Dungeness - mild, misty, light airs - 0630 - 0930hrs & 1230 - 1500hrs - Perfect weather conditions for grounded migrants, and so it proved with two superb birding sessions. An early morning jaunt along the foreshore from the new lighthouse to Penn Bars delivered at least 20 Wheatears, plus two Ring Ouzels, 10 Redwings, 10 Song Thrushes and five Fieldfares on the sea defence blocks in front of B Station. Over a foggy sea Sandwich Terns and Mediterranean Gulls could be heard and our first Whimbrel of spring. Around the old lighthouse 20 more Redwings and 10 Song Thrushes flushed from cover, while several Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps, two Black Redstarts and Goldcrest also noted along with the usual Linnets, Mipits, Reed Buntings, Stonechats and 10 Swallows through.
A visit to the old quarry area north of Long Pits this afternoon failed to deliver either of the two Redstarts and Ring Ouzels seen earlier. However, a Tree Pipit over was our first for the year along with a few more Fieldfares, Song Thrushes and a Yellow Wagtail over. Whilst there news came through of a male Redstart in a private garden on the estate (thanks for the tip off Dave), which I eventually glimpsed, along with a Brown Hare and a soaring White Stork that sent the Herring Gulls into meltdown. A crazy ten minutes indeed, but that`s Dungeness for you!
Lade - The White Stork drifted high over the lakes sending the local Herring Gulls into a lather and also freaking out the roosting Curlew flock that flew around calling frantically. Eventually the stork disappeared over Romney Salts in the murk. At least 20 Mediterranean Gulls were amongst the roosting throng on south lake.
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