Goosander

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.

The four Black-necked Grebes which are usually spread out the length of Scotney main pit were all together and did a very welcome close swim past. 

The 1w Scaup, likely a drake, was also fairly close and mostly asleep amongst the resting flock of Wigeon, Tufted Duck and Pochard. It eventually woke up.

Three Good Ducks and a Diver

On the 22nd February, Brenda found a female Scaup on the Sussex side of Scotney at the double bends and I managed to see it today the 23rd.

Scaup female asleep with two Pochard

Scaup female

Scaup female

Scaup female

On the Dungeness RSPB reserve the female Smew remained on ARC and the Long-tailed Duck remained on New Diggings. On Burrowes this 'Scaup type' female Tufted Duck has recently been causing some visitors to think they might have seen a Scaup on the reserve.

'Scaup type' Tufted Duck female

'Scaup type' Tufted Duck female

'Scaup type' Tufted Duck female

Due to the overnight rain and temperatures in excess of 10°C, large numbers of Smooth Newts were starting to make their way to the complex of ponds to the west of the track between the ARC Screen and the level crossing at the Affinity Water Works. You had to be careful not to tread on them and I must have moved over 30 from the track to, hopefully a safer location.

Smooth Newt

The Great Northern Diver that was seen yesterday on Burrowes had remained being seen, albeit distantly, from the replacement Makepeace hide. With big gaps between sightings this year, it makes you wonder how many have been recorded on the reserve.

Great Northern Diver

Great Northern Diver

Drake Pochard are scattered across the reserve and looked great in the early morning sunshine at ARC.

Pochard