Whimbrel at Dungeness, 21st April 2024

4/22/2024

A SE Herts RSPB coach trip to Dungeness and we were greeted with mostly dry and some sunny weather, but a northerly wind hampered our chances of seeing lots of Spring visitors. Sea watching gave us lots of Great Crested Grebes, two Whimbrel, Sandwich Terns and a few Gannets. Turning inland we had amazing views of a pair of Peregrine going after a Pigeon. They narrowly missed it and returned to their vantage point on the Power Station.

There were plenty of Linnets and Meadow Pipit flitting about, but no signs of expected birds such as Wheatear and Black Redstart. However, a group of Early Purple Orchids were a nice find.

Next stop was the RSPB reserve where we had Common Tern and a distant Drake Garganey. This Ringed Plover was slightly more forthcoming.

Even more obliging was this Little Egret.

Continuing around the reserve you are never too far away from the Power Station!

We had a full set of Hirundines and my first Swift of the year. Just a dodgy record shot sadly!

Waders included Redshank, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Curlew and this distant Bar-Tailed Godwit.

While we were watching Marsh Harriers, this Grey Heron was keeping an eye on us!

But the best birds of the day were this flock of Whimbrel. The count kept going up as they moved around and we had a peak of 16. Certainly the most I have seen together and probably the closest views as well.