Thursday 10 September 2015

White-winged Tern - a patch tick

Lade - warm, dry, sunny, e 4 - 0600hrs - A cracking morning with bright sunshine and a warm easterly airflow had us out and about early before doing breakfasts for guests. A scattering of Whitethroats, Wheatears, 2 Whinchats and a Stonechat was the best of the migrants on the shingle ridges, plus the now regular trickle of Mipits and Yellow Wagtails overhead.
But the main event was on south lake where a juv White-winged Tern was feeding over the water, presumably the bird that has been present on the ARC/The Patch over the past week or more. Normally, a site first would be cause for some celebration, and a high five with Barney, but we`ve been spoiled for white-wingers this year at Dungeness, still nice to see though.
ARC - A mid-afternoon call into Screen hide and the White-winger had moved back to its favoured site out on the lake amongst the hundreds of Sand Martins and Swallows. Also here 2 Pintail, 2 Ruff and 10 Wigeon amongst the common wildfowl.
Now that the Reed Warblers have fledged the Thursday volunteers and staff were clearing the reeds in front of Hanson hide to improve the viewing experience.

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