Lade, ARC, Scotney, Greatstone - warm, dry, sunny, e 4 - It was a case of slim pickings this morning as we worked our way around four sites in search of migrants. On the local patch 2 Whinchats and a Lesser Whitethroat was about the best we could conjure up, while ARC, from the causeway road, was covered in Sand Martins and Swallows, plus a Black-necked Grebe. The roadside fields at Scotney held 20 Yellow Wagtails, 20 Golden Plovers, 4 Ruff and a Common Sandpiper amongst the feral geese, Curlews and Lapwings. We even tried the small wood at the bottom of Dunes Road where there was several Willow Warblers, Goldcrests, Chiffchaffs and a Spotted Flycatcher, plus 2 Whinchats and a Stonechat in the paddock. The arable fields out back yielded a few more Yellow Wagtails, 2 Wheatears, 3 Skylarks, 10 Mipits and 2 Kestrels.
Elsewhere today there was no reported sightings of the Cattle Egret or White-winged Tern on the bird reserve and few waders due to the high water levels. However, up to 3 Great White Egrets are still present and no doubt with the predicted weather change over the weekend, and an influx of birders, something should be found.
At Dungeness the sea could be a good bet tomorrow on a southerly wind as skuas (including a Pom) and terns have been regularly seen all week, plus the odd Sooty Shearwater, along with a few ducks, auks and Gannets. On the land a sprinkling of common migrants, including Redstart and Firecrest were noted today.
No comments:
Post a Comment