Dungeness

I have only been once, last August; Hawky and Mo pulling me in no less than 10 life ticks in the day; this time i didn't have their expert eyes; i had mine.

My dads always wanted to go so we headed off this morning and was passing New Diggins and Arc Pit by 7.45am. I wanted a Great White Egret however at this time it wasn't to be but we were both nicely surprised with a Black Throated Diver (lifer each 1-1) on Diggins.

On to the fishing boats, i was confident in finding the Glaucous Gull; this was my 3rd attempt for one, West Canvey Marsh and Shorham Harbour both resulting in nothing. We parked the car and i hate to say i took a brief cursory glance at some gulls; i didn't realise this was the roost; we headed towards the shoreline.

It wasn't until we were parallel to them that the Glaucous Gull was found (lifer each 2-2) amongst them, may have missed it at first look but we got there in the end.

proof of life shot

As we hit the shoreline; the weather changed, the supposed clear skies and no rain turned to very black skies and very heavy rain and wind. We hunkered down for a sea watch; loads of activity with masses of Cormorant, Great Crested Grebe. A few Guillemot started to appear and mixed Gulls patrolled the coast.

It was no good, we had enough; back to the car via the Glauc bumping into Brian, Jim and Jim senior; It was good to catch up with you all again.

Then onto the lighthouse; We held for a while as the rain stopped and then went to the Patch. Things had improved, Little Gull, Mediterranean Gull along with a dozen or so Kitts.

Back to Arc & Diggins; we stopped with a longer search for the Great Whites (lifer for me 3-2) and found the first of two for the day. Also a Goosander on Diggins.

 Tree Sparrows next at the farmhouse, along with Reed Buntings. (Tree Sparrows a life tick for dad 3-3).

Into the reserve and we were running low on time; we stopped finally at Scotts Hide over looking Burrows. We were kindly put onto a Black Necked Grebe (dad lifer 3-4) and finally a Red Head Smew (dad again 3-5).

Looking forward to getting down there again...