Over the weekend we've had some unusual reports here at Dungeness.
We have had a red-necked phalarope stay with us over the weekend. These small, delicate waders are adapted well to spending a lot of time on water. Unlike other waders, phalaropes have lobed toes which enable them to swim strongly when on pools or out at sea. They spend most of their time in the water but can equally run about on land. The duller coloured male looks after the eggs and young after laying. As a rare UK breeding species it is a Red List bird.
Image: Red-necked phalarope by Chris Gomersall (rsbp-images.com)
We also heard a report of a red-footed booby being washed up from the sea at St. Leonards. It is currently recuperating with the RSPCA. These sea birds live all year round in sub-tropical regions of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. They are not a migratory species so I wonder how it ended up here, so far from home?
There are lots of swifts and sand martins over Burrowes pit today. They are grouping together to start their migration back to Africa for the winter. Sights of hundreds of these birds should be around for a week, so come and visit to watch an incredible acrobatic performance from the comfort of the visitor centre.
Other interesting sightings this week include: garganey on Burrowes pit, a cattle egret seen over by the cows in Boulderwall fields, an osprey flying over the ARC, 3 wood sandpipers seen in hayfields, black terns over Burrowes, a redstart along the return trail and a spotted flycatcher by Burrowes pit too.