Siskins

Lade - warm, dry, sunny, NE 3 - Since mid-week the weather has been dominated by a strong north-easterly airflow that has made for difficult birding conditions to say the least. On the local patch a steady passage of Chiffchaffs has replaced the Willow Warblers, and likewise Blackcaps have replaced Lesser Whitethroats with both species being present in the garden, plus the first Goldcrests of autumn. Siskins have been passing overhead around daybreak, mostly unseen and located on call, along with a few Grey Wagtails and Tree Pipits. Grounded Yellow Wagtails on the Desert are declining in numbers as opposed to larger flocks of Meadow Pipits and Linnets, and the occasional Stonechat and Wheatear. On the lakes pulse of hirundines have moved through, while Black-necked Grebe, Ruff and Black-tailed Godwit have all put in brief appearances. Sparrowhawk and Kestrel numbers have increased as per usual for this time of year. On the bay a few Sandwich and Common Terns are present at low tide, but most of the waders have been displaced towards Littlestone due to scores of kite-surfers taking advantage of the north-easterly blow.

                                 Yellow Wagtail, Lade

  Elsewhere, the bird reserve is very quiet with Burrowes virtually birdless most of the time, but difficult to view, and only small numbers of waders on ARC, including the odd Little Stint, where the Glossy Ibis remains along with Great White Egrets, a couple of Black-necked Grebes and masses of eclipse ducks. An influx of Cattle Egrets last week to 27 was short lived and a juvenile Hobby was still present on Dengemarsh. This afternoon we joined the regulars at the fishing boats for a seawatch, but little was happening apart from a trickle of passing Sandwich Terns, Gannets, a Mediterranean Gull, two Brents and a small flock of ducks on the sea that were either Mallard or Gadwall. The number of visitors to Dungeness has to be seen to be believed; everyday, it seems, is like a Bank Holiday Monday!