Black Kite

 Dungeness - 0530 - 0730hrs - cold, cloudy, fair viz, NNE 4 - A seawatch from the hide first thing yielded mixed results due to the northerly wind that meant that most migrants passed well offshore. The usual early morning movement of Gannets and Sandwich Terns were noted along with a few Common and several Arctic Terns, although more eluded me that were further out. Bar-tailed Godwits numbered a couple of hundred along with several parties of Whimbrels and Oystercatchers, six Red-throated Divers, a distant Manx Shearwater (thanks to Jacob for that one!), seven Little Gulls, two Shelducks, 25 Teal, 10 Common Scoter, four Arctic Skuas, a Kittiwake and a Bonxie. Incoming migrants included several Yellow Wagtails, a Swallow, two Grey Herons (most unusual), two Crows, and just as I was about to leave, and a first for me on a seawatch, a high calling Wood Sandpiper.  

Moving onto the northern end of Long Pits and in the shelter of the wind several orange tips basked in the sunshine. There was plenty of common warbler activity but little else. ARC was quiet apart from plenty of singing Sedge Warblers on the walk down to Hanson hide, while over the road on Boulderwall fields there was much more to see including 14 grounded Bar-tailed Godwits, the males resplendent in their nuptial plumage, three Great White Egrets, displaying Lapwings, Wigeon and a Marsh Harrier. A check of Lade produced a lone Swallow over south lake as news came through of a Black Kite found by Colin Turley over Dengemarsh heading north. I eventually picked it up, albeit at some range being mobbed by corvids over the Airport pits, just before it headed back south over the water tower and out of view.

                                  Small Copper, Long Pits

                                  Yellow Wagtail, NR

                                  Pied Wagtail, NR

                                  Linnet and Pied Wagtail, NR

                                  Pied Wagtail, NR

                                  Linnet, NR

New Romney - Yesterday afternoon I walked down Church Lane to the spinney to check for any migrant activity, but could only find the obligatory few Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and Whitethroats. However, the industrial land next to the tip has been cleared for development resulting in a large drainage channel with gentle slopes down to the water, ideal for attracting birds to drink and bathe in this period of drought. Meadow Pipits, Linnets, Pied and Yellow Wagtails were all noted at the waters edge, plus my first two House Martins of spring dipping down to take a draught on their travels.