Tuesday 6 September 2011

First Gale of the Autumn

Dungeness - 0800hrs - mild, low cloud, drizzle, wsw 6, building to Force 8 later with heavy rain.
The first proper blow of the autumn moved up-Channel throughout the day and as ever was disappointing for seabirds. Still, you`ve got to give it a go and I lasted 90 minutes, first at the seawatch hide and then from the fishing boats. A sum total of one Balearic Shearwater, 100 Sandwich and Common Terns, 50 odd Gannets, 10 Guillemots, 5 Kitts, 2 Fulmars, a Common Scoter and the Glaucous Gull loitering with intent on the beach looking perfectly at home in the tempest.
A few other locals had the same idea but nothing much else was reported during the course of the morning. Probably be better tomorrow once the wind settles a bit (Grey Phal, Sabs Gull etc...., well I can dream...).
ARC - 1230hrs - Poor fare from Hanson hide with only a handful of Dunlins, Ringed Plovers and a Green Sandpiper of note on the wind-blasted shingle ridges. Also, several Common Terns and a juv Little Gull, plus the Goosander, Sparrowhawk, Long-tailed Tits, Blackcap and a Hobby over the causeway road.

                                          Stormy Seas off Dungeness
                                          Goosander, ARC

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