Dungeness

What an outing!

This was our quarterly trip with our mutual friends Jono Forgham and Graeme Smith.

Jono picked us up at 3.30am and we were birdwatching in Dungeness by 5.30am.

It did not look promising with the whole Bird Obs area showing nothing but a few common seabirds and little birds around the grounds.

Highlight was a very obliging juvenile Glaucous Gull, an immature Wheatear and a lovely male Stonechat.

We then went to the RSPB Reserve which was also quiet. No sign of the Great White Egret or Squacco Heron that had been showing in previous days but it was lovely to see Tree Sparrows on our way to ARC pit.

This was a bit busier with a variety of gulls, terns, ducks and waders with a female Goosander being the highlight. The only frustration was windy weather and long distance viewing meant photos were no more than poor record shots.

Next stop was Rye Harbour which was a first for us but Jono (Font of All Knowledge) had been before and this was most enjoyable. The Gullery and Ternery provided excellent views of a number of species with Little Tern and Mediterranean Gulls worthy of note.

Finally, another new site for all except Jono which was Cliffe on the Thames Estuary. This was great as it was large and very under used.

Perhaps the best view (and photo!) of a Kestrel eating a slowworm just inside the gates with a flyover Cuckoo started the ball rolling.

Butterflies which had been in short supply all day kept Graeme busy. He and Jono are very knowledgable so we too enjoyed this aside from the birds!

We had a long and interesting day made better by excellent company.

Dungeness is a must visit for any birder but ignore other sites at your peril!