First Greenshank

Dungeness - cold, dry and sunny, ne 4 - 0910hrs - Spent a convivial hour seawatching by the hide with NB and family during which time we were entertained by a steady trickle of seabirds, mostly Sandwich and Common Terns coming and going from the Patch; where there was at least 100 of the latter milling around over the boil and on the beach (DW). A few distant Gannets moved up-Channel, plus four Red-breasted Mergansers, 14 each of Barwit and Whimbrel, Fulmar and four Common Scoters down. Best of all though was the `resident` 1st winter Glaucous Gull that appeared at the Patch, then coasted past us putting on a grand show.
ARC - From the causeway road at least 10 Little Gulls, 20 Swallows and five Common Terns amongst the Black-headed Gulls hawking emerging insects over the water.
Galloways - We walked the road from top to bottom and back again hoping for a `reeling` Gropper. Nothing heard, but plenty of Sedge Warblers, Whitethroats and Linnets in song, plus lesser numbers of Mipits and Reed Buntings, a Wheatear and three pairs of Stonechats, one of which had an ankle bracelet.

                               Stonechats, Galloways


Dengemarsh - Nothing much of note from Springfield Bridge but at Hayfield 2 a tidy little collection of ducks and waders on the flood included eight Shelducks, six Shovelers, two Wigeon, two Redshanks, two Blackwits and a cracking Greenshank, new for the year. The Raven was active and several Swallows headed inland.
Lade - Lesser Whitethroat was new for the local patch and one of seven species of warblers present. A flock of 12 hirundines contained two Sand Martins.
NB: There was a report of a Crane that toured the peninsula this afternoon, last seen heading towards Walland Marsh, and a Jack Snipe was seen at Tower Pits (per SB).