September Migrants

Dungeness - 0730hrs - Sunny, mild, cloud building, sw4 - Checked the Patch where amongst the numerous Black-headed and Herring Gulls were Kittiwake, 2 Littles and a Med Gull, 5 Common and 2 Arctic Terns. Offshore a few distant Gannets, Sandwich Terns and an Arctic Skua.
Several small groups of Siskins came in off the sea while a number of Swallows went the other way.
On the land a steady overhead passage of Mipits, Siskins, Reed Buntings, Goldfinches and hirundines. There was no sign of yesterdays Barred Warbler, but whilst chatting to MH and BM a Greater pecker was released into the moat. On the walk back to the car we had distant views of 2 Ring Ouzels in the power station scrub, 4 Black Redstarts, 2 of which were singing, and a flock of 6 Jays that flew across the plant and briefly settled on the superstructure.

                                         Great Spotted Woodpecker, DBO

Lade - 1200hrs - Quite out of the blue I noticed a flock of passerines in the back garden conifers which comprised 8 Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps, 2 Goldcrests and a Common Redstart amongst several Great and Blue Tits, Dunnocks, Robins and Blackbirds. Half an hour later they`d all disappeared - incredible!
RSPB - 1400hrs - A spin around the bird reserve in blustery conditions produced a few more bits and pieces in the shape of Wheatear, Whinchat and Blackcap at the Corral, Marsh Harrier and Great White Egret on Dengemarsh, Blackwit and Dunlin on Burrowes. From Hanson hide hundreds of feral geese included a Bar-headed, plus all the usual Wigeons, Pintails, etc. Waders were thin on the ground with just 2 each of Dunlin and Golden Plover amongst 100 Lapwings.  Best of all though was a stunning albino/leaucistic Swallow with pure white wings and a buff body. Finished the day down at the pines where a couple of Goldcrests and Chiffchaffs noted, plus an overhead Yellow Wagtail and a Hobby mopping up dragonflies.