Garganey

Lade - warm, dry and sunny, ne 4 - More of the same weather wise with a fresh wind off the bay attracting around 100 kite-surfers to enjoy a near perfect sea state. Infact, the beaches around the bay and Dungeness estate were packed out with tourists today like it was a Bank Holiday. There was no change on the local patch apart from a lone drake Pochard, the first of many to come no doubt, while the Cuckoos were busy around the willow swamp.

                                Hayfield 3

  A three hour tramp around Dengemarsh produced all the usual birds such as Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Bearded Tit, Great White and Little Egrets, Common Tern, Redshank, Lapwing, Shelduck, Shoveler, Pochard, Cuckoo, Raven, plus a drake Garganey, Snipe and Black-tailed Godwit. I was a bit surprised to see a suckling herd on hayfield 3 where the waders were nesting and a dance tent set up by Springfield bridge! There was no sign of any Hobbies though. On the farmland section, Yellow Wagtail, Corn Bunting and Skylark. Small Heath, Small Tortoiseshell and Emperor dragonfly also noted.

                               Busy on the beach this afternoon


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