Pink-footed Goose

Dungeness - mild, overcast, NE2 - There was very little of note at the point this morning with just single figure counts of Meadow Pipit, Stonechat, Skylark, Goldfinch, Linnet and Reed Bunting, plus two Swallows along the beach, while offshore plenty of Gannets were plunge-diving from the fishing boats. We then moved to the reserve where a Pink-footed Goose was lurking amongst the Greylag flock on Dengemarsh lake and a pair of Bearded Tits showed well on the grit table in Hookers reed-bed. On Burrowes two Little Stints were amongst a mixed flock of Lapwings and Golden Plovers from Dennis`s while the long-staying Curlew Sandpiper was noted briefly from Firth and a Hobby over Boulderwall fields. Next stop Lade pits, where there was nothing new, and finally onto the bay from the Tavern viewpoint on the incoming tide and the following counts: Oystercatcher c600, Curlew c300, Barwit 10, Grey Plover, 5, Knot 10, Dunlin 55, Sanderling 10, Ringed Plover 45, Sandwich Tern 30, Med Gull 5, Common Gull 50 and Black-headed Gull 200.

                                  Anti-predator fencing - Boulderwall fields

                                  Bearded Tits - Hookers reed-bed

Pirate Springs and Lade were both visited Friday and Saturday respectively without much success. While Chiffchaffs are still widespread numbers have tailed off somewhat over the weekend. With the wind direction shifting to a north-easterly the coming week looks a little more promising...