A sea watch day.

Because of the promise of a good day for birds I got up early and headed down to Dungeness, despite it beginning to rain. The moth trap held just 3 moths, Small Phoenix and 2 Brindled Pug. The drive across Walland was very grey and wet with little life, even on the feeders and the weather at the point meant that little was moving. As the rain eased, though, a call informed us that there were terns streaming by so we drive down to the boats, as the hide was full and unpleasantly wet. Parking so the the rain didn't soak the car was a challenge but we were soon watching flocks of 100+ Arctic and Common Terns heading rapidly up channel. Added to the tern movement there were also a few Barwits and I saw one Great Northern Diver, althoug I think there were three altogether.
AS the rain cleared the stream of birds slowed right down and we decided to check out the ARC oit where there 40+ Black terns had been reported along with lots of Arctic terns. We scanned the pit an found lots of birds, including Black, Arctic and Common terns.
We went round to the RSPB reserve as 2 Black-Winged Stilts had been re-found on hayfield 1 and they gave good views as they fed and then roosted in the shallow pool. A Greenshank, trailed by a Wood Sandpiper, flew over our heads and we just mananged to find the Bearded Tit family before the young dispersed into the reeds. Altogether a really enjoyable day with lots to see.


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