A week on the shingle

The last seven days have been spent birding the Dungeness area. Weather-wise it was largely benign, with just one speedy wet low giving as 24-hour period of moderate to blustery south-westerlies and rain. The rest of the time it was sunny and warm, the wind normally getting up by the early afternoon.

Among the suite of semi-resident birds were two Glossy Ibis, up the three Great White Egret and a small number of Cattle Egrets that appeared and disappeared like rabbits out of a magician's hat. Other highlights were: Pale-bellied Brent Goose, Merlin, Stone-curlew (out in the open shingle beyond the Water Tower), Short-eared Owl, Woodlark, Dartford Warbler, Yellow-browed Warbler, Red-backed Shrike (Littlestone Golf Course) and Lapland Bunting (fields NE of airport). There were a couple of days of hirundine movement, lazy clouds that fed as they circled down towards the point, the best day being 9th October with 5,000 outgoing Swallows. Incoming were Redwings, with a concentrated arrival of 900 during the mid-morning period on 11th. A total of 117 species were recorded with little effort.

Non-birdy notables included a Golden Twin-spot (below, courtesy of Martin C) and a number of Mottled Shieldbugs (above, via the directions of Dave W).

I must thank my very good friend Mark H for allowing me to stay with him throughout. His hospitality and companionship were of the highest order.

Comments

Stewart said…
A good break Steve....you returned refreshed to thousands of Redwings, great result.
13 October 2020 at 11:01
Steve Gale said…
Absolutely Stewart!
13 October 2020 at 15:38
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