Dungeness Weekly Summary

Dungeness - Its been a case of slim pickings this week across the peninsula as winter steadily morphs into spring. On the migrant front incoming Sandwich Terns are now regularly being seen on the sea amongst departing Brent Geese, wintering auks, Kitts, divers and Gannets, while a Sooty Shearwater was an unseasonable oddity on Wednesday. Singing Chiffchaff, Cetti`s Warbler and Reed Bunting can be heard around the bird reserve where a drake Smew is still present on the lakes. The fields between Boulderwall and Lydd continue to play host to four Cattle Egrets, two Whooper Swans and up to 20 Ruff, while Black Redstart, Firecrest and Dartford Warbler can be found at various locations across the shingle. Bittern, Goldeneye, Great White Egret, Marsh Harrier, Tree Sparrow, Stonechat and Corn Bunting have all been reported this week around Dungeness RSPB. Further afield a Short-eared Owl has been noted hunting the golf links at Littlestone.