Dungeness - warm, dry and sunny, W3 - This morning`s Ted walk took us on a circuit of the peninsula in fine autumn sunshine but with few grounded migrants apart from a scattering of Robins and Chiffchaffs in the bushes, 10 Blackbirds, two Song Thrushes, a Ring Ouzel by the wigwams and a light overhead passage of Meadow Pipits, Skylarks and Chaffinches, a Woodlark, Redpoll and Grey Wagtail. The highlight of the morning however was a tatty Long-tailed Blue butterfly in the Trapping Area that showed its trademark, and diagnostic, broad white band on the underwing and distinctive upperwing pattern complete with two black dots where the `tails` should`ve been. A most unexpected late migrant and well found by Charlotte. An early afternoon check of Kerton quarry and Lade south revealed nothing of note apart from the usual wetland birds and a flight view of a Bittern.
Earlier this week visits to the point delivered several Woodcocks in the Desert and by the sea containers, a Ring Ouzel in the Trapping Area, a Dartford Warbler by the cafe and 20 Little Gulls on a seawatch from the fishing boats. On Monday we walked the gully which was pretty much birdless while at least 15 Cattle Egrets were in the flood field by Springfield Bridge. Lade bay had a flock of 30 Brent Geese on the mudflats on Tuesday and at least 100 Knot. Yesterdays Ted walk around farmland north of New Romney produced good numbers of Skylarks and Meadow Pipits in stubble fields, 20 each of Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting and Linnet in the ditches, 20 Redwings, five Blackbirds and two Song Thrushes in the hedgerows, plus several Stonechats, Cetti`s Warblers, Chiffchaffs and Buzzards along the way.
No comments:
Post a Comment