Whinchat

Dungeness - cold, drizzle, cloudy, NE 4 - The poor weather continues, although a long walk around the peninsula was considerably brightened by a smart male Whinchat in the northern part of the Desert, now a somewhat scarce passage migrant in spring, plus a female Common Redstart nearby. There appeared to have been an overnight drop in of Willow Warblers and Common Whitethroats, although Lesser Whitethroats are still in the ascendency across the scrublands. Also noted a Wheatear, several Linnets and Reed Buntings, a Sparrowhawk and a Stonechat at Lade. On the bird reserve a couple of Whimbrels were on the field by the bend in the access road and several Swifts fluttered high over the car park, probably regretting their early arrival in the chill air.  

                                  Whinchat, Desert

                                 Meadow Pipit and Skylark, Littlestone

Elsewhere this week on our Ted walks it has been slim pickings. On Wednesday a Cuckoo singing to the north of New Romney was my first here for the year while the same day there was also a fall of Blackcaps around the town gardens and parks, plus two parties of Whimbrels overhead calling in the evening. A few more Sedge and Reed Warblers have moved into the sewer margin reedbeds and Swallows are now a regular sight around the local horse paddocks and stables. Mediterranean Gulls continue to drift over on high calling, while the beach in front of the golf course at Littlestone has produced a few Sandwich Terns and common waders.  

Short-eared Owl

Lade - cool, sunny, NW 3 - A much better day than yesterday`s horror show with the cold northerly relenting somewhat. We spent most of the morning surveying breeding birds on the local patch where there was no great surprises; Lesser Whitethroats still outnumbered Common Whitethroats, while more Reed and Sedge Warblers have taken up territories, the latter particularly so in Mockmill sewer where there was at least 10 singers. On the trudge back across the shingle I almost stepped on a Short-eared Owl that flew about 30 yards away and slumped down on a grassy ridge staring at us with its piercing yellow eyes. It looked all in having presumably just crossed the Channel on its northward journey to breed, so I took a few quick pics and left it in the sunshine to recover, hunkered amongst the grass.

    Short-eared Owl, Lade

A stakeout overlooking Cook`s pool on the bird reserve proved profitable as a mixed flock of 30 odd Whimbrels and Bar-tailed Godwits flew in from the south and settled down to feed on the pasture at the far side of the pool. Along the near edge at least six Common Snipes were present, plus another wader that initially proved baffling; until it reappeared about an hour later and confirmed its identity as a partially albino Common Snipe! Also noted a flyover Little Ringed Plover (my first of the year), 10 more Whimbrels and seven Barwits over, two Marsh Harriers, a Great White Egret and all the usual warblers.

Whimbrel

Cold, cloudy, N 4 - Spent the morning walking the circular route around Dengemarsh with Ted. The farmland section delivered a few Skylarks, Yellow Wagtails, Reed and Corn Buntings. At least four pairs of Lapwings were on territory (with two sitting females) but I fear it wont be long before the weedy fields will be ploughed and drilled. A Bittern `boomed` from Hookers reedbed where Bearded Tits were heard and a pair of Marsh Harriers and a Sparrowhawk seen, along with pairs of Shoveler, Pochard and Gadwall looking set to breed. Although all the common warblers were noted during the walk the frigid northerly airflow supressed their activities. Three pairs of Avocets were still on the flooded Hayfield 2 as well as several pairs of Shelducks, plus Little Egrets, Lapwings Redshanks and my first Whimbrel of spring on Hayfield 3. A Great White Egret at the back of Cook`s Pool was the only other bird of note.

                                 Lapwing, Manor Farm

                                  Ted on the ramp

                                 Avocets, Hayfield 2

Cuckoo

Lade - cold, cloudy NW4 - The cold, northerly airflow looks set to continue and as a result not a single hirundine was seen over the lakes this morning; normally by now there are plenty flowing through but this blocking weather system from the north must be causing a log-jam somewhere to the south where, apparently, there is something of a heatwave. On a brighter note I heard my first Cuckoo of spring calling briefly from the far side of south lake, while Lesser Whitethroats continue to out number Common Whitethroats; hopefully they haven`t suffered from the long-term drought in the Sahel region of Africa. Around the shelter of the ponds there was a decent cacophony of warbler song, including Sedge Warblers that have arrived this week, and a couple of Greenfinches, but little else. I checked the beach from the Tavern viewpoint on a falling tide but could only find a few Oystercatchers and Curlews amongst a scattering of gulls.

                                  Sedge Warbler, Lade

We finished off the morning at Dungeness, which was virtually birdless, and onto a walk down to the pines and around Tower pits where the obligatory warblers were noted. From Screen hide a male Marsh Harrier and a Great White Egret flew over the ARC lake and a pair of Shovelers displayed in front of the Cormorant colony, and that was about it.

Little Gull

Dungeness RSPB - cold, showery, NW 4 - A grim morning for a guided walk for seven guest around the circular trail with a biting wind and occasional cloudbursts. Whilst sheltering in Dennis`s hide a first year Little Gull sporting a pinkish breast showed well amongst 50 Black-headed Gulls and three Common Terns. Eight species of warblers were logged during the walk, but due to the blustery wind most were only heard, although we did see several Sedge Warblers from the 50 odd singers present and one cracking view of a Cetti`s by Dengemarsh hide. Otherwise, all the usual suspects were noted including two Marsh Harriers, two Common Buzzards, a Great White Egret, several Shovelers, Shelducks and Pochards and ten in bound Swallows. The hayfields were largely empty due to disturbance. 

                                 Little Gull, Burrowes.

                                 Sedge Warbler, Dengemarsh

                                 Shelduck, Dengemarsh

Purple Heron

Dungeness - warm, dry and sunny WNW2 - Our Ted walk this morning took us for a circuit of Long Pits just as news came through that yesterdays Purple Heron had been seen flying over the lakes. Eventually, whilst chatting to JTM, we picked up said bird soaring over the Trapping Area as it headed over the power station and out to sea. Around the pits there was a decent spread of Chiffchaffs, Common and Lesser Whitethroats, Reed and Cetti`s Warblers, Blackcaps and a Willow Warbler, while a Ring Ouzel was seen earlier. Several Small Coppers were also on the wing, exquisite little butterflies and my first of the year.

                                 Small Copper, Dungeness

On the bird reserve we walked down to the viewing ramp over Hookers where a Bittern was `booming` regularly as well as a flight view of another as it briefly sat atop a clump of reeds sky-pointing. Whilst chatting to Colin T we also enjoyed perched views of a Cetti`s Warbler and flight views of Bearded Tits, while two Avocets flew over calling. Also noted, several Ravens, Med Gulls calling overhead, two Marsh Harriers and two Great White Egrets. 

Hoopoe

 Warm, dry and sunny, SW 4 - Superb weather for a guiding day with Mark from Lexington. We started down at Greatstone where yesterdays Hoopoe had kindly stayed over affording cracking views in the sand dunes as it probed the sandy soil for invertebrates. Moving onto Lade where Lesser Whitethroat and Willow Warbler were noted by the ponds along with Chiffchaff, Reed Warbler and several Common Whitethroats. Next stop the ARC where more common warblers were heard along with ten Shovelers on the lake and the first of several Marsh Harriers and Common Buzzards

                                  Hoopoe, Greatstone

                                  Yellow Wagtail, Scotney

Scotney produced at least five stunning Yellow Wagtails outback, plus 20 Avocets, 50 Mediterranean Gulls, a pair of Teal and a Green Sandpiper along the Jury`s Gut Sewer, while a Little Owl showed briefly at Pigwell. Back at the bird reserve we logged a smart drake Garganey at the far end of Cook`s Pool as well as six Cattle Egrets and a Great White Egret. Burrowes was quiet with just a single Common Tern of note amongst 50 Black-headed Gulls and the usual wildfowl, while the hayfields held three Little Egrets, six Avocets, Redshanks, Lapwings, Shelducks and a Greenshank over calling. We finished the day at Dungeness with three Wheatears on the beach, a few seabirds and an incoming Swallow. The warmth also brought forth a rash of flying insects including Peacock butterflies and Hairy Hawker dragonflies. A good days birding in great company during which we logged 78 species with the Hoopoe the undoubted highlight. 

Warblers

Lade - warm, dry and sunny, SW3 - A fruitful morning on the local patch with a big arrival of spring warblers. My first Reed Warblers of the year were singing in the various reedbeds, along with several Common Whitethroats, Sedge and Cetti`s Warblers, Reed Buntings and Linnets around the main track and ponds, plus passage Willow Warbler, Blackcap and Chiffchaff in the willow swamp. The highlight of the morning, however, was my earliest record of  Common Sandpiper on the margins of south lake.

                                   Common Whitethroat, Lade ponds

Moving onto the bird reserve where numerous Sedge and Reed Warblers and Common Whitethroats  were singing around Dengemarsh. The fields at Boulderwall held a few displaying Lapwings, a pair each of Shoveler and  Shelduck but littles else, while two Marsh Harriers drifted over. Elsewhere today a Hoopoe was found in the sand dunes at Greatstone.

 

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Rouzel and Redstart

Dungeness - 0845-1230hrs - Warm, dry and sunny, SE2 - At long last the wind relented overnight to a pleasant zephyr making it worthwhile spending the morning birding the bushes for migrants on the peninsula.  After several attempts I managed protracted views of a male Ring Ouzel at the top end of the Desert and briefer views of a stunning cock Redstart by the pilot path in the Trapping Area. Both these summer migrants are becoming more difficult to encounter, particularly in spring, so it was a real treat to see them both today. Also noted: three Wheatears (one of the Greenland race) several Willow Warblers and my first Whitethroats of spring, plus 10 Chiffchaffs, 10 Linnets, two Blackcaps, four Cetti`s Warblers, two Ravens, a Sparrowhawk, a Buzzard and a Marsh Harrier over Long Pits. 

                                 Ring Ouzel, Desert

                                 Ted cooling off

Over the weekend the strong winds from named storm Kathleen rendered birding locally largely pointless. However, yesterday I noted my first Swallow over the New Cut while there has been a noticeable and welcome increase in Greenfinches, presumably birds from the near continent having moved in with the Linnets. As the overnight temperature was 11 C on Saturday/Sunday I ran the garden moth trap for the first time this year, resulting in a single Mullein Moth. 

                                 Mullein Moth

Common Terns

Thursday - Dungeness - mild, cloudy, showers, SW5 - 0645-0845hrs - A two hour seawatch from the hide with the locals this morning produced a limited up-Channel passage of seabirds with Sandwich Terns making up the numbers and my first Common Terns of the year the highlight: Sandwich Tern 37, Gannet 18, Red-throated Diver 7, Common Scoter 8, Common Tern 6, Med Gull 1, Arctic Skua 1. A few more Swallows around today but otherwise the strong winds so far this week has made for difficult birding conditions. 

                                  Chiffchaff, Lade

Friday - Lade - mild, sunny, SW 5 - The blustery winds from a southerly vector continued throughout the morning as we scoured the local patch for any signs of incoming migrants, of which the only evidence was a Willow Warbler singing deep within a gorse thicket beside south lake. Elsewhere the usual Chiffchaffs and Cetti`s Warblers were in good voice around the willow swamp, plus several Skylarks and Linnet on the desert along with a Stonechat and Meadow Pipit. Two pairs of Egyptian Geese noisily chased one another around the site as a couple of Curlews flew over from the bay. There has been no change to the birds on the RSPB reserve since my last visit.

Avocets

Dungeness - cool, cloudy, SW4 - Spent the day guiding for Steve and Paul from Surrey. We started at the point where we enjoyed superb views of a male Peregrine perched atop A station tucking into a Feral Pigeon that it had just caught. Also noted around the power station complex a singing Black Redstart, two Ravens, several Linnets, Pied Wagtails, Meadow Pipits and a Stonechat. The rest of the day was spent on the bird reserve in blustery weather conditions and not conducive to finding passerines, although we did see 20 Swallows and ten Sand Martins over Burrowes and a couple of Sedge Warblers at Dengemarsh, The highlight though was at least 17 Little Gulls on Burrowes and two each of Avocet and Water Pipit on the hayfields. The long-staying Great Northern Diver was still present along with a pair of Goldeneye, while the guests enjoyed several Marsh Harriers, a range of wildfowl and a Great White Egret along the way. We finished up with 70 species for the day, so not too shabby considering the strong wind.

                                  Power station Peregrine

                                 Hayfield Avocets

Little Gulls

Mild, cloudy, SW 3 - Following a tip-off that a Bittern had been heard in the main reedbed yesterday evening we headed for the local patch at Lade where it was still present, `booming` a couple of times in an hour. Since my last visit there has been a noticeable clear out of ducks, as is to be expected at this time of year, with only a handful of Shovelers and a pair of Goldeneye of note. Chiffchaffs and Cetti`s Warblers were most vocal around the ponds while a few Linnets and a pair of Stonechats were seen on the Desert. On the Boulderwall fields duck numbers were also down with only 20 Wigeons and a pair of Teal on Cook`s pool, plus a few Lapwings, Curlews, Shelducks and Little Egrets on the wet fields. Moving onto Burrowes where at least 10 Little Gulls were feeding amongst several hundred Black-headed Gulls picking off emerging insects over the lake. In the car park scrub a Willow Warbler and Blackcap made half-hearted attempts at singing. We finished off the  morning walking Dengemarsh and the hayfields where the long-staying Pintail and a Water Pipit were still present along with the usual Redshanks, Lapwings, Shovelers, Shelducks, a couple of Marsh harriers and a Great White Egret.

                                  Little Gulls, ARC

Over the weekend our Ted walks have taken us across various farmland tracts around New Romney. As the countryside begins to dry up the tractors have been out in force spraying off the `weeds` in the winter stubble and turning the landscape temporarily yellow in preparation for ploughing and spring sowing. Birds noted have been few in number with a sprinkling of resident Skylarks, Corn Buntings and Yellowhammers of note, plus incoming Linnets, Reed Buntings and Chiffchaffs. Ravens and Buzzards are regularly seen as well as Common and Black-headed Gulls overhead and on the turf fields. 

                                 Romney Salts

                                  It`s that time of year...

Common Scoters

Dungeness - cold, overcast, showery, SW5 - 0615-0815hrs - With a lively sea and a perishing cold wind conditions were not exactly favourable for a classic seawatch from the hide, and so it proved to be with little variety of seabirds on offer. The highlight was a steady up-Channel passage of scoters and divers, although most were well offshore, and countless Gannets even further out on the horizon as distant specks. Numbers during the two hour watch as follows: Common Scoter 210, Red-throated Diver 37, Gannet 55, Brent Goose 100, Sandwich Tern 10, Kittiwake 5, Med Gull 3, Fulmar 4, Oystercatcher 3, Red-breasted Merganser 2 (west). Three close Guillemots showed well on the sea along with the usual Great Crested Grebes, Cormorants and two Harbour Porpoises. 

                                   Common Scoter, Lydd-on-Sea, 2014

The usual view of a Common Scoter in spring at Dungeness is of a small black duck fizzing past the point in straggling lines, just like this morning. While there is a tiny breeding population in northern Scotland most of these migrants will probably be heading for the tundra wetlands of northern Europe and Russia to breed, having wintered along the western seaboard of Europe and Africa. However, back in 2014 when living by Lade bay the above drake was beached on the shingle (presumably exhausted) enabling close inspection of its impressive bill. After an overnight stay in a cardboard box I`m pleased to report that it was released the following day and seen to fly strongly back out to sea, apparently none the worse for its encounter with humanity. 

Brent Geese

Cold, cloudy, SE4 - We started the day at Lade with a thorough search of the local patch for any passage grebes, bearing in mind the influx of Black-necks and a Slavonian Grebe on ARC last weekend. While there was at least 12 pairs of Great Crested Grebes across both waters and several Dabchicks there was no sign of the scarcer two species. Moving onto Dungeness where a decent passage of Brent Geese was underway involving at least 2,000 birds during the morning (per Martin C) from the seawatch hide. During the hour (1000-1100hrs) I was present c 400 Brents were counted, many close inshore clipping the point, courtesy of the brisk onshore wind. Also noted a steady procession of Red-throated Divers and Common Scoters, a few Sandwich Terns, Gannets and auks, five Teals and two Red-breasted Mergansers. We spent the remainder of the morning walking Dengemarsh where a Water Pipit and two Bearded Tits were the highlights around the hayfields, plus all the usual wildfowl, several Marsh Harriers, 20 Curlews, 12 Redshanks, 10 Lapwings, 10 Little Egrets, 5 Grey Herons and a handful of singing Reed Buntings, Linnets, Skylarks, Cetti`s Warblers and Chiffchaffs.

                                Migrating Brents of Dungeness

Over the weekend our Ted walks around the New Romney farmland were largely uneventful apart from a Yellow Wagtail flying over a corn field off Hope Lane, my earliest ever record of this species.

Spring Migrants

Mild, overcast, drizzle, light airs - A gloomy, misty morning with light rain throughout delivered a scattering of spring migrants across the Dungeness peninsula. We started at Lade where at least 12 Chiffchaffs had dropped in overnight with several in the dry scrub but the majority around the ponds along with two singing Cetti`s Warblers. At least three Goldeneyes remained on south lake along with a host of common diving ducks, grebes, Coots, 30 Shovelers and four Teals. It was then on for a hike around Dengemarsh where the highlight was our first Sedge Warbler of spring singing from Hookers. The hayfields attracted a mixed flock of 100 Wigeons, Shovelers, Shelducks and Teals, plus two Water Pipits and a Glossy Ibis on hayfield 2. More Wigeons and Shelducks were noted on the wet fields behind the lake and at Boulderwall as well as 20 Curlews, four Redshanks, several pairs of displaying Lapwings, 50 feral geese, a Common Buzzard and a Marsh Harrier. Over the road a Willow Warbler in song at Tower Pits and a Swallow and a Sand Martin from Screen hide over the lake completed a fine suite of spring firsts. At least ten more Chiffchaffs were also noted and two Ravens.

                                   Brimstone, New Romney

Last Wednesday we had the warmest day of the year so far with the temperature into the mid-teens. As a result it brought forth a rash of insects in the garden and on our Ted walks including several Brimstones, Peacocks and Small Tortoiseshells. 

Arctic Skua

Dungeness - mild, cloudy, SW3 - 0630-0830hrs - I`ve got mixed feelings regarding the black avian art of `seawatching` as more often than not it is just that - peering out over the sea and watching the waves, although sometimes it can be sensational, but that`s another story... Anyhow, I thought it was about time I went for an early morning watch from the hide and if nothing else there`s normally a bit of banter and its an opportunity to catch up on the latest gossip. Two hours of sitting down is about my limit, but to be fair there was a trickle of stuff moving up-Channel including a couple of year ticks (not that I keep a year list of course!) in the shape of Arctic Skua and Sandwich Tern: Gannet - 15, Red-throated Diver 23, Kittiwake 14, Oystercatcher 7, Arctic Skua 1, Brent Goose 80, Med Gull, 5, Common Scoter 18, Sandwich Tern 3, Black-headed Gull 8, auks 10. 

                                  High flying Brents

                                 Corn Bunting, Romney Salts.

After two hours of inertia in the seawatch hide, followed by breakfast, it was time for a brisk Ted walk over Romney Salts. Subtle changes since our last visit included a singing Corn Bunting and a few more pairs of Linnets settling in for spring, but precious little else on the farmland apart from a few Skylarks on high. The spinney produced a couple of Chiffchaffs and a Green Woodpecker. 

Wheatears

Mild, cloudy, dry SW3 - We started the morning on the local patch at Lade where a decent spread of common diving and dabbling ducks were still present, mostly on south lake, that included 35 Shovelers and seven Goldeneyes. At least ten pairs of Great Crested Grebes have taken up territories while several Little Grebes could be heard trilling around the willow swamp. Passerines were in short supply with a couple of singing Skylarks and a Stonechat on the Desert, plus two each of Chiffchaff and Cetti`s Warblers around the ponds. However, the highlight was a person playing the pan-pipes by the swing-bridge, a first for me here!

                                  Wheatears, Dungeness

Moving onto Dungeness where a walk along the beach produced our first three Wheatears of spring by the new lighthouse. It was also good to see the first returning Linnets, plus Stonechat, Meadow Pipit, Skylark and Pied Wagtail all ramping up for the forthcoming breeding season. A singing Chiffchaff in the old lighthouse garden and a Peregrine perched on a pylon were the only other birds of note. On the bird reserve the Boulderwall fields were busy with the usual feral geese, Wigeons, Lapwings and a Great white Egret, while the Black-necked Grebe was reported from Denegemarsh and the two divers on Burrowes.

Redwings

Mild, rain, S 3 - Another wet start to the day but remaining mild. Fieldfares have been far more numerous than Redwings this past winter across the Marsh countryside but recently the latter thrush has been in the ascendency. This past week, first thing in the mornings, small parties of Redwings have been seen in the town park, having presumably dropped in overnight; while last night more birds were heard passing over heading eastwards. A few more singing Chiffchaffs have been noted during our Ted walks, plus daily Raven sightings, my first Brown Hare and a flock of 20 alba wagtails on a horse paddock on Thursday that contained a spanking White Wagtail. 

This evening I joined Chris P for the final harrier roost count of winter on Walland Marsh where 15 Marsh Harriers came to roost along with a male and female Hen Harrier. Very little else was noted in the general area apart from the usual vocalising Cetti`s Warblers, Reed Buntings and Waters Rails, plus several Common Buzzards, a Grey Heron, a Great White Egret and a Barn Owl at Midley on the way home. 

Scaup

 Warm, dry and sunny, light airs - Perfect weather for a birding session with my 13 year old grandson. We kicked off at the ARC in the Hanson hide where the highlight was superb views of Common Buzzards and Marsh Harriers over the main reed bed and a pair of each thermalling over the shingle towards the airport. All the usual wildfowl seen but no sign of any divers. Moving onto Boulderwall fields where we jammed in on the Glossy Ibis that flew over the Lydd Road and landed at the far end of the pool along with a host of feral geese, Wigeons, Teals and Shovelers, plus several Lapwings and Curlews and a Great White Egret. Burrowes yielded a Great Northern Diver at the Makepeace end of the lake along with a Goldeneye and a 3rd year Yellow-legged Gull on an island in front of the VC. We finished the afternoon with a Scaup on the lake behind the caravan park at Scotney. Apparently, we noted 55 species (he does love a list!) during the three hours in the field. 

                                 Sleepy Great Northern Diver, Burrowes

                                 Marsh Frog, ARC

                                 Ticking off the Scaup!