Wednesday 18 September 2013

Caspian Gull, 2nd winter, Dungeness, 15/9/2013

Andy Lawson has joined Mick and myself for a day at Dungeness

07.30 hours, it is a very nice morning with good light,
the weather forecast for the afternoon is strong SW winds and rain, ideal for sea watching ! (not my scene !)

AL and Mick head off for a sea watch,
I spend my time around the lighthouse, gorse and moat area.

Wheatear, 6+
Lots of Yellow Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler


Northern Wheatear


Yellow Wagtail




Northern Wheatear

About 11.00 hours, we head off towards Galloways Road, noting a Merlin fly by as we crossed the causeway, also a Whinchat at Galloways.

AL gets info that an Ortolan Bunting has been seen in the gully at Denge Marsh, we are there in 5 mins, to meet 'half of Kent' looking for an Ortolan ! A half hour here, I saw a few Chiffchaff but
no Ortolan !

next !  ''Breakfast time'',

Then out to the fishing boats to look at the Gulls.

The light is not good, grey cloud !

Herring Gull, 1st winter



Lesser Black-backed Gull, adult winter



Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1st winter


Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1st winter



Great Black-backed Gull, 1st winter


Lesser Black-backed Gull, adult winter


Great Black-backed Gull, 1st winter


The weather has deteriorated !  Light is grim ! Wind, strong, and the rain is threatening !
I am near ready to give up !

AL calls Caspian Gull !

Caspian Gull, 1st summer going into 2nd winter


Caspian Gull, 2nd winter


Caspian Gull, 2nd winter


Caspian Gull, 2nd winter


Caspian Gull, 2nd winter


Caspian Gull, 2nd winter


Caspian Gull, 2nd winter


Caspian Gull, 2nd winter


Caspian Gull, 2nd winter

The rain starts, Mick and myself run for the car !
Andy continues for a sea watch for another half hour,
I am happy to be in the car !




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