Ring Ouzels

Lade - 0830hrs - cold, cloudy, nw 4 - We spent some time checking the sands from the Tavern viewpoint on an incoming tide where the wader count was as follows: Oystercatcher 220, Curlew 24, Bar-tailed Godwit 21 (several in summer plum), Dunlin 10, Whimbrel 2, plus two Shelducks and a trickle through of Swallows and Wheatears.

                                Black-necked Grebe, Lade

  On the lakes 50 odd Swallows and House Martins were scrutinised for a Red-rumper on north lake where a splendid Black-necked Grebe showed like a good `un, along with  a dozen each of Little and Great Crested Grebes. A few Shovelers lingered, a Turnstone did a circuit of the lake, a Cuckoo flew over the willow swamp and there were plenty of Whitethroat, Cetti`s, Sedge and Reed Warbler activity around the ponds.
Dungeness - We finished off the Birdwatching Break for Clare and Peter back at the Desert where much improved views of at least nine Ring Ouzels were gained.
  Over the three days we logged a respectable tally of 113 species of birds, the only disappointment being the lack of seabirds, primarily due to the wind direction.