Thursday 14/05/2020

Hopefully the last morning of the bitterly cold North East wind, most birds appeared to be hunkered down in the Reeds or bushes, the exception being Swifts, Swallows, House Martins and a few Sand Martins. c150 Swifts were fizzing around Dengemarsh and over to the other lakes, seemingly enjoying the cold windy conditions and giving photo opportunities. As I was leaving I noticed 3 Black swans come sailing out of the reeds, a first for me on the peninsular, though I have seen them at Scotney. 

 The unlikely highlight of my morning at Dengemarsh

 Swifts over Dengemarsh

 Electric fences are no defence against Herring Gulls

Wednesday 13/05/2020

The cold northerly winds continue seemingly killing spring migration at Dungeness. Yesterday Black Kite No. 4 drifted high north over Dengemarsh, I have now seen as many Black Kites as I have Willow Warblers this spring! For me no Flycatchers, Redstarts, Whinchat or Ring Ouzels only a few Blackcaps and just 2 Garden Warblers, though I'm told there are plenty inland. Waders have been very thin on the ground, although Whimbrel and Bar-tailed Godwits have been present most days but only in small numbers, I only saw my first Turnstones of the lockdown yesterday also my first Common Sandpipers, Grey Plover were represented by a pair over my house presumably the same on hayfield 3, a flock of c25 were one of the spring highlights, a single Wood Sandpiper, 3 Green Sandpipers, 7 Little Ringed Plovers, just 2 Ruff, 4 Black-tailed Godwits, though Greenshanks have been relatively common and 3 Spotted Redshanks are above average numbers. Lesser and Common Whitethroats, Reed, Sedge and Cetti's Warblers are around and vociferous in good numbers, there are a minimum of 7 pairs of Bearded Tits, the Bitterns are still booming and Reed buntings are abundant. So far Hobby numbers have been very low.

 Reed Bunting

 Hobby

 Hobby

Swifts have arrived in numbers

 Cormorants are still adding to there nests

 Lapwings have hatched at least 5 young

 My first Common Sandpiper of the year

The other evening the wind dropped and the Dengemarsh was covered in millions of midges

Kites!

 The last fews days have seen an unprecedented influx of Kites over Dengemarsh with a minimum of 35 Red Kites and 2 Black Kites, where they are from and where they are going has led to much speculation. All the Great White Egrets appear to have all left the reserve, leaving a few Little Egrets. At least 2 Bitterns are booming and giving intermittent flight views. Reed, Sedge and Cetti's Warblers, along with Common and Lesser Whitethroats and Reed buntings are all still singing, Cuckoo's and Yellow Wagtails can be seen and heard all over, as well as screaming Terns, Common Gulls and Water Rails. Oystercatchers, Lapwings and Redshanks are still very vocal, with a few Whimbrel and Curlew passing through. Swifts, House Martins and Swallow are now a common sight but Hobby's are disappointingly scarce.

 Black Kite over Dengemarsh Saturday 09/05/2020

Black Kite over Dengemarsh Sunday 10/05/2020

 Just some of the 35+ Red Kites over Dengemarsh in the last few days

 Bearded Tit

 Bittern

 Pied Wagtail

 Pochard

 Great Tit with tasty morsel 

 Common Gull

Tufted Ducks

 Baby Grass Snake on the road 

 Baby Grass Snake(fortunately CT was on hand to catch it and move it to safety)

 Marsh Frogs are very vocal at the moment

 Spawning Carp

 There are plenty of Yellow Wagtails around Dengemarsh

Wednesday 06/05/2020

 Red Fox stalking Rabbits

A bright sunny day but still a cold North East wind blowing, though not as strong as yesterday. Around the fields there were just a handful of Whimbrel with a single Bar-tailed Godwit and a couple of Curlew, Redshank and Lapwing numbers appear to have declined, which could be due to high water levels or Cattle? There were at least 3 Cuckoo's around the reed beds where the Reed, Sedge and Cetti's  Warblers are all still singing. Bearded Tits have gone very quiet presumably nesting, a Bittern was still booming and there are at least 2 pairs of Marsh Harriers around Dengemarsh along with a pair of Common Buzzards. I only saw a maximum of 3 Hobby's this morning but still plenty of Yellow Wagtails and a couple of pairs of Wheatears. There were at least 8 different Lesser Whitethroats singing with numerous Common Whitethroats and Reed Buntings, a single Corn bunting was at Springfield Bridge. Once the morning warmed up Swifts were more in evidence but few Hirundines, Common Terns can be seen all around Dengemarsh, Mediterranean Gulls are still passing over in small numbers. A black tern and 2 Little Gulls were on the the ARC per JY & RW also a Barn Owl was seen there. To finish my morning I came across a showy Water Rail in a small pool as I made my home.

 Whimbrel

 Bar-tailed Godwit & Whimbrel

 Lesser Whitethroat

 Common Whitethroat

 Sedge Warbler

 Showy Water Rail