Gannets

 Dungeness - 0600 - 0815hrs - cool, dry, sunny, hazy viz, E3. An early morning seawatch from the hide with the regulars was memorable for a steady eastward passage of Gannets, mostly close to shore, comprising around 900 birds. I mean what is there not to like about our largest and most spectacular seabird; at one stage there was a flock of 60 fishing  on a large shoal of sprats alongside the Cormorants and Porpoises. While the Gannets stole the show a pair of Goldeneye provided the rarity fix (unusual on a seawatch), plus my first dozen or so Arctic Terns of the year. Also noted a steady stream of Common Scoters, Common and Sandwich Terns, a few Kittiwake, Teal, Wigeon, Shoveler, Whimbrel, Fulmar, Red-throated Diver and a Grey Plover.

                                  Gannets on the move

                                  `White` Buzzard, NR

Yesterday morning a stroll down Hope Lane, NR delivered Whitethroat, Reed, Cetti`s and Willow Warblers, Chiffchaff and Blackcap in song, plus the reappearance of the `white` Common Buzzard that I`d not seen for a while. Linnets, Yellowhammers and Long-tailed Tits also noted.