Dungeness/ Walland Marsh 8/02/26

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A dry day at last, also calm though with little sign of the sun.

Starting at Walland there was an amazing collection of geese on the marsh just south of the Woolpack Inn. In amongst the Greylags were approximately 20 White-fronted Geese, four Tundra Bean, three Pink-feet and a single Barnacle Goose. After about 15 minutes the whole flock flew off, possibly flushed by a low-flying plane.

Heading further into the marsh we stopped near Midley Cottages, where about 20 Tree Sparrows were present in loose groups along the roadside. Other birds seen there included two Yellowhammers and several Chaffinch, a male of which was heard to sing.

Along Ashentree Lane a flock of c40 Bewick's Swans were found, though they were fairly distant. On a flooded area closer to the road a collection of Black-headed and Common gulls also included four adult Mediterranean.

A visit to the RSPB reserve revealed relatively few birds on Burrows, notably with smaller numbers of gulls than expected. However, there were three Goldeneye and two Great White Egret, one of the latter flying in to give close views.

The final stop was for a seawatch near the fishing boats. On a calm sea there were prodigious numbers of Cormorants (1000+) fishing just offshore. Further out small numbers of Guillemot were seen, also a couple of Red-throated Divers. Along the shore we were treated to fly-pasts from a number of Kittiwakes, always a delight to see.

White-fronted Geese and a Barnacle, together with Greylags.

Tundra Bean Geese with Greylags 

Tree Sparrow 



Great White Egret 

Great White Egret 

First-winter Kittiwake 

Adult Kittiwake




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