Birding has been very limited of late save a quick trip to Fairlop in the the week to catch the local Hoopoe so today we decided on a trip to Dunge for a spot of early morning sea watching.
Arriving at 6.30am we were rewarded for a two hour stint with several Arctic Skua, three Manx Shearwater and two Balearics. Gannets, Scoters, Great Crested Grebes, Fulmar, Black, Common and Sandwich Terns all added to the spectacle before we headed off for the reserve which was very quiet save a very obliging Kestrel. I thought I had a Honey Buzzard from the car on the way out and later found one had been seen at Dunge this morning so could be the same bird and I'm now wishing I'd found somewhere to pull over for a better view.
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| Kestrel at Dungeness |
We moved on to Oare Marsh where we eventually found the Bonaparte's Gull which is getting more difficult as it loses it's summer plumage. Also present were six Curlew Sandpiper and two Little Stint.
Other waders on offer here were Ringed Plover, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Redshank, Spotted Redshank, Dunlin, Knot, Ruff, Turnstone, Black-tailed Godwit and Greenshank. Yellow Wagtail, Kingfisher , Marsh Harrier, Kestrel and Water Rail also added to the count.
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| Getting harder to find him. |
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| Showing the slender black bill and smaller build next to the Black-headed Gull |
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| Bonaparte's Gull |
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| Bonaparte's at Oare Marsh |
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| Little star. |
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| Bonaparte's in flight |
The water levels are good at Oare and it's attracting good volume and variety.
I wouldn't be surprised if it turns up something else good this autumn.
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| Kestrel |
Year list now 258
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