Beach birds

Dungeness - 0830hrs - mild, cloudy, se 2 - With a Brambling over the cottage first thing and Goldcrests in the garden we headed out to the point with high hopes, but it was generally quiet with just a few common finches on the move, plus a Crossbill. Along the edge of the trapping area a number of tits, Goldcrests and Chiffchaffs called from willow scrub and a Sparrowhawk nipped over chasing Goldfinches.
RSPB - From the causeway road a Black-necked Grebe and Great White Egret noted on New Diggings and a Goldeneye amongst the common wildfowl on ARC. We spent some time searching for yesterdays Dartford Warbler in the gorse opposite the ramp, but without success, although 5 Stonechats and a Green Woodpecker were present, plus a Fieldfare along the return trail.

                                Great White Egret, New Diggings

Scotney - All the usual feral geese and wildfowl, Golden Plovers, Lapwings, a Ruff and 2 Redshanks and that was about it.
Greatstone Beach - We spent a pleasant hour wader watching on a rising tide with hundreds of Oystercatchers and Curlews, 50 each of Dunlin and Sanderling and 10 each of Barwit and Turnstone, while amongst the gulls a Mediterranean and Kittiwake.
Dungeness - Finished of with an hour at the fishing boats where very little was happening apart from 4 Common Scoters and 12 Teal through and 20 each of Kittiwake and Gannet feeding offshore.
 A decent couple of days birding for Lew during which time we tallied 92 species.
NB: News came through this afternoon that the energy company EDF have purchased the Dungeness Estate. This means that they now own the majority of the peninsula (including the power station of course) and by general consensus is regarded as good for all concerned. Visitors to Dungeness should be aware that the Light Railway Café is closed for redevelopment and should open sometime next spring, complete with public conveniences.