Passage wildfowl

Dungeness - 0600 -0830hrs - warm, dry, hazy light SE 2 - A most enjoyable early morning seawatch from the hide along with the usual suspects (CP, JS, MC, JY et al) and notable for a decent range of wildfowl moving up-Channel. Flocks of Common Scoter and Brent Geese (some of which could be heard braying) numbering in the hundreds had various ducks attached including double figures of Pintail and Shoveler, plus several Garganey. A steady passage of Red-throated Divers also kept the interest ticking over along with a dribble of Gannets, Sandwich Terns, seven Oystercatchers, two Red-breasted Mergansers, a Fulmar, a Mediterranean Gull and, best of all, a flock of seven Avocets close to shore. No doubt a full report of today`s seawatch will be posted on Trektellen later on.

                                 Brent flock with dabbling ducks in the mix

                                  Red Kite over Lade

I checked Lade late morning but the lakes were very quiet. However, on the walk back to the car the local HG`s went into melt down and sure enough it wasn`t long before a cracking Red Kite flew over the caravan park with the mobsters in hot pursuit; the kite was seen a few minutes later passing over Littlestone airspace (MH). I also had one yesterday afternoon over NR from the back garden, again courtesy of the Herring Gulls.