Saturday 31/8

Woke to another lovely day and with still more reports of Whinchats in the area decided to do the RSPB Reserve. Driving up the track noticed a small bird moving from bush to bush on arriving there was a report of Whinchat on track. Did I dip again ?
Tree Sparrows at Boulderwall a Black Necked Grebe and unusually a Stock Dove and a sleeping Little Gull from Shop. Track to Dengemarsh gave up Whitethroat Green Sandpiper and  3 Ruff. The Great White Egret was on Dengemarsh and later a second bird showed itself. After much searching for the Red Crested Pochard managed to find 3 birds showing well. Total 29

Thursday 29/8

Another bright sunny day so managed to get out early to the Patch . The path to the patch gave up 13 Wheatears and a flock of Linnets. While at the patch watched viz mig in action as the wheatears flew off to France. A report of a Black Tern and an Artic Tern both which managed to avoid me. a close in Artic Skua was excellent and a flock of Common Scoter flew west.
On to Arc Hanson and Screen Hide gave up the usual lots of Golden Plover a couple of Greenshank and a Black Necked Grebe. Migration again in view as Swallows and Sand Martins sped passed. Total number 35    

Wednesday 28/8

A short walk from the house along the beach on a lovely morning many swallows along the sea wall then a kestrel in the first garden and sight of the first Clouded Yellow. A few birds in the bushes first was a Goldfinch followed by a Whitethroat then a Lesser Whitethroat and one unidentified warbler uniform brown ( Garden warbler like ) but appeared larger stockier than the Whitethroat. I then picked up a Spotted Flycatcher in the second garden  quietly waiting for prey a second Clouded yellow showed itself and the Spot Fly enjoyed a bit of exotic breakfast. Further along added Dunnock and baby Moorhen and mating Collared Dove.   A few birds calling in the land drain cover but did not manage to ID anything new. 4 Clouded Yellows seen.
Late from yesterday a trip via Dungeness gave me the first migrating Southward wheatears of the year. Reports of Redstart and Pied flycatchers did not come my way.

Monday 20/8

A first time visit to Hothfield Common too late for orchids far too dry for Onodanta but a lovely place and an excellent area at the correct time of year.

On to Stodmarsh lunch in the pub at entrance to reserve which was pleasant but the reserve was very quiet except for biting midges not a day for shorts,  

Friday 16/8

A dull miserable day so a mid afternoon visit to Dungeness. Checked out the lighthouse garden with no avail and on to the moat where I managed to get a Willow Warbler (156) then on to Hanson hide on ARC all the hirundines were present.No sign of Black necked Grebe or Garganey.

Tuesday 13/8

Another lovely day so started at the Patch once again hoping for Black Tern and once again failed. Other than Black Redstart in power station car park nothing to write home about. On to ARC starting at south end - Screen Hide and then Hanson . Water levels are now at a good level showing plenty of islands. Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper,Ruff ,LRP, Ringed Plover, Black Tailed Godwit , Dunlin Redshank, Oystercatcher, Golden Plover, Dunlin and Water Rail. Track gave Whitethroat and Tree Sparrow. Overhead Marsh Harrier and only Sand Martins . Total 44   

Monday 5/8

A trip to Dungeness, There were reports of a Caspian Tern in the area but did not bother chasing. All the normal birds and migrating Swifts, House Martins and Sand Martins. Total birds 35 . Was hoping for a photo of Marbled White but did not find any and the rain storm which stranded me in Dengemarsh Hide for 30 minutes did not help.

                               Female Common Darter ???