30th Apr

An all-day seawatch with more strong easterly winds produced an excellent movement of birds with a total of 33 Pomarine Skuas being the obvious highlight while variety and numbers were provided by 17 Shovelers, two Tufted Ducks, 98 Grey Plovers, 267 Whimbrels, 319 Bar-tailed Godwits, a Greenshank, 65 Knot, 78 Sanderlings, five Little Terns, ten Little Gulls, six Mediterranean Gulls, five Arctic Skuas, two Black-throated Divers and 475 Gannets. A Redstart and 20 Wheatears were of note on the land and 180 Swallows passed overhead.

Four Porpoises and two Grey Seals were feeding offshore.

A Holly Blue butterfly was seen in the Lighthouse Garden and some Grey-backed Mining Bees Andrena vaga were found around the Observatory garden.

29th Apr

Even windier today and very little to be seen. Over seven hours of seawatching produced four Grey Plovers, 140 Bar-tailed Godwits, seven Sanderlings, 141 "commic" Terns and five Arctic Skuas.

Three Porpoises and two Grey Seals were seen offshore.

A Brown Argus butterfly was seen. 

28th Apr

Strong ENE winds yet again restricted much of the observation to the sea but even here it was fairly quiet. Over seven hours of watching produced 30 Oystercatchers, eight Grey Plovers, 39 Whimbrel, 236 Bar-tailed Godwits, a Little Gull, a Mediterranean Gull, 638 Sandwich Terns, 478 "commic" Terns, a Manx Shearwater and the days highlight of two Pomarine Skuas.

Three Porpoises and two Grey Seals were feeding offshore.

27th Apr

A Wood Warbler singing in the Trapping Area was almost the only new migrant on the land while seawatching was also poor with just three Pomarine Skuas and seven Mediterranean Gulls of note.

Six Porpoises and two Grey Seals were feeding offshore.

26th Apr

A much quieter day on the sea than yesterday but still produced four Pintail, nine Grey Plovers, 223 Whimbrels, 78 Bar-tailed Godwits, two Black Terns, 33 Little Gulls, 11 Mediterranean Gulls, six Great Skuas, four Pomarine Skuas, 20 Arctic Skuas, singles of Black-throated and Great Northern Divers and four Manx Shearwaters of note. Birds passing overhead included 125 Swallows.

Six Porpoises and two Grey Seals were feeding offshore.

A Wall butterfly was an unusual record. 

25th Apr

All day coverage of the sea in fresh ENE winds produced some spectacular movements. Highlights were 77 Black Terns, a remarkable total of 1467 Little Gulls, 22 Pomarine Skuas, 31 Arctic Skuas, ten Great Skuas, five Black-throated Divers and seven Manx Shearwaters. Numbers were provided by 514 Common Scoters, 244 Whimbrels, 666 Bar-tailed Godwits, 40 Little Terns, 2920 Common Terns, 3165 "commic" Terns and 685 Sandwich Terns while other bits included 72 Brent Geese, 17 Shelducks, two Velvet Scoters, five Grey Plovers, 11 Mediterranean Gulls and 46 Arctic Terns.

A Buzzard, 140 Swallows, four Yellow Wagtails flew over and four Willow Warblers, 11 Blackcaps and 12 Lesser Whitethroats were seen on the land.

Ten Porpoises and a Grey Seal were seen offshore and a Brown Hare was seen on the land.

Eight Grizzled Skippers were seen around the Trapping Area.

24th Apr

More strong NE winds resulted in another day of seawatching and numbers really picking up in the afternoon. Of note were two Shoveler, six Pintail, 21 Teal, 424 Common Scoters, six Avocets, 42 Grey Plovers, an excellent total of 534 Whimbrel, 115 Bar-tailed Godwits, six Knot, 17 Sanderling, 18 Mediterranean Gulls, 97 Little Gulls, 122 Kittiwakes, nine Arctic Skuas, 18 Pomarine Skuas, four Great Skuas, 1246 Sandwich Terns, 21 Little Terns, 25 Black Terns, 377 'commic' Terns, four Black-throated Divers, 25 Fulmars, a Manx Shearwater and 427 Gannets. It remains hard-going on the land with just a Green Sandpiper, 75 Swallows, four Willow Warblers, nine Blackcaps, 11 Lesser Whitethroats and a Yellow Wagtail of note.

Eight Porpoise and two Grey Seal were feeding offshore.

23rd Apr

The cold, strong ENE wind continues and resulted in some excellent seawatching. Dawn till dusk coverage produced two Garganey, 20 Shovelers, two Gadwall, seven Pintail, four Teal, two Eiders, two Velvet Scoters, 171 Common Scoters, two Red-breasted Mergansers, 14 Grey Plover, 353 Whimbrel, 111 Bar-tailed Godwits, 27 Sanderlings, 20 Little Gulls, six Mediterranean Gulls, three Little Terns, five Black Terns, 1330 Sandwich Terns, four Arctic Skuas, a Pomarine Skua, two Black-throated Divers, 18 Fulmars and 736 Gannets. Two Sand Martins, 24 Swallows and four Yellow Wagtails flew over.

Three Porpoises and two Grey Seals were seen offshore.

22nd Apr

The strong and cold NE wind continues and meant that most of the days interest was offshore. Of note were four Shoveler, four Pintail, three Eider, a Velvet Scoter, 16 Grey Plover, 205 Whimbrel, 155 Bar-tailed Godwits, a Knot, seven Sanderlings, seven Greenshank, four Mediterranean Gulls, nine Little Gulls, seven Arctic Skuas, two Pomarine Skuas and ten Arctic Terns. Two Sand Martins, 35 Swallows and a Yellow Wagtail flew over.

Eight Porpoises and three Grey Seals were seen offshore.

21st Apr

A cold and strong NE restricted any migration on the land but there was a steady movement of birds offshore. Twelve hours of seawatching produced ten Shelducks, 26 Oystercatchers, three Grey Plovers, 69 Whimbrel, 390 Bar-tailed Godwits, two Sanderlings, 1064 Sandwich Terns and two Arctic Skuas. A Swift, 44 Swallows, four Yellow Wagtails and a Rock Pipit also arrived.

Six Porpoises and two Grey Seals were seen offshore.

20th Apr

Seawatching produced five Shelduck, 29 Common Scoter, ten Red-breasted Mergansers, 51 Oystercatchers, 19 Grey Plovers, 83 Whimbrel, 199 Bar-tailed Godwits, a Knot, a Mediterranean Gull, 883 Sandwich Terns and seven Arctic Terns. Very quiet on the land with just four Willow Warblers, eight Blackcaps, 13 Lesser Whitethroats and seven Wheatears of note.

A pod of three Bottle-nose Dolphins were seen.

A Grizzled Skipper was seen.

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.