Glossy Ibis

Dungeness - humid, cloudy,  sw 5 - A breezy day but muggy, particularly when out of the stiff breeze. Spent today guiding for John and Lorna from Orpington on a whistle-stop tour of the peninsula. We commenced opposite Jarman`s where Skylark, Pied Wagtail, Linnet, Mipit and Stock Dove were soon located, plus several hundred Swifts streaming west along the coastline. At the Patch all the usual gulls, plus an adult Mediterranean Gull and Sandwich Terns and Gannet offshore.

                                Glossy Ibis, Hayfield 2

                                Common Terns and chick, Dengemarsh

RSPB - A circuit of the bird reserve revealed Dunlin and Ringed Plover on Burrowes amongst the eclipse ducks. Peregrine, Hobby, Kestrel, Marsh Harrier were all noted, although warblers proved difficult to locate due to the wind. The bonus bird for the guests was a Glossy Ibis on Hayfield 2 that eventually showed quite well along with Redshanks, Lapwings, Little Egrets and Grey Heron. It was good to see at least nine Common Tern chicks on the raft in front of the hide. Also noted, Tree Sparrow at Boulderwall and a steady passage of Sand Martins overhead. Plenty of common dragonflies and grassland butterflies were on the wing and a Fox cub was seen near the dipping pond.

                                Little Owls showed well on the barn

Scotney - The farm delivered the usual Yellow Wagtails, Corn Buntings and Little Owls, plus Egyptian Geese and Avocets out back. Several Black-headed Gull chicks were on the island, while a couple of Common Terns lingered.
  In summary a pretty decent days birding, despite the wind, in great company during which time we rattled up 74 species, the highlight being the Glossy Ibis.