A morning at Dungeness

We spent the morning birding the Dungeness area, starting at Galloway's at first light in case the army decided to hoist the red flags, thus preventing access to the track. It was relatively quiet, allowing us to search the bushes on either side of the track. Stonechats, Whitethroats, Meadow Pipits, and Chiffchaffs were all seen, and finally, I saw my first Whinchats of the year

Whinchat

On the drive down we had encountered plenty of mist, but by the time we had reached the sea watching hide perched up on top of the shingle banks the mist had cleared. The sea was calm and flat and with very little wind, expectations were not high. However, a two-hour session produced double figures of Arctic Skuas and at least one Pomarine Skua. 

View from outside the sea watching hide

We drove the entrance track towards the reserve centre and managed to spot a Great White Egret and a Glossy Ibis. While watching the Ibis, eight Cattle Egret flew in, and to complete the trio of Egret species a Little Egret was spotted feeding in a nearby channel.

The scrapes on Arc Pit were looking really good and we had great views of two Black Terns, four Common Sandpipers a Little Stint, several Black-tailed Godwits, and plenty of Golden Plovers.

View of the scrapes from Hanson Hide

Common Snipe

We ended the mornings birding with a brief scan from Springfield bridge and enjoyed views of two Wood Sandpipers, four Curlew Sandpipers, and another Cattle Egret.