Mediterranean Gulls

Lade - warm and overcast, N2 - Cooler than of late with a northerly airflow suppressing the overnight moth catch, but still delivering our first Sussex Emerald of the season, albeit a tatty specimen, plus another Plumed Fan-foot and a White Satin.

                                Gulls on south lake island, including a Mediterranean Gull

  Having not been on the local patch for a week there was a noticeable drop in the water level thanks to the recent heat wave. A small island at the south end of the main lake had a collection of gulls including Mediterranean and Common Gulls; with several more Meds over the lake, presumably birds dispersing from breeding colonies at Rye or the near continent. Shovelers had moved in whilst I was away along with hundreds of Pochards, several Teal and a Garganey. Common Terns came and went and three Marsh Harriers quartered the far reedbed. The Curlew flock flew in from the bay to roost along with the summering Whimbrel.

                                Adult Dunlin from Firth hide

Dungeness - On the bird reserve islands are now showing on ARC attracting hundreds of eclipse wildfowl along with the likes of gulls, terns, grebes and Cormorants. Burrowes likewise with the sandy islands in front of Firth holding at least nine Med Gulls amongst hundreds of Black-headed Gulls and Common Terns. Also present four each of Little Ringed Plover, Redshank and Dunlin, plus Lapwing, Common Sandpiper and Oystercatcher. Plenty of terns were settled on the raft opposite Dennis`s and at least 11 near fledge juvs could be seen on the green-topped islands. The usual Marsh Harriers noted from the access road.