RXwildlife Sightings

Today’s sightings include, four snipe at Denge marsh, curlew, dunlin and stonechat.

The sea again provided this mornings highlights, Black-throated Diver and a Shag were feeding close inshore. On Camber shore 17 Brent Geese, 10 Shelduck, 230 Oystercatcher and 26 Ringed Plover.

Two peregrines and an avocet were spotted today at the ARC pits. 

A brambling was heard around the Christmas Dell area. A chiffchaff was reported and a goldcrest was heard at Hooker’s pits whilst a black redstart was seen around the visitor centre. 

While at Castle Water this afternoon several clumps of the strange Fairy Clubs fungi (Clavaria fragilis) were found, a Smooth Newt was also a nice find under a pile of fence posts.

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Good selection of birds offshore this morning, 134 Brent Geese, 15 Gannet, 12 Guillemot, 60 Common Scoter, 23 Wigeon, Arctic Skua, 2 Little Gull, Fulmar and a few Kittiwake.

Still a good proportion of migrants in the Lime Kiln moth trap at the moment, largely the micros Rush Veneer and Rusty Dot Pearl but with smaller numbers of species such as Silver Y and Pearly Underwing. Highlights over the last couple of days have included five Gem (below) and singles of Scarce Bordered Straw and Delicate.

A bright warm morning saw frequent flocks of Woodpigeons moving S against high cloud, some spilling up over the crest and others skirting it to set off across the sea. I wasn’t counting very carefully, but there were at least 2000, with 200 Stock Doves, most of these in separate groups.

Linnets, Siskins and Lesser Redpolls were moving east, but Starlings, Pied Wagtails, Meadow Pipits, Skylarks, Chaffinches and 3 Bramblings were mostly going the other way.

Occasional groups of Swallows & House Martins gathered overhead, where Reed Buntings & Yellowhammers were in circulation.

A single Ring Ouzel flew east over the Quarry, 3 Woodlarks may have come up from the newly-scraped patch by Warren Cottage and a Dartford Warbler was buzzing a bit further along.

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The penduline tit, which was seen for most of yesterday, was seen flying high up in the sky early this morning. 

A wryneck was spotted near boulderwall farm and again on the left hand side of the track leading to Hanson ARC hide; A ruff and a curlew were seen there too.

Two marsh harriers were spotted at Denge marsh. 

Highlights from Castle Water this morning, 36 Little Egret left the roost, 34 Shoveler, 100 Wigeon, 2 Green Sandpiper, 24 Snipe, Short Eared Owl and a Whinchat. Two Little Stint and 500+ Golden Plover were on Flat Beach, 4 Stonechat (pictured) were at the Wader Pool.

Today’s highlight was a penduline tit feeding on the bulrush area on the right hand side of the nature trail, as one approaches Scott hide walking from Makepeace hide, stonechat and kingfisher ware also reported.