19th Apr

It was a bit of a return to normality on the land with very few migrants to be seen other than 22 Willow Warblers, eight Blackcaps and 17 Lesser Whitethroats. Seven Yellow Wagtails flew over and a flock of 15 Corn Bunting were feeding at the Point again. The sea was very quiet in the morning but improved as the wind veered into the north-east and induced an afternoon movement of 70 Whimbrel, 745 Bar-tailed Godwits, four Little Gulls and an Arctic Skua.

Five Porpoises and a Grey Seal were feeding offshore.

18th Apr

Light showers and a light NW wind resulted in an excellent fall of migrants with quality in the form of a singing Wood Warbler at the Long Pits, a female Pied Flycatcher in a private garden, two Garden Warblers, two Redstarts, a Ring Ouzel, a Tree Pipit and a Green Sandpiper while numbers were provided by 110 Willow Warblers, 21 Chiffchaffs, eight Sedge Warblers, 23 Blackcaps, 17 Lesser Whitethroats, 100 Whitethroats and 26 Wheatears. A flock of 40 Corn Buntings were feeding in the railway circle area. An Egyptian Goose, a Greenshank, a Red Kite and 24 Swallows also flew over. The sea was very quiet.

A Streamer and a Waved Umber were of interest from a small catch in the moth trap.

Streamer Anticlea derivata   Dungeness   18th April 2026

Waved Umber Menophra abruptaria   Dungeness   18th April 2026

Two Grizzled Skippers in the Desert were the first of the year.

17th Apr

A trickle of birds moving offshore included three Teal, 496 Common Scoters, eight Bar-tailed Godwits, 23 Mediterranean Gulls, the first Little Tern of the spring and a Great White Egret. Very quiet on the land with just four House Martins, six Willow Warblers, 12 Chiffchaffs, six Blackcaps, 25 Wheatears, a Yellow Wagtail, a Grey Wagtail, a Redpoll and two Siskins of interest. 

Two Porpoises and a Grey Seal were feeding offshore.

16th Apr

Seawatching was very slow today but over ten hours of watching eventually produced two Velvet Scoters, 385 Common Scoters, 45 Kittiwakes, 37 Mediterranean Gulls, six Arctic Skuas, a Pomarine and a Great Skua, 1177 Gannets and a Little Egret. Very quiet on the land except for a Little Ringed Plover in the station carpark in the morning. 

Six Porpoises, a Common Seal and a Grey Seal were seen offshore and a Brown Seal was also seen.

15th Apr

Coverage of the sea throughout the day eventually produced 240 Brent Geese, two Shoveler, two Gadwall, 377 Common Scoters, four Red-breasted Merganser, 16 Whimbrel, 41 Curlew, two Little Gulls, 197 Kittiwakes, 24 Mediterranean Gulls, 23 Arctic Skuas, two Great Skuas, 496 Sandwich Terns, 81 Arctic Terns, 91 Common Terns, 229 "commic" Terns, three Black-throated Divers, a Manx Shearwater and 470 Gannets. Very quiet on the land with 17 Swallows and three Yellow Wagtails passing overhead and five Willow Warblers, five Blackcaps and a Firecrest in the bushes.

Four Porpoise and two Grey Seals were feeding offshore.

14th Apr

Very quiet on the land with just three Willow Warblers, 22 Chiffchaffs, six Sedge Warblers, seven Blackcaps, six Lesser Whitethroats, a Brambling, a Redpoll and three Corn Buntings. Seawatching produced a bit of movement offshore including two Shovelers, 475 Common Scoters, eight Whimbrels, three Bar-tailed Godwits, five Little Gulls, 15 Mediterranean Gulls, a Great Skua, ten Arctic Skuas and two each of Black-throated Diver and Great Northern Diver.

A pod of six Bottle-nose Dolphins along with eight Porpoises were seen offshore and two Brown Hares were seen on the land.

The Large Tortoiseshell was still showing at the north end of the Long Pits.

13th Apr

Just under eight hours of seawatching produced a Velvet Scoter, 127 Common Scoters, four Red-breasted Mergansers, two Avocets, a Common Sandpiper, 13 Mediterranean Gulls, a Great Skua and five Arctic Skuas.  A Jack Snipe and three Common Snipe, nine Willow Warblers, 23 Chiffchaffs, six Sedge Warblers, nine Blackcaps, eight Lesser Whitethroats, 36 Common Whitethroats, a Firecrest, four Song Thrushes, a Yellow Wagtail, a Rock Pipit, 13 Siskins and 16 Reed Buntings were seen on the land.

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

The Large Tortoiseshell was seen again at the Long Pits.

12th Apr

Seawatching was the order of the day with 52 Brent Geese, two Velvet Scoters, 195 Common Scoters, 27 Mediterranean Gulls, six Arctic Skuas, a Great Skua, 245 Sandwich Tern, five Common Tern and 17 Manx Shearwaters in six hours of coverage. Thirty-three Swallows and a Grey Wagtail arrived and 14 Willow Warblers, 13 Chiffchaffs, eight Blackcaps, seven Lesser Whitethroat and two Firecrests were seen in the bushes. 

The Large Tortoiseshell was seen again at the Long Pits.

11th Apr

With a fresh SE wind blowing this morning nearly all the interest was offshore where 63 Brent Geese, two Shovelers, 520 Common Scoters, a Red-necked Grebe, 1212 Sandwich Terns, four Common Terns, 13 Mediterranean Gulls, nine Arctic Skuas, a Great Skua, a Black-throated Diver, three Manx Shearwaters and 1032 Gannets were of note.

Three Porpoises and a Grey Seal were feeding offshore.

10th Apr

Very few migrants around but there was some quality with a White Stork, a Red Kite, a Jay and a Wood Lark of note. Commoner migrants included 15 each of Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler, six Sedge Warblers, six Blackcaps, two Lesser Whitethroats, a Redstart and five Corn Buntings. Seawatching was fairly slow but picked up a bit in the afternoon with 35 Whimbrel, seven Bar-tailed Godwits, five Manx Shearwaters, two Common Terns, two Arctic Skuas, a Great Skua, a Manx Shearwater and a Shag of interest.

A highlight from the sea were nine White-beaked Dolphins (pods of three and six) along with eight Porpoises and a Grey Seal. Two Brown Hares were seen in the Desert.

Five Painted Lady butterflies were seen.

9th Apr

The morning saw a good arrival of migrants including two Wood Larks, 70 Willow Warblers, 55 Chiffchaffs, a Sedge Warbler, 16 Blackcaps, the first Lesser Whitethroat of the spring, 43 Whitethroats, a Ring Ouzel, a Redstart, 16 Wheatears and three Corn Buntings. Four Egyptian Geese, 26 Jackdaws, 12 Rooks, 11 Swallows, a Yellow Wagtail and a Rock Pipit also flew over 

Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe   Dungeness   9th April 2026 (Nathaneal Poffley)

Over six hours of seawatching produced 38 Brent Geese, 114 Common Scoter, a Whimbrel, 15 Mediterranean Gull, 246 Sadwich Terns, four Arctic Skuas, and two Black-throated Divers of note.

At least 15 Porpoises and two Grey Seals were feeding offshore and two Brown Hares were seen on the land.

The second Large Tortoiseshell of the week was found at the Long Pits.

Large Tortoiseshell Aglais polychloros   Dungeness   9th April 2026

A Brindled Beauty was only the sixth record from the Observatory traps.

Brindled Beauty Lycia hirtaria   Dungeness   9th April 2026

Tony Greenland, RIP

It was very sad to hear of the death of Tony Greenland. Tony was a long time supporter of the Observatory, being on the committee in the 1970s, and returning to become a regular contributor and keen sea-watcher. His many stories and anecdotes kept everyone amused. He had been unwell for quite a well and is much missed. Our thoughts are with Christine and his family.

8th Apr

There were a decent number of migrants on the land with a Green Sandpiper at the Long Pits, an adult male Hen Harrier, three Buzzards, two Merlins, six Willow Warblers, 30 Chiffchaffs, a Reed Warbler, nine Blackcaps, 26 Whitethroats, a Redstart, 16 Wheatears, a Tree Pipit, two Redpolls and four Corn Buntings.

Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus male   Dungeness   8th April 2026 (Jonathan Singlewood-Dodds) 

Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus   Dungeness   8th April 2026 (Nathaneal Poffler)

Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochrurus   Dungeness   8th April 2026 (Nathaneal Poffler.)

Seawatching produced some good records with 73 Brent Geese, 15 Shovelers, five Eider, four Velvet Scoters, 1430 Common Scoters, nine Red-breasted Mergansers, two Grey Plovers, 25 Whimbrel, 20 Bar-tailed Godwits, seven Little Gulls, eight Mediterranean Gulls, 988 Sandwich Terns, a very early Pomarine Skua, a Great Skua and an Arctic Skua, a Black-throated Diver and a Shag. 

Today's highlight might have been a Chough which was present on the Point for 30 minutes or so this morning. Unfortunately the colour rings on its legs showed it be a bird from the Dover (Re) Introduction Programme and is called Betty.

Chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax   Dungeness   8th April 2026 (Jonathan Singlewood-Dodds)

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

A Brimstone butterfly was seen.

7th Apr

There were a handful of migrants on the land with a Ring Ouzel caught in the moat being the highlight along with ten Sand Martins, a House Martin, 25 Chiffchaffs, two Willow Warblers, two Blackcaps and a White Wagtail.

Nearly 12 hours of seawatching eventually produced 36 Shelducks, 74 Shovelers, seven Gadwall, three Pintail, nine Teal, five Velvet Scoters, 424 Common Scoters, eight Red-breasted Mergansers, 35 Whimbrel, 11 Common Terns, 643 Sandwich Terns, 18 Little Gulls, four Mediterranean Gulls, four Arctic Skuas and a Great Skua.

Ring Ouzel Turdus torquatus   Dungeness   7th April 2026 (Jonathan Singlewood-Dodds)

A pod of seven White-beaked Dolphins moved east this morning and four Porpoises and two Grey Seals were feeding offshore.

6th Apr

There was a nice arrival of migrants on the land with 75 Chiffchaffs, 50 Willow Warblers, 14 Blackcaps, two Goldcrests, a Firecrest, a Ring Ouzel, two Redstarts, 33 Wheatears and a Corn Bunting. Eight Buzzards, four Swallows and a Siskin flew over.

The sea continued to disappoint despite ESE winds with 202 Common Scoters, four Mediterranean Gulls and 227 Sandwich Terns in four hours of watching.

Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus   Dungeness   6th April 2026 (Jonathan Singlewood-Dodds.)

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

The warm weather brought out a range of insects with a Large Tortoiseshell in the Moat, an Ornate Shieldbug and the rare beetle Hister quadrimaculata of great note.

Large Tortoiseshell Aglais polychloros   Dungeness   6th April 2026

Ornate Shieldbug Eurydema ornata   Dungeness   6th April 2026

Hister quadrimaculata   Dungeness   6th April 2026

5th Apr

Very quiet on the land with just a Great Spotted Woodpecker, three Swallows, four Willow Warblers, 15 Chiffchaffs of interest. Seawatching was also slow going with 4.5hrs of coverage producing just five Eider, 110 Sandwich Terns, six Mediterranean Gulls, three Arctic Skuas and a Great Skua of note. 

Two Porpoises and two Grey Seals were feeding offshore.

4th Apr

The early morning seawatch was very quiet but things picked up a bit in the afternoon as the wind increased from the SW. Notable counts included 469 Brent Geese, two Gadwall, a Velvet Scoter, 707 Common Scoters, 19 Curlew, 99 Kittiwakes, five Little Gulls, 11 Mediterranean Gulls, 347 Sandwich Terns,  a Great Skua, seven Arctic Skuas and a Black-throated Diver. On the land, two Swallows, eight Willow Warblers, 25 Chiffchaffs, three Blackcaps and three Wheatears were of note. 

Five Porpoises and two Grey Seals were feeding offshore.

3rd Apr

With strong SW winds blowing most of the interest was offshore. Over eight hours of watching produced 181 Brent Geese, two Garganey, four Shoveler, three Teal, 641 Common Scoters, 30 Mediterranean Gulls, 404 Sandwich Terns, the first two Common Terns of the spring, three Arctic Skuas and a Little Egret. Four Willow Warblers, 18 Chiffchaffs and 310 Meadow Pipits were of note on the land.

Three Porpoises and a Grey Seal were feeding offshore and Weasel was seen at the Long Pits.

2nd Apr

Nine Willow Warblers, 15 Chiffchaffs, a Firecrest, 57 Redwings, two Fieldfares and a Brambling were seen around the recording area and two Short-eared Owls came in from the south. Two Mediterranean Gulls flew east.

Four Porpoises were feeding offshore.

1st Apr

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.

31st Mar

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.

30th Mar

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.

29th Mar

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.

28th Mar

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.

27th Mar

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. 

26th Mar

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.

25th Mar

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.

24th Mar

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.

23rd Mar

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. 

22nd Mar

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.

21st Mar

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.

20th Mar

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. 

19th Mar

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.

18th Jan

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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17th Jan

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.

16th Mar

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.

15th Mar

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. 

14th Mar

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. 

13th Mar

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. 

12th Mar

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. 

11th Mar

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. 

10th Mar

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. 

Brent Geese    Branta bernicla

Chiffchaff    Phylloscopus collybita

Mixture of Black-headed Gulls (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) and Common Gulls (Larus canus), with
one Mediterranean Gull (Ichthyaetus melanocephalus) at the back.  

Black-headed Gulls    Chroicocephalus ridibundus

9th Mar

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. 

8th Mar

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. 

7th Mar

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. 

6th Mar

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. 

5th Mar

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. 

Black Redstart    Phoenicurus ochruros    Dungeness

4th Mar

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. 

3rd Mar

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. 

Peacock Butterfly    Aglais io    Dungeness

Starlings flying east out to sea    Sturnus vulgaris    Dungeness

2nd Mar

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. 

A flock of Pintails (Anas acuta) taken by Martin Casemore

A view of the Barry Banson hide this morning taken by Owen Leyshon

1st Mar

A few birds passing on the sea being the only birds of note with 28 Brent Geese (west), five Mediterranean Gulls and three Fulmars. 

28th Feb

 A quieter day with little to be seen. The best being 11 Chaffinches over the Trapping Area. 

27th Feb

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. 

26th Feb

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. 

Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus at Cockles Bridge (taken by Martin Casemore)

25th Feb

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. 

Brent Geese Branta bernicla

Mixed flock of Pintail Anas acuta and Shoveler Spatula clypeata

    

Common Buzzard    Buteo buteo

24th Feb

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.

Most of the flock of Eurasian White-fronted Geese flying east past the seawatching hide

23rd Feb

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. 

22nd Feb

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. 

21st Feb

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. 

20th Feb

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. 

19th Feb

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. 

A flock of Brent Geese passing the buoy with a Cormorant in tow

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 Kingsdown. 

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