Black-necked Grebes

Dungeness RSPB - mild, overcast, SW4 - Following on from yesterday`s deluge at least it was dry this morning for my monthly guided walk around the circular route for six guests. There was still plenty of wildfowl on Burrowes, mainly comprising hundreds of Shovelers, Teals, Gadwalls, Pochards and Tufted Ducks across the lake, plus four Goldeneyes and two Shelducks. A distant Black-necked Grebe in breeding plumage was the highlight along with an adult Little Gull within a flock of 100 Black-headed Gulls, while several pairs of Common Gulls were inspecting the nesting boxes. The hayfields were disappointing with only a single Water Pipit and several Curlews, Lapwings and Shelducks of note. From the hide at Dengemarsh another distant Black-necked Grebe and a Goldeneye were present, plus 50 Wigeons and 20 Shelducks in the back field and two Great White Egrets and a Marsh Harrier from Hookers ramp. Other sundries noted during the three hour walk included at least 20 singing Cetti`s Warblers (only one actually seen!), a Grey Heron, a Little Egret, five Pintails overhead, several Reed Buntings and a Sparrowhawk.

                                   Common Gulls, Burrowes

Monday evening whilst letting Ted out in the garden I could hear the sound of Redwings migrating over New Romney in the dark. They have been few and far between hereabouts this winter but were certainly on the move two nights ago, as testified by the 4,000 recorded over Dungeness Bird Observatory.