Small numbers of migrants arrived again this morning including eight Willow Warblers, 24 Chiffchaffs, five Song Thrushes, three Redwings, a Redpoll and seven Siskins. A flock of 16 Shovelers, a Mediterranean Gull and 25 Sandwich Terns were the best of a very quiet sea.
Seven Porpoises were feeding offshore.
A murky morning produced a small arrival of migrants with a Ring Ouzel of particular note along with four Sand Martins, five Willow Warblers, 25 Chiffchaffs, three Blackcaps, four Song Thrushes, three Wheatears, a Grey Wagtail and 25 Chaffinches. The sea remains quiet although six Shovelers, a Red-breasted Merganser, a Mediterranean Gull and a Little Egret were of interest.
Two Porpoises were feeding offshore.
Fairly quiet on the land with just six Chiffchaffs, a Firecrest, three Wheatears, seven Siskins and a Corn Bunting of note. Seawatching was also very slow with just 16 Pintail and a Manx Shearwater of interest.
Two Porpoises were feeding offshore.
There was a slight improvement on the land with a Jay, a Sand Martin, ten Chiffchaffs, a Willow Warbler, a Blackcap, 17 Redwings, three Song Thrushes, a Black Redstart, six Wheatears and two Siskins of note.
The sea remains very quiet although as the weather deteriorated this afternoon three Manx Shearwaters flew west
Five Porpoises and a Grey Seal were feeding offshore.
There were a few more birds on the land today with a Buzzard, a Merlin, 90 Carrion Crows, two Swallows, two Firecrests, three Redwings, four Black Redstarts, six Wheatears, a Rock Pipit and 14 Siskins of note. The sea remains very quiet with just a Mediterranean Gull and 23 Sandwich Terns of interest.
Five Porpoises were seen offshore and two Brown Hares were seen in the Desert.
A small arrival of migrants on the land included a Swallow, 16 Chiffchaffs, a Blackcap, three Redwings and nine Wheatears. Seawatching produced 99 Brent Geese, 18 Pintail, a Mediterranean Gull and a summer-plumaged Black-throated Diver of interest.
Five Porpoises and a Grey Seal were feeding offshore and a Brown Hare was seen on the land.
There was an obvious arrival of Wheatears today with at least 25 seen along with the first Willow Warbler of the year. A Jack Snipe and four Common Snipe, two Buzzards, a Merlin and a Fieldfare were also seen. The sea was very quiet.
Six Porpoises and a Grey Seal were feeding offshore.
Elsewhere, a Crane flew over the RSPB and continued northwards over Lade Pit and a Hooded Crow also made a brief appearance near the Visitors Centre.
Another quiet day although there a small arrival of Wheatears with at least nine birds seen. The sea was very quiet with nearly four hours of watching producing just an Eider, two Velvet Scoters, 14 Sandwich Terns and a Mediterranean Gull of interest.
Two Porpoises were feeding offshore.
Another quiet day despite a shift to SW winds. Nearly five hours of seawatching produced 350 Brent Geese, four Pintail, 95 Common Scoters, 29 Sandwich Tern, five Mediterranean Gulls and the first Manx Shearwater of the year of note. Two Chiffchaffs, a Wheatear and a Grey Wagtail were the meagre offerings on the land.
Three Porpoises were seen offshore.
Fog for much of the day hampered observations and just a Jack Snipe, five Chiffchaffs, a Firecrest, a Wheatear and a Grey Wagtail to report.
The highlights of the day were four Red Kites, a Buzzard, two Jack Snipes, three Common Snipe, the first Swallow of the year and two Bramblings.
Seven Porpoises were feeding offshore and two Brown Hares were seen on the Point.
A Tawny Pinion moth came to the kitchen window this evening.
There was a trickle of birds passing offshore including an Egyptian Goose, six Shovelers, two Pintail, two Avocets and four Mediterranean Gulls of note. The highlight on the land was a party of three Red Kites along with a Golden Plover, a Buzzard, a Merlin, six Chiffchaffs, two Firecrests, seven Black Redstarts, a Grey Wagtail and nine Siskins.
Nine Porpoises and a Grey Seal were feeding offshore and three Brown Hares were seen in the Desert.
Very quiet. Three Chiffchaffs, a Firecrest, a Grey Wagtail, four Bramblings and seven Siskins were seen on the land and two Mediterranean Gulls flew east offshore.
Six Porpoise and a Grey Seal were feeding offshore.
A quiet day on the land although a Red Kite over the area and two White Wagtails were of note.
Seawatching continues to produce some decent totals of duck with six Garganey of note along with 317 Shovelers, three Gadwall, 20 Wigeon, 36 Pintail, 322 Teal, 388 Common Scoters and also an Arctic Skua.
Four Porpoise and a Grey Seal were feeding offshore.
Birds continued to move through offshore with over nine hours of watching producing 611 Brent Geese, 30 Shoveler, four Gadwall, 22 Wigeon, 161 Pintail, 45 Teal, 20 Tufted Ducks, a flock of eight Velvet Scoters, 305 Common Scoters, seven Red-breasted Mergansers, ten Little Gulls, two Mediterranean Gulls, 70 Sandwich Terns and 81 Red-throated Divers.
A check of the land produced a Jack Snipe, a Buzzard, 11 Chiffchaffs and two Firecrests.
Four Porpoises and a Grey Seal were feeding offshore.
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Most of the interest was offshore today with a steady movement of duck which included the highlight of a Smew among a flock of Shoveler and Pintail and also a Long-tailed Duck and a Black-throated Diver. Other notable totals included 2708 Brent Geese, 41 Shovelers, an excellent 318 Pintails, five Red-breasted Mergansers, 40 Bar-tailed Godwits, three Mediterranean Gulls, 75 Sandwich Terns and 137 Red-throated Divers.
There was also a small arrival of birds on the land with 24 Chiffchaffs, nine Firecrests and a Wheatear of note.
Two Porpoises were feeding offshore.
A slow day again in strengthening westerlies. The only birds of note over the sea were 33 Brent Geese, two Mediterranean Gulls and a Fulmar. The land produced just five Redwings.
Offshore, six Porpoise and a Grey Seal was feeding.
Elsewhere, three Eurasian White-fronted Geese were at Dengemarsh on the RSPB reserve. The regular two Whooper Swans and 19 Cattle Egrets were at Cockles Bridge.
A slower day however it still produced some quality in a flock of seven, nearly all in full breeding plumage, Black-necked Grebes that drifted east past on the sea this morning. Otherwise 70 Brent Geese, two Red-breasted Mergansers, 28 Sandwich Terns, 75 Red-throated Divers and a Fulmar the best of the rest.
Nothing seen on the sea at all, and the land was a fair bit better with the obvious highlight being the years first Wheatear at the Power Station. Elsewhere in the recording a Woodcock, four Snipes, a Jack Snipe, four Sparrowhawks, the first Great Spotted Woodpecker since early January, seven Redwings, a Black Redstart, a Brambling and a Siskin.
A few Porpoise fed offshore.
Elsewhere, the RSPB reserve held three Eurasian White-fronted Geese, two Bitterns and two Cattle Egrets, plus three Whooper Swans and 19 Cattle Egrets came into roost on the ARC pit. The family of three Whooper Swans were still at Scotney also.
A very slow morning seawatch after last nights stormy weather with the best being just 70 Brent Geese and a Mediterranean Gull heading east. The land wasn't much better, with just six Chiffchaffs, 13 Goldcrests, four Firecrests and four Redwings of note.
Elsewhere, the first Wheatear of the year for the wider recording area was on the beach off the Romney Tavern at Greatstone as well as the first White Wagtail on the RSPB reserve. Cockles Bridge held its usual two Whooper Swans and 12 Cattle Egrets, plus Scotney still have its family of three Whooper Swans. In Lydd, the Eastern Lesser Whitethroat is still in residence in a private garden, this is for its 75th day.
A day of very strong winds from the south-west didn't produce as much as hoped. The passage was restricted too 724 Brent Geese, 38 Sandwich Terns, 220 Black-headed Gulls, 317 Common Gulls and 55 Red-throated Divers. The land produced two Snipe, a Jack Snipe and a Firecrest.
A slower day than previous, but the sunshine was welcomed after days of fog. Most of the action was offshore again with 1197 Brent Geese, a Pale-bellied Brent Goose and two Pintail all east being the most noteworthy. A first-winter Caspian Gull on the beach off the New Lighthouse was the first in over a month. On the land, a Jack Snipe and three Firecrests were present.
Five Porpoise were noted offshore.
Elsewhere, three Eurasian White-fronted Geese were on the RSPB reserve and the regular two Whooper Swans and 12 Cattle Egrets were at Cockles Bridge.
The day started with very light south-easterly winds and slowly dissipating fog revealing better visibility, and a lot of birds moving offshore. The best of the eastbound passage being our fifth best ever spring day of Brent Geese with 6427 passing, and five Spoonbills! Of these five, four came off the reserve and flew east out to sea by the New Lighthouse, while this evening another adult bird flew east over the seawatching hide. Other notables include five Shovelers, 15 Wigeons, four Velvet Scoters, 93 Common Scoters, four Red-breasted Mergansers, a Bar-tailed Godwit, a Little Gull, 266 Kittiwakes, 1124 Black-headed Gulls (mostly passing incredibly high up!), 42 Mediterranean Gulls, 432 Common Gulls, 240 Red-throated Divers.
There was clearly a small arrival of birds on the land too, with a Woodcock, a Merlin, 21 Jackdaws, 11 Chiffchaffs, 25 Goldcrests, six Firecrests, a Song Thrush and six Redwings. There was plenty of signs of overhead visible migration too, 130 Starlings, seven Skylarks and 21 Meadow Pipits arrived in-off the sea while 510 Chaffinches, a Greenfinch and three Siskins headed eastwards.
Mammals recorded offshore were five Porpoise and a Grey Seal.
Elsewhere, the two Whooper Swans and 10 Cattle Egrets were still at Cockles Bridge.
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| Brent Geese Branta bernicla |
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| Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita |
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| Mixture of Black-headed Gulls (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) and Common Gulls (Larus canus), with one Mediterranean Gull (Ichthyaetus melanocephalus) at the back. |
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| Black-headed Gulls Chroicocephalus ridibundus |
A day of such dense fog you couldn't see the power station from the Moat for most of it meant that birding was very limited. The few birds seen on the land included a Snipe, a Merlin, two Chiffchaffs, six Goldcrests, two Firecrests, three Redwings and an increase in Meadow Pipits to 40 around the Point. Curlews and Sandwich Terns were heard flying overhead in the murk.
A day of heavy fog and mist resulting in poor visibility with a light wind blowing from the east. Due to this, the morning seawatch was limited but did produce 19 Pintails and a Golden Plover heading east. The bushes were slightly more productive, with seven Chiffchaffs, 14 Goldrests, a Firecrest, 11 Redwings, 11 Blackbirds, a Black Redstart, three Bramblings and a very noteworthy bird these days in the form of a Yellowhammer in the Old Lighthouse garden.
A day of poor visibility and light winds from the north-east meant it was a quiet day for movement. The only notable eastbound passage on the sea in over four hours was 58 Sandwich Terns and the year's first Avocets with two birds. On the land, just a handful of birds to be seen with a Woodcock, three Redwings, 11 Goldcrests, three Firecrests and two Chiffchaffs.
The calm seas meant a few mammals were seen offshore with 10 Porpoise and a Grey Seal.
Elsewhere at Cockles Bridge, the regular two Whooper Swans and 15 Cattle Egrets. The American Wigeon appeared again on Scotney, but in an area with no general access.
A day of light, variable winds and cloud backed by some light showers this afternoon. Not exactly seawatching weather but a small amount of passage was noted offshore with 15 Brent Geese, 20 Pintails, one Fulmar and 10 Sandwich Terns being about best. The land was slightly more productive, with a westbound first-winter Eurasian White-fronted Goose, the first two Collared Doves of the year, a Snipe, a Merlin, eight Chiffchaffs, 28 Goldcrests, four Firecrests, two Song Thrushes, three Redwings, 42 Stonechats, four Black Redstarts, 56 Chaffinches, a Brambling and two Siskins.
The light winds meant the sea was calm but only six Porpoise and two Grey Seals were seen. The moth trap held 30 moths last night including Waved Umber and Dotted Border.
Elsewhere, the two Whooper Swans and 15 Cattle Egrets were still at Cockles Bridge.
A disappointing morning seawatch considering the south-easterly breeze. The only birds of note include 104 Brent Geese, four Gadwall, 21 Sandwich Terns, eight Mediterranean Gulls, 107 Red-throated Divers and three Fulmars. On the land, just a Woodcock, a Redwing, a Black Redstart, 10 Goldcrests, three Firecrests and a Chiffchaff.
Mammals seen offshore were three Porpoise, a Grey Seal and a Common Seal.
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| Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros Dungeness |
A dreary day with a colder wind from the east bringing in heavy fog throughout. A few birds were still noted on the land however with a Golden Plover, two Woodcocks, four Chiffchaffs, 22 Goldcrests, three Firecrests and four Redwings.
A very quiet seawatch with just 28 Brent Geese, four Shelducks, a Pintail and two Mediterranean Gulls. There was a bit of passage overland however with 20 Shovelers, two Greylag Geese, a Golden Plover and 700 Starlings heading east and out over the sea. There was a decent arrival of grounded migrants with a good total of three Woodcocks recorded as well as two Snipes, six Chiffchaffs, 16 Goldcrests, four Firecrests, two Song Thrushes, a Redwing, 26 Stonechats and 52 Linnets.
Offshore, 26 Porpoises, two Grey Seals and a Common Seal were present.
Elsewhere, the Whooper Swans were still present with three at Scotney and two at Cockles Bridge. On the reserve, two Eurasian White-fronted Geese, a Water Pipit and three Firecrests were present.
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| Peacock Butterfly Aglais io Dungeness |
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| Starlings flying east out to sea Sturnus vulgaris Dungeness |
An excellent morning seawatch with most of the passage coming between 0900-1100hrs. The highlights being 169 Brent Geese, 158 Shoveler, two Gadwalls, a superb 403 Pintails, 10 Teals, an Eider, two Red-breasted Mergansers, two Sandwich Terns, 10 Mediterranean Gulls and six Fulmars all heading east. It was quiet on the land with the only notables being a Song Thrush, a Redwing, the first Black Redstart since the 5th January and 15 Stonechats.
A few mammals were recorded including nine Porpoises, a Grey Seals and two Hares. On the lepidoptera front, the first Hummingbird Hawkmoth of the year as well as a Peacock.
Elsewhere, the RSPB reserve had two Eurasian White-fronted Geese, an adult Yellow-legged Gull and two Firecrests. The regular two Whooper Swans and 17 Cattle Egrets were at Cockles Bridge.
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| A flock of Pintails (Anas acuta) taken by Martin Casemore |
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| A view of the Barry Banson hide this morning taken by Owen Leyshon |
A blustery, murky and horrible day with winds originating mostly from SSW resulting in seawatching giving any worthwhile action. Notable birds included 198 Brent Geese, seven Tufted Ducks, two Velvet Scoters, four Mediterranean Gulls, 209 Red-throated Divers and 18 Fulmars. The only noted passerine movement was an increase in Linnets with 13 around the Power Station.
Elsewhere, the flock of 17 Cattle Egrets were still at Cockles Bridge.
A quieter day than of late but still spring passage was plodding on. A day of strengthening winds from the south-west meant the sea was slower but the best being 472 Brent Geese, three Sandwich Terns, six Mediterranean Gulls and two Fulmars - all of which eastbound. A small bit of movement on the land included the first Merlin since the start of the year, four Snipes, three Redwings, 29 Chaffinches, a Siskin and eight Linnets.
Mammals included two Porpoise and a Grey Seal, while the moth traps held six Hebrew Characters.
Elsewhere, a Spoonbill flew over the RSPB Reserve where there was also two Eurasian White-fronted Geese. The pair of Whooper Swans were still present at Cockles Bridge, as were 15 Cattle Egrets.
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| Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus at Cockles Bridge (taken by Martin Casemore) |
A lovely, spring like day with cloudless skies and light winds originating from the south. The sea was the main focus of the day producing plenty of eastbound passage, focused mostly on the morning watch. The highlights from eight and a half hours of watching include 261 Brent Geese, three Greylag Geese, 86 Shoveler, three Gadwall, another excellent total of 142 Pintail, a drake Eider, four Velvet Scoters, 131 Common Scoters, five Curlews, 10 Little Gulls, 403 Black-headed Gulls, 16 Mediterranean Gulls, 345 Common Gulls, 19 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 131 Red-throated Divers and five Fulmars. There was a definite decrease in grounded migrants with just a Redwing, nine Blackbirds, four Goldcrests, a Firecrest and a Dartford Warbler of note.
There was a couple of Peacock Butterflies on the wing in the Trapping Area and the Observatory moth trap caught four species of moth of the standard fare for the time of year. At least four Porpoise fed offshore.
Elsewhere, the two Whooper Swans still entertained at Cockles Bridge as did seven Cattle Egrets.
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| Brent Geese Branta bernicla |
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| Mixed flock of Pintail Anas acuta and Shoveler Spatula clypeata |
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| Common Buzzard Buteo buteo |
A very spring like day with winds originating from the south bringing warm air and clear skies from mid-day. There was a marked increase in thrushes with four Song Thrushes, seven Blackbirds and nine Redwings, there was an obvious arrival of Stonechats too with at least 16 recorded. Otherwise on the land a Snipe, a Chiffchaff, eight Goldcrests, a Firecrest, eight Chaffinches and four Linnets were recorded while the years first Rook and Greenfinch flew over.
Most of the days interest however was on the sea, with the two stand-out avian discoveries being a flock of 110 Eurasian White-fronted Geese at 11:18hrs and a Spoonbill at 12:00hrs, both flying east. Other birds passing offshore included 470 Brent Geese, two Shelducks, seven Shovelers, 24 Wigeons, an excellent 108 Pintails, six Tufted Ducks, 72 Dunlins and four Little Gulls being the best of the rest.
The years first butterfly has taken flight in the warm weather with a Small Tortoiseshell in the Trapping Area. Mammals recorded were four Porpoise and a Grey Seal.
Elsewhere, the regular two Whooper Swans were at Cockles Bridge.
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| Most of the flock of Eurasian White-fronted Geese flying east past the seawatching hide |
A somewhat nicer day with the rain restricted to patchy showers of mist in the afternoon. The sea was fairly quiet, with 244 Brent Geese heading east being the highlight of the early morning watch. A check from the seawatching hide a little later in the morning however proved fruitful with a winter-plumaged Slavonian Grebe just offshore. The bird spent half an hour drifting slowly east with Great Crested Grebes. There was a hint of movement on the land with the year's first Mistle Thrush, a flock of 42 Starlings departing east out to sea as well as a slight increase in Chaffinches and Reed Buntings. The first Goldfinch in over a month appeared too. A roost of waders by the lifeboat station contained 160 Dunlin and six Ringed Plovers.
A couple of Harbour Porpoise fed offshore.
Elsewhere, the flock of Cattle Egrets still at Cockles Bridge with 16 today plus the two adult Whooper Swans were there also. The first-winter drake Scaup still at Scotney, where a Black-necked Grebe also appeared. The two White-fronted Geese were also on the outskirts of Lydd on Dennes Lane.
A quiet day with constant fog and drizzle with moderate winds from the south-west. Sea passage was fairly quiet with 252 Brent Geese, two Wigeon, a Lapwing and seven Fulmars being the highlights. On the land there was only two Song Thrushes, a Chiffchaff, six Goldcrests and a Firecrest of any note.
Elsewhere, the 17 Cattle Egrets and two Whooper Swans still frequented Cockles Bridge, while the family of Whooper Swans were still near the sand-pit at Scotney but the Bewick's Swan flock on Walland Marsh is still reduced to just 11 birds.
A day of increasing south-westerly winds bringing mist and rain by the early afternoon. The morning observations didn't reveal much other than 135 Brent Geese passing east offshore and a single Firecrest in the Trapping Area. The first notable nocturnal passage of Redwings occurred this evening.
Elsewhere, 15 Cattle Egrets and two Whooper Swans were at Cockles Bridge, Scotney still held the family of three Whooper Swans as well as three Barnacle Geese and a Dartford Warbler. Over on outskirts of Lydd at Dennes Lane there was two Eurasian White-fronted Geese amongst the large flock of Greylags and on Walland Marsh at least 13 Bewick's Swans were still present.
A quiet day with very little to be seen. Seawatching produced very little with just five Pintail and a Fulmar being the only notables. A check of the land produced a small increase in Blackbirds as well as two Song Thrushes and two Firecrests.
Elsewhere, 17 Cattle Egrets still at Cockles Bridge and a first-winter Caspian Gull was on nearby Burrowes Pit. At Walland Marsh, the Bewick's Swan flock increased to 37.
Light northerlies and dreary skies produced a surprising up-channel passage of birds. During a little over three hours of watching this morning the highlights were 407 Brent Goose, nine Shelduck, three Pintail, six Teal, a Tufted Duck, a Red-breasted Merganser, a Bar-tailed Godwit, a Great Skua, 190 Red-throated Diver and six Fulmar. A check of the Trapping Area was fairly quiet with just four Goldcrests, a Redwing and a Song Thrush of note while two Snipe were feeding around the flooded shingle south of there.
A few mammals could be seen offshore with the calmer seas with three Porpoise, two Grey Seal and a Common Seal.
Elsewhere around the greater Dungeness area, the first-winter drake Scaup and family of Whooper Swans still reside at Scotney, the flock of 35 Bewick's Swans are still viewed from Cutters Bridge and the Cattle Egret flock at Cockles Bridge increased to 19 today.
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| A flock of Brent Geese passing the buoy with a Cormorant in tow |
Moderate winds from the East-South-East meant the days efforts were spent mostly looking at the sea, with the stand out highlight being a winter plumaged Red-necked Grebe that landed close off the seawatching hide before being lost to view. Other birds of note during the morning watches include four Shelduck, six Teal, six Velvet Scoter, 20 Dunlin, 39 Kittiwake, a Mediterranean Gull, 1814 Guillemot, 241 Red-throated Divers and three Fulmars - most passage being east bound. A check of the Trapping Area was fairly quiet, just a Firecrest and two Goldcrests of note; overhead the resident pair of Ravens chased a pair of newcomers out.
On the mammal front, three Porpoise fed offshore.
A sunny, mild day gave a spring like feel to the air. A good check of the bushes didn't provide too much just a Woodcock, a Snipe, two Jackdaws, two Dartford Warbler, a Chiffchaff, six Goldcrests, a Redwing, two Song Thrushes and six Stonechats. The sea was very quiet, just six Brent Goose flew past were the only birds of note. A single Mediterranean Gull offshore came close enough to read its Polish ring. The life history has already come back with it being originally ringed in 2019, then seen at 'The Patch' in December 2021, it has returned to Poland every summer since and has spent most winters at in Kent at Kingsdown.
The Hares have started to chase each other about today.
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| Polish ringed Mediterranean Gull 'PETH' |
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| Brown Hares chasing each other near the Fishing Boats |
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| Raven flying past the Lifeboat Station |
A blustery and wet day made coverage on the land impossible, however in just under two hours of seawatching during the morning a decent total of birds were recorded. A Velvet Scoter flew west however nearly all of the passage was east bound with 70 Kittiwakes, a Mediterranean Gull, 693 Red-throated Divers, 10 Fulmars plus another two east and 383 Gannets.
Three Mediterranean Gulls were the only birds of note.
Elsewhere, the drake American Wigeon was seen again at Scotney.
Very quiet. Two Mediterranean Gulls and 90 Red-throated Divers were seen offshore and two Snipe were found at the Long Pits.
Two Porpoises were feeding offshore.
Very quiet again with just two Mediterranean Gulls and 90 Red-throated Divers passing offshore although the feeding frenzy of 3000+ Cormorants was an impressive sight.
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| Cormorants Phalacrocorax carbo Dungeness 12th February 2026 Just a small part of the feeding frenzy offshore this morning. |
Two Porpoises and two Grey Seals were also feeding offshore.
A brighter morning and a check of the land produced four Shovelers on the Long Pits, a Snipe and two Chiffchaffs of note. The morning seawatch was slow-going with just 161 Brent Geese and two Wigeon of interest.
Two Porpoise and two Grey Seals were feeding offshore.
The drake American Wigeon had moved back to Scotney.
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| American Wigeon Mareca americana drake Scotney 11th February 2026 |
A very quiet day with just 75 Brent Geese, 80 Kittiwakes, a Little Gull, 110 Razorbills and 286 Red-throated Divers of note.
A miserable morning restricted observations to the sea again with 2.25hrs of coverage produced 142 Brent Geese, a Pintail, 34 Dunlins, 75 Kittiwakes, 16 Little Gulls, three Mediterranean Gulls, a first-winter Caspian Gull, 763 Guillemots (+200on) and six Fulmars.
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| Caspian Gull Larus cachinnans first-winter Dungeness 9th February 2026 |
Two Porpoises and two Grey Seals were feeding offshore.
The drake American Wigeon was relocated at ARC and was giving better views.
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| American Wigeon Mareca americana drake ARC, RSPB Reserve 9th February 2026 |
The morning seawatch produced 44 Brent Geese, two Red-breasted Mergansers, 78 Kittiwakes, a Little Gull, 23 Mediterranean Gulls and 863 Red-throated Divers while a Jack Snipe, seven Snipe, two Firecrests and three Song Thrushes were of note on the land.
Two Grey Seals were seen offshore.
After going missing yesterday, the drake American Wigeon was seen again at Scotney.
Limited coverage with nothing of note to report.
There was no sign of the American Wigeon at Scotney.
The wet weather continues and limited observations to a bit of seawatching which produced 236 Kittiwakes, five Little Gulls, a Mediterranean Gull, 350 Red-throated Divers and a Marsh Harrier.
Elsewhere, drake American Wigeon was found at Scotney Pit although it proved elusive among the large numbers of Eurasian Wigeon and difficult viewing conditions. This is only the second Dungeness record with the first being on Burrowes Pit, RSPB between Apr.24th and 28th 1999.
A return to dismal weather and little to be seen. Seawatching produced just 121 Red-throated Divers and four Fulmars of interest.
Two Porpoises and a Grey Seal were feeding offshore.
A brighter day but very little to be seen. A Snipe and a Chiffchaff were seen on the land and singles of Little and Mediterranean Gulls were seen offshore.
Of interest, we received details of a Lesser Redpoll ringed by us on 7th October 2025 and retrapped at Les Cind Tailles, La Neuville, Nord, France on 8th November. A distance of 154km ESE overed in 32 days.
Two Porpoises and a Grey Seal were feeding offshore and a Brown Hare was seen on the land.
The miserable weather continues. Seawatching produced a Little Gull, a Mediterranean Gull, a Caspian Gull, 1620 Guillemots, 1800 Razorbills and 577 Red-throated Divers.
Of interest, we received details of a Sedge Warbler ringed by us on 6th August 2025 and retrapped at Reserve du Massereau, Frossay, Loire-Atlantique, France on 14th August 2025. A distance of 458km SSW covered in eight days.
A Porpoise and a Grey Seal were feeding offshore.
More seawatching through the morning produced three Shelduck, 18 Wigeon, 39 Pintail, two Gadwalls, six Teal, 245 Dunlins, 159 Kittiwakes, three Mediterranean Gulls, 412 Guillemots, 548 Razorbills and 425 Red-throated Divers.
A Grey Seal was feeding offshore.
Fresh winds and frequent rain continues and seawatching providing most of the interest. Three hours of coverage this morning produced 104 Brent Geese, two Pintail, 151 Dunlins, 168 Kittiwakes and two Mediterranean Gulls. A Woodcock was found in the Trapping Area.
A Porpoise and a Grey Seal were feeding offshore.
Seawatching produced 68 Wigeon, 34 Teal, 18 Common Scoters, 142 Kittiwakes, nine Mediterranean Gulls, 80 Razorbills, 1940 'auks sp.', 505 Red-throated Divers and five Fulmars.
More of the same in miserable weather with seawatching producing 123 Brent Geese, three Teal, 152 Kittiwakes, a Mediterranean Gull, a first-winter Caspian Gull, 2100 Guillemots, 434 Razorbills and 6000 Cormorants.
A Porpoise and seven Grey Seals were feeding offshore.
More seawatching produced 765 Brent Geese east, four Shelduck, a Teal, 29 Common Scoters, 155 Kittiwakes, five Little Gulls, two Mediterranean Gulls, 4188 Guillemots, 698 Razorbills and 166 Red-throated Divers.
Limited coverage today but seawatching produced seven Pintail, an Eider, 200 Kittiwakes, singles of Little, Mediterranean and Caspian Gulls, 200 Razorbills and 1600 Red-throated Divers.
Three Grey Seals were feeding offshore.
Dismal weather this morning severely limited observations but conditions improved in the afternoon and seawatching produced 152 Kittiwakes, 23 Little Gulls, 148 Guillemots, 265 Gannets and 4,500 Cormorants. Four Caspian Gulls were roosting on the beach.
Seven Grey Seals were feeding offshore.
Fresh SE winds again and more seawatching. Four hours of coverage produced 54 Brent Geese, 26 Wigeon, two Red-breasted Mergansers, 60 Kittiwakes, a Little Gull, six Mediterranean Gulls, 930 Guillemots, 99 Red-throated Divers, four Fulmars and 303 Gannets.
One Porpoise was feeding offshore.
Much quieter offshore today where 35 Dunlin, 11 Little Gulls and three Mediterranean Gulls were the highlights. Very quiet in the bushes.
At least six Grey Seals were feeding inshore.
Large numbers of auks moved east this morning and included a winter-plumaged Black Guillemot along with an Eider and 1900 Gannets. In the afternoon large numbers of birds were feeding close inshore and included a Little Gull, a Mediterranean Gull, a Yellow-legged Gull and five Caspian Gulls.
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| Caspian Gull Larus cachinnans first-winter Dungeness 23rd January 2026 |
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| Feeding frenzy Dungeness 24th January 2026 |
At least 11 Grey Seals were feeding close inshore.
All the coverage was offshore again where 5.5 hrs of watching produced 58 Brent Geese, two Wigeon and two Red-breasted Mergansers upchannel and nine Teal, three Little Gulls, six Mediterranean Gulls, 146 Kittiwakes, 1600 Guillemots, 200 Razorbills, 334 Red-throated Divers, nine Fulmars and 361 Gannets mainly east. A first-winter Caspian Gull was also on the beach.
A Porpoise and eight Grey Seals were feeding offshore.
A fresh south-easterly wind continued to provide good numbers of birds offshore including 429 Brent Geese moving east and 13 Wigeon, five Teal, over 1000 Kittiwakes, five Little Gulls, 3300 Guillemots, 2600 Razorbills and 413 Guillemots.
A Porpoise, four Grey Seals and a Common Seal were feeding offshore.
More south-easterly winds and more seawatching with 2.5hrs coverage this morning producing 33 Wigeon, two Pintail, a Teal, a Red-breasted Merganser, 924 Kittiwakes and 447 Red-throated Divers.
Three Grey Seals were seen offshore.
Light south-easterly winds resulted in 445 Kittiwakes, 148 Guillemots, 505 Razorbills and 159 Red-throated Divers mostly west offshore and 22 Brent Geese heading east. Two Egyptian Geese were flying around the top end of the area.
Two Grey Seals were feeding offshore and a Brown Hare was seen crossing the road.
Nearly three hours of seawatching produced 26 Brent Geese, five Teal, two Velvet Scoters, a Sanderling, 192 Dunlin, 297 Kittiwakes, two Mediterranean Gulls, 528 Razorbills, 712 Guillemots, 1359 auks sp, 246 Red-throated Divers and three Fulmars.
A Grey Seal was seen offshore.
A thoroughly miserable day with strong winds and rain throughout. A Mediterranean Gull, 270 Kittiwakes and 813 auks were seen offshore.
A bright, frosty morning allowed for a check of the land although it wasn't very productive with an Egyptian Goose overhead and a Firecrest in the trapping area being about the best on offer. The highlight of the seawatch was a Puffin among around 3000 auks and also 14 Wigeon, singles of Mediterranean and Little Gulls and 259 Red-throated Divers.
Rain almost all day. The only highlights from the morning seawatching were a Shelduck, 161 Kittiwakes, 375 auks and 194 Red-throated Divers.
Very quiet on the land. Twelve Brent Geese, two Wigeon, five Teal, a Velvet Scoter, a Red-breasted Merganser, a Little Gull, a Mediterranean Gull, 565 auks, 386 Red-throated Divers and a Fulmar were seen on the early morning seawatch.
Three hours of seawatching produced 24 Brent Geese, three Pintail, 183 Kittiwakes, a Mediterranean Gull, 651 auks and 107 Red-throated Divers and a surprise in the form of a flock of nine Purple Sandpipers.
An improvement offshore with two hours seawatching this morning producing ten Wigeon, 25 Pintail, three Teal, 149 Kittiwakes, 362 Guillemots and 119 Red-throated Divers.
Very cold and very quiet. Seawatching produced just 100 Red-throated Divers. Two Little Egrets flew north in the afternoon and two Chiffchaffs were seen.
Seawatching produced ten Brent Geese, 354 auks, and 79 Red-throated Diver and a Great White Egret came in from the east.
Three Grey Seals were feeding offshore.
A very cold morning with the Long Pits almost frozen over. A Snipe, two Chiffchaffs, a Dartford Warbler and a Siskin.
A Grey Seal was feeding offshore.
Another icy morning. A check of the land produced a Snipe, five Chiffchaffs, a Dartford Warbler and two Firecrests. The sea was quiet with just 237 auks and 120 Red-throated Divers of note.
Two Grey Seals were feeding offshore.
A cold day. Seawatching produced ten Brent Geese, two Teal, a Mediterranean Gull, a Great Skua, 613 auks and 628 Red-throated Divers. Two Chiffchaffs and a Firecrest were seen in the trapping area.
Happy New Year to all our followers.
A fairly quiet start to the New Year. Two hours of seawatching produced two Velvet Scoters, a Great Skua, 689 auks, 407 Red-throated Divers and 164 Gannets. A Merlin was seen on the beach.
A Grey Seal was feeding offshore.
A good selection of birds from around the general area included 26 White-fronted Geese at Dengemarsh, 30 Bewick's Swans, two Whooper Swans at Caldicot Lane, a Scaup, two Goosanders and four Black-necked Grebes at Scotney, a Great Northern Diver on Burrowes,14 Cattle Egrets roosting at ARC and 15 Tree Sparrows and 22 Corn Buntings at Midley Crossing.