28th Sep

There was another decent arrival of grounded migrants with 115 Chiffchaffs, a Reed Warbler, a Firecrest, a Mistle Thrush, a Spotted Flycatcher and a Redstart while passage overhead included 50 Skylarks, 172 Sand Martins, a spectacular 16,600 Swallows, 1000 House Martins, three Grey Wagtails, 380 Meadow Pipits, a Rock Pipit, a Brambling, three Redpolls, 120 Siskins and 25 Reed Buntings. A check of the sea in the evening produced 30 Mediterranean Gulls feeding offshore. 

Two Porpoises were feeding offshore and two Brown Hares were seen in the Desert.

The highlights from the moth traps included a Scarce Bordered Straw, a Delicate and a Palpita vitrealis.

The Buff-breasted Sandpiper was still showing at Scotney.

27th Sep

There was another large arrival of migrants in the bushes with 150 Chiffchaffs,30 Blackcaps, six Firecrests, 13 Goldcrests, ten Song Thrushes and a Spotted Flycatcher while overhead passage included a Great White Egret, another two Glossy Ibis, 16 Buzzards, 1605 Swallows, three Grey Wagtails, 1843 Meadow Pipits, a Brambling, three Crossbills, 200 Siskins and 20 Reed Buntings. A bit of movement offshore produced 20 Brent Geese, 40 Wigeon, four Pintail, three Teal, 92 Kittiwakes, a Little Gull, six Red-throated Divers and 209 Gannets.

Four Porpoises and a Grey Seal were seen offshore.

The highlight from the moth traps was the ninth Observatory record of a Golden Twin-spot.

Golden Twin-spot Chrysodeixis chalcites   Dungeness   27th September 2025

26th Sep

A Great White Egret, an Osprey and seven Crossbills were the highlights of the day although a good overhead movement of birds included eight Grey Herons, a party of three Great White Egrets, 7445 Swallows, 298 House Martins, a Tree Sparrow, 460 Meadow Pipits, a Rock Pipit and 640 Siskins. There was also a good arrival of birds in the bushes including a Snipe, 140 Chiffchaffs, 33 Blackcaps, four Firecrests, eight Song Thrushes and a Whinchat. An Egyptian Goose also flew over the area. The sea was quiet despite the strong NE wind with just 40 Brent Geese, 42 Wigeon two Pintails, ten Teal and ten Dunlin of any interest.

Elsewhere, the Buff-breasted Sandpiper was still showing at a small pit behind the main Scotney Pit.

25th Sep

A flock of 11 Glossy Ibis flew south and seven Grey Herons came in. There was a bit of more typical overhead passage including 860 Swallows, 102 House Martins, 220 Meadow Pipits, five Redpolls, six Crossbills and 78 Siskins. Grounded migrants were fairly sparse but a Merlin, 38 Chiffchaffs and two Firecrests were of note. Very quiet offshore with just 24 Wigeon, six Pintail, 13 Teal and a juvenile Caspian Gull of interest.

Three Porpoise and a Grey Seal were feeding offshore.

A Common Frog was seen in the trapping area.

Elsewhere, the main interest was around the Scotney area where a White-tailed Eagle made brief visit and the American Golden Plover and Buff-breasted Sandpiper were seen.