Crossbills

Tuesday 4th November

Despite visiting the pines earlier in the day and not seeing that much a visitor located a flock of 28 Crossbills there later that day at the pines. The birds were feeding in the pines and occasionally coming down to the puddles along the track to drink.

I received a call from Martin whilst I was at home to inform me that a flock of 17 were still at the pines and showing very well. Leaving the decorating I was doing for another time I soon arrived at the pines and was watching these lovely and charismatic finches as they demolished various pine cones. The last time I had seen perched Crossbills in the area was at the pines back in 2020.

Many thanks to Martin for the call.

Friday 7th November

On Friday 7th a few Black Redstarts were recorded across the peninsula with at least 10 noted. Four of them graced the RSPB Visitor Centre car park area and buildings. 

After hearing on the radio that Martin had to leave the Fishing Boats and noting the numbers and variety of species that he had recorded I decided to continue the watch to provide some continuity. However, my watch only lasted 40 minutes as it turned out to be very poor. At least a close Red-throated Diver just off-shore performed for the camera.

Pallas's Warbler

Whilst I was wandering towards the Pines at ARC, Dungeness RSPB, a message came through the Stephen Message had found a Pallas's Warbler at Dengemarsh Gulley. I returned to my car and it wasn't long before I was walking down the badly pot-holed track towards the gulley having decided not to risk driving my car down the track. Martin, Owen and Colin were already there when I arrived and it wasn't long before I was also watching this superb green and stripey warbler. Superb find by Stephen and thanks to Owen for giving me a lift back to my car.

On the RSPB reserve from Dengemarsh at least three first winter Caspian Gulls amongst the bathing and roosting mixed large gull species.

Plus a female/1CY Black Redstart feeding within a cut grass field opposite Boulderwall Farm.

A little unexpected was to see two Curlew Sandpipers on ARC given that one had been around on Burrowes for several days and a second hadn't been seen to my knowledge. However, on checking Burrowes a working party were out across the islands on the pit which explained the complete lack of birds there, including any Curlew Sandpipers.

Redwings 24th and 25th March

The 24th March was overcast and damp. Hundreds of Redwings and a few Fieldfares had descended in to the Desert and the top of the Long Pits. They were incredibly hard to see even though many were singing and they would not allow a close approach. Somehow they knew you were there and went quiet as one.

Redwings in the Desert

Wandering down to the Point from the top of the Long Pits, I was picking up new arrivals with the odd Goldcrest and a few Chiffchaffs, along with a single Firecrest. In the following photo sequence, i've tried to provide similar comparison postures of Chiffchaff and Iberian Chiffchaff from the 22nd March. 

Chiffchaff

Iberian Chiffchaff from 22nd March

Chiffchaff

Iberian Chiffchaff from the 22nd March

Chiffchaff

Iberian Chiffchaff from 22nd March

Goldcrest

Heading on to the RSPB Reserve there were a couple of Avocets on Burrowes and a female Long-tailed Duck which I couldn't find today. The Long-tailed Duck is likely to be the one from Lade and before that from New Diggings, it was last seen on New Diggings on 7th March, then Lade on 13th-14th March and Burrowes on the 17th. As of the 25th there are at least six Goldeneye still present on Burrowes.

Avocet

Female Long-tailed Duck and Drake Goldeneye

Gulls are still making use of the new islands infront of Xmas Dell and Dengemarsh hides. This very large and long billed 2CY Caspian Gull was in from of Dengemarsh hide.

2CY Caspian Gull

2CY Caspian Gull

Pairs of Common Gulls were interested in the islands, hopefully they might breed.

Common Gulls

On the 25th March, the Point was cloaked in a low hazy mist and early messages from Jacob indicated that once again Redwings were in the area along with a Hawfinch. However, the mist layer quickly burnt off and the skies were clear and blue and I could only hear the odd Siskin calling as I walked to the Point and Desert from the top of the Long Pits. My walk recorded a dearth of migrants with only the local Robins and singing Chiffchaffs. A look at the sea was equally disappointing but on walking back to the Bird Observatory there were a couple of Black Redstarts feeding including a stunning male that had been ringed, presumably by the Obs team.

Male Black Redstart

Male Black Redstart 

Male Black Redstart

I headed back home for breakfast and a message on another Kent Whatsapp group stated that a Hoopoe had been seen at Kerton Pit. So it was back out and on arriving at Kerton Road I could a few of the other locals looking for the Hoopoe. In the end we couldn't relocate it but did have a Woodcock and a 2CY Caspian Gull. 

2CY Caspian Gull Kerton Pit

Black Redstarts

I managed to miss over 20 Garganey flying past the Point at various times of the day today but I still caught up with plenty of variety migrating east, albeit in lower numbers than the past few days. 

We haven't been recording that many Lesser Black-backed Gulls recently so it was nice to see this group of five adults moving east, with a sixth also trying to sneak by. As it felt like the numbers of moving birds was slowing we decided to end the sea watch but not before Martin picked up three Avocets going past.  

On land there had been an arrival of Black Redstarts as there were at least 17 between Galloways, the RSPB Reserve and the Point. Three of the ones I caught up with were stunning males and typically favouring areas with buildings.

Male Black Redstart

Male Black Redstart

Male Black Redstart

Yesterday our first Wheatears started to arrive at the Point and today some were still around. Jacob the Dungeness Bird Observatory Assistant Warden managed to ring, under licence, this male which after being released started actively feeding again and also singing! 

Spring Starts - sort of

Signs of spring continue to emerge across the peninsula with Oystercatcher, Teal, Shoveler, Goldeneye and Tufted ducks pairing up, Ringed Plovers and Marsh Harriers displaying, Bitterns booming and our first Sand Martin recorded by Kevin Ellse on the 12th March who also found a female Long-tailed Duck on Lade south on the 13th. White wagtails have started to appear at the Point, Springfield Bridge and New Romney Sewage Works. A Spoonbill at Dengemarsh on the 13th and female White-tailed Eagle G542 from the Isle of White re-introduction appeared over the reserve again, she really likes it here. Offshore, sea watching remains tough with low numbers of migrating birds in the predominantly northerly winds. Two Goosander on the 12th along with flocks of Dark-bellied Brent goose totalling 715 east are highlights. At least two Water Pipits continue to be hard to see commuting between the Flood Field and Hayfields. 18 Black-tailed Godwits briefly visited Dengemarsh on the 11th with five in-off at the Point. A female Black Redstart continues to show well at the Power Station wall. 

Oystercatcher Pair on the reserve

Black-tailed Godwits migrating past the Point

Female Black Redstart

Female Long-tailed Duck with male Goldeneye

Female Long-tailed Duck

Male White Wagtail

Male White Wagtail

Damp Female? White Wagtail after a heavy sleet shower

Dark-bellied Brent Goose moving east at the Point

Two Black-tailed Godwits on Hayfield 1

Brown Hare on the reserve