Ring-necked Duck

 Saturday - Dungeness - warm, dry and sunny, SW 2 - A three hour birding session on the bird reserve for the Apprentice Birder threw up a surprise in the reappearance of the drake Ring-necked Duck on ARC, and nice and close in front of Hanson hide, unlike when it was on the far side of Burrowes a fortnight ago. Kingfisher and Hobby also noted here. On Burrowes two Whimbrels and three Curlews were the only waders on the islands where there was a complete absence of terns. All the regulars noted around the trail and a Cattle Egret on Boulderwall fields following the suckling herd. Apparently, we recorded 50 species...

                                  Ring-necked Duck, ARC

                                 Common Blue

            Apprentice Birder taking a breather in the new willow trail shelter

Sunday - New Romney - cool, still start, warm later, light airs - 0500 - 1100hrs - Couldn`t sleep last night so took an early stroll down Church Lane to the spinney where Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Treecreeper and plenty of common resident birds were all in song, plus Kestrel and Green Woodpecker. Then out past the dung heap to Belgar logging Skylarks, Whitethroats, Yellowhammers, Reed Buntings, two Corn Buntings, Linnets, Oystercatcher, Buzzard and Yellow Wagtails. Followed by north of the town around the Hope Lane loop seeing more of the same, plus Marsh Harrier, Sedge and Reed Warblers, Painted Lady butterflies and loads of Marsh Frogs in the sewers.

                                 Whitethroat

                                  Kestrel

                                 Blackcap

                                 Linnet

                                  Corn Bunting

                                  Skylark

                                 Moorhen

                                 Marsh Frogs