7th February 2019 - Dungeness

Another visit to Dungeness but this time with Nick and Garry in very windy conditions proved to be a good day out. On route we had a quick stop at the double bends at Scotney Gravel Pits to try and find the Tundra Bean Goose that was there on the Sunday however we had no joy nor was there any White-fronted Geese either just Greylags and the feral Barnacle Geese. We arrived at the reserve and had a look for the Tree Sparrows at Boulderwell Farm, despite the windy conditions we still managed to see 2. On our way to the visitor centre a Great White Egret was seen near Cook's Pool. Upon arrival, the drake Smew was showing albeit distantly until it flew and moved in front of Dennis's Hide. Here, we obtained good views from here for around 5 minutes before the bird flew again back to where it was originally. Also on Burrowes Pit was a Brent Goose, I think this is the first time I have seen this species on any of the pits at Dungeness before. 

After we moved down to the fishing boats in hope of the Glaucous Gull making a reappearance however no luck despite throwing 2 loafs of bread out. Compensation for this was Red-throated Divers, Gannets, Kittiwakes, Guillemots and Razorbills coming and going offshore. 

On the way back home we quickly called into Cockles Bridge and located the 2 Whooper Swans and on the way there we had 2 Cattle Egrets out the car window. Another quick look at Scotney once again, sadly didn't produce the Tundra Bean Goose.