29/08/2016 Black Tern at RSPB Dungeness this afternoon

Bank Holiday Monday 29/08/2016
Dungeness

A very late start today.  Got to Dungeness just after 4 p.m.  
Very good weather again.  Cooler than of late but still dry and sunny with hardly any breeze.  Target bird was the black tern.


RSPB Dungeness
Started here, hoping to see the black tern that had been seen earlier in the day.  

• In the reception area, I spotted a great white egret.  This total grew to 4 a short time later at Firth hide as they all congregated in the small trees on the opposite bank on Burrowes.

• From the same place I had excellent views of the black tern as it gave a powerful flying demo in front of me.
• Also seen were a ringed plover, a little ringed plover and a couple of dunlin.

Dungeness by fishing boats

I spent a short while seawatching from the fishing boats.  It was so quiet with no wind and mild weather.

• There were at least 6 gannets seen.
• Also present were a small number of arctic terns and a similar number of common terns.

ARC Hide

I finished off at the ARC hide.

• Highlight of this part of the proceedings was a little stint, showing in the distance.
• A garganey, in eclipse mode, was nice to locate.

• A greenshank flew in midway through my visit.

• Among the rest were several ringed plovers and little ringed plovers, a couple of dunlin, a cetti's warbler and several common sandpipers.

Addition to BUBO 2016 Year List:

Black Tern   (235)

A very pleasant and productive trip - as always at Dungeness