Dungeness - mild, cloudy, SW 4 - A breezy morning with light showers for a guided walk around the circular trail at the RSPB reserve. The guests were treated to superb views of a flock of 20 odd Chiffchaffs feeding in the vegetation outside the sheltered Visitors Centre, along with several Blue and Great Tits; many more Chiffs were also noted along the route this morning. Waders seen included five Dunlins, a Ringed Plover and a Common Sandpiper on Burrowes and five Ruffs over Dengemarsh, where a Marsh Harrier, five Great White and six Cattle Egrets were also present. Hundreds of Sand Martins flitted over the water and a pair of Egyptian Geese were seen with small goslings; is there ever a month when they don`t breed! The long staying, deformed (one eyed and cross-billed) Red-backed Shrike was reported along the access road around midday.
This afternoon I joined the seawatchers at the fishing boats for a 90 minute watch where it proved to be a memorable day for Sooty Shearwaters heading down Channel, many of which were miles out and beyond my range, but not so for our keen-eyed summer warden Jacob who`d logged over 270 by the time I`d left (the full details of todays tallies will no doubt be on Trektellen later). During the time I was present probably 50 went past, of which I managed to see about 15! However, one bird did cut in close giving superb views and affording photographic opportunities for those with long-tom lenses. A steady stream of Gannets, Common and Sandwich Terns made up the bulk numbers along with several Balearic and Manx Shearwaters, 10 Arctic Skuas, singles of Black and Little Terns, two auks and a Common Scoter. Land birds noted included a trickle of hirundines out and an inbound Merlin.
On Monday, during the gale force winds, I noted an Arctic Tern on Lade north, while Chiffchaffs have been everywhere this week, including a constant presence in New Romney town park and our garden. Yesterday afternoon I called in to Hanson hide where a Peregrine kept the wildfowl alert. Amongst the throng were four Commons and a Black Tern, a Black-tailed Godwit, three Dunlins, two Snipes and a Ruff.
Last weeks outing for a Naturetrek group proved challenging due to the wind and rain. However, one of the clients, Alan Smith, kindly forwarded me his impressive photographic results from the day, the pick of which I`ve posted below. Many thanks Alan.
From the fishing boats
Lade Bay
No comments:
Post a Comment