Friday 22 March 2013

Kittiwake

Dungeness - 1000hrs - cold, bright, e 5 - A wander along the boats in a cutting easterly was not a particularly joyous experience and only delivered a few Skylarks, Mipits and Pied Wagtails. On the sea the usual grebes and auks plus a few divers, Kittiwakes and one group of 15 Common Scoters.
Called in at the Obs after which a circuit of the moat drew a blank; incredibly there was still a relic snow drift by the Heligoland trap, 10 days after the blizzard which just goes to show how cold its been since.

                                Dungeness Bird Observatory

Lade - Least said the better here with little of note apart from a couple of Marsh Harriers battling against the wind behind the `mirrors` and a Goldeneye on north pit.
Dengemarsh - 1430hrs - Had a run out with MH this afternoon. First stop Hookers where 3 Marsh Harriers were cavorting over the reedbed, flushing Curlews from the back field. A flock of 150 Golden Plovers hurtled over and the usual array of feral geese, Stock Dove, Wigeon and Lapwings noted on the wet meadows. Little of note from Dengemarsh hide but number 3 hayfield attracted a decent number of Teal, Shoveler, Wigeon, Gadwall, Shelduck, Dunlin, Ringed Plover and Lapwing.
Called in at the visitors centre for a natter and a warm up where we picked up the unusual sight of an adult Kittiwake flying over Burrowes pit. Also noted Great White Egret, 5 Goldeneye and 2 Smew.
On the way out near Boulderwall a Bittern flew across one of the lagoons and another Marsh Harrier over. Can honestly say was glad to get home in front of the fire, surely this easterly wind can`t last until Easter... 
Anyone planning a trip down this weekend - either think again, or wrap up well.

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