18/02/2018 Dungeness and Lade GP with Paul and the Group

Sunday 18 February 2018
Paul and Group
Dungeness and Lade Gravel Pits

A very enjoyable day out with Paul and the group, my first of the year.  The weather was superb with lots of sunshine and little wind.  I have listed the highlights below.

• I thought we had a view of the Long-eared Owl by the visitor's centre but it turned out to be a Sparrowhawk which was occupying a similar position in the bushes. 
• The Black-throated Diver was still there but it had moved from Denge Marsh onto Burrowes.
• The Slavonian Grebe was still there and showing well from Christmas Dell Hide.
• As we left the reserve, I picked up a good sighting of the 2 redhead Smew on the pond near the cottage at Boulderwell.  The drake did not show this time, however.
• On the sea, viewed from the fishing boats, we had superb views of 3 Velvet Scoters flying west.
• At Lade Gravel Pits we saw the 2 Long-tailed Ducks and in the bushes, by the side of the path, my first Dartford Warbler of the year entertained us for a while. 

68 species seen, including 4 year ticks!