Tuesday 28 May 2019

Star Terns at Dungeness plus a Red Backed Shrike

                                   20th May : Dungeness Rspb

                                                             
Adult Whiskered Tern

On the 20th May a superb adult summer plumage Whiskered Tern appeared on Burrowe's Pit at Dungeness Rspb reserve , i didn't get down there until late afternoon and managed some superb views of the Whiskered Tern both in flight and at rest.


Constantly twisting and diving.

The light wasn't great for photography (my fave excuse....) however the Whiskered Tern put on a tremendous display in front of Dennis hide.



Whiskered Tern.

Whilst we were all enjoying the Whiskered Tern DW from the bird observatory picked out a Roseate Tern on call alone (Wow) and sure enough a superb pink flushed Roseate Tern flew in and landed among the Common Terns.

Here is a small selection of photos i took.

Pink flushed Roseate Tern.

In flight.

Roseate Tern with a Sanderling.

Roseate Tern getting some Coot aggro.

Roseate Tern.

We also managed to see both the Whiskered & Roseate Tern in the same field of view at times.

Roseate & Whiskered & Common Terns



Roseate Tern Flying over Whiskered Tern.


22nd May :  Dungeness NNR

Adult male Red backed Shrike.

On the 22nd a male Red backed Shrike was seen in the moat by the Dungeness bird Ob's early in the morning and then went missing for most of the day.

It was relocated early afternoon back at the moat , so plans were made and i was soon heading to Dungeness in the hope of seeing this superb bird.




Eating a beetle.

The Ob's staff managed to catch and ring the Red backed Shrike so we were all treated to viewing this stunning bird close up in the hand.

Although i am not a fan of birds being displayed like this i have to say the Observatory staff were very professional and handled the Red backed Shrike with all due care and attention , they did not keep it for to long before releasing it where promptly it ruffled it's feathers and perched out in the open preening.



Red backed Shrike.


A superb male Black Redstart was also seen nearby plus plenty of Common Whitethroats, a Peregrine was constantly heard but remained unseen somewhere in the Power station.





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