Dungeness - 0900 - An hours seawatch from the hide was most productive with the highlight being over 800 Brents in six flocks, followed by 47 Red-throated Divers, 60 Common Scoters, 18 Common Terns and a trickle of Fulmars, Gannets and Sandwich Terns. At the Patch hundreds of common Gulls including 5 Mediterraneans. A small fall of passerines along the power station wall was of interest and comprised 10 Chiffchaffs, 2 Goldcrests and, new for the year, a Willow Warbler (155). With the temperature rising and masses of black flying insects on the wing the warblers had plenty to fuel up on; the crests were hanging on the wall picking off the flies. Around the old light several more Goldcrests, Chiffchaffs, 2 Black Redstarts and 4 Wheatears. On the edge of the trapping area we had brief views of another male Ring Ouzel feeding on the ground. A few more Goldcrests noted plus singles of Fieldfare and Kestrel.
RSPB - We spent the afternoon on the bird reserve rattling up a fair old list and year ticks all round. On ARC 12 Smew still present on the far side, plus 5 Goldeneyes, 2 Great White Egrets, 2 Little Egrets, Blackwit, Grey Plover and a flyby Bittern. Around the car park and willow trail singing Willow Warbler and Chiffchaffs, plus Long-tailed Tit carrying nest material, Tree Sparrows, Reed Buntings, Linnet and Blackcap.
Over the road a Whimbrel from the access road was new for the Marsh year list (156) and when news broke of the Penduline Tits at Hookers (SB) we hot-footed it to their last known location. After an hour we had no joy but did have good views of a summer plum Black-necked Grebe; also Dabchicks, singing Sedge Warbler, skydancing Marsh Harriers, a soaring Buzzard and several large flocks of Golden Plovers flew over calling mournfully.
However, from the ramp we had brief views of the 2 Pendulines (157), at long last, after not seeing them throughout the winter. Despite putting the news out and further waiting they did not re-emerge from the reedbed. Some consolation was provided by half a dozen Bearded Tits that put on a fine show for the assembled crowd. Elsewhere around Dengemarsh we had 2 more Bittern sightings and good views of a Raven, but could find no sign of the 3 Spoonbills that had been seen earlier.
Littlestone - Finished the day searching for shorebirds of which we noted 7 common species, including a Bar-wit in near full summer plum, and 15 Sandwich Terns on the sands.
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