Dungeness. Kent ... 14th September 2010

Dungeness was the place to be today, although a planned mammoth seawatch first thing didn't materialise. Although the wind was blowing a gale and the sea was really choppy, there was not much passage. It also kept the passerines under cover. But I did manage to add 5 year ticks - Common Scoter, Glossy Ibis, Hoopoe, Lapland Bunting and Arctic Skua.

Arriving at the 'Patch' in front of the power station at 6.15 a.m and seawatching until 9.30 a.m.,
I noted the following: 10 Gannets, 16 Black Terns, 4 Common Scoters flying east, 1 Fulmar, a Wheatear and 12 Common Terns.

I then headed for Dengemarsh where, between 9.45 a.m and 10.15 a.m., where I added
a flock of 12+ GLOSSY IBISES, partially hidden in reeds (other observers had counted 18 individuals) and a GREAT WHITE EGRET.







I then headed back to the beach and to the fishing boats where, between 11 a.m and 1 p.m., I added a HOOPOE and 2 LAPLAND BUNTINGS (possibly up to 5 birds were present though). Fifteen Great Crested Grebes were on the sea.






I then went back to the 'Patch' from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and added 3 Arctic Skuas (an adult and two juveniles), the Black Terns had increased to 18 birds and an adult winter-plumaged Little Gull and 3 Gannets were also present.

A walk around the Observatory from 3 p.m. to 3.30 p.m. produced one Black Redstart.

On to the RSPB reserve and at 4 p.m. a PIED FLYCATCHER showed in bushes by the toilet block in the car park.

Weather conditions made birding difficult today, but the results made it well worth the effort.

Apologies for the shaky videos - all taken in very windy conditions.

Paul