Wader passage at Dungeness

With the persistent high pressure over northern Europe continuing to produce strong north-easterly winds, I was hoping to catch some of the incredible seawatching thats been happening at Dungeness over the last couple of days. However, soon after arrival it became apparent that there was far less moving today and seawatching was a little disappointing, perhaps due to the increased wind. Unfortunately I wasn't able to arrive until quite late so I missed out on 10 Pomarine Skuas, Little Gulls, Velvet Scoters and greater numbers of passage waders (see here). Nevertheless, a three hour seawatch still produced 150 Bar-tailed Godwits passing in small flocks (1st and 2nd photos), many in full summer plumage, along with 21 Whimbrel, 4 Grey Plover and 12 Sanderling, all heading east up the Channel. 68 Common Scoter, 4 Little Tern, 2 Gannet, a Yellow Wagtail 'in off' (3rd photo) and 3 Barn Swallow were also seen, and at the Patch another 2 Little Tern, 2 Black Tern, 1 Sandwich Tern and 200+ Common Tern were noted.

An afternoon visit to Dungeness RSPB found very little activity due to the very windy conditions. However, this Red-rumped Swallow was a nice surprise (found just before I arrived) and showed well for about an hour between Hooker's Pit and Boulderwall Farm, although it was far from easy to photograph (below)!

Also seen around the RSPB reserve were a further 60 Bar-tailed Godwits, 11+ Whimbrel (photo below), 1 Spotted Redshank, 6+ Greenshank, 1 Turnstone, 4 Dunlin, 4+ Common Swift, 20+ Barn Swallow, c.25 Sand Martin, a House Martin, another 2 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Marsh Harrier, 1 Redshank, 6 Ringed Plover, 2 Oystercatcher and 4+ Shelduck.