1st Oct

A calm day saw another arrival of migrants in the bushes with 160 Chiffchaffs, 49 Blackcaps, four Lesser Whitethroats, three Firecrests, nine Song Thrushes, a Ring Ouzel, a Whinchat and five Wheatears. A Barn Owl and two Dartford Warblers were also seen.

Two Golden Plovers, a Little Egret, a Merlin, a Hobby, 12 Ravens, 19 Skylarks, three Sand Martins, 218 Swallows, 600 House Martins, ten Tree Sparrows, two Yellow Wagtails, three Tree Pipits, six Rock Pipits, a Brambling, 36 Goldfinches, a Siskin and 75 Reed Buntings flew over. A Caspian Gull was seen on the beach and two Arctic Skuas were feeding offshore.

A Brown Hare was seen on the land and a Grey Seal was feeding offshore.

The moth traps produced the goods again with the highlight of a Purple Marbled as well as six Palpita vitrealis, three Scrobipalpa ocellatella, two Vestal, 37 Small Mottled Willows and a Scarce Bordered Straw. A Willow Emerald dragonfly, nine Clouded Yellows and 15 Mediterranean Stick-insects were also seen.

Purple Marbled Eublemma ostrinia   Dungeness   1st October 2026

30th Sep

A day of fresh southerly winds and and showers meant most of the coverage was spent seawatching where nearly ten hours of observations produced an excellent total of 141 Balearic Shearwaters along with two Sooty and two Manx Shearwaters. Also of note were 68 Brent Geese, 12 Shoveler, 20 Wigeon, 45 Pintail, 25 Teal, 103 Common Scoters, six Golden Plovers, 24 Ringed Plovers, 27 Dunlin, six Redshank, 50 Little Gulls, 20 Mediterranean Gulls, a Great Skua, 33 Arctic Skuas, 114 Razorbills and 955 Gannets. Two Caspian Gulls and a Yellow-legged Gull were also seen on the beach. Visible migration included 1429 Swallows, six Grey Wagtails, two Bramblings and 17 Siskins.

A few migrants were seen on the land including 112 Chiffchaffs, five Blackcaps, a Firecrest and a Ring Ouzel.

Mammals feeding offshore included five Porpoises and two Grey Seal but an Ocean Sunfish was a great surprise.

The moth traps produced a Palpita vitrealis and a Scarce Bordered Straw of note. Six Clouded Yellows were seen.

29th Sep

The rush of migrants in the bushes continues with another 240 Chiffchaffs and 105 Blackcaps being the bulk along with nine Lesser Whitethroats, four Whitethroats, two Goldcrests, a Firecrest, a Spotted Flycatcher, 55 Robins, a Whinchat, 70 Stonechat and eight Wheatears. Birds passing overhead  included two Golden Plover, four Dunlin, a Marsh Harrier, a Buzzard, a Merlin, 405 Swallows, a Yellow Wagtail, two Grey Wagtails, 300 Meadow Pipits, two Rock Pipits, 17 Siskins and 31 Reed Buntings. A Kingfisher was seen at the Long Pits and a Barn Owl and a Dartford Warbler were also of note.  

Seawatching produced two Egyptian Geese, three Shoveler, six Pintail, 44 Teal, seven Little Gulls, eight Mediterranean Gulls, a Black Tern and six Arctic Skuas.

Eleven Clouded Yellows were seen during the day.

28th Sep

The heavy passage of Chiffchaffs (290) and Blackcaps (86) continues along with a Redstart and five Wheatears. A Short-eared Owl was seen in the Desert, a flock of 11 Raven flew over the area and two Dartford Warblers were seen again.

A flock of 11 Egyptian Geese was an unusual sight as they flew around the Point, a Greenshank and three Great White Egret flew over while migrating passerines included two Sand Martins, 185 Swallows, 1000 House Martins, four Grey Wagtails, 145 Meadow Pipits, a Rock Pipit and 35 Reed Buntings.

A Little Gull, 14 Mediterranean Gulls and 11 Arctic Skuas were seen offshore.

Three Porpoises were feeding offshore and a Grey Squirrel was seen at the Long Pits. A Brown Hare was also seen.

The day's highlight though came in the form of this superb Passenger moth - only the second to be caught in the Observatory traps. Four Palpita vitrealis, five Vestals and 28 Small Mottled Willows were trapped.

Passenger Dysgonia algira   Dungeness   28th September 2026

Five Clouded Yellows were seen during the day.

Access to the Observatory

Please be aware that we now have scaffolding around the building, due to roof works, so care is needed with parking and access. 

Thank you. 

27th Sep Big Kent Bird Migration Day

The Big Kent Bird Migration Day covered migration across the Dungeness peninsula. Two guided walks visited the Seawatch hide for marine migration with Balearic Shearwaters (four), a highlight for some, among the terns and Gannets. Visible Migration from the moat looked out for birds moving through, including rapidly moving Swallows and, despite the rising wind, groups were shown ringing of Meadow Pipit, Stonechat and Blue Tit. Other notable birds recorded during the day included a very elusive Yellow-browed Warbler in the Lighthouse Garden, eight Shoveler, 119 Wigeon, nine Pintail, 52 Teal, a Little Gull, 57 Mediterranean Gulls, a Caspian Gull, 26 Arctic Skuas, singles of Merlin and Hobby, 170 Chiffchaffs, 95 Blackcaps, a Dartford Warbler, a Firecrest, the first two Redwing of the autumn, nine Grey Wagtails, a Tree Pipit and 13 Reed Buntings.

Many thanks to everyone who helped out and hopefully see you all next year.

Three Porpoise and two Grey Seals were feeding offshore.

The moth traps were very quiet with just one Palpita vitrealis, a Vestal + two others seen during the day and three Small Mottled Willows. Six Clouded Yellows were also seen

26th Sep

Another arrival of migrants in the bushes again dominated by 95 Chiffchaffs and 63 Blackcaps as well as a Redstart, a Whinchat and 16 Wheatears. There was a trickle of overhead passage with two Grey Wagtails, 150 Meadow Pipits, a Rock Pipit and 34 Reed Buntings. A Barn Owl and two Dartford Warblers were also seen again.

There was a trickle of overhead passage with two Grey Wagtails, 150 Meadow Pipits, a Rock Pipit and 34 Reed Buntings.

The sea was very quiet with just a first-year Caspian Gull and an Arctic Skua of interest.

Another Plumed Fan-foot was caught overnight along with three Palpita vitrealis, four Vestals and 15 Small Mottled Willows.

25th Sep

Another large arrival of migrants with 160 Chiffchaffs, 57 Blackcaps and nine Wheatears being the best on offer and 385 Swallows and a Tree Pipit flew over.

The sea was fairly quiet but three hours of watching produced 14 Shelduck, 32 Wigeon, eight Teal and 53 Common Scoters, a Great Skua, ten Arctic Skuas and four Balearic Shearwaters.

Four Porpoises and two Grey Seals were feeding offshore and a Brown Hare was seen on the land.

The highlight from the moth traps was a Plumed Fan-foot and four Clouded Yellows were seen during the day. A Willow Emerald damselfly was also seen at the Long Pits.

24th Sep

Migrants on the land were again dominated by Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps with 350 and 145 respectively along with nine Lesser Whitethroats, 11 Whitethroats, a Goldcrest, a Whinchat and seven Wheatears. A trickle of birds overhead included two Grey Wagtails, 120 Meadow Pipits and 25 Reed Buntings. A Barn Owl was seen in the trapping area at first light and a Short-eared Owl was seen in the Desert. Most of the birds of note seen offshore were feeding rather than passing through with at least four Black Terns, two Little Gulls, 30 Arctic Skuas and at least 52 Balearic Shearwaters of note.

Two Porpoises and three Grey Seals were feeding offshore and a Brown Hare was seen on the land.

Two Clouded Yellows were seen.

Elsewhere, the adult American Golden Plover was showing in the usual stubble field with Golden Plover just north of Jury's Gap.

23rd Sep

There was another big arrival of warblers this morning with 300 Chiffchaffs and 135 Blackcaps of note along with a Firecrest, a Pied Flycatcher and two Redstarts. Two Dartford Warblers and six Black Redstarts were seen again. Seven Grey Herons and two Egyptian Geese flew over as well as a Grey Wagtail, 90 Meadow Pipits and a Tree Pipit. 

Seawatching was fairly slow going but still produced 35 Wigeon, six Teal, 52 Common Scoter, eight Little Gulls, 40 Mediterranean Gulls, 20 Arctic Skuas and ten Balearic Shearwaters in 5.5 hours of coverage. A flock of 42 Knot and a first-year Caspian Gull were on the beach.

Eight Porpoises and singles of Common and Grey Seal were feeding offhore.

Although moth numbers were fairly low last nights trapping still produced our third Tamarisk Peacock along with a September Thorn, a Ni Moth and eight Small Mottled Willows. Six Clouded Yellows were also seen.

Tamarisk Peacock Godonela aestimaria   Dungeness   23rd September 2026

22nd Sep

Chiffchaffs (165) and Blackcaps (55) dominated on the land this morning along with a Sedge Warbler, two Reed Warblers, a Garden Warbler, six Lesser Whitethroats, eight Whitethroats, four Whinchats and six Wheatears. Two Dartford Warblers and five Black Redstarts were also seen and a Common Treecreeper at the Long Pits was of note.

An Osprey flew south and out to sea in the early morning and Hobby and Merlin were seen during the day. Other overhead passage included 48 Sand Martins, 755 Swallows, 120 House Martins, six Yellow Wagtails, two Grey Wagtails, 220 Meadow Pipits, a Tree Pipit and 16 Reed Buntings.

Over three hours of seawatching produced 16 Shelduck, two Shoveler, 42 Wigeon, 12 Pintail, eight Teal, 11 Mediterranean Gulls, 360 Sandwich Terns, 150 Common Terns, a Black Tern, six Arctic Skuas and 14 Balearic Shearwaters. The record for most bizarre sighting of the day was a drake Mandarin flying west close inshore in the afternoon.

An impressive 18 Porpoises and two Grey Seals were seen offshore.

The moth traps produced a Blair's Mocha, a Vestal, a September Thorn and 20 Small Mottled Willows of note and five Clouded Yellows were seen during the day.

21st Sep

Today saw a massive arrival of 470 Chiffchaffs and 80 Blackcaps along with the highlight of a very early Yellow-browed Warbler and also seven Lesser Whitethroats, two Firecrests, three Redstarts and 16 Wheatears. A Merlin was trapped and a Dartford Warbler was also seen.

Merlin Falco columbarius   Dungeness   21st September 2026
Caught this evening as the sun was setting hence the warm glow to the images.

Overhead passage included three Grey Herons, five Little Egrets, 60 Sand Martins, 1100 Swallows, five Yellow Wagtails, four Grey Wagtails, 320 Meadow Pipits and two Tree Pipits.

Offshore passage was very light although a Little Gull, ten Mediterranean Gulls and 24 Balearic Shearwaters were feeding offshore.

Eight Porpoise and two Grey Seals were feeding offshore.

The moth traps produced a Vestal, a September Thorn, a Four-spotted Footman and four Small Mottled Willows. A Clouded Yellow was also seen. 

Kent Big Migration Day

Join us for the Kent Big Migration Day!

 

20th Sep

Grounded migrants were relatively scarce but a Jay, three Willow Warblers, 70 Chiffchaffs, six Blackcaps, a Redstart and five Wheatears were found. In addition, three Dartford Warblers were seen.

Overhead migration included two Grey Plover, a Golden Plover, 72 Ringed Plover, (plus 17 on the beach) and 25 Dunlin, two Yellow Wagtails, three Grey Wagtails, 500 Meadow Pipits (101 ringed), three Tree Pipits and 12 Reed Buntings. Raptors seen during the day included three Marsh Harriers, a Buzzard and two Hobby.

 The sea was quiet with just an Arctic Tern, two Arctic Skuas and four Red-throated Divers of note while two Bar-tailed Godwits, 23 Knot, eight Sanderlings and a Little Egret were feeding on the beach.  

Six Porpoises and two Grey Seals were feeding offshore.

Seven Clouded Yellows were seen.

Elsewhere, a juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper was found on the RSPB Reserve.

19th Sep

Most of the interest was offshore again where over five of watching produced two Wigeon, 169 Kittiwakes, 12 Little Gulls, three Mediterranean Gulls, a Caspian Gull, a Yellow-legged Gull, 275 Sandwich Terns, 321 Common Terns, singles of Arctic and Black Tern, a Great Skua, ten Arctic Skuas, 80 Guillemots, a Red-throated Diver, a Sooty Shearwater and 18 Balearic Shearwaters.

Twelve Porpoises and three Grey Seals were feeding offshore.

18th Sep

Grounded migrants included 41 Chiffchaffs, two Sedge Warblers, five Blackcaps and two Spotted Flycatchers, There was a strong overhead passage with 340 Sand Martins, 3300 Swallows, 4500 House Martins, three Yellow Wagtails, a Grey Wagtail and 120 Meadow Pipits of note. 

There were plenty of birds feeding offshore this morning including 25 Mediterranean Gulls, a juvenile Caspian Gull, 1000 Sandwich Terns, 200 Common Terns, two Arctic Terns and a Black Tern while five Little Gulls, 21 Arctic Skuas and 15 Balearic Shearwaters flew west. A Little Egret, four Bar-tailed Godwits and 15 Sanderling were on the beach.

Six Porpoises, three Grey Seals and a Common Seal were feeding offshore.

17th Sep

With fresh south westerly winds and frequent rain most of the interest was offshore with a Wigeon, a Shoveler, a Tufted Duck, 583 Kittiwakes, 16 Little Gulls, 14 Mediterranean Gulls, two first-year Caspian Gulls, a Yellow-legged Gull, over 2000 each of Sandwich and Common Terns, seven Black Terns, 95 Arctic Skuas and 76 Balearic Shearwaters in eight hours of watching. 

Waders on the beach included 28 Curlews, 17 Bar-tailed Godwits and 18 Knot.

Grounded migrants were harder to find in the poor but included 36 Chiffchaffs, five Blackcaps, three Lesser Whitethroats and two Spotted Flycatchers and a Dartford Warbler was seen in the Moat.

Eight Porpoises and three Grey Seals were feeding offshore.

16th Sep

A Honey Buzzard flew south in the morning and a Red Kite flew east over the Long Pits in the afternoon. There was another large movement of hirundines with 50 Sand Martins, 600 Swallows and 3250 House Martins (another 75 ringed), along with six Yellow Wagtails, 90 Meadow Pipits and seven Reed Buntings.

Grounded migrants continue to appear in decent numbers with 20 Willow Warblers, 50 Chiffchaffs, 30 Blackcaps, nine Lesser Whitethroats, 18 Whitethroats, five Spotted Flycatchers, two Whinchats and five Wheatears of interest. A Jay in the bushes was also of note.

Seawatching produced 19 Mediterranean Gulls, 887 Sandwich Terns, 271 Common Terns, a Black Tern and 36 Balearic Shearwaters mostly moving west and ten Arctic Skuas feeding offshore.

Eight Porpoises and three Grey Seals were feeding offshore and a Brown Hare was seen on the land.

The moth traps produced a Small Mottled Willow and a Delicate, three Clouded Yellows were seen during the day and a Willow Emerald was seen near the Sycamore in the Trapping Area.

15th Sep

The Western Bonelli's Warbler was still present and eventually found its way into a mistnet. Other migrants in the bushes included 22 Willow Warblers, 65 Chiffchaffs, 70 Blackcaps, a Spotted Flycatcher, a Whinchat, a Redstart and five Wheatears.

Western Bonelli's Warbler Phylloscopus bonelli   Dungeness   15th September 2026

A Great White Egret flew over the area and 45 Sand Martins, 7440 Swallows, 800 House Martins, five Yellow Wagtails, two Grey Wagtails, 200 Meadow Pipits, two Siskins and 11 Reed Buntings also flew through.

A Black Tern and 26 Arctic Skuas were the only birds of note from the sea.

The moth traps produced a Tamarisk Peacock (hot on the heels of our first record on 26th August), five Vestals and two Small Mottled Willows. There was also a Lesser Emperor in the trap with another individual in the trapping area. Six Clouded Yellows were seen during the day.

Tamarisk Peacock Godonela aestimaria   Dungeness   15th September 2026

Lesser Emperor Anax parthenope   Dungeness   15th September 2026

14th Sep

The clear highlight today was a fine Western Bonelli's Warbler first seen at the Long Pits before making its way into the Trapping Area. Fortunately it occasionally called and allowed confirmation as a Western. This is the sixth Dungeness record. Other migrants were present in high numbers including 46 Willow Warblers, 105 Chiffchaffs, 40 Blackcaps, two Garden Warblers, 12 Lesser Whitethroats, six Spotted Flycatchers, 50 Robins, a Redstart, two Whinchats and 14 Wheatears. There were more large movements overhead with nearly 20,000 Swallows of note along with six Yellow Wagtails, eight Grey Wagtails and two Tree Pipits. The sea was fairly quiet with just 13 Black Terns, three Mediterranean Gulls, ten Arctic Skuas and a Balearic Shearwater of note.

Western Bonelli's Warbler Phylloscopus bonelli   Dungeness   14th September 2026

Two Porpoises and two Grey Seals were feeding offshore.

The moth traps produced a Blair's Mocha, ten Small Mottled Willows and another Ni Moth of note.

Ni Moth Trichoplusia ni   Dungeness   14th September 2026

Blair's Mocha Cyclophora puppillaria   Dungeness   14th September 2026

13th Sep

The highlights from the the seawatching were two Long-tailed Skuas, 20 Black Terns and two Balearic Shearwaters with backup in the form of two Little Gulls, eight Mediterranean Gulls, 754 Sandwich Terns, 498 Common Terns and 105 Arctic Skuas. Grounded migrants included a Cuckoo, 50 Chiffchaffs, five Blackcaps, a Garden Warbler and two Whinchats.

Two Porpoises and two Grey Seals were feeding offshore and a Brown Hare was seen on the land.

The moth traps produced a Vestal and four Small Mottled Willows and two Clouded Yellows were seen during the day.

Elsewhere, an adult American Golden Plover was seen in a stubble field at Jury's Gap.

12th Sep

The morning began well with a few migrants in the bushes followed by a large movement of hirundines with 7000 House Martins (145 ringed), 5080 Swallows and 154 Sand Martins and also 14 Grey Wagtails. A Short-eared Owl and a Wryneck were seen in the Desert and Merlin and Hobby were hunting around the Observatory. Grounded migrants included 31 Chiffchaffs, 17 Blackcaps, a Garden Warbler, three Song Thrushes, two Spotted Flycatchers, two Redstarts, two Whinchats and ten Wheatears.

The sea was fairly quiet during the morning but came to life in spectacular fashion in the afternoon with an incredible sighting of a Brown Booby which spent about 30 minutes offshore as it slowly drifted west and even allowed a few locals to get to the boats to witness the event. A first record for Dungeness. Also of note on the seawatch was a juvenile Long-tailed Skua, a Little Tern, 15 Black Terns, 465 Common Terns, 761 Sandwich Terns, three Little Gulls, three Mediterranean Gulls and 46 Arctic Skuas.

Brown Booby Sula leucogaster   Dungeness   12th September 2026
Thanks to Martin Casemore for these images.

Seven Porpoises, two Grey Seals and a Common Seal were feeding offshore and a Brown Hare was seen on the land.

A Common Frog was seen in the Observatory garden.

The moths produced five Vestals, a Delicate and four Small Mottled Willows of note. One Clouded Yellow was also seen.

There have been a handful of sightings of the very rare paper-wasp Polistes biglumis in the last year or so and a couple of days ago an active nest was found.  

Polistes biglumis nest and adults   Dungeness   12th September 2026

11th Sep

The Wryneck was still showing occasionally in the Desert but grounded migrants were scarce with just 13 Willow Warblers, 21 Chiffchaffs, a Whinchat and 12 Wheatears of interest. Birds passing overhead included a Swift, two Golden Plover, 3700 Swallows, 2000 House Martins and four Grey Wagtails. 

An adult Sabine's Gull was the obvious highlight of the morning seawatch and two Shovelers, 243 Kittiwakes, a Little Gull, eight Mediterranean Gulls, 885 Sandwich Tern, eight Little Terns, 615 Common Terns, three Black Terns and 63 Arctic Skuas also passed through. There were a few waders on the beach including 16 Ringed Plover, three Bar-tailed Godwit and 12 Turnstone. A Norwegian colour-ringed Redshank was also noted.

The moth traps produced a Palpita vitrealis and a Vestal and two Clouded Yellow were seen.

Three Lesser Emperors were also seen in the moat.

Lesser Emperor Anax parthenope   Dungeness   11th September 2026

The Red-necked Phalarope was still showing on Burrowes Pit.

10th Sep

A Wryneck in the Desert was probably a new arrival along with 16 Willow Warbler, 35 Chiffchaffs, a Sedge Warbler, four Reed Warblers, 60 Blackcaps, a Garden Warbler, 11 Lesser Whitethroats, 16 Whitethroats and two Spotted Flycatchers. Passage overhead included six Swifts, a Spotted Redshank, a Grey Heron, a Little Egret, five Marsh Harriers, 100 Sand Martins, 1660 Swallows, 119 House Martins, 15 Yellow Wagtails, five Grey Wagtails, 40 Meadow Pipits and a Tree Pipit.

Seawatching produced a Grey Phalarope in the evening of note and during the rest of the day seven Knot, 115 Kittiwakes, five Little Gulls, a Mediterranean Gull, 617 Sandwich Terns, three Little Terns, 161 Common Terns, five Black Terns, a Great Skua and 19 Arctic Skuas passed through.

Five Porpoises and two Grey Seals were feeding offshore.

The moth traps produced a Palpita vitrealis and a Small Mottled Willow and five Hummingbird Hawkmoths, five Clouded Yellows and 20 Painted Ladies were seen during the day.

The Red-necked Phalarope was still on Burrowes Pit, RSPB Reserve.

9th Sep

Grounded migrants included a Short-eared Owl, 72 Willow Warblers, 57 Chiffchaffs, a Sedge Warbler, two Reed Warblers, 11 Blackcaps, two Garden Warblers, 11 Lesser Whitethroats, 25 Whitethroats, seven Spotted Flycatchers, 60 Robins, four Whinchats and 25 Wheatears. Although not necessarily migrants three Dartford Warblers were of note as was an impressive count of 41 Stonechats.

It was also a day of notable overhead passage with five Grey Herons, three Little Egrets, two Cattle Egrets and three White Storks, four Buzzards, 37 Sand Martins, 150 Swallows, 17 Yellow Wagtails, 48 Meadow Pipits and two Tree Pipits.

Waders on the beach or flying over included a Grey Plover, a Whimbrel, three Bar-tailed Godwits, five Turnstone, 14 Sanderlings and two Snipe while 25 Mediterranean Gulls, 100 Sandwich Terns and five Arctic Skuas were feeding offshore.

Two Porpoises and two Grey Seals were feeding offshore.

Eleven Clouded Yellows were seen.

Elsewhere, a Red-necked Phalarope was of note on Burrowes Pit, RSPB.

8th Sep

A mostly wet and windy day with most observations coming from the sea where the highlight was a first-winter Sabine's Gull along with four Wigeon, six Sanderlings, two Little Gulls, five Mediterranean Gulls, 1395 Sandwich Terns, three Little Terns, 347 Common Terns, 15 Black Terns, 53 Arctic Skuas and a  Balearic Shearwater. A juvenile Caspian Gull was seen at the fishing boats.

The bushes were generally quiet with 35 Chiffchaffs and 12 Blackcaps of note.

7th Sep

The highlight from nearly 11 hours of seawatching was an adult Sabine's Gull but with considerable back-up in the form of three Teal, a Scaup, 69 Ringed Plover, five Whimbrel, eight Curlew, two Bar-tailed Godwits, 31 Turnstone, 17 Sanderling, seven Dunlin, three Common Sandpipers, a Redshank, 136 Kittiwakes, a Little Gull, 25 Mediterranean Gulls, 1450 Sandwich Terns, 348 Common Terns, five Black Terns, a Great Skua, 65 Arctic Skuas, a Manx Shearwater and four Balearic Shearwaters. Three juvenile Caspian Gulls and two juvenile Yellow-legged Gulls were among large numbers of gulls feeding on the beach.

The highlights overhead were three Honey Buzzards along with 14 Swifts, 310 Sand Martins, 2000 Swallows, 86 House Martins, 12 Yellow Wagtails, three Grey Wagtails and a Tree Pipit. Grounded migrants included 18 Chiffchaffs, eight Blackcaps, five Lesser Whitethroats and two Spotted Flycatchers.

Six Porpoises, four Grey Seals and a Common Seal were feeding offshore and a Brown Hare was seen on the land.

The highlight from the moth traps was another Ni Moth - the fourth record of the year at the Observatory.

6th Sep

The day started early with the catching of a superb Barn Owl in the trapping area just after midnight. 

Barn Owl Tyto alba   Dungeness   6th September 2026

Raptors featured on the land with an Osprey and a Honey Buzzard of note while two Green Sandpipers, 600 Sand Martins, 2340 Swallows, 273 House Martins, 29 Yellow Wagtails, a Grey Wagtail and four Tree Pipits also passed overhead. Grounded migrants included 20 Willow Warblers, eight Chiffchaffs, 43 Blackcaps, two Spotted Flycatchers, a Pied Flycatcher and two Whinchats. A Dartford Warbler was also seen.

Just under 11 hours of seawatching produced two Shovelers, 22 Teal, 41 Common Scoter, 57 Kittiwakes west (+80 feeding), a Little Gull, 25 Mediterranean Gulls west and then a flock of 100 feeding over the point in the evening, 1285 Sandwich Terns, 194 Common Terns, 26 Black Terns, a Great Skua, 78 Arctic Skua west and ten loafing offshore, four Fulmars, a Sooty Shearwater and two Balearic Shearwaters.

Six Porpoise and two Grey Seals were feeding offshore.

Four Clouded Yellows were seen.

5th Sep

The highlight among the birds passing overhead was a Honey Buzzard with back up in the form of a Swift, a Little Egret, a Greenshank, four Buzzards, 250 Swallow, 640 House Martin, three Tree Sparrows, 23 Yellow Wagtails and three Grey Wagtails.

There were plenty of migrants in the bushes including 60 Willow Warblers, three Sedge Warblers, 19 Blackcaps, a Garden Warbler, seven Lesser Whitethroats, 24 Whitethroats, five Spotted Flycatchers, a Redstart and a Whinchat while a Kingfisher was an unexpected capture and a Wryneck was seen again.

Kingfisher Alcedo atthis   Dungeness   5th September 2026

The waders on the beach included a Curlew Sandpiper along with 42 Ringed Plover, eight Bar-tailed Godwit, 16 Sanderling and 27 Dunlin. Offshore passage was generally light but 14 Arctic Skuas were seen during the afternoon. 

Two Porpoises and a Grey Seal were feeding offshore and a Grey Squirrel was seen in a private garden.

Twenty Clouded Yellows were very noteworthy while the moths traps produced a Red Underwing and a Small Mottled Willow and three Vestals were flushed from vegetation during the day. 

4th Sep

More windy and wet conditions meant most of the coverage was of the sea. The highlight was a Grey Phalarope which spent about an hour feeding offshore while bits and pieces included eight Mediterranean Gulls, five Caspian Gulls, 940 Sandwich Terns, seven Black Terns, 18 Arctic Skuas, five Fulmars, a Manx and four Balearic Shearwaters. As the weather improved a few birds were found in the bushes with a Wryneck and a Pied Flycatcher of note. A bit of overhead passage included 53 Sand Martins, 152 Swallows and seven Yellow Wagtails.

Caspian Gulls Larus cachinnans   first-years   Dungeness    4th September 2026
Images of two of the five Caspian Gulls present today.
The upper bird was color-ringed Yellow with Black E:H and is likely to be a bird of Dutch origin.

Five Porpoises and two Grey Seals were feeding offshore.

, 

3rd Sep

A damp and breezy day. Nearly five hours of seawatching produced 343 Sandwich Terns, 56 Common Terns, two Black Terns, a Great Skua and 21 Arctic Skuas of note. A few migrants were grounded including 26 Willow Warblers, six Blackcaps, 15 Lesser Whitethroats, three Spotted Flycatchers and a Pied Flycatcher. 

2nd Sep

A Wryneck was seen at the Long Pits again amid another decent arrival of common migrants including a Short-eared Owl, a Hobby,  45 Willow Warblers, 15 Chiffchaffs, four Sedge Warblers, two Grasshopper Warblers, 55 Blackcaps, three Garden Warblers, 55 Lesser Whitethroats, 120 Whitethroats, three Spotted Flycatchers, two Pied Flycatchers, three Redstarts, four Whinchats and ten Wheatears.  A Dotterel flew over the area during the morning along with a Golden Plover, two Snipe and four Greenshanks, 945 Swallows, 150 House Martins, 55 Yellow Wagtails, four Grey Wagtails and three Tree Pipits.

Seawatching was fairly slow but a Black Tern, two Great Skuas and six Arctic Skuas passed offshore and a juvenile Caspian Gull at the fishing boats were noteworthy.

Four Porpoises and a Grey Seal were feeding offshore.

The moth traps produced 14 Small Mottled Willows, three Palpita vitrealis and a Vestal (with a further four seen in the field). Three Clouded Yellows were also seen.

The White-winged Black Tern was still showing well on Burrowes Pit, RSPB.

1st Sep

There was an excellent arrival of migrants today with a Nightjar, a Wryneck and a Red-backed Shrike of particular note and numbers provided by 80 Willow Warblers, ten Reed Warblers, 56 Blackcaps, 39 Lesser Whitethroats, 88 Whitethroats, four Spotted Flycatchers, three Redstarts, three Whinchats and also a Short-eared Owl, two Grasshopper Warbler, a Firecrest and a Pied Flycatcher. Birds passing through overhead included two Buzzards, 930 Swallows, 112 House Martins, 11 Yellow Wagtails and three Grey Wagtails.

The sea was fairly quiet but six Arctic Skuas, a Great Skua and a Sooty Shearwater were seen during the day.

Seven Clouded Yellows were seen.

The White-winged Black Tern was still showing well on the RSPB Reserve.

31st Aug

Another breezy day but with reduced offshore passage which still produced an adult Sabine's Gull west in the morning along with a Gadwall, a Little Tern, three Black Terns, 422 Common Terns, 635 Sandwich Terns, a Little Gull, seven Mediterranean Gulls, four Arctic Skuas and a Balearic Shearwater. Single juvenile Caspian Gull and Yellow-legged Gulls were on the beach.

Very quiet on the land although a White Stork made several flights over the recording area in the morning and single Grey Wagtail and Tree Pipit also passed through.

Two Porpoises and two Grey Seals were feeding offshore.

Three Clouded Yellows were seen.

Elsewhere the White-winged Black Tern continues its stay on the RSPB reserve and a Red-necked Phalarope was found on Scotney Sand Pit. 

30th Aug

Strong westerly winds and showers limited coverage to mainly the sea where ten hours of watching  brought the highlights of the day in the form of a Storm Petrel and 55 Balearic Shearwaters with back up in the form of a Little Gull, ten Mediterranean Gulls, two Caspian Gulls, 2350 Sandwich Terns, 20 Black Terns, an Arctic Tern, 46 Arctic Skuas, two Manx Shearwaters and 560 Gannets. Large numbers of waders were roosting at the Lifeboat Station including 156 Ringed Plovers, 17 Curlew, three Bar-tailed Godwits, a Knot, 18 Sanderlings and 64 Dunlin. The best of the few grounded migrants were ten Willow Warblers, a Redstart and nine Wheatears and 220 Sand Martins and three Yellow Wagtails flew over.

Two Porpoises and two Grey Seals were feeding offshore.

The White-winged Black Tern was still showing very well on the RSPB Reserve.

29th Aug

A day of strong to gale-force winds and frequent downpours. Nearly all the coverage was of the  sea with 12 hours of watching producing 38 Black Terns, 1309 Common Terns, 4688 Sandwich Terns, 11 Mediterranean Gulls, a juvenile Caspian Gull, two Yellow-legged Gulls, 48 Arctic Skuas, three Great Skuas, two Sooty Shearwaters, four Manx Shearwaters and 30 Balearic Shearwaters. The Dartford Warbler was seen in the Moat again.

Four Porpoises and two Grey Seals were feeding offshore.

28th Aug

A quieter day. Grounded migrants included a Short-eared Owl, 21 Willow Warblers, six Reed Warblers, nine Blackcaps, 24 Lesser Whitethroats, 21 Whitethroats, a Redstart and two Whinchats and 58 Yellow Wagtails and three Tree Pipits flew over. A Dartford Warbler was also seen in and around the Moat. Seawatching produced just three Mediterranean Gulls, 14 Arctic Skuas and two Balearic Shearwaters of note. 

Four Porpoise and a Grey Seal were feeding offshore and a Brown Hare was also seen.

The best the moth traps could offer were a Scarce Bordered Straw, four Small Mottled Willows and a Small Ranunculus.

The White-winged Black Terns remains on the RSPB Reserve.

27th Aug

More thunderstorms during the morning brought a decent arrival of migrants. Numbers of grounded migrants were dominated by 24 Willow Warblers, 72 Lesser Whitethroats and 76 Whitethroats along with seven Reed Warblers, seven Blackcaps, two Redstarts, seven Whinchats and 22 Wheatears. Birds passing overhead included 13 Swift, another Honey Buzzard, 80 Sand Martins, 880 Swallows, 60 Yellow Wagtails and three Tree Pipits.

Waders feeding on the beach included 47 Ringed Plover, 30 Curlew, two Bar-tailed Godwits, two Ruffs, 22 Sanderling and three Redshank  and a party of five Greenshank flew over. Gulls feeding offshore included 16 Mediterranean Gulls and two juvenile Caspian Gulls while 612 Sandwich Terns, 61 Common Terns, a Black Tern and 28 Arctic Skuas passed through.

A Brown Hare was seen on the land and 12 Porpoises and a Grey Seal were feeding offshore.

The moth traps produced two Maiden's Blush, a Scorched Carpet, two Small Mottled Willows, a Delicate, four Scarce Bordered Straws, the plume moth Hellinsia carphodactyla and the pyralid Neophopteryx angustella of note but these were totally eclipsed by the catching of a Black V Moth by Bob Arnfield at the top of the Long Pits.

Black V Moth Arctornis l-nigrum   Dungeness   27th August 2026

The White-winged Black Tern continued its long stay on the RSPB Reserve.

26th Aug

Thunderstorms with torrential rain from first light grounded a few migrants included 21 Willow Warblers, 17 Reed Warblers, ten Blackcaps, 30 Lesser Whitethroats, 45 Whitethroats, a Dartford Warbler, a Spotted Flycatcher, two Nightingales, two Pied Flycatchers, a Redstart, five Whinchats and 29 Wheatears. 

Raptors provided most of the interest overhead with at least four Honey Buzzards, 18 Common Buzzards, A Green Sandpiper, 636 Sand Martins, 1450 Swallows, 193 House Martins, 32 Yellow Wagtails and three Tree Pipits. 

Eight Pintails, six Knot, 45 Mediterranean Gulls and two Balearic Shearwaters were of note offshore while the beach held 44 Ringed Plovers, seven Sanderling and 40 Dunlin,

Three Clouded Yellows were seen during the day while the Observatory moth-traps produced a super Tamarisk Peacock, (a new species for the traps), along with an Oak Hook-tip, four Small Mottled Willows, two Delicates, a Scarce Bordered Straw and two Palpita vitrealis.

Tamarisk Peacock  Godonela aestimaria   Dungeness   26th August 2026

The White-winged Black Tern was still showing well on the RSPB Reserve.

25th Aug

A bit more of an autumn feel to today's seawatching with six Wigeon, 72 Teal, 35 Common Scoters, a Grey Plover, a Redshank, a Little Gull, 377 Mediterranean Gulls, five Caspian Gulls, 3,088 Sandwich Terns, two Little Terns, three Black Terns, 28 Arctic Skuas and a Sooty Shearwater. An Osprey was seen again along with 243 Sand Martins, 344 Swallows, two House Martins and 32 Yellow Wagtails overhead. 

Grounded migrants were limited to nine Willow Warblers, three Reed Warblers, ten Lesser Whitethroats, a Pied Flycatcher and a Redstart.

Six Porpoises and a Grey Seal were feeding offshore, two Brown Hares were seen in the Desert and the Grey Squirrel was seen again.

The White-winged Black Tern was still showing well on the RSPB Reserve.

24th Aug

Four Shelducks, five Shovelers, a Tufted Duck, a party of eight Avocets, a Sanderling, 200 Mediterranean Gulls, a massive count of 4,650 Sandwich Terns, 324 Common Terns, ten Black Terns, 24 Arctic Skuas and a Sooty Shearwater all passed by offshore and 35 Ringed Plovers, three Bar-tailed Godwits, five Turnstones, three juvenile Caspian Gulls and three Yellow-legged Gulls were seen on the beach.

Fairly quiet on the land although an Osprey and a Honey Buzzard provided excitement along with 120 Sand Martins and 79 Swallows overhead. Grounded migrants included 13 Willow Warblers, three Reed Warblers, an early Firecrest, a Spotted Flycatcher and a Whinchat.

Three Porpoises and a Grey Seal were seen offshore and a Grey Squirrel was seen in private gardens.

The White-winged Black Tern was still showing well on Burrowes Pit, RSPB Reserve.

23rd Aug

There was a reasonable arrival of grounded migrants with 50 Willow Warblers, ten Reed Warblers, eight Blackcaps, a Garden Warbler, 16 Lesser Whitethroats, 60 Whitethroats and 21 Wheatears and a Wood Warbler seen at the Long Pits was of note. 

An Osprey, a Greenshank, 510 Sand Martins, 270 Swallows, 70 Yellow Wagtails and three Tree Pipits flew over. There were 35 Ringed Plovers, three Bar-tailed Godwit and two Sanderling on the beach and 100 Mediterranean Gulls, four juvenile Caspian Gulls, a Black Tern, 1,000 Sandwich Terns and 14 Arctic Skuas were feeding offshore. A ringed Turnstone was seen on the beach and after considerable effort the ring number was read. It was originally ringed at Terrington Marsh, Norfolk on 18th October 2020.

Turnstone Arenaria interpres   SX71493   Dungeness   23rd August 2026

Five Porpoises and two Grey Seals were feeding offshore and a Brown Hare was seen on the land.

The moth traps produced a Vestal, a Small Mottled Willow and two Delicates while 22 Hummingbird Hawkmoths were seen during the day and four Clouded Yellows were seen in the Desert.

Vestal Rhodometra sacraria   Dungeness   23rd August 2026

The White-winged Black Tern was still showing well from Firth Screen on the RSPB Reserve.

22nd Aug

There were decent numbers of migrants in the bushes during the morning including 55 Willow Warblers, three Sedge Warblers, four Reed Warblers, a Garden Warbler, 22 Lesser Whitethroats, 40 Whitethroats, a Spotted Flycatcher, two Pied Flycatchers, a Redstart, two Whinchats and 17 Wheatears. However, the birds of the day both appeared in the Moat in the afternoon in the form of a superb Wryneck and a Wood Warbler. A few birds also passed overhead with a Buzzard, 116 Sand Martins, 16 House Martins, 60 Yellow Wagtails and a Tree Pipit.

Wryneck Jynx torquilla   Dungeness   22nd August 2026

Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix   Dungeness   22nd August 2026

Of note offshore were eight Sanderling, a Knot, four Mediterranean Gulls, 400 Sandwich Terns and a Black Tern.

Two Porpoises and four Grey Seals were feeding offshore and a Brown Hare was seen in the Desert.

The moth traps produced ten Small Mottled Willows, six Delicates and a Small Ranunculus and a Clouded Yellow was seen in the Desert.