Summer sunshine and a host of wildlife

Dungeness - 0800hrs - misty, hazy sunshine, light airs, warm later - We headed to the point with all intentions of a seawatch but the viz was hopeless so opted for a wander round the bushes instead. Several Wheatears, Linnets, Skylarks and Mipits were in their usual spots, while a Black Redstart sang from the power station fence, below a `cronking` Raven high up on the superstructure. A few Goldfinches drifted over and several Chiffchaffs were in song around the old light. At the Obs the years first Willow Warblers were being processed along with a Blackcap. A Ring Ouzel had been seen in the moat earlier and a Coal Tit in a private garden.

                                Raven, Dungeness power station

                                Willow Warbler, DBO

RSPB- 1330hrs - warm and sunny, 20C. With John and Jill down for a three day stay at Plovers we kicked off from Hanson hide where at least three Little Gulls were hawking emerging insects alongside the Black-heads. The  Black-throated Diver was still on New Diggings, while the fields at Boulderwall harboured 18 Curlew and a Barwit, Stock Doves, Lapwing, feral geese and the usual Tree Sparrows on the feeders. From the ramp overlooking Hookers we had good flight views of a Bittern, plus Bearded Tits, Dabchick, Green Woodpecker, Reed Bunting and several Marsh Harriers. Moving onto Burrowes the female Long-tailed Duck showed well from Dennis`s along with seven Goldeneyes, eight Little Egrets and the usual common ducks, grebes and gulls. We finished off in the car park with cracking views of a Tree Sparrow feeding on insects on a sandy bank.
Also noted today a swimming Grass Snake, Frog, Lizard and Hare. Plenty of common butterflies were on the wing in the hot sunshine.
On the way home we called in to view the Bloxworth Snout at the KRCafe, plus Northern Drab, Chamomile Shark, Brindled Beauty and Barred Tooth-striped.
NB: First Swallow was reported from Lydd today and Sedge Warblers at Dengemarsh.

                                                Green Woodpecker, Dengemarsh

                                Tree Sparrow, Dungeness RSPB