Tuesday 2nd September 2014
Dungeness
Paul was in France but Andrew was available so off we went to Dungeness again where all the action seemed to be lately mainly related to the autumn migration down the east coast and along the south coast en route to Africa. No rare birds were found today - they had moved on - but there were lots of other interesting birds to see.
First stop were the fishing boats and the patch for a seawatch. The sea was reasonably calm with only a mild wind. We had a great view of a "bonxie" or Great Skua swimming in the water and then flying off. We also saw what we were confident was an Arctic Skua. Gannets and Common Scoters were seen. At the patch we didn't see any Black Terns this time but we were told later on that a couple had turned up. There were lots of Sandwich Terns and a couple of Common Terns.
On the ARC there was a lot of activity with migrant birds, principally Spotted Flycatchers of which there were at least 4 and probably 6 or 8. Lesser Whitethroats, Willow Warblers and Sedge Warblers were also very evident. On the water we saw a Ruddy Duck, a couple of Ruff, a couple of Snipe, 3 Egyptian Geese and a small number of Golden Plover. The Water Rail was present again to raise the stakes.
On the way back we stopped off at Scotney and were rewarded with good views of 12+ Yellow Wagtails, a flock of feral Barnacle Geese and a welcome Green Woodpecker.
A really good day out!
Today's Species List:
Mute Swan
Greylag Goose
Barnacle Goose
Green Woodpecker
Yellow Wagtail
Egyptian Goose
Mallard
Shoveler
Teal
Pochard (10)
Ruddy Duck
Tufted Duck
Gadwall
Little Grebe
Little Egret
Grey Heron
Water Rail
Coot
Golden Plover
Lapwing (20)
Ruff
Snipe
Black Tailed Godwit
Woodpigeon
Swift
Cetti's Warbler (heard)
Linnet
Common Scoter
Great-crested Grebe
Cormorant (30)
Gannet
Arctic Skua
Great Skua
Black-headed Gull
Herring Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Sandwich Tern
Common Tern
Swallow (40)
Pied Wagtail
Wheatear
Sedge Warbler
Lesser Whitethroat
Willow Warbler
Spotted Flycatcher
Blue Tit
Magpie
Carrion Crow
Starling (50)
House Sparrow
Canada Goose
Wigeon
Sand Martin
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