I went back to the sea at the fishing boats for an hour joining DW, GH & Doug seeing more of what was seen earlier including another Black Tern, also a female Eider flew into the bay. 

1W Caspian Gull at the fishing boats this afternoon

13.15-16.15 from the fishing boats with RW, JTM, AP and AJG who once again did the onerous task of collating the numbers:
Common Scoter: 2W
Red-throated Diver: 2 around (adult and a Juvenile)
Great-crested Grebe: 3 around
Gannet: 126 down
Great Skua: 1W
Arctic Skua: 28W
Mediterranean Gull: 358 came out of Lade Bay
Kittiwake: 374 came out of Lade Bay
Caspian Gull: 1 1w around
Sandwich Tern: 58 came out of Lade Bay
Guillemot: 3W
Auk sp: 9W

 Some of the 100s of Kittiwakes that came out of Lade bay

 Some of the 100s of Mediterranean Gulls that came out of Lade Bay this afternoon

Mediterranean Gull at the fishing boats

Sandwich Tern at the fishing boats this afternoon

JX61 in the beach roost this afternoon ringed as a chick in 2007, seen in Boulogne in 2008 and not seen again until today.

15 of the 18 Great White Egrets present on Burrowes this evening

Late afternoon/early evening on Burrowes from Makepiece Hide, a 1w Caspian Gull and a2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls came to roost, 18 Great White Egrets and 10 Little Egrets could be seen around the lake, also 3 Dunlin of note.

Little Owl!

07.00-09.00 from the sea watch hide numbers from AJG:
Common Scoter: 14W
Great-crested Grebe: 2W
Fulmar: 1E
Gannet: 549W
Great Skua: 2W
Arctic Skua: 8W
Kittiwake: 11W
Sandwich Tern: 123W
Razorbill: 2W
Guillemot: 2W
Auk sp: 6 down
Starling: 75W
At the ARC from Hanson the Garganey was still present, also the nasal banded Shoveler still among the usual wildfowl, 22 Swallows flew through but little else of note seen in the strong southerly wind.

 Little Owl peering out of the Sallows

Jacques found a Little Owl in The Desert, a scarce bird on The Point, I think its only the 3rd I've seen. A walk around The Desert and through the Broome saw very little. 

A wind blasted Scotney produced nothing other than the usual feral geese.
At Dengmarsh 3 Cattle Egrets could be seen distantly form Springfield Bridge, also here the wind made its presence felt and the drainage contractors didn't help.

Brent Geese past the fishing boats this afternoon

13.30-16.00 from the fishing boats joined by AJG, MH, JTM and PS.
Brent Goose: 16W
Shoveler: 2W
Common Scoter: 3W   9E

Great-crested Grebe: 5W    1 on
Gannet: 117W
Arctic Skua: 7+ around
Mediterranean Gull: 4W
Kittiwake: 41W
Sandwich Tern: 205W
Common Tern: 1 around
Razorbill: 1W
Auk sp: 7W
Swallow: 4 out
Grey Seal: 1

Harbour Porpoise: 2+  

Late afternoon on Burrowes from Makepiece up to 16 Great White Egrets were visible along with 7 Little Egrets, also a Spoonbill was sleeping in a sheltered spot out of the wind.

It may be mild but the wind has made sure that the Plodland MV has caught very little.

 Spoonbill in usual pose 

Sometimes the Egrets fly quite close

Wryneck Again!

An absolutely beautiful October day on the peninsular but the birding was really hard going. Very few birds found there way into the nets and very few birds in the trapping area. A long walk around The Desert and Long Pits saw a single Fieldfare, a single Redwing, 3 Song Thrushes, a few Blackbirds, Siskins and Reed Buntings, c20 Swallows, 3 Brambling, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 7 Stonechats and a Sparrowhawk,

A late morning walk out at Scotney saw just a Little Owl of note.

While driving down to Denge Marsh Gully OL called to say a Yellow-browed Warbler was showing along the Pilot Path, I made the mistake of deciding to stick with my plan to walk the Gully which was apart from the resident Cetti's Warbler, Robins and Great Tits an avian free zone. From Springfield Bridge distant views of Cattle Egrets and Great White Egrets, a Marsh Harrier was more obliging.

 2w Mediterranean Gull this afternoon at the fishing boats

An hour at the fishing boats this afternoon saw 2 Arctic Skuas, c6 each of Mediterranean Gull and Kittiwake, also c10 each of Gannet and Sandwich Tern. 

 Wryneck in The Desert late afternoon

A late afternoon walk in the trapping area with AJG failed to locate the Yellow-browed Warbler but we did find a Whinchat as consolation. As the weather was so good and short dark winter days are looming, I decided not to waste the remaining sunshine and headed back out into The Desert and stumbled across presumably yesterdays Wryneck which was again very flighty only allowing me  distant views.

 Whinchat in The Desert this afternoon

Hummingbird Hawkmoth in The Moat late afternoon

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