Dungeness - warm, cloudy, SW2-4 - Spent the day guiding for six Naturetrek clients. We kicked off at the point where regular pulses of Swallows and Sand Martins streamed south-west. It was quiet around the bushes with just a few Stonechats, a Whinchat, a Sparrowhawk and a Great Spotted Woodpecker of note. A brief seawatch produced plenty of passing Sandwich and Commic Terns, Gannets, a Mediterranean Gull and two Arctic Skuas harrying the terns. The rest of the day was spent on the bird reserve where we did the circular walk, finishing off at the Hanson hide. Ten species of waders were logged including Ruff, Wood Sandpiper and Knot on Burrowes, several Snipes scattered around the wetlands and at least ten Greenshanks, mostly overhead calling. A flock of 15 Cattle Egrets were amongst the cows on Boulderwall fields and at least six Great Whites were seen across Dengemarsh, along with a Marsh Harrier, a Kingfisher and a cracking close Whinchat from the Return Trail. Six Black Terns and the long-staying White-winged Black Tern showed well from Firth lookout, while two Garganeys, six Pintails, three Black-tailed Godwits and an adult Little Gull were the highlights on ARC. Plenty of Red Admirals and Painted Ladies were on the wing this afternoon along with a single Clouded Yellow by Christmas Dell. A most enjoyable day`s birding across the peninsula, in fine company, during which time we racked up a respectable 78 species of birds.
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