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.

Hobbies

Back on the 24th May when the female Red-footed Falcon was on the RSPB Dungeness reserve, at least 23 Hobbies were also around. Then the next day I could only find one Hobby, there had been a mass clearout or so it seemed. Yesterday, May 30th Hobbies were back and in even greater numbers than before with at least 25 across the reserve from ARC to Dengemarsh, there were 21 viewable from the Hookers ramp at one point.

Hobby

Hobby

Sometimes it is all too easy to take Marsh Harriers for granted but they are a scarce rare breeding bird in the U.K. and a treat to watch hunting, especially the smart males. 

Male Marsh Harrier

Migrating waders continue to visit the reserve and a flock of 14 Black-tailed Godwits dropped in to Hayfield 1, a couple of them almost in full breeding plumage. Sanderling, Little Stint, Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Curlew Sandpiper and a 1st summer Little Gull were all on Burrowes Pit. 

Black-tailed Godwits

A smart drake Red-crested Pochard has been on ARC for a while now, quite a lovely looking duck.

Drake Red-crested Pochard