The day started with a seawatch at Dungeness, arriving at 6.30 we headed for the beach only to find the predicted winds had not happened.
So with hardly any wind apart from a minimal breeze, bird movement was slow.
In the session birds noted were 2 Manx Shearwater's, 1 Arctic Skua, 7 Black Tern, 3 Common Scoter plus the usual suspects at the patch. Gannets were numerous, as were Common Terns.
Moving on to the reserve, we made our way along the path to Firth Hide, and as soon as we scan the islands in front of us a Wood Sandpiper was found.
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| Wood Sandpiper |
While enjoying the relatively close views of this elegant wader two more waders dropped in a short distance away. A Green Sandpiper and another Wood Sand. An ideal opportunity to compare the two species side by side.
The Green Sandpiper's stay was brief, as it took off and headed out of sight. But the two Wood Sandpiper's stayed put. Only making short flights between the small islands in front of us.
Also on the islands in front of us were Ruff, and Redshank, taking advantage of the abundant food source around the edges of the islands.
On the way home we dropped in at Oare Marshes. The target here being a Temminck's Stint.
Reaching the small pool on the West side of the road, we get straight onto the Stint. It's on a small muddy island and being so small and asleep it could very easily be missed.
Luckily it's close to a Ringed Plover and soon wakes to feed. Giving excellent views through the scope. A year tick for me and a life tick for dad.
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| Temminck's Stint |
Making our way back up the narrow road we scan the larger pool on the opposite side.Black-tailed Godwits are present in large numbers. A couple of Curlew Sandpipers are found among them along with a single Greenshank. But there was no sign of the Bonaparte's Gull while we were there.
Another bonus here was my first ever sighting of a couple of Clouded Yellow Butterflies.
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| Clouded Yellow |
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