Cuckoos

 Lade - cool and cloudy, SW 4 - I`ve spent a fair bit of time these past two days trying to establish how many Cuckoos are on site and I reckon there could be as many as three males and at least a couple of females. The habitat hereabouts is perfect for them with plenty of mature willow scrub for cover, loads of moth caterpillars (mostly Brown-tailed larva in `tents`) in the swamp and on the dry scrub outback to feed on and an abundance of Dunnocks, Reed Warblers and Whitethroats as their main host species. Cuckoos range right across the site, particularly the males, calling frantically from either the seclusion of tree cover to out in the open on overhead power cables; in the calm of yesterday morning I even heard one from the cottage at 6am. On arrival the males emit the classic `cuck-oo` song, and then once they`ve become established introduce the `gwok-gwok-gwok` laughing note into their vocal repertoire. The females are far more furtive as they go about their parasitic business but do make a delightful bubbling call. I always make the most of `my` Cuckoos as they don`t stay for long and by July the adults will be off back to their main haunt in Africa, hopefully leaving a few of their progeny behind to follow in the autumn.

                                  Cuckoo on a wire

Over the lakes, in the cool air and showers, countless hirundines and Swifts have moved through, which today included predominantly House Martins. A Hobby and a Marsh Harrier were noted behind north lake this afternoon as the wind began to pick up; tomorrow looks like gale force winds coming off the Atlantic. Could be good for Manxies at the point...

                                  Storm clouds gathering over Lade

Red-rumped Swallow

 Dungeness - cool, sunny, cloudy later, W 2 - Spent today guiding across the peninsula for two guests from Whitstable during which time we clocked up 71 species of birds. We kicked off in good weather at the point where all the usual suspects were eventually located such as Wheatear, Black Redstart, Stonechat, Meadow Pipit, Linnet and Whitethroat. The Peregrine pair put on a fine display around the power station and a few common seabirds and a Mediterranean Gull were logged at the Patch.

                                  Singing Whitethroat

The afternoon was spent on the bird reserve where the highlights were two Bar-tailed Godwits on Burrowes, Great White Egret on the Boulderwall fields, a Glossy Ibis on ARC, a `reeling` Grasshopper Warbler by Scott lookout, a `booming` Bittern and Marsh Harriers at Hookers, Redshanks and Lapwing on the hayfields and at least a dozen Hobbies across the site. The islands and rafts on Burrowes are currently occupied by Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gulls resulting in an absence of Common Terns. Despite the recent lifting of indoor Covid restrictions elsewhere the hides remain firmly closed off due to a combination of nesting birds and an inability to make them safe.

                                  Hobby and Lesser Black-backed Gull

A phone call from local Lade birder Gary Johnson late this afternoon alerted me to a Red-rumped Swallow he`d just found on north lake amongst a large mixed gathering of hirundines and Swifts. I was soon on site for brief views from the causeway of what was my fourth Lade red-rumper in 15 years. Thanks Gary. Unfortunately, it didn`t stay for long and must`ve moved through with the rest of the birds that kept coming and going on the edge of rain showers.  

Melodious Warbler

Lade - cool and showery, W2 - The unsettled weather continues with prolonged and heavy thunderstorms throughout the day, particularly this afternoon. Around the lakes this morning at least two very vocal Cuckoos were intent on attracting a female that flew over the Willow Swamp, while more rain-dodging Swifts came and went in the cool conditions along with a few Swallows.

  This afternoon I paid a visit to the northern end of the Trapping Area to look for a Melodious Warbler found earlier by DW. With the rain hammering down all was silent until the sun briefly broke through encouraging the `hippo` into its typical hurried, babbling song, delivered at head height from sallows by a sycamore. It then sang near continuously for about an hour during which time I caught frustratingly brief and obscured views of it moving between singing perches. Around and about Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Whitethroat and Cetti`s Warbler were also in song. 

Spring lament

 Lade - cool, sunshine and showers, SW 4 - Apart from a walk around the Trapping Area yesterday morning (which was dead by the way) the rest of the weekend`s birding has been spent on the local patch. Swifts have been coming and going over the lakes throughout and I could happily watch them all day long, which is a good job as there has been precious little else of note on the migration front lately apart from a few laggard Whimbrels roosting on the shingle on Friday evening. It is to be expected though, and as we pass the middle of May bird migration is steadily grinding to a halt, although there is always the chance of a southern over shoot to come, even into early June. Singles of Black Kite, Red-rumped Swallow, Purple Heron, Cattle Egret and Honey Buzzard have already passed through the Dungeness peninsula this spring, but as is often the case here they don`t tarry for long, and we surely must be due a Bee-eater or Black-winged Stilt, or perhaps a Golden Oriole or Whiskered Tern. So, never mind the rarities, let`s have a quick look back at the bread-and butter migrants. 

                                  Wheatear, Dungeness

  Due to a pulse of warm Saharan air in February a ridiculously early Wheatear at Galloways kicked the season off in style, although a blocking high pressure system to the north throughout much of April held things up making numbers of this classic harbinger of spring generally low and in fits and starts; particularly on my local patch where only a handful were seen. A scattering of Ring Ouzels, Whinchats, Common and Black Redstarts, Pied and Spotted Flycatchers were all well received as were a couple of Wood Warblers and a Grasshopper Warbler, but lets face it, compared to just 50 years ago when I started birding, the numbers of migrant passerines today is pitifully low. However, Willow and Garden Warblers moved through in better numbers than last year as did Lesser Whitethroat, while Chiffchaff and Blackcap were about average. Common Whitethroats, Sedge and Reed Warblers seemed to be abundant across the Dungeness NNR and plenty of Sand Martins were noted. Out on the Marsh a few Turtle Doves, Cuckoos, Nightingales and Yellow Wagtails appeared at traditional haunts, although the latter was poorly represented at Scotney when I visited last week.

                                  Whimbrels, Boulderwall fields

  Many hours were spent by local seawatchers logging the up-Channel passage of seabirds with the highlight being a couple of record-breaking days comprising thousands of Common and Arctic Terns with a supporting cast of hundreds of Little and Black Terns, Little Gulls and several Roseate Terns, but this was very much the exception to the rule. Duck numbers were lower than in previous years, probably due in part to persistent offshore winds, as was the Bar-tailed Godwit and Whimbrel passage, but did include good numbers of Velvet Scoters. There was also a record one-day passage of Manx Shearwaters linked to gale force winds while the Pomarine Skua passage was about average. The staple diet of seawatching at Dungeness such as Brents, Red-throated Divers, Common Scoters and Gannets were plentiful at times, but many passed well offshore due to the northerly airflow, and with the hides closed viewing conditions were at times difficult to say the least. In summary then, like the curate`s egg, good in parts.

                                  Garden Warbler, Plovers garden

  Personally, my spring highlights were the flock of 18 Garganeys at Dengemarsh, a Black-necked Grebe and Pied Flycatchers at Lade, and best of all, a Garden Warbler singing in our garden, but then I am easily pleased! 

Rye Harbour

 Rye Harbour - cool, cloudy, showery, SW2 - Spent the morning guiding for Mark and Maria around the Beach Reserve at Rye, my first visit of the year, which was a bit of a challenge with the hides closed and a fine drizzle coming and going. The new Discovery Centre is now complete and set to open fully in the near future, and most splendid it looks too. However, birdwise it was very quiet with no Sandwich Terns and Mediterranean Gulls breeding, just a few Black-headed Gulls and Common Terns, and four pairs of Little Terns. Avocets were plentiful though along with breeding Ringed Plovers and Oystercatchers, but only two Redshanks and one Little Ringed Plover. As for passage waders the highlight was a flock of 23 Tundra Ringed Plovers, six Red Knots, four Turnstones, around 100 Dunlins and a Common Sandpiper. Studying the Dunlins it was astonishing to note the huge variations in size, bill length and plumage amongst potentially three races. Other birds noted around the circuit included a Brent Goose, 30 Shelducks, four Little Egrets and a Wheatear. A brief seawatch produced two Red-throated Divers, 10 Gannets and seven Common Scoters. 

                                  Little Terns and Avocet, Flat Beach

The afternoon was spent at Castle Water where a pair of Marsh Harriers were active around the reedbed, plus vocalising Bittern and Bearded Tit along with Cuckoo, Reed, Sedge and Cetti`s Warblers. Also noted plenty of Swifts and hirundines, several Little Egrets and Gadwalls, a Pochard, Kestrel, Hobby, Long-tailed Tit and six Whimbrel in a sheep fold. We eventually tallied a respectable 111 species over the three days birding at Dungeness, Orlestone Forest and Rye Harbour. 

Painted Ladies

 Lade - cool, dry and sunny, SW 2 - A gorgeous spring morning to be out and about around the local patch where two Common Sandpipers flying around the margins of south lake were new in, calling frantically on bowed wings and habitually bobbing when landing. Yet again the ponds were alive with warbler song as Reed, Sedge and Cetti`s Warblers, Lesser and Common Whitethroats progressed through their various breeding cycles. From the willow swamp Cuckoo, Blackcap and Chiffchaff song also added to the early morning chorus as a party of 30 Swifts and 20 Swallows hawked flying insects rising off the canopy. An afternoon visit taking in the Kerton Road pit and the Desert across to Mockmill yielded little extra apart from three Whimbrels and eight Curlews. The only other news today concerned a Purple Heron flushed from Long Pits that was seen to fly over towards the reserve (per MC, OL).

                                  Garden Ladies

As the sun warmed up the garden Painted Lady butterflies moved in to feed on the wall flowers and bask in the suntraps following their long journey from the south, some of them looking worn and worse for wear. A large influx of migrant Painted Ladies has been reported across southern coastal counties these past few days moving up through the continent from their breeding grounds in North Africa, and a most welcome sight they are too. 

Nightingales

 Orelestone Forest - warm, dry and sunny, light airs - Spent the morning guiding for Mark and Maria where at least ten Nightingales were in song across the woodland complex; actually seeing them was another matter of course, and we only had one brief flight view, but the sound of these supreme songsters was as evocative as ever in this old wildwood. Other summer migrants present included three `purring`  Turtle Doves, a calling Cuckoo, Willow and Garden Warblers, a Spotted Flycatcher and perhaps most surprising of all a Tree Pipit on territory. Resident species were thin on the ground with a `hooting` Tawny Owl of note amongst the usual woodland birds. Butterflies included Orange Tip, Peacock, Brimstone, Red Admiral and Painted Lady. Down on the Marsh between Warehorne and Kenardington another Turtle Dove and Nightingale heard, plus Bullfinch, Yellowhammers and at least four soaring Buzzards.

                                  Orange Tip

                                  Tree Sparrow, Scotney

                                   Black Redstarts, Dungeness

Moving onto Scotney where a nesting Tree Sparrow by the farmhouse was another surprise. Outback while we noted Skylarks, Yellow Wagtails and Corn Buntings they were few in number; also, four Avocets, several Little Egrets and a couple of Common Terns, while the front fields and lakes were largely deserted. Another visit to the point delivered better views of a pair of Black Redstarts along with Wheatear, Stonechat and Peregrine. We finished the day at Lade checking the beach waders where just a few Curlews and Oystercatchers remained and four Ringed Plovers. On south lake a party of 30 Swifts dropped in, a Cuckoo called by the `wall mirror` and six Whimbrels flew over the Desert whistling.