Ruff

Warm, dry and sunny, W2 - After the rain of yesterday it was back to a classic summers day with warm sunshine and a light breeze coming in off the bay. Our first port of call was Scotney sand pit to check for waders where the highlight was a cracking `white` male Ruff attached to a group of five Black-tailed Godwits. Also noted: five Avocets, Common and Green Sandpipers, two Greenshanks and a Little Ringed Plover, while there was a noticeable increase in wildfowl with 56 Egyptian and 12 Canada Geese, 12 Shelducks and six Teals. Two juvenile Marsh Harriers drifted over and the usual Yellow Wagtails and Corn Buntings were noted. Moving onto the bird reserve where three Cattle and two Great White Egrets were around Cook`s Pool, plus Marsh Harrier, Kestrel and Common Buzzard overhead. Dungeness was quiet with just 30 Common and several Sandwich Terns at The Patch and two juv Peregrines on A Station. Kerton quarry held a pair of Ringed Plovers and around 50 Great Black-backed Gulls while Lade ponds attracted two passage Willow Warblers and a host of fledged Reed and Sedge Warblers.