AJG spent an hour freezing in the sea watch this morning, many thanks to him for sending me the results of his efforts:

07.30-08.30 

Brent Goose: 22 down

Teal: 4 down

Shoveller: 32 down

Wigeon: 22 down

Pintail:5 down

Common Scoter: 8 down

Red-throated Diver: 52 down . 59 up

Black-throated Diver: 1 down

Great-crested Grebe: 8 up

Gannet 22 around

Avocet 2 down

Auk sp 9 up

Kingfisher from Firth

A quick look at the ARC and Burrowes first thing this morning confirmed that there had been no cold weather arrival of Smew or anything else. The Willow trail held a couple of Goldcrests and Song Thrushes, also a couple of noisy Cetti's Warblers. Both lakes were very quiet.
At Scotney the lake was mill pond smooth but no new arrivals here also.
After repairing my storm damaged fence I made my way to the reserve again via Cockles Bridge where 7 Bewick swans could be seen, presumably yesterday afternoons birds that were around Burrowes.
In the Gull roost late afternoon 1 adult and 2 x 3w Caspian Gulls were of note. A Great White Egret and Kingfisher were also seen.
The details of Sundays Polish colour ringed 3w Caspian Gull are below.
Caspian Gull 26P5: Seen at Dungeness 10/12/2017

Caspian Gull colony (Larus cachinnans kolonia) []
[Ringed as a pullus released by ringer 21/05/2015, 0:0, date accurate
[PL OE] ZB.KOZIELNO,PACZKÓW, OPOLSKIE, POLAND 50°28'35.8''; 16°58'54.2'' (50.47659800; 16.98173000) accurate to the given coordinates
Jacek Betleja, Jakub Szymczak 

Date Rings Place Latitude Distance
Elapsed time		Circumstances Longitude Direction
		Finder Condition Status
25/10/2016 NOG RED 26P5 (FR 07) Berck sur Mer, PAS-DE-CALAIS, FRANCE 523 days (81) colour ring read Frédéric LEVIEZ 50°25'25.0'' 1°33'50.0'' (7) ŻYWWYP 1088 km 275° ZIM
22/09/2017 NOG RED 26P5 (FR 01) PENNEDEPIE, CALVADOS, FRANCE 855 days (81) colour ring read Tony Le Huu Nghia 49°24'28.1'' 1206 km 0°09'07.0'' 270° (7) ŻYWWYP