Dungeness 09/04/2018

A day out at Dungeness on an organised trip started at 7am with views of a Merlin flying over. Walking to the beach a Black Redstart was hopping around the power station wall with a White Wagtail.

B

At the beach we had Gannets, Sandwich & Common Turns and a Common Scoter flying near the horizon. A distant Razorbill bobbed up and down in the water and a Glaucous Gull was sitting the beach.

Walking back there were a few Wheatear flying around near the old lighthouse.  Towards the bird observatory I spotted a Fieldfare sitting on a post and Redwings flew over.  Several Song Thrushes were singing.  A Peregrine was sitting on a pylon but because of the angle we could only see a foot, then as we were walking it flew off.  We also had Firecrest bouncing around the gorse and took some photos.  A Swallow flew over which was the first of the year for some of the group.

Firecrest

There was not much about on the reserve of ARC Hide.  Tree Sparrows and Great Spotted Woodpecker was near the entrance.

Great Spotted Woodpecker

A pair of Smooth Newts where in the nature garden near the centre.

Smooth Newt

Green Woodpeckers laughed in the distance.  Our guide spotted a Ring Ouzel and I was fortunate to spot it before disappeared into the bushes.  Ravens flew and a Little Ringed Plover hopped around.   I was surprised to hear a Cuckoo call whilst watching Marsh Harriers flying at the Denge Marsh Hide.  Two Great Crested Grebes danced with some reed.

Great Crested Grebe

Some Bearded Tits pinged at lookout point. Under the plates we saw a Vole scurrying around.

Vole

When we was leaving the reserve a Curlew popped his head up.

Finally at the ARC Hide I managed to get my daily total of birds up to 83, if could have been higher but we did not have many migrants and the visibility was poor.

Oystercatchers

On the way home we popped into Oare Marshes to try and get my daily total up to 100 with some waders but just missed.  With Dunlin, Godwits, Ruff, Avocet, Spotted Redshank we got close but only up to a total of 96.  May next time we will get a 100 in a day.