Dungeness RSPB - mild, cloudy, N 2 - An OK sort-of-a morning weather-wise for my monthly guided walk around the circular route for five guests. During the three hours we noted a wide range of classic wintering species including Red-throated Diver, Black-necked Grebe and Goldeneye on Burrowes; two Snipes, three Marsh Harriers, two Great White Egrets, 100 Wigeon and 200 Lapwings on Dengemarsh; and a stunning cock Bearded Tit on the grit tray at Hooker`s ramp. Migrants included plenty of Robins, a few Blackbirds and Chaffinches in the bushes, several flocks of inbound Starlings, three Redwings and two Chiffchaffs. A thousand feral Greylags provided a noisy spectacle tumbling out of the sky over Dengemarsh, while a dozen more Snipes were seen from Christmas Dell hide. Also noted: several Kestrels, Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers, a Sparrowhawk, a Buzzard, Grey Herons, Reed Buntings, Goldfinches, Cetti`s Warblers and calling Water Rails.
Its a wonder to me that the intensive farmland around New Romney manages to support so many Buzzards. I see them on a near daily basis, and not only on the farmland but also flying over the town where I`m often alerted to them by the raucous alarm calls of Herring Gulls. Part of the Buzzards` success, of course, is their ability to survive on a wide variety of prey as shown by the two pictured below that I watched the other day hunting earthworms (and squabbling over them!) following a rain shower.
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