More from my visit to RSPB Dungeness on the 27th Jan.
2nd Winter (2nd cycle) Caspian Gull in flight and then coming to join the roosting flock to join another two 1st winter (1st cycle) Caspians.
A morning and early afternoon of almost constant heavy rainfall which meant I didn't venture out until mid afternoon. I decided to head to the RSPB reserve and check the gull roost on Burrowes. Over the past few days the number of roosting Great Black-backed gulls has gradually reduced or the later tide time change is affecting the number of visiting gulls that i'm seeing. A few days ago there were at least 1,000 Great Black-backed Gulls coming onto Burrowes to roost and bathe, today maybe 300 whilst I was there but still some good views opportunities to look through and check for Yellow-legged and Caspian Gulls.
I was also trying out some different camera settings in the relatively gloomy light conditions.
The Caspian Gull didn't hang around and flew off after finishing bathing.
On 1st Jan, I was at the RSPB Reserve and picked up 28 Greater White-fronted Geese flying around Dengemarsh and the Hayfields before heading off over towards the MOD ranges.
Normally I seem to jinx trying to see Goosander, generally failing when they turn up in the area, however this time two redheads at Scotney decided to stay long enough for me to see them before flying off whilst I was still there.
Martin kindly gave me a call to inform me that he had seen a Lesser Whitethroat in his back garden. Likely one of the eastern subspecies, I was soon overlooking Martins back garden and waiting for the bird to re-appear. The corner of garden where bird feeders were located was bathed in winter sunshine and Goldfinches, Blue and Great tits and a Greenfinch were feeding on the seed but no sign of the warbler which had been on show at the point of my arrival! I joked that it was likely to re-appear as soon as Owen Leyshon arrived and that is exactly what happened. No sooner was Owen standing beside me it made an appearance and remained in view until we both left.
Whilst I was there it called, sounding like a dry rattle.
Many thanks to Martin for the phone call and allowing access to be able to see the bird.
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During the Christmas period, the RSPB visitor centre has been closed and the staff have had over a week off. The RSPB relies heavily on its volunteers and a number of us have been patrolling the reserve during this period to help visitors and provide a visible presence. I have been on the reserve every day over the period of closure and have enjoyed helping visitors make the most of their time on the reserve. It does get frustrating though when those with dogs continue to ignore the signs and access areas where dogs are prohibited and also dump their dog poo bags in vegetation rather than dispose of them properly. Grump over, on with today's story.
I decided to walk the main trail in reverse and hadn't seen that much until I looked from the viewing ramp where six Barnacle Geese of likely feral origin were foraging on the grass sward at the back of Dengemarsh.
On entering Dengemarsh hide a quick scan of the roosting gulls revealed a first winter Caspian Gull at least that is what I thought. However, it has been pointed out to me subsequently that the bird pictured below is either a hybrid of some sort or a Herring Gull. The bird has a pale eye, something which a first winter Caspian Gull should not have, also the inner greater coverts look notched and it doesn't look long legged. The tertials don't look notched and have broad white edges with one having a pale grey centre. The outer greater coverts look dark centered and the head appears white with little streaking however, the harsh light conditions may likely bleach out any streaking. Trying to work out hybrid parentage is difficult and this bird is probably a Herring Gull but through bins I went with my first impression of 1w Caspian Gull (with a pale eye).
The reserve was quite busy and initially I had the hide to myself as about 400 mostly Greylags arrived and settled on to the pit. As they flew in, I was sure I could here other geese, maybe White-fronts calling amongst them. These birds had probably been foraging on Lydd fields and had most likely been flushed. A scan of the Greylag flock initially revealed at least 29 White-fronts but other geese where hidden from view.
The hide started to fill up with visitors and I was able to direct them on to what I thought was a Caspian Gull and the White-fronted Geese. Two groups, 21 and five, of White-fronts flew from the pit and there were still at least nine that remained.
I called a Marsh Harrier that was drifting in from Dengemarsh Road and following the reedbed as suddenly all hell broke loose as every bird on the pit took to the air. At first I thought the Marsh Harrier was the cause but on looking around I noticed a large broad winged bird gliding in from the south-east above Dengemarsh Road. My initial thoughts was that it might be a White Stork but on looking at it through bins I shouted out 'Crane' and gave directions to those in the hide. It started to drift and glide as it worked out where it wanted to go, soaring over the chicken sheds and then towards the MOD Ranges before turning and heading back towards Dengemarsh. Eventually it gained height and headed south-west over the MOD Ranges. Whilst the bird was in view, I managed to get a couple of messages out on the locals group despite suffering from fat fingers.
I think this is the first area record of Crane since I moved here in July 2019.
An early afternoon visit to Hanson Hide on the RSPB Reserve led to a new birding experience of two Bitterns in view at the same time. A scan from the hide along an adjacent reedbed edge revealed a Bittern stood at the edge of the reeds seemingly warming itself up in the sunshine against the cold north-easterly gusty wind. What I didn't realise was that a second Bittern was also in the reeds just to the right of the one I was focused on. Bitterns are highly territorial and it looks to me like these two Bitterns were potentially having a bit of a tiff.
A quick visit to the Dungeness RSPB reserve in a bitterly cold north-easterly wind. The juvenile Great Northern Diver was still present at the north end of Burrowes Pit, five Avocets were standing on one of the submerged islands and three Goldeneye were feeding. Initially not many gulls appeared to be amongst the masses of Cormorants but gradually more started to arrive to roost, preen and bathe.
