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Thursday 27 June 2013

Thursday 27/6

Another blustery cool day still no summer arrived. A couple of hours so went to Dungeness South end of Arc had ringed plover and a noticeable lack of the masses of swifts we have had of late. On to Arc hide again quiet but reed / sedge warblers reed bunting Hobby Kestrel and a great sight of a Bittern in flight. A total of 42   

Monday 24 June 2013

Monday 24/6

Another miserable day overcast and windy was to visit my daughter and decided to go via Oare Marshes.   With reports of a Bonapartes Gull hoping we could find that. Arrived and it was still high tide so the marsh was awash with birds many Blacktailed Godwits Avocets and Gulls. a good number of Black Headed Gulls but unable to find a Bonaparte. Still lots of swifts about with House Martins . Reed and Sedge warblers seen. Total species 34     

Sunday 23/6

Another blustery day so the masses of Swifts are around the lakes again with a few House Martins and even less swallows. Tried to do a birding walk after arriving at the reserve the strong wind and the cold feel dampened any enthusiasm. The reserve track had great views of Hobbies arrived at ARC and watched from the Hide for a while scanning all the swifts looking for any sign of white with no luck. Eclipse Duck numbers have increased across the reserve. Total  was a low 30 species.

Tuesday 18 June 2013

Monday 17/6

A lovely day so a walk round Dungeness Reserve was on the cards. The first thing of notice was the lack of swifts as after days of hundreds if not thousands wheeling around the local lakes the absence today was obvious.
Yellow hammers were present as I drove over the marsh South end of ARC had Little Egret Ringed Plover and Redshank. The reserve showed Cuckoo still calling which is a late date. Still no Dragonflies but other insects were haching in the fine weather giving the hobbies pleanty to eat. Young Common Terns in the rafts were a cute sight. 2 Grass snakes were observed and one Lizard. Total 38   

Thursday 13 June 2013

Thursday 13/6

Will summer ever begin ??
Yesterday as usual dull windy and cold but did decide to try for the Black Kite at Selling/ Boughton Street had no idea of exact location but arrived at a crossroads to find a few birders on the side of road. Told to hurry as Kite was about to disappear from view. I did not get to see the bird, visited the Church in the drizzle again no sight. Went to Macnades for Lunch and returned to the church and then again to the Crossroads here I found Martin W and Flossie it was before Sarahs Wedding we last met up at NHGP. Kite was reported over the church ( when we were at lunch ) Watched for a while but no luck high winds and rain did not make it pleasant.
Today managed a short trip out to Dungeness even windier than yesterday and still drizzle and dull. Grey Lag Goose with goslings at soouth end of ARC and a vast amount of Swifts over the lake. Nothing on the notice board but Knot and Ringed Plover from the shop. Total today 36 

Thursday 6 June 2013

Thursday 6/6

Not feeling top of the world today but managed the South end of ARC for 20 minutes. Immediately saw a Juv Little Gull on the shore line for a few minutes before a fly through Sparrowhawk sent every thing into the air.
After all had returned to normal after the Sparrow Hawk scare spotted a Ringed Plover, happily the scope was in the boot so out it came and recorded my first Little Ringed Plover of 2013 ( 149) .
Hirundine numbers seemed to be down today compared with other days but may be due to the high winds. A Cormorant that swallowed a fish too big for his gullet gave a few minutes of tension as it tried hard to make it slide down and eventually won.
Lots of Teal but none could be turned into GW Teal. 

Wednesday 05/06

A visit to Maidstone to visit children on a warm sunny day . Local weather was very windy but inland it was a very pleasant 17*. A wishfull trip round NHGP did not get done but having to return via Rochester and Faversham gave the opportunity for a short drop in on Oare Marshes. Tide was a long way out so no waders on the marsh except hundreds of Blacktailed Godwits which in summer plumage is a wonderful sight.  A handfull of Avocets were a nice sight as I have not found any on Romney Marsh as yet, I understand they are at Midripps but do not know that area yet. Still masses of Hirundines ,are these too late to breed ? as it seems unusual to see so many so late. No Terns at all which I thought was unusual. A nice visit but no Tufted Puffin or other rarity. Total 34

Saturday 1 June 2013

Saturday 1/6

Morning started out sunny and promising but went down hill and ended up cloudy and cold . With the report of a Garganey on ARC managed to get Val to drive me down at 3.30 for an hour. A  stunning drake Garganey ( 148) was found on South end of ARC . The reserve had all the usual with great displays by Hobbies . Total was only 29