03/02/2019 With Paul and the group at Pett Level then Dungeness

Sunday 03 February 2019

With Paul James and Group

It was nice to go out with Paul and the group again.  On a glorious February day, 8 of us started at Pett Level before moving on to the area around Dungeness.

Pett Level

• When I arrived, just after 08.30, the group were already looking at 3 Great White Egrets in the field at the far end of the level.
• On the sea at least 3 Velvet Scoters were seen within the flock of Common Scoters
• As we headed east we also picked up the small group of 7 White-fronted Geese in the fields with the other geese.

 Although the birds were quite distant the views were excellent in the superb lighting conditions that prevailed.

RSPB Dungeness

 

One of the must-see birds at Dungeness is the drake Smew.  This year, it was beginning to look like a no-show scenario but thankfully one was reported yesterday.  A clear case of better late than never as far as I am concerned!

• We headed out to the New Excavations area where we met up with other birders who were  looking at the bird from the path.  Scope views were not possible because of a high shingle bank in the foreground so we took the advice of the RSPB volunteer and walked round to the opposite side of the water where we enjoyed uninterrupted views.

courtesy of Gareth James

• We moved smartly round the rest of the reserve seeing 3 Goosanders, several female Goldeneye, at least one Marsh Harrier, a Raven and a fleeting view of a Cetti's Warbler but no Bearded Tits or Bitterns.

Scotney Gravel Pits

• Reports came in of a Tundra Bean Goose at Scotney Gravel Pits so we headed out there and we were soon on to the bird.



courtesy of Gareth James

Lydd Camp

 

• We were so close to Lydd Camp  we used the opportunity to look for the resident Little Owl and, thankfully, it was there and, after a while, it gave super views. 




courtesy of Gareth James

 An interesting comment from another birder - not from our group;  "There are not many countries in the world where you can safely aim your telescope/camera at the interior of a military establishment"

Cockles Bridge
 

• It was back to the reserve to catch up with 2 Whooper Swans at Cockles Bridge.



courtesy of Gareth James

Seawatching
 

We had a late lunch on the beach by the fishing boats while we did a spot of seawatching.

• Pick of the sightings was the Bonxie which Paul spotted moving west.  While following this a second one was seen..
• Several close Kittiwakes were a delight to watch.
• Red-throated Divers and auks, predominately Guillemots were also seen.

ARC Hanson Hide
 

• Back on the reserve at the ARC Hanson Hide there were several Goldeneye, including at least one cracking drake.
• There was no sign of any Bitterns or Water Rails but an overwintering Chiffchaff was seen directly in front of the hide.
• Just as we were leaving the hide, a magnificent Cetti's Warbler showed in the reeds right in front of us.  This has to be one of my best views ever of this elusive species

Walland Marsh

• It was getting late by now so we relocated to Walland Marsh to twitch the 34 Bewick Swans.  They were quite distant but, as before, the lighting was so good that the views were excellent.

Jury's Gap

 

Another must-see bird for me is the Black Redstart.  Andrew and I were keen to call in at Jury's Gap on the way home to have a look for it.

• After a short search Andrew spotted it on the MOD land adjacent to the cottages and we enjoyed magnificent close views of this  really beautiful bird. 



courtesy of Gareth James


 

 

 



 What a fitting finale to today's superb bird trip.