Terns and skuas

Dungeness - cool, cloudy, S4 - Following a run of northerly winds, with not very much joy on the seawatching front, yesterday the wind swung around to a south-easterly releasing a surge of terns and skuas up-Channel (see trektellen website for details). As a result the seawatch hide was packed this morning, so as I had Ted in tow I tried my luck from the Patch hide where a steady movement of Gannets in both directions was underway along with pulses of passage Common and Sandwich Terns and at least 10 Arctic Terns close to shore. Just after 0710hrs a Pomarine Skua flew east followed by two Arctic Skuas and two Fulmars. A walk around the bushes produced very little in the brisk breeze apart from a few Wheatears and a couple of inbound Swallows. 

                                   Wheatear, Dungeness

Yesterday we walked Romney Salts checking the recently drilled fields where five Wheatears (two Greenland types) and two Yellow Wagtails were the highlights. Also noted several each of Lesser and Common Whitethroat, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Skylark, Linnet, Meadow Pipit, Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting, Reed and Sedge Warbler and Swallow, plus 20 Stock Doves, two Common Buzzards and a Kestrel.

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.