19/11/2022

The best I could manage of the Brambling in the rain

As it was a light NW wind and a dreary old day today, I decided on walk down Dengemarsh Gully and the open shingle around the back of the transformer station, in my search for a rare Wheatear which as as I expected ended in failure. A singles of Dartford Warbler, Song Thrush, Water Rail, Black Redstart, a few Skylarks and a couple of Ravens were about the all I saw in 3 hours there.

I checked the Lydd Fields for the Whooper Swans and failed to find them, but I did find a flock of c150 Chaffinches that contained a single smart male Brambling, which was very difficult to photograph in the rain and disappearing in the furrows.

I have checked Scotney  on number of occasions hoping to find some wild Grey geese without success.

As the ARC fills up with the rain it seems to be losing its attractiveness to Gulls, almost other birds, though at least one of the Kingfishers remains as does the 2 Glossy Ibis. I have only checked Burrowes  from Dennis's Hide just lately, so there maybe something lurking at the other end I have not seen, nor anyone else in the poor weather, with no dry or sheltered viewing facilities.

Juvenile Marsh harrier at Scotney yesterday

Only 3 Barnacle Geese at Scotney, where are the rest of the feral flock?

 Single dark bellied Brent at Scotney among the feral geese

Kingfisher from Hanson

15/11/2022

One of the many Little Gulls past the fishing boats today

An excellent days sea watching in atrocious conditions, full credit and praise must go to Jacob who stuck it out the whole day doing all the recording. I wimped out when the heavy rain arrived this morning, returning early afternoon, fortunately I did just about manage to see all the highlights, the Long-tailed Skua was literally passing as I arrived in the morning, also managing one of the Puffins and several Sooty Shearwaters.

A flock of Dunlin past the fishing boats this afternoon

My last view of the Sabine's Gull

The 2 Whooper Swans spent yesterday sleeping and preening on the ARC after there long flight

The 2 Glossy Ibis are usually to found at the ARC or Boulderwall

12/11/2022

Boathouse Gem apparently only the 4th ever British record

When I saw this moth in the trap this morning it seemed to be familiar but I was unable to name to it, I checked my moth books but was unable to find it. It was only when I took it down to Dungeness Bird Observatory and showed it to David Walker that I realised it might be something special, David was quickly able to inform me as to its identity and how rare the moth was, so many thanks to David.

Today juvenile Sabines Gull at the fishing boats

Black-headed Gull chasing a 1w Arctic Tern at the fishing boats

 

10/11/2022

Once again sea watching from the fishing boats has been the main pass time, Plenty of Gannets, Kittiwakes and Auks, with highlights of Leach's Petrel, Sooty and Manx Shearwaters. On the beach several Caspian Gulls, 3 Purple Sandpipers, 2+ Merlins chasing the incoming finches and Pipits, the gorgeous Arctic Tern and the Grey Phalarope that has been present for the last couple of days. also Swallows still being seen daily here.

The lakes have disappointing this week, though the Kingfishers are still present as are 2 Glossy Ibis up to 8 Cattle Egrets, 10+ Great White Egrets, Bearded Tits and the ever elusive Bitterns.

The superb adult Arctic Tern that has been lingering off the fishing boats

The very photogenic Grey Phalarope at the fishing boats

One of 2 Merlins at the fishing boats this morning

A new Kingfisher perch

07/11/2022

Eider past in the morning gloom

With the recent weather sea watching is the only real option at Dungeness. So far the sea has produced the goods with Leach's Petrels, Sooty and Manx Shearwaters, Great Northern Divers, 1,000s of Gannets and Kittiwakes, 100s of Auks, Purple Sandpipers which are very scarce at Dungeness, 1,000s of Gulls including Caspian, Yellow-legged and Little Gulls. Oddly my highlight was a Tuna that leapt clear out of the water, the first I have seen at Dungeness.

Juvenile Little Gull

One of at least 4 Caspian Gulls today, this Polish ringed

Caspian Gulls

Hybrid Black-headed Gull X Mediterranean Gull at the boars yesterday

Little Gulls past the fishing boats yesterday

05/11/2022

Eider passing the bouy this morning

 09.00-10.00 From the sea watch hide

Brent Goose: 48W
Shelduck: 1W
Eider: 2W
Common Scoter: 7W
Red-breasted Merganser: 1W
Gannet: 115W
Little Gull: 3W
Kittiwake: 626W
Mediterranean Gull: 12W
Guillemot: 6W
Razorbill: 27W
Auk sp: 31W

Whilst trying to re-find the Hoopoe Jacob found a lovely Siberian Stonechat, I'm afraid my images do not do it justice. mainly because the weather was so appalling and tomorrow looks no better.

My first view of the Siberian Stonechat

Yellow-legged Gull bearing a Dutch colour ring marked H=