Sunday 5 August 2012

Sabine`s Gull

Lade - 0600hrs - mild, cloudy, light airs, warm and sunny later S2 - Perfect overnight conditions for moths and indeed the trap was packed with 32 species, including Wormwood Pug and Nutmeg new for the year.
The cloud cover around dawn had grounded a scattering of Willow Warblers and Whitethroats hereabouts with 20 and 10 respectively across the storm beaches and in gardens. Painted Lady, Red Admiral and Peacock (at last) on the Buddleia by mid-afternoon.
Dungeness - 1100hrs - An moulting adult Sabine`s Gull was found off the seawatch hide this morning, but by the time I arrived on site it had gone awol. Walked down to the Patch with DB and after a while the bird returned from the west, briefly settling on the scum line before drifting towards the seawatch hide and then flying back towards the Patch. There was a good turn out of locals for what was a smart bird, although I failed to get any digi-pics due to time constraints, light and various other excuses (check out DBO website and PB blog for pics). Also noted, 2 Little Gulls, 1 Med, 5 Kitts, 50 Common Terns, 20 Common Scoters and a steady passage of Gannets.
Lade - 1700hrs - Wandered over the beach to give Barney a run this evening and the closest bird to shore (probably about 300 yards from Plovers!) was a cracking adult Knot in moult, my 16th species of wader for the month. Squadrons of Curlews and Oystercatchers were also returning to feed as the tide ebbed, along with at least 20 Dunlins, 3 Barwits and 2 Redshanks. On the walk back a Whimbrel flew south calling and a couple of Wheatears were feeding on insects near the toilet block.

                                         Adult Knot, Lade

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