Black Redstarts

Dungeness - mild, overcast, light airs - Another decent morning for early spring migrants with a scattering of Black Redstarts, Wheatears, Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests across the point plus Firecrest and Blackcap in the old lighthouse garden. Pairs of Stonechats and Meadow Pipits were in breeding mode singing and nest building, while a pair of Peregrines sat atop the pylons by the power station imperiously surveying their kingdom. The sea was quiet once again with just a trickle of Brents and Common Scoters through.

                                Migrant Black Redstarts and Wheatear

                               Breeding Meadow Pipit and Stonechat

Lade - The Environment Agency were on site today checking on the fish quality from an inflatable. As a result all the wildfowl were on north lake including three Goldeneyes and 20 Teal. There was no change to the birds around the RSPB reserve today, while the Cattle Egrets and Whooper Swans are still being seen along the Lydd Road.
  I ran the garden moth trap for the third time this spring and at last got a result; well, three moths to be precise! Twin-spotted Quaker, Common Quaker and Hebrew Character.
  It also felt good to have my old four legged friend back up and running this morning following an enforced lay off due to a damaged paw.

                                Barney back in the game

                                Twin-spotted Quaker - first moth of spring