Autumn sunshine

Dungeness - mild, sunny, sw 2 - We spent most of the day birding the peninsula and enjoying the autumn sunshine; which was a good job as birds were few and far between with a Black Redstart, an overhead Redpoll and a few Skylarks being about the best of the passerines around the old lighthouse. At the Patch the usual melee of gulls included at least 10 Mediterranean Gulls (with 20 more past the fishing boats this afternoon, plus 100 Kittiwakes in a 30 minute seawatch) and a Rock Pipit on the sea defence blocks in front of B station.

                                Kittiwakes off Dungeness

  On New Diggings a mixed flock of 25 egrets (nine Great Whites) five Grey Herons, 10 Great Crested Grebes and a redhead Goosander (our first of the autumn) provided a fine spectacle as they followed a large gathering of fishing Cormorants around the lakeside margins picking off small morsels. On ARC 200 Golden Plovers and Lapwings, a Ruff, several Marsh Harriers, another two Great White Egrets and a Peregrine over was about the best on offer.
  Moving onto Scotney and apart from the usual feral geese, a few Lapwings and common ducks all was quiet on the front lake and lawn. Outback several Corn Buntings, Linnets, Goldfinches, more plastic geese, four Shelducks, a Green Sandpiper and two soaring Buzzards.

                                 Barney sporting his smart new buzz-cut

  A scan of Dengemarsh from Springfield bridge delivered good views of a Kingfisher, a late  Swallow, more Buzzards and Marsh Harriers, common wildfowl, egrets and two Ravens overhead. After calling in at the allotment a check of Lydd wood revealed a mixed tit flock, but little else.
  Finishing off on the bay a scattering of shorebirds and gulls included at least 20 Mediterranean Gulls.