After a couple of days of horrendously wet weather even the bitingly cold wind at Dungeness made a welcome change today.
Nothing startling to report i'm afraid but here are some of the minor highlights.
Tree Sparrow, Reed Bunting and Moorhen on the feeders in the car park. Well actually the Moorhen was under the feeders but even that looked a bit bizarre.
Two Shelducks, Gadwall, Shoveler, Pochard, Lapwing, Little Egret, and Wigeon plus the usual crew on Burrows pit.
Kestrel, Marsh Harrier, Green Woodpecker, two Skylarks over, Goldfinch and two Goldcrests on the way to Christmas Dell hide. Also two Common Darters and a probable Migrant Hawker, amazingly on the wing in the icy wind! Peregrine Falcon seen from the Christmas hide flying along the far side of the lake alongside a Marsh Harrier.
Two Snipe over, Little Grebe and a couple more Marsh Harriers joined me for coffee from the Denge Marsh hide.
Female Goldeneye, Grey Heron, Teal, two more Little Egrets, at least three more Marsh Harriers and all the usual Gulls species on the ARC pit. That was about it really, 43 species seen in about four hours, by which time I was cold and the wind didn't seem quite such a welcome change!
Although the light was much better today I still struggled to find birds willing to stick their heads up over the parapet for a picture. Most, not surprisingly electing to stay buried in the undergrowth or hunkered down in the reeds for shelter. Only the Marsh Harriers appeared to relish the wind which seemed to help them fly even slower over the reedbeds in their attempt to surprise their lunch. It's an ill wind that blows nobody any good.
Anyway, the Robin, Goldfinch and Dunnock below were the best I could do to brighten up today's offering.
8 comments:
No Lapland Buntings then Phil :-) I like the Dunnock shot best I think .
Phil ,
You never know , one of your fly-overs might have been the Red-flanked Bluetail that John Young photographed at the weekend on Dengemarsh Road .
I could almost feel the cold in your blog .
Those Darters and Hawkers never cease to amaze me how they hang on .
A lovely Dunnock, Phil.
Bitterly cold here too Phil but also lovely sunshine. All the photos are beautiful, I can't pick a favourite from the last three, they are all lovely! Every bird I tried to get today either stayed buried in twigs and branches or moved too quick, so frustrating!
Hi Phil.
It is only a cold day if you are not wearing the right gear. Somebody once told me that, still not sure that's true :-)
Seriously though, not a bad day you had. Even on a quiet day there is always something going on.
Nice photo's.
You had more luck in four hours than I've had in the last month
WARREN.
Seems like Reculver is the place for Laplands lately.
GREENIE.
I think the Bluetail has gone. If it hsn't it's tail is probably bluer after today, with cold.
BOB.
Thanks for your continued comments.
JAN
Frustrating is the word at the moment! Thanks as ever for your interest.
KEN.
You're right. I should have worn a hat!
MIKE.
That's Dungeness for you, it usually delivers something.
You in a hat Phil, that will be the day ;-)
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