18th Feb

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. 

17th Feb

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 Kingdown. 

The Hares have started to chase each other about today. 

Polish ringed Mediterranean Gull 'PETH'

Brown Hares chasing each other near the Fishing Boats

Raven flying past the Lifeboat Station

16th Feb

Better weather today, apart from a brief and heavy thunder/hail storm, which allowed for a better check of the land which saw a Snipe, a Woodcock, a Song Thrush, a Chiffchaff, four Goldcrests and two Firecrests. It was quiet overhead with just a Ringed Plover and a Lapwing. The ringing year list got going today with a new Blackbird.

There was a bit of passage over the sea, most of which being eastbound, with the highlights a Little Gull, 122 Kittiwakes, 2124 Auk. sp, 411 Red-throated Divers and a Fulmar. 

Elsewhere, the drake American Wigeon was still at Scotney as was the family of Whooper Swans and drake Scaup, 10+ Cattle Egrets appeared at Cockles Bridge and the 'Eastern' Lesser Whitethroat still showed well in a garden in Lydd village. 

15th Feb

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.  

14th Feb

Three Mediterranean Gulls were the only birds of note.

Elsewhere, the drake American Wigeon was seen again at Scotney.

13th Feb

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.

12th Feb

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.

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.

11th Feb

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.

American Wigeon Mareca americana   drake   Scotney   11th February 2026

10th Feb

A very quiet day with just 75 Brent Geese, 80 Kittiwakes, a Little Gull, 110 Razorbills and 286 Red-throated Divers of note.

9th Feb

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.

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.

American Wigeon Mareca americana   drake   ARC, RSPB Reserve   9th February 2026

8th Feb

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.

7th Feb

Limited coverage with nothing of note to report.

There was no sign of the American Wigeon at Scotney.

6th Feb

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.

5th Feb

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.

4th Feb

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.

3rd Feb

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. 

2nd Feb

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.

1st Feb

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.

31st Jan

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.

30th Jan

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.

29th Jan

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.

28th Jan

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.

27th Jan

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. 

26th Jan

 Miserable weather and very little to be seen.

25th Jan

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.

24th Jan

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.

23rd Jan

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.  

Caspian Gull Larus cachinnans   first-winter   Dungeness   23rd January 2026

Caspian Gulls Larus cachinnans   second- and third-winters   Dungeness   23rd January 2026

Note the Polish color ring on the second-winter bird.

Feeding frenzy   Dungeness   24th January 2026

At least 11 Grey Seals were feeding close inshore.

22nd Jan

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.

21st Jan

 Very little coverage. A Little Gull and at least 8000 Cormorants were feeding offshore.

20th Jan

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.

19th Jan

Not much to report other than a few Guillemots and Razorbills offshore.

18th Jan

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. 

17th Jan

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.

16th Jan

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.

15th Jan

A thoroughly miserable day with strong winds and rain throughout. A Mediterranean Gull, 270 Kittiwakes and 813 auks were seen offshore.

14th Jan

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. 

13th Jan

Rain almost all day. The only highlights from the morning seawatching were a Shelduck, 161 Kittiwakes, 375 auks and 194 Red-throated Divers.

12th Jan

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.

11th Jan

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.

10th Jan

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.

9th Jan

 Rain virtually all day. Very quiet.

8th Jan

 Very quiet. An hour seawatch produced 174 Red-throated Divers.

7th Jan

 A Chiffchaff was seen on the Point. Seawatching produced 367 Red-throated Divers.

6th Jan

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.

5th Jan

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.

4th Jan

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.

3rd Jan

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.

2nd Jan

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. 

1st Jan 2026

 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.