Dungeness - 0945hrs - cold, sunshine and showers, sw 5 - Another cold, blustery day with occasional showers during the morning. After finishing the breakfast shift we had a quick look from the seawatch hide where the usual auks, gulls and the odd diver were toing and froing around the point. The Glaucous Gull drifted by and at least two Little Gulls could be seen amongst the melee at the Patch. We then joined DW in the trapping area to look for the Hume`s which was heard, but not seen. A Raven flew over `cronking` and not much else. The water levels continue to rise making wellies a necessity.
1400hrs - A seawatch with MH yielded a steady trickle of Guillemots offshore, a handful of divers, three Shelducks and a pair of Red-breasted Mergansers, the drake looking resplendent in the afternoon light. Large numbers of gulls were scavenging further down the beach, including the 1st winter Glaucous Gull which eventually drifted past and back towards the Patch.
Tuesday, 4 February 2014
Monday, 3 February 2014
Velcro Birds
Lade - 0900hrs - cold, sunny, se 4 - On the pits much the same birds as over the weekend, although Goldeneye numbers had risen to ten. Whilst scanning south lake a right old cacophony of noise could be heard towards the houses from a mixed group of Carrion Crows, Herring Gulls and Magpies as they mobbed a large, dog Fox which sauntered nonchalantly across the shingle with something in its mouth. On closer inspection it appeared that he`d caught a rabbit - and it wasn't a brown, scrawny, wild type of a Dungeness rabbit, more your sort of black and white, floppy eared, living-in-a-hutch kind of a job, going by the name of Blackberry, probably! Oh dear...
Thankfully, my four legged friend did not get wind of it, not that he`d have done much, but he does like a good chase now and again.
Turnstones & Purple Sandpipers, Hythe
Hythe - 1400hrs - Had to go into the Marsh metropolis this afternoon, which was a good enough excuse to check out the sea front for Velcro birds on the sea defence blocks. With the tide up and a strengthening wind there was a big sea crashing over the blocks where two dapper Purple Sandpipers were roosting alongside half a dozen Turnstones. They seemed oblivious to the tempest raging around them, but did shift once when a large wave gave them a good soaking.
As always pure quality waders, and I do mean both species.
Thankfully, my four legged friend did not get wind of it, not that he`d have done much, but he does like a good chase now and again.
Hythe - 1400hrs - Had to go into the Marsh metropolis this afternoon, which was a good enough excuse to check out the sea front for Velcro birds on the sea defence blocks. With the tide up and a strengthening wind there was a big sea crashing over the blocks where two dapper Purple Sandpipers were roosting alongside half a dozen Turnstones. They seemed oblivious to the tempest raging around them, but did shift once when a large wave gave them a good soaking.
As always pure quality waders, and I do mean both species.
Sunday, 2 February 2014
Sea Mice and Bird Scarers
Lade - 1100hrs - cool, sunshine and showers, sw 3 - A slightly better day than yesterday with lighter winds, but still one or two hefty showers. As the sun was shining Mrs PT decided to join us this morning on a circular walk from the cottage, along the beach, up Kerton Road and back home across the desert by the quarry. As the tide was on the way in the entire Oystercatcher flock of c650 birds flew past us and pitched up to roost on the shingle near the Pilot. A mixed flock of Barwit, Knot and Grey Plover also flew past while it was good to see 20 Ringed Plovers on the beach opposite Kerton Road. Of interest along the tideline were a number of brightly coloured Sea Mice.
The walk beside the quarry was notable for large numbers of roosting gulls and a Peregrine sat on a shingle ridge out on the desert.
Barney, Lade desert (one of his favourite walks)
Sea Mouse, Lade beach
Bird Scarers at Dungeness - From tomorrow, Monday 3rd Feb, Dungeness A Station will be using bird deterrents in an attempt to prevent (mainly Herring Gulls) nesting prior to demolition, that is due to take place over the coming months.
An open letter from the site to local residents states, "Methods include various audible devices including agricultural Bangalore Bird Scarers and Audible Corvoid Deterrents along with visual deterrents such as decoys and kites". It goes on to say the methods have been, "agreed with an ornithologist".
I guess that means the two Schedule One breeding species, Peregrine and Black Redstart, both of which nest on the power station complex, will have to look elsewhere this spring, along with the localised breeding Wheatear and Raven; although it remains to be seen how effective such scarers will be and whether B station or the switching house will be effected.
I suppose the other conundrum is what effect will it have on migrating birds?
All we can do is wait and see, so watch this space...
The walk beside the quarry was notable for large numbers of roosting gulls and a Peregrine sat on a shingle ridge out on the desert.
Bird Scarers at Dungeness - From tomorrow, Monday 3rd Feb, Dungeness A Station will be using bird deterrents in an attempt to prevent (mainly Herring Gulls) nesting prior to demolition, that is due to take place over the coming months.
An open letter from the site to local residents states, "Methods include various audible devices including agricultural Bangalore Bird Scarers and Audible Corvoid Deterrents along with visual deterrents such as decoys and kites". It goes on to say the methods have been, "agreed with an ornithologist".
I guess that means the two Schedule One breeding species, Peregrine and Black Redstart, both of which nest on the power station complex, will have to look elsewhere this spring, along with the localised breeding Wheatear and Raven; although it remains to be seen how effective such scarers will be and whether B station or the switching house will be effected.
I suppose the other conundrum is what effect will it have on migrating birds?
All we can do is wait and see, so watch this space...
Saturday, 1 February 2014
Kingfisher
Lade - 0900hrs - cold, sunshine and showers, sw 4 - Another cold morning, but at least the sun was shining between the hefty showers. Most of the ducks had returned to site with hundreds of Gadwall, Shoveler, Teal, Pochard and Tufted, plus five Goldeneye and a single Pintail. Best of all though was my first Kingfisher (not that I`m keeping a year list...) of the year flying through the willow swamp, a bird that is not always easy to see down here on the coast.
After joining the Joker to watch a highly entertaining QPR v Burnley match I picked up the mutt and headed over the road to check the beach for waders and gulls. Unfortunately, the wind had picked up to near gale force by now making for poor viewing conditions. However, at Greatstone we sheltered in the dunes and clocked up six species of waders, three Brents and two Med Gulls amongst the thousands of common species; despite two red setters chasing the birds down the beach - Barney looked on in disgust. We then slogged back into the teeth of the tempest and settled down in front of the fire to await the rugby. It was not an afternoon to be out and about birding.
After joining the Joker to watch a highly entertaining QPR v Burnley match I picked up the mutt and headed over the road to check the beach for waders and gulls. Unfortunately, the wind had picked up to near gale force by now making for poor viewing conditions. However, at Greatstone we sheltered in the dunes and clocked up six species of waders, three Brents and two Med Gulls amongst the thousands of common species; despite two red setters chasing the birds down the beach - Barney looked on in disgust. We then slogged back into the teeth of the tempest and settled down in front of the fire to await the rugby. It was not an afternoon to be out and about birding.
Friday, 31 January 2014
Dungeness Weekly Summary
Lade - 0830hrs - cold, dry, cloudy, s 4 - Decided on a good look around the local patch this morning. It was hard going in the strong wind and as a result few passerines were noted; infact little of anything was seen really, as even the large flocks of ducks that have been present for weeks now appeared to have shipped out. Only 100 Teal around the willow swamp was of any note, although I did have a nice view of a Bittern flushed by Barney rooting around in brush along the causeway. At the northern end of north lake 25 Wigeon and two Goldeneye were sheltering from the wind and a Sparrowhawk zipped low over the water.
We then skirted around the pit and returned along the airport side, and immediately regretted it as to say it was wet under foot was an understatement! Flood water was everywhere, but we did flush a couple of Snipe, a Water Rail and a Hare. A Marsh Harrier flapped low over the runway and small flocks of Stock Doves and Lapwings were noted, but that was about it.
ARC - 1430hrs - A wander down to the pines yielded very little in the increasing wind with most of the wildfowl sheltering on the southern end along with a Great White Egret and two Littles.
Well`ard, the Glaucous Gull
Weekly Summary - Anyone planning a weekend visit would probably do best delaying until Sunday which looks the better day weather wise, with the following being a suggested route:
Dungeness - Seawatching from the fishing boats first thing should deliver good numbers of seabirds either on the move or feeding just offshore: divers, auks, Gannets, Kittiwakes, Little Gulls have been present on and off all week, along with a few ducks, waders and Bonxies, plus currently a 1st winter Glaucous Gull patrolling the foreshore from the Patch to the boats and still present today. The Hume`s Leaf Warbler remains at the south-western end of the trapping area.
RSPB - On the bird reserve the two Black-throated Divers are still on New Diggings and a Black-necked Grebe on Burrowes. Around the site are up to ten Smew, three Great White Egrets and all the usual Marsh Harriers, Common Buzzard, Raven, Bittern, Bearded Tit (Hookers), Stonechat, Cetti`s Warbler, Chiffchaff, Tree Sparrow and Water Rail, while a male Hen Harrier has also been noted. The Glossy Ibis has been seen coming to roost between Firth and Makepiece hides earlier in the week and could well still be present; check the fields at Boulderwall for geese and waders.
Walland Marsh - At Scotney the Long-tailed Duck has been faithful to the farm end of the lake, while White-fronts and all the usual feral geese remain in the area, along with 40 odd Bewick`s Swans near Lydd.
Littlestone Golf Links - Finish the day here if the weather is good for up to three Short-eared Owls, plus a good chance of Merlin and Linnet (scarce in winter). Check the foreshore for up to ten species of waders.
Good luck and good birding!
We then skirted around the pit and returned along the airport side, and immediately regretted it as to say it was wet under foot was an understatement! Flood water was everywhere, but we did flush a couple of Snipe, a Water Rail and a Hare. A Marsh Harrier flapped low over the runway and small flocks of Stock Doves and Lapwings were noted, but that was about it.
ARC - 1430hrs - A wander down to the pines yielded very little in the increasing wind with most of the wildfowl sheltering on the southern end along with a Great White Egret and two Littles.
Weekly Summary - Anyone planning a weekend visit would probably do best delaying until Sunday which looks the better day weather wise, with the following being a suggested route:
Dungeness - Seawatching from the fishing boats first thing should deliver good numbers of seabirds either on the move or feeding just offshore: divers, auks, Gannets, Kittiwakes, Little Gulls have been present on and off all week, along with a few ducks, waders and Bonxies, plus currently a 1st winter Glaucous Gull patrolling the foreshore from the Patch to the boats and still present today. The Hume`s Leaf Warbler remains at the south-western end of the trapping area.
RSPB - On the bird reserve the two Black-throated Divers are still on New Diggings and a Black-necked Grebe on Burrowes. Around the site are up to ten Smew, three Great White Egrets and all the usual Marsh Harriers, Common Buzzard, Raven, Bittern, Bearded Tit (Hookers), Stonechat, Cetti`s Warbler, Chiffchaff, Tree Sparrow and Water Rail, while a male Hen Harrier has also been noted. The Glossy Ibis has been seen coming to roost between Firth and Makepiece hides earlier in the week and could well still be present; check the fields at Boulderwall for geese and waders.
Walland Marsh - At Scotney the Long-tailed Duck has been faithful to the farm end of the lake, while White-fronts and all the usual feral geese remain in the area, along with 40 odd Bewick`s Swans near Lydd.
Littlestone Golf Links - Finish the day here if the weather is good for up to three Short-eared Owls, plus a good chance of Merlin and Linnet (scarce in winter). Check the foreshore for up to ten species of waders.
Good luck and good birding!
Thursday, 30 January 2014
Migrant ducks & waders
Dungeness - 0830hrs - cold, cloudy, s 2 - It was nowhere near as cold today with the wind slackening off and edging around to the south and only the odd shower. We joined DW and PB at the boats for an hours seawatching where there were not as many auks, divers and gulls on the move as recent days but a small westward passage of waders and ducks comprising Dunlin, Sanderling, Knot and Grey Plover, Teal, Wigeon, Common Scoter, Shoveler and a Pintail. Several Little Gulls moved through and Gannets were more numerous than yesterday.
1400hrs - Another session from the seawatch hide delivered the usual seabirds milling around the point, while at the Patch 6 Little Gulls and a Med were amongst the Black-headed Gulls.
On the walk back the 1st winter Glaucous Gull put on a show patrolling the beach in front of the hide, picking up dead fish and generally duffing-up any Herring Gull that dared to invade its airspace.
1st winter Glaucous Gull, Dungeness
1400hrs - Another session from the seawatch hide delivered the usual seabirds milling around the point, while at the Patch 6 Little Gulls and a Med were amongst the Black-headed Gulls.
On the walk back the 1st winter Glaucous Gull put on a show patrolling the beach in front of the hide, picking up dead fish and generally duffing-up any Herring Gull that dared to invade its airspace.
Wednesday, 29 January 2014
Another Glaucous Gull
Dungeness - cold, wet, se 4 - Spent the day birding the local area with Wendy and Doug, in foul weather conditions with a biting easterly wind. Seawatching from the concrete road and hide produced hundreds of auks, Kittiwakes, Gannets and Red-throated Divers moving around the point, but not as many Black-headed Gulls than of late. Also, three Brents, two Little Gulls and singles of Fulmar and Med Gull. Just as we were about to pack up news came through from MH of a Glaucous Gull located on the foreshore near the fishing boats, and we were soon enjoying good views of a 1st winter bird as it fed amongst the other large gulls. As usual this brute of a, "come and have a go if you think you`re hard enough" gull was being given a wide berth by the Black-backs and Herring Gulls.
1st winter Glaucous Gull, Dungeness fishing boats
RSPB - A tour of the bird reserve commenced from the causeway road with good views of three Goldeneye and Smew on New Diggings, although we couldn`t find the divers. On ARC ten Goldeneye and three Smew amongst hundreds of common wildfowl, plus two Great White Egrets and a Little Egret. From Hanson hide two Marsh Harriers and calling Water Rail and Cetti`s Warbler.
Over the road plenty of birds on the fields at Boulderwall including 150 Curlews, two Snipe amongst the feral geese, corvids, gulls, Lapwings and Wigeon; also several more Marsh Harriers, Common Buzzard, another Great White Egret and dozen Tree Sparrows on and around the garden feeders.
On Burrowes we eventually located the wintering Black-necked Grebe from Makepiece hide, plus another Smew, several Goldeneyes, three Pintail and loads of common ducks. Needless to say the islands have all but disappeared under water and many of the Cormorants were already claiming nest sites amongst the willows.
Scotney - On the grass small numbers of Wigeon, Teal, Lapwing, gulls and feral geese. At the Kent end the Long-tailed Duck was in its usual position fishing off the spit. Several Marsh Harriers also noted and two Dabchicks.
Lydd - The Bewick`s Swan flock, numbering 44, was in the usual field along with large numbers of Common Gulls.
Littlestone - Finished the day down by the golf links for the owls, which we didn`t see, probably due to the poor weather. On the foreshore plenty of Curlews, Oystercatchers and several Barwits.
Despite the biting wind a decent days birding with the Glaucous Gull the obvious highlight.
RSPB - A tour of the bird reserve commenced from the causeway road with good views of three Goldeneye and Smew on New Diggings, although we couldn`t find the divers. On ARC ten Goldeneye and three Smew amongst hundreds of common wildfowl, plus two Great White Egrets and a Little Egret. From Hanson hide two Marsh Harriers and calling Water Rail and Cetti`s Warbler.
Over the road plenty of birds on the fields at Boulderwall including 150 Curlews, two Snipe amongst the feral geese, corvids, gulls, Lapwings and Wigeon; also several more Marsh Harriers, Common Buzzard, another Great White Egret and dozen Tree Sparrows on and around the garden feeders.
On Burrowes we eventually located the wintering Black-necked Grebe from Makepiece hide, plus another Smew, several Goldeneyes, three Pintail and loads of common ducks. Needless to say the islands have all but disappeared under water and many of the Cormorants were already claiming nest sites amongst the willows.
Scotney - On the grass small numbers of Wigeon, Teal, Lapwing, gulls and feral geese. At the Kent end the Long-tailed Duck was in its usual position fishing off the spit. Several Marsh Harriers also noted and two Dabchicks.
Lydd - The Bewick`s Swan flock, numbering 44, was in the usual field along with large numbers of Common Gulls.
Littlestone - Finished the day down by the golf links for the owls, which we didn`t see, probably due to the poor weather. On the foreshore plenty of Curlews, Oystercatchers and several Barwits.
Despite the biting wind a decent days birding with the Glaucous Gull the obvious highlight.
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