Buzzards & Garganeys

Lade - 0700hrs - Cool start, bright and sunny following heavy overnight rain, w3 - Typical overhead passage at first light comprised small parties of Siskins and Goldfinches south, plus a few Mipits and Swallows over the storm beaches. Later in the morning at least 6 Common Buzzards passed down the coast southwards, invoking the ire of the local Herring Gulls, along with 2 Sparrowhawks.
Dungeness - 0900hrs - Plenty of gull activity at the Patch, plus quality in the shape of 10 Common and 3 Arctic Terns and 2 Little Gulls. Offshore a steady procession of Gannets, Sandwich Terns and at least 2 Arctic Skuas. The power station wall area attracted Black Redstart, Wheatear and 2 each of Chiffchaffs and Blue Tits.
RSPB - 1400hrs - The sunshine brought forth the fair weather birders with the car park almost full this afternoon, although there was precious little on offer around the main circuit. All I could find was a Grey Plover on Burrowes, Great White Egret at Dengemarsh and a Wheatear at the Corral.
ARC was much better with 276 Golden Plovers, 150 Lapwings, Dunlin and Little Stint, Black-necked Grebe and 3 Garganeys, 2 of which flew in whilst I was in Hanson hide. Cetti`s Warbler and Chiffchaffs from the Willow trail, plus Goldcrest and Long-tailed Tits. Sparrowhawk and Marsh Harrier also noted.

                                          Garganeys, ARC