Slim pickings

Dungeness - 0645hrs - cool, sunny, nw 2 - For a change of scene we had a wander around the point first thing. At the Patch there were a few gulls over the boil and on the beach, mainly Black-headed but no sign of the Iceland Gulls. Along the power station wall the usual Mipits and Pied Wagtails, plus several Reed Buntings, Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers in the bushes around the Obs and two Wheatears on the beach opposite Jarman`s. The sea was a dead zone.

                               Pied Wagtail, Dungeness

1000hrs - En-route to the visitor centre, New Diggings held the two summer plum Black-necked Grebes and a Slavonian, while the Ring-necked Duck remained on Cook`s Pool. A circuit of the bird reserve with a group of visitors yielded plenty of Sedge Warblers, several Chiffchaffs, Willow Warbler and Swallow on the spring migrant front. Good views were had of the breeding Marsh Harriers, Cetti`s Warbler and Bearded Tit from the ramp while a Grey Plover was noteworthy on Burrowes from Makepeace hide. Also noted plenty of Linnets, the drake Hooded Merganser at the back of Hooker`s, several Tree Sparrows, a close Grey Heron feeding on frogs, a pair of Dabchicks, Lapwing, Green Woodpecker, two Ravens and loads of Reed Buntings. The Long-eared Owl did not show this morning.