Thursday 30 March 2023

Hirundines

Cloudy, mild, SW 4 - Looking at the weather forecast for Friday (gale force westerly and lashing rain) I thought it best to get out and about this morning. At Lade I had my first hirundines of spring comprising eight Sand Martins and two Swallows high over the willow swamp. Several Chiffchaffs and Cetti`s Warblers were in fine voice while a female Marsh Harrier circled over the main reedbed. Most of the wildfowl were taking shelter from the blustery wind over the far side of south lake where at least 120 Shovelers were present along with a pair of Goldeneye. With the wind picking up Dungeness yielded very little apart from a Peregrine atop A station and a singing Black Redstart lower down, plus a Firecrest and Chiffchaff in a private garden.

                                      Black Redstart, Dungeness

Around New Romney these past couple of days there has been a noticeable increase in Mediterranean and Black-headed Gull activity overhead, as is typical at this time of year. Several singing Chiffchaffs have been heard in town gardens hereabouts, as well as Mistle Thrush, Goldfinches and Green Woodpecker in the park. One clear night earlier in the week whilst attempting to see the recent alignment of planets a steady trickle of Redwings could be heard passing overhead.

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