After all the Firecrests of the last few days a total of 18 today seemed very small - in a normal year this would have been an above-average spring peak! Other grounded migrants were pretty scarce in the very clear conditions but three new 'Continental' Coal Tits were ringed and nine Goldcrests were also seen. There was a trickle of overhead passage with a Swallow, five Bramblings and five Siskins of note.
Seawatching was also extremely quiet but a juvenile/first-winter Iceland Gull was seen at the Patch this evening.
Eight Porpoises were feeding offshore.
Elsewhere, during the week a Tundra Bean Goose was seen at Dengemarsh, up to six Smew have been seen on the Boulderwall Pools and the two Black-necked and two Slavonian Grebes have been regularly seen on New Diggings. Of the migrants there have been a few Swallows around the various pits, the first Yellow Wagtails have been seen at Scotney and a Sedge Warbler has been singing near the Dengemarsh Hide.
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| 'Continental' Coal Tit Periparus ater ater Dungeness 1st April 2016 |
Eight Porpoises were feeding offshore.
Elsewhere, during the week a Tundra Bean Goose was seen at Dengemarsh, up to six Smew have been seen on the Boulderwall Pools and the two Black-necked and two Slavonian Grebes have been regularly seen on New Diggings. Of the migrants there have been a few Swallows around the various pits, the first Yellow Wagtails have been seen at Scotney and a Sedge Warbler has been singing near the Dengemarsh Hide.