Dungeness - July

 So far behind in processing my photos. Selection of July highlights. 

Curlew Sandpiper

Female Red-crested Pochard

Lesser Emperor

Bittern

Green Sandpiper

Black Tern

Eclipse Drake Garganey

Eclipse Duck Garganey

Likely radio-active material from on-going power station de-commissioning. Maybe on its way to Sellafield?

Bar-headed Goose - this was a five goose species morning from Hanson - far too many in my opinion

Male Ruff

Sandwich Tern family

Hobby

Little-ringed Plover

In Lightroom there is a feature called 'assisted culling'. I haven't used it on this photo but i'd like to on these Canada Geese stomping all through the Common Tern colony!

Six of the 11 Wigeon that appeared on Burrowes on 14th July

Common Tern

I reckon this female Marsh Harrier must be a mature lady given the large pale areas on her forewings

A flock of 21 White Storks drifted over the RSPB reserve on the 31st.

Nesting Ringed Plover Update

The nesting Ringed Plover was still sitting today, hopefully on remaining undamaged eggs.
5th July update - The Ringed Plover pair had abandoned their nesting attempt.

The four Avocet chicks are still alive and being well looked after by the adult birds.

Two chicks receiving protection from the rain

Drying off

Waders continue to visit ARC, this adult Dunlin was one of three individuals that has now increased to six.

Little Ringed Plovers have bred at ARC without us knowing. Three juveniles and one adult remain on the islands frequently getting chased by the Ringed Plovers.

The female Red-crested Pochard and remaining duckling can sometimes prove elusive to see at ARC but in the last few days have been recorded daily.

Lesser Emperor dragonflies are now also being recorded at ARC, Long Pits and at the Point.

Juvenile Bearded Tits also continue to be seen well from Hanson Hide.

Amongst the migrating waders, a moulting male Ruff

Black-winged Stilt

Early morning excitement and anticipation with a productive and varied sea watch including a good movement of Common Scoter. A Surf Scoter was amongst a Common Scoter flock heading east off Beachy Head at 06:51, an hour later it was passing the Point and was seen by a few of the locals and visiting birders as it sped past moving position within the Common Scoter flock. As the sea watch started to slow down, a nice find by Gary Johnson of a female Black-winged Stilt at RSPB Dungeness on Hayfield 1 early morning caused most remaining birders to depart and head to the reserve. 

The late afternoon light was great for getting some photos with the Stilt close to the western fence of the Hayfield.

Female Black-winged Stilt

Female Black-winged Stilt

Sedge Warblers are established across the reserve, a small number now singing from exposed perches.

Sedge Warbler

Also on Hayfield 1 an Avocet joined the Stilt and a pair of Little Ringed Plovers.

Avocet

Little Ringed Plover

Ravens breed locally but it is not often that you get a chance to see one up close. Martin gave me a call on the radio as one had been bathing and was drying off near the Hayfields.

Raven

A couple of pairs of Redshank are favouring the shingle islands in front of Xmas Dell and looking very smart in their breeding plumage.

Redshank

Three Grey Plovers were roosting on the islands along with a single Redshank.

Grey Plovers