The last month

Various problems with laptops etc and a slight lethargy means that there have been no posts for a while. The last month has had some lovely days and a few highlights are the orchids on Bonsai bank with the Duke of Burgundy butterfly, some nice moths in the trap, catching up with a Blyth's Reed Warbler in the trapping area and a great day out with friends visiting Monet's Garden in Giverny, France.











A day at Bletchley Park, courtesy of my late Uncle's donation, was very interesting and brought home the atmosphere and conditions of war time and how much we owe those people who worked so hard to keep us safe and shorten the war. Huts 3 and 4 have been restored to what they would have looked like during the war. Very nostalgic seeing things like Player's Navy Cut cigarettes and some of the clothes.















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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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Dungeness

There was evidence of heavy showers as I made my way to Dungeness this morning but the day stayed dry but cold with a northerly wind. There was little reported from the area so we went to the RSPB reserve, stopping at the south end of ARC where there were a few Little Gulls in amongst the other gulls but no Gargeney or
hirundines.
The reserve was quiet so we returned to the screen hide and scanned round, seeing only one Grey Heron, one Marsh Harrier and 7 Swallows. Walking back to the car we heard Cetti's, a Reed and a Sedge Warbler.
We stopped at the ARC again where there were 6 Little Egrets feeding along the edges.

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just as we were leaving, a young badger popped up and kept us entertained for nearly an hour.














On our way back to the obs we stopped off to look at an earthstar which had gone over but was still identifiable as Collared Earthstar.


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Monday

A walk out into the area proved that there hadn't been any significant migration, although there were Whitethroats singing as well as Willow Warblers and a few flutey Blackbirds. We spent some time listening for the Hume's but nothing. Just as we were thinkiong of heading back a call from DW alerted us to a Grasshopper Warbler he had heard singing from somewhere by the southern end of the long pits so we walked up there and stood around but there was only a couple of very short bursts and no sign of movement from a bramble bush.
On the way out we saw 3 Small Coppers and at least 2 Peacocks and 3 Small Tortoiseshells and a Small White along the paths.
Back home a Buzzard flew over and a Sparrowhawk circled round and w had our first Holly Blue Butterfly.

Sunday Walk

The Daffs in the garden are beginning to go over and we are looking forward to the next flush of flowers, especially waft of perfume and the froth of the white wisteria although the buds have been attacked by the sparrows so will have to wait and see.
We decided to go for a walk after lunch to a small Kent Wildlife Trust woodland just along the road which we visit fairly frequently. On the way we saw 5 or 6 Orange-tip enjoying the Hedge Mustard and Greater Stichwort growing in the verges and 4 or 5 Speckled Wood Butterflies as well as a Peacock along the old railway line.

We enjoyed the views across the fields towards St. Mildred's Church and across the wealden fields as we headed towards the woodland.

There was a lot of tit activity in the newly burst oak leaves, several Blackbirds and Song Thrushes were singing and a Buzzard drifted slowly overhead.
As we walked round the wood we heard and saw several Chiffchaffs and at least 4 Blackcaps. A Great Spot Woodpecker started drumming, a gaggle of Canada Geese held a noisy conversation on the old mill pond and a buzzard skimmed the canopy above our heads.
The woodland floor was carpeted with bluebells and their perfume was everywhere as we walked round.

On the walk back we saw 2 swallows zipping round the farm house, it was so warm that I was glad that I wasn't wearing a coat. A very obliging Orange-tip posed for photos as we made our way home.

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Dungeness Day

The drive across the marsh was brightened up by several pairs of Yellowhammers and a couple of Reed Buntings in the bushes but they were too shy for photographs.
We thought about driving round to the top end following news of a singing nightingale but decided to walk up via the Hume's Warbler to see if it was still here.
The walk round was very pleasant though we didn't see or hear many birds. We did see 3 Small Coppers, 2 Peacocks and 1 probable Orange Underwing. We found a slow worm curled up under some corrugated iron sheeting which was my first for Dungeness.We also found a large amount of Upright Chickweed, especially in the grassy areas to the east of the long pits along with carpets of Storksbill.
On the way back a couple of swallows zipped by and the Hume's was heard and after going round to the pilot path where there were 6 others I managed to get some good, though brief, views.
After a late lunch we went over to the fishing boats where the only birds moving were a few Scoter and 2 Common Terns. The Glaucous Gull was on the beach with a few other gulls. Then on to the reserve which was very quiet.
 

Cross-channel collaboration

Following a visit from some French birders, Nicolas Selosse, Ludovic Pascale with a member of the Cote d'Opale tourist board plus Natan, David was invited to attend and speak at a conference on coastal migration from a Dungeness point of view.
We took an early train and arrived at the conference centre, a nice, holiday village in Ambleteuse, in time for refreshments before the introduction. We met up with Paul Holt from Samphire Ho!, Sam and Dean Morrison from KWT and Jonathan Cook from the RSPB, a nice British contingent.
The morning talks were very interesting and thought provoking, as well giving a real insight into how Birdwatchers and scientists can agree or disagree. It
also highlighted the similarities and many differences between recording sightings, data collection and use of protocols.

Nicolas and Ludovic

Dungeness/Cap Gris Nez data

The lunch was very French with salad, meat, cheese and a selection of Fruits de Mer presented with some style. Wine was freely available and the 'hour' for lunch stretched to nearly two.

Buffet Lunch

The afternoon session was split into three workshops with David speaking about the way data from the observatory can be used to illustrate population and phenological trends. The really interesting thing was how comparisons were made to show different migration strategies, changes in populations and how this was used in the production of the Cap Griz Nez report. We collected our keys and bags and settled into,our rooms. The rooms were 2 stories with en-suite and twin beds downstairs and a basin and 3 beds upstairs with a very efficient heating system.

 

Accommodation

Conference Centre

The evening meal was salmon in a seafood sauce with mash and pasta, followed by ice cream, cream and a wafer. Wine was on the the tables and you could also pour it out by the jugful from a dispenser.


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