Instead of the “Valley” today, Brendan and
I decided to head for Dover Harbour and look for the recently sighted Slavonian
Grebe and revisit the long staying Kumlien’s Gull. I arrived at the inner basin
of the harbour just before seven and as I turned into the beach road who should
be coming the other way but our very own Dover Recorder Mark Chidwick. We
parked up had had a scout round for the Grebe without any luck then made our
way to the Admiralty Pier, the Kumlien’s Gull being sighted over the lorry park
near the pier entrance.
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| Two of four Shags |
While on the pier waiting for the Gull to glide past we
were kept busy watching and photographing four Shags that came in close to the
harbour wall as Kittiwakes and Herring Gulls passed by. Joined by Brendan we
waited patiently for the Gull that seemed reluctant to show itself so we busied
ourselves taking photos of Turnstones and Kittiwakes that were perching
themselves on the wall of the pier beside us.
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| Turnstone |
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| First winter Kittiwake |
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| First winter Kittiwake |
At one point Chidders was in
pursuit of a Kittiwake when the Kumlien’s strolled by Brendan and me heading
towards the beach, a few quick shots were taken but other than one other view
of it over the cruise terminal we never saw it again whilst on the pier.
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| 3rd calender year Kumlien's Gull |
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| 3rd calender year Kumlien's Gull |
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| 3rd calender year Kumlien's Gull |
Craig
Sammels, Richard Kinzler and Chip Shop Chris?? Plus two other birders joined us
but failed to connect. We did however have excellent views of Herring, Greater
Black-backed and Black-headed Gulls plus, a couple of Fulmars, 1 or 2 Gannets,
at least 1 Razorbill, a breeding plumaged Guillemot, a Rock Pipit and a
Peregrine Falcon plus a Common Seal that was seen sevaral times.
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| Adult Kittiwake |
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| Common Seal |
Leaving the pier Mark, Brendan and I headed to the inner
marina to try again for the Slavonian Grebe but, no sooner had we arrived
Brendan received a call that a White-tailed Eagle was just down the road seen
flying from Hawkinge towards Folkestone. Despite arriving minutes later we
never did see it although we did manage to note 7 Common Buzzards, 1
Sparrowhawk and a couple of Kestrels. Once again stopping at the harbour as we
were homeward bound, a quick search revealed no Slav Grebes while a walk along
the Prince of Wales Pier added nothing new for the day but we did relocate the
Kumlien’s Gull sleeping on the apron of the old Hoverpad.
