2nd Oct

Calm conditions saw another large arrival of migrants in the bushes with 330 Chiffchaffs and 135 Blackcaps along with two Reed Warblers, a Grasshopper Warbler, two Firecrests, four Song Thrushes, a Whinchat and four Wheatears. Birds passing overhead included a Greenshank, a Hobby, 12 Skylarks, a Sand Martin, 215 Swallows, 20 House Martins, two Grey Wagtails, 190 Meadow Pipits, two Rock Pipits, three Bramblings, three Siskins and 15 Reed Buntings. A Merlin and a Dartford Warbler were also seen but the surprise of the day was a Quail flushed in the Desert in the afternoon. A Little Gull and three Mediterranean Gulls were feeding offshore.

The moth traps continue to produce good moths with a Plumed Fan-foot along with a Gem, four Vestals, 29 Small Mottled Willows and a Scarce Bordered Straw. At least 15 Mediterranean Stick-insects were found around the Observatory garden and a Willow Emerald damselfly was seen at the Long Pits.

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