05/10/2014 Rye Harbour and Dungeness A Real Sunday Treat

Sunday 5th October 2014
Rye Harbour and Dungeness
Paul and group

Weather conditions today were superb with clear blue skies, no wind and temperatures that went to 21C at mid-day.  We spent the morning at Rye Harbour before moving on to Dungeness for the afternoon.



Rye Harbour
There were many birds showing today but with nothing extra special. 

• The highlight was probably the Kingfisher we saw from Denny's Hide which flew across the water in front of us and perched on the fence.

Species list:
Mute Swan
Greylag Goose
Brent Goose
Wigeon
Mallard
Shoveler
Teal
Little Grebe
Cormorant
Gannet   (10)
Little Egret
Grey Heron
Marsh Harrier
Kestrel
Moorhen
Coot
Oystercatcher
Ringed Plover
Lapwing
Dunlin Knot   (20)
Turnstone
Bar-tailed Godwit
Curlew
Redshank
Black-headed Gull
Herring Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Common Gull
Sandwich Tern   (30)
Woodpigeon
Skylark
Pied Wagtail
Meadow Pipit
Rock Pipit
Robin
Stonechat
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Magpie   (40)
Carrion Crow
Starling
House Sparrow
Chaffinch
Goldfinch
Linnet
Kingfisher








Dungeness

Again lots of birds were seen and this time there were several interesting ones - even though none of them were year or life ticks.

• A Cattle Egret was showing well near Houseman's Farm near the herd of cows,of course!  It was perched on a post and it stayed like this for some time before flying towards us.  This was my second sighting this year.

• While we were watching the Cattle Egret we heard the characteristic sound of a Cetti's Warbler less than 10 metres away from us.  Lo and behold, after a few minutes, we actually saw it fly away from us.  Surprising but most welcome!

• A Little Stint was seen on one of the islands in front of Makepiece Hide.  It was moving around among the Lapwings and Dunlin. 

• From Denge Hide we got our first, of many, sightings of the Great White Egret standing by the side of the water about 50 metres away.  Later sightings included flight views.  A second bird was seen from the ARC Pit just before we finished for the day.

• A Glossy Ibis was also seen briefly from the hide and we had to wait another 20 minutes or so to get a good sighting from the viewing area 100 metres from the hide.

• We even had Bearded Tits showing in the reeds from the viewing area overlooking Denge Marsh.  We were alerted to their presence by their sound and soon after we saw them flying.  What a pity we couldn't get a good view of them in the reeds.

• Other interesting birds included Ruff, Black-necked Grebe, Ruddy Duck, Snipe, Tree Sparrow and Marsh Harrier.

Species List:
Mute Swan
Greylag Goose
Barnacle Goose
Shelduck
Wigeon
Gadwall
Teal
Pintail
Shoveler
Mallard   (10)
Tufted Duck
Ruddy Duck
Little Grebe
Great Crested Grebe
Black-necked Grebe
Cormorant
Cattle Egret
Great White Egret
Little Egret
Grey Heron   (20)
Glossy Ibis
Marsh Harrier
Kestrel
Moorhen
Coot
Oystercatcher
Ringed Plover
Golden Plover
Lapwing
Little Stint   (30)
Dunlin
Ruff
Common Snipe
Black-tailed Godwit
Curlew
Redshank
Turnstone
Black-headed Gull
Herring Gull  
Common Gull   (40)
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Stock Dove
Woodpigeon
Collared Dove
Meadow Pipit
Pied Wagtail
Robin
Stonechat
Cetti's Warbler   (50)
Chiffchaff
Bearded Tit
Long-tailed Tit
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Magpie
Carrion Crow
Starling
Tree Sparrow
Chaffinch   (60)
Goldfinch





What a fabulous day out with loads of birds to see, lovely weather and good company!