Dungeness - 0845-1230hrs - Warm, dry and sunny, SE2 - At long last the wind relented overnight to a pleasant zephyr making it worthwhile spending the morning birding the bushes for migrants on the peninsula. After several attempts I managed protracted views of a male Ring Ouzel at the top end of the Desert and briefer views of a stunning cock Redstart by the pilot path in the Trapping Area. Both these summer migrants are becoming more difficult to encounter, particularly in spring, so it was a real treat to see them both today. Also noted: three Wheatears (one of the Greenland race) several Willow Warblers and my first Whitethroats of spring, plus 10 Chiffchaffs, 10 Linnets, two Blackcaps, four Cetti`s Warblers, two Ravens, a Sparrowhawk, a Buzzard and a Marsh Harrier over Long Pits.
Over the weekend the strong winds from named storm Kathleen rendered birding locally largely pointless. However, yesterday I noted my first Swallow over the New Cut while there has been a noticeable and welcome increase in Greenfinches, presumably birds from the near continent having moved in with the Linnets. As the overnight temperature was 11 C on Saturday/Sunday I ran the garden moth trap for the first time this year, resulting in a single Mullein Moth.
No comments:
Post a Comment