Dungeness - 0630 - 0830hrs - cool, cloudy, misty, SE 2 - One of the great spring migration spectacles at Dungeness is the up-Channel movement of Brent Geese heading back north-east to breed, and this morning`s watch was no exception. During the two hours that I was in the sea watch hide (with CP, MC and the new Assistant Warden - welcome to Dungeness Jacob) at least 1,150 passed by in various sized flocks with the largest being 180 birds, and some so close you hear them calling. No doubt many more were logged throughout the day. Also of note were my first two Sandwich Terns of the year and a pair of Pintails, plus 65 Gannets, 950 auks, 85 Kittiwakes, 35 Red-throated Divers, 25 Common Scoters, 8 Wigeons, 3 Fulmars and a Med Gull.
A late morning walk across Romney Salts produced few farmland birds but did include a notable flock of 200 Fieldfares that briefly paused in a spinney before heading off high to the east. Mediterranean Gulls are also on the move this month with several seen on the beach at Littlestone beach yesterday and over New Romney calling this afternoon. Other local news of note includes the wintering Smew on ARC and four Cattle Egrets at Cockles Bridge, a Black-necked Grebe on Burrowes, Firecrest and Woodlark at the Point.
No comments:
Post a Comment