Peregrines

Dungeness - warm, dry and sunny, S 4-5 - Another balmy day of weather with the temperature topping out at 21C this afternoon. We started off with a seawatch from the hide where a steady procession of Gannets and Sandwich Terns was underway, plus two Arctic Skuas, several Mediterranean Gulls, two flocks of Common Scoters and a Kittiwake. Another hour from the fishing boats this afternoon delivered similar fare, plus two Red-breasted Mergansers.
  On the land around the point the two Black Redstarts were still around the war memorial along with a Stonechat and several Mipits. Also noted across the Desert and Trapping Area: ten Kestrels, five Skylarks, three Song Thrushes, 10 Goldfinches, Blackbird, Chiffchaff, Greenfinch and a Brambling. 
  We called in at Hanson hide around midday where a Water Rail showed briefly in the reedbed. On the far bank a family of four Peregrines were enjoying a wash and brush up. Waders on the islands included: 20 Golden Plovers, 10 Dunlins, five Ruffs and a Black-tailed Godwit amongst the usual range of ducks. Crossing the causeway road two Swallows headed south.
  And so ended a most enjoyable three days with our guests Sarah and Jim during which time we logged 87 species in pleasant autumnal weather. The highlights being: Cattle and Great White Egrets, a wide range of wildfowl, waders and raptors, plus a good selection of moths.